South Bristol Voice Bedminster, April

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southbristolvoice April 2016 No. 6

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LOCAL NEWS FOR LOCAL PEOPLE

MAYOR ELECTION SPECIAL P15 | LETTERS P23 | PLANNING P25

Who’ll be part of the clean campaign?

WE’VE already had Let’s Walk Bedminster – now it’s time for a new campaign. After the success of the drive to make walking easier and safer, the focus is switching to keep the streets clear of unnecessary – and potentially dangerous – rubbish.

We didn’t have to look for long to show the problem – this pile of recycling bins is in West Street, filled with unsorted rubbish which the council won’t collect.

What can be done about it?

Bedminster is about to find out, thanks to a link between Bristol Waste services and local people.

Story: Page 12

Human trafficking raid arrests Page 3 Pop-up museum reveals past Page 4 Parking: Verdict from 2 RPS surveys Page 5

WIN A Bristol Blue Concorde memento

Page 20 Q&A: Laura Kidd, She Makes War Ben Bradshaw, Stef Brammah and Cllr Celia Phipps on bin patrol

Page 29

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southbristolvoice Paul Breeden Editor and publisher

07811 766072 | paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk

Editorial team: Beccy Golding and Giles Crosse

KEEP CALM AND

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Intro

ON page 29 we have a story about the former St Dunstan’s church, whose owners have been refused permission to knock it down and turn it into flats with shops below.

The plan was turned down for being too obtrusive, among other reasons which we list in our story.

But it emerged that if flats had been built a rather incredible condition would have been imposed.

The council’s air quality officer said that pollution is so bad on Bedminster

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Down Road that some flats fronting onto the road would have had to have their front windows sealed shut, with ventilation systems bringing cleaner air from the back of the building.

The Parson Street gyratory system is said to have the most traffic-polluted air outside the city centre.

A good thing, then, that in our quiz of mayoral candidates, starting on page 15, we ask them what they’d do about Bristol’s air quality.

Most of them want a Low Emission Zone in the city centre. But when? And how about one for Parson Street?

How do I get in touch with ...

My MP? Karin Smyth MP Labour Email: karin.smyth.mp@ parliament.uk Post: Karin Smyth MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA Phone: 0117 953 3575 In person: Surgeries on Friday April 15 and 29 at Knowle West Health Park, Downton Road BS4 1WH, 9.15-10.45am.

My councillor?

All councillors can be reached by post at Brunel House, St George’s Road, Bristol BS1 5UY Celia Phipps Labour, Bedminster By phone: 07469 413312

By email: celia.phipps@bristol. gov.uk Mark Bradshaw Labour, Bedminster By phone: 0117 353 3160 By email: mark.bradshaw@bristol.gov.uk Surgery at Marksbury Road Library, 4th Saturday of every month, 10.30am-12 noon Stephen Clarke Green, Southville By email: stephen.clarke@bristol.gov.uk Charlie Bolton Green, Southville By email: charlie.bolton@bristol.gov.uk

USEFUL NUMBERS Bristol City Council www.bristol.gov.uk 0117 922 2000 Waste, roads 0117 922 2100 Pest control and dog wardens 0117 922 2500

NEIGHBOURHOOD PARTNERSHIP The Greater Bedminster Community Partnership is the local forum that brings the public together with councillors, council officials and other bodies.

0117 922 2900

Housing benefit 0117 922 2300 Social services 0117 922 2900

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

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Council tax

Bedminster Office 165 East Street, Bedminster, BS3 4EJ 0117 953 5375 bedminster@besleyhill.co.uk

April, 2016

Police Inquiries 101 Emergency 999 Fire

Emergency: 999 Inquiries: 0117 926 2061

Next meeting June 27, 2016, 7pm Bristol International Bowls Centre, South Liberty Lane BS3 2TY

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

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

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

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April, 2016

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Police raid two car washes in human trafficking probe

SEVEN people were arrested and an estimated £40,000 cash and several cars were seized in raids in south and central Bristol by police and other agencies investigating human trafficking allegations.

A 35-year-old man has appeared at Bristol magistrates court charged with identity document offences.

A further six people who were also arrested were released on police bail.

During the multi-agency operation on March 11, seven homes were searched along with two car washes in South Bristol and Temptations nightclub in Old Market.

Police have not named the car washes but they are believed to be the Five Star car wash in

MODERN SLAVERY THERE are thought to be 13,000 people in Britain who are being held or coerced in conditions of modern slavery.

Police are appealing to anyone who knows someone who may be a victim. Are they living in poor conditions? Do they appear to have restricted freedom of movement? Do they seem reluctant to speak?

For information call the helpline 0800 0121 700 or visit modernslavery.co.uk Hartcliffe Way and another in Brislington.

Five of the seven men were arrested at their homes in South

Bristol, with a further two detained at Gatwick airport.

The operation was looking for evidence of human trafficking, money laundering, cannabis production and document offences.

Officers from Home Office Immigration Enforcement, the National Crime Agency and national anti-slavery charities were all involved.

Detective Inspector Chris Saunders, speaking about modern slavery, said: “One of the biggest issues which we face is that often victims don’t see themselves as such. It takes time to establish their individual circumstances. Building their trust is crucial.

“We’ll always act when we believe people may be at risk and

our over-riding focus is on identifying, rescuing and supporting victims, as well as bring perpetrators to justice.

“The crucial message to get across is that modern slavery is happening in the UK today and it’s closer than you think.

“This is a hidden crime and has a massive impact for victims.

“I’d urge people to report anything suspicious to us.

“Your call to the police could help safeguard and protect a really vulnerable person.”

• Sander Lika, of 16 Clinton Road, Bedminster, was charged with two counts of possession or controlling identity documents with intent and making a false statement to obtain a driving licence. He was remanded to Bristol Crown Court on April 8.

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News

Great line-up at Syria benefit A BENEFIT night with a top quality line up aims to raise money for Syrian refugees.

Headliners are Get the Blessing, with Jim Barr of Portishead on bass, and John Parish, who has produced with PJ Harvey.

It’s at the Thunderbolt in Bath Road, Totterdown, on Saturday April 30, in aid of Syria appeals by the Red Cross and UNICEF. Also on the bill is Pop Parker, aka Mark Barber (ex-Chesterfields and Grape), and new young local band The Future History.

It’s £7 from bristolticketshop. co.uk or £8 on the door.

