South Bristol Voice September 2015

FREE EVERY MONTH in Totterdown, Knowle and Windmill Hill

southbristolvoice September 2015 No. 4

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Cat makes 200-mile journey – but how? RSPCA, page 23

LETTERS P17 | PLANNING APPLICATIONS P29 | THE MAYOR P24 NOW 40 PAGES!

This little piggie went to Knowle

Page3

Arena: The latest on consultation

Pages 4-5

There’s a rat in my bathroom ...

Page 14

THIS IS YOUR MAGAZINE

South Bristol Voice is here to reflect your issues and concerns. Every month we ask readers what they want covered – examples are on page 2. If you want something addressed, email paul@ southbristolvoice.co.uk

Lauren Reading-Gloversmith with Greenwoods manager Phil Marsh

Prizes for balloon winners OUR Balloon Fiesta Photo competition was a soaraway success with dozens of readers entering.

The contest was sponsored by Greenwoods estate agents and manager Phil Marsh presented the prizes at the branch at 148a

Wells Road. First prize of £25 went to Lauren ReadingGloversmith, 28, a music publicist from Totterdown.

She won for a beautiful image of the balloons above Perrett’s Park with the sun glinting in.

• Winners p3; Pictures p20-21

Exams: GCSE news

Page 19

History: Bristol’s medical pioneer

Pages 30-32

What’s on & arts Pages 37-39

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southbristolvoice Contacts Paul Breeden Editor and publisher

07811 766072 | paul@southbristovoice.co.uk

Emma Cooper Advertising sales

0117 908 2121 | 0771 577 0448 emma@keynshamvoice.co.uk

Hollie Dowse Advertising sales

0117 908 2121 sales@keynshamvoice.co.uk

You can find South Bristol Voice on Facebook

www.facebook.com/ southbristolvoice Next month’s deadline for editorial and advertising is September 18

EDITOR’S NOTE: South Bristol Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation.

Feedback is welcomed: call editor Paul Breeden on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk.

All stories and pictures are copyright of South Bristol Voice and may not be reproduced without permission in this or any other plane of the multiverse.

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Intro

THERE’S more to read in this month’s South Bristol Voice – increased popularity with readers and advertisers means we have been able to increase the size of the paper to 40 pages. Thanks for your support!

Many people outside our core area have been asking if they can have South Bristol Voice delivered. If you live in Bedminster or Southville we hope to have exciting news for you soon...

At the moment copies are delivered to homes in Windmill Hill, Totterdown and Knowle. We distribute

September, 2015

copies in shops, pubs and other public places throughout this area and in Bedminster and Southville.

There’s a list of the places you can pick up a copy on page 27. If you think you should be getting the Voice delivered but it doesn’t arrive, email us. Likewise, if you can’t find a copy at one of the pick-up places listed, let us know.

We always want to know what you think of the Voice and what you want covered.

As usual, lots of the stories this month are based on suggestion from readers.

You ask, we answer ...

‘Over a month on from the joke road re-surfacing, no road markings replaced, still gravel to be found all over the place ...

Reader on Facebook • See story on Page 14

‘I’d like to know what’s happening with the development on North St (old Gala Bingo) by North St Standard. They have stopped work for months now.’

Reader on Facebook • See story on Page 24

‘I’m interested in hearing about the Vicky Park toilets as they are just terrible – thanks’ Several readers on Facebook • See story on Page 25

How do I get in touch with ...

My MP? Karin Smyth MP By email: karin.smyth.mp@ parliament.uk By post: Karin Smyth MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA By phone: 0117 953 3575 In person: Karin Smyth will be available to help constituents on Friday September 4 at Knowle West Health Park, Downton Road, BS4 1WH, 9.15-10.45am.

The arrangement will be repeated, in the same location, the same times, on Friday September 18. For an appointment 01179 533 575.

My councillor?

Deborah Joffe Green, Windmill Hill By post: Brunel House, St George’s Road, Bristol BS1 5UY By email: deborah-mila.joffe@

bristol.gov.uk By phone: 07469 413308 Sam Mongon Labour, Windmill Hill By email: sam.mongon@bristol. gov.uk By phone: 07884 736112 Gary Hopkins Lib Dem, Knowle (Lib Dem leader) By email: gary.hopkins@bristol. gov.uk By phone: 0117 985 1491 or 07977 512159 Christopher Davies Lib Dem, Knowle By post: c/o Liberal Democrat Group Office, Brandon Wing, 1st Floor, Brunel House, St George’s Road, Bristol BS1 5UY By email: christopher.davies@ bristol.gov.uk

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September, 2015

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I’ve been to Knowle and back: one pig’s adventure Police think theft is a porkie at first because it’s reported

by Ms Bacon ...

A PIGLET from Windmill Hill had a lucky escape when it was stolen and was missing for days.

The two month-old piglet, a male, is now back at the City Farm after an adventure that took him to Knowle West and back.

He’s none the worse for his ordeal but staff think he may have been rescued just in time as whoever took him may have wanted him for the pot.

But it took longer than expected to report the incident to the police – because officers feared they were being told a porkie.

The theft was phoned in to the police by the city farm’s health and social care manager – who happens to be Nicky Bacon.

Police were suspicious until Ms Bacon produced documentary proof in the form of her passport.

Once satisfied, the investigation got under way. Farm manager

Back in the pen: The lucky but nameless piglet back at Windmill Hill City farm with farm manager Tim Child Tim Child is surprised that the thief got away with the piglet in the first place. Speaking to the

Voice in the pig pen as the piglet and his brothers tore around trying to eat our shoes, Tim said:

Balloon winners in full flight

Winner: Silvie Newman, 9, and her mum Sam Russé

YOU CAN see the winning pictures in the South Bristol Voice Balloon Fiesta Photo Competition on the centre pages, 20 and 21.

Our sponsor Greenwood estate agents kindly agreed to contribute first, second and third prizes of £25, £10 and £5. But the standard was so high that we gave some runners-up Commended status as well.

All the winners’ pictures are on show at Greenwoods, 148a Wells Road, along with the commended entries.

Winners: • 1st Lauren Reading- Gloversmith • 2nd Silvie Newman, 9 • 3rd Alannah Grzybowkska Commended: Caroline Franks, Martin Perkins, Sam Russé

“To carry a pig out of here must have made it squeal like anything.

“They aren’t very easy to carry and they don’t like being picked up at all!”

The piglet was found to be missing when staff opened up on the morning of August 3. The thief would have had to scale the outer wall of the farm, then climb into the pig pen, probably making all the pigs squeal, before wrestling the animal and somehow taking it back over the wall.

Staff circulated news of the theft on social media, and the story spread fast.

Within a day the farm received a report that a piglet had been spotted in a garden in Knowle West. Police were alerted again and found the pig, which seemed in good health. However, they were unable to identify any suspects and so far no arrests or charges have been made.

The Windmill Hill pigs are bred for meat, and don’t have names. The pig that took a trip to Knowle will be fattened for another three or four months before slaughter.

• Eat Local, says Farm: p6

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September, 2015

Arena: Consultation, but not Consultation displays will be mostly at council offices; Windmill Hill meeting may be the sole local event

THE city council has been accused of taking its cue for public consultation on the proposed arena from the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

The long-awaited details of the arena public consultation process show there will be no special meetings in the communities likely to be affected by the development.

Instead, displays will be on show in the council offices at 100 Temple Street. The Windmill Hill neighbourhood partnership meeting on September 22 may be

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PARKING QUIZ

Crowded house: The arena will accommodate audiences of 12,000 part of the consultation – but nothing had been decided as the Voice went to press.

There will be two “manned drop-in sessions” at 100 Temple Street where the public will be able to ask questions.

There will be an exhibition at the Central Library – but no date

has been announced. There will also be a one-day staffed exhibition in the Galleries shopping centre (see panel).

It had been expected by many that meetings and exhibitions would be held in the communities affected by the arena such as Totterdown,

IT IS widely expected that the arena development will bring with it a need for controlled parking in Totterdown and elsewhere.

Tresa, the Totterdown community group, is asking residents how they would design a residents’ parking scheme to suit their needs.

It includes suggestions from the Clifton RPZ, which was adapted for the local area.

• www. tresa.org.uk Windmill Hill, St Philips and Barton Hill.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the classic 1979 comic sci-fi novel by Douglas Adams, has the hero Arthur Dent face both the demolition of his house by the local council and the destruction of Earth by the

• FREE VALUATIONS • SALES • LETTINGS • COMMERCIAL

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Free coffee and a chat Wednesday mornings between 9am – 11am at our Knowle branch

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quite as local as expected Vogons, an alien race installing an interstellar express route.

In both cases, the proposals are difficult for the public to find.

Douglas Adams’s council hides its plans at the bottom of a locked filing cabinet in a disused lavatory in a unlit cellar with no stairs – protected by a sign saying Beware of the Leopard.

The Vogons put their plans on display in Alpha Centauri – which as they point out is “only four light years” from Earth.

Bristol’s Lib Dem party leader, Knowle councillor Gary Hopkins, accused the council leadership of not wanting to change the arena plans – which have still not been unveiled.

“It’s clear that they have no intention of changing anything,” he said. “There should have been local meetings for each area.

“You would expect any normal developer to consult with the community first, adjust their plans and then put in the planning application.

“We have had no notification of an agenda item for the neighbourhood partnership on September 22. Even if they do turn up people will not have been notified. This shows complete disregard for real engagement.

We are dealing with a Vogon.”

It is expected that a planning application will be submitted in late October or early November.

The long-awaited transport plan for the £91 million arena will not be published until the planning application is submitted. A report on the environmental impact of the

Gateway: Mayor George Ferguson and James Wharton MP survey the 65m Arena Island bridge. It will carry pipes for a low-energy district heating scheme, plus ultrafast broadband for the area Picture: CHRIS BAHN arena will also be delayed until after the consultation period.

Mayor George Ferguson responded to criticism that the consultation was too short by saying: “Every change results in problems but you are in danger of overblowing them.”

He said he had not wanted the consultation running over the summer holidays, but there would be plenty of consultation.

“That’s what the planning process is for,” he said. Mr Ferguson was speaking last

CONSULTATION: WHERE AND WHEN

· Consultation from September 16 until midnight, October 13. · An exhibition of the plans will be at the Citizen Service Point, 100 Temple Street BS1 6AG, open Monday to Friday 9am–5pm. · Two staffed drop-in sessions at 100 Temple Street – on September 23 and on October 1, both 6pm–7.30pm. · Staffed exhibition of plans at Galleries, Broadmead, Sept 26. · The exhibition will also be on show at the Central Library for a couple of weeks, dates to be confirmed.

• Possible presentation to Windmill Hill neighbourhood partnership, 6pm Windmill Hill community centre, Vivian Street. · Details at www.bristoltemplequarter.com/arenaconsultation

HOW THE VOGONS DID IT:

“There’s no point in acting surprised about it. All the planning charts and demolition orders have been on display in your local planning department in Alpha Centauri for fifty of your Earth years, so you’ve had plenty of time to lodge a complaint.”

From The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams

month as he welcomed James Wharton, minister for local government, to see the £11.3 million bridge which is due to be pulled across the Avon soon to give access to Arena Island.

Mr Wharton welcomed news that the Temple Meads enterprise zone, of which the arena is a part, has created 2,000 jobs and is expected eventually to lead to 15,000 jobs.

But while few have raised arguments against the arena or the enterprise zone, the addition of so many jobs will add to the pressure on the council to come up with a transport plan for the area that will not clog the roads.

Cllr Hopkins said that recent meetings at the council had convinced him that, so far, “the news about the transport plan is that there isn’t a transport plan”.

Deborah Joffe, the Green councillor for Windmill Hill, said: “My main impression is that there is a serious lack of joined-up thinking between different projects and overall city transport planners.

“There is a will to improve sustainable transport routes along the Bath and Wells roads, but funding is not in the direct control of the council. We need

PETITIONS, PETITIONS

TWO Lib-Dem petitions ask: • Should the arena pay if a residents’ parking scheme is necessary nearby?

• Should Three Lamps junction be altered to allow a right turn from Wells Road to Bath Road?

Cllr Gary Hopkins says 9 out of 10 Knowle and Totterdown respondents questioned on doorsteps back both questions.

• www.bristolarenapetitions. co.uk THE Green Party has a petition calling for the arena to be as sustainable as possible.

It calls for measures of the number of visitors not travelling by car; fair pay for staff; use of local food and resources; and regular checks on air quality.

