Filtonvoice July 2024

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Filton Festival 2024 Picture Special, Pages 8-9

Green light for 'massive' HMO Pages 2-3 Student flats are finally approved Pages 4-5 'Serious' security breach at mortuary Pages 6-7 General Election - meet the candidates for Filton and Bradley Stoke Pages 14-15 SERVICING from

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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

Shane Gibson Editorial and Advertising sales

0770 674 1200 | shane@filtonvoice.co.uk

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, below.

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.

News

'Massive' 10-bed HMO is approved

By Adam Postans, LDRS reporter Councillors were warned “don’t wince” by South Gloucestershire’s top planner as she showed designs for a “massive” 10-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) that they can’t stop.

A planning committee unanimously approved a change of use of the semi-detached property in Filton from an existing small HMO for six people to a large one for 10 residents after hearing they did not have a choice.

Members were told the owners of 82 Conygre Grove could already make big changes by building a rear extension and converting the loft under permitted development rights, which means planning

permission is not required, and that the only consideration was the impact on neighbours of increasing the number of bedsits.

South Gloucestershire Council development manager Marie Bath told the development management committee on Thursday, June 6: “It is policy compliant in all respects in terms of providing sufficient parking spaces, amenity spaces, cycle store, bin store.

“It does not result in overconcentration (of HMOs in the area).

“There are extensions proposed to facilitate this change of use but very annoyingly all these extensions are permitted development. We cannot control them, so don’t be shocked when I

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News

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82 Conygre Grove. Image: Google Maps show you the proposed design.

“We can’t stop them from making these extensions.”

As she brought up the images on the projector, she told members: “Don’t wince.”

Cllr June Bamford (Conservative, Hanham) said: “I don’t particularly like the look of it. It’s going to be massive and I can understand the neighbours

being rather upset but it is policy compliant.

“I don’t think we really have a lot of choice.”

The town council and five residents objected to the plans.

Filton is the region’s hotspot for HMOs, with many family homes being turned into shared accommodation, which residents say is destroying longstanding

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communities and denying young people the chance to buy their first home in the area.

The council introduced tougher rules in 2021 that capped the number of HMOs to 10 per cent in a neighbourhood and 20 per cent within 100 metres of a property being converted to bedsits.

A report to Thursday’s committee said the proposals for the house in Conygre Grove were acceptable because only 5.3 per cent of homes in the locality were HMOs. It said five parking spaces would be provided at the front of the building, which complies with council policy to have half a space per bed.

In 2022, the council introduced an even stricter policy, called Article 4 Directions, covering this part of Filton and a couple of other areas removing permitted development rights to convert homes into even small HMOs. But planning agents, on

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behalf of applicants KASA Real Estate, said in a letter to the local authority that this came into force after the four bedroom property became a small HMO. They said the house had been previously enlarged with a first-floor side extension and that the additional changes were “modest”.

The agents said: “The proposal enlarges the existing driveway to provide five off-street parking spaces.

“We consider that the proposal to change the use of the site will contribute to the mix of housing types in the locality.

“The change of use would not give rise to significant harm to the amenity of neighbours.

“The applicant is an experienced HMO landlord, who successfully operates a large number of existing HMOs across Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

“Allowing the change of use adds to the variety of housing types available in Filton.”

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July, 2024

News

Student digs approved – despite fears

By Adam Postans, LDRS reporter Plans to demolish a former garage and build three storeys of student flats in Filton have been approved at the second attempt despite fears it will “wreck” elderly neighbours’ lives.

South Gloucestershire councillors voted 8-1 to grant permission to replace Filton Central Garage with a new block with 75 UWE student beds after the developers changed the design to reduce the height slightly and make the roofs sloping instead of flat.

But 115 residents, the town council and both ward members objected with concerns about the impact on older people living in sheltered housing over the road in Hanover Court, along with road safety, pressure on local facilities, overlooking of nearby homes and the “overbearing” building.

Last month, the development management committee deferred the decision after councillors failed to agree whether it should be given the go-ahead or refused, bizarrely voting against both outcomes by 5-4.

When the proposals for the site between Gloucester Road North and Rectory Lane came back on Thursday, June 6, most members were happy with the changes.

But Cllr Paul Hughes (Conservative, Bitton & Oldland Common), who this time was alone in voting against, told the meeting: “We haven’t really understood the impact this is going to have on elderly people with some vulnerability.

“It will be a huge, overbearing situation there. Do we really want Filton to become an annex of the University of the West of England?

“It’s overdevelopment. It will possibly wreck the lives of a lot of people who live there and we should be considering that very hard.

“We are here to help our residents, not to help the University of the West of England or developers.”

Resident Michelle Greaves told the committee the building would be four metres above Hanover Court’s firstfloor windows and that the design was “over-dominant” and “overbearing” with an “unacceptable level of overlooking” She said: “Approving this development is not recognising the needs of elderly and vulnerable residents who are a priority for South Gloucestershire.”

Ms Greaves said a restrictive covenant prohibited any use that

could cause nuisance or for a business that was not a garage and that there had been no public consultation over the revised plans by Sampson Homes, which reduced the building height by 70cm.

Ward Cllr Adam Monk (Labour, Filton) said previous planning applications next to the site that were rejected were “significantly smaller” than the proposed student block.

Ward Cllr Alex Doyle (Labour, Filton) said the developers had improved the design but he added: “We need to consider the weight of objection in the community which is significant.

“Residents are looking to move away from Hanover Court because of this development.”

He said the plans would not stop family homes in the town being turned into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

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News because students would need to find somewhere else to live after their first year in the accommodation.

Planning agent Paul Jobson said factual inaccuracies from the previous meeting needed correcting, including the false claim that UWE had objected when it had only provided suggestions to the town council for improvements and had now written in support.

He said covenants did not apply to the site and were not a planning consideration even if they did.

Cllr June Bamford (Conservative, Hanham) said: “The design is slightly better.

“I feel for the elderly people of Hanover Court.

“They become very vulnerable, they do not like change and they are concerned when perhaps they needn’t necessarily be so concerned.

