Filtonvoice April 2013

FREE EVERY MONTH for people and businesses in Filton

filtonvoice April, 2013 Issue 19

www.filtonvoice.co.uk

Getting the chop for charity, P13

Property of the month, Page 23 | Letters, Pages 14-15

Regional honours for Filton gymnast Paisley, P3

‘It’ll be like Billy Smart’s Circus’ on police station site, P6

Filton’s BEST 2013 Search for local heroes begins

P9

Use Filton’s on-demand bus service, Conygre residents urged

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P5

Filton by-election

A by-election for a vacancy for Conygre Ward on Filton Town Council will be held on May 2.

The candidates standing as Filtonvoice went to press are: Alan Booth (Conservative), Keith Briffett (UKIP), Ken Hoare (Labour) and Helen Johnson (Independent).

Turn to Page 21

More roadworks

Roadworks are due to begin in Filton on June 3 to widen the ring road (A4174) on the approach to the Filton roundabout.

Last year there was uproar after the original scheme was set to take land from Elm Park.

“Voted THE TIMES and SUNDAY TIMES, “Voted THE TIMES and SUNDAY Estate Agency of the Year for BristolTIMES, Estate of theofYear for Bristol and theAgency South West England” and the South West of England”

Filton Office -Office 8 Gloucester Road North, BS7 0SF - tBS7 0117 904 Bishopston - 201 Gloucester Road,Filton, Bishopston, Bristol 8BG - t 4000 0117 942 5855 Bishopston Office - 201 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8BG - t 0117 942 5855

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Contacts

Richard Coulter Editor and publisher

0777 555 0607 | richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

Emma Cooper Advertising sales

0771 577 0448 | emma@filtonvoice.co.uk 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.

South Gloucestershire Council www.southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582 Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Environment/trading standards 01454 868001

Police

Fire

www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk General enquiries: 101 Emergency: 999

www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061 Emergency: 999 Filton Town Council More information on Pages 16/17 01454 866 698 NHS Direct 0845 46 47

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Why advertising in Filtonvoice is the BEST option ... just listen to what our advertisers and customers are saying GotoiT, P11

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Design & Installation Mary Hemmings Jill & Brian Freeguard Emergency & Security Lighting Specialists Filton Park Full Testing & Inspecting to Certification Filton Park (Landlord’s Certificate) I decided to put an ad in filtonvoice and I was Portable Appliance Testing delighted to pick up work well into next year, and Local Authority Approved Contractors not just a one-off job but a number of jobs.

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We are happy and proud to be associated with such a high quality publication – it is well written, well designed and it is probably the best local magazine we have seen.

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April, 2013

News

E: richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

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3

SW honours for Filton gymnast A Filton gymnast has overcome injuries to be named among the top four performers in the South West.

Paisley Boyce, a Year 9 student at Abbeywood Community School, has been

training as an elite gymnast for eight years and is the current Bristol County MOD/ FIG (modified competition rules as set by the Federation of International Gymnastics) champion for ages 12/13.

Recently she gained second place at the regional Grades championships which guaranteed her 1 of 4 places on the South West team.

Girls from the entire South West region were in contention for places on the team which will now compete for the British grade 5 championship title in Birmingham this month.

Paisley, 14, lives with her family, dad Brett, mum Rebecca and brothers Harvey and Finley in Conygre Road in Filton - and they are very much part of her success, helping with transport to all ends of the country for contests, as do her grandparents.

Paisley is no stranger to the British grade championships and has represented the South West on four previous occasions, bringing home three national medals - 1st place on beam, 3rd place on uneven bars and bronze medal all around.

She trains at one of the top clubs in Great Britain, Bristol Hawks in Easton and she trains on average 24 hours per week.

She said: “ I give up basically all of my free time to train and when I’m not training I am concentrating on school or homework. I really hope I can achieve my goal of reaching the British junior and senior championships in the future and I wouldn’t be in the position I am now without the support from my family and my coaches.”

Mum Rebecca said: “Paisley has overcome many injuries through the years and has worked hard to progress through the British gymnastics system.”

Paisley is part of a very talented sporting family with boxer Harvey, 15, having represented the Western counties and Finley, 12, a goalkeeper who is signed for West Bromwich Albion.

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Got a story/something you would like everyone in Filton to know about? Call Richard on 0777 555 0607 or email richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

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April, 2013

Decision to deny Southern Brooks charity £7,000 ‘was unlawful’ A decision by the Filton Town Council finance committee to deny a community charity organisation £7,000 in funding was unlawful and has now been reversed.

Southern Brooks Community Partnership, which runs projects to support young people, families and the elderly in Filton, Patchway and The Stokes, had applied for the funding which would mean Priority neighbourhood worker Katie Donovan could work an extra day in Filton.

The money had been identified during the town council’s budget setting processes earlier this year but at a meeting of the finance comittee in February, councillors voted by a majority (eight to three with one abstention) to reject the funding.

However subsequent meetings of the finance committee and full council heard that this decision was unlawful because the money had been allocated in the budget and also, the finance committee did not have the powers to overturn a decision of the full council.

Southern Brooks director

Julie Close told Filtonvoice that she was delighted the decision had been overturned and this would give the charity the ability to work with the town council and residents to identify funding opportunities such as Lottery grants.

She said: “Last year we were able to pay the extra day out of reserves but we were facing losing that day this year.

“I am really pleased the town council has decided to invest in this community development which will mean an extra seven

Sunday 10 May 2013 from 11am ‘til 2pm

hours each week in Filton, working with the residents and council on the town plan and other projects to generate extra income.”

At a meeting of the town council, chairman Adam Monk said: “We took legal advice and the position is that the full council sets the budget and the finance committee only oversees the budget so the original decision stands. The council had two chances at full meetings to remove this funding from the budget if they wished but this did not happen.”

Cllr Rikki Teml, who had seconded an earlier motion backing the funding with the proviso that Southern Brooks provided quarterly reports, restated his position that such reporting should take place and councillors accepted this.

Other dates for our wedding shows in 2013: 7 July, 8 Sept, 17 Nov

To advertise, contact Richard on 0777 555 0607, Emma on 0771 577 0448 or Wendy on 0771 577 0242. Email: adverts@filtonvoice.co.uk

April, 2013

News

E: richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

Residents in the lower part of Conygre ward - who are without a bus service - have been urged to use the ‘on demand’ services of Four Towns Vale Link.

The service enables users to call 48 hours in advance and is especially useful for those with medical appointments.

Filton councillor Ian Scott, pictured, said he was still pressing for Firstbus to reroute their 18 and 75 services off the A38 and along Filton Avenue (north), then Conygre Road before rejoining the A38 at Filton Church.

He said: “Four Towns Vale Link / Severnside Transport Limited have confirmed that they can provide a demand service in Conygre. This means that diamond bus pass holders could use the service for free provided they paid an annual membership fee of £5.

“The service can be booked

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5

Conygre residents urged to use ‘on demand’ buses provided 48 hours notice is given.

“Non diamond bus pass holders can also book the service but will have to pay a fee. If this service is well used they could then consider a timed bus route service in the Conygre Ward.

“I have pressed Firstbus at the last Public Transport Forum meeting to reroute their 75 and 18 services through the Conygre Ward as this is a more reliable timed and commercially viable route than current A38 route between the College and the Church which is subject to unpredictable traffic congestion and fewer passengers.

Facts

Four Towns Community Transport was founded in 1999 and merged with Vale Link Community Transport in 2005.

It is a registered charity controlled by an unpaid board of Trustees.

Their objective is to provide transport for those members of the community who, for whatever reason, cannot use existing transport services.

The aim is to promote social inclusion within the South Gloucestershire area by helping residents to be self-sufficient and maintain their personal independence within the South Gloucestershire area. It provides free essential travel (supported by South Gloucestershire Council via diamond card) within the local area as well as social trips for leisure. A range of minibuses is available (with or without driver) for use by local community groups including sports clubs, scout/guide groups, etc.

For further information call 01454 868544

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Got a story/something you would like everyone in Filton to know about? Call Richard on 0777 555 0607 or email richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

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April, 2013

‘It’ll be like Billy Smart’s Circus if homes built on police station site’ A Filton resident says the proposed re-development of the Filton Police Station site will make the area look like “Billy Smart’s Circus”.

Darren Jenkins told Filton Town Council that social housing was inappropriate in that area.

Several residents said they were worried about traffic issues including safety with Charborough Road School being so close.

There are also fears that more homes on the site could be disruptive to St Andrew’s Methodist Church and that neighbouring houses could have the light blocked.

In February, a consultation was held by Knightsone Housing Association who are seeking permission to build 19 new homes on the site, a combination of 3 bedroom houses and 1-2 bedroom flats.

Filton Police station is due to be relocated to a site at Patchway and demolished in April 2014.

The proposed build would last approximately a year and be designed specifically for people who are on low income, mostly working families.

Mr Jenkins’s wife, Claire, a former town councillor, said the development was totally out of character with the rest of the neighbourhood.

She said: “There are a lot of issues here, not least the look of the houses and parking with the school nearby.”

Town council chairman Adam Monk said that residents should make their opinions heard but added “while I don’t like the designs, there is a need for social housing”.

Chris Dawson, Development Manger for Knightstone, told residents at the consultation that

parking would be taken seriously.

He said: “The houses will be allocated 2 parking spaces and the flats will have 1 parking space. There is a global need for housing in Bristol and South Gloucestershire and this site has been deemed suitable for

development but we will take all residents’ worries into consideration when designing the final plans.”

The deadline for the final plans to be submitted to the planning department is this month.

Concerned resident Claire Jenkins with her son Macauley on the site of the existing police station

Artist’s impression: View looking south from Gloucester Road

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To advertise, contact Richard on 0777 555 0607, Emma on 0771 577 0448 or Wendy on 0771 577 0242. Email: adverts@filtonvoice.co.uk

April, 2013

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News Call for safety bollards Filton Hill Primary governors want to place bollards all along the school side of Blenheim Avenue to stop the menace of drivers mounting the pavement.

Head teacher Kirsten Lemming has spoken out on this issue before and said she feared there would be a serious accident if action was not taken. The problem arises because, with cars parked on the residential side, vehicles coming in opposite directions cannot pass each other, The cost of the bollards would be £5,000 and the school plans to lobby Filton MP Jack Lopresti.

Mrs Lemming, in a letter to parents, said: “The parking/ traffic issue seems to be getting worse and worse.

“Some new parents may not be aware that we have agreed an unofficial one-way system with entrance via Lower House Cresecnt and exit at the college end.”