• http://epetitions.bristol.gov. uk/epetition_core/community/ petition/3170 to ensure that carbon emissions are reduced, air quality is improved and roads are safer. All of this requires providing attractive alternatives to car driving”, she said.

• Mayor’s View: page 24

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News Ask the vet:

Can I take my dog to the beach this summer?

Fun by the sea: Most dogs love the beach but it’s not a risk-free environment

A

NSWER: A day at the beach is a great opportunity to have some fun with your canine, and thankfully, there are plenty of dog-friendly beaches in the South West for us all to enjoy! To make sure everyone has a great day out, however, it would be worth consider the following points: Beach Restrictions Before you load up the car and head off to the seaside, check to see if there are any restrictions for allowing dogs on to the beach.

Sometimes during the busy summer months, popular locations do not allow dogs; however there are usually areas of a beach cordoned off for dogs or smaller nearby dog-friendly beaches to enjoy. You can usually check online to see what restrictions apply.

Swimming Dogs are usually a lot more willing to brave the chilly British waters than us, but make sure the sea is safe enough for your dog to swim. Tides and currents can be very strong and although dogs instinctively know to paddle, you may discover that they are not an expert swimmer! Remember to rinse the sea water from your dog after swimming as the salt may irritate their skin when dry.

Keep them safe Be sure to provide them with plenty of shade and fresh water throughout the day. Also, bring toys to distract them from picking up beach debris or seaweed that could be toxic to your dog. It’s better to be safe than sorry, after all!

Pick it up Don’t ruin it for other owners and make sure you pick up after your dog. If it is a dog friendly beach, there will probably be plenty of bins around for you to dispose of your poo bags. If you don’t abide by the rules, then it may influence a future decision to no longer allow dogs on that beach.

If you have any concerns about keeping your dog safe this summer, speak to one of our lovely veterinary nurses on 01275 832410 who will be happy to help.

Rebecca Forrest-Jones MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon at Highcroft Veterinary Hospital, Whitchurch

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September, 2015

Home-grown produce from the heart of the inner city AN UNUSUAL drive to persuade consumers in the city that they can eat locally-produced food takes place next month at Windmill Hill City Farm.

Described as “a celebration of local food for all the family”, Eat Local will form a day of activities at the farm with plenty of chances to sample the best in local produce on Saturday September 27 from 11am to 6pm.

The farm grows vegetables and fruit, as well as raising its own animals for free-range meat.

Visitors will be able to watch fresh local produce being cooked on a firepit in the paddock and take part in a pizza-making workshop.

They can enjoy meat and vegetables fresh from the farm on the barbecue and explore and taste what the region has to offer from local producers’ stands.

There will be live country music and local ales, plus a host of nature activities and games for children.

The event is supported by Fresh Range, a Bristol company which delivers food produced in Somerset and Gloucestershire.

It delivers everything from fruit and vegetables to meat, bread and fish and is working with the farm to promote its city-grown food.

“We have started selling our meat through them – our meat production is really building up”, said Simone Dougall, spokesperson for the farm.

Teach-in: fungi Picture: LUCY MENTER “We are selling goats meat and rose veal – we are rearing four calves for veal now after starting with two last year.”

The veal is cruelty free – the animals are free to move and is from male calves which are often shot at birth but are reared at the farm for 16 months.

• The farm is also taking bookings for a workshop where you can learn all about fungi – from identification to cultivation.

The workshop will include techniques to create mushroom spawn and other outdoor methods of cultivating that you can easily try at home. It’s on October 10 from 10am to 4pm and costs £45. Details: www. windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk

Rethink possible for balloon fiesta CALLS for the funfair to be removed from the Bristol Balloon Fiesta can expect scrutiny when a licence is sought for next year’s event.

The event at Ashton Court from August 6-9 was perhaps the most popular in the fiesta’s 37-year history, with an estimated 500,000 visitors.

However, fine weather meant the crowds on Saturday afternoon reached capacity and the site was closed.

Traffic reached gridlock and many people were logjammed for hours without reaching Ashton Court.

There were several reports of violence, especially around the

fairground, on Saturday evening, with some people taking to social media to say they wouldn’t attend the event again. However, police said only three crimes were reported over the four days.

A petition on the Evening Post website gathered 1,500 votes, of which 61 per cent want the fairground to go.

Fiesta organisers have accepted they may have to rethink the fairground.

Bristol City Council, which owns Ashton Court, said it will consider all the evidence from the police and fiesta organisers before issuing a licence for the 2016 fiesta.

• Balloon Fiesta pictures: p20-21

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

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We need to take a long, clear look at short-sightedness Myopia: What is it?

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September, 2015

Once it was a church, then a garage: now a plan for 6 houses A FORMER car store which for years traded from an old Totterdown church could become the site of six homes.

Proposals have been made to Bristol City Council to convert the old mission room at the corner of Marmaduke Street and Hill Avenue and add new homes in a high-density development.

Developer Griffon wants to

tear down an extension in front of the old church and then convert it into three terraced three-bedroom houses.

It would build two new three-bed houses in the gap between the church and existing houses in Marmaduke Street.

And the oddly-shaped protrusion on the Victoria Park side of the church would be

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Neglected: the former mission hall on the corner of Marmaduke Street remodelled to become a two-bedroom house.

In front of the old church would be four parking spaces.

Each house would have a small garden or outside space plus bin and cycle storage.

The plan has met with a cautious welcome locally.

Tresa, the Totterdown Residents Environmental and Social Action group, commented that “family homes rather than flats are welcomed, but attention needs to be paid to possible over-development of the site, privacy and light for neighbouring properties, and cycle and bin storage.”

Windmill Hill Green councillor Deborah Joffe said: “It seems like a reasonable development to me and will convert unused buildings into homes, which of course are much needed.”

But she added that they are likely to be priced out of reach of most people.

A pre-planning application

statement to the council says the houses have been designed so that there is no new overlooking of any other property.

Griffon’s planning agent, Rackham Planning, states: “The extended terrace will have rear gardens of a similar size to the rest of the terrace and the first floor bedroom windows will be the same distance from the rear of the dwellings on the southern side of Montgomery Street as the existing houses.”

It says the church has no internal features worth saving and claims the plans will improve the appearance of the area.

“There is nothing to consider that the proposal will harm the character of the area – in fact given that the unsightly mono pitch [roof] extension in front [of] the church building will be removed, the proposal will significantly enhance the local area by bringing back into active use this existing building and enhancing its appearance in the streetscene,” said the statement.

A better bin ...

NEW recycling bins have been installed in Victoria Park, somewhat to the surprise of VPAG, the park’s active community group. Other parks including Perretts are keen to have recycling facilities. The bins take plastics and cans.

Surprise find: New recycling bins

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September, 2015

Plans being drawn up for Bedminster’s largest-yet development

T

HE FIRST phase of consultation ends during September for an ambitious, £100 million redevelopment of a large slice of Bedminster.

Known as the Bedminster Framework area, it includes a complete redesign of Bedminster station to link it to a stop on the forthcoming Metrobus route.

More controversially, it also includes 18 or more residential blocks – some possibly 10 storeys or more – containing around 800 homes.

The plans are only an outline,

and developer Urbis is adapting them in reaction to comments from the public and other interested parties including the business group Bedminster Town Team and residents.

Consultation has already taken place with numerous groups around Bedminster and concludes this month with a presentation to Windmill Hill neighbourhood forum on September 9.

Around a quarter of the homes will be affordable housing.

Most will be one, two and three bedroom flats but there will also

St Catherines Place: Proposed 16-storey tower – see panel, far right be three and four bedroom town houses.

Parking will be provided at the rate of 75 spaces for every 100 homes. This is less than the limit usually allowed by Bristol City Council, but Urbis believes that many residents will walk, cycle or use the nearby train or Metrobus, or an onsite car club.

The site – shown in red on the aerial photo and divided into four

major plots – is mainly underused former industrial land between Whitehouse Lane and East Street. The Urbis plans are a radical change, and residents on the BS3 group have expressed concern about the number of homes and the height of the buildings.

Urbis managing director Richard Clarke told the South Bristol Voice that the scheme will

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Aerial view of some Bedminster developments

Red zone is the Framework area. A: Picture House Court – former bingo hall in North Street being rebuilt

by Urbis as 26 homes; B: Robinson building, 114 flats completed 2012; C: St Catherine’s Place, right contain tall buildings and is intended to be high density. The flip side, he said, is that it allows ambitious elements that will reduce carbon emissions and improve the urban environment.

The Malago river will be transformed from a deep and often invisible ditch to an attractive feature of the landscape with a riverside walk.

Urbis is working with Avon Wildlife Trust to create vibrant green areas that link together.

“We want to greatly increase biodiversity by using rain gardens [planted areas that help capture rainfall and channel it away] to encourage different plants and soften the urban

environment,” said Mr Clarke.

The plan also envisages a district heating scheme, made possible by the compact site.

“These homes will be heated in a way that reduces the CO2 emissions by about 65-70 per cent compared with a conventional gas boiler,” he said.

Room sizes will also be larger than the current standard.

The proposals released so far do not make clear exactly what is proposed for each plot.

This, Mr Clarke said, is partly because the plans are in outline and are being altered as comments come in. Plot 1, the largest plot, will contain three or four major buildings, perhaps 10

Images: Urbis

Some of the changes to the Bedminster Framework area

Victorian culvert repaired as historical feature

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oa d

Development along Malago

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storeys in part, and the district energy centre. Comments about the density and height will lead to changes, Mr Clarke said.

One of the biggest changes will be to public transport.

The main entrance to Bedminster station will be moved from Windmill Hill to the Whitehouse Lane side of the tracks with a new ticket hall.

Whitehouse Lane will be realigned away from the station to create a plaza with shops and cafe seating. Hereford Street will become pedestrianised, and new walkways and cycle lanes will create a redesigned route to Windmill Hill City Farm.

The green opposite will make

New green in front of station

Possible pedestrian tunnel to Malago Greenway

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An even taller tower casts its shadow URBIS is also responsible for St Catherine’s Place, another major development nearby.

Granted approval against the advice of planning officers late last year, it envisages a 16-storey tower above the dated shopping plaza at the north end of East Street.

The tower will cost £23 million and have 188 flats.

None will be “affordable”: Urbis claims that to include social housing would add £20,000 to the cost of flats built for the open market.

The scheme is not popular with those living in the current St Catherine’s Place, who fear they will be overlooked. a feature of the Malago – curently buried in a culvert – to make a water feature.

The scheme is so large and complex it will be split into about eight planning applications.

The first, for Plot 1, could be submitted in late September once the consultation is complete.

Further consultation will follow for each application.

Windmill Hill Green party councillor Deb Joffe said she was disappointed about the visual impact and precedent that the St Catherine’s tower will have.

“But I also recognise the acute need for house building. The rest of the Bedminster Green plans seem to me to be acceptable and will enhance the area overall.

“The transport links and improved access to Bedminster station are very welcome and, together with the district heating plan, are essential responses to our environmental needs.”

But, she added, there will still be a need for homes that are genuinely affordable to people earning minimum wage.

So-called affordable rents are set at 80 per cent of market rents, which are rising, she said.

At Windmill Hill City Farm, chief executive Steve Sayers said: “This is potentially a really exciting development.

“However, it will need to be carried out with a great deal of sensitivity and the full support of local people.”

Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk

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September, 2015

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News Tired pub gets revamp as £300,000 brasserie A MUCH-LOVED but neglected Knowle pub is to berevamped in a £300,000 makeover after a deal with an upmarket eaterie.

The Knowle Hotel is to become a branch of Zazu’s Kitchen, which has outlets in North Street, Bedminster, as well as Stokes Croft and Gloucester Road.

Zazu’s describes itself as “following the classic tradition of a French neighbourhood brasserie” – not something seen before in Knowle.

The pub is closed while renovation takes place and will reopen in mid-September.

With pub owner Star Pubs & Bars, Zazu’s will spend £300,000 gutting the interior to make a bigger L-shaped room with a new bar with the kitchen visible in the middle.

The pub’s neglected garden will also get a makeover with fruit trees, plants, lighting and a terrace with tables.

Zazu co-founder James Savage said: “We want the Knowle Hotel to be a great neighbourhood pub, the type of place you want around the corner from where you live. Everything we do is community focused.

“It won’t be trendy or have loud music. It will be a welcoming and relaxed family pub offering great food, drink and coffee.

“We’re really excited to be opening the Knowle Hotel. We’ve had a huge amount of support and interest from local residents.

