South Bristol Voice September 2020

southbristolvoice

September 2020 No. 57

www.southbristolvoice.co.uk

We Sell and Let Property Like Yours

WIDEST CIRCULATION IN SOUTH BRISTOL – 15,000 copies of this edition

FREE MONTHLY IN Bedminster, Southville, Knowle, Totterdown, Ashton, Ashton Vale and Windmill Hill

IN

Interiors special - pages 18-21

MAKING WAVES Community begins fight to save Jubilee Pool from closure, Pages 4-5

Bid to save Windmill Students celebrate Local history, falls short, Page 3 exams, Pages 10 -13 Pages 23-25

We Sell and Let Property Like Yours Tel: 01179634373

Email: Southville@cjhole.co.uk

Web: cjhole.co.uk

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2

September 2020

News Lantern parade postponed - but there will still be light this year The Bedminster Winter Lantern Parade 2020, which would have been the event’s ten-year anniversary, is being postponed - but the community will still have an event to enjoy before Christmas.

Organisers say the unprecedented circumstances surrounding COVID-19, the impact on the community now and in the future as well as the uncertainty over how long social distancing arrangements will last, have persuaded the Bemmylanterns committee to postpone the 2020 event.

But requests from local people and businesses to have something means there will be an effort to bring some cheer to the end of the year.

The team have revealed that they are in the early stages of planning a one-off community creative lantern event.

The 'Bedminster Lantern Light Up' will be a special pre-Christmas one-off event where, instead of a mobile parade, 20 locations mainly on the traditional route, will display colourful community made lanterns.

Organisers are inviting local schools and community groups to take part in this special event.

They are also encouraging local street groups to get involved.

Details will be revealed over the next few weeks but for more information, contact the team at info@bwlp.org.uk

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Contacts

Editorial team: Charley Rogers, Marcus Stone,

Becky Day Editorial director news@southbristolvoice.co.uk (Currently on maternity leave) Ruth Drury Sales director 07590 527664 sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk Rich Coulter Editorial director 07775 550607 news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

Independent Community News Network member

Next month’s deadline for editorial and advertising is September 15.

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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: Call the above number for an appointment My councillor?

Post: (all councillors) City Hall, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TR. Celia Phipps Labour, Bedminster By phone: 07469 413312 By email: Cllr.celia.phipps@bristol.gov.uk Mark Bradshaw Labour, Bedminster. By email: Cllr.mark. bradshaw@bristol.gov.uk By phone: 0117 353 3160 USEFUL NUMBERS Bristol City Council www.bristol.gov.uk 0117 922 2000 Waste, roads 0117 922 2100 Pests, dog wardens 0117 922 2500 Council tax 0117 922 2900

Stephen Clarke Green, Southville By email: Cllr.stephen.clarke@ bristol.gov.uk Charlie Bolton Green, Southville By phone: 07884 736111 By email: Cllr.charlie.bolton@bristol.gov.uk Christopher Davies Lib Dem, Knowle Email: Cllr.Christopher.

Davies@bristol.gov.uk Phone: 07826917714 Gary Hopkins Lib Dem, Knowle (Lib Dem deputy leader) Email: Cllr.Gary.Hopkins@bristol.gov.uk Phone: 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

Housing benefit 0117 922 2300 Social services 0117 922 2900 Police Inquiries 101 Emergency 999

COMPLAINTS Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in the South Bristol Voice, contact the Editor using the details below. We aspire to follow the the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), nuj.org.uk/about/nuj-code.

Further details of the complaints process can be found on our website (below) or can be obtained by contacting the Editor by email: news@southbristolvoice.co.uk or by post: 111 Broadfield Rd, Knowle, Bristol BS4 2UX or by phone: 0777 555 0607.

southbristolvoice.co.uk/complaints-procedure

All stories and pictures are ©South Bristol Voice (unless otherwise stated) and may not be reproduced without permission.

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September 2020

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3

News

Pride but disappointment as bid to raise funds to save Windmill falls short

by Marcus Stone The crowdfunding campaign to save the Windmill as a pub has fallen short of its target figure, despite a last-minute influx of investors.

The future for the Windmill as a pub now looks more uncertain than ever and a revised planning application to turn the building into flats is due to be considered.

The Save The Windmill campaign needed to raise £300,000 to buy The Windmill from its owner Mike Cranney, but fell short despite raising a significant figure of £170,480 from more than 400 investors.

Commenting on the news, Miriam Venner, chair of the steering group, said: “We are

extremely proud of our campaign and the fact that the community rallied behind us in such large numbers. The reality is that the current economic climate is just too uncertain for many people and what might have been possible a year ago is now a victim of the pandemic.

“We have been amazed by the £170,480 we did raise from 428 investors. This is an incredible amount of money and an incredible number of people.

"Every one of these investors believed that The Windmill could be saved and was prepared to delve into their own pockets to support the cause.”

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to reach the target amount. One of these, Roland Oliver, a semi-retired actor who has featured in Casualty and King Lear at the Tobacco Factory, said: “Both myself and my son had invested and, like many others, we were disappointed to hear that the crowdfunding hadn’t been successful.

“I moved to Windmill Hill from Wiltshire around six years ago and the pub was definitely a factor in choosing the area. I used it regularly and hoped it could have a good future as a pub. With the delays in planning hopefully there may still be time to interest a brewery or other investor in buying it as a pub.”

Speaking to the South Bristol

Voice, Mike Cranney, owner of the Windmill said: “The landscape has changed significantly, due to Covid-19, since I first held discussions with the community group about selling the Windmill. Having served the local community for 15 years I would have loved to have sold it as a pub, and would still love to, however the chances of being able to do so now seem slim. The planning application will probably not be considered until mid-September and my main concern is getting change of use so that business rates are not being charged. If the pub had still been open it would have been eligible for a Covid-19 business grant."

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4

September 2020

Save the Jubilee Pool

We can't lose this much-loved pool

The popular Jubilee Pool in Knowle is again facing closure.

Campaigners say the proposals by Bristol City Council and Mayor Marvin Rees will deny local communities a much-loved and well-used pool which, in non-Covid times, is profitable.

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costs and measures to make it secure, along with limited opportunities to develop the facility further, mean it is not financially viable.

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competitive swimmers, Hengrove is also much colder than Jubilee and less attractive for leisure swimmers, children, families and those who use it for therapeutic reasons.

The Bristol South pool in Southville has been closed since last autumn due to maintenance work, with November the earliest likely re-opening date according to their Facebook page.

Jubilee Pool was built in 1937 and had a small gym added in 2012. This is the third time it has been threatened with closure – with the Friends of Jubilee Pool successfully fighting to save the facility in 2017.

A petition has been launched, with around 4,500 signatories as we went to press, calling for it to remain open and campaigners have been active on Facebook.

The petition reads: "Pre-Covid the pool was operating at a profit and without subsidy but more importantly it is vital for local health and wellbeing.

"The Covid threat to operating is real but can be managed at a modest cost and will last only until a vaccine is found. Best scientific opinion says that is likely to be in the first half of next year. It would be criminal negligence to let a vital community resource slip away because the council has a short-term finance problem.

"We note with sadness the failure of the council to maintain and recognise that a small capital investment is needed to protect it for the next 20 years and would support a local not-for-profit trust taking over if the council is unable to.

"Jubilee Swimming Pool is a well-used, much loved and vital community resource for local health and wellbeing. It provides leisure facilities within walking distance for all demographics of citizens in Knowle.

"It is a heritage building and a unique survivor of formerly common Bristol swimming pools.

"It represents the last remaining operational 1930s (Baths Committee approved) swimming pools in Bristol.

"It is a place where people meet, share experiences of learning to swim and keep fit and healthy. A variety of classes are held here and there are elderly

swimmers at the pool who still use it, decades after learning to swim there as children."

Knowle councillor Gary Hopkins said: "It is appalling what the Mayor wants to do with Jubilee.

"This pool was making a small profit prior to Covid and would only need a subsidy of £15,000 per month until the pandemic is over. This is in comparison to figures we have seen that suggest Hengrove will need £1m to see it through Covid."

Cllr Hopkins said the estimated £260,000 needed to modernise Jubilee was lower than for any other pool in Bristol.

He added: "In practice, for local people, going to Hengrove is very difficult. Most people walk or cycle to Jubilee.

"In addition, the number of kids who learn to swim in Jubilee is staggering and this is absolutely vital."

Cllr Hopkins said his Lib Dem group was confident of support from opposition councillors and some Labour members and will be raising a motion at a meeting in October. There will also be a council discussion this month.

In these pages, Labour councillor Jon Wellington said: "Clearly (closure) is not a proposal that I can support, and along with Labour candidates and other councillors in the local area I have written to the Mayor to voice our objections, and I hope to meet with him soon to raise further concerns.

"The only alternative I could support is for the council to commit to a new facility within reasonable walking distance of the existing pool." l Councillor views: Page 35 A city council spokesperson said: "As part of an ongoing

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September 2020

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5

Save the Jubilee Pool - voices of users Three generations of Jubilee swimmers

No space for clubs as it is

Jackie Mundy, 70, Knowle

"

I started learning to swim at Jubilee when I was a little girl aged 7. It was a choice of swimming or piano lessons. I chose swimming and went there until I could swim and then I used to go swimming with the school. I did my life saving skills in pyjamas and picking a brick from the bottom. I hated the life skills because it was hard to take your pyjamas off once soaking wet in the water. Little was I to know that these skills would come in useful in Australia. During my time there, my husband was swimming up and down a campsite swimming pool (as had recently learned to swim). He started waving at me and then I realised he wasn't waving, he was signalling for help. So, I swam over to him, turned him over into the lifesaving position and dragged him to the side. He had got into difficulties out of the blue I believe as a result of being new to swimming. Instead of flowers I got told off for not rescuing him sooner!

