South Bristol Voice May 2018

southbristolvoice May 2018 No. 36

www.southbristolvoice.co.uk

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THERE’S good news and bad news for long-suffering commuters waiting for the arrival of Metrobus, the £230 million rapid transit service, in South Bristol …. and then there’s some more bad news.

The good news is that the M1 route, from Hengrove through Bedminster to the city centre and on to Cribbs Causeway, will be run by Bedminster-based Bristol

Community Transport. It will use clean-running, zero-carbon buses fuelled by biogas.

The bad news is that no-one knows when the route will open – because the buses aren’t built and the gas fuelling equipment isn’t installed at BCT’s Parson Street base.

And there is no date for the start of the M2, from Long Continued on page 4

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May 2018

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2 Paul Breeden Editor & publisher 07811 766072 paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk Ruth Drury Sales executive 07590 527664 sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk Editorial team: Beccy Golding, Alex Morss, Martin Powell & The Wicked Witch. Deliveries: Greg Champion

You can find South Bristol Voice on Facebook and Twitter facebook.com/ southbristolvoice Twitter: @sbristolvoice Next month’s deadline for editorial and advertising is May 16th

Intro

WHAT’S WRONG WITH METROBUS? THIS publication has always tried to be positive about Metrobus. The rapid-transit bus service has always had its critics and it is easy to snipe at.

The cost has jumped by £30 million to £230m, and the eventual launch of the first route in May will be three years later than originally predicted.

Metrobus is even unpopular with politicians. Former mayor George Ferguson pledged to scrap it before he was elected in 2012. As mayor, he relented, but he moved the route away from the harbourside to Cumberland Road. Today’s mayor, Marvin Rees, is not

Metrobus’s biggest fan either.

Yet we all agree Bristol needs something to improve public transport. Metrobus at least promises big cuts in journey times between the north and south of the city.

Crucially, it promises to connect the deprived southern fringe at Hartcliffe and Hengrove with the centre.

This is why people get upset when information about crucial changes to the plans – like the long delay to the South Bristol Link route – have to be dragged out of Metrobus.

Even MP Karin Smyth finds it hard to get explanations about who has taken these decisions and why. Please, Metrobus, let’s not give ammunition to the cynics. Just come clean when plans change, and trust the public to understand.

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n BRIEFLY n WANT to eat more healthily but not sure how? A free course starts on May 8 at Redcatch Community Garden in Redcatch park, Knowle. You can find out all about nutritious food, how to create affordable meals, make healthy snacks and acquire healthy habits for life. It’s free and runs for six weeks from 1-3pm every Tuesday. Text Jacky on 07872 514604 to find out more.

Facebook: Redcatch Community Garden n REDCATCH Park hs added to its long list of awards with a five-star rating from the RHS South West in Bloom Pride in the Park 2017 awards. The park has also won several successive Outstanding awards in the Bristol In Bloom In Your Neighbourhood awards. friendsofredcatchpark.com n VICTORIA Park Primary School is looking to replace two long-serving governors who will be standing down at the end of the summer term. The school is particularly keen to recruit

people from the local community with an educational background or financial skills or expertise.

Governors meet six times a year.

To find out more, email the chair of governors, Mark Bailey, at mark.bailey2015@outlook.com.

May 2018

southbristolvoice

n NEWS Have your say on future of the city centre as plans laid for 100m tower THE PUBLIC are being asked their views on the future of Bristol city centre.

The council said: “Easing traffic congestion and connecting the city are two of the main areas of interest, alongside supporting retail in the city centre and creating inclusive and safe

spaces. The framework seeks to influence the sustainable development of up to 2,000 new homes in the area, employment space, and enhance the public and green spaces.”

A 24-storey high-rise almost 100m high, with 375 homes, has been given planning permission

next to Castle Park on the site of the old ambulance station.

Mayor Marvin Rees favours more tall buildings to beat the city’s housing crisis, and more can be expected in the city centre as well as those planned for South Bristol.

The consultation will close on

Five women attacked near St John’s Lane in two weeks n SPRING has definitely arrived – goat kids have been born at Windmill Hill City Farm, and staff have tweeted pictures to show them cosy in the farm barn. By the time the Voice is distributed, it’s expected they will be venturing outdoors.

Twitter: @windcityfarm

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: A surgery will be held on Friday May 11 and 25. Call 0117 953 3575 for an appointment.

My councillor?

Post: You can write to all councillors at Brunel House, St George’s Road, Bristol BS1 5UY Christopher Davies Lib Dem, Knowle

Email: Cllr.Christopher.Davies@ bristol.gov.uk Gary Hopkins Lib Dem, Knowle (Lib Dem leader) Email: Cllr.Gary.Hopkins@bristol.gov.uk Phone: 0117 985 1491 or 07977 512159 Lucy Whittle Labour, Windmill Hill Phone: 07392 108805 Email: Cllr.Lucy.Whittle@bristol.gov.uk Jon Wellington Labour, Windmill Hill Phone: 07392 108804 Email: Cllr.Jon.Wellington@bristol.gov.uk

USEFUL NUMBERS Bristol City Council www.bristol.gov.uk 0117 922 2000 Waste, roads 0117 922 2100 Pest control and dog wardens 0117 922 2500 Council tax 0117 922 2900 Housing benefit 0117 922 2300 Social services 0117 922 2900

Police Inquiries 101 Emergency 999 Fire

Emergency 999 Inquiries 0117 926 2061 NEIGHBOURHOOD MEETINGS None planned at time of going to press

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. We strive to conform to the NUJ Code of Conduct for journalists: • nuj.org.uk/about/nuj-code 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 (unless otherwise stated) and may not be reproduced without permission in this or any other plane of the multiverse.

South Bristol Voice Ltd | 18 Lilymead Avenue, Bristol BS4 2BX

To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

3

Call for witnesses after sex assaults by boy, 12-14 POLICE are appealing to the public for help after a series of sexual assaults on women which appear to have been carried out by a young teenager.

Five women have reported they were attacked in the Windmill Hill area, near St John’s Lane, None of the women is thought to have been seriously hurt although police say all were “touched inappropriately”.

The first incident happened on March 24 with two further offences on the early evening of March 26. The other two incidents took place on April 1 and April 5.

The offender is described as black, aged between 12 and 14, of slim build and on some occasions wearing a black beanie hat and a

shoulder bag worn diagonally across his body.

One witness described the boy as having “pointed facial features”.

One of the women told the Voice how she was attacked as she jogged down Park Avenue, which leads from St John’s Lane to Victoria Park, at about 6.50pm on March 26.

“I was out running and I had earphones on,” she said, “so I didn’t hear anyone coming up behind me. Someone put put their arms round my waist – it gave me a fright and I screamed.

“When I turned around and saw it was quite a young boy, I wasn’t scared of him. I ran away.”

The woman told the Voice that at first she thought the boy had grabbed her for a joke, and she looked around to se if other youths were watching, but there was no one else around that she could see.

A report on Facebook indicates that another woman

had been attacked by the same boy at the same time – between 6.30-7pm the same day.

The second woman was also grabbed from behind after the youth followed her up Sylvia Avenue from St John’s Lane.

She was sexually assaulted by the youth before she managed to shake him off and he ran back down the hill, reportedly with his trousers down.

Police said: “We’re treating all the offences as linked due to their similar nature, close proximity to each other and the similar descriptions given of the offender.

“Community reassurance patrols are being carried out in the local area and we’ll be fully supporting all the victims and keeping them updated as this investigation progresses.”

Anyone with information on who may be responsible is asked to call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5218068869.

May 14. Comments can be made online or at two exhibitions: 2-5pm on April 23 at the Citizen Service Point, 100 Temple Street, and 3.30-6.30pm on May 3 in the Central Library foyer. bristol.gov.uk/city-centredevelopments • Skyscraper row grows: pages 10-11

Free book offer is back for Voice readers ONE of the biggest secondhand book shops in Britain wants to give away more books to Voice readers after the success of its first offer earlier this year.

Bookbarn International, which for several years was based at Paintworks on Bath Road, is offering a free book to every Voice reader who visits its vast book store, housed in a former MoD warehouse just off the A37.

There is a free book for everyone who takes in the Bookbarn advertisement on this page – one book per advert, and photocopies are not accepted.

The business is celebrating the opening of its new-look Full Stop café, which has been moved to cope with increased demand.

It has also allowed room to create a new breakout area for students and people requiring a quiet place to plug in laptops or hold meetings.

Bookbarn is 30 minutes south of Bristol, where the A39 meets the A37, at Hallatrow. bookbarninternational.com

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n NEWS

May 2018

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4

This is just the beginning – next stop will be Bath Road WITHIN five years the face of Bath Road, from Temple Meads right out to the Hicks Gate roundabout

beyond Keynsham, could be transformed.

A Metrobus route either side of Bath Road could be carrying commuters from the mainline railway station out to a new Park & Ride next to Hicks Gate. The current Park & Ride car park is set to become about 750 homes, according to the city’s recent Local Plan review. A further 1,400 homes are expected at Keynsham. Many hundreds more are planned

around Arnos Vale, including a 16-storey tower next to Totterdown Bridge. Land next to Three Lamps is also earmarked for housing.

Many of these homes will be unlikely to be given planning permission if a new transport plan for Bath Road is not in place, said Cllr Mhairi Threlfall, Bristol’s cabinet member for transport.

“The A4 already suffers from serious congestion, worsening air quality and standstill traffic, and

METROBUS something needs to be done,” she told the Voice. A number of options are being studied as part of a feasibility study by Weca, the new West of England authorty that manages regional transport issues, and proposals will be put forward for public consultation in September.

A Metrobus seems the most likely option for speeding up public transport on Bath Road.

However, the road is narrow and

Suddenly, South Bristol’s Metrobuses M1 Hengrove-Cribbs Causeway, due in summer – may start by end of year M2 Long Ashton-city centre, due by Easter – has no date M3 city centre-Emersons Green – opens May 29 Continued from page 1 Ashton through Ashton Gate to the city centre. Until recently it was due to open at Easter.

Now it’s emerged that the M3 route, from the city centre to Emerson’s Green, will be the first to launch, on May 29 – a firm commitment that will cause much anger if it is missed. Travel will be free until June 9.

The further bad news is that the South Bristol Link road has dropped off the Metrobus map. It means planned stops at Imperial Park, Hareclive Road, Queen’s Road and Highridge Common will not be served – probably for years.

Bristol South MP Karin Smyth is angry that there is no date for when the route will be reinstated.

“While I welcome the launch of some Metrobus routes, I’m extremely concerned that the Ashton to Hengrove link seems to have fallen by the wayside,” she said.

“I contacted Metrobus following their announcement, but as yet have received no meaningful response.”

She’s also seeking answers on why the decision was not even announced until it was noticed that the Link had been removed from the route map.

It means the most deprived areas of South Bristol won’t benefit from the rapid transport link, which is aimed to slash journey times from the south of

CLEAN BUSES FOR BEDMINSTER BRISTOL Community Transport will create 70 jobs at its Parson Street depot in Bedminster to run the M1 Metrobus from Hengrove Park to Cribbs Causeway.

It will be its biggest contract in Bristol so far, but neighbours in Bedminster won’t see any more traffic movements than when BCT ran one of the Park & Ride services three years ago, said Dai Powell, chief executive of its parent social enterprise company HCT. It’s hoped to begin the route the city to the centre and the northern fringe.

“I think they have made a major mistake in disappearing it from the map,” she said.

“Local residents have lived with significant disruption and inconvenience while the road that the Metrobus is to use was built. But it would seem that once again, people in this part of South Bristol have been pushed down the pecking order when it comes to community investment,” said Ms Smyth.

Metrobus said the South Bristol Link is already “doing its job” by drawing traffic away from other routes and helping to cut delays. But it did not explain why the removal of the Metrobus Link Road route was not announced.

The Bristol Post discovered that the Hengrove-Long Ashton route is not seen as profitable by private operators. The route will only open after new homes are built nearby – the 2,000-odd planned for Hengrove Park, 82 at Imperial Park and 150 at Filwood Green. These are many years away from completion.

Karin Smyth is demanding that the West of England

by the end of the year: “We are desperate to start,” said Mr Powell.

He said the deal had been 12 months in the making. Because HCT is a relatively small operator, it doesn’t have spare buses to start straight away, so it decided to order 21 zero-emission biogas buses at a cost of £7 million.

Gas made from food waste will be piped into the gas grid on behalf of BCT, and it will draw the gas it needs from an ordinary gas main. There won’t be huge gas tanks at the Bedminster depot.

Profits will be reinvested in community transport in Bristol.

Combined Authority, or Weca, which oversees regional transport, should look at giving support so that the Link route can open before the homes make it commercially viable.

She implied that it was the bus operators who had sought changes to the routes: “This is part of the learning we will take away: we should have earlier

n NEWS

southbristolvoice

there are several bottlenecks – such as outside Arnos Vale cemetery – that would make it difficult to fit in two segregated Metrobus lanes and a two-way carriageway. Traffic may have to be slowed or restricted in some way.

Other radical solutions may be considered.

Reducing the amount of through traffic which is not

operator involvement,” she said.

Cllr Stephen Clarke, a Green member for Southville and chair of scrutiny for Weca, last month complained that Metrobus was keeping even him in the dark. “I think it is very disappointing that planned South Bristol transport links seem to be receding ever further into the distance; we do so often seem to be at the end of

the queue for infrastructure and investment,” he said on April 13.

The M2 and M3 routes will be run by First West of England.

(First has subcontracted the M1 to Bristol Community Transport).

It appears First pressed Metrobus to open the M3 first, rather than the M2 from Long Ashton.

Metrobus has denied that

To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

METROBUS

heading for the city centre but out of town, for example towards the M32, will be crucial.

Highway planners have their eyes on the Callington Road link – a former railway cutting which leads from Callington Road in Brislington to near Avon Meads at St Philip’s. Under the Joint Transport Study drawn up by Weca with Bristol and other local

councils, it could become a relief road channelling through traffic onto St Philips Causeway, away from the city centre.

This would also have the effect of helping improve air quality on busy central routes.

Campaigners in Brislington want to turn the Callington Road cutting into a car-free walking and cycle route.

But Cllr Threlfall said that would be difficult as the cutting has several owners. The Government might provide funding to buy the land for a new road via compulsory purchase orders, but it is much less likely to do so for a cycle route, she believes.

Both Bath Road and the Callington Road link would have cycle and walking routes.

delayed by months

NOW YOU DON’T ...

The 2018 map, released without announcing the gap in the routes

of the patients who could use it, leading some of them to trek to the BRI or Southmead when they could find treatment much closer to home.

Ms Smyth is worried that the hospital is being underused.

“The hospital is a fantastic resource – home to some brilliant and caring staff and the equipment and beds needed to deliver high quality healthcare for local people.

“But I want to see it made even better use of, and become a truly integral part of health care provision in South Bristol,” she

5

And there seems little hope of making the Callington Road link car-free – it’s needed for a road

NOW YOU SEE IT ...

The 2015 Metrobus map with the South Bristol Link route

We need Metrobus to ONE REASON why it’s so important to have the Metrobus running as planned through South Bristol is to support vital services such as South Bristol Community Hospital.

The hospital in Hengrove was one of the major destinations for Metrobus – along with the South Bristol Skills Academy next door.

In her column for the Voice (on page 46) Karin Smyth writes about how the hospital has good facilities and is rated as providing an excellent service by those who use it.

Yet it is still unknown to some

May 2018

delays to the M2 Long Ashton route are because the Ashton Avenue bridge is too low to allow buses to pass. Another rumour suggests that there are problems with the ‘skew bridge’ bus flyover at Winterstoke Road. Metrobus says there is “snagging” to be done on the route.

But the continued delays are unexplained. The M2 was long set to be the first route to open, with dates suggested last autumn, then for the New Year, then Easter. Now there is no date for its opening.

Last month the Voice revealed that there was only one of the complex iPoints in existence, on test at Long Ashton Park & Ride.

Another 77 are needed to dispense tickets and allow route planining at each stop. It’s not clear if they have been ordered yet – but they will have to be ready for the May 29 launch date.

Fares will be £1.50 for one zone and £2.50 for multi-zones.

The buses will be cash-free, like buses in London.

New and shiny: Press and TV cameras at the Metrobus launch on April 9

serve our fantastic hospital and support the NHS South Bristol hospital: meant to be on the route served by Metrobus

writes in her Voice column.

She does not believe that it is under threat – but she says it could play a bigger role in taking the

pressure off other parts of the health service.

With pressure on beds at the BRI, she believes University

Hospital Bristol NHS trust, which runs both hospitals, could make better use of the South Bristol site.

There are also ongoing issues at Weston hospital which mean that patients from Somerset are using hospitals in Bristol. “I’m saying that, if there are problems in Weston, and they are bringing people up to Bristol, which they are, then more use needs to be made of South Bristol hospital,” she said.

If Metrobus was running from Long Ashton to the hospital, as originally planned, it would make it easy for patients from Somerset to park at the Park & Ride and get

quickly to the hospital, she said.

Among the facilities at South Bristol hospital is a rehabilitation unit with a ward for inpatients, many of them recovering from strokes.

Its outpatient services include a Rapid Assessment Clinic for older people, and an urgent care centre for minor injuries, managed by Bristol Community Health.

It also offers day surgery and clinics to diagnose a number of illnesses including cancer.

There is a community dental treatment unit, and neurophysiotherapy for outpatients.

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

May 2018

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n NEWS

T-shirt firm and coffee roaster may move in to Totterdown Centre THE NEW owner of the shops at the front of the run-down Totterdown Centre has spoken to the Voice about his ambitions for the building.

Work is already under way to strip out old ceilings and make repairs to the two shops at 142-144 Wells Road, which were bought, along with the flat above them, by a Totterdown man in March. He doesn’t want to make his name public at the moment, but he wants to reassure residents that he wants the shops to be a place where small

businesses can thrive for the good of the community.

He is in talks with a company which prints trendy T-shirts and homewares to take over 144, the former Chinese takeaway.

However, work to make the shops useable will take between three and six months.

A coffee roasting company has also inquired about using the rear portion of 142. This would require planning permission.

The new owner says he will also use local firms to carry out work wherever possible.

Free day full of healthy activity

Police find large drug haul in Knowle after Asda arrests

A FREE day of activities is on offer to anyone aged over 55 from the South Bristol area.

The Macmillan Wellbeing Day is on Thursday May 17 at Hengrove Park leisure centre.

It’s intended for those living with and beyond cancer, and their carers and supporters.

Activities designed to get people of all abilities moving include seated Zumba, walking sports and more.

There will be talks on the benefits of physical activity and a market place with stall holders.

Everyone gets a free healthy lunch and a goodie bag.

The event is free, but booking is essential. Call the Macmillan team at the LinkAge Network on 0117 353 3042. Transport can be provided, but is limited.