We could see the pub’s potential immediately.

“It was in a good location in a great neighbourhood and with Star Pubs & Bars investment together we’re able to give it the new lease of life it needed.”

Chris Jowsey, trading director of Star Pubs & Bars said: “We’re delighted that such a well-known and respected team as Zazu

Restaurants has taken on the Knowle Hotel.”

The pub has struggled for many years under the ownership of Edinburgh-based Star, which has let it out to managers.

Its revival will be seen as another symptom of the gentrification of Knowle.

Property values are rising and there are signs that the shops in and around the Broadwalk are attracting more upmarket occupants.

A branch of Parson’s Bakery opened on Wells Road in June and has reported heavy trade.

The revamp of the Knowle Hotel received much attention on Facebook – mostly favourable. One real ale fan asked: “Is there going to be a separate bar for drinkers and what real ales will they be selling? I’ve been a customer for 47 years and this is like having an arm cut off.”

But the improvements received 49 likes, and another resident commented: “We’ve finally got somewhere fab around the corner to go!”

Work in progress: The Knowle Hotel will reopen in midSeptember as a Zazu’s Kitchen

Bands on run as Bedminster stages fair BILLED as “the biggest free gig south of the river”, on September 19 Bedminster will host Musicians on the Run on the same day as the East Street Summer Fayre.

It’s expected that 30 bands and artists will battle it out to play 20 locations from 3-6pm.

Each session will last 20 minutes, with the most popular act of the day scooping a £250 prize. One voter from the public will also walk away with £100.

Venues had not been announced as the Voice went to press but will include Windmill Hill City Farm.

Meanwhile the Fayre will start at 11m with stalls, entertainment and musicians galore filling East Street.

• Search Facebook for Musicians on the Run and East Street Summer Fayre

Selling retro fashion by the tonne LIKE vintage fashion but can’t afford the prices? The Vintage Kilo Sale at Paintworks on Sunday September 27 gives the chance to buy clothes for £15 a kilo – about four or five items.

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Promised are around five tonnes of retro tees, denim, jackets, jumpers, shorts and skirts for ladies and gents from the 1970s on. For details search Facebook for Bristol Vintage Kilo Sale.

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Drawing a line under it all YOU ASKED: Why haven’t the road markings been reinstated more than a month after Wells Road and other roads were resurfaced?

RESURFACING of many South Bristol roads was a bone of contention for readers last month.

Back then the Voice was assured that reinstating the road markings and removing warning signs at crossings would take place “as quickly as possible”.

Priority was being given to schools and crossings, followed by main roads.

Nothing happened for a month. Then the same reader asked why not; the Voice made another query to the council.

The next day, Wells Road was being swept and the lines began to be reinstated.

Coincidence? Well, yes, probably.

Photo contest is extended PHOTOGRAPHERS still have the chance to enter the Windmill Hill City Farm photo competition.

Entries are accepted until October 31 in seven categories, from Seasons & Weather to Memories, Animals & Wildlife, and Under 16s. Winners will get goodie baskets and the chance to feature in the farm’s 40th birthday calendar next year.

• www.windmillhillcityfarm. org.uk

A TOTTERDOWN tenant is fed up that rats are getting into her bathroom – and the owner isn’t doing enough about it.

Rachel Griffiths, who lives in a flat on the New Walls estate, says the problem with rat infestation is getting worse.

Unseen gaps in the New Walls building are letting rats get inside the walls of the homes and into Rachel’s bathroom cupboard, which has a void running through the building. Some of the neighbours in her six-flat block also have rats in their bathroom cupboards, and one believes they are in the attic.

She is fed up of finding rat droppings and said: “It’s only a matter of time before they feel brave enough to get into the rest of the flat.”

She alerted the landlord, Places for People, but wasn’t happy with the response.

“They took six days to send someone, which I think is too long. And when he came the only thing he did was to put down bait stations.

“That will only attract more rats when they come to smell out the ones that have died.”

Rachel, a mental health nurse, believes that more drastic action is need to block up the gaps outside the building to stop the rats getting in the first place.

“It’s treating the symptom

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September, 2015

Why won’t they do something to stop the rats getting in?

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Not enough: Rachel Griffiths believes rats can still get into her home at New Walls until unseen holes that give them access are blocked rather than the cause,” she said.

“They seem to think that because it’s social housing they can treat us appallingly.”

She fears the blamemay lie with the poor construction of the homes, which were built in the 1980s to replace Totterdown’s much lamented Victorian terraces – which were torn down in the 1970s to make way for a flyover road network which was never built.

Rachel also wants Places for People to do something about food sources for the rats. The estate was planted with fruit trees, which are now mature and shedding fruit, which the rats eating eagerly.

A spokesperson for Places for People disputed Rachel’s timescale, claiming they had

visited two days after the rats were reported.

She said: “Unfortunately, access to individual properties was not possible on the day contractors were on site so bait was laid externally until access was possible. Bait has now been laid in three properties.

“The pest control specialists have advised that it takes four to six weeks to determine if this has been successful. During this period the contractor will be on site regularly to monitor the situation.

“We are taking this situation very seriously and will undertake the necessary course of action to ensure it is resolved.

“We are in contact with Ms Griffiths and will be investigating the complaint made.”

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September, 2015

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Opening doors into the past EVER wondered what lies behind a closed door? Well, many of them are to be opened for just one day in September when many of Bristol’s most interesting buildings put themselves on display.

Bristol Doors Open Day 2015 takes place on Saturday September 12 and there are several attractions close to home in South Bristol.

Closed to the public for 50 years is a slice of domestic history at the Bristol South swimming pool in Dean Lane, Bedminster.

In the days before many homes had bathrooms it was normal to go out for a bath, usually in a council building.

Most of these “slipper baths” have long been ripped out but those at the Dean Lane pool have for some reason survived – though no doubt they could do with a clean after 50 years! The

pool will be hosting tours of the slipper baths on Doors Open Day, as well as its 1931 swimming pool of marble terrazzo and its art deco bathing cubicles.

There’s more history to be found nearby at the Robinson building in Norfolk Place, Bedminster, once a Victorian paper bag factory which lasted until the 1980s. Most of it is now apartments but on show in the atrium is a frieze showing the bag printing process.

Meanwhile Arnos Vale cemetery is holding guided tours of its many treasures, including a Great War exhibition in the Anglican chapel.

Also showing off their hidden stories are the Bristol Blue Glass studio opposite the cemetery on Bath Road; Knowle West media centre in Leinster Avenue; BTR’s textile works where clothes are recycled; and Bedminster RNIB centre which caters for the blind.

DOORS OPEN DAY • Saturday September 12, from 10am-4pm • More than 70 sites across Bristol are free to explore • Most must be booked – go to www. bristoldoorsopenday. org.uk • Attractions range from the Julian Trust nightshelter for the homeless to the Red Lodge, Bristol’s only Tudor interior.

Right, historic but undated photo of the slipper baths in Dean Lane

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Library cut has just been moved

Not keen on Southville RPZ WHAT bothers a lot of people in Southville is the residents parking that’s recently been approved.

I heard a stat that 90-plus per cent objected in the consultation but it’s still going ahead. Wasn’t

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CAMPAIGNERS will be delighted to have ‘saved’ local libraries at Marksbury Road and Wick Road.

Many people will have claimed credit for this, ranging from the campaigners themselves to politicians of all hues. And, indeed, in the case of the campaigners they have certainly done their bit.

However, it needs to be pointed out that we have not got rid of the cut. It has simply moved elsewhere.

Labour and Conservative councillors on Bristol City Council voted through £83 million of cuts to its threeyear budget in February 2014.

This including cutting £1.1m from the library service, which is the origin of the need for change.

Of course, the real reason for the cuts is the government austerity programme. So, having saved the libraries, which the Green Party supports as a vital public service, someone else will face the cut. Someone else will lose their livelihood. Someone else will lose their service.

Cllr Charlie Bolton and Cllr Deb Joffe, Green Party cllrs for Southville ward and Windmill Hill ward

southbristolvoice

TER T E

L

September, 2015

so much of a consultation then!

I know there are some supporters but certainly on my road this will actually make the parking problems (in the evening, too many residents cars) worse as there are ridiculous lengths of double yellow lines round each corner.

I’ll be furious if I see the same signs on the parking meters on North Street as I’ve seen elsewhere in the city: “20 mins free parking helping local businesses”... there is an hour’s free parking at the moment!

KB, Facebook • I LIVE two streets away from North Street, sadly on the side of North Street the doesn’t seem to require RPZ! Is there any logical explanation how a street like North Street was split in two?

One side gets included in the scheme and the other side doesn’t? Won’t anyone who doesn’t want to pay for parking simply cross the road and park?

SH, Facebook

Rich-poor rift is getting worse I HAVE been wondering about the increase in people jumping over walls and stealing bikes...

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17

Have you got strong views about what’s happening in South Bristol? Whatever you want to say, write to us and we’ll make sure everyone in the area knows about it. Email paul@southbristolvoice. co.uk, post to Letters, South Bristol Voice, 18 Lilymead Avenue, Bristol BS4 2BX or call us on 07811 766072. Please keep letters short. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter. is it linked to increased poverty in Bristol? Is it linked to benefit cuts? I’m not condoning in the least or saying stealing is ever all right (with exception of feeding a starving family).

I think it would is good food for thought though and will inform our politics and hopefully spur us into action before the rich-poor divide gets even worse.

JP, Facebook

Briefly ...

We asked what was bothering you in South Bristol and these were some of the responses: • WHAT about the number of cars that appear to be being damaged lately? Seems every week I see postings about cars being damaged in the area.

MJ, Facebook • PEOPLE parking over hashed areas by pedestrian crossings and Tesco lorries (West Street in particular) obstructing the roads.

TR, Facebook • WINDMILL Hill commuter rat run – I’ve also asked the council (in vain) to repaint the white lines at the Cotswold Road end of Dunkerry Road. There will be a serious accident one day as cars speed round the corner without

stopping, and there is no give way sign either.

SL, Facebook • HOW about all the great things about living in South Bristol?

Loads of amazing shops and restaurants ... awesome street art. So close to town ... love being so close to town ... and North Street. Great neighbours and community spirit.

JP, Facebook • SPEEDING speeding speeding.

FC, Facebook • NEWS on the 20mph limit [which is the subject of a petition to the council] due to the amount of people wanting it dropped (of which I am one; I’m all for it near a school, hospital etc).

Now Bristol is the slowest city in the UK, surely Bristol people should know we have the chance to maybe get us moving again and stop wasting the stupid amount of money we have so far – this is needed in other areas more like a new park for Broomhill, keeping libraries open, and more care for the elderly or ones that need it.

NL, Facebook • SCRAMBLER bikes on the Bommie, which are awful on any sunny day.

SS, Facebook

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September, 2015

Who wants a toy library?

A SOUTH Bristol mum has started a campaign to see if there’s interest in setting up a toy library for the area.

A toy library is a pooled collection of toys which can be borrowed for a few weeks.

It lets children try out toys without putting their parents to the expense of buying them – and lets them pass the toys on before they get bored with them.

Mum Annie Berry, who lives in Southville, got the idea after spending a year in New Zealand with her children – one now 11 and one 18 months.

Not many toys would fit in the family suitcases, so Annie was soon a visitor to a toy library in New Zealand.

She said: “At first I felt sad that we would be giving the toys back. However, the more we used the library the more we realised that it is actually ideal to keep changing toys. We often chose things that we liked the look of.

Play time: Sometimes the right toy at the right time is a real milestone Sometimes this worked, but other times our baby was just not interested. Wouldn’t it be annoying if we had bought those toys!

“Secondly there were so many satisfying moments when we borrowed a toy which perfectly suited one of our baby’s developmental needs. It was actually with an Oball grip ball

that our baby was distracted enough to become a toddler and take her first steps. We would never have bought this.”

“Having been foster carers we are very aware of the need to give children the right physical, mental and spatial stimulation early on in their lives.

“In New Zealand I kept wondering why this wasn’t a

popular idea in Bristol; it is perfectly suited to the city with its baby-booming areas, innovative spirit and commitment to reusing and recycling.

“It can also be a great way of involving parents, carers or grandparents to build their confidence by volunteering in an area they know a lot about.”

Annie has already received plenty of interest in the idea on Facebook. Now she wants to hear from people who can help make the idea a reality.

Annie is open to ideas about where it might be based – maybe a community centre or somewhere it could open perhaps two or three times a week.