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7

New hopes for £2m re-fit of Filton primary school A long-awaited refurbishment of Filton Hill Primary is finally set to happen after South Gloucestershire councillors supported the £2m scheme.

The school had been in the running for the work, which was to be funded by South Gloucestershire’s capital resources, but the scheme had been put in question because of the demand on the council’s limited resources.

But at a meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee, councillors across all parties agreed to recommend the scheme’s continued inclusion in the capital programme and this was later endorsed by Full Council. It is understood work could start in the next financial year with the majority of the scheme being delivered over the following two years.

The scheme involves a new

block being built at the front of the school to create new offices, a toilet and a classroom.

The work would also see the kitchen being refitted and a new passageway would mean children could move from one

side of the school to the other without disturbing activities in the assembly hall.

Head teacher Kirsten Lemming said the school had been hoping to have this work started for several years but that she was excited it finally looked like it would happen.

Speaking after the meeting, Labour’s lead member on resources issues, Councillor Adam Monk (Labour, Filton), said: “My colleagues and I are delighted that the threat to the Filton Hill Primary scheme has been lifted. Our children deserve to be educated in a safe and comfortable environment.

“Unfortunately there are still huge demands for capital work across the district. We face a huge challenge just to meet the basic need of supplying enough primary places for our youngest children.”

Got a story/something you would like everyone in Filton to know about? Call Richard on 0777 555 0607 or email richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

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April, 2013

Schools unite under Olympus trust

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Abbeywood Community School has officially entered into partnership with Bradley Stoke Community School after the launch of the Olympus Academy Trust.

The launch celebration was marked with performances from children as well as an appearance from Bristol City stars including Albert Adomah and Lewin Nyatanga.

The two schools have shared an executive head teacher - Dave Baker - for more than a year now after the Filton secondary had suffered problems with Ofsted.

Under Dave Baker, right, Abbeywood has seen big changes with clearly defined rules for students along with improved exam results. Recently Ofsted has praised the progress made under the new regime.

Mr Baker has said he fully expects further improvements in exam results this year.

While both schools will retain a clear identity, there will be opportunities to share experiences.

Each school will have an associate head teacher working under Mr Baker - Judith Mee at Abeywood and Jenny Sutton Kirby at Bradley Stoke.

Mr Baker said: “ There will be shared leadership roles between both schools from September in order to ensure consistency and the sharing of good practice.

“I am confident that this new partnership will enable us to offer the best learning experience for all. Our students will benefit from joint trips and events, as well as the opportunity to work with a wider range of peers, teachers and post 16 students.”

Visitors to the launch event were ale to experience lessons, watch music, drama and dance events and hear speeches.

The trust now runs both schools, which cater for pupils aged between 11 and 18.

Abbeywood has a partnership with Bristol City Community Trust, the football club’s charitable arm, which has been working with the school since September last year, providing coaching, social inclusion and leadership programmes, holiday courses and a “tickets for rewards” scheme.

To advertise, contact Richard on 0777 555 0607, Emma on 0771 577 0448 or Wendy on 0771 577 0242. Email: adverts@filtonvoice.co.uk

April, 2013

E: richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

filtonvoice

filtonvoice

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is proud to launch ....

Filton’s BEST 2013 We love being at the heart of life in Filton and now we want to celebrate what’s best about living here.

We’re looking for Filton people who deserve to be recognised ... good neighbours, inspirational teachers, courteous shopkeepers, tireless volunteers and young people who are great role models.

Do YOU know anyone who fits the bill?

If so, we want to hear about them and there will be the chance to recognise their achievements at a special ceremony in Filton in the Autumn. See the panel right to find out what to do next.

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Filton’s Best Neighbour: Does your neighbour go the extra mile, look out for everyone in the street and generally make life a whole lot better?

Filton’s Best Shopkeeper: Do you always get a smile and perfect service ... and do they go out of their way to help?

Filton’s Best Teacher: We’re looking for a teacher who really inspires the children and makes school both fun and a great place to learn.

Filton’s Best Volunteer: Is there someone in Filton who does a lot of work without any financial reward, with the motivation purely to make the community better?

Filton’s Best Young Person: Is there someone aged 5-18 who has achieved a lot, maybe against the odds, or who does a lot more than the average young person for their family or community?

Email us at richard@filtonvoice.co.uk with up to 150 words on why this person should be nominated. Or write c/o 49 Dunkeld Avenue, Filton Park, Bristol BS34 7RQ. Please check the nominated person is happy to have publicity in Filtonvoice and in the case of the young person, please check with parents or guardian.

Nominees must live in Filton or, in the case of shopkeepr, teacher and volunteer, work in Filton. Editor’s decision is final

Got a story/something you would like everyone in Filton to know about? Call Richard on 0777 555 0607 or email richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

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Local firm to the rescue after club roof damaged

A local roofing company has stepped in to help after Pyramid Youth Club on Filton Avenue, already fighting for funds following the loss of their main grant from South Gloucestershire Council, were victims of crime following an attempt to steal lead from the roof of their building.

The alarm was raised by a public spirited local resident on March 23 when he saw a male on the roof of the building trying to remove the lead flashing.

The police attended promptly, and enquiries are continuing.

Considerable damage had been caused to a gully where tiles had been removed and the lead flashing lifted.

Club chairman Rick Bradford then discovered that their insurance policy, arranged nationally for clubs with a well known insurance company, had a clause which excludes theft unless there is ‘forcible or violent entry into or out of the building’.

But when local builder Mike Daly of Avon Pebbledash and Roofing at Station Road, Filton, heard of the club’s plight, he stepped in to offer his services to carry out the necessary repairs for the cost of materials only.

Mr Bradford said: “All at Pyramid are very grateful to Mike for doing this because without any insurance cover the true cost of the work would have been a major financial problem.”

He is also now taking up the insurance situation with the policy arrangers as obviously this could affect clubs all over the country.

In memory of Norman Hind ... a stalwart of the Pyramid Youth Club A reunion will be held this month for a dedicated volunteer of the Pyramid Youth Club in Filton who died recently.

In the mid 1970s Norman Hind offered to help as a volunteer in the Junior section of Club which his children attended.

He stayed.

Eventually Norman worked with all ages of club as a paid worker at one time working 4 nights a week as Senior Male

Leader. He had many talents introducing fishing, shooting, badminton to club and taking part in camping trips and holidays abroad.

His main love was pool, snooker and billiards, which he kept up until a fortnight before he died.

He was respected and loved by all young people who came to Pyramid. I was always asked ‘is Norm still there?’

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There is a gap in the club for all staff, members and past members.

A reunion for past club members and staff in order to celebrate Norman’s life and work with us will be held on Saturday 20th April 8.00-10.00p.m.

Please let us know, either by phone 969 1315 or on Facebook if you can come. Open to all 18+ past members.

Rick Bradford

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April, 2013

Site clearance gathers pace ahead of new Asda for Filton

Work is under way on clearing the site for Filton’s new Asda store at the Abbeywood retail park.

The store will sit on the site of the former Woolworths and TJ Hughes, both of which were victims of the recession.

It has been reported that the redevelopment is expected to create around 400 new full-time and part-time jobs.

The Bristol Post reported that it was expected to open by next winter with building work starting in the summer once the site has been cleared.

The new supermarket will be the fifth Asda in the Bristol area, which has stores in Bedminster, Longwell Green, Cribbs Causeway and Whitchurch and will also be in competition with the nearby Sainsbury’s store at Stoke Gifford.

Filton Town Council has previously welcomed the development, saying Filton needs more jobs.

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April, 2013

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Ladies given the chop for children’s cancer charity

Stylist Dionne with Tiffani Seymour, Rita Thalmann, Debbie Teml, Sarah Williams and Headspace manager Emma Dawe. Helen Sharp, not pictured, also had her hair cut.

Pictures by Rikki Teml www. rmtphotos. co.uk

Five brave Filton women had a whopping 80.5 inches of hair lopped off ... in aid of a children’s cancer charity.

The dramatic haircuts were carried out at Headspace in Bedminster with staff, young people and friends of St Andrew’s methodist Youth Centre the ‘victims’.

Their efforts mean the Little Princess Trust charity can make more wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.

The wigs are provided to children who have lost their hair completely free, but each costs the charity over £350.

With the help of any suitable donated hair, they can provide more wigs for the children at no cost.

Organiser Debbie Teml said: “The two lovely ladies at

‘Headspace’ salon in West Street, Bedminster donated their time and expertise to give us all a lovely re-style and manager Emma Dawe said that it was great charity to be involved with - they’re holding a charity raffle over then next few weeks and money raised will also go to the Trust!

“It was a lovely afternoon at Headspace where we enjoyed

tea and chocolate biscuits, and individual consultations with manager Emma and stylist Dionne before getting the chop.”

Sarah Williams, of Clyde Grove, said her husband was playing golf all afternoon and he didn’t even know she was getting her hair cut! She went for the most radical cut of all of us and went for an easy to manage short and spiky look!

“Tiff was our youngest participant at 16, and was very nervous before the cut as she hates cutting her hair - however she said it was for a really great cause. She actually made the longest donation of 16inches of hair.”

“Personally I think it’s been a great cause to be involved with and just seven inches of hair can make such a difference to the difficult lives of these children.”

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A new Breast Care Centre will be built on the Southmead Hospital site to provide screening, diagnosis and after-care support for cancer patients.

Alongside the Breast Care Centre will be a new Macmillan Wellbeing Centre, providing emotional, practical and financial support for people affected by any type of cancer, their families, friends and carers.

North Bristol NHS Trust has submitted plans for both centres which will open in Spring 2014 within a redevelopment of the historic Beaufort House on the Southmead Hospital site.

The Breast Care Centre will provide all breast services for Bristol (following the transfer of teams from University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust).

Until the new centre is built the service will continue to be based inside the current Southmead Hospital.

Dr Mike Shere, lead breast care clinician specialist at North Bristol NHS Trust, said: “The new breast care centre will provide a focal point for all breast cancer patients requiring the support and management from the breast team, from point of referral through to follow-up and support, all under one roof.

“We have worked very hard on these plans with our patients, clinicians and support groups and what we have come up with will be a functional, light and spacious building where patients can feel supported and relaxed. “

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Letters and opinions

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April, 2013

Your views Have you got strong views about what’s happening in Filton? Or you might want to take the opportunity to praise a friend, neighbour or family member for an act of kindness or to mark an achievement.