• See advertisement on page 27

ANTI-DRUGS police have made more arrests in South Bristol as Operation Baseline continues to crack down on the impact of drug dealing on local communities.

The continuing operation – featured in last month’s South Bristol Voice – has seen increasing success over the last year, as police receive more intelligence from the community.

Officers told the Voice that they often find low-level drug dealers are as much victims of their trade as the drug users they sell to – an attitude that has won praise from Voice readers (see Letters, page 19) In the latest wave of action, police arrested two men in the car park at Asda in Whitchurch

He says he has already had a lot of interest in the shops from possible tenants, which is spurring him on to make them useable as quickly as he can.

“I had planned to spend time getting them up to a really good standard,” he said. “I haven’t gone looking for people [to rent the premises], they have come looking for me.”

Vera Fallacy, owner of the Floriography flower business currently based at the rear of the building, is working with the new owner, who has become a

on Sunday April 8. The pair, aged 33 and 36, were held on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, after the vehicle they were in was found to contain between £3,000-£4,000 worth of suspected cocaine.

Officers later searched the 36 year-old man’s home in Queenshill Road, Knowle, and found a large amount of suspected class A drugs, along with cutting agents and other items linked to drug dealing.

Both men have been released under investigation while police continue their inquiries.

Earlier, on March 19 police arrested a 19-year-old man from St Paul’s at a property in Hersey Gardens in Withywood, which

co-owner of the freehold of the entire building.

The shops were bought last year by a Knowle couple, but their plans to make 144 into a restaurant proved impossible and they put their stake up for auction.

Floriography is due to move up the road in early May to 154 Wells Road, currently a furniture shop. A new community interest company, Totterdown Healing Spaces, is running the Healing Courtyard.

Facebook: @totterdownhealingspaces

was being used to supply drugs.

Officers found around 70 wraps of suspected crack cocaine plus a lump of suspected heroin. The man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

On Saturday, April 7, police arrested a 51 year-old woman from Highridge on suspicion of production of cannabis. She was arrested coming away from a property in Oaktree Gardens in which officers found around 50 cannabis plants.

Anyone with information about drug dealing can call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or go online at avonandsomerset. police.uk/contact-us

ASK A VET: Should I brush my pet’s teeth?

T

HE ANSWER, ideally, is Yes! Cats and dogs can suffer with dental disease in the same way that humans can. What’s more, poor dental hygiene can lead to similar health issues, such as heart and kidney disease.

Particles, saliva and bacteria build up on the surface of the teeth, and plaque and tartar will accumulate. This will eventually lead to gingivitis, or inflammation of the gum tissue.

If gingivitis is allowed to go unchecked the plaque bacteria will start to penetrate below the gum line, leading to destruction of the

Clean teeth: Good for every dog bone and other tooth-supporting structures – a condition termed periodontitis. This is a far more serious condition and, if left untreated, results in tooth

loosening and eventual tooth loss.

Pets are very good at covering up toothache so keep an eye out for symptoms which include: loss of appetite, inability to eat, bad breath, broken teeth, lumps on the gums, facial swelling and rubbing their face or mouth.

While there is much we can do to treat dental disease, as always, prevention is better than cure and your veterinary practice will be able to advise you on dental hygiene for your pet.

If you have any concerns about your pet’s dental health, or would like more information on caring for

May 2018

southbristolvoice

n NEWS

7

THE ARENA

Arena decision set for another delay Mayor and cabinet still waiting for report into Filton and city options A DECISION on whether to site Bristol’s arena at Temple Meads or a privately-owned site in Filton may be delayed.

Mayor Marvin Rees had said the choice would be made at a cabinet meeting on May 1.

But a report from consultants KPMG weighing up the benefits of the two sites is still not ready.

This led councillors on the overview and scrutiny management board meeting on April 12 to call for the decision to be delayed. They want to have time to consider the report before the mayor and cabinet debate the issue. A council by-election in Westbury-on-Trym on May 25 could also delay a decision.

ARENA: THE OPTIONS Temple Meads Funded £123m: £53m grant, plus £70m+ from council and operator Capacity: 12,000 Pros: • At heart of revived Temple Quarter; • Next to public transport hub; • Shops and restaurants will benefit; • Jobs and investment for deprived areas of South Bristol; Cons: • Severe lack of space for parking; • Fears of road congestion and parking in residential streets; • Fears for road safety on narrow Bath Road pavement; • Cost will probably rise.

Mr Rees told the meeting on April 12 he expected to receive the value for money report on the arena “in the next two weeks”.

This could mean as late as April 26, however – which would not

Filton Funded by Malaysian firm YTL Capacity 16,000 Pros: • Bigger venue, bigger site with room for parking; • Close to M5 and M4; • Just inside Bristol – so council gets business rates.

Cons: • £100m bill for road and rail work to Bristol and South Glos councils; • Little benefit for South Bristol; • No benefit to city centre shops, restaurants; benefits go to S Glos businesses, eg Cribbs Causeway; • Bristol council has no control over running of venue. leave much time to scrutinise the report. Under the mayoral system, power rests largely with Mr Rees, and in most cases he can ignore the views of councillors and even the overview board.

Decision maker: Mayor Marvin Rees.

But vital report is not ready But he was given a clear signal of opposition to the Filton option in March, when a full council meeting voted decisively by 34 votes to 12 in favour of siting the arena in the city centre.

Many Labour councillors, including the two members for Windmill Hill, Jon Wellington and Lucy Whittle, voted for the Green party motion for the Temple Meads option.

Bristol South MP Karin Smyth is also vociferous in her demands to keep the arena in the city centre. Putting it in the Brabazon hangar in Filton will cost the deprived south of the city jobs and investment, she says.

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May 2018

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9

Free calls at hi-tech wifi links But there’s a catch – not everyone likes the digital ads which come with them TWO PHONE boxes are set to disappear from a Knowle street, to be replaced with a device called InLink which allows not only free phone calls but a host of hi-tech services.

BT has applied for planning permission to remove two Knowle phone kiosks, one in Salcombe Road and one on Wells Road, outside the Cash Generator shop at the Broadwalk centre.

BT says the InLinks will provide completely free services including ultrafast wifi, UK phone calls, route finding and an emergency 999 call button.

The wifi allows anyone within

100m to use the internet on their smartphone or tablet, with enough data capacity to download songs at up to 1Gb per second.

A touchscreen terminal on the InLink allows people to use council services, BT’s phone book, maps and directions.

Residents can even charge their phones.

The InLinks are smaller than phone boxes, so they save pavement space, but they provide no shelter from bad weather.

The terminals can also display news from local groups.

Use of public phone boxes has declined dramatically in recent year, as most of the population has a mobile phone.

There are plans for 17 InLinks around Bristol, including several in the city centre and Clifton. The pair in Knowle are the only ones currently planned in South Bristol.

Knowle Lib Dem Cllr Chris

Davies is broadly in favour.

“Most people have mobiles now to contact the emergency services. The digital screens may prove popular, and it is the way forward,” he said.

The service is paid for by digital advertising screens – which have aroused some opposition. The screens are not allowed to display moving images and are claimed not to be a distraction to drivers.

But Southville resident Nicola Round from Adblock Bristol, which campaigns against large-scale advertising in public, told BristolLive (the new name for the Bristol Post website) the screens are a “thinly-veiled way to push more unwanted corporate advertising into our public spaces”.

One Wedmore Vale resident also filed an objection to the council, saying: “The proposed installation intrudes into the street scene in a number of ways.

How it would look: A new InLink on proposed site in Wells Road It will be a distraction to the drivers of passing vehicles and will therefore be a safety hazard.

“It will impede the free flow of pedestrian movement which will be an annoyance. It will add to the visual clutter of the street which ideally should be just a view of the buildings and the people. It introduces advertisements, uninvited, into the lives of all passersby.”

How to help a child to learn to love reading VOLUNTEERS who love reading are being asked to share their enthusiasm with children in primary schools in South Bristol.

A charity, Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP), helps children to enjoy books and become fluent and confident readers. Volunteers usually work with pupils one-to-one.

“They invariably feel a sense of reward from knowing that by giving up a small amount of time they are contributing to pupils’

development and making a difference to their futures,” said the charity.

A quarter of all children leave primary school unable to read well, with 45 per cent of low-income white British boys faring particularly badly.

Sue Andresen, the South Bristol organiser for RSVP, can be contacted at sue.andresen@ rsvp-west.org.uk or call 01275 394134 or 07817 848290. rsvp-west.org.uk

Help to fund greener energy COMMUNITY groups are being invited to bid for grants of up to £10,000 from Bristol city council to help fund energy projects.

The Bristol Community Energy Fund has been providing funding since 2015 to help community groups reduce energy use and move towards cleaner and renewable energy sources.

Previous projects include energy-saving measures at a

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hostel for asylum seekers run by Bristol Hospitality Network.

To date, £223,869 has been awarded to 39 projects, with an extra £128,000 of loans to support three large-scale community wind and solar projects, This money will be repaid and then used to help other projects in the future.

The deadline is May 21. bristolcommunityenergy.co.uk

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n NEWS

BEDMINSTER GREEN

Developers inch closer to presenting a joined-up plan for Bedminster Green RESIDENTS living near Bedminster Green may learn more details of the proposals by five different developers to build up to 1,400 homes in the next few weeks.

The Voice understands that planning applications for one or more of the five major plots around the Green could be made between the middle of May and the middle of June.

There are also signs that the developers are working more closely together.

Residents complain that they are being told about only one plot at a time and have no chance to gauge how the whole development will look.

But the Voice has been told that a drawing, showing how the whole Green will look under the latest proposals, has been sent to

AFFORDABLE HOMES FROM ROLLO A NEW building has been proposed by Rollo Homes, adding to their nine-storey, 183-home proposal for the old Pring & St Hill factory site between Malago Road and the railway embankment.

An outline planning application has been made for 32 flats – all for “affordable” rent – and a gas-fired energy centre, on the triangular plot at the Sheene Road end of the site. Six to eight storeys high, it presents a tier of jutting balconies at the pointed end of the triangle. the council. There is no sign when the public will be allowed to see the overall plan – and no indication that the companies will mount a joint consultation.

The larger Rollo plan, for 183 flats, has been amended several times but does not appear to be close yet to being approved.

The new block, of 32 affordable homes, replaces Rollo’s plan to make 20 of the flats in the main block affordable. It means the proportion of social housing in the entire scheme of 215 homes will be 14.9 per cent. This is well below the council’s target of 40 per cent, but developers can argue that this goal would be too costly.

The energy centre proposed appears only to power the Rollo homes, not the rest of the Green.

Pointed: The triangular building

But the developers – Bristol firm Deeley Freed, Isle of Man-based Dandara, Bedminster’s Rollo Homes, Firmstone of Bath and Clifton-based Urbis – are now meeting regularly at a landowners’ forum, hosted by Bristol city council.

A new air quality assessment is being conducted for the whole of the Green, so that each new building can be considered alongside all the others.

The developers have also agreed to conduct joint studies on water and flood risks, and on overall transport impact.

Meanwhile the council has also appointed a new project manager to oversee the Green with more vigour.

It’s not clear how many of the estimated 1,400 homes across the Green will be affordable.

Plot 5 – which includes the

green itself and Bedminster railway station – can be expected to have 30 per cent affordable homes, because the land is council-owned and the council will insist on it (even though the council’s own target is higher, at 40 per cent). This plot will now be built by Dandara, with Urbis as development manager.

Dandara is also building Plot 4, near Little Paradise, and is expected to consult community groups soon. Its plan for a 22-storey tower is understood to have changed.

Plans by Deeley Freed, which will develop Plot 3, the NCP car park, are not far advanced, but it’s understood the firm will consult local groups.

It’s still not clear whether an energy centre will be built to supply heat and power to all the homes, or where it would be.

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HIGH-RISE BRISTOL

Backlash against drive for tall buildings NOT ONE but two campaigns have been launched against highrise living in Bristol.

The city’s Liberal Democrats have voiced serious concerns about the council’s new Urban Living proposals, which call for more skyscrapers in Bedminster as well as the city centre.

Meanwhile Kingswood resident Matthew MontaguPollock has launched the Bristol Campaign Against High Rises to combat a drive to tall buildings which he says would make Bristol “an entirely different city” in 20 years time.

Mr Montagu-Pollock has already addressed members of WHaM, the Windmill Hill community planning group, who are backing his campaign.

He said mayor Marvin Rees is “aggressively pushing a high rise agenda. It is completely wrong to launch such a major plan, which will fundamentally change our beautiful city, without the mayor

Your vote could win lottery cash for City Farm SUPPORTERS of Windmill Hill City Farm are being urged to vote for Lottery funding to help it inspire local families to cook healthy, affordable food.

The community-run farm in Philip Street, Bedminster, is one of five groups in the ITV West region in the running for a share of up to £150,000 of funding.

The new project, called Farm Flavours, was aired on the ITV West news on April 15 – but there is still time to vote for it.

Steve Sayers, chief executive at Windmill Hill City Farm, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to raise awareness and support for our work and, with your help, to secure further much-needed funding.

“We urge local people to get behind us. If successful, our project will make a real difference to our local community by providing healthy, fun, cooking sessions for families.”

Votes can be placed until April 30 at: thepeoplesprojects.org.uk

having mentioned it in his electoral campaign,” he said.

“Unless we act now, the city will be studded with second-rate tall buildings. There will be no going back. The nightmare of the 1970s will be repeated. Already the mayor is rushing head-on in the direction of making the city like Leeds – ugly clusters of high-rises.”

Meanwhile, a statement from the city’s Lib Dems says much the same: that tall buildings will harm the heritage of the city, and will not lead to an increase in rate of housing delivery.

“There are almost no examples of ‘liked’ tall buildings built in Bristol in the last century.

All the liked tall buildings are monuments of greater age,” said Cllr Arthur Negus.

“The [new buildings’] shiny cladding panels will be dull within a decade, and they will be regarded contemptuously within 15 years, but their great height

FIrst wave: This 24-storey, 375-home block, given permission next to Castle Park sets a precedent for more to come, says campaigner Matthew MontaguPollock and impact will blight the city’s views for generations,” he said.

Council estates with tower blocks are actually less dense than areas like Southville and Cotham where streets are no more than 4-5 storeys, he said; building tall means allowing plenty of open space nearby.

“As a counterexample, Paris is one of the densest cities in the world, but has not had a

skyscraper built since 1973; almost all buildings are 6-8 storey high there,” said Cllr Negus, who represents Cotham.

He believes the Bedminster Green proposals would include tall, thin buildings in order to avoid dominating their environs too much, but which could mean no extra units are delivered. sites.google.com/site/ bristolhighrisecampaign

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12

n NEWS

How will they charge keep-fit instructors to use our parks?

DOG WALKERS ONE DOG walker contacted by the Voice said she could see the logic of charging anyone who makes a profit out of using a public park.

“I would be willing in theory to pay a reasonable fee,” she said.

“But I wonder how the council will be able to distinguish the

THE COUNCIL’S RESPONSE THE VOICE asked the council for a detailed response to the concerns over charging dog walkers and fitness instructors – including whether officers had been photographing classes. We also asked about the other proposals for savings. A council spokesperson

Other savings for parks – no new cafés yet

This would be an ambitious timescale as the council hasn’t released the results of consultation on the proposals, and any changes would have to be discussed by the cabinet.

Mr Finch feels that getting people to exercise outdoors should be encouraged, and the council should instead be trying to make money from people who spoil the parks.

“They should be focused on people who take their dogs for a walk and leave their mess there, or people who leave litter, or those who cause vandalism or graffiti,” he said.

The council has the authority to make charges under current bye-laws. But it has never done so before and the scheme appears fraught with challenges.

Richard asks how the council can be sure it has identified all the instructors making use of

parks – and he says the same will apply to dog walkers.

He has been told fitness firms will be invited to meet council officials to discuss the scheme before it starts.

The council does not appear to be offering anything in return for the payments even though parks are littered with doog mess, broken glass and worse.

“I have to do a risk assessment every time I hold a class outdoors,” Mr Finch said.

“If we are going to pay, we would expect the area to be clean, and the grass to be cut.”

He also thinks firms paying to use parks should get the benefit of being allowed to advertise on park notice boards.

Mr Finch says he has support from other fitness instructors and running groups for his campaign against the charges. tinyurl.com/fitcharge

THE CHARGES proposed for dog walkers and fitness instructors are only a tiny proportion of the £632,000 savings needed in parks by April 2019.

The council wants to raise at least £120,000 a year by leasing out more cafés in parks.

Yet the café in Victoria Park – which under its old tenant, Mrs Brown’s, would have reopened by Easter – is still shut.

The council was unable to say when it would reopen.

However, the Voice understands that tenders for Mrs Brown’s and five other park cafés will be offered at the end of April – meaning that the new operators could not open until mid-June at least.

The lion’s share of new income – target £615,000 – is supposed to come from events in parks such as concerts, and fee-paying activities such as bouncy castles, adventure golf, car boot sales and even camping.

Only larger parks such as the Downs and Ashton Court would be suitable for most of these ideas, but Victoria Park is on the list for possible public events.

Shaun Hennessy, chair of Victoria Park Action Group, said VPAG would welcome more events there, as long as they didn’t cause too much disruption.

Advertising in parks was supposed to bring in £50,000 a year but, after protests, large adverts have been ruled out.

professional dog walkers from people who happen to be walking a couple of dogs.”

She also fears the responsible dog walkers – those who advertise, who have insurance, and who may also be licensed by the council for home dog-boarding – will be easy for the council to target. “There are

some people doing it under the radar who won’t be visible to the authorities,” she said.

“In any case, you don’t legally need any license or registration to walk other people’s dogs.”

The Voice has seen a copy of a draft code of conduct for Bristol dog walkers, drawn up by the

council in March. It would apparently be voluntary and would ask dog walkers to commit to have insurance, to clean up after dogs, for walkers to wear identification and to minimise the effect of walking multiple dogs to other park users. It makes no mention of any charges.

said: “The option to charge businesses operating in parks, such as dog walkers and fitness trainers, was looked at and we have been carrying out research to determine what businesses may already be operating in our parks. Advertising in parks is another option being considered.

“The council has considered

the response to the public consultation on the future of parks funding and recommendations are going to be put to the cabinet on May 1.

“If the cabinet does decide to go ahead with charging businesses operating in parks, we would seek to establish a system for this as soon as possible. As part of our

plans to increase income for parks, we will also be going through a fair and transparent procurement process to award concessions for some of our parks and green spaces. An open day is due to be held in May as part of this process and we will be providing further detail on this shortly.” tinyurl.com/parksavings

Dog walkers set to be targeted too A FITNESS instructor and personal trainer is starting a campaign against what he sees as unfair charges about to be imposed on people like him who hold their classes in parks.

Bristol city council wants to save £632,000 from its parks budget by April 2019 as part of plans to prune £2.9 million from parks costs by 2020.