If the pool were to close, I would not be able to do my weekly aqua aerobics as I could not walk to another pool. This would reduce my exercise levels and I would miss the exercise and companionship it brings. Jubilee has always been part of the fabric of Knowle.

Tanya Williams, aged 41, I live in Knowle and mum of four Seb (7), Fabian (5), Evie (3), and Flynn (1).

"

I learned to swim at Jubilee like my mother before me and when I had got a bit older used to spend my summer holidays with my brother and friends in the pool. Always finished off with a naughty wham bar or toffee chew!

Most importantly we were out of my parents' hair for a few hours during the long summer holidays. When I got older Ididn't use the pool for a number of years and so was pleased when I could return to the pool to take my first born (now aged 7!) for baby swim. It was a great bonding experience and because the pool was warmer meant I didn't feel compelled to go to other swimming sessions marketed at babies at twice the price.

This was a highlight of my week as meant I could talk to other mums about their babies and learn some hints and tips as the various child developmental stages. As my family grew, our reliance on Jubilee did. It was a short walk away so did not need to rely on the car, which we also did not have when our family were young. Once my kids got old enough, they too began their swimming lessons which is a life skill, not luxury, meaning that our holidays and trips near water always felt a bit safer. While I appreciate that Hengrove is an alternative, the reality is very different. It is not within walking distance of Knowle, bus journeys are 40 mins long and parking there is expensive and not always guaranteed.

We tried Hengrove pool as an alternative to Jubilee. However we were severely disappointed and vowed never to go back. On a practical level felt it much colder.

This really makes a difference to how long you can stay in a pool with kids.

Thoughts of Evie Williams, aged 3

N

ot going swimming makes her sad. After lockdown she would like to be a real mermaid so she really needs her swimming lessons to return!

commitment to maintaining high quality swimming facilities in Bristol - and alongside concerns raised by the operator about mounting costs to run the facility - the council is proposing closing Jubilee Pool in Knowle.

"The proposal follows significant investment in leisure facilities in the south of Bristol, and the ongoing challenges presented by Covid-19 to safely re-open swimming pools and gyms.

"Due to the size and age of the building, a minimum of £260,000 was already needed to allow the building to function and prevent further deterioration.

"Added to this would be the costs of making Covid-secure adaptions to ensure the building can operate safely.

"Parkwood Leisure, the operator, has worked with the council to assess all options but determined the facility has no long-term viable option for operating cost effectively.

"The site has no parking and very limited space which also prevents a challenge for the operator to create enough revenue to support the ongoing management of the pool."

Mr Rees said: “Any future decision on the pool will be taken with community needs and feelings considered fully. These

Amelie Williams, 13, and mum Bryony, Knowle

"

I am an England youth squad artistic swimmer (synchronised swimming) and we live near the pool. I use the pool, and also the gym for training. The message we hear is that everyone needs to be active so closing the pool will not allow people to exercise as much. Jubilee is a busy pool and if it closes there will just not be enough space in South Bristol for all the lessons and clubs. My friends from school go there and other schools use it as well. Hengrove is fine for competitive swimming but it is very cold and casual swimmers don't want to have to warm up.

Bryony added: "It is a real struggle to find pool space so if they close, where will clubs go?"

Hengrove too cold Ruth Brown, Knowle

"

I have been attending the pool for about 10 years. I take part in swimming, aqua and the gym, sometimes seven days a week. One of the things I've missed most in lockdown is not being able to swim to sooth my joints and for general mental well-being. I would be more than upset if Jubilee closed. I could drive to Hengrove but find the pool too big and unfriendly but mostly because its really cold and because I can't swim very quickly it's hard to warm up and has the reverse of the desired effect on my joints."

will have to be considered alongside elements such as wider access to similar facilities where we have invested, in Hengrove and Bristol South, the sustainability of the pool and our financial position. A consultation runs until October 7, seeking the views of local residents and those who use Jubilee Pool.

Councillor Asher Craig, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities and Public Health, said: “As part of our strategy we must carefully balance the needs of the whole community with the costs to taxpayers and ensure we invest in sustainable and higher quality swimming facilities.

"We believe that the closure of Jubilee Pool is the best option, ensuring that users are aware of the facilities available to them at nearby Hengrove and Bristol South."

Parkwood Leisure, which manages Jubilee Pool, has been financially supported by the council to offset lost revenue during the closure.

Jubilee Pool will be remaining shut during the consultation period.

Responses to the consultation can be given online at www. bristol.gov.uk/jubileepool.

The petition is at https:// you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ save-jubilee-pool

Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Call Rich on 0777 555 0607 or email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

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6

September 2020

News

Arnos Vale secures £110,500 Lottery support as pandemic continues to affect charities

Arnos Vale Cemetery has received a National Lottery Heritage Emergency Fund grant of £110,500 to provide support in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the funding will help cover essential costs for the next 4 months to help deal with the immediate risks and become more stable. It will also help support the charity as they move forward.

Recognised for the vital contribution to the local community Arnos Vale Cemetery is regularly enjoyed by visitors for mental and physical wellbeing. The 45 acres of woodland and ancient wildflower meadows have a natural and cultural significance. They

provide a home for a rich variety of wildlife including lesserhorseshoe bats, large populations of slowworm and a family of badgers. The team and volunteers take immense pride in looking after this special place to ensure that the community can share all that it has to offer.

The funding provided some positivity after some bouts of vandalism on site. Most recently the Community Garden was damaged, top lodge door forced open and the shed broken into.

Arnos Vale CEO Ellie Collier said; “We are hugely relieved & overjoyed to receive this vital funding to help keep our magical place safe.

"We generate 70% of our income through our events, shop and room hire so the financial

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impact of Covid19 has been huge.

This funding will help to ensure our survival.”

“I would like to thank the team and all those that have donated and supported us so far, your support is essential during these incredibly difficult times.”

The funding, made possible

by National Lottery players, was awarded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund. £50million has been made available to provide emergency funding for those most in need across the heritage sector.

The UK-wide fund will address both immediate emergency actions and help organisations to start thinking about recovery.

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Heritage has an essential role to play in making communities better places to live, supporting economic regeneration and benefiting our personal wellbeing. All of these things are going to be even more important as we emerge from this current crisis.

“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we are pleased to be able to lend our support to organisations such as Arnos Vale Cemetery during this uncertain time.”

Like Arnos Vale Cemetery, other charities and organisations across the UK that have been affected by the unprecedented

impact of the coronavirus outbreak are being given access to a comprehensive package of support of up to £600 million of repurposed money from The National Lottery.

This money is supporting some of the most vulnerable people in communities and span the arts, community, charity, heritage, education, environment and sports sectors.

Thanks to National Lottery players, £30 million is raised every week for good causes, including heritage of local and national importance. By playing The National Lottery, people up and down the country are making an amazing contribution to the nationwide-response to combatting the impact of COVID-19 on local communities across the UK. You can donate to Arnos Vale by texting ARNOS to 70085 to donate £5. This costs £5 plus a std rate message. Or go to their Support Us page on their website https://arnosvale.org.uk/ support/ The National Lottery Heritage Fund is currently open to applications for its Heritage Emergency Fund. To find out more visit: https://www. heritagefund.org.uk/ responding-coronavirus-covid-19 To find out more about the National Lottery Good Causes , visit: www.lotterygoodcauses. org.uk/coronavirus-pandemicresponse

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September 2020

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7

News

Anger over plans for multi-storey car park

by Charley Rogers The proposed multi-storey car park development in Little Paradise is causing uproar amongst local residents.

The site, which runs alongside Church Lane in Bedminster, and is adjacent to the St Catherine’s Court assisted living facility, is currently an open-air car park, surrounded by trees and residential buildings.

The proposal from Bristol City Council to bring in property developer Dandara to build the multi-storey car park is detrimental to the area, argue the residents, and there are many other options to help drive the regeneration of nearby East Street.

The car park would be part of a wider development of 316 flats in a series of tower blocks and apartment blocks, as much as 16 storeys high.

This development has also attracted widespread criticism from local people who say 'building tower blocks ios not the answer'.

“It’s important to point out that none of us are against the regeneration of East Street,” says Church Lane resident Naomi Berry. “We would love to see East Street thriving again, but there are so many better ways to do it.”

Church Lane resident James Jackson is also concerned about the proposed development.

“Not only will it block the light for residents in St Catherine’s Court,” he says, “but it will have an environmental impact too.

"We should be discouraging driving, not making more space for it.”

The businesses that are thriving on East Street are independents, argues James, and they are popular with locals who

are much more likely to walk or cycle to the shops than to drive a long way to get there.

“This is a huge redemption opportunity for the council to launch a green project,” says Naomi. “Bristol is supposed to be the green capital of the UK, and yet there’s not a lot to show for that. This could be a great way to boost eco-living in Bedminster.”

Residents of St Catherine’s Court are just as irked about the plan. “I don’t understand how this fits into the anti-car plans supposedly going on in Bristol,” says Bill Jefferies, who has lived in St Catherine’s Court for threeand-a-half years. “What about the air quality? This car park will just encourage more cars, not fewer.”

The height of the new car park would also block off the light to much of St Catherine’s Court, something that both the residents of the building and their neighbours are concerned about. One resident of St Catherine’s commented that it seems as though the council have “forgotten about [them].”

Residents also claim that appeals to the council have not been effective. “We had one consultation with the council here,” says Bill, “where we raised our concerns, but it doesn’t seem like they’ve listened.”

However, aside from their objection to the car park, residents are also upset at the way the proposal has been executed. “The ability to leave a comment on the planning portal requires access to the internet, and a valid email address,” says James, “which shuts out a huge part of the population.”