She is appealling for people with skills such as being a treasurer, working with a website or datebase, and organising and raising money. If you want to help, email southbristoylibrary@ gmail.com.

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September, 2015

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Schools

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Time to celebrate as GCSE results hit the doormats THERE were heartwarming successes and some disappointments as South Bristol teenagers found out their GCSE grades on August 20.

At Bedminster Down School, the 150 students who sat GCSEs were treated to a ride in a stretch limousine. They were also invited to share their thoughts about their results in a video diary to inspire future students.

Overall results for the school – judged as ‘good’ by Ofsted in December 2014 – were delayed as some English marks are due to be published. It said it expected grades to be slightly down on last year, though in geography 95 per cent gained C or higher with French at 95 per cent and history 86 per cent. More students than last year gained A or A*.

Oasis Academy Brislington celebrated record GCSE results, with half of students achieving at least five A*-C passes including English and maths. The 50 per cent figure is six percentage points up on last year’s outcome.

Record number get the grades

Libby Dite, from Knowle, is going to St Brendan’s to study accounting and plans to become an accountant. “I like money maths.”

Jack Thomas, from Knowle, is delighted with his clutch of A*s and As. He is off to Redcliffe Sixth Form for A-levels and is aiming for university.

At St Mary Redcliffe and Temple school, a third of the grades were A* or A, with 60 per cent being B or above. It was the school’s best result in four years: 74 per cent reached the benchmark of five grades A-C. Oasis Academy John Williams, in Hengrove, had a provisional figure of 51 per cent

Stanley Gray, from Knowle, got two A*, three As and three Bs.“I was shocked.

I am so proud, “ he said. He hopes to become a journalist.

getting five A*-C passes including English and maths. It is among the highest performing schools in similar areas across the country.

Merchants Academy did not release figures but said of the GCSE results: “On every marker they are up and particularly impressive is the doubling of A and A* grades this year.”

A RECORD number of KnowleDGE Learning Centre students are leaving the school this year with GCSEs. The Learning Centre in Knowle West caters for students aged five to 18 from across South Bristol with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties.

This year 16 students sat GCSEs, eight of whom were able to complete three subjects each including English, maths, science and history. Five years ago most year 11 students were only sitting entry-level qualifications, not mainstream GCSEs. KnowleDGE Headteacher Darren Ewings said: “A mix of high expectations, strong relationships and support from home and tailored teaching means that GCSEs are now becoming more within reach.”

Schools hold back on results as some consider calling for re-marks WHILE hundreds of pupils celebrated success in their GCSE exams at South Bristol schools, results day was marred with confusion as several schools declined to release full results.

Bristol City Council said several secondary schools across the city would ask for exams to

be remarked. The council did not say which schools were affected, or how many.

A spokesperson said schools were deciding whether to put forward individual re-marks or appeal over larger numbers of pupils. Other neighbouring councils are also considering

their response, particularly in relation to English and Maths.

It appears that full results figures were not released on August 20 by Ashton Park School, Bedminster Down School, Bridge Learning Campus in Hartcliffe and Merchants Academy in Withywood.

The reasons for the lack of information were not clear.

However, exams have seen changes in grade boundaries over the last year. Some schools switched exam boards and exam types, and there are other reasons why results may not be comparable to previous years.

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September, 2015

Picture special ... South Bristol Voice Balloon Fiesta Photo Co

Perrett’s park panorama: Sam Russé takes a wide-angle view of the crowds as balloons from the Saturday evening ascent pass overhead

We might just have had the best ballooning view without the crush WITH record crowds at Ashton Court, those South Bristolians who chose to stay at home to enjoy the mass ascents may feel they made the right choice.

August’s balloon fiesta was

blessed with good weather and for the first time in its 37 years, all seven mass ascents took place. But crowds on Saturday hit capacity. As traffic reached gridlock the Ashton site was

closed, leaving many waiting for hours without getting in.

In contrast Perrett’s Park once again proved a popular and relaxed viewpoint for the balloons, with hundreds enjoying

the evening ascents. This year saw the launch of Bedminsterbased Cameron Balloons’ unique solar-assisted balloon. It flew on just five litres of propane when a normal balloon would use 60.

Distant view: Right, longdistance shot of a dawn ascent with Windmill Hill in between

Martin Perkins’ view from Bayham Road

Close call: Jeremy Pendleton almost sees a roof scraped

Ray

Into the sun: Caroline Franks manages to s

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September, 2015

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21

ompetition winners – and some of the best readers’ photos too 2nd prize

1st prize

Artistic touch: Silvie Newman, 9, at Knowle tennis club

3rd prize

of light: Lauren Reading-Gloversmith captures the evening glow from Perrett’s Park

shoot against the light but still capture the colours from Perrett’s Park

Touching distance: Alannah Grzybowska’s roof in peril

Here’s one of ours ... a view of the first dawn ascent from Lilymead Avenue

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September, 2015

Fitness is more fun when you turn it into a dance

Always learning: The Redcatch Dancers learn a new style each week

A GROUP of Knowle ladies who are discovering the joys of dance later in life are looking for more companions.

The Redcatch Dancers are led by fitness and dance teacher Cressida Childs, who over the years has taught all the trends in fitness dancing, from jazz dance, aerobics, contemporary, stretch and tone, salsa, zumba and more.

But recently she has found the group finds more satisfaction if they focus on one style of dance at a time.

Now the ladies try a different dance every week.

“I now have a small but totally dedicated group of middle ages ladies whose lives have been changed by dance,” said Cressida.

“They even dress the part – if we do flamenco they arrive with long flowing skirts! For African dance it’s colourful tops and bare feet.

“It is really amazing to see the transformation – the improvement in co-ordination and ability, confidence, plus real friendships formed. We’ve also performed a couple of times and looking to do more of this!”

The styles taught range from salsa, samba, flamenco and waltz to Bollywood, jazz, jive & more.

The new term starts on Thursday September 3. Classes are at Redcatch community centre in Redcatch Road. A four-week block costs £20, a single drop-in session £5.50. New members get a £1.50 discount. Dancers can wear their normal clothes or dress up for the week’s dance style. For details call 0117 330 9549 or 07808 581739.

• www.clubcubana.com

Plans to make BS3 better for the ageing Why choose Bedminster Down?

To find out more about academic achievements and opportunities outside of the classroom drop in during our open days.

“A significant feature of the good teaching at the school is the excellent relationship between staff and students.”

- Ofsted 2014

Open Evening Wed 16th Sept 6pm- 8pm Open Morning Sat 10th Oct 10am- 12pm Tel: 0117 353 2800

www.bedminsterdown.com

@bdownschool

A MEETING on September 29 aims to help make Bedminster an “Age-Friendly Neighbourhood”.

The Greater Bedminster Community Partnership is getting together with the Older People’s Action Group (OPAG) to hold its second Our Place day.

It will bring together organisations and community groups that work with over-50s in Bristol as well as anyone over 50 from the Greater Bedminster area.

Visitors can browse stalls that showcase the variety of activities and services in BS3 and find out what ones are planned. It’s on Tuesday September 29, 9.30am-4pm at the Tobacco Factory Theatre in Raleigh Road.

To register for a place, ring 0117 923 1039 or email info@southvillecentre.org.uk.

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September, 2015

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Bristol Dogs & Cats Home

So how did Daisy end up in Bristol, 200 miles away?

T

HE RSPCA Bristol & District Branch take in and care for over 1,500 animals found straying around Bristol every year. Unfortunately, the majority of these animals aren’t microchipped, so it is often impossible to reunite them with their owners.

Microchipping your pet is a simple and quick procedure which can provide you with peace of mind that your pet would have the best chance of being reunited with you if they were ever lost.

Earlier this month, the story of a straying cat has highlighted the importance of having your pets’ microchipped.

A cat named Daisy was found straying in Brandon Hill park and was brought in to our clinic.

The vets scanned for a microchip

Continuing our new column from Bristol Dogs & Cats Home

and to everyone’s happy surprise, Daisy was registered to a house in Essex, nearly 200 miles away.

We contacted Daisy’s owners, who were delighted and more than a bit shocked that their beloved cat, who had been missing for five weeks, had been found safe and sound in Bristol.

Later that day, Daisy’s owners came to collect her.

We can never know what

Police update

A

S YOU can imagine the summer holiday period sees us attending and supporting a lot of community events – which is great, especially when the weather is lovely.

One successful event was organised by the council, police, Street Games and Filwood Action Group at Malago Park in August.

There was a face painting stall, sports events for kids and we took the community contact van along so we could register the personal property of all the visitors on Immobilise.com – a property register to deter burglars.

The councillors talked to people about local issues along with the police. We had a lot of families attend the event who said they really enjoyed it.

During July officers and their horses from the Mounted Section went along to Hengrove Leisure Park to support the South Bristol Schools day.

It was attended by more than 300 primary and nursery school children, parents, teachers and

Daisy safe at home in Essex. She would never have got there if she hadn’t been chipped ... happened in the five weeks Daisy was lost and how she ended up in Bristol, but we can be fairly sure that if she wasn’t microchipped, she would never have been reunited with her worried owners, and instead would have been put up for adoption.

From April 6, 2016, it will be a

With Sgt David Deakin, Broadbury Road police station

Let us know if you see bikers being anti-social off road and we’ll be there other community groups.

We will also be supporting Knowle West Fest on Filwood Broadway on Saturday September 12. We will be there with police cadets, giving crime prevention advice again with Immobilise the property recording system, we will be bike marking and the mounted section will be there as well.

Come and join us.

W

E have significantly increased our Op Biker patrols over the summer months.

Op Biker is our high visibility patrol with officers going out on off-road motorbikes with a view to dealing with motorbikes being

legal requirement for dogs in England to be microchipped and for owners to keep their details up to date. So we are offering a specially reduced rate of just £10 to get your pet microchipped (or £5 if you are on low income). To take advantage of this offer, call our clinic on 0117 972 4567.

On the hoof: Mounted Section used in an anti-social manner.

Our staff have been issuing warnings to riders and, where appropriate, seizing vehicles.

Obviously we cover a large area but we do use calls from the public to plan the patrols. Recent patrols on the Northern Slopes has revealed very little activity

and we haven’t had many calls from the public about issues there.

If anyone is suffering the effects from the anti-social use of vehicles they need to contact us so that we know when and where it is happening, a description of the vehicles used, ideally with a registration mark, and a description of the rider.

If you want to come and have your say about any issues in your area there is the Windmill Hill Neighbourhood Forum meeting at 7pm on September 9 at Victoria Park Bowls Club, Nutgrove Avenue, BS3 4QF. Further information can be found here: www.bristol.gov.uk/ neighbourhoodpartnerships.

Come along if you want to raise any concerns in your community, know what is happening in your community, meet local officers and your ward councillors, have a chance to influence public consultations and decisions made by the Neighbourhood Partnership.

Enjoy the rest of the summer.

See you at Knowle West Fest!

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Columns Your chance to raise queries about arena

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A

S THE development of the arena moves closer to reality with the installation of the new bridge, it is vitally important local residents and businesses are kept informed of plans and progress, and that they have the opportunity to air their views.

Over the next few weeks postcards will be delivered to residents and businesses adjacent to the arena site with details of public drop-in sessions which are part of the month-long pre-planning consultation. There will be an exhibition of the proposed plans and a chance to meet the arena design team and council officers to ask questions about the arena, access and transport plans.

Any feedback at this stage will be considered before the planning application is submitted and there will be further consultation as part of the planning process.

I am finding huge enthusiasm for the arena project across the city region. Access is a really important consideration and as

The Mayor’s view Each month Bristol mayor George Ferguson shares his take on South Bristol life European Green Capital we want to encourage visitors to travel to the venue sustainably, the principal reason for placing it at Temple Meads.

Serious consideration is being given to the

September, 2015

protection of nearby neighbourhoods from parking, although compared with principal sporting venues the audience numbers will generally be relatively small.

Another major ambition of mine is to make sure all Bristol children have a great start in life and I’m calling out to all South Bristol residents to play a part.

As part of the citywide Bristol Reading Partner programme we’re asking volunteers to spend just one hour a week in term time reading with five, six and seven year olds in a local primary school who need a little extra help.

Evidence shows that helping children early so they read well by the age of 11 eases their transition to secondary education. Low literacy has been shown to affect health and employment prospects, as well as increasing the risks of getting involved in crime.

We provide volunteers with excellent free training, and dates are coming up in September. To book yourself a place and learn the skills to help a local child on the path to a positive future, email the Cities of Service team on volunteer@bristol.gov.uk.