“It’s going to be student accommodation, it’s not going to be a centre for addicts or a home for released prisoners, it’s going

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to be students – I know they can make a lot of noise but they will probably be at the university most of the time.”

Cllr Mike Drew (Lib Dem, Yate North) said: “Such accommodation would reduce the pressure for HMOs elsewhere in Filton and could free up more domestic accommodation.

“The design is a vast improvement.”

South Gloucestershire Council development manager Marie Bath told members: “The recommendation again is approval.

“We consider that the applicants have listened to the concerns of members at the last committee.

“We deem the impact on residential amenity to be acceptable.

“Of course it will impact on the residents – they’re going from quite low garage buildings to quite a tall building, we can’t dispute that.”

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A CGI of the Rectory House which will replace Filton Central Garage Image: Sampson Homes

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News

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July, 2024

'Serious' security breach at mortuary

By Adam Postans, LDRS reporter Security has been beefed up at Southmead Hospital’s mortuary after a patient broke in through a locked door.

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) says no cold storage units or human remains were accessed in what has been classed as a ‘serious security breach’.

An investigation was launched by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA), a Department of Health and Social Care quango, and has been closed after the trust, which runs the hospital, took steps to prevent a repeat.

NBT said the patient was arrested following the incident in February.

A trust spokesperson said: “An incident occurred when an NHS patient with complex care needs was able to temporarily gain entry to areas within the mortuary facility after forcing

Southmead Hospital. Image: LDRS doors that were locked. Through detailed CCTV monitoring we can confirm that at no point were any refrigerated or frozen storage units holding human tissue breached and, as such, we can give an absolute assurance that no remains were accessed at any time.

“The individual was arrested shortly after gaining entry.

“In response we have significantly increased both the

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strength and number of locked doors that protect the mortuary and have put in place additional measures to ensure each area of the mortuary can be secured independently of any other – so a breach in one will not affect another.

“Finally, we have introduced enhanced measures to increase the speed at which our onsite security teams are able to respond to alerts in or near the mortuary.”

The incident was revealed to the NBT board on Thursday, May 30.

Chief executive Maria Kane’s report to the meeting said: “The HTA has updated the trust following its review of the private mortuary access by a patient in February.

“The incident has been classified as a HTA Reportable Incident and categorised as a

serious security breach. The HTA has acknowledged the evidence submitted and all of the corrective actions and mitigations that have taken place and has now closed the incident.”

Giving a verbal update to the board, Ms Kane said: “We are noting this publicly that the Human Tissue Authority (has carried out a) review of a mortuary incident, they have acknowledged our evidence and mitigating actions and have now decided that they are now happy to close the incident.

“But there has been learning from that, clearly, and we will continue to monitor that and have put in place additional contract expectations from our providers.”

An HTA spokesperson said a report would be published in its next quarterly update of closed reportable incidents next month.

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7

News 11 Fifth Avenue Creation of rear dormer to facilitate loft HM watch Garden club conversion. Approve Certificate of invites new Lawfulness Building And Land At The Shield Retail Centre Demolition of 847 Filton Avenue Erection members existing pub/restaurant. Erection of of single storey rear and side

Filton planning applications in June Applications 61 Mortimer Road Demolition of outbuilding. Erection of detached annex ancillary to the main dwelling.

25 Tenth Avenue Non material amendment to planning permission P23/03122/HH to change the approved gable roof to a mono pitch roof.

677 Filton Avenue Continued use as Small House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Class C4).

Land Off Charborough Road Redevelopment of site to provide 36 dwellings (Use Class C3) with parking, refuse storage, open space, landscaping and associated works.

Decisions 104 Kenmore Crescent Erection of single storey side extension to form additional living accommodation.

Approve with Conditions

extension to form additional living accommodation with associated works. Approve with Conditions 12 Hunters Way Erection of single storey and two storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation. Approve with Conditions 59 Mortimer Road Conversion of garage to 1 ancillary annexe (retrospective). Approve with Conditions

82 Conygre Grove Change of use from C4 small house of multiple occupancy to a ten-bedroom large HMO (Sui Generis) for up to ten people including vehicle parking, bin storage and cycle parking.

Approve with Conditions

five storey building for mixed use purposes, including retail (Class E) and residential accommodation for up to 99 student bedspaces (Sui Generis) Approved Section 106 Signed Filton Central Garage 166 Gloucester Road North Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 3 storey building to form 75 bed student accommodation (Sui Generis) with associated parking, cycle and bin storage (Outline) with access, layout, appearance and scale to be determined, all other matters reserved. Approved Section 106 Signed

Filton Garden Club are on the look-out for keen gardeners.

The group meets on the first Wednesday of the month at St Andrews Church, Elm Park, 7.30pm.

Each meeting has interesting speakers, with refreshments available – and good company.

For more information about the club, visit: gfgs.org.uk/clubs/ filton/

For latest planning applications and decisions, visit: beta. southglos.gov.uk/search-planningapplications/

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Filton Festival 2024 - picture special

July, 2024

Revamped festival a big hit with local people

Local people enjoyed a fun-packed Filton Festival, back on the top field at Elm Park after the 2023 event was washed out by rain.

They were treated to a huge variety of performances - bands, dancers, comedy magic and much more. There was also lots to eat and drink as well as a funfair and local organisations showcasing their work and activities.

The event was run by Apex Marquees on behalf of Filton Town Council.

On social media, local people praised the event: "Thanks to the organisers and volunteers for organising it was a really lovely day and event."

"Such a lovely day - well organised, great bands and good to see the community get together well done to the organisers!"

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

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Filton Festival 2024 - picture special

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Filton Community Garden

Filton Community Garden COME & JOIN US FOR OUR

SUMMER FETE SUNDAY 14 FILTON COMMUNITY JULY GARDEN (top of elm park)

GARDENING GET TOGETHERS Alternate Saturdays, 11am-1pm. No experience necessary, just turn up on the day. Tools and guidance provided.

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Saturday 20 July

Punch and Judy Cakes and refreshments Plant sale Traditional games Garden treasure hunt Children’s activities Raffle and much more!