James and his partner Laura have been helping neighbours on the street who don’t have email addresses to leave comments, and are now offering to do so for residents of St Catherine’s Court.

This is an opportunity to put the ‘green’ in Bedminster Green, says James, but instead the proposed plans will just increase noise and air pollution.

Naomi is also concerned about the trees that line the existing site. “[The developers] are planning to dig them up, but

they’re very established trees and the roots are subterranean – I very much doubt they would survive to be moved.”

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “The consultation for the proposed changes to Little Paradise car park has now closed. An application over whether or not to grant planning permission will now be considered by the Development Control Committee.

“In terms of local engagement, Cllr Nicola Beech, Cabinet member for Spatial Planning and City Design, wrote to local residents who live around the immediate vicinity of the current Little Paradise Car Park to make sure they had the information first, offering meetings to discuss the plans.

We then went on to hold two consultation events to discuss the replacement car park, river restoration and transport improvements.

“The wider engagement saw 5,000 postcards issued to residents in the wider area, and the two public engagement events took place on 2 and 5 March and both events were well attended. This engagement drew attention to the forthcoming planning application, available on the Bristol City Council planning portal, where people can also give their views.”

Dandara has been contacted for comment.

"I don’t understand how this fits into the anti-car plans supposedly going on in Bristol."

- Bill Jefferies

Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Call Rich on 0777 555 0607 or email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

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8

September 2020

Advertising feature

Sugaring makes for sweeter experience Bedminster’s Essential Maintenance has been listed by Vogue as a go-to beauty salon for treatment When Rebecca Porter started a small beauty business in her living room, little did she know that in a mere six years, she would have her own salon and be featured in Vogue.

Essential Maintenance, a vegan and cruelty-free beauty salon on East Street, specialises in sugaring, a form of hair removal which is much more eco-friendly and less painful than waxing.

Rebecca learned about the sugaring process around two years ago and was an immediate convert. “The process we use is cruelty-free, vegan, Fairtrade, and much more eco-friendly than waxing,” she says. “The only thing I throw away is a pair of gloves, and then the used sugar mixture, which is just sugar, lemon and water, and so completely biodegradable. We also get our sugar from a Fairtrade, woman-owned plantation, so it’s pretty special.”

Rebecca is a former secondary school teacher who decided to retrain and start a small business around six years ago. It wasn’t long before she had too many clients to treat in her own home and opened a salon.

Essential Maintenance is Bristol’s first sugaring studio, but Rebecca is confident that “the sugaring revolution is coming”.

“I’d say in the next year, sugaring’s going to be huge,” she says. The process is not a new one, however, having already been popular in the UK in the

1980s, but then its popularity dwindled. However, since environmental concerns have become more mainstream in the last 18 months or so, sugaring has taken off again.

“It’s a completely natural product, and we use organic ingredients,” says Rebecca. “It’s also less painful than waxing, and doesn’t make your skin go all red.

"It leaves skin smooth and not irritated, and gives it a light exfoliation as well. I don’t ever need to convince clients to come back – once they’ve experienced it, they’re all in!”

Sugaring has become so popular at Essential Maintenance that it has become the business’ de facto specialism, says Rebecca. “When I first started my sugaring course I wasn’t sure about it,” she says, “but by the end of the day I loved it so much I knew that my business would completely change, and that I’d switch from waxing to sugaring.”

"Within nine months of learning the process, Rebecca had trained as a sugaring teacher, and now works with the London Sugaring School, which is where Vogue learned about Essential Maintenance.

“There’s a trainer in London that I work with quite closely, and Vogue approached her asking for recommendations of sugaring salons in the UK, and I made the cut.”

The whole process has been exciting and overwhelming, says

Rebecca. “I never thought six years ago when I was waxing in my slippers, that one day my business would be in Vogue magazine!”

Essential Maintenance is located on East Street in Bedminster, and more

information about services and opening hours is available at www.essentialmaintenance beauty.co.uk To see the Vogue feature on sugaring, visit www.vogue.co. uk/beauty/article/what-issugaring

As seen in Vogue Magazine - recommended as one of the ‘go to’ places for Sugaring in the UK Essential Maintenance is the only unisex, beauty & grooming studio in Bristol that offers treatments using only quality vegan and sustainable products.

As such we’re a bit different to the high street beauty salon – we offer treatments that make the lowest waste footprint, from our fair trade, 100% biodegradable Sugaring Hair Removal services to our paper-stemmed cotton buds. And of course we focus on our clients’ well being. We want all our clients to feel comfortable and cared for in this space.

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September 2020

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September 2020

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10

Exam results 2020

Merchants - significant gains in A-Levels and BTECs Students at Merchants’ Academy in South Bristol are celebrating after receiving fantastic A-level and BTEC results with all teacher-predicted grades upheld by the exam board.

Around 38% of A-level students achieved grades A*-B, against 3% in 2019, 94% achieved grades A*-C and 100% achieved grades A*-E. Improvements spanned attainment and progress across academic and vocational subjects, with the value-added score over half a grade above the national average.

A-level subjects that scored particularly well include media studies and business studies where all students gained at least a grade C. In BTEC subjects, health and social care, ICT and sport also scored highly.

Adhering to social distancing guidelines, students were given timed slots to collect their results this morning, with family members waiting anxiously

Merchants’ Academy A-level students with Executive Principal Sam Williamson (centre) outside the school building as students reappeared with big smiles, waving their results papers in the air.

Kizzy Harris was among those celebrating today, as she accepted a place at the University of Bristol to study Business Management. “I’ve always dreamed of being a business consultant,” said Kizzy, “but I

didn’t think that someone like me would ever go to university.

"To tell my family that I’ll be heading to Bristol Uni next month had us all in floods of tears! My teachers have been amazing and I am just bursting with pride!”

Ollie-Mae Woodland re-sat Year 13 after personal challenges last year threatened to shatter

her dream of becoming an engineer. An inspiration to her classmates, Ollie-Mae remained focused on her goals, has significantly improved her grades in maths and chemistry, and today she accepted a place at the University of Plymouth to study Mechanical Engineering.

Chloe Siddle is forging ahead with her ambition to become a history teacher, securing a place at the University of Bristol to study ancient history.

Callum Parsons, who already plays football at county level and hopes to become a sports performance analyst, is heading for Cardiff Metropolitan University where he will study sport and exercise science.

“It’s been a nerve-wracking few weeks, as the goalposts for final grades have moved several times,” said Executive Principal, Sam Williamson. “Howeverthe results, reflect the resilience and determination shown by our students and staff."

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September 2020

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11

Exam results 2020

Merchants’ Academy has announced its second set of significantly improved results in the space of one week. Following an excellent set of A-level results last Thursday, the academy continues to improve student outcomes, with 54% of all Year 11 students achieving grades 4-9 in both English and maths, up from 37% in 2019. 38% of those grades are grade 5 or above, up from 17% last year.

The average attainment score is also a significant improvement at 41, against 34 in 2019, while progress this year for GCSE and EBacc has also improved.

Principal Sam Williamson

said: “We are extremely proud of this cohort of students, many of whom joined Merchants’ Academy with well below average starting points.”

Amongst many exceptional individual performances was Josh White, whose motivation and hard work inspired many of his peers. Josh achieved a grade 9, equivalent to A**, in six subjects and will now study A-levels in maths, physics and chemistry. Emmi Dawson, Alfie Carpenter and Klaudia Suzelreac are preparing to join Colston’s School as part of the Society of Merchant Venturers scholarship programme.

Students at Bedminster Down School, have collected their results in an exceptional year for GCSE examinations.

As announced by the Government, students have received their grades today which are their centre assessed grade or moderated grade if higher.

At Bedminster Down School students have places to move on to further study or apprenticeships.

Today teachers and careers specialists were in school to help students and will continue to do so during the next few weeks to support their choices and aid students who need extra help due to the months they have spent out of school.

The school will not be publishing headline results, preferring to celebrate the individual successes of their students given the exceptional circumstances this year.

Some stand-out results from individuals included Katy Parmenter who achieved 10 grade

7 or above grades, Luca Jakab, pictured, who arrived in Year 7 from Hungary without being able to speak English achieving 6 grade 9s and 3 grade 8s.

Students have been successful in gaining places at their first choice of 6th Form or college (including St Mary Redcliffe and Temple, Wellsway, IKB Academy and St Brendan's) to study a huge range of subjects from computing, physics and maths to art and design.

Headteacher Debbie Gibbs said: “We are so pleased that all our students are receiving the grades that truly reflect their hard work and achievements. They may not have sat an exam but they have certainly earned their results and we are so proud of each and every one of them. Although they have missed out on so much this year, they have not missed out on opportunity and it was lovely to see so many happy faces as students came to collect their results.”

Open events for Cathedral Schools Trust secondary schools Please visit the school websites for details of online events, tours where available and to book your place.

St Katherine’s School,

Trinity Academy,

Bristol Cathedral Choir School,

Ham Green, North Somerset, BS20 0HU

Brangwyn Grove, Bristol, BS7 9BY

College Square, Bristol, BS1 5TS

Saturday 26 September

Wednesday 16th September

Thursday 17th September

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Wednesday 23rd September trinityacademybristol.org/admissions

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Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Call Rich on 0777 555 0607 or email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

Virtual Open Morning Senior School and Sixth Form

Saturday 26th September, from 10.00am Please register to join: 0117 933 9087 | admissions@cliionhigh.co.uk Discover more on our website: www.cliionhigh.co.uk To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

September 2020

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13

Exam results 2020

'Our students should feel very proud' Students at Bridge Learning Campus in South Bristol have been encouraged to be proud of their achievements as they collected the results of their GCSE and vocational qualifications in August.