Whatever you want to say, write to us and we’ll make sure everyone in Filton knows about it.

Send your letter by email to richard@filtonvoice. co.uk, by post to Letters, Filtonvoice, 49 Dunkeld Avenue, Filton BS34 7RQ or call us on 0777 555 0607. You can also comment on stories at www.filtonvoice.co.uk.

Please keep letters short.

The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.

£10 prize Send your letters to the addresses (email or normal mail) opposite and the best one will receive £10 each month.

Editor’s decision is final. Letters must not be anonymous and an address supplied (address will not be published if requested)

Clarification Filtonvoice wishes to apologise after a letter was published in error last month.

The letter was not intended for publication, just for information, but mistakes were made and it appeared on these letters pages.

We are very sorry for any upset this may have caused our correspondent.

Editor

Fears for swim

Since my retirement my friends and I have taken advantage of 50+ session at the Dolphin Poll on a Friday afternoon.

When we first dipped our feet in the pool about 6 years ago there were two sessions running (Weds being the other day) and I attended both.

I was not a confident swimmer but these sessions,

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pictured above, where you were less likely to be splashed, really helped and I soon my stamina increased and I was happy to swim out of my depth.

You got to know the regulars and it became a pleasant social outing as well as good exercise.

However over time numbers dwindled and the Weds sessions were opened as a free swim and the Fri afternoon sessions were reduced from 2 hrs to just 1hr.

(2-3pm).

Often there are only a handful of swimmers in the pool and it does worry me that in the current climate it is probably not cost effective and we may lose this facility.

I thought maybe if you could print my letter and picture it might encourage the more mature residents of Filton to look out their swimming costumes and give it a go!

Christine Burridge Glos Rd North

Priorities wrong

I am so pleased that the ‘Good Times’ have returned to the economy!

Driving along Filton Avenue between the A38 and Station Road I see that the powers that be have found so much surplus money (extracted from us) that around 50, yes fifty, pictograms of bicycles have been painted on the road!

The cynic in me asks “Why?” when there is so much other work to be done such as repairing the road surface or screwing the protruding bolts down on the speed hump pads to avoid potentially catastrophic damage to vehicle tyres.

Perhaps we can get a response, with costings and some sort of justification from whoever had this bright idea?

I look forward to a reply - but I won’t hold my breath.

Patrick Edwards Bude Road

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April, 2013

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Letters and opinions WI moving on

It has always been a pleasure for Newleaze House in Filton’s Roycroft Road to host the local Women’s Institute – more than 23 strong – when they gathered for their regular weekly meetings.

Now that Newleaze House is scheduled to close at the end of this year to convert to a “change of use” this facility will be denied them.

It was with this in mind that the WI invited tenants of Newleaze to a celebratory Christmas tea party which they arranged for everyone to enjoy.

It was most probably the last.

Newleaze House has always been happy to host the WI since it brought together many women in the area who delighted in joining their counterparts in this sheltered home.

It will not be possible to meet together in the residents’ new location in Bradley Stoke since it is outside the Filton operational area.

“The WI have met at Newleaze for 23 years. It was the only home that could accommodate us,” said their President, Edna Shopland.

Newleaze has existed for 53 years this year.

At most of the joint celebrations with residents it was a feature of the group to bring in entertainment to delight the residents. Singers, keyboard players, everything to create a lovely occasion.

Even those who could not attend the party at Newleaze – either by disability or other reason were “knocked on” by WI members with a plateful of refreshments. Such was the care they took to bring everyone in to join them.

Newleaze House will never forget its friends.

Wherever they are ... wherever they will be they will be brought together at a separate rendezvous whenever there is an occasion to do so.

Douglas Daniels Councillor - Filton See feature on Page 31

Airfield woes

It’s very good news about extra money for the aerospace industry. It’s a shame that Filton airfield is shut!

Alan Hale

On Facebook, Filton residents have been sharing their views on bin collections My gripe is the mess that gets left behind after the bin collection.

We still have cardboard left in the street from over two weeks ago.I have rung South Glos council this week and requested a street cleaner after each bin collection.

Kirsten Gooding I have reported the continuous problems that seem to occur in Filton and the main officer in South Glos does complete round inspections to sort out these problems.

I will check with him to see if he has done ours yet, but I guess that he does spot checks on these things over a period.

I took a photograph on Tuesday a couple of doors down from me where cardboard cartons had been dropped and not picked up which I shall send in, pics always seem to help.

Cllr Roger Hutchinson Our bin collection is later and later each week now, not so helpful in windy weather.

Recycling however is regularly not collected and quite often blown all over the street.

Claire Gibbens At the Filton Safer Stronger meeting, residents talked of bins not collected because of inconsiderate commuter road side parking.

They mentioned Station Road and Nutfield!

Cllr Darryl Collins Apart from when snow stopped them collecting we’ve not really had any issues with the collection.

If anything you can set your watch by them 7.40 am on the dot crash bang down the road not great when you’re on night shift.

Pete Holcombe

No problem at Kenmore. Always collected for us. Infant green bin was really early last week and I needed to run down the street with my bin! Not a good look in my pjs!!!

Jo Clayton Hunt No probs on Wallscourt except with the snow. Communication around that was a bit poor.

Jules Trucks They are generally pretty good in the Nutfield locality.

Missed us once or twice, but a quick call and it was sorted by lunchtime.

Sean Walsh Quite often rubbish is strewn across the road, rubbish not collected and in the snow weeks it was dreadful.

On the plus side the bags we bought for recycling are sometimes hooked onto the gate to stop hem blowing around.

Also, the white bags...they

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disintegrate and have to be thrown away.

Nic Peglar Filton Avenue is poor, due to students leaving bin bags outs because landlords don’t apply for larger bins. Sita don’t collect it, as instructed, so it just gets left and spread everywhere and attracts rodents Steve Ashton The main problem is all the rubbish blown around and/or dropped.

Our road looks like a tip before & after collections. It was better when we put the cardboard in the green bins.....

Pat and Brian Smith Only have one word to say about the recent problems with bin collections in Filton.... Rubbish!

Wajid Hussain Wades Rd seems to be ok too and certainly nothing missed.

Debbie Teml

Windows and doors needing some attention?

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• Locks need replacing?

• Handles need replacing?

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• New door inserts needed?

• Doors not closing properly?

• Conservatory leaks?

• Conservatory roof needing upgrade to make more energy efficient?

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Band wins regional title ... but now has nowhere to practise Filton Concert Brass, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, has claimed the South West regional title after a competition in Torquay last month.

The band, under the direction of Tom Davoren, took top honours in the First Section, just one division down from the elite championship bands.

They will now compete

In brief A cut above

The Filton Barbers has become one of the first salons in the country to win accreditation under the British Barbers’ Association Scheme.

Michael Taylor, the BBA director, said: “With the influx of so many unqualified barbers, it is important the public has a means to identify professional barbering enterprises.

“The Filton Barbers has led the way locally in providing this extremely useful kite mark service for the public.”

Mario Parinello, owner of The Filton Barbers, said: “Not many realise it but you can open a barber’s shop tomorrow but offer poor hygiene, inadequate skills, ignore Health and Safety and be uninsured.

“This scheme shows that the salon has the right credentials and it supports the professionalisation of barbering.”

Road jams fear

Filton residents say local roads

against bands from across the country at the national finals in Cheltenham in September.

The band won with their performance of Brass Triumphant by Gareth Wood.

However they are now on the lookout for a new rehearsal venue after losing their room at the Parkway Tavern in Stoke Gifford.

Band spokesman Ken Brock

will become even more congested if proposed road improvements on Filton Road at its junction with Monks Park Avenue designed ahead of the opening of the new Southmead Hospital - are introduced.

Bristol City Council says the changes are needed and that it designed the scheme in response to “serious local concerns” about the safety of pedestrians, and to improve traffic flow around the junction of Filton Road, Toronto Road and Monks Park Avenue.

Spending a penny

The disused toilets at the end of Northville Road could be demolished, a Filton South Glos councillor has told the town council.

Cllr Roger Hutchinson said a bid had been put in and accepted for money from the New Homes Bonus fund.

Now officers will begin work to consider what work is needed to make improvements to the area but the toilet block will almost certainly be demolished.

Does anyone recognise this £400 bike?

A Filton resident, who has asked not to be named, is appealing for help after his £400 bike was stolen from outside the Post Office in Church View on Tuesday, April 1 at around 1pm.

The bike is a Giant Terrago Disc with white wheel trims.

Anyone with information should call Filton police on 101.

said he was delighted at the band’s success and they would now be taking a short break before starting work again for the championships. But he said that finding a venue was crucial and that it was a struggle to find a room which was both affordable and had a good acoustic.

Members meet regularly on Monday nights as a smaller brass ensemble, performing at concerts

and functions in the community, but also come together as a contesting band twice a year.

The band was formed 40 years ago by Jim Scott, the band’s secretary, who until recently had played in the national regional finals every year.

It has previously rehearsed at the Wise Centre and also at the community hall at Stoke Gifford.

Residents at Concorde Lodge in Filton enjoyed a Bake-A- Wish event last month in conjunction with Heart Radio to raise funds for seriously ill children.

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Filton schools

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April, 2013

St Teresa’s Primary

Reception’s Zoo Day We had a very exciting afternoon in Reception when the children prepared a zoo in their class for their parents! The children have been learning all about Animals since January and as a finale they created their own animals for their zoo.

The parents wrote wonderful comments about what they thought about particular animals and then went to the hall to watch the children dance to The Carnival of the Animals, sing animal songs and retell a recount of their visit to Southmead Hospital.

Year 6 Mini Enterprise Year 6 class family’s Mini Enterprise was a great success. Thank you to everyone who came to support us and everyone who helped us. And a huge thank you to Mrs Kelleher, we could not have done it without her. Each company raised a huge amount making a staggering total of £343.93.

Abbeywood Community School Filton Hill Primary 811_A5L_EDGE_Refurb_234099.ai

1

08/03/2012

15:36

Grand Appeal As part of the Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal, a Gromit hunt is being held across Bristol!

We have been very lucky to become involved in the appeal by having our own smaller version of Gromit. We are going to be designing our Gromit and having it displayed in the entrance hall. The children are busy coming up with ideas and we will be deciding later this term811_A5L_EDGE_Refurb_234099.ai on our design.

1 08/03/2012 15:36

Creative writing For the last 6 weeks, 18 students from years 7-10 have been attending creative writing workshops on a Tuesday afternoon with Ms Storey and Lesley, from local company Pageturners.