New sessions aim to teach girls how to defend themselves

The Dynamic Trio Batteries to suit all vehicles, Balancing price and performance whatever matters most to our customers Up to 4 year warranty

A FITNESS instructor is offering introductory sessions free to girls and young women who want to learn how to defend themselves.

Matt Stein has been running taekwando classes for a number of years but decided he wanted to do something for young women after the death of Becky Watts.

The teenager from St George was found dead in a flat in Barton Hill in February, shocking the nation, and Matt says he wants to help girls and young women to stay safe.

He hopes self defence could be made part of school PE

Work on old bingo hall resumes YOU ASKED: What’s happening with the old Gala Bingo development on North Street?

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lessons, but fears that could take years. Matt is running self defence sessions for girls under 19 at Redcatch community centre, Redcatch Road, Knowle, every Wednesday from 7-8pm.

The first session is free and later ones cost £5. Classes focus on building strength, physical awareness, blocking, punching and kicking. Matt says the techniques will help selfawareness and confidence. To find out more call 07740 677581.

Six people face trial in relation to Becky Watts’s death on October 6 at Bristol Crown Court.

PICTURE House Court, the former Gala bingo hall in North Street, Bedminster, has seen a halt to work to rebuild the site as 26 Passivhaus homes.

Developer Urbis says problems with contractors have delayed construction. But work is

set to resume later this year with nine flats ready next autumn and 17 houses finished by the spring of 2017. A shop unit is expected to be let to a grocery store.

The development was originally due to be finished this year.

When complete the homes will be among the most energy efficient in Bristol, said to barely need heating even in winter.

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September, 2015

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I can’t stand my leftovers going to waste – so I shook up my own solution ...

Could dad’s invention be an end to the misery of forgotten food in the fridge?

A SOUTH Bristol dad has invented his own solution to the problem of keeping leftover food in the fridge without forgetting it until it’s gone off.

Sam Hearn, a 39-year-old father of two from Somerset Road, got so fed up of seeing good food go to waste that he invented the Shake n’ Store.

It’s a clear container about the size of the average food can. The top is shaped to fit the three most common size of food tins – so when there are leftovers to be stored, the contents can easily be shaken into the container.

Then a colour coded lid can be snapped on to make it easily identifiable in the fridge – and the top can be twisted to point to the day of the week, to make it easy to remember how long the food will last.

Sam said: “Like a lot of people I hate seeing good food go to waste, both because of the £700 or so I’m told it costs families each year and because it’s bad for the planet.

“But I also dislike the hassle of finding the right container and lid to hold whatever is left in my tin of tuna or sweetcorn and so on, and the mess I usually make on the worktop when trying to empty the can.

“And unless I hunt around for a sticky label and pen, I’ll probably lose track of when the leftovers went into the fridge so end up throwing it out for fear of

Sam Hearn with his prototype Shake n’ Store which fits most sizes of food can, above

giving someone food-poisoning!”

Sam, whose day job is managing director of Bristol digital agency Omni Digital, has

come up with prototypes of his containers and has tried them out on friends and family.

He said: “My first thought was

Park toilet revamp with Lottery cash some way off SEVERAL OF YOU ASKED: What is happening with the toilets in Victoria Park?

THE MUCH-criticised toilets in Victoria Park could be renovated as part of a long-term scheme

to win Lottery money for park projects.

Volunteeers at Victoria Park Action Group is trying to draw up a plan to renovate the Lodge, which houses the toilets, as well as providing projects such as a

history trail around the park and a bandstand.

VPAG is seeking council backing to apply for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund – but it is feared that this could take some time.

that Shake n’ Store was mostly for families like mine who want to give young children a varied diet yet not over-feed them full adult portions.

“But I keep being told of other potential users – for instance, late night snackers; older people or unreliable memories or cooks who want to keep a special ingredient for use in another recipe.

“I even had one mum ask if she could have a couple now. Her son is off to university and she’s convinced that Shake n’ Store’s date-setter is the only way to save him from living on mould when he leaves home!”

To fund his invention Sam has turned to the crowdfunding website KickStarter. If he can raise £22,000, he believes he can get Shake n’ Store ready for production. He promises everyone who invests £8 or more their own set of containers. No money will be taken unless the appeal reaches its target.

• www.shakenstore.com

Carve your own

IF YOU’VE previously been on a stone carving course, Arnos Vale cemetery is offering the chance to carve your own water feature from Bath stone on Sunday September 13. Cost is £90.

• Details: www.arnosvale.org.uk

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September, 2015

How to get in touch with your councillors – page 2

NE OF the council services most highly valued by many residents are our parks.

Strangely they are Gary not a service that Hopkins, councils are Lib-Dem, required by law to Knowle provide.

Some 10 years ago I took over responsibility for the city’s parks.

Although much loved by the public, standards had slipped in previous years and staggeringly over 100 children’s play parks had been lost through neglect.

Maintenance contracts were haphazard. By putting together waste and parks in the environment department, money was saved, and savings from improved recycling were spent on parks.

A key move was appointing more dedicated “parkies”. Some of the council savings were put into capital spending on parks which had sadly declined. We went for a mixture of in-house

council staff and contractors to deliver the maintenance, and Quadron performed well in South Bristol parks.

Encouraging the setting up of parks groups, and an overarching parks forum of these local groups, also worked well. So what is happening now? A £500,000 cut in the maintenance budget, put forward by the mayor, and supported by the Greens, was blocked by all the other parties voting together.

The move to reduce “parkie” numbers has been fought off, but no new capital is being put in so the long-term decline looks set to return in most of the city.

The most recent contractors have been sacked (there have been early complaints but it is too early to know how this move will pan out). The good news is that because of local decisions taken a couple of years back capital is available for our local parks.

In a crowded city they are one of our most important assets and must be nurtured.

T THE last council meeting I put down a motion to attempt to get the mayor to address the local Chris problems that will Davies, be created by the Lib-Dem, arena.

Knowle I like to concentrate on areas where a positive difference can be made.

Although parking on site was originally included, the mayor has decided that there will be none. The majority of people are not impressed by this, but a significant minority feel it is a brave step to encourage public transport use.

The unfortunate thing is that there has been no transport plan produced and the arena will be going in front of a planning committee later this year.

Improved hours at park and ride and changes to the train services could help, but even if these are promised and delivered there are likely to be a significant number

of extra cars looking for somewhere to park. Given that they will arrive early evening, just before a lot of local residents get home from work, there is, unless action is taken, a major potential problem.

A residents parking zone was attempted two years ago by the mayor, but it was the wrong hours – 9am-5pm – and the majority of residents in lower Knowle and Totterdown resented having to pay. Our petition (see link below) calls for the arena developer to pay for a scheme if residents want it.

We also feel that a remodelling of the Three Lamps junction to allow a turn from Wells Road to Bath Road will be necessary.

The mayor may not listen to local concerns but the planning committee can and should impose the necessary conditions.

Opening of the arena is two to three years away but this could be our last chance.

• www.bristolarenapetitions. co.uk

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September, 2015

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– Windmill Hill T HE Green Party is very concerned about the Government decision to change planning laws so that fracking Deborah applications Joffe, are accelerated Green, through councils.

Windmill This is part of Hill a Conservative strategy to increase and subsidise fracking – the extraction of shale gas, which is a fossil fuel that exacerbates climate change and causes considerable local environmental damage. This contrasts with their withdrawal of subsidies and licences for renewable energy. It also ignores public opinion: four out of five people in the UK oppose fracking.

At the moment there are no fracking applications in the Bristol area but the Mendips and Keynsham have in the past been under threat. It is crucial that all the Bristol councillors and mayor are united in their rejection of fracking and the Green

southbristolvoice News

councillors will be working over the next few months to strengthen this position.

Greens are also working hard to ensure that the council is assessing the impact of the government cuts both to welfare support and to funding public services in Bristol. These cuts will make life very difficult for people who need support – whether they are children, the elderly, disabled or have been made redundant.

This will have a knock-on effect on everyone in the city as there are implications for the council budget and other services (health, social care, housing etc) and greater demands on voluntary services such as foodbanks.

Personally I find it incredibly shocking that we now walk past homeless people in the streets every day and that Bristol families have to rely on charity to eat. This is a truly Victorian state of affairs and it benefits very few.

Without a change of direction at a national level, this situation will only grow worse.

• Cllr Sam Mongon is away

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Picnic strikes it lucky with the weather – just

27

Where can I pick up South Bristol Voice?

Knowle Belle’s cafe, Broadwalk centre; Charlie’s Bar, Wells Road; Broadwalk News, Broadwalk Knowle West Knowle West Media Centre, Leinster Avenue; Londis, Leinster Avenue; Costcutter, Melvin Square; Park Centre, Daventry Road; Police station, Broadbury Road Totterdown Duchess of Totterdown, Wells Road; Banco Lounge, Wells Road; Totterdown Canteen, Wells Road Windmill Hill The Windmill, Windmill Hill Southville Tobacco Factory; Southville Deli, North Street; Hen & Chicken, North Street Bedminster Windmill Hill City Farm; Motoman, Bedminster Parade; The Standard, North Street • Can’t get a copy? Email paul@ southbristolvoice.co.uk

THE ANNUAL Picnic in Perrett’s Park, Knowle, went ahead on August 1 – a departure from previous years, when it has frequently been rained off.

In keeping with the event’s indifferent luck, there were intermittent bursts of rain which sent visitors ducking for cover.

But a mix of children’s games, live music, teas, books, plants, ice creams and a prize tombola kept the punters coming.

The event raised more than £370, which will go towards replacing worn-out picnic benches. Members of the Community of Perrett’s Park, which organised the event, are awaiting news of the latest batch of improvements by the council.

Trees are to be planted near the new zig zag path and a mini amphitheatre is expected.

CLEVE HOUSE SCHOOL & NURSERY For children 3-11 years of age

• Small classes • Caring and welcoming environment • Varied and challenging curriculum • Excellent examination results • The best of modern and traditional teaching • Specialist teachers for music and sport • Modern languages • Wide range of extra-curricular activities • Before and after school supervision • Holiday clubs • SEND support • Nursery vouchers welcome • Flexible hours in nursery COME AND GROW WITH US

For the opportunity to come and see the children at work and play contact the school on 0117 977 7218 and arrange a visit Cleve House School, 254 Wells Road, Bristol BS4 2PN www.clevehouseschool.com

clevehouseschool@btconnect.com

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Almost time for Art on the Hill

Art attack: children are joining in

Street parties SOMERSET Road and Brecknock Road in Knowle will both be closed for street parties on Saturday September 5.

Somerset Road will be shut from Wells Road to Harrowdene Road.

AUTUMN in South Bristol means ’tis the season for art trails.

This year is the ninth Art on the Hill – the Windmill Hill art trail. It will feature more than 100 artists and performers in Windmill Hill and Victoria Park on Saturday October 3 and Sunday October 4 from 12-6pm.

Exhibits include sculptures such as a Shaun the Sheep by children at St Mary Redcliffe primary school, inspired by the famous French sculptor Niki de St Phalle.

There are workshops to take part in, photography, paintings, prints, textiles, ceramics and jewellery will be on view and for

sale, and pop-up cafes will be there for refuelling.

Live music, poetry and dance will be performed at the marquee in Victoria Park next to the bowling green.

A ‘retro’ marquee on the lawn

by St Michael & All Angels Church, Vivian Street, will field an afternoon of vinyl performance, specially-made ‘retro’ cakes and refreshments, and musicians drawing inspiration from the 50s and 60s.

• www.artonthehill.org.uk Meanwhile, Totterdown’s Front Room art trail is on November 20-22.

• frontroom.org.uk

September, 2015

Panto appeal

PANTOMIME organisers have another original show prepard for Totterdown this year – but they need help.

The Totterdown Baptist Community Players are putting on Tropical Storm, which they describe as Jurassic Park meets Indiana Jones, at the Baptist Church in Wells Road on December 4 and 5.

The players need more help backstage – especially a videographer but other skills are welcome too. In the last two years they have raised over £1,000 for charity.

If you’d like to help email elaine.spencer51@hotmail.co.uk.

Dig out your old toys and make them into art for Green Capital year

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FORGOTTEN toys are being given new life as Knowle West’s contribution to the Green Capital 2015 art programme.

Knowle West Media Centre is getting together with arts project Ludic Rooms to stage the Forgotten Toys Compendium.