• www.thethunderbolt.net

Vector still alive APOLOGIES to office furniture maker Vector. In our February issue we implied they had shut down when their factory in Raleigh Road closed. The firm is alive and well in Ashton Vale.

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April, 2016

Memories are everywhere you look on West St

S

EE WEST Street come alive next month when – for one weekend only – the road will be adorned with old photos and displays to bring back the history of one of Bristol’s proudest streets.

For the past six months the Way out West group have been collecting audio and video stories from people who remember the street in the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

In those days, many shops served the workers from the busy factories just off the street – and the churches, chapels and pubs supported community life.

A pop-up museum in the United Reformed Church Hall will have photos and tales of the Winter Fairground run by the Heal family behind the old Red Cow (now the Malago guesthouse), the boxing booth in

“JJ Needham – diploma for best bread” reads the sign above the door the Red Cow pub, the first South Bristol Festival held in South Street Park, and harvest festival services in the Plough & Windmill run by the Mowers Club, which held charity collections there.

Bristol University’s Know Your Bristol will be at the museum on Saturday to scan photos for a city council project, Know Your Place: West of

England. Organisers are keen to see old photos of all aspects of family, school and working life.

On all three days the people who’ve recounted their memories will be on hand to talk to visitors.

• Friday April 15, schools only • Saturday April 16, 10am-5pm • Sunday April 17, 1-5pm For details email info@way-out-west.org

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April, 2016

Parking

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Split views over RPS

A SURVEY by Bedminster’s Town Team has found significant opposition to the two residents parking schemes introduced in the area last autumn.

Almost half – 48 per cent of traders responding – said they thought RPS was a terrible idea, with only 16 per cent supporting it and 19 per cent neutral.

Asked how the reality of RPS compared to their expectations, 32 per cent said it was worse then expected and a further 45 per cent said it was much worse.

However, only 31 businesses took part in the survey – a small sample of BS3’s hundreds of traders. The biggest sector was the 10 respondents who identified themselves as non-food shops. The split was roughly equal between those oin the Southville and those in the Bedminster East zone.

However, a much larger

Surveys find traders opposed but residents more positive

survey conducted by Southville Green councillors Charlie Bolton and Stephen Clarke found a more mixed picture.

About 48 per cent of residents supported or strongly supported RPS, while 38 per cent did not.

Two thirds of the residents were from the Southville RPS area, with 12 per cent from Bedminster East.

Just over 39 per cent of the residents said RPS had turned out worse than expected, narrowly beating the 37 per cent who found it was as they expected, and the 24 per cent

who thought it more positive than they had expected.

George Grace, who leads the Town Team in its work to improve the area as a place for business, said he expected the council to listen to the traders’ concerns – many of them raised before the RPS schemes were introduced.

“We have just passed this survey to the council. The feedback is pretty negative and so we are are sure the council will fulfill their promise to carry out a review and ensure the scheme works for the benefit of businesses and shoppers as well as for residents,” he said.

Among the Town Team requests are for more pay and display (P&D) spaces on the roads next to North Street, with North Street itself reserved for P&D with no resident spaces.

They also want unnecessary yellow lines removed to make more spaces for shoppers.

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MATCH CRACKDOWN

ASHTON residents welcomed a police crackdown on illegal parking at football matches.

Community support officers now patrol streets during every game at Ashton Gate, issuing tickets and getting vehicles towed if they are a serious obstruction.

Residents noticed the difference on March 19, when several cars were ticketed.

“Great to see the illegal parkers on Swiss Drive and Swiss Road getting warnings or parking fines,” said one resident on Facebook.

Others reported tickets issued in Avebury Road and Duckmoor Road.

Another said: “Glad they are getting fined. They park right round the corners and on the pavements.”

“It’s so dangerous – if an ambulance or fire engine needed to get down my road today there would be no chance,” said one.

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April, 2016

Why the station is blooming ...

A cut above: Bedminster station HAVE you ever wondered why the forecourt of Bedminster station looks so colourful in the summer? It’s nothing to do with Network Rail – the tidy borders are the work of volunteers, who have also taken on the entrance to Victoria Park in Fraser Street.

They meet on the first Sunday of every month – the next being April 3, between 9.30 and 11am.

“Right now crocus, hellebores, jonquils and flowering currant are looking lovely,” said organiser Christine Higgott.

Bring gardening gloves and a trowel. Details: 07901 874375.

Bedminster Green: How the Urbis plan might look from Malago Road, with the energy ce ntre to right. The greenhouse shown on the roof of the energy centre is no longer part of the plan, though it may be relocated

Residents in talks on £100m Green

Meetings with developer find common ground

MEMBERS of the Windmill Hill community are working with developer Urbis as proposals inch forward for a £100 million new centre for around 800 homes and businesses around Bedminster Green.

The next few weeks will see regular meetings continue between Urbis and members of Windmill Hill and Malago planning group, or WHaM. The first working group discussed a district energy centre, proposed for Malago Road near the railway bridge. It would be powered by gas – part of it ecologically-produced biogas – and would provide heat and electricity for hundreds of homes.

WHaM chair Howard Purse said the group had done its own research and found that the gas plant – which Urbis says is many times more efficient than ordinary domestic boilers – may not be a bad option.

Mr Purse stressed that WHaM has not agreed a view on the plant but said: “I don’t think it’s a terrible idea.”

Urbis had hoped waste carbon dioxide from the plant could be used to help grow plants in a greenhouse on the roof – shown in our illustration.

The greenhouse can no longer be fitted on the roof but Urbis hopes to include it elsewhere in the scheme.

A planning application for the energy centre is now expected to be made in June.

The site could be producing power by February 2017 to serve the rest of the site, although this

would be from a temporary facility.

Urbis managing director Richard Clarke said he is looking forward to working with WHaM and other local groups including Windmill Hill City Farm and the city council to produce proposals that satisfy everyone as far as possible.

More meetings are planned on transport, housing and green spaces. The Urbis vision is to build green areas into the design and open up the Malago river with an attractive walkway.

Residents have called on Urbis to reduce the height of the tower blocks in the scheme – some could be up to 12 storeys.

Urbis has not revealed exactly how many homes it proposes – though Mr Clarke promised more information would be available soon.

Mr Clarke said he was happy to work with Create Streets, a partner suggested by WHaM, which has expertise in building high-density housing in low-rise blocks.

Mr Clarke warned, however, that more low buildings could mean less land is available for community use.

But he stressed that Urbis is happy to work with local people in any way possible – for example on the revamped Bedminster station, which will have a new entrance on a green on the Bedminster side of the tracks.