The students were already keen members of our popular book group, the Abbeywood Fiction Fanclub. Lesley designed the workshops to give young people the opportunity to read, discuss and create dystopian fiction.

During the first session, students heard plot synopses and opening lines from a selection of Young Adult dystopian novels and voted on their favourite.

Pageturners then bought a copy of the winning novel, Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, for every member of the group!

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April, 2013

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Filton schools

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New books for Filton Library A couple of months ago, our 18 student strong Book Club visited Filton Library to purchase new books for the refurbished Young Adult section. Our students had a great time filling their virtual shopping baskets with books they thought other young people would love just as much as they had.

On Tuesday 19th March, we returned to Filton Library to see the delivery of brand new books! Students excitedly checked them out and swapped recommendations before creating personalised book plates for their choices.

Books will be catalogued and on public release after Easter. All the books we chose have especially designed plates inside saying “Chosen by the students of Abbeywood Community School” along with students’ quotes, pictures and reviews! They look pretty amazing.

Red Nose Day Students raised more than £1,000 with various events for red Nose Day. The events included a homemade cake sale, a sponsored run and nail painting.

Students are pictured right.

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19

Praise for young achievers Young people from Abbeywood Community School were among students from secondary schools across South Gloucestershire who attended a special event to celebrate their educational achievements.

The annual awards ceremony, organised by South Gloucestershire Council, took place last month at Filton BAWA. Special guest Tony Parraman from the Bloodhound Project, pictured with students, was on hand to present the young people with certificates as well as giving a presentation and showing them a short film about how he and his colleagues are preparing to achieve a World Land Speed Record of 1,000mph next year.

He also brought along a scale model of the Bloodhound supersonic car, which students enthusiastically posed for photographs with.

Around 200 students were singled out for praise in a range of categories, including key stage 3, GCSE and post-16 results for highest performing students and for those making the most progress in their studies. The ceremony provides the council with an opportunity to celebrate the academic achievement of our young people in secondary education.

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• The leisure centre reception is open Monday to Friday 9am – 7.30pm and weekends 9am – 5.30pm. Pop in and see us or ring on 01454 866686 for information.

Lifeguards cover 80,000m for air ambulance charity

Ratepayers Arms Pub, Elm Park The manager and staff would like to welcome existing and newcomers to enjoy the events in April at the Ratepayers Arms.

Monday Nights after 8.30pm, Carling £2.50 per pint Monday- Friday from 12-3pm, all real ales are £2.00 per pint (selection of 4 Real Ales) Pensioners are entitled to a discount of 20p per pint after 3.00pm weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday. This offer is not available on soft drinks.

Saturday 27th April live entertainment from Royal Blue, a local vocalist and guitarist. £2.00 entry We welcome children until 9.00pm

Town Council meetings April 16th, 7pm Planning Committee Small Meeting Room 30th, 7.30pm Full Council Pavilion May 14th, 7.30pm Finance Committee Pavilion 21st, 7.00pm Planning Committee Small Meeting Room 28th, 7.30pm Full Council Meeting Pavilion A full list of Filton Town Council meetings can be found on our website

On Sunday the 31st of March two of Filton’s Lifeguards who are also members of the Bristol Ariel Rowing Club embarked on a rowing machine challenge to help raise money for the Great Western Air Ambulance.

Simon Hewitt and Billy Osmond rowed continuously between 10am and 4pm. They

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We are currently recruiting for Leisure Centre Life Guards. For more information please contact the Leisure Centre on 01454 866686.

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covered a staggering distance of 81,318 metres, or 50.5 miles. A big congratulations to the pair. We hope the hands heal soon.

A big thankyou goes to the Bristol Ariel Rowing Club based on the Avon in St. Anne‘s who were kind enough to lend us the rowing machines for the day.

Filton Youth Council

Councillors have been considering an initiative from Debbie Teml, of St Andrew’s Youth Club, which could lead to a youth council for Filton, giving young people a say in things which affect the community.

Here’s what she told councillors recently: Last year there was a suggestion of starting a youth council for Filton. I have spent some time thinking about this as I believe it would be a really great idea, and am now proposing that some of the £9,000 kindly given from FTC to St Andrews Methodist Youth Centre for 2013-14 would be used for this purpose.

Proposal: A youth council for 6-18year olds fortnightly. This would be facilitated by two youth apprentices, both of whom also live in Filton, with me attending to support.

I envisage the youth council would be made up of a maximum of 20 young people - 2-3 representatives from each local primary and secondary school along with St Andrews MYC, and Pyramid Youth Club.

The youth council would be encouraged to think of events and activities which would improve children and young people’s lives in Filton. The youth council would develop a strong link to the town council. If the council agrees to this proposal, it is planned that this youth council will start in May. Councillors will now consider Debbie’s proposal, a full version of which can be found on our website under March full council minutes.

• Contact the town council office Tel: 01454 866 698; Leisure Centre Tel: 01454 866686; or our website www.filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

Filton Sports and Leisure Centre Activities May 2013 Monday 27th May Bank Holiday (£1.00 per swim, 10.00am-2.00pm)

Easter fun at leisure centre Easter Sunday was a big day for Filton Leisure Centre as we had our first ever Easter Egg Hunt.

Around 30 children met their very own Easter Bunny, keeping them excited for Easter. To keep the children entertained we offered arts and crafts activities, face painting, followed by indoor games then the ‘Golden Egg hunt’ on Filton Leisure centre’s football pitches.

Congratulations to the two winners of the individual age groups who won a Pool Party and Bouncy Castle Party.

A big thank you to the participants. All money raised goes to the Great Western Air Ambulance and a big thank you to the volunteers who gave up their time to make our first Golden Egg activity a success. We will be holding our 2nd Golden Egg Hunt again next year. We hope to see you there.

If you require any other information about our Golden Egg hunt or any of the other events coming up in the Filton Leisure Centre Event Planner please contact Kelly Pillinger by email at Kelly.pillinger@filtontowncouncil. gov.uk

Filton Festival Sunday, July 14

Conygre Ward By-election

Filton Town Council is currently in the process of organising this year’s Filton Community Festival, to be held on Sunday, July 14th.

The Festival is a nonprofit making event and funds are provided by Filton Town Council, together with help from other local sponsors. We have decided to continue with a family oriented theme this year, the usual musical entertainment, donkey rides, community stalls and fairground will be present. If you would like to be involved in this year’s Festival please contact Tasha on 01454 866698 or email tasha.gould@ filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

An election will be held following the resignation of Conygre councillor Bill Edgeworth, right.

The election will be held on Thursday, 2nd May 2013.

Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Council Offices, Castle Street, Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, BS35 1HF by 5 pm on Wednesday, 17th April 2013.

Applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Council Offices, Castle Street, Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, BS35 1HF by 5 pm on Wednesday, 24th April Applications to vote by proxy at this election applied for on grounds of physical incapacity, where that physical incapacity occurred after 5 pm on Wednesday, 24th April 2013, must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Council Offices, Castle Street, Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, BS35 1HF by 5 pm on Thursday, 2nd May 2013.

MUGA

A meeting to discuss our plans for a MUGA (multi-use sports area) will be held at the Pavilion, Elm Park, on Saturday, April 27th at 10am.

June – August 2013 Swimming Lesson rebooking starts 3rd June RLSS Lifeguard Course Monday 15th July – Sunday 21st July 2013

Regular activities Mondays Dinky Dolphins, baby and preschool swimming session, games music and play, 9.30am-10.30am.

These sessions are first come, first served. £3.70 for 1 adults and up to two children, Filton Sports and Leisure Centre Tuesdays Aqua fit Tuesdays, 9.45 – 10.30am & 8.30 - 9.15pm, cost £4 a session, class suitable for non swimmers, participants must be 16 yrs and over, Filton Sports and Leisure Centre Thursdays Aqua circuits 10am - 11am £4.00 Filton Sports and Leisure Centre, term time only Fridays Dinky Dolphins, baby and preschool swimming session, games music and play, 10am-11am.

These sessions are first come, first served. £3.70 for 1 adults and up to two children, Filton Sports and Leisure Centre, term time only, Follow Us On: Facebook, Filton Sports And Leisure Centre or on Twitter @Filtonpool Call 01454 866686

Community garden

After the first bulbs were planted in the ‘woodland area’ of our Community Garden, we can now confirm several meetings to get things moving along.

All will be at 10am in the Pavilion.

The dates are13th, 20th, 27th April.

All volunteers welcome.

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April, 2013

News £1,375 raised for vital monitors Another fund-raising drive by the Filton Chest and Heart charity means patients at the Southmead Hospital respiratory wards will be monitored for oxygen levels a vital part of their treatment.

The charity raised around £1,375 which was enough to buy two monitors.

Dr Nick Maskell, president of the charity, received the monitors from the charity committee, right, on behalf of the hospital and he thanked supporters for their efforts in raising the money.

The presentation took place during one of the charity’s regular coffee mornings at the Elm Park pavilion.

Chairman Brian Smith also took the opportunity to thank members of Carolyn Collier’s Slimming World group who nominated the charity for a sponsored slim this year.

In brief

Local care champion South Gloucestershire’s new independent champion for users of health and social care services in Filton will be provided by voluntary and community sector organisation The Care Forum, the council has announced.

The contract to provide Healthwatch South Gloucestershire was awarded to The Care Forum following a full tendering process.

As a new local champion, Healthwatch South Gloucestershire’s role will include giving the public a stronger voice to influence and challenge how health and social care services are provided.

The organisation will also promote public health improvements, pass information and recommendations to national body Healthwatch England, and formally represent service users on South Gloucestershire’s Health and Wellbeing Board.

Take notice

Residents have told Filton councillors that information on community noticeboards needs to be displayed more effectively.

A meeting of the town council heard that some signs were

displayed on just one side of the noticeboard at Elm Park, meaning passers-by would miss out on finding out about events.

It was explained by town clerk Lesley Reuben that one side tended to be for council information and the other for community notices.

Cllr Rikki Teml suggested placing a note on the ‘council’ side saying community notices could be found on the other side.

Healthy prospects

Fifteen local students who were shortlisted to attend an interview day with the NHS have successfully gained placements.

The South Gloucestershire and Stroud College students will now be able to complete a placement with the NHS starting in September 2013 after the event at the Learning and Development Centre at Southmead Hospital last month.

The aim was to make the whole NHS placement application process more professional and to increase the employability of the learners.

This is the second year this has been organised for students to attend an interview at Southmead Hospital.