Despite a number of last minute changes from Ofqual, Pearson and the Department for Education, school staff at BLC and across the country have worked hard to give students confirmed grades today in all subjects other than BTEC Level 1/2 qualifications, enabling students to move onto the next step in their education with as much certainty as possible.

Some of the students enjoying success included Kira Meehan (Three grade 9s; four 8s; one 7; one 6) and Ayisa Can (Two 9s; three 8s; four 7s). A special mention should also be made to Chloe Radford, Louise Morgan and Lewis Pullen whose hard work led to them achieving the highest progress scores in the year group.

Headteacher Rupert Maule

Students collect their results - while staying safe!

said: “This has been an incredibly difficult year for GCSE students across the country, testing their resilience and character.

"Our students should be especially proud of their results and they can be reassured that

teachers and school leaders undertook a rigorous process to ensure these results are an accurate, honest and fair reflection of students' hard work over the last few years. We wish all of our students every success as they move on to their Post-16

destinations and hope they will keep us updated with their future progress.

"Thanks must go to all of their teachers, but also to every other member of staff who has given advice, support and encouragement over these students' time at Bridge Learning Campus.

"It takes a whole community to help a student achieve their best, and I am proud of and grateful for everyone's contribution, including those of our students’ parents, carers and families, in making our wider campus community as strong as it is.”

Given the unique nature of how results were awarded this year, the school will not be publishing headline figures.

Teachers and careers specialists have been at Bridge Learning Campus to continue to work with the young people and their families, ensuring that all students have places to move onto for further study or apprenticeships.

Bridge Learning Campus

SECONDARY OPEN EVENING

Wednesday, 23rd September, 5-7pm

Applying for secondary school?

See our campus and meet students, teachers and school leaders.

We welcome visits by appointment.

Call 0117 353 4472 Bridge Learning Campus, William Jessop Way, Hartcliffe, BS13 0RL bridgelearningcampus.org.uk Email: enquiries@bridgelearningcampus.com Facebook: @BristolBLC | Twitter @Bristol_BLC

Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Call Rich on 0777 555 0607 or email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

September 2020

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14

Meet the Head - advertising feature Message from Justin Humphreys, Head of St Katherine’s School

S

t Katherine’s is a thriving, diverse school community that has educated students from all over Bristol for many years. Indeed, Year 7 students from over 50 primary schools are joining us this September. So why do so many parents and carers choose St Katherine’s for their child’s secondary education?

I believe it’s because our

approach is based on the belief that, as individuals, we all perform at our best when we feel confident, secure and valued.

Along with my committed team I am passionate about giving every student an environment where they feel safe and happy so they can achieve their full potential. We do this through our exceptional pastoral care and absolute commitment to wellbeing which makes St Katherine’s such a happy, thriving school.

We take full advantage of St Katherine’s size to create a

friendly atmosphere where every child is well known and cared for as an individual.

Like our students, our staff are energetic, passionate and committed professionals, who stretch and challenge our young people both inside and outside of the classroom - we all learn something new every day and it enriches and improves us all.

Besides our track record of academic success - our GCSE, A level and vocational subject results have improved every year for the last six years - we offer a broad curriculum alongside

co-curricular activities designed to develop our students into young adults equipped socially and academically to take on the opportunities and challenges of life.

Above all, a St Katherine’s education is busy, inspiring, ambitious and great fun!

Come along to our September open day (details below) to experience it for yourself. You and your child are guaranteed a warm welcome.

St Katherine’s School OPEN DAY | Saturday 26 September St Katherine’s is a thriving, diverse school community where students enjoy an education that is busy, purposeful and ambitious but also great fun.

In a beautiful semi-rural location, with excellent public transport links, our school offers a positive and engaging learning environment that helps every individual perform at their best.

“St Katherine’s brings my passions to life” (Year 7 pupil)

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

September 2020

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15

News

Support service for South Bristol businesses

by Charley Rogers Bristol Council, alongside a number of delivery partners, has launched South Bristol Enterprise Support (SBES) for new and growing businesses in the area.

Delivery partners for the project include Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC), The Prince’s Trust, School for Social Entrepreneurs and YOKO Ltd., and partial funding has been supplied by the European Regional Development Fund and West of England Combined Authority (WECA).

The service is available for residents looking to start a business, and existing businesses wanting to grow. Support includes pre-startup training packages, bursaries, access to workshops and digital manufacturing technology at KWMC The Factory, support with product development, grants, business coaching, a

review of businesses needs and other specialist support.

Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, said: “We’re really pleased to be launching the South Bristol Enterprise Support service with our partners to give entrepreneurial activity in South Bristol a boost, particularly during this difficult time.

“Working collaboratively with key city partners is going to be

vital to the recovery of Bristol, and SBES will help to help people from all walks of life who have brilliant ideas to turn them into thriving businesses. I would encourage anyone in the area who wants to become part of a growing community of local businesses to apply.”

SBES will support businesses in any sector, but will offer specialist advice for construction,

digital, and food businesses.

Specific support is also available for young people, social entrepreneurs, and women.

Penny Evans, strategic lead for Knowle West Media Centre, The Factory, said: “We’re excited to be part of the SBES programme. We’ve been based in South Bristol for many years and we know that there is talent and creativity in abundance here – but many people haven’t had the opportunities or support to realise their ideas. We’re looking forward to supporting people who want to become part of a growing community of maker businesses – no previous experience of digital manufacturing or design will be required!”

The programme is currently open for applications, and is a three-year project.

More information about SBES, including how to apply, is available at www.sbes.org.uk

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Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Call Rich on 0777 555 0607 or email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

September 2020

southbristolvoice

16

ADVICE FROM A PHARMACIST

with Ade Williams

Tips on how to boost Mental Wellbeing

T

he broader cost to society of the pandemic is becoming evident. The recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows that the proportion of people in the UK suffering with depression has doubled during the Covid-19 pandemic, with stress and anxiety being most commonly listed by people.

Daily reports of job losses – pulling the rug from under hard-pressed families, ongoing unplanned disruptions and our increasing lack of confidence in failing leadership, it can all feel relentless.

The injustices being laid bare, as this ill wind blows away the cloak of camouflage, reveal that even in our shared experiences, social injustice means race, gender and financial status set you up to suffer much more.

Amid this onslaught, here are some much needed useful tips on how to boost our mental wellbeing. l Avoid continually monitoring the news and social media feeds. l Get information from UK healthcare professionals and reputable sources.

Ade Williams of Bedminster Pharmacy discusses how pharmacies can help people with a variety of health conditions, and ease pressure on the NHS l Look after yourself- Where possible, maintain a daily routine, and prioritise your wellbeing and mental health.

Caring for others, the burdens of balancing life and work can take their toll.

Remember always, seeking help is not weakness. l Stay connected to others. Keeping in touch with your friends and family as well as and checking in on others more vulnerable is helpful.

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l Talk with children – be aware that children, even those very young, know something is wrong. The changes in our behaviour, impact on us of stress/exhaustion and most certainly the absence of some familiar faces and places will leave them puzzled and many times scared. Take the time to talk with them and provide age-appropriate support to help them cope. l Act responsibly - we all now have a part to play. Wearing masks, getting tested, socially distancing, self-isolating if necessary, hand hygiene, to name a few things. For the first time in a long time, your actions will not just impact others but may even ultimately keep them alive.

We have sadly seen the closure of the Boots pharmacy on East Street.

This is a consequence of insurmountable pressures Community Pharmacy continues to face, exacerbated by the Government’s funding cuts.

Our presence in communities enables us to be the local NHS outpost – Ever Accessible.

At a time when needs are increasing, it is sad to see the loss of healthcare assets.

Bedminster Pharmacy is a small familyrun independent pharmacy, but our heart for this community is large.

Together, we will get through this. That is our promise.

Find us at Bedminster Pharmacy, 4-6 Cannon Street, Bedminster, BS3 1BN 01179 853 388

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September 2020

southbristolvoice

17

PUZZLES for all

The FIEND

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

For younger readers

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• 15 hours free early education for all http://stphilipsmarshnursery.co.uk 3-4 year-olds 0117 families) 9776171 (30 hours free for eligible

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Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Call Rich on 0777 555 0607 or email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

southbristolvoice

18

September 2020

Interiors - 4-page feature Jade from XXX gives her 'must' tips to bring a room to life Power of Paint A fresh pop of colour is the easiest way to enliven any room. And don’t stop at the walls, a painted ceiling adds serious drama.

Create a gallery wall This need not be expensive - fill blank walls with a collection of prints, postcards and treasured memories. Arrange on the floor before hanging.

Update Hardware New knobs are a quick and inexpensive way to refresh tired cupboards or furniture.

Lighting Good lighting can truly bring a room to life. Layer light at different levels for cosiness by using a mixture of tall floor lamps, table lamps and fairy lights. The more lamps you use, the better the atmosphere you will create.

Greenery Use house plants and fun plant pots to create a home jungle. Or display dried flowers and pampas grasses for a seriously chic look.

Mirrors Finally, add mirrors for depth and to bounce light around the room

HANNAH REDDEN.CO.UK To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

September 2020

southbristolvoice

19

The Bespoke Furniture, Upholstery & Soft Furnishings Experts

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his Autumn, freshen your home with pops of colour reminiscent of the beautiful colours we all think of at this time of year. Soft velvets in rust, ochre, red and orange echo the autumnal palettes to bring the outdoors in. Why not commission a couple of scatter cushions in the fabric of your choice, or upholster your living room furniture in a fresh new colour?

Upholstering your existing items – or

items saved from the tip! – is a fantastic way to reduce landfill waste. So much furniture is discarded simply because the colour doesn’t match current décor, or when it becomes slightly damaged.