A small part of the savings – about £55,000 – are expected to be made by charging businesses who make use of the parks to make money – namely fitness instructors and dog walkers.

Richard Finch, who lives in Southville and runs bootcamp exercise sessions in city centre parks at lunchtimes, say many questions have yet to be answered about how the scheme will work.

He has been told by a council official that fitness instructors will be charged between 5-10 per cent of their fees to the public.

He says the council have told him they have identified most or all of the fitness operators charging for services in parks – partly by looking for adverts, and partly by photographing the instructors in parks.

“As far as I’m aware they are going to be introducing these charges in May,” he said.

PARKS IN FOCUS

Richard Finch pictured holding an outdoor bootcamp which he says are for the public good, and cause no harm to parks

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May 2018

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n NEWS

HEALTH

Help others by sharing stories of loss and illness A CHARITY which supports people affected by lifethreatening illness is asking South Bristolians to share their stories of how it has helped them cope with sickness and bereavement.

Known as The Harbour, the charity has provided free professional counselling to thousands of people over the past 25 years.

To mark its quarter century it is inviting former clients to come together in a free informal

workshop in central Bristol on Thursday May 10 to tell their stories and share their experiences.

“There’s a triple aim to this day,’ says Sam Thomas, the charity’s chief executive and a South Bristol resident. ‘We want feedback from our clients to help us be as effective in our work as possible. We want to give them an opportunity to further heal from loss. And we think that their stories will enable us to engage more effectively with the

wider world – promoting services, campaigning and fundraising.’

One former Harbour client, Pat, from Knowle, will talk about using her writing skills to explore her experience of loss. “I don’t know how I would have coped with my husband’s illness and death without the support of The Harbour,” Pat said, ‘and I’m very keen to encourage other former clients to tell their stories.”

The workshop will be led by acclaimed poet and writer Claire

Williamson, who is also an experienced leader of workshops for bereaved people.

Costs of the workshop are being met by Macmillan Cancer Support, who work with The Harbour on a number of projects.

They and Comic Relief, another funder of Harbour, hope to have representatives participating in the workshop.

If you are a former Harbour client and would like to attend, call Colin on 0117 925 9348. the-harbour.org.uk

It’s time to talk about the menopause, and here’s where you can A NEW monthly event for women experiencing the menopause starts in May at Windmill Hill City Farm.

The Sunday morning sessions will enable women to meet and share their experience of something that is often not spoken about, even though every woman will go through it.

The sessions are being organised by Lauren Chiron, a health and business coach who specialises in menopause issues.

She will be working with the farm to help them develop a menopause policy for staff.

The menopause café follows an event run by Knowle resident and Voice writer Beccy Golding.

Beccy set up a menopause support group on Facebook in April 2015, called Quixotic Women In Menopause. “At that time there seemed to be very little information or support for women going through menopause,” said Beccy.

“The group was for women to ask questions, without feeling like they should know all the answers, let off steam, and share what worked for them. Since then the subject of menopause finally seems to be taken seriously – perhaps it’s because women in the media are reaching that point and wondering why no-one’s saying anything.”

Beccy set up a South Bristol Menopause Support Day held at the farm in December 2016, with talks from health professionals, nutritionists, yoga and mindfulness practitioners, and a chance to share tips and experiences.

“Then in November 2017 the local BBC approached me to make a film about menopause.

Lauren, my friend Rachel, and I sat in the Knowle pub and talked about our experiences. The week it came out we were also on Points West, Radio Bristol and even Radio Guernsey!

“Now that little film seems to turns up on the BBC website anytime menopause is mentioned, and has had many thousands of views. It’s only 60 seconds long and is a bit silly, but we’ve had amazing feedback, thanking us for talking about the subject. The Facebook group doubled in size overnight. We now have more than 400 members, in Bristol, the rest of the UK, and internationally too!”

The farm is donating the use of the room for free. The Menopause Café is at Windmill Hill City Farm from 10.30am12noon on the first Sunday of the month, starting Sunday May 6, and the event is free.

Watch the film: tinyurl. com/60secondmenopause

‘Hot, old and hyperactive’: the BBC clip of three Bristol friends talking about their menopause went viral

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n NEWS

May 2018

May 2018

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Shoppers urged to tear off ‘unneeded’ plastic wrapping from food in supermarkets SHOPPERS are being urged to make a stand against unnecessary plastic packaging in a campaign being led by South Bristol campaign group #onebyone.

Sunday April 22, known as Earth Day, has been selected by the campaigners to urge shoppers to visit supermarkets and leave behind plastic wrapping which they consider is excessive.

“The British public want shops to act faster on removing all the unnecessary single-use plastic packaging,” said campaigner and Voice writer Alex Morss.

“We are inviting shoppers everywhere to pay for their goods, and then rip off the plastic and leave it for the shops to deal with on Earth Day, instead of councils and tax payers paying for recycling and waste.

“The message is that we’ve all had enough of plastic pollution and we need to stop it at source, more urgently than we are seeing, as much as possible, instead of constantly relying on the goodwill of a minority.

“Less than half of plastic from shops is recycled. A truckload of plastic enters the sea every minute.”

The protest is being

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‘We are inviting shoppers to rip off the plastic’ announced in advance, Alex said: “The idea is we will warn the supermarkets in advance that shoppers will be saying no to the excessive plastic packaging on fruit and veg. That way they have time to make contingencies so they can recycle their own waste.”

Back in February, the Voice reported how Alex, Windmill Hill resident, qualified naturalist and the Voice’s nature correspondent, saw her own plastic protest against Sainsbury’s go viral.

Alex was outraged when she saw a coconut shrouded in plastic wrapping in a South Bristol branch of the supermarket.

She tweeted “How do you get away with calling this ‘organic’ @sainsburys?”

Within hours her post was being widely retweeted. Within two days, it had been featured in every national newspaper, and the story featured on most TV and national radio channels too.

It’s hoped the new campaign will attract support from Greenpeace and from celebrity campaigners. The anti-wrapping

action has already won attention in other towns and cities – a similar protest took place in Keynsham recently.

Facebook: @onebyone Twitter: @onebyoneBristol • Two Knowle inventors with ideas to cut plastic waste – page 22

DITCH THE WRAPPING – PEACEFULLY ANYONE wanting to join the #onebyone protest can follow the campaign by Twitter or Facebook.

Organisers stress the aim is to keep the direct action peaceful, and to be respectful of supermarket staff. Action will take

Over the top: A coconut doesn’t need extra wrapping beyond the one nature gave it, say protesters place at Sainsbury’s in Winterstoke Road, Ashton Gate, from 12-1pm on Sunday, April 22, and possibly at other supermarkets in South Bristol.

Shoppers will be encouraged to buy goods they consider have unnecessary plastic wrapping, pay for it, and then leave the packaging behind in the store.

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May Fair at Arnos Vale THE MAY Fair at Arnos Vale cemetery welcomes a host of craft and produce suppliers from Bristol and the West.

Suppliers include Bristol’s Ginger Beards Preserves with jams and sauces, and Boulton Spirit with a range of small-batch spirits, including gin, vodka and infused-liqueurs.

Josie’s Books will be there with a range of educational books for children, and Little Paisley Designs will be in the cemetery’s Spielman Centre with handmade gifts, jewellery, homewares and art prints featuring wildflower

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and British animal watercolour illustrations.

Other stalls include Do It Later Illustration, with their pineapple, sunshine and tropical prints, and Olive and Bell with a range of handmade baby bibs.

Plus much, much more….

The fair is on Sunday May 20 from 10am-4pm.

There is no parking at the cemetery for visitors, although the website shows where spaces can be found near Bath Road.

The local streets in Arnos Vale are for resident parking only. arnosvale.org.uk

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May 2018

southbristolvoice

16

n FEATURES

BRING ON THE BEES

Plant the best garden blooms to attract

May 2018

southbristolvoice

n FEATURES

17

BRING ON THE BEES

bees, butterflies and other animals

Any tiny Bristol eco-garden can beat the fancy flower shows.

Here, the Voice’s in-house naturalist Alex Morss tells you how …

W

E ARE about to be bombarded with the famous Chelsea Flower Show in May, along with a season of TV plant programmes and flamboyant, award-winning show gardens. Meanwhile, back in reality, most of us in South Bristol have a tiny yard, or just a windowsill and a buddleia growing out of the wall. And perhaps an overgrown allotment.

So here is a message to Bristol’s wildlife gardeners: chill with the mess. Wildlife loves it.

Take pride in the small things that you do in your modest space, because nature wasn’t meant to be packaged. Reject the temptation to aspire to any gaudy, heavily-marketed aesthetic that looks like a plant equivalent of Crufts, and instead embrace nature and function.

For this, you just need quality, not quantity, not neatness, and that means planting with ecology in mind.

A small, scruffy garden is often a useful one, giving wonderful surprises with all its

Attractive to wildlife: Corn marigolds make a show microhabitats for a wide range of wildlife, rather than just being for you. Wildlife planting will mean it supports part of our ecosystem and twinkles with the colour of butterflies and bees, while being a carnival of happy songbirds, waddling hedgehogs, dancing bats and dazzling dragonflies.

PLANT WITH A PURPOSE

W

e recently looked at the high value of tiny ponds, hedges for bats and birds, and welcoming hedgehogs, now this month it’s time to plant with a purpose.

For easy, low-effort sunny corners, choose drought-tolerant species that hardly ever need watering but are adored by pollinators, such as those adapted to dry sand, gravel,

Red and hairy: A red-tailed bumblebee on a poppy

limestone, Mediterranean or coastal habitats. Among these, the best nectar and pollen food providers include garden catmint, wallflower, rosemary, lavender, sea holly, viper’s bugloss, Salvia species such as sage and clary, thyme, alliums, wild basil, marjoram, fennel or wild carrot. If you’re on dense clay or have no space, you may wish to try pots, raised beds or a window box.

In Bristol, these particular plants will attract a range of Britain’s 25 bumblebee species, such as the brilliantly-named

FIND OUT MORE

Ideas on wildlife gardens from the RHS: rhs.org.uk/advice/ profile?PID=551

hairy-footed bumblebee, along with the garden bumblebee, buff-tailed, white-tailed and red-tailed bumblebees. The super-rich nectar will probably lure in at least a dozen or more of our native city butterfly and moth species too.

Whatever your aspect and soil, aim to include a range of flower colours and designs. Longtongued bees will favour flower tubes, while the short-tongued bees will struggle with those and appreciate shallow shapes.

White, blue and yellow flowers are particularly popular for

insects. Many butterflies, moths and non-specialist insects are drawn to a big landing platform, as is found in the versatile daisy family, with offerings such as spectacular sunflowers – great for bees and also finches – stunning knapweeds, ox-eye daisy, corn chamomile and globe thistle.

The nectar and pollen-rich pea family is fantastic too, especially lupin, wisteria, sainfoin, trefoils, vetches and clovers, all adored by pollinators.

Some other good general pollinator plants are phacelia, mint, borage, aquilegia and the

RSPB advice on planning a wildlife garden: rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/ advice/gardening-for-wildlife/ plants-for-wildlife

Can you trust the label on whether nursery-grown plants are good for pollinators? Advice here, along with useful plant lists: rhs.org.uk/science/

Discover nearby places

View from a hill: Stunning views waiting to be seen on the Skyline Walk

YOU CAN discover more of the natural attractions of our area during Bristol Walk Fest – the largest urban walking event in the UK – in May. Arnos Vale cemetery hosts several events, including a Boundaries Tour on Saturday May 12. This guided walk explores the wider reaches of the 45-acre woodland, with stories from the graves along the way.

A Spring Flowers Tour takes place at Arnos Vale on Saturday May 26, led by ecologist Mary Wood. Seasonal plants and

A mint moth feeding on catmint in a garden

native wildlife will be sought on the cemetery’s varied habitats, from grassland to woodland, on managed land and wild spaces.

If you fancy a wander by the river, the Friends of Avon New Cut, or Franc, offer a walk called Discovering Plants in Wild Places. It’s on May 12 and is led by botanist Dr Clive Lovatt from Bristol Naturalists’ Society. He will reveal a surprising variety of plant life on the banks of the River Avon and the New Cut. Franc also hosts a walk exploring the manmade

To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

A tree bumblebee on meadow crane’s bill

English crane’s-bills such as the gorgeous blue Geranium pratense.

There is a specialist native wildflower nursery up at Feed Bristol near Stoke Park, with profits going to Avon Wildlife Trust to support its nature reserves. Some garden centres also stock a few natives.

If you’d like to see butterflies, make sure you welcome them with the right food plants for their caterpillars - they are in fact fussy and need very specific leaves to munch, unlike in the children’s story books! A few conservation-biodiversity/ wildlife/perfect-for-pollinators The Wildlife Trusts also offer lots of good advice and ideas: tinyurl.com/y7tpa2yp

that you never suspected environment of the Cumberland and the Northern Slopes. Other Basin on Tuesday May 22. routes include the historic If you have never seen the Ashton Gatehouse, Bristol Street best views in South Bristol, join Art, Bristol’s Burning! – The 1831 the Bristol South Riots, and Whitchurch Skyline Walk on May 5.

Village. Times and This walk has its own locations are on the website: bssw.org.uk website, or you can find and stickers on out more by emailing lampposts (inset) to info@bristolwalkfest.

BS W show you the way. co.uk S Dozens of other Most walks are walks throughout May suitable for all ages traverse areas such as the Avon – the event is supported by Gorge, Hengrove nature reserve, Active Aging Bristol and Link Age. the River Malago, Dundry Hill, bristolwalkfest.com

Six-spot burnet on wild marjoram PHOTOS: Alex Morss

native grasses left to grow long are essential for many species such as skippers, meadow brown, ringlet, speckled wood, gatekeeper and wall butterflies. A nettle patch will attract egglaying red admiral, comma, peacock and small tortoiseshell.

You might even spot a giant woolly bear wriggling on the nettles – these are the funky hairy caterpillars of the garden tiger moth. Holly and ivy will bring you holly blues. To see many a child’s favourite, the elephant hawk-moth, plant some fuchsia – or just leave any willowherb ‘weeds’ and look out for awesome giant caterpillars.

Try to plant a feast for all seasons. Climbers, shrubs or a small tree will offer nesting space, shelter and a larder to insects, birds and bats. Aim for

berry plants and nutritious seeds for birds, such as rowan, crab, firethorn, hawthorn, sloe, honeysuckle, hazel, holly, field maple, buckthorn, ivy, spindle or barberry. These species provide lunch to several hundred species of caterpillars and flies, and other beneficial insects, including many pollinators. You may spot windfall apples and plums being gorged by peacock and red admiral in autumn too.

If you include night-scented plants such as honeysuckle, stock, tobacco plant or evening primrose you will attract moths.

And next time you spend an evening in the garden, look out for bats skydiving over your climbers, gleaning off the insects.

How many manicured show gardens can make claims that compare with that?

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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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BRISTOL gac EVERY Monday 2-4pm at Trinity-Henleaze URC but Moving from June 4th to Westbury-on-Trym Methodist Church from 1-3pm; also it’s FROME gac EVERY Monday 2-4pm at Holy Trinity Church in Frome; EVERY Tuesday it’s the WELLS gac from 2-4pm at the Seager Hall in Union Street; EVERY Wednesday YATE & CHIPPING SODBURY gac 2-4pm at St Mary’s Church, Yate; also EVERY Wednesday KEYNSHAM gac from 2-4pm at Keynsham Methodist Church; EVERY Thursday BATH gac from 2-4pm at Bath Central URC in Argyle Street; also EVERY Thursday afternoon THORNBURY gac from 2-4pm until May 24th and then 1-3pm from June 7th at Thornbury URC – And EVERY Friday 2-4pm at St Andrew’s Church, that’s our DEVIZES good afternoon choir in Wiltshire.

For full information see our website - www.goodafternoonchoir.org or call Nikki on 01761 472468 To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

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Please keep letters as short as possible, LETTERS and provide your postal address.

We need to make up our minds if we should park on pavements BATH council has just introduced an interesting experiment. They’ve taken a particular street and marked it up for pavement parking. I think that the loss of part of the pavement is a pity, but the up-side is that it introduces certainty into the situation. The centre of the roadway is left clear for ambulances and fire engines.

On the pavement there is a white line beyond which no vehicle should park. This particular pavement is fairly wide, so this leaves enough room for wheelchairs and double buggies.

The message is clear and enforcement straightforward.

Contrast this with the free-for-all in Bedminster. On many streets you have some cars on the pavement and some not.

Often this means that neither fire engines nor wheelchairs can get by. It only takes one vehicle to block passage.

Isn’t it about time that Bristol city council tried to bring some order to this chaos instead of just hoping that the problem will go away?

Ben Barker, Bedminster

Can anyone tell me what to do with my diesel?

IT WAS interesting to see in South Bristol Voice last month that Bristol looks likely to get a Clean Air Zone, and that it could include parts of South Bristol.

As it happens, I live just outside the green line on the

Write to paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk or to 18 Lilymead Avenue, BS4 2BX

fall, and the cleaner alternatives will be even more unaffordable.

If a charging zone comes in, I’ll be even more out of pocket.

Can anyone tell me what happens to people who have diesels who live inside the zone? Do they have to pay every time they drive away?

There’s a lot more we need to know before this Clean Air Zone plan is decided.

AG, Windmill Hill

Exhausted: Cars mean pollution council’s map for its ‘medium’ zone. But these plans can change, What if I find I am inside the border? What will I do then with my diesel car?

I admit I have a vehicle that is contributing more than it should to the poor air quality that is affecting all of us. It is shocking to read that in the streets around me, almost nine per cent of deaths are due to air pollution.

The thing is, I didn’t know my car was a killer when I bought it.

In fact, it’s not many years since we were being encouraged by politicians to buy diesel, because they use less fuel and so, by some measurements, they contribute less to climate change.

We now know that diesels chuck out more in the way of tiny particles which get into our lungs and cause untold damage, particuarly in young children.

I get all that. I don’t want to damage the environment or make other people ill. I use my car as little as possible (though more than I would if we had a decent bus service.) But for various reasons I can’t do wthout a car entirely.

I can’t afford to change it for a post-2016 model that is more environmentally-friendly.

Soon everyone will want to sell their pre-2016 diesels, and buy petrol or electric or hybrid cars. So the price of diesels will

Shame on Asda for jeopardising the community

People don’t choose a life of addiction I WANTED to write to congratulate South Bristol Voice on the article about Operation Baseline (On patrol: How the police tackle drug dealers on the streets of South Bristol, Voice, April 2018). It’s so refreshing to read an article about the real victims of drugs. I think users and dealers are the product of their circumstances and their environment. So often they have suffered abuse or neglect, or have made mistakes that they cannot escape from. It’s easy for the press and politicians to call for tough actions against drugs – as if the perpetrators have chosen a life of drug addiction.