To advertise, contact Richard on 0777 555 0607, Emma on 0771 577 0448 or Wendy on 0771 577 0242. Email: adverts@filtonvoice.co.uk

April, 2013

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Got a story/something you would like everyone in Filton to know about? Call Richard on 0777 555 0607 or email richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

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April, 2013

News

A fruitful day out for families on arts trail

Above, Rory Coulter from Filton at Filton Library; Opposite page, clay animation at St Andrew’s Youth Centre; the Orchard School apple on display at Charborough Road Primary; and model makers at St Andrew’s

Large painted apples proved to be a big hit at an arts trail in Filton and north Bristol.

The trail was part of the Stimulate Your Senses 2013 arts week, run by the With One Voice Partnership, a collaboration of four schools in the Horfield and Lockleaze areas.

It was held at community venues and involved displays of artwork and photography, along with the chance for families to try out different types of art themsleves.

Among the venues were Filton Library, Charborough Road Primary and St Andrew’s Methodist Youth Centre.

At each of the nine locations, large painted apples designed by pupils at local schools were a feature and arts trail visitors

were encouraged to have their photo taken with each apple.

The arts week continued with exhibitions and a ‘try out an arts activity’ on Wednesday, followed by a performing arts showcase, both at Orchard School.

Organiser Helen Howard said: “The arts trail really caught the imagination of families, with the apples proving to be a real attraction.

“We have enjoyed bringing arts into the communities of north Bristol and Filton and we know the families enjoyed taking part.”

The With One Voice Partnership is a collaboration between Orchard School, Upper Horfield Community School, Filton Avenue Infant and Filton Avenue Junior schools.

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Pictures by Barbara Evripidou

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Filton Pétanque resume practice after deal with town council

Arts with Deborah Harvey Richard III: Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory Even though we made our traditionally early arrival at the Tobacco Factory to see Richard III, we were astonished to find the queue to get into the theatre winding right out of the bar and down the stairs to the box office, with the result that instead of getting a seat at the front with an almost-partof-the-cast view, my son and I found ourselves in the back row, craning to see around one of the pillars.

‘Just because they found him under a car park!’ another regular said to me, wearily.

And when he comes onto the stage to deliver his opening soliloquy, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, (played

by John Mackay) does indeed resemble a skeleton. Tall and bony, with cropped white hair and a white face blackened about the eyes, he starts

the play as he ends it – no flawed, flesh-and-blood hero brought down by his ambition, but the personification of depravity. Mackay’s Richard is the archetypal psychopath who, devoid of empathy and conscience, murders as much to divert himself from what he sees as the pointlessness of existence as to achieve the power he craves, and often, horrifyingly, the audience finds itself laughing along with him.

In a play that is dominated by its villain, the rest of the cast put in sterling performances.

I was especially moved by Nicki Goldie’s portrayal of the Duchess of York, the only character who truly knows Richard for what he is, having given birth to him.

But it is Richard who charms, entertains, disgusts and mesmerises, often all at the same time, right up to the end

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April, 2013

when he lies dead on Bosworth Field, his long limbs curled up in a way that is fittingly reminiscent of a dead spider.

I left the theatre astonished, once again, by Shakespeare’s grasp of psychology centuries before it was recognised as a discipline, and anticipating the excellent Shakespeare At The Tobacco Factory’s next production, Two Gentlemen of Verona, which opened on 4th April.

Deborah Harvey is a Filton poet and author.

Cycle routes near Filton completed

April marks the completion of a range of improvements to three cycle and pedestrian routes near Filton, thanks to a grant from the Government’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF).

The LSTF routes connect Parkway Station to Cribbs Causeway, Lockleaze to Parkway Station and Lockleaze to Cribbs Causeway.

A growing number of cyclists are now benefiting from the improvements which build upon the network constructed during the Cycling City project - completing missing links and providing more continuous routes between key destinations.

The works include new shared paths, crossing facilities, direction signs and lighting.

In addition, bespoke direction signing has been used to highlight the Concorde Way cycle route, which extends from Bristol city centre to Cribbs Causeway.

For dedicated commuters who cycle or walk all year around the addition of lighting and the installation of 1.5 kilometres of new solar studs will improve visibility along green areas of the route. Maps for cycle routes can be downloaded from www. betterbybike.info/maps/cyclemaps/south-glos

Filton Pétanque have begun formal club practice sessions on Sunday mornings, between noon and 2pm, and Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm.

Practice will be open to all who are club members, interested in trying the game out or those who know how to play but haven’t tried it locally before.

The club hopes that anyone who becomes a regular player will join the club.

Membership is £10 per annum, which helps to keep the piste open.

There will be club coaching sessions and competitions which will be arranged across the season.

Wednesday will be club night, and it is also the South Glos league night for the Ratepayers Arms team, fixtures for which will be advertised in the Ratepayers Arms.

Roger Hutchinson, Club Secretary and recently elected President of the Great Western Regional committee of the English Pétanque Association, said “We are delighted to be bale to use the Elm Park Piste again and look forward to members of the Filton community joining us.

“We are also pleased that we reached an agreement with the Town Council and that by paying an annual fee we are able to keep it free for casual players who prefer not to join the club.”

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April, 2013

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Filton planning, March Applications l 46 Tenth Avenue, Filton Erection of two storey side and single storey rear extensions to provide additional living accommodation. l 6 New Road, Stoke Gifford Erection of two storey rear extension to include Juliet balcony to form additional living accommodation and single storey side extension to form additional garage with new access. l 23 Ninth Avenue, Filton Erection of a single storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation. l 25 Mackie Avenue, Filton Alteration to roofline from flat roof to pitched roof l 41 Bridgman Grove, Filton Erection of two storey rear extension to provide additional living accommodation

filtonvoice

l Rear Of 32 And 34 Station Road, Filton Erection of 1 dwelling with access and associated works. l 1 Gayner Road, Filton Works to pollard 6 Lime trees to 9m, covered by Tree Preservation Order No. SGTPO 39/08 dated 9th July 2009. l 7 The Mead, Filton Erection of single storey rear and side extension to form additional living accommodation.

l 97 Station Road, Filton Change of use of land from residential (Class C3) to day nursery (Class D1) as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 to facilitate the erection of side conservatory. Alterations to vehicular access.

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£8,000 for youth centre in Filton

St Andrew’s Methodist Youth Centre in Filton has benefited to the tune of more than £8,000 after a new grants scheme was set up in South Gloucestershire.

A range of projects for young people aged 13 to 19, from sporting activities to art workshops or volunteering opportunities, received money from the Positive Activities Fund.

The fund is available to organisations that support and encourage young people across the district to take part in activities which will benefit their health and learning. This can include attending clubs and societies, going on trips and outings, or taking part in sports.

Southern Brooks Area Forum awarded St Andrew’s Youth Centre £8,655 to continue a youth club night for young people with learning difficulties in the Filton and surrounding areas.

Kings Forest Area Forum awarded Creative Youth Network £38,182 in support of Hanham Youth Centre opening four nights a week.

The first round of grants was targeted at groups looking to take over youth centres after council funding came to an end at the beginning of April.

Cllr Ian Blair, Chair of the Children and Young People’s Committee, said: “As part of the council’s ongoing commitment to provide positive experiences for young people, we are encouraging organisations who work with 13 to 19 yearolds and those aged up to 25 with a learning difficulty or disability, to apply for these new grants. Priority will be given to organisations which demonstrate that young people have been involved in choosing a wide range of diverse activities.”

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April, 2013

Filton business of the month Exciting plans for landmark cafe

This month we meet Noble George, the new owner of Vittles cafe and restaurant, a real landmark business in Filton. He reveals why he took over this business and how there are big plans for evening openings and some new types of cuisine. Noble also says he is excited by the other new businesses opening in the area, on Gloucester Road at the top of Braemar Avenue

Tell us your name Vittles, Cafe and Restaurant How long have you been in business?

Vittles is owned by ‘OASIS’, a catering group based in Bristol.

We started our business in early 2012 What did you do before taking on Vittles?

We owned another cafe in Southmead Road.

Why did you take it on?

Vittles is located in a beautiful place, surrounded by a good neighbourhood. As part of our business expansion we have taken over Vittles.

Also the street is rising up after a long time. New businesses are emerging.

Gloucester Road is getting filled with shops and other business units, from the city centre towards Cribbs Causeway so we expect a ‘rush’ in the street in the coming times.

What are your plans for the cafe?

Keep open VITTLES, from 8am3pm as a cafe and an English restaurant and to open as an Indian restaurant from 6-11pm What will you be offering?

We guarantee quality food for every customer. Vittles should be a good place for families, couples and friends to sit and chat and to relax.

We promise a high standard customer care. As part of our social commitments we will deliver the food locally if they order in advance. Group meals or buffets will be doing on request.

Tell us about your planned late night openings etc.

We will be opening the restaurant from Wednesday to Saturday 6-pm with variety of amazing Indian Foods. Customers will be ‘wowed’. The restaurant will be available for private parties or

group meetings for an affordable price. There will be promotional special kerala foods( south India) every week

Owner Noble George with Kath Brunt, who has worked in the cafe for four years, and Jackie McAlpine, who has worked at Vittles for 14 years

Any other information you wish to outline.

We value customer suggestions and we value our customer relationship. One of our staff, Jackie, has been working for past 14 years in the cafe and Kath for the past 4 years.

Our head chef, Shebi, is a qualified professional cook, who provides tasty and tempting recipes. All our eight staff work hard to serve the customers the way they like.

Home-made cakes, biscuits, pasties, puddings etc are the specialities of Vittles.

The residents are so supportive. They are not just customers but a part of us.

Get in touch: Call us on 0117 969 2476 or 07551311360

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Comment .... Filton’s MP, Jack Lopresti Why we must not talk down Filton’s thriving aerospace industry In recent weeks I have seen several articles that seek to scaremonger over the future of our local economy now that Filton Airfield has closed.

It is particularly disappointing that local Labour politicians have been cynically talking our local industries down in this way.

They’ve been more concerned about scoring parochial party political points than looking at the opportunities and promoting the success of our world leading high tech aerospace and aviation manufacturing industry.

The local Labour party have never made clear how they would have acquired control of a privately owned airfield, forced BAe to keep operating it and forced Airbus to keep supporting it commercially.

The Labour party know that the only way this could have been done would be compulsory purchase backed by a huge public subsidy, but they refuse to be honest with local people that they would plough millions of pounds of hardworking tax payers’ money into something that is commercially unviable.