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Saturday 3 August Saturday 17 August Saturday 31 August

Filton Community Garden, Gloucester Road North, Filton BS34 7PF

All proceeds go towards the upkeep of the garden for all to enjoy! Online updates at: Facebook.com/filtoncommunitygarden

Online updates at: Facebook.com/filtoncommunitygarden Email:communitygarden@filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

2024

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For further information please ring 07870 984760

July, 2024

E: richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

Filton Twinning news

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11

Twinning members preparing for trip to France

By the time you read this Filton Twinning Association will have had a successful day at Filton Festival selling delicious crepes, together with a table of games for all to enjoy.

Filton twinning members are looking forward to our visit to St Vallier-sur-Rhone in France

during October of this year.

We travel by coach with channel crossings by ferry, and one-night stops in hotel on both outward/inward journey.

We arrive at our destination to a great welcome from our St Vallier hosts, together with members of our second twin

town Witzenhausen, Germany, who will also have members for the week. Home hosting will be arranged for you.

Language is no barrier - most speak some English. With a couple of excursions, your host taking you out and about, and possibly dance and party - the

week is totally enjoyable.

If you are interested in joining our association and this trip please phone Carole on either 07863551598 or 01179 865350 for more information.

Next year, 2025 - we shall be celebrating in Witzenhausen for its 800th Birthday!

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Filton Town Council Name of Smaller authority: FILTON TOWN COUNCIL

NOTICE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS AND PUBLICATION OF ANNUAL GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN (EXEMPT AUTHORITY) ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 Sections 25, 26 and 27 The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/234)

NOTICE

NOTES

1. Date of announcement - 12 June 2024 a) 2. Each year the smaller authority prepares an Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR). The AGAR has been published with this notice. It will not be reviewed by the appointed auditor, since the smaller authority has certified itself as exempt from the appointed auditor’s review.

Any person interested has the right to inspect and make copies of the AGAR, the accounting records for the financial year to which it relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records must be made available for inspection by any person interested. For the year ended 31 March 2024, these documents will be available on reasonable notice by application to:

(a) Insert date of placing of the notice which must be not less than 1 day before the date in (c) below

(b) Lesley Reuben Town Clerk and RFO Filton Town Council Elm Park Filton Bristol BS34 7PS 01454 803918 commencing on (c) - 13th June 2024 and ending on (d) - 25th July 2024 3. Local government electors and their representatives also have: • The opportunity to question the appointed auditor about the accounting records; and • The right to make an objection which concerns a matter in respect of which the appointed auditor could either make a public interest report or apply to the court for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful. Written notice of an objection must first be given to the auditor and a copy sent to the smaller authority.

The appointed auditor can be contacted at the address in paragraph 4 below for this purpose between the above dates only.

4. The smaller authority’s AGAR is only subject to review by the appointed auditor if questions or objections raised under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 lead to the involvement of the auditor. The appointed auditor is: BDO LLP Arcadia House Maritime Walk Ocean Village Southampton SO14 3TL  councilaudits@bdo.co.uk

(b) Insert name, position and address/telephone number/ email address, as appropriate, of the Chair or other person to which any person may apply to inspect the accounts (c) Insert date, which must be at least 1 day after the date of announcement in (a) above and at least 30 working days before the date appointed in (d) below (d) The inspection period between (c) and (d) must be 30 working days inclusive and must include the first 10 working days of July. (e) Insert name and position of person placing the notice – this person must be the Chair of the parish meeting

5. This announcement is made by (e)- Lesley Reuben Town Clerk and RFO

Contact Filton Town Council Council meetings Office Opening Hours The council offices are open to the public Monday to Friday 9.00 am1.00pm and appointment only 1.00pm – 5.00pm The Council Offices are located at Elm Park, Filton, South Gloucestershire, BS34 7PS. Call The Town Council Office 01454 803918 Email the Town Council Office Council Enquiries – office@filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

July 9th, 7pm, Full Council Finance & General Purposes Active Nation Filton, Studio 1 16th, 7pm, Planning Committee Active Nation Filton, FTC Council room 30th, 7pm, Full Council Active Nation Filton, Studio 1

August No meetings

Filton Town Council LOCAL AUTHORITY ACCOUNTS: A SUMMARY OF YOUR RIGHTS Please note that this summary applies to all relevant smaller authorities, including parish meetings where there is no parish council.

The basic position The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (the Act) governs the work of auditors appointed to smaller authorities. This summary explains the provisions contained in Sections 26 and 27 of the Act. The Act and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 also cover the duties, responsibilities and rights of smaller authorities, other organisations and the public concerning the accounts being audited.

As a local elector, or an interested person, you have certain legal rights in respect of the accounting records of smaller authorities. As an interested person you can inspect accounting records and related documents. If you are a local government elector for the area to which the accounts relate you can also ask questions about the accounts and object to them. You do not have to pay directly for exercising your rights. However, any resulting costs incurred by the smaller authority form part of its running costs.

Therefore, indirectly, local residents pay for the cost of you exercising your rights through their council tax.

The right to inspect the accounting records Any interested person can inspect the accounting records, which includes but is not limited to local electors. You can inspect the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records. You can copy all, or part, of these records or documents.

Your inspection must be about the accounts, or relate to an item in the accounts. You cannot, for example, inspect or copy documents unrelated to the accounts, or that include personal information (Section 26 (6) – (10) of the Act explains what is meant by personal information). You cannot inspect information which is protected by commercial confidentiality. This is information which would prejudice commercial confidentiality if it was released to the public and there is not, set against this, a very strong reason in the public interest why it should nevertheless be disclosed.

When smaller authorities have finished preparing accounts for the financial year and approved them, they must publish them (including on a website).

There must be a 30 working day period, called the ‘period for the exercise of public rights’, during which you can exercise your statutory right to inspect the accounting records. Smaller authorities must tell the public, including advertising this on their website, that the accounting records and related documents are available to inspect. By arrangement you will then have 30 working days to inspect and make copies of the accounting records. You may have to pay a copying charge. The 30 working day period must include a common period of inspection during which all smaller authorities’ accounting records are available to inspect. This will be 1-12 July 2024 for 2023-24 accounts. The advertisement must set out the dates of the period for the exercise of public rights, how you can communicate to the smaller authority that you wish to inspect the accounting records and related documents, the name and address of the auditor, and the relevant legislation that governs the inspection of accounts and objections.