It’s great to know that the police in Bristol have a sensitive policy. I really hope we can see more informed articles from the Voice in the future. We don’t need scaremongering, we need solutions.

Dan Taylor, Bedminster

THE NEWS that Asda has used its dominant position to kill off the vote for the Bedminster Business Improvement District (BID) shows their arrogant disregard for the local community of South Bristol.

Despite there being a large majority of support (nearly 70 per cent) for the BID from traders in East, North and West streets, due to Asda’s size, its ‘no’ vote means that the second requirement for a successful vote – a majority of the rateable area – can not be met.

The words Asda use on their own website to indicate how they ‘value’ and ‘support’ local communities ring very hollow and seem to be little more than meaningless marketing spin when their actions are completely contrary to supporting the local community. In one action, Asda has seriously jeopardised local INTERESTING idea in the events including Upfest and the last Voice for Bristol to have a Bedminster Winter Lantern network of cable cars. I can’t Parade – both supported by really see it working, but it does significant funding from the BID. sound more practical than an Shame on Asda. underground system presently As someone who has shopped priced at £4.6 billion, and sure to in Asda, as well as in our smaller cost much more.

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FEATURES

THE STORY OF BOCABAR

How to turn an empty warehouse into

May 2018

FEATURES

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B

‘If we stayed stagnant customers would get bored’: Bocabar built its name on fine pizza and a relaxed vibe

Paul and Mel: ‘Bristol is full of amazing food places – we can’t stand still’

known live music venue) and have always been mates. But then went our separate ways,” says Mel. She lived in Camden in

‘We’d have to move all the stock in, and then out again, each weekend’

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London, working for Tumi (shops selling fair trade crafts and music from Latin America). Later she taught English to foreign students in Bristol, and then in Brazil, for three years. In 2000 she got involved in her first restaurant – Bocanova, on Colston Street in Bristol.

Paul went a different way. “I ran a conflict resolution charity, Safer World. First in Bristol, on Colston Street, and then in London. I did that for 16 years and then worked for the United Nations development programme in Geneva.

“Then, in 2009, I was lucky enough to meet Mel and get drawn into the restaurant trade!” he chuckles. Paul was working away but coming home every other weekend to see his kids. He and Mel reconnected through his cousin. “I was living in Geneva,” Paul says, “but wanted to be close to my kids, and Mel. I’d had enough of travelling and living out of a suitcase.” The couple were married in 2014.

It was a full 10 years since Mel had set up Bocabar. “Paintworks was pretty empty. We were one of the first two or three businesses here,” Mel says. “The developers asked us down. They found us through Bocacina (the pizza place which is now A Cappella on Wells Road) – they ate our sandwiches!

They planned to put on exhibitions and asked if we wanted to do coffees and teas.”

But Mel (and her previous partner) felt they could do more.

“It was an empty warehouse. We put together a proposal for a bar and food facility – we felt the area was crying out for it. In 2004 we opened, weekends only.

We’d have to move everything in – all the stock – and out again each week. It was an exciting time,” says Mel. The couple are full of high praise for Ashley Nicholson – one of the directors of Verve, the firm which owns the Paintworks site – not only a philanthropist but a nice guy to boot, they say. Says Mel, “Verve thought putting in a bar was quite risky. They paid half of our first set up costs, to support us.”

“The idea behind Bocabar was simple,” continues Mel. “I’d had the Bocanova restaurant in Colston Street, and then Bocacina on Wells Road from 2003. I decided to put them together – restaurant and pizza. I believe we were one of the first places in Bristol to do pizza like we do – artisan, using sourdough, with interesting toppings.

“The name goes back to my Brazilian days – I lived there, spoke Portuguese, my children are half Brazilian – I had a strong connection – in fact the first menus at Bocanova were half in Portuguese. Boca means mouth, and the sound of it works, it’s a good prefix. It’s a foodie word, and the letters are round – so it looks good too.

“The menus at Bocabar now still have that influence – the pizza names are Brazilian footballers, or places, or have

To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

THE STORY OF BOCABAR

the social hub of thriving Paintworks

Paintworks is the bustling live-and work business centre on Bath Road. But when founder Mel arrived in 2004, it was rather different, finds Beccy Golding OCABAR, the big bar and pizza restaurant at Paintworks on Bath Road, is owned by Mel and Paul Eavis.

Mel and Paul grew up in Glastonbury; they’ve been friends since they were 18. “We met at the Rifleman’s Arms (a well-

21

other Brazilian connections – they all have a meaning.

“We’ve always tried to be a place that appeals to a cross section – from mums and kids of all ages, to business or family events,” says Mel, “everyone feels they can be here and relax. We’re welcoming and open to all people – that’s important.”

The vision has remained the same but “we are always updating, keeping people interested. We started our pizza seasonal specials a couple of years ago, and have a new special every month. If we stayed stagnant customers would get bored. Bristol is so full of amazing food places – we can’t stand still, we have to keep up – and we’re open to ideas.”

Paul adds “We installed a new pizza oven recently.”

And they are proud of their environmental credentials: “We were one of the first places to stop using plastic straws, and none of our waste goes to landfill.”

“At the moment we’re involved in the Bristol Eating Better and Sugar Smart campaigns, run by the council –

we achieved their Gold Award in September last year,” continues Mel, “it’s something we keep in mind all the time, and incorporate with our new head chef in menu planning.”

“It’s good working together” they say, almost in unison, “it works well.”

“Obviously there are things we are better at,” says Mel, “Paul is good at structuring, details, accounting; I’m the lead on ideas, how things look, décor, and working with food campaigns. I enjoy connecting with the Bristol food scene.” “And I have more of a role with music events in Glastonbury,” says Paul. “But we do everything – both of us!” finishes Mel. In 2013 they opened a second Bocabar in Glastonbury. Paul explains, “We live in Glastonbury, and were involved in the development of a community building. It was the old Clarks and Morelands site.” “My mum, who passed away last year, used to work at Morelands – a sheepskin and leather tannery,” says Mel. “The building was derelict for 30 years,” continues Paul, “they tried to demolish it and squatters moved in to save it. We supported it with pop-up bars and café fundraisers. They wanted us to have a space.” The Red Brick Building in Glastonbury is now a thriving community hub. “It’s more complicated than Paintworks – we are part of the building,” Paul

says. “And we’re interested in working that way,” says Mel, “I’m involved in some of the arts groups and Paul is on the board – his background of diplomacy is very useful!”

Between them the couple have four children. Paul’s older two, Tom and Ollie, and Mel’s Tess, are all in their early 20s, and have all worked at Bocabar. “Tess is taking it more seriously, as a career, taking it forward.”

Sixteen-year-old Thalia is yet to step behind the bar.

Talking of family, Paul’s uncle is Michael Eavis. “I was brought up in Pilton, we lived next to the farm. I used to go to all the Glastonbury festivals – and the years when it wasn’t on but people still turned up. The music scene was very much part of my upbringing, and I’m involved in the festival now. Me and my cousin do the official merchandise – the t-shirts.

Outpost: The Red Brick Building, a community hub in Glastonbury Michael is very supportive of the Red Brick Building.”

“Secretly we’d like to open another Bocabar,” says Mel. “Sometimes we think it’s a good idea, sometimes it seems too much like hard work,” adds Paul.

“It would be about finding somewhere like here, a new patch, bringing something to life that is needed in the community,” says Mel, “we’re looking all the time, but very casually.”

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

May 2018

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May 2018

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23

NEWS

NEWS

Help me cut waste in the fast food world AN ENTERPRISING student from Knowle has come up with a product he hopes will help slash the waste of single-use plastic which is doing so much to poison the planet.

Josh O’Hara, 19, from St Martin’s Road, hasn’t yet finished the first year of his business degree at Cardiff university.

His idea is called Squish – a range of long-lasting plastic containers that squash to less the half their size when not in use.

They come in different sizes with options such as cutlery stored in the lid, and compartments for different courses, sauces or extras. Josh

believes that not only will they make it easy for people to take home-cooked food to eat for their lunch – likely to be healthier than a takeaway – they could also revolutionise the world of fast food.

His dream is to make a deal with a big name in the fast food world to enable people to walk in with a Squish container and walk out with it filled with their favourite food – completely free of disposable packaging.

“These days we can walk into a coffee shop and do it for coffee – why not for on-the-go food?”

Josh said.

He’s asking anyone who likes the idea to back him in a public vote for Voom 2018 – a competition to find the best new business ideas run by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin group.

If he gets enough votes, he could get to the semi-final, and then a chance to pitch to Sir Richard at the final, where £1 million investment is on offer.

“There’s nothing like this available from major manufacturers,” Josh told the

AND SAM’S ON TV ANOTHER South Bristol inventor is also hoping to see his anti-waste packaging idea take off. Sam Hearn, of Somerset Road, Knowle, showed the Voice his prototype Shake’n’Store food containers in September 2015. Now they are on sale online – and Sam was set to be featured on a Channel 4 show about inventors, Buy It Now, on April 18. We’ll update you on how Sam got on next month. shakenstore.com Josh shows off Squish – his squashable food containers Voice. That’s why he is currently trying to protect his prototypes from copycats.

He’s already won investment in a competition for entrepreneurs, called Spark, at Cardiff university.

He’s also spreading the word by winning the support of food

bloggers, sports professionals and others he hopes might support his idea.

He’s also approached fitness icon Joe Wicks, and food blogger Deliciously Ella, who he hopes will try Squish and then endorse it.

If you’d like to back Josh’s Squishy invention in the Voom business awards, go to tinyurl.com/squishjosh

Curry night funds are taken to India Rev Brendan Bassett with blankets given out to slum dwellers in the city of Tenali More pictures from the trip on the Voice website

MEMBERS of Victoria Park Baptist church have returned from a journey to India where they supported anti-poverty projects and their fellow Christians in one of the poorest parts of the country.

Led by minister Brendan Bassett, they gave out blankets to slum dwellers, helped bring medical care to leprosy sufferers, and paid for wells to be dug in and around Tenali, a city in Andhra Pradesh.

One of the churchgoers, Beverley Chapman, took with her funds raised by wellwishers at a packed-out Comedy and Curry night held at Redcatch community centre in March. The event was organised by Bev’s daughter, Voice sales manager Ruth Drury, and raised £1,000.

The funds helped pay for vital help for leprosy sufferers, who live in isolation and may only be able to get their sores dressed by a doctor every few months.

The party also contributed to

Road lessons LESSONS from the ravaging of Totterdown in the 1960s to make way for a ring road that was never built are part of the purpose of The Road Project.

All are welcome at the events held in the Totterdown Centre – entered via the alley next to 144

Wells Road– which have already looked at how to plan a good city.

On Sunday April 28 from 10am-1pm the subject is community, drawing on stories of people who have moved in and out of Totterdown since the 1960s. On May 5, the topic is what it means to live in a city, looking at the 1960s plans.

Facebook: Totterdown Road

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a new orphanage for up to 50 tribal children who otherwise wouldn’t get educated.

“It a huge privilege and very humbling to meet these people,” Beverley told the Voice. It was an emotional experience as she was traveling for the first time without her husband Rod, who died unexpectedly last year.

“The local priest, Jean Paul Pinapati, said some of the leprosy sufferers recognised me as Sister Beverley and were wondering where Brother Rod was!

“It’s nice that they know that there is someone out there in the big world – not me particularly, but someone who cares about them,” she said.

In memory of Rod, Beverley also contributed funds herself to two projects.

One is a well in a rural district which often floods in winter.

The other was repairs to a church where the cracks in the walls were so big that monkeys were getting in!

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May 2018

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24

BRISTOL ARC UPDATE

From Bristol Animal Rescue Centre

May 2018

southbristolvoice

BRISTOL ARC UPDATE

25 From Bristol Animal Rescue Centre

Find out why the work of Bristol ARC is so important

and how you can give an unwanted pet a new home

Oliver‘s story shows how much can be achieved with a sick, neglected animal

Cat owners – get your pet chipped, free

E

O

LIVER arrived just before Christmas, after being found as a stray in Bristol. Oliver’s body condition was extremely shocking and he was immediately assessed by our team in our clinic. Oliver was severely underweight and was suffering from a chronic skin condition. As the photo shows, his paws were extremely inflamed, making walking and moving around difficult.

Oliver received treatment from our veterinary team for his skin condition before moving over to our Rehoming Centre

‘ ... If the cat isn’t chipped then the chances of reuniting the animal with their owners is slim’

Oliver looked like this when he arrived at the ARC, very ill indeed ... where staff concentrated on building up his food intake slowly. This helped him gain condition and strength. Oliver was monitored by our veterinary

The Oxford is sponsoring ... KARA Kara hasn’t had the best start in life – she is scared of numerous things the world presents her with, but with a lot of TLC and confident doggy friends she has really come out of her shell. Once Kara gets to know you she becomes very loving, playful Kara: A crossbreed aged 1-3 and trusting of you.

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... but he is fit and well now and has been helping out on reception team throughout his stay and was given a lot of love and affection by all who met him. He spent his days snoozing behind reception, in a safe environment where he was showered with strokes and the odd treat! Oliver proved to be a loving and friendly boy despite the difficult circumstances which brought him to our doors.

Ollie fast became a staff favourite, and he enjoyed going out on walks and meeting members of the public over the counter. His body condition slowly improved and he regained

his lost weight. At the end of March, the happiest of days arrived, when we waved Oliver goodbye with his new family – he’s set for a life full of love and all of the happiness that he deserves.

Oliver is just one of the thousands of animals that we care for, every day of the year.

This is only possible thanks to your support. Head on over to our donation page if you’d like to make a difference to animals like him: bristolarc.org.uk/getinvolved/donate/donate

Our advertisers are sponsoring animals needing a home at Bristol ARC. To find out more about these dogs and cats, call 0117 977 6043 or visit bristolarc.org.uk The Voice is giving 40% of their fees to the charity, totalling £140

VERY year, over a quarter of a million animals are lost. Microchipping gives a pet the best chance of being identified and reunited with its owners.

RSPCA figures revealed that 87 per cent of cats taken into care nationwide in 2017 were not chipped – meaning that finding their owners is almost impossible.

Unlike dogs, where the law states that they must be chipped, microchipping is entirely optional in cats.

Each microchip is slightly smaller than a grain of rice and is inserted under the cat’s skin

Happy reunion: Only one in eight cats is microchipped – just between the shoulder blades. The procedure is simple and quick, and once the microchip is inserted, the cat is completely unaware of its presence. The chip holds vital information to track the cat’s owners – this information is stored on a secure database.

To help increase the likelihood of happy family reunions, Bristol ARC is offering free cat microchipping

throughout 2018. Each cat chipped could be in with the chance of winning a goodie bag.

Dr Mandy Stone, Bristol ARC’s veterinary manager, said: “In 2017, 352 stray cats arrived at our doors, and of these only 15 per cent had microchips! We really hope that cat owners across Bristol take this opportunity to get their feline friends chipped by our veterinary team as soon as possible. You

don’t have to be a client of ours and it’s completely free. There are no catches.”

Dr Stone added: “Often cats can stray very far from home or have been lost for some time, and in these cases if the cat isn’t chipped then the chances of reuniting the animal with their owners is very, very slim.”

The Facebook page Lost and Found Pets in Bristol/South Glos was set up six years ago with the aim of reuniting lost pets with their owners. Nowadays the group has 26,000 members.

Group founder Michelle Pibworth said: “Although our community is brilliant at spreading the word and reuniting lost animals, it is much quicker and easier if they are chipped!”

The free microchipping offer is open to any Bristol cat over four months of age. Owners can call 0117 972 4567 to arrange a free appointment.

Fox & West is sponsoring ... QUINCE

Sully Cycles is sponsoring ... PADDY

Quince is a very handsome, independent cat who can be very inquisitive and curious of things. He is extremely friendly when he gets to know you and loves a head scratch or two! He would be best in a home without children, dogs or other cats.

Quince: A male cat aged 3-6

Paddy is an affectionate dog who enjoys sitting on his blanket with his toys and doesn’t like to share them with other dogs. He has good basic obedience and walks well on his lead. He’s related to a working breed which chases livestock, so Paddy: Crossbreed aged 6-10 he can’t be let off the lead.

Fox & West delicatessen | 0117 300 9086 172 Wells Road, Bristol BS4 2AL

Sully Cycles | 0117 980 3337 306 Wells Road, Bristol BS4 2QG

Sully CYCLES

• WANT TO LEARN HOW TO FIX YOUR BIKE? • Maintenance for beginners, 12noon, Saturday September 9 – £15.00 Just call to book a place.

All4Paws is sponsoring ... MILO

South Bristol Lettings is sponsoring... SKYE

Ocean is sponsoring ... DAVE

Matthews is sponsoring ... ODIE

Milo is a really friendly, affectionate boy who loves nothing more than to sit on your lap. Once he has had his cuddles, he can be very active and playful until the time he wants to snuggle up on your lap again! Milo would prefer not to live with dogs or other cats.

Skye is an older husky with plenty of energy who tends to act a lot younger than she is. Going for a long walk is her favourite thing, but she also enjoys a good cuddle. Skye is looking for an active home where people have time to spend with her every day.

Dave is a friendly young lurcher puppy who is looking for an experienced home with knowledge of his breed and of owning puppies.

Dave will need owners who can work slowly on leaving him on his own and be aware he values his food and toys highly.

Odie is a friendly, playful and affectionate young dog who still acts like a puppy in many ways. He is toy-motivated, which will be useful when training. Odie can be a little nervous of new things and traffic, so will require an active but understanding home.

Milo: A cat aged 3-6 years

All4Paws | 07890 311279 info@all4pawsbristol.co.uk

Skye: Husky aged 6-10 years

South Bristol Lettings | 07470 697 669 enquiries@southbristollettings.co.uk

To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664 ALL4PAWS Aug 2011.indd 1

30/06/2011 15:43

Dave: Puppy is fond of toys

Ocean estate agents | 0117 977 3238 321 Wells Road, Bristol BS4 2QB

306 Wells Road, Knowle BS4 2QG 0117 980 3337

Odie: Male lurcher, 1-3 years

Matthews estate agents | 0117 971 1417 298 Wells Road, Knowle BS4 2QG

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

May 2018

southbristolvoice

26

n PLANNING APPLICATIONS 378 Wells Road, Knowle BS4 2QR Non-material amendment for permission 17/02826/F: Conversion from doctors’ surgery (Use class D1) to four apartments (Use class C3) with alteration and extensions, parking, refuse store and cycle racks. Now proposed: alteration to layout of flats. Pending consideration 10 Airport Road, Knowle BS14 9TA Demolish existing structure and build single storey rear extension. Pending consideration 426 Wells Road, Knowle BS14 9AF Creation of annex within building, with roof and window changes. Pending consideration 426 Wells Road, Knowle BS14 9AF New doorway to front elevation and creation of an annex within building. Refused 4 St Agnes Gardens, Knowle BS4 2DQ Two storey side and single storey rear extension.