The future plans for investment and infrastructure for the airfield site were put to a South Gloucestershire Council meeting at the end of December 2011 – and when it came down to it, when they had the opportunity to show some kind of leadership what did Labour do? They abstained from the vote.

Since the announced closure, the Filton aerospace industry has gone from strength to strength and still has a world-leading aviation business and is still seen as the country’s foremost aerospace technology hub, something which many local people, me included, are very proud of.

After the announcement, which surprised and saddened all of us local residents, I sought and received assurances from

all of the major local aerospace businesses, including Rolls Royce, Airbus, GKN and others, that the loss of the airfield would not compromise their operations in Filton. I also had discussions with Defence Ministers about the loss of use of the airfield to the Military, should they ever need to use it, but was informed that due to the availability of places like RAF Fairford and Brize Norton the closure of the airfield would have no bearing on any future Military Operational capability.

In fact in the last year or so Airbus and GKN have both made major investments locally.

Airbus have called Filton the “jewel in the crown of aviation engineering” and have invested £70 million into the soon to open Pegasus House, a design and research centre which will be part of further developments at the Airbus Aerospace Park. Airbus has a jam packed order book running into tens of billions of pounds and recent Government partnerships are underlining the long term prospects for Airbus at Filton.

In January Airbus announced the creation of nearly 200 extra high-tech jobs after the firm landed a £1.4 million grant from the Government through the Regional Growth Fund and recently I had the pleasure of attending the Deputy Prime Minister’s announcement of the Governments’ £1billion investment into the UK Aerospace industry which will protect local jobs for many years to come.

Last year GKN opened the new facility that places our local area, the South West and the UK at the vanguard of high-precision aerospace manufacturing. GKN have built, at Severn Beach, a £170 million facility designed for the quick delivery, high precision manufacture and assembly of carbon fibre reinforced plastic aircraft wing components which will be integral to the aerospace industry’s supply chain, a large part of which is, of course, based in our locality.

The new factory is great news for GKN and the local area; employment is expected to rise

to 450 employees by 2016 and the plant is already achieving industry firsts since commencing manufacturing last year.

One of the biggest challenges we face is with the future of our home-grown workforce; we are desperately short of young engineers in the UK. Over the past couple of years I have been working closely with the Concorde Trust and local industry leaders to see exactly how we inspire our young people to become the much needed scientists and engineers that feed local industry and will guarantee its survival. I believe part of the answer will lie with the redevelopment of the airfield land.

A third of the site has been ring fenced for the expansion

of the high-tech manufacturing sector in Filton, and at the same time negotiations are at very advanced stages to secure a permanent home for Concorde, as well as a home for the Bristol Aero Collection.

The UK aviation industry is a world beater but still must compete on a global basis. Its future does not lie with the past but with the high-tech manufacturing of the future which does not need the airfield but needs investment, So I would make this plea to those who still oppose the airfield closure – let’s seize the opportunity, stop talking down our local economy and local industry, and get on board with the fantastic and exciting investments in our local area.

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Fashion news

A licence to thrill

All clothes featured in the show are on sale in the Mall right now – and even have a special BFW ticket on display so you can

easily find what you are looking for.

The show ended with a party sequence featuring clothes for all

shapes and sizes - as well as ages - from around the Mall.

And as if that wasn’t enough, we were then invited to collect our goodie bags filled with products including Oil of Olay and Treseme.

I for one, will definitely be booking a seat for next season’s show at The Mall in September 2013 for a preview of Autumn/ Winter fashions. Keep an eye on www.mallcribbs.com for more information.

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As I joined the excited queue waiting for the 3pm show at Bristol Fashion Week at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, I was full of anticipation as I was about to experience my first ever Bristol fashion show – and I wasn’t disappointed!

We were greeted with a glass of bubbly and a cup cake as we entered the doors and then shown in to the purpose built arena which featured a large screen and catwalk.

The hour-long show was presented by TV stylist Mark Heyes and celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton, inset, who combined style advice, celebrity gossip and fashion knowledge with their introduction to each collection.

The show opened with a dynamic James Bond sequence, featuring black and white in both block colours and stripes, which are both huge trends in 2013.

Highlights for me included the new digital print collection from M&S and the kidswear from Next.

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News

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Health Matters

Moving times

with Dr Liz Lee, Horfield Health Centre

After all the debate over the future of Newleaze House, the majority of residents have moved out of the sheltered housing block in Filton. It has been announced the site will eventually be transformed. Social landlord Merlin Housing Society is now looking to build much needed new family homes in Filton after deciding the sheltered accommodation was no longer fit for purpose. Most of the residents have agreed to a new apartment complex in Bradley Stoke. Here, former resident and regular columnist Doug Daniels describes his last days at Newleaze ... and what the future will bring The thought of leaving Newleaze House in Roycroft Road, Filton for “pastures new” brought fears to several long-term residents.

They did not know just where they would eventually reside.

At numerous discussions in the house it was evident that although they would be given options where they preferred to be placed, it would depend on availability. Some could be located outside of Filton.

I was personally concerned since being a town councillor it could outstretch my ability to communicate. But happily my new home is within the required operational distance confirmed

by South Gloucestershire Council.

The new location, Bluebell Gardens, Bradley Stoke, is ideal and offers every convenience.

The Willow Brook Centre is our “next door neighbour.” Running out of milk for a “cuppa” is no problem. The local superstore is open 24 hours! And it is only a few minutes away.

The most difficult task in this re-location was the move. I never realised what an extensive store of odds and ends one could accumulate over a relatively short period at Newleaze.

“We can’t get your sofa out of your flat!” said the removal men.

“We’ve taken the door off and still it won’t come out!”

“Well it went in,” I informed them. Sadly it remains there ... in isolation.

The removal men did a firstclass job. What did it matter if your mobile phone charger ended up with the kitchen equipment?

It was found ... eventually!!

Merlin has made a good choice in this location and I feel sure that the fifteen or so residents located here will agree.

It is infinitely better than what we previously had. It is a “new beginning” at Bluebell Gardens.

Maybe as time progresses, residents will set aside the anguish of their disturbance and settle down to a closely related atmosphere that existed at Newleaze. We intend to keep in contact with all those who were

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resident at Newleaze so that on certain occasions we can meet our friends from the WI – to enjoy the companionship that was so evident in the past years.

Despite the arguments ... the disagreements ...that existed in the past our memories of Newleaze will always remain in our thoughts.

Depression It’s that difficult time of year when spring feels just around the corner but winter won’t quite go away.

A number of patients have described feeling pretty low and they put it down to the dark nights and cold weather.

The question is, are they just a bit low in spirits or might they actually have become depressed?

Some people are more vulnerable to depression; for example people who have a chronic illness and those who have a past history of depression.

So we take the opportunity to ask diabetics and patients with cardiovascular disease [strokes and heart attacks] two ‘screening questions’ as part of their yearly check up.

These questions help us identify people who are at risk of becoming depressed.

The questions are: • During the last month have you been feeling down, depressed or hopeless?

• During the last month have you often been bothered by having little interest or pleasure in doing things?

If you are feeling low, even though February and March have passed and the evenings are beginning to get lighter, ask yourself the same two questions.

If the answer is yes and you want to talk to someone, you could see your doctor or you can contact the free LIFT psychology service on 0117 982 3209 to arrange an appointment or to find out further information about their services.

See our advert, Page 19

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April, 2013

Football crazy!

Local photographer Rikki Teml is keen to put the focus on local Filton sporting teams. Here is a selection of shots from recent games at Elm Park. If you would like your club featured, contact Rikki.You can find his contact details and see more of his photography at www.rmtphotos.co.uk

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Computer tips with Graham Simmonds of goto iT in Filton Why does my computer run slowly? – part 1 It might seem strange that your lovely new PC gets slower and slower as the years go by. Why might that be?

There can be a range of reasons, which can be one or more of the following: • Virus or malware running on your computer – this is

either software designed to damage your PC or software that is badly written that you usually do not need.

• Running out of disk space – there is a limited amount of storage on our PCs which can be filled up

with programmes you no longer use. The computer also creates temporary files that should be deleted but for some reason aren’t.

• Overheating – the processor or brain of your PC needs to be kept cool.

Sometimes the fans don’t quite do their job properly.

Of course we check for all these things and more during

a health check. If you would like to know more, drop in and see us.

If there is anything you would like to see a short article about, please contact us on 0117 969 8767 or visit us in our shop on the corner of Filton Ave and the A4174.

Advert on Page 11

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Got a story/something you would like everyone in Filton to know about? Call Richard on 0777 555 0607 or email richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

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Filton local history

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April, 2013

A fine Filton landmark, now gone

This month, Jackie Sims and Peggy Allen of Filton Community History describes the grand old house in Filton which once belonged to a prominent Bristol wine importer William Gayner bought fields belonging to Meadowsweet Farm on the 15th April 1873. This included a field called Haycroft.

In 1905 William sold Haycroft to Ernest William Hallett who lived at Rodney Hall from 1902 until 1906.

Ernest was a wine merchant, importing wines and spirits, with an establishment at the corner of Small Street and Broad Street in

Bristol. He built a house on the field called Haycroft. The field was reached by a track through an area of wasteland called Little Hill between Fairlawn House and Rodney Hall.

He called the new house Haycroft.

Ernest was a widower. He married Rosamund Naish, the granddaughter of Edwin Naish who lived in Fairlawn House next

door. He moved into Haycroft with his new bride. He was living at Haycroft in 1907 and had moved on by 1913.

We saw Haycroft House for the first time in 2001. The plaque on the front said ‘Ministry of Defence’.

Looking through the ground floor room on the left, we could see wooden panelling all round the room almost to ceiling height.

The front of Haycroft House in 2001. The building faces approximately south. (Photo Stan Sims)

Flowers in Bloom Florist in the heart of Filton

From stunning bouquets and baskets to personalised tributes or sympathy flowers, we can provide you with an arrangement to suit your design and budget for any occasion, with local or national delivery.

124 Gloucester Road North | 0117 979 9594 www.flowersinbloombristol.co.uk

This door into the extension faces east. Some very large ammonites are built into the wall along with a scattering of smaller ones. This building was demolished, probably about 2005.

The road that runs between the old factory buildings and the large new building currently under construction behind Filton House is called Haycroft Road.

The south end runs from the closed gate between the rank of 6 terraced houses on Southmead Road and the GKN factory building alongside Golf Course Lane.

The north end continues bending west to meet the main north/south internal road through the factory site after passing in front of Haycroft House.