Upholstering your furniture also gives you the power to create the colour scheme you’ve always dreamt of, with a fantastic range of materials from suppliers such as Harlequin, William Morris, and Linwood Fabrics.

Grown from Granddad’s shed in 1999, South West Upholstery is a Which?

Trusted Trader business with family at the core.

We can repair your furniture, freshen up or change the colour of any exposed wood, supply new legs or cushions, and replace springs.

Our team will help to narrow down your fabric choice, and will arrange samples to peruse at home.

Workshop Unit 7 Novers Hill Trading Estate Bristol BS3 5QY By appt. only

Open Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm 01173 702745 www.swupholstery.co.uk sales@swupholstery.co.uk

Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Call Rich on 0777 555 0607 or email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

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September 2020

southbristolvoice

22

Calling all superstars!

Let’s get back to school safely It’s nearly time for school!

Whether your children are aspiring vets, scientists, athletes, or musicians, are you ready to help them reignite that dream and get back into the classroom?

It’s perfectly normal to feel a bit worried about returning to school.

Some things will feel the same but there will be some changes.

School staff across Bristol are doing everything they can to keep your kids safe.

Here’s some homework for children, parents and carers, ahead of going back to school. Please make sure to:

3

1

Contact your school Make sure you’re up-todate with your school’s latest information about reopening and what to expect.

2

Travel safely

Can your children walk or cycle to school? Kickstart a healthy habit and get moving if possible.

If you need to take public Encourage transport, make sure you all adhere to the children to government wash their hands latest guidelines.

regularly

The risk of spread of COVID-19 is lower if we follow hygiene measures.

5

4

Do not attend with symptoms

to all of A big thank you school staf f d our teachers annued hard ti n co r u for yo itment. work and commciate We all appre your help in welcoming students back . ber safely in Septem

Children with COVID-19 symptoms must stay at home and get tested. If your Be kind child feels ill at school, It’s a challenging time s/he must tell a for all of us, but remember – teacher. you’re not alone. Don’t forget to support each other and look after See the latest COVID-19 government guidelines, your own mental health and resources to help prepare for going back to school wellbeing. It’s a class and health advice at www.bristol.gov.uk effort.

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

September 2020

southbristolvoice

Local History

23

A Bristol boyhood

Knowle resident David Lester responds to John Fletcher’s history with his own story of contracting and overcoming polio in 1950s Bristol.

He spoke to Charley Rogers

I

n last month’s issue of the South Bristol Post, we ran the first instalment of a history column from John Fletcher, who tells his story of a wartime boyhood in Bristol. For this month’s issue, we were lucky enough to be contacted by Knowle resident David Lester, who has a similarly thrilling story of growing up in the city in the post-war period.

David, the youngest of six children, moved to Knowle from Clevedon with his family in 1939, shortly before World War II broke out. Luckily, he came through the war, but in 1951 David’s life was to change irreparably once again when he contracted polio – a painful disease causing paralysis in the limbs and internal muscles.

David has written up his story, which he has titled ‘Someone Smiled on Me’, and in the chapter ‘The Gathering Storm’, goes into detail about the ordeal of having polio and the resulting hospitalisation and prolonged recovery. At one point, David’s condition was so bad that he had to spend time in an iron lung to help him breathe, and he recalls his recovery as being both lengthy and painful.

The illness first presented with weakness in his legs, but shortly after being admitted to hospital, David was unable to breathe on his own: “I have no idea how long I had slept but I awoke in a dreadful panic… I was unable to breathe and covered in sweat. I tried to catch my breath but to no avail… I felt as though I was suffocating”. It was immediately following this incident that David was placed in an iron lung, where he was to remain from March 29 until April 1, 1951.

Many details of David’s time in Ham Green Hospital in the spring and summer of 1951 come directly from his medical records, which he was able to recover from the hospital in 1997.

In ‘Someone Smiled on Me’, David writes about this

Clockwise from above left: David at Ham Green Hospital in 1951, during a visit from his mum, and sisters Joan and Hazel; a postcard David received during his stay in hospital; David was popular with the nurses; and a letter David received from Bristol Rovers and England football player Ronnie Dix, during his stay in hospital. May, 1951.

(David’s sister Hazel knew Ronnie) “unbelievable period” in his life, including being moved from the T Ward at Ham Green Hospital to S Ward, and the kindly Dr Hunt, Nurse Deitman and Sister Churchill.

He also tells the story of being joined briefly in hospital by his friend Mike, who had contracted appendicitis and German measles. “He was taken to the same side of the ward as I was,” writes David, “and was placed in a cubicle some two doors up from mine, which was wonderful; now I had someone

to chat and pass the time with.”

After Mike’s three-week stint at the hospital, David was definitely ready to go home, although he recalls that he had become “the sisters’ pet patient” and that they “spoilt [him] something rotten.”

David’s stay at Ham Green Hospital lasted almost six months; he was admitted on March 29, 1951 and was finally able to go home on September 18. His stay included many trying elements, including the iron lung, contraction of bed sores,

and an operation – an awful lot for a 15-year-old to endure.

Luckily, David recovered entirely and regained use of his limbs and lungs, enabling him to live a full life. He is now retired and is a talented amateur painter, creating canvases to decorate his home and pass the time during lockdown!

Do you have a fascinating story related to the history of Bristol? Let us know at news@ southbristolvoice.co.uk John Fletcher's tales, turn over))

Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Call Rich on 0777 555 0607 or email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

southbristolvoice

24

September 2020

Local History

'Even my dad's tools had to be sold'

This month we continue our serialisation of Memories of a Bristol Boyhood by Knowle resident John Fletcher. As he recalled last month, his early days were not easy and sadly, there was heartbreak for John when his father passed away in 1934, aged just 36

U

nfortunately my parents' marriage, through no fault of their own, was not altogether a happy one.

It began well enough with the birth of my sister Joyce on 30th November, 1928, but in the next few years misfortune struck several times. Firstly came the great depression when my father, together with many others, was put out of work. He found odd jobs wherever he could but it was a very difficult time.

He then became ill with cancer and was unwell for a long time before he died in February 1934, aged only 36. I regret that I had not asked my mother to tell me more about my father. The only two incidents that I recall being told about both concern football.

My mother said that she used to watch my father play. It must have been local teams of a reasonable standard as they were watched by small crowds and one comment she overheard was “That Fred Fletcher spends more time on his ass than his feet"!

The second was potentially more serious. One Wednesday afternoon when he should have been at work he attended a Bristol City F.A. Cup replay at Ashton Gate.

He would have kept that from Mother but was let down by the

John's father, Frederick Alexander Henry Fletcher (aged 20)

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Bristol Evening Post who ran a photo competition in which they printed a section of the crowd with one face ringed round. On this occasion it was my father.

The reward was 10 shillings, probably equivalent to more than £50 today. He offered that prize to Mother who was so angry that she threw it back at him. I expect she relented as it would mean food and clothing for the children.

My mother was left widowed with two children, Joyce, five years old and myself, one and a half years old, and as times prior to this had been financially stretched, Mother had virtually nothing, even my father’s carpentry tools had to be sold.

At that time we lived at 44 Kingshill Road, Knowle, a council house in a relatively new estate.

Presumably we paid little or no rent to the council as my father had no pension and I think the widow’s pension was 10 shillings (50p) a week.

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September 2020

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Local History

Sunday school Before starting state education I had already been enrolled at St. Martin’s Sunday School. My recollection of it is not good but I do remember playing with a sand pit and using wooden building blocks to build flat-roofed houses, supposedly depicting the Holy Land, and positioning palm trees and figures in robes to depict Biblical times.

We were also issued with a booklet with special spaces in which we stuck a stamp for each attendance. These were colourful and showed various festivals of the church or the miracles. I don’t know how it came about but at the age of five I found myself being taken to St Elizabeth’s Home on Sunday mornings.

This was a local orphanage run by Church of England nuns. I was not an inmate but called a ‘Boat Boy’. I was put in the care of Sister Kathleen, a very calm and friendly nun.

She would supervise me being dressed in a black cassock and a starched white surplus, topped off with frilly ruff around my neck. I was then given a silver container the ‘boat’ which contained incense. I was then ready to accompany the Server who was in charge of the incense burner, a very ornate piece of equipment which contained the to taking in lodgers. One of these lodgers who stayed with us for quite a long time was Sister Edith Fielder.

She was what we would now call a District Nurse, with special

John carrying an incense boat

responsibility for children. At that time in the mid-1930s following the depression, when money for the working classes was very restricted, a slum clearance, moving families

These wonderful recollections and stories are sure to jog the memories of many of our readers and we would love to hear similar tales and see photos from the period. Please email to news@ southbristolvoice.co.uk or post to South Bristol Voice, 111 Broadfield Rd Knowle Bristol BS42UX. All items will be safely returned

lighted coal onto which the incense was sprinkled, the lid of the burner being lifted and lowered by a system of chains.

The burner was then wafted backwards and forwards, issuing a sweet smelling scent and making a very distinctive noise as the burner came into contact with the chains.

The Server carried out this operation most of the time, but at other times the Priest would take over depending on some ritual part of each service.

This all took place in the chapel of the orphanage and was my first introduction to the ornate magnificence of ‘High Church’.

There were the bright colours of the stained glass windows, brilliantly highlighted by the morning sun, the intricate pieces of gold, silver, metal and wood carvings, any number of large classical paintings depicting religious scenes and also stone statues and bright material hangings lit by small chandeliers and many candles.

Children today are so used to television beaming in pictures of sumptuous palaces, cathedrals and such that perhaps they would not be as impressed as I was with this, to me, new cultural experience, not only the brilliant sights, but the smells and the chanting by the choir all had a ‘wow’ factor for me. from the smoke ridden centre of Bristol, was in operation and children's health was a big concern.