Pending consideration InLink (phone box site) outside Cash Generator, Wells Road, Knowle Freestanding unit containg two InLink terminals with LED screens, providing ultrafast WiFi and other community services, and removal of two BT payphones. Pending consideration Victoria Park, Nutgrove Avenue, Windmill Hill Details in relation to condition 2 (Construction management plan), 3 (Highways), 4 (Tree

protection), 5 (Arboricultural), 7 (Landscape) and 9 (Signage) of planning permission 17/03958/ FB. Granted 41 Imperial Walk, Knowle BS14 9AD New dwelling with access, screening, parking, landscaping and associated works. Pending consideration Open Space (Northern Slopes), Glyn Vale Variation of conditions 2 (Arboricultural work) and 15 (List of approved documents) for permission 17/03959/FB: Improvements to walking and cycling route. Now proposed: minor realignment to the approved path route to avoid disturbing Japanese knotweed, to result in the felling of four additional trees. Granted Open Space (Northern Slopes), Glyn Vale Details in relation to conditions 2 (Construction management plan), 3 (Highway works), 4 (Tree protection) and 6 (Further details) of permission 17/03959/ FB: Improvements to walking and cycling route, involving widening 120m of existing 2m wide path to 3m; 315m of new 3m path; intelligent LED lighting operating at standard brightness until 7pm, dimmed to 30% level until 10pm, then switched off until 5.30am. Two k-frame barriers at entrances. Granted 43 Beaconsfield Road, Knowle BS4 2JE Rear and side dormer extensions and insertion of front roof lights. Granted 51 Stoneleigh Road BS4 2RH Single-storey rear extension.

Refused

Knowle, Totterdown, Windmill Hill

17 Langham Road, Knowle BS4 2LJ Two-storey side extension to create kitchen/ dining/living space downstairs, and bedroom and ensuite upstairs. Conversion of attic to create a new bedroom, including alteration in roof level. Granted subject to conditions 14 Eldon Terrace, Windmill Hill BS3 4NZ Demolition of single garage and erection of three and two storey, 2-bed house. Withdrawn 32 Knowle Road, Totterdown BS4 2ED Demolition of conservatory and replacement with balcony and stair to garden level. Pending consideration 47 Jubilee Road, Knowle BS4 2LR Conversion of a single dwelling house (Use class C3) into two 1-bed flats (Use class C3), with a three storey extension to rear. Pending consideration 40 Ravenhill Road, Knowle BS3 5BP Loft conversion including hip to gable and rear roof extensions. Granted 40 Ravenhill Road, Knowle BS3 5BP Demolition of garage, new garage as side extension to house. Granted subject to conditions Filwood Park, Hengrove Way Details in relation to condition 9 (Landscape and Nature conservation) of permission 17/00684/M and outline approval 12/00352/P for 150 homes and a new park.

(Major application). Granted

18 Park Street, Totterdown BS4 3BL Single storey rear extension to extend beyond the rear wall of the house by 3.6m, of maximum height 3.1m with eaves 2.7m high. Granted 28 St Martin’s Road, Knowle BS4 2NG Single storey rear extension to extend beyond the rear wall of the house by 4m, of maximum height 3.9m with eaves 2.2m high. Granted 58 Kensal Road, Windmill Hill BS3 4QU Single storey rear extension. Granted subject to conditions Telecoms installation, Knowle Water Tower, Talbot Road, Knowle Replacement of three antennas with three upgraded antennas on existing poles. Granted subject to conditions 3 Balmain Street, Totterdown BS4 3DB Single storey rear extension. Pending consideration

May 2018

n NEWS WIN tickets to Vegfest Bristol ONE OF the biggest events for vegans and vegetarians in the UK is coming to Ashton Gate stadium on May 26-27.

There are cookery demos, a pizzeria, 18 caterers and more than 200 stalls offering all kinds of advice and plant products.

Evening entertainment is led

by DJ Judge Jules, supported by Don Letts. There’s comedy and lots of other music too.

Daytime stars include strongman Patrik Baboumian, marathon runner Fiona Oakes and activist Earthling Ed. We have a VIP ticket for two adults to give away for Saturday, worth £54, including a VIP hospitality area, vegan goodie bag and priority access. To win, tell us: Who is the headline DJ at Vegfest Bristol? Answers by May 14 to paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk or 18 Lilymead Avenue, BS4 2BX with address and phone number.

southbristolvoice

Kids unplugged AS A CURTAIN-raiser to the autumn art trail on Windmill Hill, organisers are staging a day of performance workshops for children and young people.

On Sunday June 2, Windmill Hill community centre will host free poetry, music and

FOUR pupils from Cleve House school in Knowle are looking forward to competing in the semi-finals of a prestigious schools quiz competition.

The Cleve House team of Yusuf Qasi, Stanley Williams, Isabella Norman and Zane Genge won through at the regional heat of the Key Stage 2 General Knowledge Inter-School Quiz.

They competed against six independent schools including

Former City of Bristol College, Marksbury Road BS4 5EY Non-material amendment to permission 16/02933/M following outline permission 12/05581/P: 75 new dwellings and car park.

(Major application). Now proposed: remove curved steps on southern boundary, amend hard landscaping and change a number of front door panels.

Pending consideration

Step into summer...

ATTIC ALERT

Call Jeff on 0785 6065463 Visit our website at www.atticalertservices.co.uk or e-mail atticalertservices@yahoo.co.uk

www.doorexpresssouthwest.co.uk

To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

Cleve House headmaster Craig Wardle said: “What an achievement. The junior children enjoy a fun general knowledge quiz each Friday and that has obviously stood them in good stead. We are very proud!”

The FREE Wellbeing Day will offer people aged 55+ living with and beyond cancer, their carers and supporters, the opportunity to try a variety of fun activities including Tai Chi, Seated Zumba Gold and Walking Sports.

The day will also include stall holders, speakers, complimentary therapies, refreshments and a healthy lunch.

Maximise the potential under your own roof!

YOU GET

Bristol Grammar, Clifton High, QEH and hosts Badminton.

When told that the team was going to compete again, Zane beamed from ear to ear, saying “Wow, I’m so proud of the Cleve House team and feel so excited!”

Thursday 17th May 2018 10:30am - 14:45pm Hengrove Park Leisure Centre, BS14 0DE

You’ve already got it -

£299

The Cleve House quiz team who have won through to the semifinal at the Paragon School, Bath, on April 28

Step into summer with the Macmillan Prevention and Re-enablement Project.

• The status of these applications may have changed since we went to press. Check for updates at planningonline.bristol.gov.uk

• 53 square feet (5 sq m) of usable floor area • A fully fitted deluxe smooth glide aluminium loft ladder • professional installation, inclusive of all cost

juke box staged one year by local indie rock group Small!” said one of the organisers.

Last year saw the first pre-trail unplugged concert staged by adults. This year’s event is similar, but is for young people. For details, call 07387 678466 or email juniornearlyunplugged@ virginmedia.com

Quiz team wins place in semi

Need more space?

FOR ONLY

performance workshops led by experienced teachers, followed by an end-of-the-day show.

Held every October, Art on the Hill shows off the talent of up to 100 artists and 50 singers, musicians, poets and performance artists in venues across the hill.

“It’s impossible to forget the amazing living

27

South Bristol Macmillan Wellbeing Day for Over 55s

Booking is essential so please call 0117 353 3042.

Kindly supported by Hengrove Park Leisure Centre.

LinkAge Network is the working name of LinkAge West of England Ltd. Charity No. 1143816 in England and Wales.

Company No. 07403291.

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

May 2018

southbristolvoice

28

May 2018

southbristolvoice

n THE MAYOR

INVITATION

T

CJ Hole Southville invite you to accept our offer of a free sales or lettings valuation.

MARVIN REES Mayor of Bristol

Have your say on the future for the city centre’s public spaces HIS month saw the introduction of the Government’s Soft Drink Industry Levy, meaning producers of sugary drinks will now pay a levy. Many companies have already begun to reduce the sugar content in their products which may help consumers to make healthier choices. It is good that we are starting to see serious national action on this issue. In Bristol we have already been working hard to make sure people know what is in their food and drinks.

Through our Sugar Smart campaign, which we launched last year in partnership with the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation, we have been working with partners from around the city to raise awareness about how much sugar is in our food and drinks. The levy will help to get the programme’s message

across, that too much sugar is proven to be bad for your health. I’d like to thank all the organisations who’ve been helping us to spread the message for their support as we continue to promote health and wellbeing.

I was pleased that Cllr Helen Holland, my cabinet lead for adult social care, brought a report to our cabinet meeting on our Better Lives approach to social care. The paper set out how we’re tackling the well-documented national crisis in social care at a local level in Bristol. This comprehensive programme, not just papering over the cracks, is systematically transforming the way care is delivered in Bristol. Historically, Bristol

When you register with Highcroft Veterinary Hospital and Surgery

Come and meet our friendly vet team!

To arrange an appointment, please telephone the office or call in personally.

If you have instructed another agent on a sole agency and/or sole selling rights basis, the terms of those instructions must be considered to avoid a possible liability to pay two commissions.

615 Wells Road, Whitchurch Bristol BS14 9BE

MEDIUM SOUTH WEST

t: 0117 963 4373 southville@cjhole.co.uk With 17 offices covering Bristol, Gloucester and Somerset

OPENING HOURS Monday - Friday 9am - 7pm Saturday 9am - 5pm

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relied on the use of residential care much more than comparative cities. This is a very expensive approach, so strengthening the community offer (known as social prescribing) and stabilising the home care market, including raising the hourly rate we pay, means reductions in admissions to residential homes are beginning to pay off.

We have also launched a consultation on proposals to improve Bristol city centre. This City Centre Framework consultation is asking for views on how people access and move around the city centre, the size and shape of new development and how the public spaces could be enhanced. Bristol’s city centre has changed dramatically over the years so to ensure it continues to be successful we need to be proactively shaping its development.

Easing congestion and connecting the city are two main focuses, alongside supporting retail and creating inclusive and safe spaces.

There are many demands which need to be balanced to meet the needs of everybody living, working and visiting there. Therefore it is important many people have a say in the framework. The consultation runs until May 14, with a survey available on our website.

Hard copies are available in libraries and the Citizen Service Point at 100 Temple Street. bristol.citizenspace.com/growthregeneration/city-centre-framework/

FREE FIRST CONSULT FOR NEW CLIENTS* Highcroft Veterinary Hospital and Surgery 01275 832410

268 North Street, Southville, Bristol BS3 1JA

29

Open 7 days a week

Book your appointment with us today!

Highcroft Veterinary Hospital and Surgery is a trading name of CVS (UK) Limited: a company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 03777473. Registered office: CVS House, Owen Road, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4ER Terms and conditions* Please present this advert to reception on arrival. One pet per consultation. This offer applies to the consultation fee only. This offer does not include any other services, any medication prescribed or products purchased which are chargeable and must be paid in full. The offer has no other monetary value. No cash alternative. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or scheme, including The Healthy Pet Club.

SA027 18

The Multi Award Winning Agent

To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

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

May 2018

southbristolvoice

30

n COLUMNS In witch I am irritated

I

HAVE a special voice that only comes out when I am calling for Scrappy Little Dog. It is a very high pitched, almost operatic “Scraaaapppppyyyyyy”. As soon as it leaves my lips I am irritated, I grate on myself! But I cannot use any other voice. If I go deeper the volume reduces. She is usually far away (trotting behind another family begging to be adopted); there is no way she can hear me even if she wanted to.

I was chatting to Evil the other day and said “I’m just gonna give Nana a call” followed by a sharp intake of breath and my hand covering my mouth in utter disgust. I said ‘gonna’. I hate that word and all the others like it, godda, wanna, bovver. The loss of

Who is the Wicked Witch?

She’s the one talking to her dog in a way only the two of them understand

THE WICKED WITCH OF KNOWLE

the letter ‘T’ and the shortening of sentences saddens me and this loss is slowly enveloping my own speech, which is irritating.

Although not as irritating as standing behind someone in a café or bar and hearing them say “Yar, can I get an expresso with a shot of vodka on the side?”. Can I get? No. You cannot jump over the bar and get it because that would be wrong, so why ask?

Of course I think I am very funny and often recite my hilarious stories to friends and family. Just lately I have noticed the odd friend glazing

n PICTURES

over, staring into the middle distance and nodding absentmindedly. I chatter on, laughing at my own funniness, when my irritated self nudges me and whispers “You have already told this story”. I stop and ask them if it is true? It usually is. One friend told me sadly that it was the third time I had told her that story. I was immediately irritated with myself and slightly worried.

Did you see the review I wrote last month? The last two paragraphs were particularly well written. I merrily copied and pasted said review into an email to my Editor herein and pressed send.

What I did not do was check it. If I had read it through I would have realised that words were missing – those two brilliant paragraphs that took ages to pen were not included. Alas I did not check. I yawned, stretched and went for a

Down on the Farm News from Windmill Hill City Farm with Beccy Golding

lie down. Much later, after deadline, I had a look at what I had sent and screamed with irritation at myself.

But there are a couple of darling people who never irritate me. They are both in their 90s. I pick up Mr Darling in my car so he can get to art group – his knees are not as good as they used to be. Mr Darling is always immaculately dressed, sporting a tie and a crisply ironed shirt. He never complains and has a naughty twinkle in his eye. Mrs Darling is feisty and forever laughing as she pushes him out of the door. She runs a tight ship with her neat house and colourful garden. They are a joy.

Me and Mr Darling were chatting about old friends when Mr Darling sighed. Looking out of my doggy nose-slimed car window, he said that he didn’t have a friend left in the world apart from me. Now that warmed my irritated soul.

Bumps

I’ve been bumping into city farms all my life. As a child I attended a

31

BIRD LIFE ... AND THE TOTTERDOWN EGG-ROLL

Looking down Britain’s steepest street

Spotted near the River Malago by Julia Gresty, a goldcrest, above, and chiff chaff, below

The Vale Street Easter Sunday egg roll was once again hotly with scores of competitors

I

youth group at the Methodist Chapel on Philip Street.

Afterwards we’d play on the derelict ground outside. Years later I realised this area became the farm. In my 20s I had a student placement at St Werburghs City Farm, and then regularly brought my son to Windmill Hill when he was little – Sunday mornings at the adventure playground or the farm café were life-savers, and

southbristolvoice

• windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk

Well I declare

’M MAKING a declaration of interest this month. I am a trustee at Windmill Hill City Farm (WHCF). This is why I am so delighted to write this monthly column and share with people in South Bristol the amazing events and services the farm provides for the community.

Being on the board of trustees is a voluntary role. The Charity Commission says: “Trustees are the people in charge of a charity.

They play a vital role, volunteering their time and working together to make important decisions about the charity’s work.”

May 2018

Scoring: Richard Jones PHOTO: Beccy Golding

Pioneering: Windmill Hill City Farm is the oldest in the country outside London many noisy birthday parties were spent in the rumpus room.

Later I was youth development worker for the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens, based at The Greenhouse – the wooden, grass-roofed building on Hereford Street. I visited city farms all over the country. A few years after that I had a temporary job as receptionist at Windmill Hill – which is Britain’s oldest city farm outside the capital.

I’ve been on the board of trustees since 2015. I wanted to do something that could have a positive impact on my community – this seemed a perfect way to do it, and to support an organisation and a social movement that I’ve valued for years.

Commitment issues

Trustees need to commit to attending a six-weekly meeting, currently on a Monday night, from 7.30-9pm. The chief executive presents a report with updates from all the different

projects across the farm – this takes an hour or two to read beforehand. Trustees comment, question and make decisions on how the charity will move forward – questioning is a key part of the role, understanding what is happening and why.

There are sub-groups for areas such as personnel, finance and health and safety. And there’s always an invitation to volunteer on the bar or barbecue at the farm’s big public events.

The board would particularly welcome new trustees who have knowledge or expertise in law, finance or business, or who can help us bring more diversity to the charity.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer trustee, contact Steve Sayers, chief executive, to start with, with a view to observing an initial board meeting. Official elections are at the AGM in the autumn. Email info@windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk

To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

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

May 2018

southbristolvoice

32

n YOUR COUNCILLORS

T

WO ITEMS this month show up the utter confusion that reigns on the council.

The first is the Gary arena. After Hopkins spending over a Lib Dem year trying Knowle unsuccessfully to squeeze down the cost of the Temple Meads arena, the mayor last year said he was looking at other options as well. The only other site which he eventually confirmed was the Brabazon hanger at Filton. The previous mayor refused to do a viability check on this five years ago when requested and since then millions have been spent at Temple Meads.

A motion to council saying stick to Temple Meads was backed by the Greens and Lib Dems (the best option on present evidence, but could be reviewed) and the majority of Labour councillors. The mayor and his inner circle voted against. The mayor has presented no evidence

Knowle

L

How to contact your councillor: p2

and is presently scheduled to IBRARIES or thought of the impact. It is rush the Filton option through provide now to be held by Bristol Music against the stated wished of knowledge Trust, who run the Colston Hall. council. So much for democracy. and pleasure Sexual entertainment venues The second is the shambles to all that visit The council has not reviewed about replacement of the them. The Labour its policy on licensing sex shops neighbourhood committees. Most mayor wishes to and sexual entertainment venues Chris funds have been confiscated but close at least 17, since 2012. I strongly feel this Davies planning levy money should be leaving just 10 for needs to be reviewed in light of Lib Dem spent locally. We face having a the city. cases of child and adult sexual Knowle ridiculous “local” committee of In 2003 it was exploitation and public concerns 12 councillors from Southville claimed Knowle library building over grooming and illegal and Bedminster though to needed repair. An agreement was immigration. Happily there is Brislington East. We now have reached, supported by us, to now a public consultation. Please officers telling the public that move to the Broadwalk Centre, take a moment to complete councillors will be organising with 10 years rent free and with this at bristol.citizenspace. ward meetings this month to work full accessibility. It is now thriving com/neighbourhoods/sexup local bids to spend the money. and we are campaigning to establishment-policy-review Firstly, officers have not ensure Knowle is one of the New trees in Knowle signed off our plan to split down libraries which remains open, but Thanks to Broadwalk shopping the unwieldy committee. Secondly, we await a final decision. centre and Pearce Electrical for there is no structure for these We are hopeful of success, to each sponsoring a tree on Wells meetings. Thirdly, the agreed follow the great result of a Road, and to the Friends of schemes already committed to campaign by Lib Dem Cllr Redcatch Park for their recent have not been delivered. Fourthly, Anthony Negus who fought to litter pick – not forgetting officers are unable to confirm retain Bristol’s library collection volunteer Karen who dedicatedly what, if any, money is left after of music sets and scores, which clears litter three times a week. existing commitments. was about to be given away. A Redcatch again won five stars in You really could not make it disastrous decision by the mayor, the Best Parks award. Well done up and councillors from all to save such a small amount of everyone, on behalf of the of the most Right atUK’s Home is one of the UK’s mostcommunity of Knowle. parties are unhappy. Right at Home is one money, without any consultation trusted care companies.