Haycroft House was sited at the end of the lane between Fairlawn House and Rodney Hall before the Bristol Aeroplane Company took over the sites.

Haycroft was the last to be demolished about 2005; the others were demolished late 1990s.

Filton Hill Farm was demolished to build the Bristol Aeroplane Company Apprentices College in the 1950s. The Rectory was demolished in the 1960’s and Charlton Elderly Peoples Home, Hanover Court and a new Rectory built on the site.

Going down Filton Hill from the Golf shop towards Filton

Bristol Blinds We put others in the shade Call us on 0117 979 1918 for a FREE quotation 6 Church View, Filton, Bristol BS34 7BT

To advertise, contact Richard on 0777 555 0607, Emma on 0771 577 0448 or Wendy on 0771 577 0242. Email: adverts@filtonvoice.co.uk

April, 2013

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College the kink in the wall on your left marks the drive that led to the old Rectory and large gardens.

Filton Avenue ends at Conygre Road and there are only fields to the A38.

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That changed rapidly over the next couple of years but Canberra Grove, the rest of Filton Avenue to the A38, Blenheim Drive and Filton Hill School would not be built until the 1950s.

Petcare with Michael Parry of Vets4Pets in Filton

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£15

Left, Map from a 1935 Ordnance Survey map. Significant buildings in 1935 Haycroft House (green), Rodney Hall (yellow), Fairlawn House (blue), Filton Hill Farm (pink), The old Rectory (purple). Above, the rear of Haycroft House (Photo Stan Sims).

Sources: ‘Filton, Gloucestershire’ by Lesley and Noel Harris’, published 1981 and 1995.

‘Bristol Directories’ by Mathews, Wright and Kelly, 1872 to 1915.

Jackie Sims and Peggy Allen, Filton Community History

Microchip

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FREE flea and worm check

Be Lungworm aware if left untreated it can be fatal!

and advice with a nurse at Vets4Pets Filton

Lungworm is a parasite that affects dogs and is carried by slugs and snails.

When dogs rummage through the undergrowth, drink from puddles, eat grass, or generally sniff around outside they can end up eating slugs and snails accidentally or on purpose. Once a dog is infected with lungworm, it lives in the heart and major blood vessels supplying the lungs and can cause serious health problems which can be fatal if left untreated.

Spotting the signs of Lungworm Lungworm infections can cause a number of different signs including: ● Breathing problems ● Poor blood clotting ● General signs of being unwell (weight loss, sickness and poor appetite) ● Depression and tiredness If you are worried that your

35

To book your appointment please call 0117 969 8400

dog might pick up a Lungworm infection or that they already have, Michael Vet and Practice Partner at Vets4Pets Filton can prescribe a recommended spoton treatment which is applied to the back of your dog’s neck. By applying this spot-on on a monthly basis, you can prevent your dog from getting an established Lungworm infection.

Book your appointment today

Call 0117 969 8400

or visit www.vets4pets.com Vets4Pets Filton

Shield Retail Centre, Gloucester Road, Filton, BS34 7BQ

Opening hours: 8.30am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat

Got a story/something you would like everyone in Filton to know about? Call Richard on 0777 555 0607 or email richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

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April, 2013

What’s on in Filton on a regular basis Mondays

Dinky Dolphins, baby and pre-school swimming session, games music and play, 9.30am10.30am. These sessions are first come, first served. £3.70 for 1 adults and up to two children, Filton Sports and Leisure Centre Tea Dance, Filton Folk Centre, 1.45pm-3.45pm 0117 302 6981

Tuesdays

Filton Library, Shields Centre, free one to one IT tuition with our Computer Support Volunteers on Tuesday afternoons. Contact the library to book a session. 10am 1pm NOTE TIME CHANGE Pre-School story and Rhyme time 9.30am, Filton Library, Shields Centre, Unity Coffee morning takes place every Tuesday (term time) starting 10-11.30 at PYRAMID Youth Club, 470 Filton Avenue, Bristol, BS7 0LW. Aqua fit Tuesdays, 9.45 – 10.30am & 8.30 - 9.15pm, cost £4 a session, class suitable for non swimmers, participants must be 16 yrs and over, Filton Sports and Leisure Centre Keep Fit Association classes, all welcome, Filton Community Centre 2-3pm Call 0117 969 3326

Wednesdays

Filton Garden Club, St Teresa’s Social Club, 7.30pm. 1st Wednesday of every month, 0117 975 9126. Not January.

Filton Camera Club, 7.30 p.m, on alternate Wednesdays (except June, July and August) at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park.

For details, contact Brian Frost on 0117 9651242, Brnf3335@ aol.com, Work club: St Andrews Methodist Youth Centre, Elm Park, BS34 7PS, 2-4.30pm: Dropin session, Open to all who want some advice / guidance looking for work! Get support with CV writing, filling in job aplications, job searching, interview techniques/practise, volunteering placements, and finding local courses to get more qualifications!

Filtones Choir. We rehearse every Wednesday afternoon

from 1.45 to 3.45 p.m. at Eden Grove Methodist Church. “We are a non auditioning four part harmony choir of mainly retired ladies and gentleman who enjoy the sociability of singing together. We give afternoon concerts to organisations, such as pensioners’ clubs, all over Bristol, and at least two main evening concerts every year, one of which is in summer (our main charity fund raising event) and at Christmas. We have sufficient sopranos at present but are actively seeking tenors, basses and ladies who can sing alto. If you would like to come along and try us out please ring our Musical Director, Mike Watson on 0117 9083778 for a chat or just come along one Wednesday afternoon and have a listen to us. You will be made very welcome.” For more information please see our web site www.filtones.co.uk

Thursdays

Goldies meets in Filton “Singing for Fun”, songs from the 50’s, 60’s & 70’s. Every Thursday 10.30am-11.30am In Sinclair House community room (next to the police station). £1 donation to the Goldies charity.

For further information contact abby@golden-oldies.org.uk or call 01761-470006 Bristol Male Voice Choir, weekly practice at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, Filton Avenue, 7.15 pm. Potential new members very welcome. Call 0117 9424378.”

Filton WI, monthly meetings, 1st Thursday of every month, Newleaze House, Filton, call 0117 330 6071 Knitting Group 5.45 pm – 6.45pm Thursdays, Filton Library, Shields Centre Aqua circuits 10am - 11am £4.00 Filton Sports and Leisure Centre, term time only Tiddlers and toddlers playgroup, St Peter’s Church Hall, 10amnoon, term time only Filton Ladies, St Andrew’s Church, 2pm-4pm, new members welcome, call 0117 969 1825 Keep Fit Association classes, all welcome, Filton Community Centre, 8-9pm 0117 969 3326 Silver surfers: St Andrews

Methodist Youth Centre, Elm Park, BS34 7PS, 10am-noon (note we’ve changed from Fridays!) Drop-in for ‘silverhaired’ folk (over 50yrs) to get help with accessing computers, the internet, mobile phone technology, digital cameras, and much more! Run by a dedicated team of friendly volunteers with Lisa at the helm, this supportive group is just as much a social session as it is about learning!

Come and join us! Free to come along anytime, just £2.50 per session with free refreshments.

This group does not run during August.

Evening Worship Kids street dance classes(5 - 16 years of age), every Sunday @ Charborough Road Primary School, Filton, 5.15 - 6pm or 6 7pm (depending on age/ability), £3.50/£4.00 per session (pay as you go). Lots of fun, make new friends and very good exercise too!! Please phone Emma on 07725 612088 or email her at emmacwyatt@hotmail.com for more information.

Fridays

St Andrews Youth Centre

Dinky Dolphins, baby and pre-school swimming session, games music and play, 10am11am. These sessions are first come, first served. £3.70 for 1 adults and up to two children, Filton Sports and Leisure Centre, term time only, term time only.

Pre-School story and Rhyme time 2.30pm, Filton Library, Shields Centre Bingo, Filton Community Centre, 7.30pm

Saturdays

Filton Library, Shields Centre, free one to one IT tuition with our Computer Support Volunteers on Saturday mornings. Contact the library to book a session.

Monthly Chatterbooks reading group for children in years 5 – 6.

Meets on a Saturday afternoon, Filton Library, Shields Centre, Filton, St Teresa’s Catholic Church, Vigil Mass, 6pm

Sundays

St Peter’s Church, 8.00am Holy Eucharist; 10.00am Parish Eucharist with crèche and Sunday Club; Noon, Baptism (by appointment); 6.00pm Evening Worship (Choral Evensong on the 1st Sunday of each month)’.

St Teresa’s Catholic Church, Morning Mass, 10.30am. Other masses visit www.stteresasfilton. org.uk St Andrew’s Church, Filton, 10.30am, Morning Worship; 6pm,

Weekdays

Coffee shop, 9am – 12:30pm, St Peter’s Church, Filton

For young people: We’re closed til April 21st and then will be re-opening with: Mondays 5.30-7.30pm Duke of Edinburgh’s award groups Tuesdays 7.30-9.30pm Youth Club for Years 8-14 (13-19yrs) Wednesdays 7.30-9.30pm Youth Club for Years 8-14 (1319yrs) Thursdays 7.30-9.30pm Youth club / transitions for young people aged 16-25 with learning difficulties Fridays 6.30-8.30pm Girl’s Only youth club Fridays 8.30-9.30pm Tea & Toastie drop-in (tea, toasties, and information, advice / contraception drop-in for 13-20s) Then coming from May: Tuesdays 5.30-7pm Youth club for Years 5, 6 and 7 (9-12yrs) Wednesdays 5-7pm Youth Council Thursdays 5.30-7pm Youth club for 11-15year olds with learning difficultiesThe youth club programme has a range of activities including sports, arts/ crafts, roller skating, quizzes, computers, games, Wii, karaoke, and cooking. We’re also a C-card access point for condoms!

Also tuck shop and pool tables available at subsidised rates!

We also do lots of trips and weekends away! Contact the office for holiday times as we usually change the programme to do more trips!

Contact us at 0117 9691938 or standrewsmyc@hotmail.co.uk

To advertise, contact Richard on 0777 555 0607, Emma on 0771 577 0448 or Wendy on 0771 577 0242. Email: adverts@filtonvoice.co.uk

April, 2013

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Pyramid Youth Club

Mondays: 6.30-8pm: Inters 1012 yrs. activities include football, basketball and other sports, pool, table tennis, computers, cookery and craft, tuck shop 8pm-10pm: Seniors 13+, activities include circuit training, football, basketball and other sports, pool, table tennis, computers, cookery and craft, tuck shop, Subs £1 (50p members) Tuesdays: 6.30-7.30: Junior Judo 5-12 yrs; 7.30-9pm: Senior Judo 13+, £2.50 children/students, £3 adults Wednesday: Occasional events in or out of Club.