The right to ask the auditor questions about the accounting records You should first ask your smaller authority about the accounting records, since they hold all the details. If you are a local elector, your right to ask questions of the external auditor is enshrined in law. However, while the auditor will answer your questions where possible, they are not always obliged to do so. For example, the question might be better answered by another organisation, require investigation beyond the auditor’s remit, or involve disproportionate cost (which is borne by the local taxpayer).

Give your smaller authority the opportunity first to explain anything in the accounting records that you are unsure about. If you are not satisfied with their explanation, you can question the external auditor about the accounting records.

The law limits the time available for you formally to ask questions. This must be done in the period for the exercise of public rights, so let the external auditor know your concern as soon as possible. The advertisement or notice that tells you the accounting records are available to inspect will

also give the period for the exercise of public rights during which you may ask the auditor questions, which here means formally asking questions under the Act. You can ask someone to represent you when asking the external auditor questions.

Before you ask the external auditor any questions, inspect the accounting records fully, so you know what they contain. Please remember that you cannot formally ask questions, under the Act, after the end of the period for the exercise of public rights. You may ask your smaller authority other questions about their accounts for any year, at any time. But these are not questions under the Act. You can ask the external auditor questions about an item in the accounting records for the financial year being audited. However, your right to ask the external auditor questions is limited. The external auditor can only answer ‘what’ questions, not ‘why’ questions. The external auditor cannot answer questions about policies, finances, procedures or anything else unless it is directly relevant to an item in the accounting records. Remember that your questions must always be about facts, not opinions. To avoid misunderstanding, we recommend that you always put your questions in writing.

The right to make objections at audit You have inspected the accounting records and asked your questions of the smaller authority. Now you may wish to object to the accounts on the basis that an item in them is in your view unlawful or there are matters of wider concern arising from the smaller authority’s finances. A local government elector can ask the external auditor to apply to the High Court for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful, or to issue a report on matters which are in the public interest. You must tell the external auditor which specific item in the accounts you object to and why you think the item is unlawful, or why you think that a public interest report should be made about it. You must provide the external auditor with the evidence you have to support your objection. Disagreeing with income or spending does not make it unlawful. To object to the accounts you must write to the external auditor stating you want to make an objection, including the information and evidence below and you must send a copy to the smaller authority. The notice must include: • Confirmation that you are an elector in the smaller authority’s area; • Why you are objecting to the accounts and the facts on which you rely; • Details of any item in the accounts that you think is unlawful; and • Details of any matter about which you think the external auditor should make a public interest report.

Other than it must be in writing, there is no set format for objecting. You can only ask the external auditor to act within the powers available under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.

A final word You may not use this ‘right to object’ to make a personal complaint or claim against your smaller authority. You should take such complaints to your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau, local Law Centre or to your solicitor. Smaller authorities, and so local taxpayers, meet the costs of dealing with questions and objections. In deciding whether to take your objection forward, one of a series of factors the auditor must take into account is the cost that will be involved, they will only continue with the objection if it is in the public interest to do so. They may also decide not to consider an objection if they think that it is frivolous or vexatious, or if it repeats an objection already considered. If you appeal to the courts against an auditor’s decision not to apply to the courts for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful, you will have to pay for the action yourself.

For more detailed guidance on public rights and the special powers of auditors, copies of the publication Local authority accounts: A guide to your rights are available from the NAO website. https://www.pkf-l.com/wp-content/ uploads/2020/09/Council-accountsa-guide-to-your-rights.pdf

If you wish to contact your authority’s appointed external auditor please write to the address in paragraph 4 of the Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance & Accountability Return.

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Filton and Bradley Stoke General Election candidate profiles

Benet Allen

Liberal Democrats I'M campaigning for our community on both a local and national stage for action to tackle the housing crisis, cost of living crisis, the NHS crisis and the ongoing sewage scandal.

I'm a former local councillor and deputy leader of the successful Somerset West and Taunton council and remain a dedicated community campaigner. During my tenure, the council began work on the first council houses to be planned and built in west Somerset for more than 30 years.

For years our area has been taken for granted by an out-of-

James Nelson

Green

WE need to see a step change in how we fund our public services.

As someone not far out of school and as the brother of a soon-to-be children's nurse, I have seen the devastation of austerity on our public services.

As a Green MP, I would fight to ensure those with the broadest shoulders paid for public services that are fit for the future.

We need to protect our waters, air and land.

I have grown up appreciating our local nature and seeing the failure of the government to address the climate crisis.

touch Conservative Government that has failed to get the basics right and lurched from crisis to crisis – now it’s time for a change.

We need to see a return to politics that not only works for the country, but for our local communities.

Local health services have been brought to their knees, people’s mortgages and rent have skyrocketed and water companies have been allowed to pump their filthy sewage into our rivers and beaches.

All this by a Conservative government more interested in fighting between themselves than standing up for the country.

People are at breaking point and the simple fact is that we need change at the very top.

This government is the first in almost a century to make the average person poorer.

Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for a fair deal. It’s a vote for a party and a candidate that will stand up for our community and our health services.

As a Green MP, I would fight for sewage-polluting water companies to come under public ownership and for real ambition from the government to provide a green future for the next generation.

We need to deal with the cost of living with more than a sticking plaster.

I have met with many people feeling the squeeze while some large companies post record profits.

As a Green MP, I would fight for the tax on income from shares in companies to be raised to equal what you pay on your salaries from work, so that we can pay for a fairer, greener society for all.

I have lived in this area since I was two years old. I have seen promises made and then broken.

I believe in real hope and change for our communities.

That’s why I’m asking you to vote for me on July 4th.

Read our manifesto: greenparty.org.uk/about/ourmanifesto

Stephen Burge

Reform UK

MY name is Stephen Burge. I have lived in and around Filton and Bradley Stoke most of my life, my father worked for Rolls-Royce, my children grew up and still live here, my friends live here, and I care about this community.

I’m an ordinary person, someone just like you, and I’m standing because I feel this constituency has been let down.