WHaM also wants to explore how roads can safely be shared with cyclists and pedestrians.

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April, 2016

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Hope the Imp can be saved SUPPORTERS of the nowclosed Imp in Southville are hoping that it will reopen as a community pub under its new owner.

Developer Spaceworks bought the pub on Alpha Road in February and is hoping to turn the upper floor into flats.

Members of the Alphaville residents association applied last year to have the Imp registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), in theory stopping a new owner from changing its use.

Spaceworks is a specialist in converting old buildings such as churches into loft spaces and live-work apartments.

The firm has issued an appeal against the ACV listing, but the Voice understands it is willing to work with residents to find a solution they can live with. It may agree to redevelop part of the building and let the ground floor as a licensed community

place and more of a community space. “We are thinking of a kind of community pub serving beer, good wine, coffee, cakes and warm pies, with a bit of music,” said Mr Booth.

Bristol city council is due to

Not serving: The Imp in Alpha Rd space. Many residents bemoan the loss of the Imp, which was the centre of annual street parties.

“When properly managed, the Imp is a valuable, successful and much-loved local hub,” said Eric Booth, chair of Alphaville residents association.

However, the pub has not always been popular with all its neighbours and residents are hoping a local manager can be found who will make it into less of an old-fashioned drinking

rule on Spaceworks’ appeal against the ACV but Mr Booth is hoping an agreement can be reached within the terms of the listing.

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Elections: Councillors CONSERVATIVES Southville James Stevenson and Elli Villa-Vercella JAMES and Elli are pleased that Conservative mayor candidate Charles Lucas has forced the current mayor to make parking available at the arena. Without Charles leading this campaign local residents would have been blighted with more parking chaos.

Our city is gridlocked and we need to get it moving. This will be best achieved by reviewing bus lanes. All 20mph zones need to be reviewed and removed if they serve no purpose – they should be kept where they are needed such as outside schools.

We also need more railway stations around the city and a dedicated cycle network. Local Conservatives led by Charles Lucas made the mayor pledge to re-open the Prince Street bridge, which is a vital link to the south of the city. The city is gridlocked and only local Conservatives have the answers to get it moving.

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April, 2016

All Bristol council seats are for election on May 5

GREEN Southville Charlie Bolton THE reason I stand for election is simple. I want Southville and Bristol to be more sustainable and socially just. After pressure the mayor is bringing forward the Metrobus stop at Paxton Drive. We need more – especially ensuring the park and ride is open on match days. I will lobby for investment in cycling, and for walking to be treated more seriously, for public transport and to retain services for those with the greatest need.

Southville Stephen Clarke CHARLIE and I have really tried to listen to you on matters such as RPS and received hundreds of responses to our survey. We have campaigned to save Faithspace as a community space. Following our pressure the council agreed to review a new Ashton Gate station. We have worked with the stadium on the travel problems.

Most rewardingly, we helped many individuals with problems from housing to fly-tipping.

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS Southville & Bedminster BRISTOL is a great city - but it could be so much greater. For every triumph of innovation and creativity that this city can boast, there’s an environmental or social challenge.

Liberal Democrats believe in empowering people – and our proposals are about us tackling the issues the city faces together.

We would: ● Share executive decision power between the mayor and cabinet members. ● Introduce a ‘transparency revolution’ with respect to council decisions, starting with publishing the line-by-line accounts of Bristol 2015 Ltd. ● Work more closely with all neighbouring authorities and get government support for devolution of power on transport, council tax, health, benefits, skills and housing. ● Offer referendums in the RPS areas brought in since 2013 as

and where there is significant demand from local residents to have their say. ● Review council tax reduction scheme with the aim of making it available to more residents. ● Levy up to 200% council tax on empty houses. ● Introduce a low emission zone in the city centre and extend the pedestrianised areas. ● Take back control of our bus services by introducing cheaper fares and having routes set by the council, not the bus companies. ● Segregate cycle lanes across the city and introduce better cycle parking facilities. ● Introduce a new Park and Ride and new local train stations. ● Reduce the cost of the first RPS permit to the amount required to administer the scheme, review need for the number of yellow lines in RPS areas and introduce 1 hour free parking across the city for RPS permit holders ● Invest more money in our parks and green areas.

The Voice is covering the elections in April because our May edition will be out very close to the May 5 election. We received nothing from Labour in

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April, 2016

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Elections: Councillors

CONSERVATIVES Bedminster Catherine Ford, Richard Clifton CATHERINE and Richard are glad to be part of a Conservative team that saved our local libraries. Bedminster had been threatened with closure; Conservative bayor candidate Charles Lucas successfully saved six libraries from closure, including Bedminster.

Our city is gridlocked and we need to get it moving. This will be best achieved by reviewing bus lanes. All 20mph zones need to be reviewed and removed if they serve no purpose – they should be kept where they are needed such as outside schools.

We also need more railway stations around the city and a dedicated cycle network. Local Conservatives led by Charles Lucas made the mayor pledge to re-open the Prince Street bridge, which is a vital link to the south of the city. The city is gridlocked and only local Conservatives have the answers to get it moving.

GREEN Bedminster Glenn Vowles, Will Quick WE have grown our numbers significantly to 14 Green councillors in Bristol and this year we are in a position to win in Bedminster. We were agonisingly close in 2015, second by just 264 votes to Labour.

We know the area and love it.

We have knocked on every door in the area and many hundreds of people have given us their views via our 60 second survey.

We want the council to listen much more carefully to local people on issues such as walking and cycling routes, parking and local development plans.

Public transport needs greater priority with more buses.

We will support strong local shopping streets. We want Bristol to be a leader in the new Green economy which can provide real jobs and sustainable development. We want the council to promote the living wage throughout the city.

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LABOUR Bedminster Mark Bradshaw, Celia Phipps WE are both engaged in a range of local initiatives working as a team with our MP, Karin Smyth.

Bedminster is a great place and we want to see it thrive. We have experience, commitment and a strong record of delivering for our community.

Our priorities: • Housing: getting more affordable homes built and protection and support for people renting; • Public transport: bring back the 25 bus, make the 24 more reliable, more seats on the 75 & 76, invest in access and more stopping trains at Parson Street, direct link to Temple Meads; • Let’s Clean Bedminster: action on fly-tipping and litter; • Parks – we’ve worked to get South Street, Luckwell and Gores Marsh improved; we want to see Ashton Vale get a new play area.