Thursdays: 6.30-7.45: Juniors 5-9 yrs, activities include games,

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computers, cookery, tuck shop.

8pm-10pm: Seniors 13+, activities include DJing, football, basketball and other sports, pool, table tennis, computers, cookery and craft, tuck shop, Subs £1 (50p members) Friday: 7.30-10pm: Seniors 13+, activities include music (drums, guitar, keyboard), football, basketball and other sports, pool, table tennis, computers, cookery and craft, tuck shop. Subs £1 (50p members). Including DJing music mixing, vocal skills Based at 470 Filton Avenue, contact Margaret Morris 0117 9691315

Filton Community Centre 983 6500

Mondays: Tea dance, 1.45-3.45,

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call 302 6981. Zumba fitness class, 6.30-7.30 Tuesdays: Keep fit, 2-4pm, 969 3326; Flower arranging, 2-4pm, 01454 412 087; Dog training, 7-9pm, 01454 616630; Pilates, 7-9pm, 502 2411; AA, 7.30-9.30; Cacti club (3rd Tues), call 950 3604 Wednesdays: Pilates, 10-12; Dawn James Art, 962 2982; Camera Club, 7.30-9.30, alternate weeks, call 965 1242 for details; Strictly Ballroom, 907 6960; Historical Club (4th Wed), 7.30-9.30, 969 2025 Thursdays: Short mat bowls, 2-4pm, 969 2025; Line dancing, 7.30-9.30, 07792 456988; Flower arranging, 7.30-9.30, 01454 412087; AA, 07831 338085; Keep fit, 8-9pm, 969 3326 Fridays: Bingo, 7.30-9.30,

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9690311; Karate, 6-8pm, 07982 720158 Saturdays: Kung Fu, 07759 583688; Sundays: Karate, 10.30-noon, 07982 720 158; New Pastures Ministry, 07786 271 33

1st Filton Scouts, Cubs & Beavers

Beavers, aged 6-8, Weds 6-7pm Cubs, 8-101/2, Thurs 6.30-8.30 Scouts, 101/2 - 14, Tues 7-9pm The group is based in Scout Headquarters, Nutfield Grove, Filton. BS34 7LH. All sections are open to boys and girls.

Contact for all sections is John Cahill (jcahill@blueyonder.co.uk, Phone 0798 605 3005)

What’s coming up in Filton Sat, 13th April

Car Boot Sale, Abbeywood Community School, New Road, Stoke Gifford BS34 9SF, 9.30 am - 12.30 pm (access to sellers from 8.30 am) Cars £6, vans £8, no need to book a pitch

Sat, 20th April

Ladies’ Fashion Show, Abbeywood Community School, New Road, Stoke Gifford BS34 9SF. Doors open at 2.00 pm - show starts at 2.30 pm - event finishes at 5.30 pm. Entry is £2.00 for adults (16 and over) and £1.00 for school years 7 - 13 (Years 7 - 9 must be accompanied by an adult).

Hosted by “Travelling Trends”, this afternoon of fun and fashion will give you the chance to see, try on and buy this season’s fashions at greatly reduced prices. The clothes are from quality high street stores - M&S including Per Una and Autograph ranges, Debenhams, Next, BHS, River Island, Dorothy Perkins, Oasis to name a few.

Also a few designer brand names such as DKNY, Rocha John Rocha, Timberland, Ted Baker etc.

All items are between 30% and 60% off, sometimes up to 80% off! Clothes start at £5.

There will also be stalls, a bar and a raffle.

Stalls include All Wrapped Up Gifts, Fabric Bags, Bodyshop at

Sat, 27th April

February saw the launch of a novel by Deborah Harvey, Filton Voice’s own arts correspondent. ‘Dart’ tells the story of a small village on Dartmoor at the time of the Black Death in the 14th century. Deborah’s deep love of the West Country comes through in her lyrical description of the land and its people, just as it did in her last book, ‘Communion’, a collection of her poems.

The launch was held at Gloucester Road’s Halo Bar. There were dramatised readings from the story, poems, and music from Somerset singer-songwriter Reg Meuross.

The paper skulls and a stuffed crow nodded (as it were) in the direction of the Black Death, without casting any shadows on a lively evening!

Dart is published by Tamar Books, £7.99 Dru Marland Home, Fresh Image Cosmetics, Home Delights, Little Bristol Bakery, Forever Living and Looby’s Gifts ALSO: Filton Twinning Association fundraising event: Quiz Night in the Pavillion at Elm Park, 7.30pm for 8pm start - £5 entry including hot supper, BYO alcohol, raffle!

Filton Library, 10.30am to 12pm, ‘World Book Night Coffee and Cakes’.

Sat, 11th May

Free Children’s Event at Filton Library. Come for a fun workshop with children’s e-book author A.M.Layet. Suitable for children aged 8 to 12 years old. This event is free. 2.30 - 3.30pm

Sat, 18th May

Filton Twinning Association fundraising event: Wine & Cheese Night, 8pm in the Pavilion at Elm Park.

Saturdays

9.30am – 10.30am, Filton District Councillors’ Surgery, Filton Library, Shield Road Retail Park, Link Road, Filton, Bristol (map) An opportunity to discuss local issues with the three South Gloucestershire councillors who represent Filton.

Thurs, 25th April

Filton Library, 7.30pm-9.30pm, An evening with best selling crime writer Tim Weaver: author of Vanished, Chasing the Dead and The Dead Tracks.

Tickets are free and available from the library or from www.eventbrite.co.uk/ event/5426286168

Various dates

Filton Community Garden, meetings for volunteers.

All will be at 10am in the Pavilion at Elm Park. The dates are 13th, 20th, 27th April.

Filton Town Council

For meeting dates, see Pages 20 and 21

Got a story/something you would like everyone in Filton to know about? Call Richard on 0777 555 0607 or email richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

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News feature

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Despite the cold weather, it really is Spring so what better time of year to take up walking on some of the West’s most scenic routes, which all begin at railway stations. Here, Ann Light, the Filton-based co-ordinator for Wessex Wanderers describes some of the routes and how your journey can begin at Filton Abbeywood Station

A walk on the wild side Want to get away from the maddening crowds this summer?

Then why not come on one of our Wessex Wanderers Railway walks in 2013 and have a great day out?

These walks, which are led by experienced volunteer members of the Ramblers’ Association and begin from stations along the wonderfully scenic ‘Heart of Wessex’ railway line which runs between Bristol and Weymouth, are an excellent way of escaping to the countryside, seaside, or visiting market towns such as Frome and Castle Cary, without the need to drive.

The line meanders through the deep, green Avon valley, winding between the river and Kennet & Avon canal and emerging onto the broad Wiltshire plains and on into Somerset.

As it enters Dorset, it traverses an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, before sweeping over the South Dorset Downs to the World Heritage Jurassic Coast at Weymouth.

Our enthusiastic Walk

Leaders, who enjoy the combination of train travel and walking, are drawn from all four Areas of the Ramblers through which the train travels, and despite the fact that we have been leading walks from the twenty stations along the line for almost twenty years, leaders still find new and interesting routes. (You need not worry - the walks do not follow the railway line!)

The walks are free (although transport costs are not included), are open to non-members of the Ramblers and vary in length from 3 miles to 15 miles.

We do not normally stop at a pub or cafe at lunchtime (so walkers need to bring their own food and drink) but at the end of walks there is often the opportunity to have a drink at a local pub or café with time to continue to socialise with fellow walkers.

The next programme of walks commences on Saturday 18th May 2013 and finishes on Wednesday 9th October 2013 and although the programme quotes the Bristol Temple Meads

train times, as many locals will be aware there is a good train service at Filton Abbey Wood.

Indeed some of the trains to and from the Heart of Wessex line stop at Filton Abbey Wood.

Otherwise there is a good link between Filton Abbey Wood and Temple Meads if the train is not direct.

I hope that this will encourage you to come on one of our Wessex Wanderers Railway walks and If you have any queries about the walks as a whole, rail ‘deals’ etc please do not hesitate to contact me.

The 2013 programme will be available from me in around midMarch 2013, so if you would like one let me know and I will send you a copy. (As the Ramblers’ Association is a charity a stamped address envelope would be appreciated.)

Alternatively it will be available through www.avon-ramblers.org.uk/ wessex Ann Light, Wessex Wanderers Walks Co-ordinator, Tel 0117 979 8628

April, 2013

Filton groups urged to back S Glos Discover Festival

Local businesses, community groups and organisations in Filton are invited to get involved and run events during Discover Festival 2013, South Gloucestershire’s biggest festival which takes place from 12 September to 1 November.

The first Discover Festival in 2012 saw over 6,000 people attending 186 events across the local area. Organised by South Gloucestershire Council, local residents, community groups and businesses, it offers an exciting and diverse programme of events for all ages to discover something new and find out why South Gloucestershire is such a great place to live and work.

A South Glos Spokesperson said: “Bringing together many successful celebrations in the district, the festival programme has something for all ages and tastes – including events, talks, walks and workshops focussing on local heritage, local food, local nature, local arts, health and wellbeing, and also special events for people aged 50+, many of which link to ongoing activities that continue after the festival.

“If your business, community group or organisation could organise an open day, a talk, a walk, a taster session or a performance, or if you are already running a special one off event that you would like us to publicise as part of the festival then get in touch.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your work and encourage new members to join you. We will promote your event as part of the festival and all events will be featured in our festival programme.

“Previous examples of events at Discover include food tasting sessions, drawing classes, history talks, nature walks, workshops on tracing your family tree, and an open day at a local brewery.

“If you would like to take part in Discover 2013, please complete our event registration form at www.southglos.gov.uk/ registerfordiscover before Friday 3 May.” Guidelines for businesses, groups and organisations wishing to apply can be found in our terms and conditions on the website.

To advertise, contact Richard on 0777 555 0607, Emma on 0771 577 0448 or Wendy on 0771 577 0242. Email: adverts@filtonvoice.co.uk

Trade services

To advertise in our trade services section from as little as £15 per month contact Richard on 07775 550607 or Emma on 0117 9082121.

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Reliable Plumber

Leaking taps l Blocked wastes l WC l Ball valves Overflows l Showers l Basins l Taps l Boilers l Heating & Plumbing

Complete bathroom installations

Tel: 0117 979 3842 or 07791 786 820

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