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May 2018

southbristolvoice

n YOUR COUNCILLORS

E

ARLIER this month local councillors attended a meeting with all the landowners Jon on the Bedminster Wellington Green site, as Labour well as the three Windmill Hill cabinet leads for transport, planning, and housing.

This is the first of what will be monthly briefings on the progress of the site with all landowners represented. The Bedminster Green site is problematic because of the differing ownership of the plots of land. There are five plots of land with four different owners, one of them Bristol city council.

There have been some difficulties over the last couple of years in getting the developers to cooperate, but through excellent leadership by Cllr Nicola Beech, the cabinet member for planning, they have begun producing a plan for the area which will hopefully overcome my concerns

33

Windmill Hill

about this being a disjointed and unplanned area with no control. I am pleased that all the developers are now working together and this is positive for the site going forward. As it stands the development will provide around 1,400 new homes.

I do, however, continue to have concerns about the proposed height of the buildings, which I do not feel are appropriate for the area. The St Catherine’s Place developer is due to submit a planning application for a 23 storey building at the end of this month, which would make it one of the tallest buildings in Bristol.

Some of the other buildings are looking to reach heights of 18 and 14 storeys. I simply don’t believe that this will lead to a pleasant area in which to live, or do anything to enhance the existing area. I believe the site has huge potential, but tall buildings such as this are not the way to build balanced communities where people will want to live and set up home.

I

How to contact your councillor: p2

RECENTLY went to a meeting with the board of the newly- formed Bridge View Medical GP Lucy surgery – the Whittle result of a a Labour merger between Windmill Hill the GP practices at Southville, Malago, Gaywood House and Wedmore.

I was told that patients will continue to be able to see their chosen doctor at their usual surgery. Once a single record system is in place, patients will also have the option of being seen at the other sites, if they want. This will increase flexibility and access for everyone. The number of doctors will stay the same; there will be 29 GPs across the four practices, assisted by 28 other health professionals.

The NHS supported the application because they felt it would increase the resilience of services and, with the increased use of pharmacists,

physiotherapists, mental health nurses and urgent care practitioners, would enhance care to patients. It is hoped this will also ease pressure on each of the practices.

At the meeting I was reassured that the aim of the merger is to achieve a robust and sustainable practice, and improved patient care. The four surgeries have consulted with patient participation groups throughout the process and say they have listened to their feedback and answered questions that have been raised. The GP partners from all four surgeries reassured me that this merger has major potential benefits for patients and South Bristol.

I am especially pleased to welcome the benefits to patients of flexibility and accessibility, but I do hope that we don’t lose any continuity of care, which is so essential when looking out for underlying issues or chronic conditions. If you have any concerns do contact your surgery.

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May 2018

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35

OUR SPORTING HERITAGE

The people who ensured places to play as South Bristol was covered by homes

VICTORIA PARK: TENNIS, BOWLS AND MORE

Sport is used by some as a way to have fun and relax – for others it’s more serious, a chance to compete at the highest level. Our local open spaces span both, from community tennis and bowls players to a cricket club that’s welcomed some of the world’s top players

OR MOST of their life the tennis courts, in a splendid position in the centre of Victoria Park, with marvellous views of Bristol, were subservient to the neighbouring bowls club.

The park is owned by the council, and parts of it are leased out to sports clubs, with some clubs sub-letting to players of other sports.

At Victoria Park, the local bowls club had the lease for the bowling green and the two tennis courts next door.

This wasn’t an uncommon arrangement – at Knowle, for example, the extensive sports grounds off Broad Walk are rented by the council to Knowle Cricket Club. The cricket club itself founded the local bowls club, and though the clubs are run separately now, the cricketers still sub-let part of their land to the bowlers and the tennis club.

Victoria Park was truly a “people’s park” – the result of years of campaigning by the working people of South Bristol, who were seeing the open spaces of the area covered by row after row of houses. Pylle Hill in

Totterdown and the central area of Bedminster were covered in terraces in the last decades of the 19th century, and Windmill Hill too. The housing spread along St Luke’s Road and St John’s Lane, leaving a large open space between St John’s Lane and the river.

It may be that the land here was too boggy and not so easy to build on. Its ownership was split between the aristocratic Smyth family of Ashton Court and other landowners. There was a problem with proving the ownership of the land, relating to the will of Sir John Smythe, who had died in 1857 and who had been accused of being a neglectful land owner.

The Smythe fortune was vast and built on the huge coal deposits which they exploited from their mines in Bedminster and Ashton. Yet in 1844 the ancient parish church of St John the Baptist in Bedminster was decaying, its roof falling down, the pews broken and lacking even a font. There was not even a resident priest.

With such a basic need

SPRING is here, and it’s time to think about outdoor recreation.

To mark the new season, we’ve decided to devote our history feature this month to some of our South Bristol sports clubs – some of which have been on the same site for more than 100 years.

We’ve chosen three to represent them all – but we are well aware that there are a host of clubs and sporting facilities with a story to tell, and we’ll get to some of them in future issues.

How many people know, for example, that there was once a racecourse at Knowle? Not only that, but a speedway track too?

Or that several of our parks had their own open-air swimming pools? For now, though, we trace the story of Knowle Cricket Club, Greville Smyth Bowls Club, and Victoria Park Tennis Club.

F

Bowls at Victoria Park, 1920s PHOTO: Vaughan Collection, Bristol city archives

Fit for purpose: Celebrating the £50,000 grant to replace Victoria Park tennis courts in 2012. Former Bristol South MP Dawn Primarolo is on the left, with club secretary Belinda Sully second from the right ignored, it was hardly likely that Sir John was going to be generous enough to provide South Bristolians (many of whom worked for him) with a park.

The campaigning continued, though, directed mainly at the city corporation. In 1871 a group of 17 working men published The Cry of the Poor, printed in several newspapers and calling for a park to serve the families of South Bristol.

The genteel park at Brandon Hill, or the Durdham Downs, were too far for working people to trek after work; the Cry of the Poor said they “might almost as well be in China. What we want is a place near at hand, where we can feel the grass under our feet, or sit with our wives on a

summer’s eve and watch our children play.”

In 1875 the Western Daily Press joined the fray, declaring that land for public recreation should be seen as just as much a necessity as roads.

Still, the council did not agree to buy the land beneath Windmill Hill until 1887, and the park did not open until 1891.

S

ports became a feature of the new park almost from the beginning. As these were working people’s recreations they did not attract much publicity, unlike the much grander Knowle Cricket Club, as we shall see. But it’s clear that there were grass tennis courts Continued overleaf

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May 2018

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36

n HISTORY Continued from page 35 marked out almost from the beginning.

In 1898 the Victoria Park private school at 31 Nutgrove Avenue, the grandest road overlooking the park, was given permission for its children to play tennis on the asphalted playground in the afternoons, but they were forbidden exclusive use.

In 1899 residents of Nutgrove Avenue asked to fence off an area of grass to make their own tennis court. They were refused. These requests indicate that tennis was already popular in the park, and certainly by 1905 there were 18 grass tennis courts, as well as bowling greens and quoits pitches.

The fencing-off of areas for sports clubs whose members paid a fee required a change in the law which did not come util 1907. Bristol was slow on the uptake here (see the section on Greville Smyth bowls) but by 1910 there were bowling greens and tennis courts at Eastville, St George, Greville Smyth, Victoria and Canford parks. The Western

Daily Press of July 22, 1910, noted: “The sport of bowls has proved very popular in the Bristol parks, and there’s no doubt that when the facilities for lawn tennis are better known the courts will also be, if they are not already, in equal demand.”

Grass courts, of course, are of use mainly in the summer, and the heavy clay soil of South Bristol must have made them unplayable for much of the year.

It’s surprising, then, that there was little fanfare at the arrival of the first hard courts – it was announced with a single paragraph in the Western Daily Press on August 4, 1923.

“Tennis players will be pleased to hear that four “en-tout-cas” hard tennis courts have been laid out in Bristol public parks — two in Greville Smyth Park, Ashton Gate, and two in Victoria Park, Bedminster.

These courts are ready for immediate use,” the paper said.

It’s not clear if these were on the site of the present courts. It is thought that by the 1930s, building tennis courts was one of

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OUR SPORTING HERITAGE Green but not grass: The new playing surface allows play all year round

the jobs found by the council for the unemployed, and it was then that the top of the park was levelled off to make a football pitch and extra tennis courts.

Over the years the fortunes of tennis in Victoria Park fluctuated.

There was the odd mention in the press but it was generally a dry report giving the scores for an inter-club match. In June 1910 the club played Heath House of Eastville, for example. “Misses Green and Burchill (Victoria Park) lost to Mrs Brown and Miss Hart (2-6 and 3-6) and Miss Lovell (Victoria Park) lost to Mrs Tayler and Miss Smith (2-6 and 4-6)” is a typical entry, so lacking in detail that it can be of interest only to the participants. Victoria Park did not have a good day, losing nine of the 12 doubles matches, though they won five out of eight single sets.

The current custodians of the Victoria Park courts know little of their history until the 1980s, when the courts were in frequent use, provided players could get hold of Tom, the ageing caretaker for the bowls club, who lived in Somerset Terrace.

After Tom’s death access to the courts became more difficult – the only gate was through the bowls club, so getting in as a casual player was difficult.

With less attention, the courts began to deteriorate: “The state of the courts was becoming unbearable, it was a gravel pit,” said Belinda Sully, club secretary since 2006.

After badgering the council and the bowls club, the tennis players succeeded in raising money for a new gate to the courts from the outside, by the football pitch, meaning people didn’t need to get in though the bowling club. Cheap membership

of £20 a year persuaded more players to sign up, but neither the bowls club nor the council had the money to repair the court.

Finally in 2012 Sport England agreed a £50,000 grant for a new playing surface – cause for much celebration but also for a brief panic when the players realised they would need to negotiate their own lease for the courts from the bowling club.

With the help of solicitors and then-Windmill Hill councillor Mark Bailey, the lease was signed and former MP Dawn Primarily attended the opening of the flat-as-a-pancake green playing surface.

Now the club has entered a new phase of life as a popular community tennis club. Adult members pay £35 a year, children less, and they have access whenever they want, all year round. Courts can be booked in advance and coaching is available. Children from Victoria Park primary school enjoy trooping up to the courts on two afternoons a week.

“The tennis club works well and we know people know that it’s part of the community,” said Belinda.

It’s not a hyper-competitive club, but there is an annual tournament – known as Windmilldon – to be held this year in early September.

The fees are kept low so that as many people as possible can enjoy it. Even so, most of the money is put aside for the day when the courts need major repairs again – meaning that future generations can look forward to playing tennis in Victoria Park.

Victoria Park Tennis Club Somerset Terrace, Bristol BS3 4LL vptc.org.uk

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May 2018

n HISTORY

southbristolvoice

37

OUR SPORTING HERITAGE

GREVILLE SMYTH BOWLS

T

HE FIRST bowling club in Greville Smyth park in Ashton was founded in 1908. It was part of the general movement to encourage healthy outdoor activities for city folk, begun in the mid-Victorian era, and was one of several greens founded in the city that year.

The reason was a change in the law which allowed the city corporation to enclose parts of public parks for the playing of games for a fee.

Bowls, being socially a rather lowlier pastime than cricket, attracted much less press coverage. Reports of the Greville Smyth Bowling club which can be found in the archives are generally brief items recording the scores of important matches, or occasionally the death of a prominent club member.

But the approval of new bowling greens at four Bristol parks, debated by the council in February 1908, was thought worthy of attention in the Western Daily Press.

The paper reported that the cost of the green at Victoria Park would be £246 (£24,400 today, after allowing for inflation) and slightly more in Greville Smyth Park, at £250. Greens were also approved for a similar cost in Eastville Park and St George Park, though the city engineer “is of the opinion that St Andrew’s Park is not suitable for the laying out of a green on account of want of space and the difficulty of the levels”. (This was to be a matter of dispute for the people of St Andrew’s, who eventually got their bowling green in 1924.)

Councillors were told that the work of laying out bowling greens “would be a suitable work for the unemployed”, and the council’s distress committee, which provided support for the jobless, would help with the cost.

Bristol, it seemed, was behind the times, for other large cities already had their bowling greens.

But this delay allowed the city to learn from others’ experience, namely that a charge of 2d (two old pennies, or one new penny – worth 40p today) would pay for the upkeep of the greens.

That was to prove a forlorn hope, in some years at least. In 1922 the council was told that at Greville Smyth and Eastville Park “the cost of the games was well in advance of the sum contributed by players in fees”. No figures

A fine day out: Bowling on Greville Smyth green in about 1920s. Postcard from FRoGs, origin unknown were given for these parks, but at Victoria Park the council was subsidising bowlers by £246 a year (£12,800 today).

The Western Daily Press occasionally reported that the club’s annual meeting attracted “a good attendance,” as for example in 1931, when it was held at the Rising Sun hotel, referred to as the club’s headquarters.

A wooden hut was erected by the council for the players in 1908, to be replaced by a grander pavilion and football changing rooms in the 1930s.

Beyond these brief mentions, though, little is known by the current custodians of the bowling club about their predecessors.

The club’s symbol was a griffon, and some of their old flags remain in the pavilion.

The current Greville Smyth Community Bowls club is symbolic of a revival of the game for a new century after it suffered a slow decline towards the end of the 20th century. Bowls had come to be seen by younger people as a stuffy, slow-moving game played by pensioners in old-fashioned, severe uniforms of blazers and caps.

Like many clubs, the Greville Smyth club and a companion club, the Bristol South Bowls Club, faded away completely and in 2010 the green and pavilion were abandoned.

It took a new generation of players to revive the game, and they decided to do away with the compulsory dress code and the endless series of league games.

Instead, the modern Greville Smyth bowling club welcomes all

comers, even those who lack suitable flat shoes – players can even play barefoot in the Australian style.

“We certainly don’t stand on ceremony,” Rosie Tomlinson, the club secretary, told the Voice.

The new club members recognised that bowls is a game which can be played by anyone, young or old, but many people won’t want to buy a uniform before they have found out if they enjoy it.

The club also finds new ways to attract members – it shows films, there’s a bar and café, and those wanting a faster game can play ping pong.

Grants from the National Lottery and from council spin-off funds from developers have paid to restore part of the old pavilion, as well as training coaches in the game and buying kit for children to play.

The next goal is to apply for more developer money – now known as CIL – to restore parts of the pavilion which are still derelict.

On June 16 there will be a special celebration to mark the green’s 110th anniversary. In association with the Friends of Greville Smyth Park, there will be music from the marching community scout band, The Ravens, who will be playing some old time favourites.

There will be refreshments in the form of sandwiches, cream teas, sponge cakes, and soft and alcoholic drinks from the bar.

“Given that we will be celebrating an event which originated in the Edwardian era, we invite you, if you would like,

to come in Edwardian attire. But we’ll be happy to see you whatever you wear!” say the organisers.

Any readers who know more about the early history of the Greville Smyth club are welcome to contact the club: grevillesmythbowls@hotmail.com Greville Smyth Community Bowls Club Greville Smyth Park, Ashton BS31RU gsbcorg.uk

KNOWLE CRICKET CLUB (plus football, golf, tennis, bowling and horse racing)

W

E’VE featured two clubs where bowls and tennis are played mainly for pleasure and as a community activity – and there’s no shame in that. But our final club, Knowle Cricket Club, has, throughout all its 176-year history, been one of the most prominent sporting clubs in the city.

Unlike our other two clubs, there is no difficulty in finding the Knowle club in the newspaper archives. And it doesn’t neglect its community activities – today, the work it’s most proud of is the free youth coaching for youngsters of every background which is held throughout the summer.

Knowle Cricket Club was founded in 1852, when Knowle was a small village in Somerset, not even part of the city of Bristol. It’s thought the first members were employees of the newly-opened Bristol and Exeter Railway. From the beginning their arch local rivals were Continued overleaf

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May 2018

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38

n HISTORY Continued from page 37 Bedminster Cricket Club – founded in 1847 and also still in existence, at Clanage Road, Bower Ashton.

The Knowle club started its life on the current ground off Broadwalk, but for uncertain reasons they wandered for a few years, playing at Pylle Hill (Totterdown), at Brislington and at Firfield Field – part of the old grounds of the Firfield House estate off Wells Road, near today’s Belluton Road.

Many residents will be unaware that in 1873 Knowle had a racecourse, opened on land to the west of today’s cricket ground, in what we now know as Knowle Park. It lasted until 1880 but closed after heavy losses (and despite the presence of the Prince of Wales at the first meeting).

Eventually, in 1905, the Knowle Golf Club took over the land, before moving to their present course in Brislington in 1925.

Through all this the cricket club prospered, as Knowle grew from a village to a large suburb.

It absorbed the Arnos Vale cricket club in 1861 and Totterdown CC in 1894.

Showing the new suburb’s enthusiasm for all forms of sport, athletics was practised too, with an end-of-season sports day held in September 1866, with the Brislington Band playing.

A football section was formed in 1893. The soccer team was

hived off the next year, when a tennis section replaced it.

This was no longer a mere village team. The annual dinner was a grand affair, always reported in the press, with much reference to sportsmanship. And the standard of play must have been high: a match with the Somerset county side was held in 1901.

Another sport, bowling, started in 1903. Games were played on the cricket pitch at first, but a bowling green was authorised in 1908. (The bowling section was not to become a separate club until 1948.)

During World War I, no fewer than 70 club members served in the armed forces and seven lost their lives. The club was seen as a major public institution and wanted to be seen to do its duty.

It would not be “seemly to study their own pleasure by attempting high class cricket and bowls during the continuance of the war, and they have come to the conclusion that, as a club, they could best serve their country by devoting their ground and personal services to the entertainment of soldiers,” the club said in March 1916. It was to put on entertainment for more than 3,000 wounded servicemen.

In April 1916, these efforts included an auction of fruit – several hundred oranges and four pineapples – which sold for £12 (worth £750 today), though

southbristolvoice

n HISTORY

39

OUR SPORTING HERITAGE

THE AUSSIES ARRIVE AND THEY FIND THE WORLD’S BEST PUB IN KNOWLE

A

MARK of Knowle Cricket Club’s status is the number of Australian internationals who have played for the club.

A link with Melbourne club St Kilda sent young Aussie hopefuls to Bristol with a hope of getting a leg up into the county game.

The first was Shaun Graf, later capped 11 times for his country in the 1980s, who formed part of one of Knowle’s best-ever teams in 1979. (In a match against arch rival Bedminster, Knowle scored 213 for four wickets; Bedminster managed 76 for five wickets).