• Engagement – on social isolation, community transport, decisions such as RPS which were imposed.

Southville, from UKIP, or other parties. These statements are edited; full versions at www.southbristolvoice.co.uk

9

Secret Gardens spring into life

GARDENS across Bedminster are bursting into life and on Sunday April 24 from 11am to 4pm, 19 gardens are opening their doors for this year’s first Bedminster’s Secret Gardens open day.

The guide and map is available for £2, with proceeds going to local gardening and environmental projects. The guide can be picked up at Bell Lane Flowers, North Street; Eileen’s Flowers, West Street; Ivory Flowers, North Street; Riverside Garden Centre; Create Centre; Southville Centre, Beauley Road; Windmill Hill City Farm; Tobacco Factory Market (April 24).

“We hope people will be inspired and surprised at just what amazing green space you can create. This year there are lots of new gardens opening for the first time, plus some of those that opened in 2015. So if you visited last year you can see how others have changed and grown,” said Matthew Symonds, Secret Gardens organiser.

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

Vote for Steve Clarke & Charlie Bolton in the council elections on May 5th

’!

N E E R G L L 'A E L IL V KEEP SOUTH What have they achieved for Southville in the last year as your councillors?

 Really listened to what you have to say about issues such as the parking scheme - surveyed your views with many hundreds of responses already  Worked hard to improve child safety around Ashton Gate and Holy Cross schools  Campaigned to keep Faithspace as a local community space  Worked with Ashton Gate stadium to improve the match-day transport situation - campaigned successfully for a reconsideration of a new Ashton Gate rail station - campaigned successfully for new Metrobus stop at Paxton Drive for stadium access - campaigned hard for Long Ashton Park and Ride to be open on match days  Met many local people to help them with their concerns; from fly-tipping to planning to housing - held regular public surgeries - arranged meetings in all the local blocks of flats  Worked for you on City-wide issues including: - voting against the council austerity budget - successfully proposed an extra £3.5m boost to adult social care - petitioning for the 20mph speed limit in residential areas - promoting a Clean Air Zone in central Bristol to stop many unnecessary deaths - learning from other cities about routes to building more sustainable homes - organising more cycling and walking provisions

Contact us on stephen.clarke@bristol.gov.uk charlie.bolton@bristol.gov.uk Promoted by Charlie Bolton and Steve Clarke, BristolorGreen 13 Effingham Bristol, 5BH To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk Paul onParty 07811c/o 766072 or Emma orRoad, Hollie on 0117 BS6 908 2121.

April, 2016

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News

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Second time lucky for arena plan?

DEFERRING the arena project in order to obtain a detailed travel plan would take a long time and could kill the whole plan, mayor George Ferguson has said.

If councillors do not quickly revisit their decision to delay approval of the arena, it will cost the city up to a million pounds and risk the whole showpiece development, the mayor said.

He accused councillors on the development control committee, who shelved the arena scheme citing transport worries on March 2, as politically motivated.

“It’s a perfect example of why it takes so long to get anything done in this city,” he said.

Mr Ferguson denied the arena scheme was being rushed through without major questions on travel being worked out.

Councillors were worried at the lack of detail on extending public transport, park and ride, installing residents parking schemes, the dangerously narrow footway on Bath Road, and several other points.

They deferred an application for the arena building, and another for outline permission for 19 000 sq m of development on Arena Island, to include shops, offices, leisure, homes, a hotel and student accommodation.

Mr Ferguson said it was perfectly normal for these details not to have been worked out yet.

All the councillors’ concerns could have been satisfied if they had set strict planning conditions, he said.

“The professional advice is that this could have been dealt with by conditions,” he said.

It is not clear how long it will take to produce the travel plan which councillors asked for.

To provide detailed answers might take months. Mr Ferguson is hoping that councillors will be satisfied with extra information which will be given to the next development control committee on April 6. Each week the arena is delayed costs the developer –

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11

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Councillors to consider plan again – but will they be happy with transport arrangements?

the council – £80,000 a week.

Conservative Cllr Peter Abraham, who chaired the committee which decided to delay the arena plan, said he was hopeful that enough detail could be added to the plan to satisfy councillors on April 6.

“I’m as confident as I can be that if they can come back with the assurances that we are looking for then I think that members will support it,” he said.

He denied strongly that members had been playing politics – public safety and getting robust transport arrangements had to be put ahead of a quick planning decision, he said.

He criticised the idea of a multi-storey car park on the Kwik Fit site, saying he did not see how it could work. The multi-storey does not form part of the planning application, and Mr Ferguson appeared to rubbish the idea almost as soon as it was suggested, but it is unclear what parking will be provided on site.

Liberal Democrat leader Gary Hopkins said his party had not voted for a delay and would rather set strict conditions.

“We will be happy to see it back on the agenda on April 6,” he said. He doubted that a comprehensive travel plan could be prepared in a short time.

“We need to have the proper conditions put in, and a clear plan for when some of this stuff that can’t be answered now, will be taken forward,” he said.

Senior Open Morning Friday 22 April 9.30am – 12noon Headmaster’s Talk 9.30am Contact Mrs Carolyn Matthews 0117 930 3068 www.qehbristol.co.uk

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News A bit more style for North Street AN ASHTON mum is opening a new homewares store in a North Street shop – the old Beardmores – which was empty for 13 years.

Anna Clements opens Mon Pote at 177 North Street at noon on Saturday April 2.

It is the fulfilment of a dream after she started the business online with lifelong friend Natalie Eddins. The name Mon Pote is French for “my mate”.

The pair previously ran a café together in Cardiff and for the past year switched direction to homewares, gifts, stationery and party supplies – both from a website and a stall at the Tobacco Factory Sunday markets.

The shop depends on local talent. She has recruited a team from among other parents at Ashton Gate primary school – a photographer, a shop assistant, a graphic designer and a florist.

• www.monpote.co.uk

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April, 2016

Bins at the ready please ...

NO ONE likes a street strewn with rubbish, or a pavement that’s impassable because of forgotten recycling bins.

Let’s Clean Bedminster aims to tackle these problems, in a pilot programme that may be copied all over Bristol.

Over the next few months, the council’s Bristol Waste company will work with Greater Bedminster Community Partnership (GBCP) on problem areas such as narrow pavements, the responsibilities of landlords and tenants, and supporting those who find recycling difficult.