This was the field of work Sister Fielder specialised in.

I could not understand any of the ritual of the services, some of which was in Latin anyway, but just followed my leader, opening my ‘boat’ to replenish the incense burner when signalled to do so.

The one service I did understand was that on Rogation Sunday when we processed through the extensive gardens blessing the crops.

St. Elizabeth’s Home was situated at the top of Redcatch Hill and the grounds must have afforded some of the best and most extensive views anywhere in Bristol: to the east as far as Long Ashton, Ashton Court and Clifton Suspension Bridge; to the north the houses flanking along Clifton Downs, St. Michael’s Hill, the many hospital and university buildings and the Royal Fort, and to the west, Purdown and now the route of the M32.

Besides this one can see almost every detail of the low lying areas of Bedminster, Redcliffe, Central Bristol, Temple Meads and Old Market.

My walk from home to the Chapel took me along a new road “Stoneleigh Road” where new house building was in progress. It is strange to relate that Mary and I bought one of these 1937-built houses as newlyweds in 1962 and still reside in Stoneleigh Walk over 50 years later.

Scarlet fever and diphtheria were quite common and treated at Ham Green Hospital, whilst TB was treated at the ’open air’ hospital at Broadfield Road in Knowle.

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September 2020

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KARIN SMYTH MP for Bristol South

Young people must have a secure future

T

he Coronavirus crisis is far from over.

We’re already seeing unemployment rise here in Bristol South, with more people having to apply for Universal Credit, apprenticeship starts having dropped off and local businesses facing real financial difficulty.

By now, most young people have been out of school for six months. Exams were missed and schools and colleges had to find new ways to assign grades. We already have shockingly low rates of 18-year-olds from Bristol South going onto university (just 16 per cent, compared with 90 per cent elsewhere in the city). And we have a Government which focuses on Higher Education and treats Further Education as an afterthought underfunded and undervalued. The current model is inadequate and unsustainable and we need a radical change to support what the Children’s Commissioner recently warned could be a ‘lost generation’ of teenagers.

City of Bristol College is perfectly placed to help young people through this crisis and could play a crucial role in retraining older people who have lost their jobs as the result of the pandemic. I’ve worked closely with the college over the years – understanding the challenges it faces and the support it

While young people have not been the main victims of the virus itself, they will bear the brunt of this crisis for years to come. The latest Social Mobility Foundation report found that young people in “left behind” neighbourhoods – which we have in Bristol South - are 34% more likely to be unemployed than the UK average. I recently joined an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) which looks at this very issue and will be working on addressing this.

I asked the Minister to ensure funding for all 16-19-year-olds. I was pleased to see the Government U-turn and invest £96 million into this area but am disappointed that it's rerouted funding from schools' budgets. And it will take more than that to undo a decade of under-funding in the sector.

It is vital that we have a comprehensive ongoing support package for young people or we’ll all be living with the consequences of this for decades to come.

Are you a young person or the parent of a young person? If so, please do share your experiences with me via the contact details below.

Twitter: @karinsmyth Facebook: KarinSmythMP Website: www.karinsmyth.com

needs, and pressing the Government for this. I started my annual South Bristol Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair at the South Bristol Skills Academy to help connect local people with employers and opportunities locally.

The need for skills training has never been greater. Shortly before lockdown, I attended the ground breaking ceremony for the new Advanced Construction Skills Centre in Hengrove which, when open, will train the next generation of construction workers and skilled tradespeople. We fought for this facility here in Bristol South which creates much-needed opportunities for local people.

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September 2020

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MARVIN REES, Mayor of Bristol

F

Back to school

or many families, this will have been a September like no other. As the summer holidays drew to a close, I’m sure many families had an almost familiar routine like mine – rushing to find new uniform that children had outgrown, as well as sourcing new stationery and PE kit.

This year, however, the back to school rituals feel very different. For huge numbers of children across the city, including my own, this September is the first time they have stepped back into their school and classrooms since the beginning of lockdown in March.

And for those children who have been able to attend school – whether because their year groups were permitted to return, or because their parents are key workers – this will be the first time that they have been reunited with the rest of their class.

We recognise that lockdown posed unprecedented challenges for families, school staff and especially children. For my wife and I, it is a relief to have our children back in the classroom – but qualified by a natural concern for their safety and that of their teachers.

I also know that despite herculean efforts to provide home learning for families, not all children have had the space or the resources

to access and work through material provided by their schools. Getting children across the city back into the classroom safely has to be our collective priority. We know that without this, many parents will not be able to return to work. And if children fall even further behind in their education, we will exacerbate inequality and disadvantage in our city, and the task of bridging that widened divide will stay with us for generations.

The challenge for us all, across the city, has been to interpret changing government advice to get pupils back safely. That is why schools are a particular focus in our local Outbreak Management Plan. There will be outbreaks as lockdown eases. That’s

inevitable, it’s the way pandemics work. We must be sure we are able to identify any cases that emerge and isolate them. Our priority throughout has been to trust and support school leaders with their decision making, and we will continue to do so, making sure that schools’ knowledge of their pupils, their local context, and their physical environment are central to our response.

But our focus is not just on the immediate task of ensuring that children’s return to the classroom is safe: we have continued to plan for the future of Bristol’s school system and have recently taken decisions to ensure we have an education system fit for our changing and growing city. Over the summer, planning permission was granted for a new secondary school on Silverthorne Lane in St Philips as part of our plans for Temple Quarter. This adds to the new secondary schools under construction in Knowle and in Lockleaze.

And in September, Cabinet agreed to increase the provision of specialist educational places to meet growing demand and ensure that children with special educational needs and disabilities can access high quality education.

I thank parents, teachers and the children and young people for their resilience – you have shown us the very best of Bristol.

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September 2020

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29

THE WICKED WITCH OF KNOWLE

In witch I ponder how well I know my neighbours, and God exits the building

M

y neighbours (Mr & Mrs Lovely) are quiet, unassuming, genuinely good people. You would think they lived normal, uneventful lives filled with trips to their allotment, walks with their old dog and visits to the local church.

But behind the façade of loveliness are a couple of daredevil scallywags.

Back in the good old days of the 80s Mrs Lovely completed a skydiving course. I was shocked.

She told me about her third jump. Mrs Lovely had tipped out of the plane, automatically triggering the pull cord to release the parachute. But something was wrong. Instead of drifting quietly down to earth, she shot up, towards heaven.

Glancing down she saw the face of her instructor gawping up at her. She watched as the plane quickly banked away. The parachute started to tilt from

side to side as she through our walls THE WICKED fumbled with the (thankfully he WITCH OF lines. She was still is rather good).

KNOWLE high in the air and Back in the day he drifting off course was the keyboard wondering if she player for The would ever set foot Talisman, a Bristol on earth again.

Reggae band, and After what felt like has played the hours, she floated Pyramid Stage over a huge hedge, at Glastonbury landing on her Festival. No way! bottom in the middle of a field I found a picture of him on of potatoes. The farmer cried: the internet looking mean and “Where have you come from?” moody. Mr Lovely, who goes to Turns out that Mrs Lovely church every Sunday. I would had managed to catch a thermal, never have called it. something professional sky Talking of churches. Himself divers can only dream of. The looks like God at the moment. instructor zoomed up in his 4x4 He has a massive beard and soon after and said they had been his silver locks stick out in mad watching her through binoculars. angles which sway like a softly He was envious. This gentle, lit halo around his head. The quietly spoken lady jumping out other morning God declared that of planes and catching a thermal? he was going to visit his newly I never expected that story. reopened barber. Halleluiah.

Then there’s Mr Lovely who God’s barber is near Saint plays the recorder. I can hear it Nicolas Market. He decided to

drive. This Covid nightmare has affected the barber badly. His normal clientele were mainly drop-in office workers, but they don’t exist anymore. The barber rents his shop but instead of getting the Government’s £10k lifeline for business rated companies, his landlord pocketed it. Harsh. The barber is considering giving it all up. But maybe he needs to diversify. The building he is in has a basement.

The barber and God pondered on how brilliant it would be to open an underground comedy club, for people like them who don’t get offended. It would be raucous.

After an age God returned, the beard had been trimmed and the W Himself was back halo scalped. in the room. “You were a long time” I mentioned, narrowing my eyes. “Was it because Baldwin Street and Bristol Bridge are now closed to cars?” Frowning, he proclaimed, “I drove over Bristol Bridge, it wasn’t shut?” Oh dear..

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‘YOUR INVESTMENT FOR THEIR FUTURE’ Discover this gem in South Bristol.

This independent school situated on the Wells Road in Knowle, comprises Cleve House School and Little Cleve Nursery and takes pupils aged from two to 11.

We maintain an excellent teacher pupil ratio and strive to build confidence and resilience in all. Pupils are heard to read daily, swim weekly and we offer a host of extra-curricular activities. Pre and post-school care helps support busy family life.

Cleve House is proud of our tradition of two and even three generations of the same family

coming to the school. We would love for this to continue, whilst we enjoy welcoming new families.

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September 2020

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BS3 Wildlife News and My Wild South Bristol Say No to the Mow Various local groups are seeking to make Bristol parks less mower happy. Short grass is fine for football and perhaps a picnic, but isn’t much use to wild creatures and flowers. The objective is to leave at least a few bits of every green space uncut for most of the year. If you would like to make a statement on behalf of your local park or green space, or just as a concerned citizen, please send it to Martyn Cordey who is heading the campaign (martyn8@blueyonder.co.uk).

Malago Tree Walk Katie Murray has recently graduated from UWE in Environmental Management and has developed a tree walk for the Malago.