Embarrassingly, cricketing superstar Shane Warne was turned down – but of course when he was 19, no one knew he would become the first Australian to take 400 test wickets.

Knowle Cricket Club president Steve Windaybank told the Voice:

Almost a Knowle player: Shane Warne arrived in South Bristol aged 19, but Knowle chose his friend Ricky Gough instead – not knowing the stellar career Warne was to have. But Gough, Shaun Graf and other Australians gained a good grounding in cricket at the South Bristol club Steve Windaybank: Knowle CC president since 1997, with a photo of Norman Hardy, one of the club’s great players, still remembered today the purchasers decided to donate the fruit to one of the many war hospitals around the city.

In 1920 Bristol corporation bought the pitch and the land around it for housing, and Broad Walk cut through the ground.

In 1924 the club erected a new pavilion in memory of Norman

Ian Ian Botham: Botham: Hitting six after six well outside the Knowle ground

A policeman wanted to stop the carnage as balls smashed cars, roofs and windows – but he decided the crowd wouldn’t like it

bedroom window in Crossways Road. A later delivery broke the glass in a wool shop on Broadwalk.

Botham was the victor, though – aside from claiming 402 runs to Richards’ 374, he shattered a car’s windscreen and dented the bodywork of another, according to the Western Daily Press report by George Halladay.

Even roof tiles were smashed as the balls continued to fly out of the

ground. A police inspector told a club official that the match would have to be stopped as it was getting too dangerous. “OK, you go ahead and stop it,” came the response. “With something like 2,000 spectators drunk with sheer excitement, he thought better of the idea. He would have been lynched if he had managed to halt the proceedings,” said the club’s 150th anniversary publication.

SMASH AND GRAB: LOOK OUT, IT’S BOTHAM THE BIGGEST hit in Knowle CC’s first hundred years was when Somerset player Guy Earle knocked a ball which landed at the entrance to the Gaiety cinema, which then stood at the corner of Crossways Road and Wells Road.

That was until a charity match in 1982 which pitched Ian Botham against Viv Richards, two of the greatest players in the world, and ended in wholesale destruction which the police were powerless to stop.

Cars, roofs and windows all round the ground were smashed by the big-hitting batsmen.

“The bowlers were well-known players from clubs throughout Bristol and were greatly respected, except by the two protagonists,” wrote former president Alan Rice.

Richards pushed the first ball he was bowled quietly back. The second shot went through a

OUR SPORTING HERITAGE

May 2018

Hardy, a member who had died during a football match. A prize named after him is still awarded to young players.

It was not so receptive to broadening the membership to women, however. “An application from Knowle Ladies CC to play on the ground one evening a week was not entertained,” the club’s history reports stiffly The annual dinners, often at the Grand Hotel, continued.

Sometimes the Western Daily Press would report the speeches, such as in 1937, when exGloucestershire player WSA Brown, proposing the toast, asked whether modern forms of transport were dulling the winning spirit of young sportsmen.

“Some of these young men today must have a car or a motor-cycle to get to their game.

That is not the way to get the best out of any game,” he said. The club captain, MD King, responded that his team always played to win.

The Second World War – aside from its calamities for Bristol and its residents – almost ruined the Knowle pitch. The ground was requisitioned for the Home Guard, and telegraph poles were brought in to be erected to prevent enemy planes from landing. “Fortunately the

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idea was not proceeded with,” the club recorded.

With the club under military control, it wasn’t possible to entertain the troops as had been done in WWI, but a few matches were held with the Home Guard, and, despite several bombs falling on the grounds and pavilions, the club was preserved. With repairs after the war, and the tennis courts and wicket restored to health, “the whole ground looks better than ever and ready for another century,” the club’s centenary book recorded.

Knowle Cricket Club then went on to record another half century – and is still going strong. Some of the more exciting incidents of the past 70 years are

“Graffy [Shaun Graf ] said to me, ‘I have two fellows who want to come over’.” Warne arrived in Knowle, fresh from Heathrow, with fellow Australian Ricky Gough.

Knowle picked Gough – and Warne went to near-neighbour Imperial CC. However, Warne made strong links with Knowle, at one stage lodging with Gough in the pavilion, and later at the George pub on Wells Road with landlord Mike Gerrish, also a former Knowle player.

Warne played in friendlies for Knowle, once taking nine wickets for 60 runs (the score card is preserved in the pavilion).

“Mike Gerrish looked after Warne fantastically well,” said Steve. It seems Warne hasn’t forgotten his mentor. Mike Gerrish is now in a nursing home, and Warne still visits him when he’s in the UK. And asked once by a journalist, “Which is the best pub in the world?’” he answered promptly: “The George at Knowle.”

in the panels on this page. Steve valuable green area which people and Knowle West on the other.

Windaybank, club president can come and relax in while they “We welcome people from all since 1997, is proud of the club’s enjoy a game. As well as three backgrounds here, from adult teams, the club runs a long history – he showed the everywhere.”

Voice memorabilia including a Nomad team for seniors, a Knowle Cricket Club Broad Walk, letter from Victorian cricketing Sunday team, and no fewer than Knowle BS4 2QN, 0117 977 5255 legend WG Grace and trophies seven youth teams from Under knowle.play-cricket.com from 170 years of playing at the 9s up. th th highest levels of non-professional Coaching is offered to all Sources: cricket. (Steve himself is lauded Victoria Park: The People’s Park young players, with qualified in the club’s history as “one of coaches, every Friday evening,

by Barb Drummond, booklet, 2008 • All from age groups -­‐ Under 9’s to Under the very best batsmen that Bristol with backing Sport Englandwelcome barbdrummondbooks.weebly. has ever seen”, but he was too and Somerset and Gloucestershire com modest to tell us that.) county•cricket boards. coaching British Newspaper Archive Receive from UKCC L evel 1 & Level But it’s “We gets kids from both sides britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk as a community

facility that he wants the club of Knowle,” said Steve,C referring Knowle Club Centenary • Knowle ricket Club is Cricket affiliated to: to be seen. to the contrasting housing to be

by Stanley Sutton, 1952 Gloucestershire County Cricket Board “We are a community club, found near the ground – the Knowle Cricket Club 1852-1952 th Somerset County C ricket BStanding oard On The Shoulders offering cricket for the wider Victorian terraces around Wells 2002: th

community,” he said, adding that Road on one side and the of Giants (both published by the

the Broadwalk grounds are also a housing estates of Knowle Park club)

Youth Cricket Coaching Sum 13 April – 20 July

Youth Cricket Coaching Summer 2018 13 April – 20 July

For further information please contact:

• All age groups welcome -­‐ Under 9’s to Under 17’s Steve Windaybank -­‐ 07919480159 • Receive coaching from UKCC Level 1 & Level 2 qualified coaches Email: steve@windaybank.co.uk

• Knowle Cricket Club is affiliated to:

Youth Cricket Coaching Summer Gloucestershire C ounty Cricket 2018 Board Somerset County Cricket Board April 13th – July 20th

For further • All age groups welcome -- Under 9s to Under 17s information please contact: Steve Windaybank -­‐ 07919480159 • Receive coaching from UKCC Level 1 & Level 2 qualified coaches Email: steve@windaybank.co.uk • Knowle Cricket Club is affiliated to:

Gloucestershire County Cricket Board Somerset County Cricket Board

For further information please contact: Steve Windaybank -- 07919480159 Email: steve@windaybank.co.uk

K B

Summer Coaching Every Friday!!

6.15 – 8.oo pm

Knowle Cricket Club Broadwalk, Knowle

Knowle Club KnowleCricket Cricket Club Est. 1852 Est. 1852

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

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Broadwalk Tailoring •Alterations to all garments •Making bespoke Suits, Shirts, Trousers, Dresses, Skirts and Curtains •All expertly performed by your personal tailor, Nez Rajabi Call 0117 971 7611 or 07533 084452 320 Wells Road, Knowle BS4 2QG

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Each horizontal row, each 2x2 square and each column must contain all the numbers 1-4.

4 ZERO GREEN

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To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

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n WHAT’S ON Until May 12 n A View From The Bridge Tobacco Factory theatre, North COME AND CHECK OUT OUR ESSENTIALS PLUS Street. The gripping tragedy of OUR NEW PRODUCTS Eddie Carbone, a hardworking Handmade liquid soap, soy wax wraps, face wipes, deodornts, shaving man soap, who lives for his family but pads, produce bags, cupboard staples finds hidden emotional currents ... You can bring your own containers and buy in bulk from us! inside him that threaten to sweep www.zerogreenbristol.co.uk him away when he tries to protect the niece he has raised as if she is his own daughter. This revival of the play by Arthur Miller, one of the 20th century’s greatest dramatists, is staged by the Tobacco Factory’s new in-house professional acting company. It also features members of the Get On Stage community company, taking on small roles in the play

after completing a 10-week acting course. Tickets from £12 (limited availablilty).

• BSL interpreted performance Thursday April 26, 7.30pm.

• Director’s Lab Friday April 27, 10.30am–4.30pm. Join Tobacco Factory artistic director Mike Tweddle on the set for a day of exploring the text and its many theatrical possibilities.

• Post-show talk Wednesday May 2: a free discussion after the show.

• Inside A View From the Bridge Saturday May 5, 10am–1pm.

Discussions, lectures, workshops and Q&A sessions with experts in the field and the director of the production, Mike Tweddle.

Hidden currents: Rehearsing A View From The Bridge PHOTO: Mark Dawson

Wednesday April 25 n Sensi x Deep Discs The Loco Klub, Temple Meads. Film, art and music with installations, sculpture and lighting arrangements made for this unique underground space. DJs from Deep Discs. 10pm-3am. locobristol.com/shows Thursday April 26 n Simon Munnery: Renegade Plumber Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken Studio.

A new hour of stand-up and miscellany from British Comedy Award nominee, Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and Chortle Award winner, Simon Munnery. Tales of plumbing woes, an attempt at under-tent heating, jokes, songs, poems and the ridicule of capitalism. £13.50, 7.45pm. thecomedybox.co.uk Friday April 27 n Angie Belcher’s Comedy Depot Zion Bristol, Bishopsworth Road. Dave Thompson was inside the Tinky Winky costume in TV’s Teletubbies. And then he got weirder. He’s written for famous names including Stewart Lee and Bruce Forsyth. Now he leads a line-up which includes Katie Pritchard, Jon Udry, Costas Lukaris, Ems Coombes and Charlie George. £6, 7.30pm. zionbristol.co.uk Sunday April 29 n Dr Phil Hammond: Happy Birthday, NHS? Comedy Box at the Tobacco Factory. A decade of austerity has brought the NHS to its knees. Do we just keep doing what we’re doing, or is it time for a radical rethink?

“Come celebrate the NHS and laugh all your worries away.

Or vice versa.” Phil Hammond,

an NHS doctor for 31 years, is also a broadcaster, comic and journalist, writing the medical column for Private Eye since 1992. £15.50, 8pm. tobaccofactorytheatres.com Tuesday May 1 n Why Marx Was Right SouthBank Centre, Dean Lane, Southville. Why do a handful of people own as much as half the world’s population? People sleep on the streets next to sumptuous buildings left empty.

A talk by Lindsey German on the continuing appeal of Marxist thought. 7-9pm, ticket price not stated. southbankclub.webs.com/events Wednesday May 2 n Memories Café Zion, Bishopsworth Road. A relaxed meet-up for carers, people living with dementia and those feeling lonely or isolated – free for all, cafe open all day. Every first Wednesday of the month.

Email info@zionbristol.co.uk if you want to find out about

volunteering here. Free. zionbristol.co.uk Wednesday May 2 & 3 n John Robins: The Darkness of Robins Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken Studio.

The angst-ridden winner of the 2017 Edinburgh Comedy Award 2017 adds dates to his national tour. Sold out, but check for returns. thecomedybox.co.uk n Quiz Night Tobacco Factory bar, North Street. Warm up your brain muscles and test your senses with the Factory’s weekly quiz night, held in The Snug. 8-10.30pm, £1 per person, maximum six to a team. Also on May 9, 16 and 30. tobaccofactory.com/whats-on Friday May 4 n Ian Prowse & Amsterdam The Thunderbolt, Bath Road, Totterdown. Prowse revives Pele’s acclaimed 1993 album Sport Of Kings on its 25th anniversary. 7.30pm, £9. thethunderbolt.net

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NEW OPENING TIMES Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun

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Funny place UPSTAIRS at the Hen & Chicken pub in North Street, Southville – best known as the home of the Comedy Box – has been revamped to attract more music fans as well as comedy-seekers.

Now known as the Hen & Chicken Studio, the top-floor space is now air conditioned and has a refurbished function room, toilets and stairwell. It also has a new control area with digital sound desk and stage lighting.

The intention is to increase the number of music events but also

tobaccofactorytheatres.com

to stage more comedy, the pub’s co-owner James Townend said.

Comedy Box events continue as normal every Saturday and on many other dates in April and May. Renowned jazz promoter Ian Storror, known for Jazz at the Albert, will also continue with his Jazzata events on Sundays at the new studio. Upcoming acts include the Ed Jones Quartet on May 27 but others may be added.

Further events will be promoted as the new venue is bedded in, James told the Voice. jazzata.com thecomedybox.co.uk henandchicken.com

Friday May 4-7 n Open Studios Spike Island, Cumberland Road. The many artists and creatives who work at Spike Island throw open their doors. Family-friendly activities, tours, events and pop-up street food stalls. Volunteers needed – see website. May 4 6-9pm, May 5-7 11am-5pm. spikeisland.org.uk/events Saturday May 5 n Victorian Arcadia: A Saturday Morning Lecture on the Victorian Garden Cemetery Arnos Vale cemetery, Bath Road. Moving places of grief from the churchyards in the heart of cities to the outlying garden cemeteries transformed the way Victorians dealt with places of mourning. Presented

by Romany Reagan, a finalyear PhD candidate at Royal Holloway, University of London.

10.30am-12 noon, £5. arnosvale.co.uk n Jez Lowe Saltcellar Folk Club, Totterdown Baptist church, entrance off Cemetery Road. “A welcome return of the popular singer songwriter. An evening of humour, anecdotes and insights.” £5, or £3 for those willing to sing. saltcellarfolk.org.uk Sunday May 6 n Teacher Day Arnos Vale cemetery, Bath Road. Invitation from the cemetery’s Learning Service to all local teachers and their families to sample activities available for school groups. Science Hunt kits can be used to explore wildlife while guided walk trails and new maths resources are also on offer. Learning staff are on Continued overleaf

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

May 2018

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Church makes the ideal venue for these languid players REVIEW: Rock n Roll Angels, St Michael & All Angels Church, Windmill Hill TONIGHT the vaulted ceiling of St Michael’s Church really did ring with the sound of angels. Local band Rock ’n’ Roll Angels chose the setting for the launch of their debut album Peaceful, fittingly in the place where they actually recorded it.

Which makes complete sense.

The acoustics of a church are invariably perfect for music, and the band have produced a lovely collection of superbly languid mini-masterpieces, which they managed to convey well here.

Supported by the soulful voice of Michaela Fedeczko who joined them on backing vocals, the afar. Can it be as wonderful as the stories they’ve been told?

Two teenage cousins discover what the future holds in their mysterious motherland. This new show explores cultural identity across generations. 7pm, £3. acta-bristol.com Friday May 11 n An Age of Elegance Knowle and Totterdown Local History Society, Redcatch community centre, Redcatch Road, Knowle.

A talk by Gina Merrett Smith on the House of Worth, subtitled Edwardian Fashions

The important thing is, we just live here REVIEW But Where Are You Really From? Acta theatre, part of React refugee theatre festival EMBERS of Citizens Theatre Glasgow ceated this show, which celebrates the rich and diverse life stories of asylum seekers and refugees living in Glasgow. A simple set – four chairs, four performers. The actors are all from different countries, with different

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Random label: We’re all migrants accents. We hear moving glimpses of their former lives, cut through with moments to make you laugh.

A funny game show piece,

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n WHAT’S ON

n WHAT’S ON Continued from page 41 hand between 10.30am-2pm.

History tour from 2-3pm. Free, but booking required. For details email learning@arnosvale.org.uk arnosvale.co.uk n Sunday Market Tobacco Factory, North Street. 10am2.30pm. Community market, with around 40 food and craft stalls. Most produce is prepared, harvested, cooked, baked, designed and made in the area.

Ethical, eco-friendly, fair trade, organic and local products. Meet the producers and ask questions.

Kids activities 11.30am-2pm.

Also on May 13, 20 and 27. tobaccofactory.com/whats-on n Tom Allen: Absolutely Comedy Box at the Tobacco Factory. The “sharply dressed, well-spoken, disparagingly camp son of working class Bromley”, Tom Allen sold out his debut solo tour which included Southville’s Hen & Chicken. Extra date but may already have sold out. £14.50, 8pm. tobaccofactorytheatres.com Tuesday May 8 n Mary Gauthier The Tunnels.

Temple Meads. Drawing on themes of abandonment, alcoholism, homelessness and capital punishment, An Evening With Mary Gauthier sounds like no fun at all. But she adds warmth and humour, even on her latest songs co-written with US services veterans on their return from conflict. 7.30pm, £17. thetunnelsbristol.net Tuesday May 8 & 9 n Motherland Acta theatre, Gladstone Street, Bedminster.

Parents from Hannah More primary school in St Philips reflect on Somalia, seen from

May 2018

Spiritual setting: The Rock ’n’Roll Angels pictured during the recording of their album at St Michael’s church, Windmill Hill four-piece were augmented by several local musicians playing some of the parts played by guest musicians on the album.

Guitarist Shaun McCrindle and and Perfumes. 7.30pm, £1.50 members, £3 non-members. knowleandtotterdownhistory. org.uk n Stop Stop: Charity night The Tunnels, Temple Meads.

Hard rockers Stop Stop front this fundraiser for cystic fibrosis, backed by Bristol’s Lewis Creaven Band and opening act Pistol Twister. 7.30pm, £7. thetunnelsbristol.net Friday May 11 & 25 n Arnos Vale After Hours Tour Arnos Vale cemetery, Bath Road. Find out about Victorian complete with gold-sequinned jacket, sees participants randomly allocated labels of refugee, asylum seeker and migrant. Once processed in Croydon, the four find themselves on a bus, not knowing where they will end up. It’s Glasgow, and the skit on learning English as a foreign language, taught by Glaswegians, is great – they have the accent down pat.

The light and dark of this show works well to get you thinking about the nature of the system, and the question, posed at the end – how long is it until you are no longer considered a refugee, an asylum seeker, a migrant – you just live here?