Issues like the Hambrook Lights which cause traffic chaos, the link road bridge to Winterbourne, the asylum seekers in the local hotels, the talk of 30,000 new houses on the Woodlands Golf Course. How

would the infrastructure cope that's already jammed at peak times?

I want to be your voice.

That’s the reason I’m standing: we have been let down locally.

Of course we also need to look at the national issues, but locally is what is important to you, this is what impacts your lives.

Enough is enough, this is why I have decided to stand, to try and make a difference for this community.

Vote Reform UK.

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Have your say at the General Election on Thursday 4th July 2024 Polling stations open from 7am to 10pm To advertise, contact shane@filtonvoice.co.uk and on 0770 674 1200 or Richard on 0777 555 0607

July, 2024

E: richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

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Filton and Bradley Stoke General Election candidate profiles

Claire Hazelgrove

Labour

I LIVE in Stoke Gifford and am from a family of teachers, NHS workers and RAF service members – their sense of public service runs deep in me. I've worked in leadership roles for trusted national charities and in politics on big issues, including the housing and environmental crises.

I knock on doors all year round and share your concerns.

We live in great communities but our potential is being held back. As your strong voice in parliament, I’ll act to: • Reduce the cost of living.

Getting energy bills down with a proper windfall tax on oil and

gas giants, and by switching on Great British Energy.

• Get our public services back on their feet. More doctors, dentists, teachers and police where needed most, and service reform. Funded by closing tax loopholes and exemptions.

• Build good and affordable homes, with infrastructure.

• Support local people to stay, while protecting the character of our growing communities.

• Public transport that works.

Speed up bus franchising and give communities the opportunity to take back control of local bus services.

• Action on climate and good, local green jobs. Protect nature for future generations and back the skills we need, in aerospace and beyond.

I’ll work every day to deliver for you, serving as a visible, impactful and approachable MP you can be proud of. We've always been the strong second here. I hope I can earn your trust in the most important election in a generation.

areas like Frenchay and Emersons Green. I presented a petition to Parliament restore Hambrook Junction so traffic can cross the junction in both directions.

I’ll continue to push to reinstate bus services which have been cut by Labour’s West of England Mayor Dan Norris who, despite receiving £105 million to improve buses, prefers to Jack Lopresti waste money on gimmicks like a Conservatives birthday bus pass, and adverts of IT’S been an honour to represent himself and his dog. you as your Member of Parliament When it comes to public for the last 14 years. Over that services like health and education, time we have achieved so much I secured £49.9 million for together for our area, but there’s Southmead Hospital and I’m still more to do. working to improve access to local Our country is at a crossroads.

GP surgeries.

We have all faced very difficult As for education, 93% of South years: a global pandemic – the Glos schools are rated good or first in over a century, and the outstanding by Ofsted. Having first full-scale invasion on the already delivered a new school in continent of Europe in 70 years.

Winterbourne, wewe must look to It was hard but I’m so glad had We have had to make build in Emersons Itdifficult was hard but I’manother so glad we hadGreen. that conversation. decisions to steer our country that conversation. We’ve turned a corner – through these dark Together times. we planned proper sendthe we haveaa plan.

We seek we planned proper send Locally, I have Together been honour and privilege offworking for mum, a opportunity, whole amorning to hard to improve connectivity off for mum, a life whole to continue servetothe British celebrate her withmorning thetomusic in Downend and surrounding people. celebrate hershe life with In thea music and poetry loved. peaceful

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and poetry she loved. a family peaceful natural setting where In our and natural where and friendssetting had plenty of our timefamily and space that conversation. to share stories and had plenty ofmemories. time and space “ It was hard but I’m so glad we hadfriends BristolMum, toMaria, share stories and memories.

Together we planned a proper send off for a whole morning to celebrate

her life with the music and poetryMaria, she Bristol loved. In a peaceful natural setting where our family and friends had plenty of time and space to share stories and memories Maria, Bristol

”

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A whole morning or afternoon a brief The only director in theBurial UKcosts creating 100same acre as nature A whole morning or afternoon costs about the same as a brief service atfuneral a crematorium. orabouta the service at a crematorium.

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Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Richard on 0777 555 0607 or email richard@filtonvoice.co.uk Visit www.memorialwoodlands.com or call 01454 414999

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July, 2024

Care home marks

What would a happier

life look like to you?

Write your own story Chantry Court is a vibrant retirement community where happiness and support go hand-in-hand, offering both independence and care, should you ever need it.

Call 01373 888 055 or visit ChantryCourt.com to discover more.

A care home has been commemorating 80 years since D-Day by paying tribute to an honorary veteran resident.

Residents at Beaufort Grange in Cheswick Village marked the 80 years since the landings on 6th June 1944 – the start of the campaign to liberate Nazioccupied north-west Europe

– with a tribute to veteran Tony who was presented with a Legion d’honneur for his contributions.

Tony has displayed the medal proudly on the wall of his bedroom.

On the day, the home also prepared a sweet and savoury afternoon tea for residents and guests to enjoy, while listening to

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

News

D-Day by honouring veteran resident Resident Reg, who recently turned 100, meeting the D-Day Dollies. Left, resident John talking to the D-Day Dollies about his time in the war.

some fantastic entertainment by the D-Day Dollies.

John, the home’s resident veteran, said: “I was a captain in the war so I believe it is really important that we keep the memories of those who fought alive, and also think about those involved in conflicts around the world today.

“Thank you to the team for preparing such a lovely tribute.”

Raji Sunil, General Manager at Beaufort Grange said: “D-Day is such an important day in history, and commemorating the event allows us to think about lives that have been lost, and remind us of the people still putting their lives on the line.”

Loft Boarding & Insulation

Way A Head

www.useyourloftspace.co.uk USE YOUR LOFT SPACE is the reliable, affordable and trusted local company for all your loft boarding, and loft insulation requirements

0117 2980810 INFO@USEYOURLOFTSPACE.CO.UK

Way A Head is a premier Hair Salon in the Filton area.

Since 1980, we’ve offered a wide range of services and products to give you the elegant and fabulous look that you deserve.