“We hope that people will become much more aware of the impact litter, fly-tipping and poor

No way through: What the Let’s Clean team will try to stop waste management has on the local scene and what we, as residents, can do to improve it,” said Celia Phipps of GBCP. “We have chosen key streets and known litter hot spots, or should that be dumping grounds, where waste collection seems to create problems. Visits will take place regularly, and include a searching look at enforcement and the use of Waste Doctors to link with local people.

“Flytipping is illegal and we seek to stop this happening. The

enforcement team will search for identifying evidence among any items left, leading to prosecution,” said Celia.

Leaving a bin on the pavement can also be illegal.

The team will urge people to reuse, recycle and make better use of services such as bulky waste collections, and the Assisted Bin scheme. The project will also visit schools.

Report a street which needs a clean at www.bristol.gov.uk/ forms/street-cleaning#step1

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April, 2016

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News Be prepared and learn to ease the pressure of exam season

W

E DEAL with a lot of change in education but one trend is clear – more emphasis on examination.

There is less and less coursework demanded by GCSE subjects and from next year English will be marked entirely by examination.

This year at Bedminster Down we have 116 students sitting 56 papers between them over eight weeks. That’s a lot of effort

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focused on a short period of time so it’s no surprise that we try to make the process as stress-free as possible. The key to this is good preparation and planning for chunks of revision with space for some down time.

Most schools will invite parents and students in for a briefing before exam time. I find that parents are always keen to know what they can do to help support their children through revision. Some techniques such as mind maps and flash cards will be familiar to those who took their GCSEs or O levels many years ago, but we’re now able to point students to a collection of subject-specific websites too.

If you know a young person sitting exams this year here are a

School Report Assistant headteacher and maths teacher at Bedminster Down School, Laura Campbell explains how to help prepare for exams few practical ways you can help: • Encourage preparation. Do they know the dates and times of all the papers, and do they know what they need to do to be ready?

• Revision works well with little but often. Pulling an ‘all nighter’ is not beneficial.

• Routine: keep to your regular mealtimes if at all possible.

• Don’t underestimate the power of proper rest and nutrition. Some time outdoors for sport or a family walk will boost mood and stamina.

Call to halt through traffic on Dean Lane RESIDENTS fearful of a serious accident near Holy Cross school have taken to putting notices on dangerously parked cars.

There are hopes that the primary school in Dean Lane will receive a lollipop crossing patrol before long but that will not prevent foolhardy drivers – many of them parents – parking on school hazard markers and double yellow lines.

The school is on a blind double bend, but despite publicity in newspapers, BBC Radio Bristol, the Voice and elsewhere, some parents persist in dropping their children at dangerous parking spots.

Drivers have been seen making three-point turns on the blind bends and even reversing the wrong way up one-way streets.

The Holy Cross Road Safety Group, which was set up on Facebook to tackle the problem, is hoping Dean Lane could be closed to through traffic. It believes the road could then be made a major cycle and pedestrian route to the city centre via Gaol Ferry bridge.

It also wants Alpha Road closed for access from Coronation Road.

A raised traffic table could also slow cars outside the school.

Campaign for safety around Holy Cross

Council officers made a survey of road use in early March, but so far no funding has been found, and councillor Charlie Bolton has set up a petition calling for urgent action on safety outside schools.

• http://epetitions.bristol.gov. uk/epetition_core/community/ petition/3470#div_sigs Meanwhile residents are posting pictures of offending drivers onto Facebook.

In an attempt to inject some humour, one sequence of bad driver behaviour has been set to music from the Benny Hill show: • http://bennyhillthis. com/?v=HySlJHuN0sg Many residents are angry that

13

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parents do not use safe parking spaces that are available close to the school.

“There is plenty of pay and display parking on Southville Road by the doctors.

“That’s only a two minute walk down Acramans Road to the school and my understanding is that this info has been shared with parents.

“I know people who use this for pick-up, so no real excuse for everyone else not to use it,” said one.

• Facebook.com/groups/ holycrossroadsafety

Laura Campbell • Know where to find help if anxiety becomes overwhelming.

Your school will have contacts.

Well before exam season, schools will aim to equip all students with a firm idea of what they need to do, and the extra steps they can take to go for the grade above. We all look forward to happy faces on results day and secure college or apprenticeship places for all our students – all achieved with the support of family and friends.

Could you help the care givers?

WHO looks after the carers? A project that supports people who look after the unwell, disabled or elderly is asking for volunteers.

People are wanted who could visit GP surgeries in Bedminster and Knowle to meet, greet and give information to carers.

Full training is given, and the visits would be for just two mornings per month.

Volunteers will not be working at their own GP surgery.

To fnd out more call GP Carer Link volunteer Mike Hatch on 07503 577830 or e-mail mikeh@ carerssupportcentre.org.uk The Carersline is on 0117 965 2200 or visit www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk

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April, 2016

News

Faithspace: a new bidder?

THE OWNERS of the Elephant House in Dean Lane have voiced interest in buying Faithspace, the former Methodist church in Southville.

The news has been greeted with excitement by some who want to see Faithspace become a community venue once again.

There are fears that the church – which is taking bids for the Luckwell Road building – will sell to a developer who will want to demolish it and turn it into flats.

Bristol city council wants to keep the site as a community centre, using a covenant which says it can only be used for religious or educational purposes.

However, developers are skilled at getting around covenants, and profits from such a large brownfield site if turned into flats could run into millions.

Matthew Price helps run the Elephant House with his father

and business partner, letting it out mostly to community groups but subsidised by residential use.

He says Faithspace could be run the same way, supported by start-up office space, artist studios, or limited residential space.

“We are trying to collect ideas for what people want Faithspace used for,” said Mr Price.

“I love the idea of using it to provide community work space,” said one resident on Facebook.

Southville Community Development Association (SCDA) has been trying to front a community bid. Chair Matthew Symonds would prefer Faithspace to be owned by the community, not a profit-making venture.

The Russian Orthodox Church wants to bid for the building, and has said it would let SCDA manage the community space.

But it is not clear it could raise enough money.

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Elections: Bristol Mayor These are your questions, suggested on Facebook.

Some candidates supplied much longer answers than others. Responses have been edited. The full replies can be found online at www.southbristolvoice.co.uk

Q

HOW would you provide a return on investment on your wage as mayor (£65,738, the same as an MP)? What would you do that the council shouldn’t already be doing?

Kay Barnard, Liberal Democrat There are many ways that the services the council provides could be improved. In particular I will improve services to older people provided by the council by much closer working with the NHS. Bristol lags behind other local authorities in this.