Beccy Golding

pianist Jonathan Westrup are the vocalist and songwriters, both with their own strong distinctive styles and both conveying a clever sense of melancholy and wistfulness through some beautiful balladry and clever, catchy, rhythmic moods. A country soulfulness inhabits many of the numbers, a plaintive playfulness, others. John Grant comes to mind on some, while the spirit of Steely Dan even comes to mind in Morning Sun. Drummer Jamie Hill and double bassist James Anderson are the economically expressive rhythm section, and the textures of the music are built up to powerful effect on the title track, a song about the First World War, with even the church organ being brought in for full dramatic effect (thank you Lucy Samson).

The gig and the album end with the insistent guitar hook and sumptuous stroll of 4 O’clock in the Morning. Their next gig is at the church of St Michaels Without, Bath. Where angels dare…

The night raised nearly £500 for Bristol Mind. © Elfyn Griffith funeral traditions, learn about burial practices and hear stories from beyond the grave. You’ll travel along paths overhung with creeping branches, descend into the mortuary crypt and listen out for things that go bump in the night. 7.30-9pm, £10. Bring a torch. arnosvale.co.uk Saturday May 12 & 13 n SouthBank Arts Trail Scores of venues showing off artworks of all kinds and live performances across Bedminster, Ashton and Southville. Meet artists, sample homemade food and drink, and buy affordable art. Painting, 3D work, drawing, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, printmaking and more. southbankbristolarts.co.uk Saturday May 12 n Boundaries Tour Arnos Vale cemetery. Explore the 45 acres of woodland at the cemetery from the original 1830s boundaries to the expanded areas of burial ground in the 1860s and 1890s.

The route includes steep slopes and steps. Part of Bristol Walk Fest; free, but must be booked.

11am-12.30pm. arnosvale.co.uk n Discovering Riverside Plants The Friends of Avon New Cut, or Franc, host a walk

To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

‘I love playing the Comedy Box ... Steve was one of the first to really take a chance on me’ Like I Mean It, Stuart Goldsmith Comedy Box, May 11

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OTTERDOWN comedian Stuart Goldsmith performs at the Hen & Chicken Studio on North Street on Friday May 11. He’s now getting accustomed to parenthood and his latest show, Like I Mean It, explores everyday desperation and the secret of lasting contentment. It was awarded Best New Show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 and was in the top 20 bestreviewed shows at the Edinburgh Fringe last August.

“For me it’s all about Edinburgh – 2018 will be my 25th year and I’m doing a 250 seater at 2.50pm. My first trip there, age 16, as a theatre student marvelling at the street-performers and comedians, blew my head off. It broadened my horizons and I’ve performed at around one of Bristol’s newest City Nature Reserves, guided by botanist Dr Clive Lovatt from Bristol Naturalists’ Society, to seek out plant life flourishing in wild stretches of the banks of the River Avon and the New Cut. Meet at 2.30pm, Create Centre car park, Smeaton Road. Part of Bristol Walk Fest. £2; to book call 07411 980124 or email chris. hanmer@blueyonder.co.uk. franc.org.uk n Reflex II Music Night with Craig Windmill Hill community centre, Vivian Street. Second Saturday each month, 8pm-late. wcha.org.uk/whats-on

Laughter and pride for drama first-timers REVIEW Lost Sheep, Acta Theatre, part of React refugee theatre festival HIS was a preview show as part of Acta’s React festival, in partnership with Ashley Housing. (React stands for Refugee Engagement And integration through Community Theatre.) The show enacts the Sudanese saying – don’t dig a hole for your

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every one since.”

How is it playing to your home crowd? “I have to watch what I say a little bit lest I identify individuals.

There’s a story about accidentally dropping my son in the changing rooms of a swimming pool during a lesson that we attend locally. I’ve changed the names and the identity of the group but if there’s anyone there from that club they’ll spot it in a heartbeat!

“I love playing the Comedy Box. Steve [Lount] the promoter was one of the first to really take a chance on me and I’ve performed there several times a year. I’m always astonished by how many people he can ram into that room, as a result you get a huge crowd in a very intimate-feeling space.”

Tips for new local acts? “It’s George Rigden’s debut year at the Edinburgh fringe and I think he’s going to have an amazing year.

Goldsmith: Some local detail may be disguised to protect the innocent He’s cleverly held off going for a year or two while his life fell apart and now he has something meaningful to say, and he’s very funny in saying it. And Bristolian Mat Ewins finally got some recognition at last year’s festival.”

Stuart is also known for his podcast The Comedian’s Comedian.

This year he has interviewed big names like Russell Brand, Stewart Lee, Arabella Weir and James Acaster. So far he’s done 242 of his in-depth interviews exploring funny people’s creative processes.

With 55,000 weekly listeners, it’s had more than 8.5 million downloads.

Beccy Golding

Sunday May 13 n Anthotyping with Sophie Sherwood Tobacco Factory bar, North Street. Anthotyping is the process of using plant pigments to make photographic images. Learn how to extract pigments from flower petals to paint onto paper, take home and use to make your own images. No experience required. Sessions at 12 noon and 2pm, £3 per person. tobaccofactory.com/whats-on Tuesday May 15 n The Deep Dark Woods The Tunnels, Temple Meads. Surreal murder ballads and spooky love songs from the Southern Gothic

group, who have been compared to The Band. 7.30pm, £14. thetunnelsbristol.net Friday May 18 n Wreckless Eric The Thunderbolt, Bath Road, Totterdown. After 37 years on the road, Wreckless (real name Eric Goulden) is still blasting out original tunes on his new album amERICa. “One of the greatest songwriters ever to come out of Great Britain”, said BBC 6 Music’s Marc Riley. 7.30pm, £12. thethunderbolt.net Saturday May 19 n Happymess Slime Workshop Craftisan Shop, 186

Wells Road, Knowle. Learn how to make slime with play experts from Happymess. For ages 5+, 11.30am-12.30pm, £8 each, booking necessary. Children must be supervised. Learn how to make foamy slime and take a kit home to make more.

Facebook: Craftisan Shop n Lene Lovich Band The Thunderbolt, Bath Road, Totterdown. Post-punk “queen of quirk” Lene Lovich had a bunch of hits including Lucky Number until she fell out with her record company in 1982, unwilling to alter her style to suit MTV. Now Continued overleaf

neighbour to fall into – you may just fall into it yourself!

The cast of five men have varying levels of English. Ali, the farmer, holds the show together, he’s articulate and makes the audience laugh with his outrage at the sheep eating his vegetables.

His lazy neighbour has very little English and is very nervous, but has the biggest smile. Though it’s his neighbour’s laziness that cause his troubles, it’s Ali who gets his comeuppance when he takes matters into his own hands. A third softly-spoken neighbour helps smooth things out between them.

Meanwhile, a card-playing rumour-monger lets his jealousy of his new rich neighbour get the better of him, while the cheeky village chief presides.

It’s a touching moment at the end, when the village men come together in peace and harmony, order restored. And my heart swelled with pride for the bravery of the cast, standing on stage telling this story in a language they hardly knew.

Hats off to the production team for working with them to create this lovely family-friendly performance.

Beccy Golding

Lost Sheep: Ending in harmony Continued overleaf

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

May 2018

southbristolvoice

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BRISTOL CITY ROUND-UP

Sponsored by CLEVERLEY BUILDERS – supporting City and the best in building

Grisly endings for a mistress and a teenage killer on this fascinating tour

With so many opinions at this tense time, here’s our guide to the many City factions

REVIEW Murder, mayhem and mystery tour, Arnos Vale cemetery T’S THE first time this brand new tour has been run, and it certainly is not for the faint-hearted. Alan Bambury, our tour guide, is a convivial host, with bow tie and clipboard, relaying stories that he and his wife (who works in the cemetery shop) have researched together.

The title makes it all sound like a bit of fun but actually some of these stories are gruelling – domestic violence, abuse, families ripped apart, let alone the public hangings – but it’s all true and a real part of Bristol’s history.

One example, Elizabeth Jefferies, was found dead on her bed, drenched in blood, with more pooled blood on the floor, having had her head caved in by a large stone once used as a door prop.

Her servant, seventeen-year-old Sarah Thomas, was found hiding in a cupboard under the stairs, along

with a stash of sovereigns, a gold watch, and a collection of silver spoons, including five silver tablespoons concealed in her stockings. At her trial Sarah showed no emotion but when she was sentenced to be hung she became hysterical and collapsed. A petition for leniency in view of her age was sent to the Home Secretary, but turned down, and on Friday April 20, 1849, Sarah was dragged, screaming and pleading for her life, to the top of the gate house of Bristol’s New Gaol, where, even though she was pinioned hand and foot, she had to be held over the trap until the bolt was pulled. According to the newspapers, William Calcraft, the

hangman, was visibly shaken. And this is just one of the tales Alan has uncovered about people who are interred at Arnos Vale.

We spent 90 minutes weaving through the cemetery, up and down hills, and along some paths I’d not trodden before, visiting the graves of victims and perpetrators and some who just happened to have a baddie in the family. It’s fascinatingly gruesome and an insight into some of the cultural norms of not so long ago.

It’s always a pleasure to roam around Arnos Vale and signs of spring are starting to show, offering some light into this tour of shady dealings and the dark side of humanity.

Beccy Golding

(Franc) host their second event for Bristol Walk Fest. Starting at 6.30pm at the Cottage Inn, Baltic Wharf, explore the history of the Underfall Yard, Cumberland Basin and some of the New Cut, with guide Ed Hall. Cost £2; book a place by calling 07411 980124 or email chris.hanmer@ blueyonder.co.uk. franc.org.uk Tuesday May 22 & 23 n A Brave Face Tobacco Factory theatre. “Dear mum, things are a bit tough right now. But don’t worry – I’m OK. I’ll tell you about it when I get back.” But when soldier Ryan does return from duty in Afghanistan, he finds that he hasn’t left the stresses of combat behind. Vamos Theatre present a wordless piece using mask and mime in their award-winning style. For hearing and deaf audiences. £12, 8pm. Free postshow discussion on May 22. tobaccofactorytheatres.com Thursday May 24 n Lice: Double EP Launch

Loco Klub, Temple Meads.

Satirical art-punk band Lice releases It All Worked Out Great Vol 1 & 2, “drawing sounds and aesthetics from an abrasive clutch of early-eighties post-punk groups, particularly The Fall, The Pop Group and The Birthday Party, together with elements of noise-rock and warped country & western”. locobristol.com/shows Thursday May 24 & 25 n Daliso Chaponda: What The African Said Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken. Comedian Daliso Chaponda shot to fame last year on Britain’s Got Talent, but he’s also a playwright and fiction writer, journalist and former newsreader. £15.50, 8pm. tobaccofactorytheatres.com Saturday May 26 n Stand Up For The Weekend with Zoe Lyons & Co Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken Studio. Effervescent Zoe (you’ve seen her on Mock the Week, among other places) picks on life’s absurdities as she

headlines the weekend line-up. £11, 7.45pm. thecomedybox.co.uk Sunday May 27 n Barrow & Bradley Tobacco Factory bar, North Street.

Irish jigs and more, on fiddle and guitar. Traditional folk music with an improvisational approach. 8-10pm, free. tobaccofactory.com/whats-on Monday May 28 & 29 n Points of Departure Tobacco Factory Theatre. New work from emerging theatre companies at the Performing Arts department at University Centre Weston. From playfully irreverent clowning and absurdist comedy to explorations of current political events.

Tickets £10/£8, 7.30pm. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

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southbristolvoice

n THE CITY PAGE

n WHAT’S ON Continued from page 43 she’s touring with a new band, playing her ’79-82 hits and recent material. £14, 7.30pm thethunderbolt.net n Doreen Doreen Fiddlers Club, Willway Street, Bedminster. Bristol’s good-time band return to their favourite haunt. £12 advance, 8pm. fiddlers.co.uk Sunday May 20 n May Fair Arnos Vale cemetery. There’s free entry all day to this event showcasing craft and produce suppliers from the South West region. Sample jams and sauces from Fishpondsbased Ginger Beards Preserves, wildlife gifts and prints from Little Paisley Designs, tropical prints from Do It Later Illustration, and handmade baby bibs from Olive and Bell. Plus many more. 10am-4pm. arnosvale.co.uk n Milk Poetry Tobacco Factory theatre. The regular poetry night returns with award-winning playwright and poet Maria Ferguson, described as “funny, moving and accessible” by Saboteur Awards, and spoken word educator Joelle Taylor, whose poetry Benjamin Zephaniah described as “fearless”. More tba. £8, 7.30pm. tobaccofactorytheatres.com n The Big R Big Band SouthBank Centre, Dean Lane, Southville. Returning to Southbank for the first time since 2013, Big R will play two sets of classic swing music from the 1930s and 40s. 6pm, £10. southbankclub.webs.com/events Wednesday May 23 n Porcelain vase making workshop Craftisan Shop, 186 Wells Road, Knowle. Learn how to make a porcelain vase or two with Poppy Ceramics. Two-hour session at 7pm costs £32 and includes prosecco and nibbles.

Vases will be fired in a kiln and ready two weeks later.

Facebook: Craftisan Shop Saturday May 26 n Wildlife and Plants Tour Arnos Vale cemetery. For Bristol Walking Festival, this tour with ecologist Mary Wood takes in all the spring flowers that can be found in South Bristol’s 45-acre wooded hillside. 11am-12.30pm; sold out, but check for returns. arnosvale.co.uk Tuesday May 22 n Cumberland Basin Walk The Friends of Avon New Cut

May 2018

Ghoulish details: Alan leads the Arnos Vale tour PHOTO: Beccy Golding

REGULAR EVENTS You can have your event highlighted like this from just £5 per month. To find out more email Ruth Drury at sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk

To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

I

Some fans think promotion is in the bag. Others think we threw our chances away months ago.

Some blame the new luminous boots, says MARTIN POWELL

T MUST be so much easier supporting Bristol Rugby than Bristol City. Having secured promotion to the Premier League, rugby fans were able to have a celebratory beer (in sight of the pitch) while singing Swing Low Sweet Chariot for their final game at Ashton Gate.

Meanwhile Bristol City fans, unable to take their beer to their seats because of a law passed in the days of Thatcherism, gather on the concourse mumbling about momentum. They are talking about the momentum that will propel a team into the play-offs and the Premier League – nothing to do with Jeremy Corbyn or political factions.

The momentum seemed to be with Millwall, but with just a few

MARTIN’S SHORTS n City’s Josh Brownhill has revealed that when he was 11 years old he wrote a poem about his hero – Wayne Rooney! Oh, how we would all like to read it. n Well done, Bobby Reid, Bristol City’s stand-out player (so far) this year, in being named in the EFL Championship Team of the Year. Let’s hope he can also finish as the division’s top scorer.

games left City need to find some of their own – the type shown in a great 3-1 win over Birmingham in the season’s last floodlit game.

The fans are divided into more factions than the political parties at the moment and here is your Voice guide, so you can see which group you belong to.

The Happy Clappers Delighted to still be in with a chance of going up, they are celebrating a season where City beat Man United, bagged a string of Premier League scalps in the cup and made real progress up the league. Their anthem: Bounce Around The Ground.

The Loyalists Armed with a slide rule and a copy of Middlesbrough’s fixture list, they can show you exactly how City are going to make the play-offs and have already bought their season ticket for next year – a bargain for the Premier League.

Anthem: City Til I Die. Les Miserables Point out that wins since the turn of the year have been rare; say performances have been even worse, and would rather City had been kicked out of the cup early as it was a distraction. Anthem: Come On You Reds, sung plaintively.

Conspiracy Theorists Heard from a bloke in the pub that we have to pay £2 million a week for Ryan Kent to play in the reserves; Everton have already agreed a

Tough call: Some think Lee Johnson has his strategy wrong. Others think he’s in league with his dad Gary, the Cheltenham boss PHOTO: BCFC deal on any player who’s just had a good game, and Lee Johnson is in cahoots with his dad to ensure Cheltenham will be the top team in the region. Anthem: We Always Believe (pretty much anything).

The Pensioners Convinced that if John Shaw can return in goal instead of Frankie Fielding everything will improve. It wasn’t like this in their day and if players could stop wearing luminous boots we might just get somewhere. Anthem Red, Red Robin by Al Jolson (Google him).

FIFA 2019 Players They will tell you Lee Johnson doesn’t have a clue. They won the league by Christmas on a computer by

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buying an obscure player from Denmark and changing the formation. Why Johnson hasn’t done the same they can’t fathom.

Anthem: Johnson Out. The Neutrals Still wearing their half and half City/Man Utd scarf, they have a picture of themselves with Scrumpy on their mobile phone and Hordur Magnusson is their favourite player. You may have to explain the play-off system again to them. Anthem: Magnusson City Love You More Than You Can Know.

The debates will continue until either Bristol City have amassed enough points to be in the play-offs – or they don’t!

• LOFT CONVERSIONS • EXTENSIONS • NEW HOMES • GROUNDWORKS @cleverleybuildersltd

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

May 2018

southbristolvoice

46

n YOUR MP

KARIN SMYTH Labour MP for Bristol South

To keep our local hospital, we must make sure it’s well-used

L

AST month, I wrote about the Local Plan review, following some reports in the South Bristol Voice. The review mentioned investment into Bristol South – including the South Bristol Skills Academy (in which the apprenticeship fair took place in March) and, across the road from that, South Bristol Community Hospital.

Opened in 2012 in Hengrove, South Bristol Community Hospital filled the gap left by the closure of Bristol General Hospital. It followed decades of campaigning for a hospital south of the river. Run by University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, the £45m hospital offers a range of services, from physiotherapy to stroke rehabilitation, dental care and treatment for minor illnesses.

The hospital is a fantastic resource –

home to some brilliant and caring staff and the equipment and beds needed to deliver high quality healthcare for local people. But I want to see it made even better use of by the people of South Bristol.

In 2014, the Care Quality Commission found that the hospital’s operating theatres were underused, sitting vacant up to three quarters of the time, while outpatient sessions were only just over half-used.

When I first became MP for Bristol South, I carried out a survey which asked hundreds of residents about their views on their hospital. It was clear that many people didn’t

n LOCAL SERVICES

AERIALS

know what services they could access close to home and were still trekking across the city to hospitals in the north. The same survey revealed that nine out of 10 people who had used South Bristol Community Hospital had enjoyed the experience – with some lovely praise for the hospital and its staff.

Improved transport links are also essential to the long-term success of the hospital. The new Metrobus service is critical to bring patients, students and staff to and from the hospital, while also servicing other facilities nearby. The first wave of Metrobus routes don’t do this, and risk badly isolating Hengrove Park. I’ll be pushing for Metrobus to sort this out – and quickly.

Before I became an MP, I worked as a manager in the NHS, which gave me a good insight into how things work. Last summer I raised concerns about the merger of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire’s clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). I was concerned that this would affect funding and lessen the focus on improving South Bristol Community Hospital – a concern which remains now that the merger is completed.

I will continue to shine a spotlight on South Bristol Community Hospital, and I urge health professionals and residents to learn what is on offer on their doorstep to make the most of this much-needed resource.

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