Give us a phone call to book an appointment or enjoy our walk-in services. Our friendly team are looking forward to seeing you

702a Filton Ave, Filton, Bristol BS34 7JX 0117 969 2701 www.wayaheadsalon.com

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Puzzles for all

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.

July, 2024

www.filtonvoice.co.uk

For younger readers

NOTE After feedback from readers, we have made The Fiend SLIGHTLY easier!

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Write your own story

What would

Imagine a life free from exhausting chores.

Chantry Court is a lively retirement community that handles everyday tasks, giving you the freedom to enjoy your days your way, with support and care on hand whenever required.

you like to do

less of?

Call 01373 888 055 or visit ChantryCourt.com to discover more.

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

1

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Rules the same as the Fiend, but only four numbers in each box, row and column

N

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Easier sudoku Solutions E

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Theme: European towns and cities

Use the phone keypad to decode the clues.

For example: 2 could be A, B or C ... and 5678 could be LOST

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North Bristol Independent Colour Guard are looking for new recruits for our award winning dance and flag spinning team. No previous experience necessary!

UK FINALS 2ND PLACE 2024

Our younger group is for girls and boys aged 6-11 and our older group is for 12-16 year olds. Our experienced team of instructors are waiting to teach dancing and equipment skills.

We rehearse every Saturday morning at Shield Road School in Filton from 10am -12pm. Come along and see what we do!

First two sessions are completely free. After that the cost is £5 per session.

DANCE WITH A DIFFERENCE!

GET IN TOUCH TO FIND OUT MORE! Call Bridget on 07889 409012 www.facebook.com/ NBIcolourguard

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July, 2024

What's on in Filton ... email shane@filtonvoice.co.uk St Peter’s Church: Services

Sunday 7 July 10am Eucharist Sunday 14 July 8.30am and 10am Eucharist. 6pm Taizé * in the Lady Chapel Sunday 21 July 8.30am and 10am Family Eucharist Sunday 28 July 8.30am and 10am EucharistMidweek Said Eucharists are on Wednesdays at 7pm and Thursdays at 11am.

Taizé service Based on the calm, contemplative practice of prayer from the Taizé community in France, this is a beautiful, quiet service of reflection on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 6pm. It is a great way to carve out an hour for yourself in the busyness of the week, spending time together in quiet, candlelit prayer.

Social and Church Groups Our Mothers' Union meets on 2nd Thursday 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.

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.

Time to Grieve. Grieving the loss of a loved one? Time to Grieve offers you a space to talk about your loved one with a trained bereavement counsellor and to meet others in a similar situation.

10.30 - 11am on the first Wednesday of every month.

Community Coffee Shop

Our friendly, welcoming coffee shop is open from Monday to Friday, 10am 1pm for hot and cold drinks, homemade cake and hot snacks and soup.

OVER 30s DANCE PARTY at the superb BAWA Club, Filton on the FIRST Friday of every MONTH (NO dance in August or January) It’s the ideal night out for the 30-60 age range.

Come dance and socialise amongst a friendly, lively crowd. Dancing Thru’ the Decades includes Motown, Soul, Club Classics… Music you can relate to. Club times are 9 ‘til 1. Last entry 11pm – very smart casual. No t-shirts or trainers and gents required to wear collared shirts. Entry: £8. www.mingles.co.uk. Facebook: @Luv2mingle

Suggested donation £1.50 per item.

We have a wonderful hairdresser in the coffee shop who is happy to cut people's hair in return for a donation to the church. She is usually in the coffee shop on Wednesday mornings if you would like a quick trim. We also offer free soup and a roll to anyone in need of a hot meal. Thursdays from 10am. Why not join us on Toasty Tuesdays from 10am for a hot drink and some toast.

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

St Andrew's Methodist Church Regular Services Sundays Morning Service 10.30 am. Little Lights (for children whose parents are attending worship). Please join us and you will receive a warm welcome.

Tuesdays Wesley Guild, alternate Tuesdays, No Meetings in July and August. Restarts September 3rd Thursdays Rainbows (Term-time) 5.00pm Fridays (Term-time) St Andrew's Baby and Toddler Group, 10.00 am – 11.45 am, £2 per family, includes refreshments. Play, crafts, chat and singing time.

Messy Church: Meets the 2nd Saturday of the month, 3.30 pm - 5.15pm, but no meeting in July and August. Next meeting is 14th September. Crafts, fun and food for all the family. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. This event is free.

Sip 'n' Chat Coffee morning: Thursday 11 July, 10.00 am-12.00 noon. Enjoy a cuppa, a cake and a chat - all welcome.

Hire of Church: Outside groups also regularly hire our newly refurbished multi-use church.

For bookings email: standrewsfilton@ gmail.com For all other enquiries, please Tel 0117 9872143.

FACE Mondays: 12.30-1.30pm Tai Chi, £3 entry 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:

Tom’s Slimming World group will be held at Greenway Centre, Southmead, BS10 5PY every Tuesday at 5:30pm & 7:00pm from Tuesday 11th June 2024. For more information or to join Tom’s group call him on 07920779270.

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

SHE7 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.

7-9pm Outbreak youth club for School Years 7-13, £2 entry Thursdays: Silver Surfers (over 50s IT support drop-in) 10am-12pm, £3 including refreshments.

1.30-2.30pm Low Impact Fitness session, £3 entry 7-9pm Illuminators social club for adults aged 20+ with social or learning disabilities, £2 entry Fridays: 10am-12pm “Coffee & Chat” coffee morning for anyone who would like to come for refreshments, conversations and join in crafts and games together.

Donations welcomed.

1–3pm Creative Writing, Donations welcomed.

Contact: FACE, Youth Centre, Elm Park, Filton, BS34 7PS. 0117 9691938 / info@facecharity.org.uk

Girl Guiding Rainbows – age 4 - 7 years - Tuesday 16:45-17:45 & Thursday 17:15 – 18:15 Brownies - age 7 - 10 years - Tuesday 17:45-19:15 Guides - age 10 - 14 years - Tuesday 19:30 – 21:00 Rangers - age 14 - 18 years - Tuesday 19:30 – 21:00 To register your daughter, go to Girlguiding UK website and follow the link 'Register my daughter'

1st Filton Scouts Beavers age 6-8, Tuesday 5:30 – 6:30 & Wednesday 5:45 – 6:45 Cubs age 8-10, Monday and Thursday 6:30 – 8pm Scouts age 10 -14, Tues 7 – 8:45pm The group is based in Scout HQ, Nutfield Grove, Filton, BS34 7LJ. 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

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. Contact the club at: ipmsavon@gmail.com

Ukulele Filton We are an enthusiastic group of ukulele players, who meet to strum along and sing on Monday evenings, at 7.30 pm.