Tony Dyer, Green Each assistant mayor receives £31,796 and I believe this is more suitable. Any increases should be pegged to increases in the average salary across Bristol. I will publish targets and objectives, allowing members of the public to measure how well I have delivered on my manifesto.

George Ferguson, Bristol 1st I shall continue to give away 20 per cent of my salary to good causes. However that pales into insignificance compared with the tens of millions a year I am saving the city through helping to eliminate waste, streamline administration costs, introduce an entrepreneurial approach while minimising cuts to services.

John Langley, Independent I would be employed by the council tax payers of Bristol and not influenced by diktats from a party office. I would enable sixmonthly performance reports on how council tax payers see me shaping up to the job.

Where strong public opinion in the majority challenges the administration then democracy must take precedence.

Charles Lucas, Conservative Bristol needs strong leadership and to get strong leadership of the required quality, you have to pay the going rate.

Marvin Rees, Labour I don’t believe a city is run from the council chamber, so I’ll earn my

money by connecting people in a City Office, bringing together leaders in health, education, business, unions, the voluntary and community sectors to make the city run better for everyone.

Paul Saville, Independent Take a pay cut and donate part of my salary to a homelessness and housing fund to help some of Bristol’s poorest people. I want to make sure that prosperity is shared among all of the city, not just pockets.

Christine Townsend, Independent I would look to earn the mean income in Bristol, which I believe to be around £25,000. The money left could be used to support services for the most vulnerable. The mayor needs to fight the ideology of austerity from Westminster – this has been lacking under the current administration.

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– your questions answered

with shuttle links. I want people living near the arena to be offered residents’ parking, free of charge, paid for by the arena.

Tony Dyer I am surprised at the relatively poor transport planning. To ensure the arena does not add further congestion and air pollution, I will make the best use of Temple Meads as a focus for integrated transport, accompanied by a review of park and ride sites to reduce the number of cars in an area already suffering from poor air quality.

George Ferguson The Bristol Arena will be the finest arena of its type in Europe. There has been huge exaggeration regarding the transport implications, which have been thoroughly addressed for a project of this size. It is less than a sixth the size of Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium that is sited bang in

Your questions to the people running to be Bristol mayor Transport, air pollution, the arena, parking – plus, what will a mayor do that nobody else can?

Paul Turner, UKIP I believe the role of mayor is very important to promote the city of Bristol both nationally and internationally, for culture as well as business. To also fight for the whole of Bristol at Westminster, to bang on doors to get the recognition and funding Bristol deserves. Locally, to break deadlock in the council chamber.

Q

HOW will you ensure that the long-hopedfor arena is an asset to the city without becoming a transport nightmare for Bristolians?

Kay Barnard All the estimates are that there will be a significant number of people coming to arena events by car. There should be adequate parking in existing car parks linked to ticket sales,

15

the middle of the city without dedicated parking. The plans, apart from on-site disabled parking, include a variety of car parks in walking distance. The 12,000 capacity will only be reached about 20 times a year.

John Langley Before the arena is even built it has become a nightmare for Bristolians. It wasn’t very well thought out, and there was a lack of consultation.

The project is a transport nightmare waiting to happen.

The only way I can see a solution is by ensuring that ticket prices include the use of park and ride as well as bus and rail services.

Charles Lucas We all want to see the arena built but it has to work for the people of Bristol and the region. Arena Island is the right site due to its proximity to Temple Meads and the city

centre. However, public transport does not suit a lot of people. We have to provide a large car park adjacent to the arena. We also have to ensure adequate train, bus and park and ride facilities.

This will help to encourage people not to use their cars.

Marvin Rees I want to see the arena going ahead, but it has to be properly planned to protect the residents whose streets would be gridlocked during events and those visitors who would be forced to walk to the arena from the city centre. I will ensure we work with communities, business and the key city institutions to drive forward a transport plan.

Paul Saville “Long hoped for?” that depends on who you ask! I’m not in favour of an arena at all – especially in its current location.

Lots of people I speak to about the arena tell me that this will be of great detriment to the lives of Bristolians living in the area and in Bristol more generally.

Christine Townsend I would seek a corporate responsibility clause so not-for-profit and community groups can take advantage of the asset this arena will bring. Employment opportunities should remain in the city. There needs to be access to the arena from the back of Temple Meads. Bus and train operators need to be involved in designing routes and times. I would also like to see more use of the waterways.

Paul Turner It is essential for the arena to be a success. The only way it can be is for as many people as possible to attend, which means we have to have an effective way of getting large numbers of people there without adding to an already overcrowded road network. At the very least a park and ride should be built along the M32. I would also look to negotiate lower rail/bus prices.

Q

WHAT are you planning to do about public transport in Bristol?

Kay Barnard I want a transport authority which can deliver better bus and train services around Continued on page 16

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southbristolvoice

Elections: Bristol Mayor Continued from page 15 Bristol. We need legal contracts over where and when buses drive, and better ticketing. At the moment the bus companies have control over that. We also need investment in the train lines and new stations to help commuters.

I will fight at a national level to get a fair share of investment.

Tony Dyer The Green Party is committed to bringing the railways and bus services back into public hands. We also need greater public investment in public transport to provide fairer fares. I will have to work within the framework in which our “public” transport is provided by private companies. Nevertheless I can make improvements – speeding up smart ticketing, and franchising of bus services particularly where current provision is lacking. I will look to invest in the re-opening of railway lines, additional stations such as Ashton Gate, and better partnership working to reduce fares and improve services.

George Ferguson We are delivering an improved Metrobus, have negotiated reduced bus fares, invested to improve vehicle, cycling, and pedestrian access, and, with Bristol University, are developing the “Bristol Brain” to provide real-time analysis of traffic and pollution. Major investments have been made in South Bristol, including Metrobus and the South Bristol Link. We are helping bring in low or zero emission buses. Devolution will help us deliver a more integrated system including smart ticketing across the city region.

John Langley The challenge is great in terms of traffic using the city, to which the arena would add. My proposal for a transport commissioner would see such a role look at the city as a whole, and the impact of the arena would form part of the commissioner’s portfolio.

Charles Lucas I will work with bus operators to improve the efficiency and frequency of services. I disagree with nationalising buses – look at the disaster that was the Bristol Bus Company. I will open up our rail network and re-open stations right across the city including at Ashton Gate. The Henbury Spur

is under way but this must be part of the Henbury Loop.