We understand that others are developing tree walks for Greville Smyth and Victoria Parks and look forward to seeing these.

Katie says: "The benefits gained from having access to green space are exceptional. Particularly for urban dwellers, the extent, composition and access to green space is increasingly recognised as crucial to improved human

BS3

Malago Tree Trail

well-being and quality of life. It is important that we recognise, learn about and appreciate the current green spaces and inspire stewardship.

"Community groups, such as the BS3 Wildlife Group, are key to making the changes towards a more sustainable and greener city.

"In the recent lockdown circumstances, green space accessibility was significant to many; to be outside could have been considered a luxury.

"Encouraging people to appreciate the environment that surrounds them seemed significant.

The BS3 Malago Tree Trail is an opportunity to explore the local green corridor and learn about the various tree species along the route.

I hope this will stimulate more and more people to value our city’s trees and may even motivate others to develop their own routes."

South Bristol Voice has created a link to the guide at: https://www. dropbox.com/s/wm7jq9obj3fq99l/ MalagoTreeTrail_BS3.pdf?dl=0

"The society collected a huge amount of data nationwide. The Mardyke had five species of bat: Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Common pipistrelle and the most frequent and smallest UK bat, weighing about the same as a 20pence piece); Pipistrellus pygmaeus (Soprano pipistrelle); Myotis sp (there are six closely related myotis species); Nyctalus noctula (Common Noctule bat and one of

BS3 Wildlife Group - get involved

Bats Elaine G reports: "Last year the British Bat Society asked for volunteers to record bats. We had seen bats over the garden for years and I always wondered which ones they were.

"Anyway, Robert and I volunteered. They were monitoring set locations throughout the UK. I had hoped our garden in Southville would be one! But, the nearest to us was The Mardyke pub in Hotwells. The landlord was amenable and over the summer, Robert set up the recorder in the day and collected the recordings next day which were then sent off to be analysed. This happened over about five different nights.

the largest in the UK); and Nyctalus leiseri (Leisler’s bat).

"We also made some recordings in our garden and a friendwas able to analyse our recordings. We had two species: Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Nyctalus noctula. " BS3 Wildlife Facebook group: www.facebook.com/ groups/437023800042314

Butterflies, Spiders, Hedgehogs, Sparrows and Toads These are among the many wild animals that share our part of Bristol, but some are under threat.

The BS3 Wildlife Group and its allies are local people seeking to raise public awareness of these creatures and to improve local habitats.

Habitat improvement means things like not using poisons and leaving some rough patches in your garden, local park or allotment; putting up bird and bat boxes and ensuring that food and shelter is available, especially over the winter.

We like wild flowers, too.

If you would like to know more, contact us on mywildbedminster@ virginmedia.com We share pictures and ideas via our Newsletter, Facebook and Instagram.

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Our purpose is leading improvement in policing, victim support and criminal justice services on behalf of local people.

ABOUT POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONERS Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) are elected to be the voice of local people in policing and to hold the Chief Constable to account PCCs ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient police service while enabling the Chief Constable and police to operate independently The PCC works in partnership with a range of local and national agencies to ensure there is a unified approach to prevent crime, support victims and reduce reoffending

YOUR PCC Until the 2021 elections, PCC Sue Mountstevens will continue to focus on the following key priorities: - Protect the most vulnerable from harm - Strengthen and improve local communities - Ensure the police service has the right people, right culture, right capabilities - Work together effectively with other police forces and key partners to deliver better services to local people

As a result of the coronavirus, there are particular areas under those priorities that the PCC wants to focus on, including: - Overseeing the work of the Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) to tackle serious violence - Oversight of the efficiency of the CJS to ensure victims and witnesses are supported - Supporting local victim services with a particular focus on domestic abuse and sexual violence victims - Engaging with local communities to ensure they are supported during the ongoing health emergency

I want communities to know it’s their police service. It does not belong to any political party; it belongs to local people and they deserve to have a voice.

My role is about being independent, open and compassionate.�

OUR VALUES

THE PCC WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU Your voice counts in policing and you can influence how your police service works

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You can speak to the PCC by: avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk pcc@avonandsomerset.police.uk

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Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, Police Headquarters, Valley Road, Portishead, BS20 8JJ

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September 2020

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News

Knowle shop steps up as the city gets cycling Rachel Dickinson from Bristol Cycling Campaign talks to a Knowle bike shop owner to find out how they have coped with the surge in demand during lockdown Water bottle cages and inner tubes have been as hard to find as flour, pasta and loo roll during the coronavirus lockdown as demand for bikes and cycling accessories has soared across the UK. Here in Bristol, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people of all ages out on their bikes. It has been a lovely upside during a very difficult time. But it means that new bikes – especially the most affordable – are in very short supply and repair shops have been overwhelmed with requests for services.

“It has been absolutely chaotic from the get-go”, says Matt Sully, owner of Sully Cycles on the Wells Road in Knowle. Known for being a fast-turnaround repair shop, Matt has had to work flat-out to try to keep up with demand.

“I am working 70 hours a week in the shop just to cut through the work plus another seven or eight hours on admin. In other words, I haven’t really slept properly for the past three months!”

Matt’s new bikes have flown out of the shop. “We’ve only got five bikes right now. Trying to get hold of stock – both bikes and accessories - has been really difficult. Water bottle cages are completely sold out and our sales

of inner tubes have gone up 2000%. Keeping our repair stock up has been really challenging.

And our April delivery of bikes for the summer never landed.”

However, things have now moved on with lockdown easing and car levels back to normal; how can Bristol City Council encourage all these new cyclists to keep using their bikes?

It’s about confidence, says Matt.

“The quiet roads - especially in the first weeks of lockdown – really helped new cyclists to get out on their bikes and build their confidence. It would be really good if more cycle lanes were built quickly to give people that confidence. But this could take time and the important thing is for people who have tried cycling during lockdown to keep doing it.”

Barney Smith, of Rollquick Bicycles in Bishopston, says: “I would like to see more designated cycle lanes, especially on busy roads and hills like Ashley Down Road. Even as a seasoned cyclist, I still find many cars get uncomfortably close. Cycle paths and lanes definitely help people feel less anxious about cycling.”

Helen Gadbury of the Electric Bike Shop in Redland adds: “I think much more practical thought needs to go into road design and there needs to be

Bikes for repair at Sully Cycles much more consultation with cyclists.

"I have seen changes to road layouts that have made it harder

for cycling not easier.”

To find out more about Bristol Cycling Campaign please visit bristolcycling.org.uk

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34

September 2020

Views from your local councillors

What a load of bollards! At the time of writing I have been told (but not had it confirmed) that a lot of the barriers on North St will be removed.

As a Green, you would think I would support these measures.

As a concept, ie encouraging more people to walk and cycle, I certainly do. But my instinctive response on first seeing them was to dislike them. There was - I don't know - something about them which was just unwelcoming.

As a shopper on North St, I found it difficult just crossing the road - you get funnelled in to the one or two entry points - it could actually be dangerous. Then there was the fury of local shopkeepers who found they were getting a substantial drop in income, coinciding exactly with the barriers introduction. (One lost almost all Saturday income).

At the same time, I posted a poll on a local Facebook group, and got over 500 responses in one day. The results suggested a big majority thinking they barriers a waste of time.

So the BID (Bedminster Improvement District) met officers to revise proposals and suggested a big reduction in the number of barriers. And it looks like - after some delay - Kye Dudd, cabinet member for transport has agreed the changes, and they will implement the plan.

(Thanks to Kye for this).

I suppose my main concern is that we simply can't afford to lose some key local traders, and the losses they were presenting were far bigger than I would have expected. This may of course be 'Covid' affected - resulting in a change of shopping habits - it certainly bears investigation.

Green wisdom says that when you make shopping areas more pedestrian friendly, you get more people using them. I think this is correct, but actually the changes to North St only partially achieve this. Further proposals need to be researched and thought through a bit better.

Celia Phipps Labour Bedminster At last, we have had the results of the parking survey held in the winter. You can read them in full at the Consultation Hub on the Bristol City Council website via Bristol.citizenspace. com/management-of-place/ southville-and-bedminsterparking-survey/ In short, 27% of eligible residents responded [1,945 properties out of a possible 7,115] which does not meet the criteria for overwhelming support for a residents' parking scheme. But of those who responded, 59% wanted a residents' parking scheme, 73% were in favour of junction protection and 80% were in favour of match day parking.

Junction protection in the Ashton area had been agreed some months ago and we were anticipating completion of the works over the summer. In 2019,

Forums in South Bristol

ousing lH

G

Invoet lved Sep

rums Fo

Local Housing Forums for Bristol council tenants

we were actively engaged with the local survey by Rate BS3 which we feel demonstrated the breadth of the parking problems in Bedminster. Do you feel a Liveable Neighbourhood would make a difference in Bedminster and how would this look on the ground? Air pollution levels dropped by almost a half during lockdown and there was a big increase in walking and cycling.

If you would like to see further road changes in the area , please email Highways on www.bristol. gov.uk/covidtransport.

Better news and beneficial to the wider environment, the funds for tree planting across BS3 was approved and we will see planting in the Autumn/ Winter in several sites. These include replacing the trees lost on Victor Road, new sites on Silbury Road, new trees in South Street park and other local parks, including Greville Smythe and Gores Marsh and five replacement trees around the Jessop underpass and Cumberland Basin. Please continue to contact us either via email, phone, or our Facebook page. Stay Safe.

Loc a

Charlie Bolton Green Southville

t 2020

Area 5:

Area 6:

Monday 21st September 2020 1.30pm – 4pm

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• If you’re a council tenant, you can have your say on how the housing service is run and can make suggestions about improvements to shared council areas. Housing Officers will also be there to help you with your enquiries.