We will be at St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Elm Park.

New members are very welcome to join us there. No previous experience needed. We have spare ukes for you to try, and plenty of help in getting you started. For further details, phone Sue on: 07504561 831

Bristol Scrabble Club

Bristol Scrabble Club meets every Wednesday evening from 7pm until 10pm at the Filton Community Centre. Elm Park Filton BS347PS. New members are welcome and first visit is free so come along and give us a try. For more information ring Sheila Hinett 01179570792 or 07435316458.

Alternatively email shinett@blueyonder. co.uk.

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

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

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What's on in Filton ... email shane@filtonvoice.co.uk Zumba Fitness Zumba fitness class @St Andrews Methodist Church on Fridays 7pm.

Term time only, £6 per session, booking required. For more info please contact Anna, 07513398547 www.zumba. com/p/Anna-Reade/2308790 afternoon of each month (except August) at 2pm to 4pm.

We welcome new members. For more information, please contact Edna on 9495413.

Community Garden Gardening Get-togethers continue on alternate Saturdays 11am to 1pm Join the friendly volunteers and help keep the garden looking great for all to enjoy. All abilities welcome, just turn up on the day wearing suitable clothing and bring your own gloves. Tools and guidance provided.

Saturday 6 July Saturday 13 July – Pre-fete tidy up!

Saturday 20 July Summer Fete Sunday 14 July, 12pm-4pm This is our annual event, a ‘give back to the community’ where there will be lots of free activities plus wonderful plants and cakes to enjoy.

Events include: • Punch and Judy • Cakes and refreshments • Plant sale • Traditional games • Garden treasure hunt • Children’s activities • Raffle and much more!

Any funds raised go towards the upkeep of the garden and event expenses.

If you would like to donate raffle prizes, as an individual or a business, or have spare vegetable plants, flowering plants or houseplants that you could donate to our plant stall, please email communitygarden@filto ntowncouncil.gov.uk For updates and more info visit facebook.com/filtoncommunitygarden or email communitygarden@ filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

Filtones Afternoon Choir Our long-established mixed voice choir is looking to recruit new members in 2024.

Adults of all ages, and all voice ranges are welcome from soprano to bass.

We meet every Wednesday afternoon from 1.45-3.45 p.m. at the St Teresa’s Community Rooms, (behind the church) at 71 Gloucester Rd North BS34 7PL Come along and try us out for four weeks free, with no audition and no commitment. We hope you may then

like us enough to want to stay and join our happy band of singers. We sing an eclectic mix of songs from musicals to spirituals and pop, so there is something to please everyone.

We are a very friendly bunch so please give us a try – what’s there to lose? You might find yourself with an absorbing new hobby and lots of new friends in the process. For further info. contact 07870 984760 or visit www.thefiltones. co.uk The Filtones Choir's Annual Charity Concert in Aid of "Jessie May" Friday 12th July, 7.30pm at St Teresa's Church. Tickets £10 - obtainable from choir members or cash or cheques at the door please. For further info. ring 07870 984760

Ebenezer Church Sundays

Sunday Service 10.30AM – 12PM Wednesdays Footprints – Senior Citizens Community Group 2PM – 3.30PM Thursdays Taste Café 10.30AM – 12.30PM (Term time only) Foodbank Outlet 1PM – 3PM If you are at crisis point and struggling with food, then please contact the foodbank about getting support. Call 0117 472 5172 After School Hangout 3.30PM – 5PM (Every two weeks during term time) Different zones with crafts, games books, homework space and a free meal.) For families with primary school aged children.

For more information about Ebenezer Church visit www.ebe.or.uk or call the church office on 0117 9791399

Concord Wind Band We are a friendly, mixed ability band, playing music for fun. We rehearse at the Beechwood Club, Beechwood Rd, Fishponds, Bristol. BS16 3T every Friday 7.30pm to 9.30pm, with a tea break. We welcome new members. Contact Jayne on 07880724948

Filton Bookworms Are you interested in joining a reading group? Come along to the Bookworms monthly reading group at Filton Library!

1st Friday of each month at 2:00pm If you are interested in Joining, please as inside the library.

If you are interested in Joining, please as inside the library. Phone: 01454 868006 or Email: Filton.library@southglos.gov.uk

North Avon Speakers Club We are a public speaking group associated with Toastmasters International. We usually meet every first and third Thursday of the month at BAWA Filton, 7:15pm to 9:30pm.

We have prepared speeches, but also Table Topics, which are a fun way to help members and guests practice impromptu speaking. Our speeches and table topics, usually get evaluated afterwards by members of the club, in the meeting itself, so that we can all improve at our public speaking skills!

After our meetings some members and guests usually also go to the nearby lounge/bar at BAWA. Please email northavontm@gmail.com for more information.

Filton Garden Club We meet at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of every month, (except January). We are a very friendly club & welcome new members. If you enjoy interesting talks and slideshows on various aspects of gardens, plants etc., and day trips to gardens of interest, please come along & join us. We meet at St. Andrew's Church, BS34 7PS

Dance Moves Keep Fit Tuesday, 2-3pm at St Peter's Church Filton. Have fun whilst improving your general wellbeing. Suitable for all ages. For further information, contact Eileen Scott, Tel. 07969929733/ email scottyartois@hotmail.com

Short Mat Bowls

We are a friendly group that meets Thursdays 1:45pm to 4pm at the Filton Community centre, Elm Park Filton, BS34 7PS. New members are welcome, and the first visit is free, then each session £3. Contact Alan Riley on 07957295287 or email alanriley73@gmail.com

Keep Fit Class @ St Teresa’s Social Centre

Want to stay active and improve your well-being? Why not try your local exercise class at St Teresa's Social Centre in Filton on Mondays 7.15pm to 8.15pm.