Melissa Mean, head of arts at the media centre, says: “We’ve started gathering forgotten toys - from Furbies to Frisbees - and we are inviting people to help us bring them to life again with a bit of art, tech and craft.

“Over the next few months we’ll be inventing some new games that the whole family will be able to play.”

Events include: • Knowle West street collections: look out for the ‘toy trike’ as it heads around the streets and share your toys, games and stories on September 10 and 11 • Family Remix Sessions: make new games out of old stuff on Saturday September 12, from 10am at Knowle West Media

Centre, Leinster Avenue, then from 1pm on Filwood Broadway; • Circuit Bending Workshop: take old electronic toys apart and get them to do something new: Wednesday September 16, 4.30pm – 7pm at Knowle West Media Centre.

As part of Bristol Green Capital 2015, the media centre also joined in the “do15” scheme to pledge 15 actions to improve sustainability.

Director Carolyn Hassan said: “Some of our do15 pledges focus on expanding our existing work – such as using digital monitors to measure heat, noise and air quality.” The centre will also re-use rainwater and use more outdoor space for a beehive and growing fruit and veg, buy an electric bike to reduce car use, and start a car share scheme.

Young people aged from nine to 18 devised their own do15 pledges during their summer programme in August.

• kwmc.org.uk

Bristol’s forgotten exhibition EVER heard of the Bristol International Exhibition?

This almost forgotten extravagance was ruined by the outbreak of war in 1914. It is the subject of a talk called Lost

City by Clive Burlton to Knowle & Totterdown history society at 7.30pm on Friday September 11 at Redcatch community centre.

• www.knowleandtotterdown history.org.uk

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September, 2015

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Planning applications Site rear of 270-272 Wells Road, Knowle BS4 2PU Details of access, appearance, layout and scale in relation to outline application to remove existing building and construct a two storey building to accommodate 5 flats (4 no.

1-bed self-contained flats and one 2-bed maisonette). Pending consideration Bristol Jamia Mosque, Green Street BS3 4UB Two storey rear extension. Pending consideration 71 Connaught Road BS4 1LH Proposed erection of one 3 bedroom and one 2 bedroom dwellings and infrastructure works. Pending consideration Novers House, Novers Hill Trading Estate, Bristol BS3 5QY External refurbishment including re-cladding (timber and render), enlarging windows, installing juliet balconies, formation of private rear gardens, 16 parking spaces and 2 refuse stores. Open for Comment 49 Haverstock Road, BS4 2DA Replacement single storey rear extension and internal alterations (application for a Lawful Development Certificate) Pending consideration Former Cloverdown Care Home, Kenmare Road BS4 1PG Approval of condition 11 (Code for Sustainable Homes) for construction of 28 dwellings and associated works. Approved 4 Hurst Road BS4 1HF Demolition of existing garage

and erection of a single storey flat roof side extension Approved 73 Hill Street, Totterdown BS3 4TR Demolition of existing rear lean-to extension and erection of new single storey side extension and front bay window.

Approved St Martins Close, St Martins Road, Knowle Installation of a new external containerised plant room containing boilers.

Refused 56 St Johns Crescent and part of adj land, BS3 5ER Outline application for a detached, self-contained dwelling house. Refused 39 Somerdale Avenue Bristol BS4 2XN Proposed two storey building adjoining 39 Somerdale Avenue to create two self-contained flats. Withdrawn 54 Stoneleigh Road BS4 2RJ Prior approval for a single storey rear extension extending 4.3 metres, with a maximum height of 4.0m and eaves 2.7m high.

Pending consideration 10 Glyn Vale BS3 5JG Prior approval for single storey rear extension extending 3.5 metres, with a maximum height of 3.5m and eaves 2.5m high. Pending consideration 13 Chepstow Road BS4 1SD Two storey side extension.

Pending consideration 19 Queensdale Crescent BS4 2TN Single storey rear extension and single storey front porch.

Pending consideration

Children urged to go a bit mad CHILDREN aged nine to 14 at South Bristol schools are being encourage to make a difference in their communities with a new children’s club, Operation MAD. Sessions will run weekly on Tuesday and Wednesday from 3.15-5pm at Victoria Park Primary and Bedminster Down Secondary School.

Organiser Abby Pickles said: “By creating a ‘Make a Difference’ project, the children will learn to develop characteristics such as communication skills, attitude, belief systems and visualisation techniques, while producing a

project that can transform the lives of countless people.”

So far 16 children have staged a Feed the Homeless event in Stokes Croft where they cooked for 30 homeless guests.

The team also fundraised to create care-packs full of necessities and treats, handing them out at Bristol Night Shelter.

The club follows some of the teachings of Tony Robbins, a famous US motivational speaker.

To find out more email info@ yes-icandoit.com or visit www. operation-mad.com or Operation M.A.D. on Facebook.

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29

179 St Johns Lane Bristol BS3 5AG Construction of front dormer window. Pending consideration

162 Wells Road, Totterdown BS4 2AG Conversion of loft area into a one bedroom flat.

Pending consideration

Land Between 202 and 204 Creswicke Road Bristol Application to approve details in relation to permission for construction of 2 x four bedroom dwellings. Landscaping Scheme, Large Scale Drawings, Samples, Archaeological, Watching Brief, Contamination, Boundary gates and Lamp post. Pending consideration

38 Priory Road, Knowle BS4 2NL. Single storey rear extension. Approved

17 Wootton Park BS14 9AQ Two storey side extension with new windows and doors to include bi-folding doors at rear.

Pending consideration Knowle West Health Park, Downton Road, Knowle Freestanding sign board.

Pending consideration 14 Beckington Road Bristol BS3 5EB Erection of two storey side and rear extension.

Pending decision 28 Imperial Walk Bristol BS14 9AE Replacement single storey rear extension with extension to existing balcony.

Pending decision 129 Leinster Avenue Bristol BS4 1NN Conversion to two dwellings and associated external works. Pending consideration 5 Newry Walk, BS4 1LU Construction of a new dwelling with access, screening, parking, landscaping and associated works. Pending consideration

53 Minehead Road BS4 1BP Single storey rear extension.

Refused Knowle Hotel, Leighton Road, Knowle BS4 2LL Proposed new kitchen extraction flue. Approved 32 Stockwood Crescent BS4 1AW Proposed two storey rear extension. Approved 59 Rookery Road, Knowle BS4 2DX Application for a Lawful Development Certificate to demolish outbuildings and build single storey extension.

Approved 44 Harrowdene Road, Knowle BS4 2JJ Certificate of Proposed Development for dormer roof extension to the rear elevation. Approved 382 Wells Road Knowle BS4 2QP Retention of an amateur radio mast and antenna in rear garden. Approved 26 Eldon Terrace BS3 4NZ Construction of 2 bedroom house on land to rear of 26 Eldon Terrace. Withdrawn • The status of these applications may have changed since we went to press. Check for updates at planning online.bristol.gov.uk

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September, 2015

Surgeon who saw medicine

I

MAGINE a life without medical science: without a modern knowledge of the body’s working, without the expertise of today’s practitioners, and without the drugs which we today assume can fix almost any ill.

Imagine then the world of the early 19th century, when physicians had many of the surgical skills to carry out quite complex operations – from extracting teeth to amputating limbs and intervening in difficult births – but no means to control the pain they would cause.

Bristol was present at the dawn of anaesthesia, the development of drugs which removed the sensation of pain from the unlucky patient. So this month’s Tale from the Cemetery celebrates a not-quite forgotten pioneer of pain relief in medicine – Dr Joseph Goodale Lansdown.

But as will become clear, he was far from Bristol’s only pioneer in the field.

Read any account of the treatment of battlefield injuries in this period and it is clear the suffering of someone with a gunshot wound, say, was made far worse if surgery was needed.

The battle of Waterloo in 1815 aroused huge public sympathy for the suffering of the many left maimed and lacking limbs. The numbers of wounded were so great that many waited days for surgery; some surgeons reported that nine out of 10 patients died after an amputation. Pain relief consisted of wine and brandy:

Tales from the cemetery

An early mask used for the administration of ether or chloroform as an anaesthetic.

Earlier versions were not so refined – they used a pig’s bladder

Every month we tell the story behind one of the gravestones in Arnos Vale Cemetery

Why did it take 50 years for surgeons to start using pain relief?

We meet a Bristol pioneer who believed childbirth shouldn’t be about suffering the sheer shock of having one’s leg sawn off was enough to kill many victims, quite apart from the trouble their convulsions caused the surgeon. If only there was a way these patients could be made oblivious to the pain; then they would be free from the shock, and the doctor could wield his instruments to best effect.

In fact, research in Bristol had already pointed to the answer.

The chemist Humphrey Davy was made Medical Superintendent of the Pneumatic Institute at Hotwells on its opening in 1797.

Hotwells was then a fashionable spa with a hot spring whose waters were thought to have real health-giving properties.

A heated scientific debate was also raging over which components of air enable humans to breathe. This was Davy’s field of study, and the spa

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provided a stream of subject patients. He was especially interested in phlogisticated nitrous air – now known as nitrous oxide. Davy didn’t discover it, but in Bristol he did work out how to produce it in quantities sufficient to inhale.

The famous steam engineer James Watt, then at Hotwells, built Davy an inhalation chamber – and then the fun began. Not for nothing is nitrous oxide now known as laughing gas. Davy led uproarious sessions with his Hotwells friends, who as well as Watt included the poets Robert Southey and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Indeed he experimented so much he became addicted to the stuff.

Davy was pursuing outdated ideas about the composition of air, and he later looked back on his Hotwells researches as “the dreams of misemployed genius which the light of experiment and observation has never conducted to truth.”

What he proved beyond doubt was that nitrous oxide dulled the senses and induced an enjoyable intoxication.

Davy even mixed it with wine and tried it as a hangover cure – an experiment he recorded as a success.

He proved the gas had reliable effects, and claimed it was safe now he had found a method of making it pure.

In letter of April 10, 1799, Davy said that he breathed

sixteen quarts of it for nearly seven minutes, and that it “absolutely intoxicated me”.

He realised that it could well be useful for sedating patients during operations.

But he was soon enticed to the Royal Institution in London to work on another of his enthusiasms, galvanism. He was soon to make a rudimentary electric battery and spark the first incandescent light. Later he became famous for discovering chemical elements and inventing the miners’ safety lamp. He never returned to the subject of sedation, but the laughing gas became a curious sensation. The elite held riotous parties where they inhaled the gas and became intoxicated and even addicted.

One of the Bristol papers reported: “In the majority of those who took the Gas it occasioned a pugnacious tendency ... it was a matter of congratulation that a magistrate was present to prevent a breach of the peace. The scene was, in fact, as truly comic as can well be conceived – one dancing with the greatest enthusiasm, another bowing with the most perfect grace, a third standing in ‘solemn silence’. Not the least amusing exhibition was that of a gentleman who was seized with a fit of the most excessive politeness, accosting everyone with whom he came in contact with the most polite thanks for some supposed act of civility.”

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Features

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31

doesn’t have to be torture

‘The scene was truly comic – one dancing with the greatest enthusiasm, another bowing with perfect grace, a third standing in solemn silence’ Laughing gas was not only the drug of choice at parties of the Georgian era elite, it was a subject for satrical cartoons.

Strangely, it took decades before its medical uses were tested

Today, of course, the drug is use as a ‘high’ by youngsters who inhale it from small canisters made for soda machines. Then as now, the practice was criticised in the Press and was the subject of many satirical cartoons.

This negative image was one reason why the idea of sedating patients did not catch on sooner than it did. Indeed, Davy was dead by the time our pioneering Bristol surgeon enters the picture in 1846 – almost 50 years after Davy’s laughing gas parties.

By this time other substances had been discovered with similar properties to laughing gas. Ether was the first to be used as an anaesthetic for relieving a patient of pain, by a dentist in Boston, US, in October 1846. (Nitrous oxide had been tried in a public demonstration, but a patient having his teeth pulled was visibly suffering from pain, to the embarrassment of the dentist).

News spread quickly to England – but a mere handful of operations using ether were carried in out in Edinburgh and London. The medical establishment was too often resistant to such a revolutionary idea, and this included the upper

echelon of the Bristol medical world at the Royal Infirmary. It was left to the city’s junior hospital , the General Hospital, opened in 1832, to lead the way.

And the doctor wielding the knife on December 31, 1846, was Joseph Lansdown, the hospital’s senior surgeon.

Though he wrote about his experiments with ether, he revealed little about his motivation. But he was clearly willing to risk his reputation because in his pioneering operation he used the same method of administering the ether as Davy had used for his laughing gas parties.