Marvin Rees I will develop an integrated transport plan, including buses, taxis, trains, walkers, cyclists and car-users, to help get Bristol moving. I want to see a single travel card across all bus and train companies, and a single Bristol fare. I will also look at the viability of setting up a Bristol Bus Company owned for common good.

Paul Saville Aha. Transport – the bugbear of Bristolian life.

First have had a stranglehold on our transport system for far too long – let’s bring the transport network back into public ownership for the good of Bristolians, not for rich shareholders at First.

Christine Townsend I would work with providers to devise

LATEST ODDS George Ferguson Bristol 1st...........................1/2 Marvin Rees Labour.................................7/4 Charles Lucas Conservative....................16/1 Tony Dyer Green................................33/1 Kay Barnard Liberal Democrat...........100/1 integrated ticketing to allow for multi-transport use, and a discount scheme for children, young people and students, in line with those in place for disabled users and older people.

Look at the viability of bringing unused railways back into use such as the Portishead route and the line across Ashley Down.

Paul Turner Public transport is a mess in Bristol. I would like to bring it back under public control. My reservation is that the city council has the reputation of not being able to run an egg and spoon race; major changes would be required at City Hall. I would also look at re-introducing a tram network.

Q

WOULD you reverse part or all of the residents parking schemes? Will you exempt community nurses and carers from the £198 annual charge they now

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April, 2016

– your questions answered

have to pay to visit patients who live in RPS areas?

Kay Barnard Where there is clear unhappiness with an RPS I will complete real consultation with local people about removing areas from the scheme. I would definitely work with the local NHS funders and council staff to make sure that community nurses and carers can park free of charge when they are working.

Tony Dyer Given the capital costs so far in residents parking, I doubt if any serious mayoral candidate is prepared to write off those costs. I do think consultation on many of the schemes has been less than satisfactory. There has to be a greater level of community involvement in how the schemes operate. I am already committed to revoking charges for blue badge holders; I believe that community nurses and carers should also be exempted.

George Ferguson Residents

Paul Saville Independent...................100/1 Paul Turner UKIP................................100/1 John Langley Independent....................200/1 Christine Townsend Independent....................200/1 From Ladbrokes.com parking schemes have been so successful that many areas that asked to be left out are now asking to be included. I am always up for reviewing boundaries, hours, conditions, and costs including special categories such as carers and disabled provision. Having delivered the essential core, future areas will be considered on a more consensual basis.

John Langley To me they are just another means of gathering revenue from people who already pay in to the city via council tax.

Personally I would scrap them all. However, there may well be residents who have found the scheme beneficial where they live. I would therefore put this issue out for public consultation.

I agree with exemptions for community nurses and carers.

Charles Lucas RPS schemes work. If the scheme is wanted by the residents it must be retained.

If the majority of residents do

not want an RPS then I would consider repealing it on a zone by zone basis. In the same way, if an area needed and wanted a RPS zone (eg Totterdown) then I would introduce one. Nurses and carers need to be able to visit patients [without] a direct cost to the carer as part of their work.

Marvin Rees I will exempt all blue badge holders and essential workers from parking charges, as well as giving local traders a discounted rate. I will review the whole RPZ system to ensure they work well for businesses and communities.

Paul Saville We as a city owe £10m [for setting up the RPSs].

Once the debt is paid off (RPS made £1.2m last year) then residents get to park their cars for free. Carers and blue badge holders should be exempt. I would halt all further rollout.

Christine Townsend No – the money and time has already been spent.

If other areas wanted RPZs, this would be a matter for local councillors, community groups and the neighbourhood partnership. There is no need for the mayor to be involved in this.

[I would exempt from charges] carers, blue badge holders and others in essential services such as nurseries, schools and libraries.

Paul Turner I will review all RPZs so they are for the benefit of local residents and businesses rather than just an additional tax. In some parts of Bristol RPZs have worked well; however in many areas they have not helped at all. It is in these areas that I would look to potentially reverse the schemes. Community nurses and carers will be exempt.

Q

ARE you happy that the Green Capital money was spent with the interests of all Bristolians at the fore?

Kay Barnard Spending public money through an arms-length company has meant that details of how the money was spent are difficult to find. I am optimistic that money spent in Bristol schools and social enterprises will mean a better future for Bristol but we need more detail

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Elections: Bristol Mayor on whether expensive trips overseas will benefit Bristol.

Tony Dyer I believe that spending by Green Capital Ltd should be published. However, this important debate is in danger of overshadowing the hard work done [in] Green Capital year that raised the profile of green issues across the city. Too many Bristolians tell me that they feel that many projects and events are not designed with them in mind.

George Ferguson Ours was the most successful European Green Capital to date.

For example, Bristol is now home to the largest Green Tech sector in the UK. We made a single investment of £1m which has been returned 100-fold to the city’s environment and economy.

The Bristol 2015 company has been the subject of greater scrutiny and audit than any other company with which we do business.

John Langley I would launch an independent inquiry into the whole Green Capital project and it would be the first and last time a project run along the lines of a private company would be seen in Bristol by the council.

Charles Lucas I do not understand why the council is withholding these accounts. I cannot comment further as we do not know what they are trying to hide, if anything. The whole situation over the spending of the £8m makes me very uncomfortable.

Marvin Rees I don’t know because the mayor won’t tell us how the money has been spent!

I would open the books and so should he, so Bristolians can see where every last penny has gone.

Paul Saville Bristol Green Capital. What a load of greenwash. As a keen environmental activist for nearly 10 years, I was saddened by Bristol Green capital year. A great opportunity squandered.

What is now rubbing salt into the wounds of many Bristolians is the highly secretive accounts which they won’t release.

Christine Townsend I expected to see the money spent on sustainable projects to reduce energy costs for local people or enable essential services to access renewable energy. Too

much focus was on arts projects, websites, wages and promoting Bristol on a national and international stage.

Paul Turner The mayor and city council should be independently audited, the full results to be made public. Bristol 2015 Ltd should never have been set up in the way it was; I will investigate why.

Q

WHAT will you do to improve the quality of Bristol’s air? In many places pollution exceeds WHO safety limits.

Kay Barnard Walking is not a pleasant experience in the centre of the city. I would introduce a low emission zone in which the most polluting vehicles would pay a daily fee. Bus companies are already introducing buses which are much cleaner and this will provide a real incentive to do that. We need to improve public transport and cycling space.

Tony Dyer I have made a commitment to introduce a Low Emissions Zone to cover the city centre by 2020.