Work at your own level. All abilities welcome.

Royal Air Forces Association – Bristol Branch Every 2nd Wednesday of the month we run Veterans lunch at our club, The lunch is for veterans of all services and widows of Service men.

Come and meet like-minded others for companionship and make new friends.

If help is needed we can point you in the right direction.

Open from 12pm, lunch is at 1pm until 3pm. The price is £7 for two courses.

Address 38 Eastfield, Westbury On Trym, BS9 4BE. Please ring 0117 0470775 to book.

needed initially, just wear flat, trainertype shoes, and dress for the weather.

Wednesday evenings at 7.00pm.

Sunday mornings at 10.30am.

Venue: the boule piste, Elm Park, next to the community garden. https://filtonpetanqueclub.my-free. website

Filton Historical Club These talks will be held in St. Andrews Church, Elm Park, Filton.

All talks will start at 7.30 pm. There is plenty of free parking available in the adjacent Church car park.

Those who wish only to come to selected talks will be asked to pay £5 per session.

Please pass the information on these talks to anyone you feel might be interested. We welcome all comers, especially new members.

Tel: 0117-9424378. E-mail: alansnook@ blueyonder.co.uk

Northavon Singers

Northavon Singers would like to welcome more singers to their four-part all-age (18+) choir.

Rehearsals are weekly at St Peter’s Church Hall, Filton, every Wednesday at 7.30 pm –9.30 pm We sing concerts in local churches and visit South Gloucestershire care homes during the year with all sorts of music from swing to classical. We would love to see Bassists and / or Tenors (willing to have a rehearsal) come along and see if they like us!

Come and join us! northavon.singers@ outlook.com or phone 0117 9699206

Functional Skills Maths Course Free maths course for over 19s who do not hold a level 2 maths qualification.

Mondays 9:30am to 11:30am at FACE Please contact Louise Gillett, South Glos.

Community Development Worker on 07720 143 891 or email: louise.gillett@ southglos.gov.uk

How is your

social life these days?

Chantry Court retirement community, for independence and care.

Call 01373 888 055 or visit ChantryCourt.com

Filton Pétanque Club Come and try a game of Pétanque - the French game of boules. No equipment

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

22

T: 0777 555 0607

Horfield news

filtonvoice

www.filtonvoice.co.uk

July, 2024

Evicting travellers was a 'waste of money'

By Alex Seabrook, LDRS reporter The lord mayor of Bristol has questioned whether a large group of people staying in caravans on the Downs in June should have been evicted.

They later left for two other parks in Bristol, including Horfield Common, before leaving the city altogether on the weekend.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Andrew Varney, the new lord mayor, said the eviction at the Downs, which took place on Wednesday, June 5, was an “extraordinary waste of money”.

There are now calls for a review into how the handling of the encampments could have been improved.

The group of Travellers first set up on the Downs.

After getting evicted, they then moved to Horfield Common and Eastville Park, before getting evicted from there too. However, Cllr Varney questioned the evictions at a Downs committee meeting on Monday, June 10.

Horfield Common. Image: Google Maps He said: “They weren’t planning on staying around for long anyway, so it does seem like an extraordinary waste of money.

It seems as though there’s no point pushing the problem from one place to another place. We do need a city-wide policy going forward.”

Bristol City Council said that “high levels of anti-social behaviour and criminality” led to police taking action to move the group on. Residents reportedly said rocks had been thrown at toddlers on Horfield Common, while there were also reports of vandalism.

One reason the eviction took

place so quickly on the Downs was due to a “possession order”, which was granted last year.

According to Green Cllr Paula O’Rourke, this runs out at the end of summer, so any future encampments from this autumn onwards could be harder to evict.

She said: “The encampments happened last year in a sequence, where there was always somebody that was on the Downs. That allowed long enough for there to be a possession order granted. That possession order lasts until the end of August this year, which means an eviction was able to happen quite quickly.

“Now once that possession order runs out, we will be back to the old situation. We could get an injunction for a period of time, and I don’t know if that’s something we should investigate.

We do need to properly have a review of what happened last week.

“The encampment of travellers only wanted to stay

until Saturday or Sunday. Did we do the right thing in getting them evicted, so that they then went to two other parks in the city and caused that hassle, and then left on Saturday? When I was there, there were 15 enforcement officers and a high court eviction person. That didn’t come cheap.”

But the damage caused to the Downs, as well as the other two parks, was extensive. The option of not taking action was criticised by the new head of the Society of Merchant Venturers, a business group that is partly responsible for maintaining the Downs, along with the council.

Michael Bothamley, master of the Merchant Venturers, said: “I’m disturbed by the suggestion that we shouldn’t take immediate action when people are on the Downs because of the impact elsewhere. The fact of the matter is that the Travellers don’t have to stay very long to cause an enormous amount of damage, the spreading of waste, rubbish, human faeces and the rest.”

With NHS dentists hard to find, local people are rightly concerned about their mouth health. But there might be an alternative. In her regular series of columns, Sarah-Joy Lendon, the 'Virtual Hygienist', offers tips on how you can take steps yourself to reduce your need to visit the dentist

Don't ignore bleeding gums If your gums bleed when you brush, floss or eat it is a sign of gum disease.

Even if it is normal for you and your gums have always bled, it is a sign that things are not right in your mouth and should not be ignored.

Our gums bleed when they become inflamed.

Inflammation is your body’s reaction to the build up of plaque bacteria on your teeth.

If you have bleeding gums follow these steps – you might notice more bleeding at first but keep going and things will improve.

1. Brush your teeth at the gum line twice a day – once before bed time and at one other time in the day, I recommend before breakfast.

2. Clean between the teeth once a day – this doesn’t have to be at the same time as you brush.

3. Visit a dental practice for a professional clean and diagnosis.

4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle.

For more advice on maintaining a healthy mouth for you and your family you can join the free Facebook group - The Virtual Hygienist. Or book a virtual appointment at www.thevirtualhygienist. co.uk/home Sarah-Joy Lendon, The Virtual Hygienist

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

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