His accomplice who delivered the ether was Bristol chemistry professor William Herapath, who had long lauded Davy’s work with laughing gas, and held lively public demonstrations.

The patient was a young man with an inoperable swelling above his knee. The leg needed amputation.

The Bristol Mirror recorded: “At the suggestion of Dr [Alexander] Fairbrother, the senior physician to the hospital, Mr Lansdown, the operating surgeon, was induced to try the

effect upon the patient of the inhalation of the vapour of sulphuric ether.

“By this mode, the patient is thrown into a state of utter insensibility, by means of the bladder used in imparting the laughing gas, into which Mr Herapath introduced the ether, and caused the patient to inhale the vapour. After one minute and a half the patient was unconscious; the surgeon then commenced his incision.”

Fairbrother stated: “By keeping my fingers upon the pulse, and closely watching his respiration, varying the process by giving wine (leaving off at intervals all the means, and allowing him to breathe the atmospheric air), he was kept exactly in that state of unconsciousness that was desired, from which he awoke directly after the operation was completed and ... appeared as though he had suffered no pain.”

The operation was a success, and the young man left hospital within the month.

Lansdown was so impressed he repeated the experiment, though with different apparatus.

Fairbrother wrote:

“Yesterday, a second operation was performed, at the Bristol General Hospital, upon a female aged sixty-three years. Her leg was amputated by Mr J G Lansdown ... and completed in less than five minutes. In this case I administered the ether by means of Robinson’s apparatus, with the most complete success.

It took about eight or ten minutes to procure a state of insensibility ... nor could she believe her leg was removed.”

The patient’s inability to believe they had just a limb cut off when under anaesthetic was to become a common comment and must have convinced Lansdown to continue. This insensibility to the physical torture of the operation, he must have reasoned, could only contribute to their recovery.

Only two months after the first operation he was to write to the Lancet: “In the introduction of any novelty in our profession, I consider the best mode of forming a correct judgement of its merits is to procure a collection of unvarnished facts bearing upon the point. Since my last letter, I have had frequent Continued on page 32

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Features

Continued from page 31 opportunities of trying its effects ... I have now administered the ether thirty times.”

He listed his trials, from amputated legs to extractions of teeth, logging all but five as successful sedations. The others we assume were at least effective operations though we can only wince at the one clear failure: “Attempt Toenail Extraction” ...

Though Lansdown at first had Herapath or Fairbrother administering the ether for him, he clearly did not see the need for a dedicated anaesthetist, for most of the operations were carried out by him alone.

In this he was left behind by history, for anaesthesia is now seen as a vital medical specialism. His use of ether was soon superseded by chloroform.

But his peers at the Bristol Infirmary and even some in London were slow to see the light. It was 1850 before sedation was tried at the Infirmary. To the public, the advantages would soon become apparent. Why was

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The Bristol General Hospital, opened in 1832 and scene of the first operations using anaesthetic.

The hospital shut in 2012 and is now being redeveloped for housing, known as The General the medical profession slow to see the light? Perhaps becomse one of Lansdown’s prime uses of sedation was in childbirth. By the end of 1847 he had used the gas 30 times on mothers in labour.

In this he is now seen as a humane pioneer. Yet in the 1850s childbirth was seen as a natural process, God-ordained, and perhaps pain was part of the woman’s lot. Doctors should not intervene to lessen the suffering.

Some churchmen preached that pain was natural and no-one ever died of it. But ‘natural’ suffering is hard to distinguish

from ‘unnatural’, and when Queen Victoria took the new drug chloroform for the birth of her eighth child, Prince Leopold, in 1853, anaesthesia had the royal seal of approval. She wrote in her journal that she took “ ... that blessed chloroform and the effect was soothing, quieting and delightful beyond measure”.

The British Medical Journal’s obituary for Joseph Lansdown gives us few details of the man.

He was born in Bristol in 1804 and educated in Tiverton, Devon.

He studied medicine in London, then worked on the Continent

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before being elected one of the first surgeons to the new Bristol General Hospital in 1832. (The General is not long closed and is now being rebuilt as luxury flats.)

Lansdown was “a skilful operator”, according to the BMJ. “He was devoted to his profession, and worked unceasingly at a large practice, rarely taking a holiday. He made some short commentations on anaesthesia in its early days to some of the journals; but his time was so fully occupied that he seldom put his thoughts to paper.” He ceased work at the end of 1870 only when a large tumour grew on his thyroid.

Lansdown died on July 6, 1871, aged 67, at his home in Portland Place, and was bured in Arnos Vale. His will was valued at close to £14,000 – perhaps £1.5 million in today’s money.

But his legacy to generations of hospital patients is priceless.

The BMJ concluded: “He was a man of genial disposition, beloved by a large circle of patients and friends.”

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Columns Children get chance to see democracy, warts and all

I

N MY first three months as Bristol South’s MP the visits to Westminster of children and young people from a handful of local schools has been a real highlight. I’ve enjoyed meeting them, showing them around and talking about the issues that interest them.

It’s important for politicians to hear the thoughts and perspectives of younger people.

My own children and their friends took a great interest in the general election campaign, and I learned a lot from their insights into the various issues. People of my generation – especially those elected to office – really must take time to listen and learn.

These discussions have certainly reinforced my view that the voting age should be reduced to 16. The government has blocked this happening for the time being,

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The MP’s view Each month Bristol South Labour MP Karin Smyth gives her perspective which is disappointing. The forthcoming referendum on EU membership will shape the country’s future for decades to come, and 16 and 17 year olds will be among those most profoundly affected by the decision.

Learning about citizenship and democracy is an important part of any young person’s education, and visiting the Houses of Parliament can bring it to life, warts and all.

Our parliamentary system isn’t perfect: far from it, but it’s much, much better than an undemocratic alternative.

So with September being back-to-school month I wanted to take the opportunity to let Voice readers know about a new education centre that has just opened in Parliament.

It combines state-of-the-art technology with an environmentally sustainable building and seems to offer a world-class facility to learn about Parliament, democracy and political history. And its workshops and resources are specially designed to match schools’ Key Stage requirements.

Five themed learning spaces feature historical figures, brought to life using virtual reality technology so students can ‘virtually’ interact with people ranging from Winston Churchill to Charles the First; from the Yeoman Usher to Queen Victoria. It sounds so good that some adults might think they’d like the chance to go too!

The plan is for a million young people to visit in the next decade. I’d like as many people as possible from Bristol South to be among them. If a school you know might be interested in knowing more about arranging a visit, please get in touch.

• You can email karin.smyth.mp@ parliament.uk or write to Karin Smyth MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.

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Some day I found my prints – and it made me happy ...

HIdden business

We meet a BS3 woman who’s turned her passion for fabric into a thriving concern

In a new series we seek out the many small businesses that thrive under the radar in South Bristol

R

ACHEL Mansi has always had a thing about fabrics.

Not just any old materials but the bold patterns that were popular in her childhood.

Now a mother, and finding it hard to think what work she could do while looking after her two boys, she has found a way of making her passion into a business.

Rachel runs Rainbow Vintage Home from her home in Bedminster and a shared studio space off North Street.

“I have always been into fabrics,” She says. “My mother always put bits of vintage fabric on the walls when I was a kid.

“When I had to give up work to have kids I wanted a creative outlet. It’s hard because you don’t have much time to make stuff, but I got into the habit of buying up pieces I liked and squirrelling them away.”

At first Rachel thought she would have a business making pieces for other people but found it took too much time to make it economic.

Instead she focused on buying pieces of fabric she loved and she knew were collectable.

“I love pieces from the 60s and 70s,” she said – “big, bold patterns, especially names like Heal, Conran, quite high end stuff.

“There are lots of people out there looking for the same fabrics.

“I realised that I love tracking these pieces down – it’s the thrill of the chase!”

Having decided where her passion lay, Rachel started to buy and sell fabrics to like-minded enthusiasts who are often looking

Rachel Mansi, right

‘There are lots of people out there looking for the same fabrics. I realised that I love tracking these pieces down – it’s the thrill of the chase!”

Bold attempt: Rachel focuses on classic 60s and 70s bright patterns for a small piece to make a project.

Prices for quality materials are high – maybe £50 a square metre – but buying a small piece to make a cushion cover means it is still affordable, says Rachel.

She hunts down her finds on the internet and at vintage fairs and even car boot sales.

“Last weekend we were camping and at a car boot in Cheddar I found a 70s curtain for £2,” she said.

“But it’s definitely becoming harder to to find those gems.”

Many older fabrics, even if

they are high quality, will be worn or faded if they’ve been used for decades. But occasionally a house clearance will turn out a pair of curtains that’s been stored unused for decades, and that kind of find is often worth keeping intact.

Rachel shares her home in Thistle Street with her sons, five and 10, and husband Frank, a sign language interpreter – and with rather less fabric than she used to.

“Our bedroom got a bit taken over,” she admits, “but it was getting a bit silly and I decided to

get a workspace near the children’s school.”

Now she shares a studio, making easier to separate home and work.

The business has been going a year and is already paying its way. “I could probably earn the same doing something else but I wouldn’t enjoy it so much, and I wouldn’t have the same sense of ownership – and I couldn’t slow it down so I can look after the boys in the holidays,” she says.

Chance to make the whole place friendly for those with dementia KNOWLE, Windmill Hill and Filwood are to help lead efforts to improve the lives of people with dementia.

The aim is to make shops, businesses and other public places ‘dementia friendly’. The

drive is being led by Lee Reed, a Knowle resident who is equalities champion for the neighbourhood partnership.

He says small changes can make a big difference. In Somerset, for example, shops will

keep cards by the tills with pictures of coins and their value.

Lee wants to build a Dementia Alliance across the area and will be spreading the word to parents in primary schools in September.

Tony Hall, chair of Bristol

Dementia Action Alliance, says a Dementia Friendly area means everybody there “knows what dementia is, how to recognise the symptoms and how to manage people with the disease.”

• lee.reed@outlook.com

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September, 2015

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Entertainment

A sharp eye for the ordinary ARTIST OF THE MONTH: David Jones

PHOTOGRAPHER David Jones says he specialises in life as it happens. “There is no posing, no setting up, just reality,” he says.

“Life is so transient that it is difficult to capture that definitive special moment that makes the ordinary look extraordinary.

“I photograph people when they are involved in an activity or following a hobby or interest. This is their natural environment, and one that I always attempt to show with warmth and understanding.”

David’s work is on show at Acapella in Wells Road, Totterdown, during September.

He joins Second Look, a Bristol photographic group, in an exhibition at Bocabar on Bath Road until October. And he’s in Art on The Hill in October too.

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37

There is also another exhibition coming up in October at the Victoria pub in Windmill Hill as part of the ‘Art on the Hill’ art trail

Caught napping: a moment in time in Cabot Circus caught by David Jones. His work is on show at Acapella

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Entertainment Wednesday September 2 Knowle Townswomens’s Guild members’ afternoon, 2-4pm, Redcatch Community Centre, Redcatch Road, Knowle.

• www.facebook.com/ knowletownswomensguild The Depraved Appetite of Tarrare the Freak, Tobacco Factory theatre. A monstrous chamber opera for puppets based on the true story of Tarrare the Freak, an 18th century French revolutionary spy with an insatiable appetite for live cats.

Featuring over 20 puppets. Until September 3. £14 & £10.

• www.tobaccofactorytheatres. com Pop up fondue event at the Tunderbolt, Bath Road, Totterdown. Minimum two people per fondue pot. Kids eat free 6.30 -7.30pm (T&Cs apply).

Book via email at fonduepourvous@gmail.com Thursday September 3 The Smoking Puppet Cabaret returns for a final weekend: mind-boggling, delightful, twisted and magical puppetry. Tobacco Factory cafe and bar each night at 9.15pm, until September 9. Part of Bristol Festival of Puppetry: • www.puppetplace.org Friday September 4 Daz’s Rock 4 Charity & Bristol Electric Club join in

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THEY’VE tackled Henry VIII and his six wives, then Elizabeth I – now the Living Spit theatre company make a romp out of the Second World War in Adolf and Winston. Playing at the Tobacco Factory from September 8 -19, it’s a high-energy, historically inaccurate romp through the deadliest conflict in human history, seen through the eyes of its most famous protagonists, Hitler and Churchill. Howard Coggins and Stu Mcloughlin star – in fact, they’re the only ones on stage. Tickets £12 and £8; 0117 902 0344. a fundraising evening at The Tunnels, Temple Meads, 7.30pm, to help Children’s Hospice South West and Variety, the children’s charity. Music from Daz, Amazing Retro Monkeys, Russ Mills. Raffle and auction. £6.