• Places must be booked, you can do this online at: www.bristol.gov.uk/LocalHousingForums or for more information contact: Tenant Participation (0117) 352 1444 or email tpu@bristol.gov.uk.

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September 2020

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Views from your local councillors Gary Hopkins Lib Dem Knowle Jubilee Pool - here we go again!

It will not surprise readers that there are decisions made by the mayor with which we disagree. Nothing, though, has equalled the stupidity of the mayor’s latest plan to close Jubilee Pool permanently.

We fought off the Labour closure plans in 2010 with judicious investment and forced this mayor to back down in 2013.

Until Covid, Jubilee has been running at a small profit without subsidy. Like EVERY other pool it would need a temporary subsidy to run under Covid restrictions, but this amounts to £15,000 a month (less than a quarter of the cost of his private political office) The operators are fine and have nearly two years to run on their contract.

The mayor has tried to frighten residents with a repair list of £260,000. This was the

result of a detailed survey to give a 15-20 year lifespan.

Questioning unearthed that this was much less than other pools in Bristol.

The mayor claims the council cannot afford the costs, but he has wasted £260,000 EVERY WEEK for 4 years on his energy company gamble. (£50 million pounds plus).

Most Jubilee users do not get there by car, but the mayor’s plan to force journeys of several miles is unfair and bad for our environment.

Jubilee is an important positive contributor to health and wellbeing in Knowle and the surrounding area. Closure would particularly affect our youngsters and older residents trying to keep fit and active.

By the time you read this the protest will be well under way but you can add your name to the petition at - http:// savejubileepool-ldbristol. nationbuilder.com/sign_the_ petition or comment at the next Full Council Meeting on 6th September or go to the council petition site.

Jon Wellington Labour Windmill Hill The proposed closure of Jubilee Pool, reported elsewhere on this edition, will affect residents of Windmill Hill ward, and many have been in touch with me already to voice their objections. As we know, the current arrangements were to be reviewed in 2022. The Coronavirus measures have meant the pool is not making a profit for the operator, Parkwood, and as a result they have handed the contract back to the council. The council now has to decide what to do and the consultation that is currently ongoing proposes closing the pool.

Clearly this is not a proposal that I can support, and along with Labour candidates and other councillors in the local area I have written to the Mayor to voice our objections, and I hope to meet with him soon to raise

further concerns. I can accept that the building is no longer fit for modern standards, costs a lot to run and maintain, and is unlikely to be operational for much longer. For this reason, I do not believe that a community asset transfer or similar (as proposed by the Mayor) is really feasible, though I’d be happy to be proved wrong.

The only alternative I could support is for the council to commit to a new facility within reasonable walking distance of the existing pool. The council’s own sports strategy document accepts that with the existing provision in Bristol (including Jubilee Pool) there is barely enough swimming facility coverage and proposes a new pool in Central or East Bristol.

I think we should look into amending this to provide a new pool that is easily accessible by foot to people in Totterdown, Knowle and Brislington.

In the meantime, I will support all efforts to keep the pool open until a replacement facility is proposed.

Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Call Rich on 0777 555 0607 or email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

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September 2020

News

Young poets make a splash in competition A pair of talented poets from Ashton Gate Primary School were among the winners out of 600 entrants from 22 local schools in the fifth Ablaze poetry competition.

A panel of judges, including Bristol’s first poet laureate Miles Chambers and Ablaze sponsor, Bristol Water, chose the category winners and overall winner.

The theme for this year’s poetry competition was ‘Water’.

Beatrice Brown, from Ashton Gate Primary School, was the under 7 category winner with her poem ‘Cloud Burst’. In the 7-9 year old category, Ryma Medjeboub, from Whitehall Primary School impressed the judges with her poem ‘The Boy and the Sea’ and Amelie Scanlon, from Ashton Gate Primary School with her poem ‘Look at Me!’ was the winning entry in the 9-11 year old category.

Although this year’s prizegiving event couldn’t be hosted

due to Coronavirus restrictions, staff from independent charity Ablaze were able to meet their competition winners on their doorstep, hand them their certificate and prize, and let the children know how much their poems and pictures were loved.

For the first time the overall winner was in the under 7s category.

Ablaze gave huge congratulations to Leilani Peglar, from St Ursula’s E-Act Academy for her wonderful poem, ‘Water’.

At only 6 years old Leilani is clearly headed for great things!

This year’s poetry book, with over 90 selected poems and a collection of pictures, is in production and will be available to buy soon.

To order a copy for just £5 see enquiries@ablazebristol.org Ablaze exists to tackle inequality of opportunity for young people in the West of England region.

Beatrice Brown and below, Amelie Scanon

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News

MP Karin: mayoral systems aren't working

by BBC LDRS reporting team for South Bristol Voice Bristol MPs are demanding changes to local democracy, calling the current system of mayors, councils and combined authorities “very confusing and not enormously effective”.

During an hour-long question time organised by the city’s Festival of Ideas, Labour’s Karin Smyth, Darren Jones and Thangam Debbonaire said a shake-up was needed.

They voiced concerns that too much power was being centralised at Westminster and in metro mayors with inconsistent authority at the expense of communities and local councillors.

Bristol South MP Karin Smyth told the remote session: “The current Government has not shown itself particularly willing to let go of power.

“It doesn’t respect devolution.

“It looks like powers from Brussels when they’re taken back

will be centralised in London.

“We are expecting a new white paper on devolution, once again sucking power up from communities back in to metro mayors which the Government sees in England as the solution.

“That doesn’t bode well.

“We have a patchwork of metro mayors with varying powers and very little money to

effect change. I have never been particularly in favour of the mayoral model because it doesn’t root power and trust in our communities.

“But if we are sticking with the mayoral model, we have to do something quite radical to re-empower local communities and the local councillors who represent them. Unless there is a strong voice from empowered councillors in South Bristol who have a transparent way of being involved in decision-making that is public, accessible and changeable then that will start to wither from the vine. We now have trust in our communities as a result of this crisis.

“This is an opportunity to afford a different constitutional arrangement around metro mayors and devolution.”

Bristol North West MP Darren Jones, chairman of the House of Commons business, energy and industrial strategy committee, said: “The

institutional structure is very confusing and not enormously effective. My committee is doing an inquiry looking at devolution and whether that’s structured in the right way to deliver growth.

“In Bristol we have our councillors, city mayor, Local Enterprise Partnership, West of England Combined Authority (Weca), metro mayor and now the Western Gateway.

“I am not really sure any one of those layers has been given the proper empowerment or financing to make decisions that really work for people in the context of very significant centralisation in Westminster.

We will be reviewing that.

“Why have we six tiers in Bristol and one somewhere else?”

Bristol has a city mayor – Labour’s Marvin Rees – and its city council is part of Weca, along with South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset councils, whose metro mayor is Conservative Tim Bowles.

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News in brief COVID FUNDING: More than 7,200 local businesses and organisations have received cash help from Bristol City Council during the coronavirus pandemic - including a wine bar in North St, Bedminster.

Since the Government's business support grant funding has been available, in response to Covid-19, over £91m has been processed to support local businesses across the city.

More than 95% of businesses in Bristol that are eligible for the Small Business Grants Fund, the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund and the Discretionary Grants Fund have applied and successfully received grants ranging from £1,000 to £25,000.

Charlie Taylor, owner of KASK in Bedminster, said: “The speed in which we received the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant from the council was phenomenal. The funding gave us security at the start of lockdown to know that we could pay our rent and get through this difficult time. We’d strongly

encourage any business who hasn’t yet applied for a grant to check if they are eligible and apply as soon as possible.”

Councillor Craig Cheney, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Performance, said: “These business grants have been vital to our local economy – helping to ensure the survival of shops, cafes, hotels, restaurants and many other businesses in Bristol."

KASK is a wine bar and deli on North Street, Bedminster which opened in October 2019.

CANCER TREATMENT: Health leaders at Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (BNSSG CCG) have welcomed a sharp rise in the numbers attending cancer appointments following a decline during the pandemic and urge people with concerns to speak to their GP. The number of cancer referrals in the area dropped to below 70% of the usual amount

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since the outbreak of Covid-19.

Numbers have begun steadily increasing since then but are still 25% below average.

GPs are concerned that people could be missing out on vital early treatment for cancer by not visiting practices and hospitals for appointments due to fear of catching the virus. The South West currently has the best rate for returning cancer patients in the country and BNSSG has the second best in the region.

However attendance levels are still low and anyone with an appointment is urged to attend.

Philip, 51, a builder from South Bristol was diagnosed with testicular cancer during lockdown urges others not to delay taking action.

He said: “I knew something wasn’t right after feeling a pain in my abdomen but I ignored it for a few weeks. I didn’t want to bother my doctor, but the pain got worse and I thought I should get it checked out so I called the doctor and they rang back in the afternoon. After I explained my symptoms I was told I needed to

come in for an appointment.

Seven days later I had an ultrascan at the BRI and 10 days later I saw a specialist at Southmead. A further 10 days later I was operated on and I’ve since had the all-clear.

“I admit I was a bit put off going to my doctor during lockdown because I thought they had enough to deal with but I am very glad I did as it potentially saved my life as it was caught early. My experience in the hospital was very good. The hospital was sanitised and very well organised and all the staff had plenty of PPE.” BROADBAND: South Bristol can this month claim to be one of the fastest neighbourhoodsin the UK, thanks to the arrival of Vodafone Gigafast Broadband. TVodafone is delivering Gigabit home broadband capabilities across Bristol. Unlike most home broadband services based on old copper telephone lines, Vodafone Gigafast broadband uses all optical-fibre cables all the way up to a customer’s in-home router.

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