• www.thetunnelsbristol.co.uk Saturday September 5 Drawing techniques with

Food

The first BS4 Street Market includes Kelda Tovey of Cake Face Cakes, Redcatch Road.

She joins our series to share one of her favourite recipes I’M A part-time teacher and a mum to a two year old. I started selling cakes on a stall because I wanted to share the baking I was doing for my son.

The aim was to make yummy food for him without sugar – sweet and savoury – so I experimented with things like sweet potato brownies and flapjacks sweetened with fruit not sugar as well as savoury lunch things like carrot and courgette muffins.

I wanted to try and sneak

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Michael Long, Bristol Savages.

Redcatch community centre, Redcatch Road, Knowle, 10am4pm. Bring paper and pencils. £10, lunch included. • www. elknowle.wix.com/elknowle Saltcellar Folk Club double bill: Pauline Sellars & Stuart Pitt, plus Sisters H, Hilary Pavey and Helen Bonner. Two popular

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

veggies into everything as my son is a fussy eater!

Alongside these I also make crowd pleasers like the most ridiculously decadent brownies, carrot cake and gingerbread cookies but also gluten free, tangy orange polenta cake.

It’s all a bit new and I just take up stalls when they come up and when I can fit it in around being a mum and a teacher. It’s great fun though and I have just done my first catering job for a 60th birthday party.

I’d love to share this recipe - my gingerbread cookies are yummy and perfect for coming autumn.

Ingredients 340g self raising flour 225g soft brown sugar 115g butter 1 egg 2 tbs treacle 3 tbs ground ginger (yes, tablespoons!)

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda Method Melt treacle, sugar, bicarb and butter in a basin over boiling water. Combine flour and ginger, add butter mix and egg and mix to combine. Roll into balls and place on a lined baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes at 190 degrees centigrade.

• Are you in the food business and want to have a recipe featured here? Email paul@ southbristolvoice.co.uk

September, 2015

local duos – Pauline and Stuart add their own audience-pleasing style to acoustic songs from a wide range of sources and eras, while you can expect beautiful vocal harmonies with a guitar accompaniment on well known and original songs from Sisters H. 7.30pm, Totterdown Baptist chuurch, Wells Road.

• www.saltcellarfolk.org.uk Stipe - REM Tribute at The Tunnels, Temple Meads.

Imitating Michael Stipe’s very individual stage persona.

7.30pm, tickets £10.

• www.thetunnelsbristol.co.uk Sunday September 6 BS4 Market Street: Totterdown’s first Sunday street market outside Gaines greengrocers and the Co-op on Wells Road, 10am-3pm.

Expect more than a dozen stalls featuring local arts, crafts, food, beer and books. Search Facebook for BS4Market.

Bristol Festival of Puppetry finale, Tobacco Factory market from 11am. Includes Arnold’s Big Adventure,taking place in a special tent with shadow puppetry, and music to sing along to. For ages 3+ • www.puppetplace.org Monday September 7 Wardrobe Theatre’s Greatest Hits, Tobacco Factory.

A spectacular one-off fundraising

BS4 market tests water in Totterdown THE BS4 Street Market makes its debut on Saturday September 6.

At least a dozen stalls will be on Wells Road in front of Gaines greengrocer and the Co-op.

Promised are local artisans offering cakes, jewellery, sewing, Indian arts, sausages, craft beer and more.

It’s a real community effort, too, with organiser Debbie Kleiner-Gaines reporting that several people have come forward to help.

Totterdown resident James Stafford Little designed and printed a flyer and Debbie’s son Louey and friends Campbell and Jude delivered them.

• Facebook: BS4Market

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September, 2015

E: paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk

Entertainment event in aid of Wardrobe Theatre’s move to Old Market.

All proceeds from this special evening of theatre, comedy, puppetry, dance, poetry, improv and cabaret will go towards the fundraising campaign. £12 & £10.

Lightsabre combat at Arnos Vale cemetery, 6.15pm.

Unleash your inner Darth! Each class lasts for two hours, the last 30 minutes being for competitive combat. Classes are 6.45pm8.45pm & 9pm-11pm and cost £9: email england@ludoSport. net to reserve a place.

Meeting of VPAG – Victoria Park Action Group – at the Bowling Club, 7.30pm to 9pm.

• www.vpag.org.uk Wednesday September 9 Sing! with Out There Music’s South Bristol community choir. Free taster session 7.30-9.30pm, Jarman Hall, Sydenham Road, Totterdown.

Just come along, no auditions, no experience required. Contact Holly 07866 587424, admin@ outtheremusicbristol.co.uk • www.outtheremusicbristol. co.uk Mark Thomas: Trespass.

The anarchic comedian’s latest show docks for five days at the Tobacco Factory. Inspired by the mass trespass of Kinder Scout in 1932, Mark turns his eye to how the government have sold off our communal spaces. £16 and £14.

Until September 12.

• www.tobaccofactorytheatres. com Thursday September 10 Bristol Bad Film Club’s screening of Roar at Windmill Hill City Farm is SOLD OUT. • www.windmillhillcityfarm. org.uk Saturday September 12 Knowle West Fest, Filwood Broadway, 12-6pm. Live music, a tea dance, film, sports and games, family activities and the chance to meet some police horses. Free health checks at the HealthZone. Stalls and more.

Contact The Park Centre on 0117 903 9770 Vinyl Breakfast, 10am-1pm at Zion Bristol, Bishopsworth Road, BS13 7LW. Browse classic vinyl from James-Boy Records to buy and listen to on a classic record player while eating a bacon butty or English breakfast with fresh coffee. Free entry. www.zionbristol.co.uk Dog Show, Festival and Fun Day, Victoria Park • www.vpag.org.uk

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Stand Up For The Weekend with Alun Cochrane plus guests.

Comedy Box, Hen and Chicken, North Street, Bedminster.

7.45pm, tickets £13. www.thecomedybox.co.uk BS13 Company presents In My Shoes, 7.30pm-10pm at Zion Bristol, Bishopsworth Road, Bristol, BS13 7LW. An evening of performances based on stories behind local community organisations and charities. Short plays written by local writers and performed by a professional company. Tickets £8.50 (£1 per ticket donated to groups).

• www.zionbristol.co.uk Thursday September 17 Living Quarters by Brian Friel, Tobacco Factory theatre, until October 3. An ordinary army officer suddenly becomes a hero and returns home. In Friel’s unique play, the characters are battling with an MC called Sir who stops them changing their story as they replay the events that changed their lives. Andrew Hilton directs for Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory.

• www.tobaccofactorytheatres. com Friday September 18 Charity comedian hypnotist evening, Hen & Chicken, North Street, Bedminster, 7-11.30pm.

Tickets £15. Stand-up comedian Lisa Cross, comedian hypnotist Ian Dee, followed by dancing.

Raising money for the Ships

www.southbristolvoice.co.uk

Project Bristol, Great Western Air Ambulance and Caudwell Children. For details email threemumscharity@outlook.Com Saturday September 19 Best of Bedminster Show, Dame Emily Park, Dean Lane, 12-­5pm. Bug hunts, making nest boxes and more. Competitions for the best jam, chutney, cake, home-grown produce, upcycled clothing and bags, and jewellery.

Bring surplus crops to share.

• Facebook: Best of Bedminster Sunday September 20 Jazz on a Sunday Evening Mark Randall Sextet, Windmill Hill Community Association & Social Club, Vivian Street, 8pm–10.30pm. Members free, non-members £1 • www.whca.org.uk Wednesday September 23 TheNow, Acta community theatre, Gladstone Road, Bedminster. A celebration of 30 years of community theatre. £3.

Until October 1.

• www.acta-bristol.com 140 Million Miles, Tobacco Factory Brewery Theatre. Until September 26. Neil and Dawn are offered the trip of a lifetime – a flight to Mars. One-act play

by Bristol’s Adam Peck. Play only £7; Pie & Pint plus Play £13 Thursday September 24 Young Theatre Makers, Tobacco Factory. Do you love theatre? Are you keen to improve your performance skills but also want to learn about everything

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else that makes theatre happen?

Then Young Theatre Makers is for you. Every Thursday, 6pm 7.45pm for 10 weeks.

Furlined+ Shake the Tree Thunderbolt, Bath Road, Totterdown, 7.45pm. £5.

• www.thethunderbolt.net Saturday September 26 Outdoor screening of Batman film The Dark Knight at Arnos Vale cemetery.

Gates open at 6.30pm, film starts around 8.30pm. Not bring-yourown: food and drink on sale.

Tickets £13, children 12-15 years £8.50, groups of 10+ £10.

• www.backyardcinema.org.uk Whole Lotta Led: The UK’s longest running, professional tribute to Led Zeppelin. At The Tunnels Arches, 7.30pm, £12.

• www.thetunnelsbristol.co.uk Film & Food Night: Back to the Future at Zion Bristol, Bishopsworth Road, BS13 7LW, 7.30pm-10:30pm. A fund-raising night to buy the Zion centre a big screen. The classic 80s film Back to the Future with 80s style hotdog & fries plus bar. Tickets £7 include food but not drinks. www.zionbristol.co.uk Tuesday September 29 Happy & Active in Knowle West at Knowle West Health park, 1-4pm. Free activities and transport for older residents including walks, bread making and computer sessions. Part of Celebrating Age festival. Call Sue on 0117 903 0444.

Mini Moon fest travels from Far East to West A SINGER and producer from South Bristol is organising a mini-festival designed to bring the Far East to the South West.

Makala Cheung from Knowle West is hosting seven hours of acts inspired by and from the Orient at the Mini Moon Festival. It’s on Sunday September 27 at the Fleece in St Thomas Street in the city centre from 2pm-9pm.

The event will feature Southville drum and bass DJ Jay Unearthed and world fusion dance troupe Movema, also from Southville.

Makala will use the event to launch her new album of Oriental-infused electronic pop.

Other live music ranges from classical to dance, plus street and world and lion dances, a kung fu demo, DJs and activities. Fancy dress welcome. Chinese food available to buy from 5pm.

Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult, under fives free. Tickets are £7 from Bristol Ticket Shop, £10 on door.

• www.chinabureau.co.uk/events/mini-moonfestival

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Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk

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T: 07811 766072

www.southbristolvoice.co.uk

September, 2015

TOBACCO FACTORY

Cafe Bar Enjoy our spacious cafe bar with plenty of seating for large and small gatherings, ‘The Snug’ for a quiet escape,

pop-up events and private hire - and our covered terrace and sunny yard. Our kitchen serves healthy Mediterranean inspired food, with seasonal variations and an emphasis on local produce.

Sunday Market / Every Week 10am - 2.30pm

Shop from the wonderful selection of local producers at our market, offering hot food, fresh bread, cakes, cheese, fruit & veg, jams, fish, meat, pies - and much more. With craft stalls, flowers, books, bike servicing and kids craft activities, the market is a hub for the local community and a great place to meet friends and family.

TOBACCOFACTORY.COM

FACTOBERFEST

ADOLF & WINSTON Living Spit

With over 60 craft beers, Factoberfest is Bristol’s leading craft beer festival.

Unafraid to tackle the big subjects in an inconsequential way, Howard and Stu walk the tightrope of taste and decency in this hilarious new show.

Friday 11 - Sunday 13 September

A collaboration between Bristol Beer Factory and Tobacco Factory, the annual event also features an outdoor music stage with a fine line in blues, roots, country and Americana and children’s activities to keep everyone entertained.

Kicking off the weekend, on Friday - from 5pm, will be Bristol Eats (aka BEATS) continuing their amazing ‘Bristol Eats Street’ nights, with some of Bristol’s best street food.

Tue 08 – Sat 19 September

TRESPASS Mark Thomas Wed 09 – Sat 12 September

Carrying on from where 100 Acts of Minor Dissent left off; Trespass uses Mark Thomas’ signature style of theatre, stand-up, a dash of journalism, activism and mayhem!

LIVING QUARTERS Tobacco Factory Theatres and Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory (pictured) Thu 17 September – Sat 03 October An army officer returns in triumph to his home in Donegal, but a day of celebration will soon turn to tragedy. A captivating play from the great modern playwright, Brian Friel.

BRISTOLBEERFACTORY.CO.UK

TOBACCOFACTORYTHEATRES.COM