I will work to provide low emission alternatives to single occupancy cars – improved facilities for walking and cycling, investment in public transport such as rail and buses (especially low emission vehicle types), and infrastructure to support electric cars. I will also look to expand the use of freight consolidation to reduce the number of HGVs on city roads.

George Ferguson Our record over three years is resulting in cleaner vehicles and lower building emissions. I have been prepared to take unpopular measures such as 20mph which has encouraged more walking and cycling, and residents parking which, with lower bus fares, has resulted in a reduction in commuter cars and increased bus use. We have created Air Quality Areas. The next objective is Low Emission Zones.

John Langley Again I would refer this to my proposed transport commissioner. I find it beyond astonishment that a city flagged as a Green Capital has such a high rate of nitrogen dioxide in its air. In my view the inquiry [into Green Capital] would uncover a great deal of information which I don’t believe

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17

– your questions answered

we have been told, and from that we can provide solutions to fully address the issue of NOx. Charles Lucas We must ease congestion, a major contributor to air quality. I want to promote electric vehicles as well as other more energy-efficient means of powering our vehicles. We must maintain as many of our green spaces as possible and improve these by continuing to plant trees.

Marvin Rees Traffic congestion is a major cause of pollution and I have already detailed how I will tackle that problem. I want all council-owned buildings to be run on renewable energy by 2020, and I’ll introduce a low emissions zone with the aim of Bristol being carbon free by 2025.

Paul Saville Provide Bristolians with public transport that is easy to use, cheap and reliable. Only with carrot before stick can this be achieved. Also, I will produce an in-depth investigation into widespread allegations of pollution in Avonmouth.

Christine Townsend If people drive in Bristol they will notice

a remarkable difference during school holidays – far too many children are transported across the city to school. Local children should be accessing local schools.

Some secondaries allocate places for children who live outside the city while turning away local applicants. This must stop.

Paul Turner The quality of air in Bristol is at a dangerous level. Some cities are trialling rooftop air purifiers but I would like to work with our universities to establish an effective and practical way in which Bristol can clean its air. We need efficient public transport to entice motorists out of their cars. I’d introduce a car sharing scheme.

LATE ENTRANT: As the Voice went to press, the TUSC (Trade Union and Socialist Coalition) announced Tom Baldwin as its candidate for mayor. He will oppose austerity and “the pro-big business policies of the main parties”.

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April, 2016

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Karin Smyth Getting behind with the bills?

Help’s at hand

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reduces bills for vulnerable households which meet specific criteria, while Restart can write off arrears that have built up – after a period of consistent payments have been made.

Meanwhile, Assist creates a lower tariff for households facing severe financial hardship.

There’s not enough space here to go into great detail, but as applications for some of these plans can only be made through a recognised advice agency, I recommend Bristol Citizens Advice (0117 946 2588) or South Bristol Advice Service (0117 903 8358) as the best starting point. Advisers on those numbers can explain exactly how it all works and can make an initial assessment about whether you are eligible for help, based on your own money situation. Both organisations also hold drop-in sessions for face-to-face help.

Please share this information with a friend, family member or neighbour who you think might appreciate it. You might even be able to make the initial call on their behalf to save them the cost.

I’d be interested to hear how useful Voice readers find this type of scheme, so if you have any thoughts or comments please don’t hesitate to get in touch, as ever, by email to karin.smyth.mp@parliament.uk or by post to Karin Smyth MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

I

N communities across South Bristol word of mouth can be a far more effective way of getting important messages across than glossy and expensive marketing campaigns.

With its very localised focus, the Voice plays a key part in generating these conversations.

So I wanted to use my column this month to highlight some useful money-saving schemes that came to my attention when I held my community financial entitlement event last month.

It’s my hope that people who read this article will – even if they can’t directly benefit themselves – share the information with those they know who perhaps can.

Many people in our city struggle with household utility bills, and so in my discussions with Bristol Citizens Advice I was pleased to learn about the good work they’re doing in collaboration with Bristol Water and Wessex Water to offer practical help.

The MP’s view Each month Bristol South Labour MP Karin Smyth gives her perspective There are a number of plans that enable people to lower their water bills, spread the cost of them, and repay debt they may have built up – so they can get back on track with their finances. More people need to be aware of what’s available.

The Watersure scheme, for example,

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April, 2016

WIN a very special News Bristol Blue Penny to School’s plea celebrate Concorde to help build

E

VERY year, the craftspeople at Bristol Blue Glass create a special penny – a collector’s item to mark an important event.

This year they have chosen something that is close to many Bristolians’ hearts – the 40th anniversary of the first commercial flight of the world’s first supersonic airliner, Concorde.

The British Concorde made its first and last flights from Bristol, and much of the plane was designed and created here.

Bristol Blue Glass have got together with the Voice to make readers a special offer. The voucher below gives readers £5 off the normal price of a Bristol Blue Penny if they use the special order code. And we have a

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Email your entries to paul@ southbristolvoice.co.uk, or post to SBV, 18 Lilymead Avenue, Bristol BS4 2BX, to arrive by April 15.

STUDENTS at Bedminster Down School are appealing to the community to help them raise funds to complete a new school building in Arusha, Tanzania.

In partnership with Ashton Park School, 18 students in their final years at Bedminster Down have been raising money all year to pay for a trip to Africa in July.

Students and teachers last visited Arusha in 2014 when they started work on transforming an old brick factory into a new building for Suye Secondary School. They will also be renovating orphanage bedrooms.

Now pupils have organised a raffle to help support the project with prizes including an HP tablet and a television. Tickets

are available from the school office until Monday May 30.

Teacher Ben Wills is returning to Arusha. He said: “We hope to continue with our conversion of old factory rooms into useful classrooms, therefore increasing school spaces available for children to be educated.

“We are also looking at renovating some of the living quarters where some of the orphaned children who attend the school currently live in squalid conditions.

“Our plans will have to remain flexible to the needs of the community, but whatever work is undertaken we really do have the chance to make a significant difference.”

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STEVE Hayles, the founder of Upfest, the festival of street art, has been awarded the Lord Mayor’s medal in a ceremony at the Mansion House, Clifton.

Steve has grown Upfest from 50 urban artists at the Tobacco Factory in 2009 to make it the biggest event of its kind in Europe.

Last year’s festival involved more than 250 artists from 26 countries, transforming walls all

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over Bedminster and Southville into enormous and provocative artworks.

Since 2009, Upfest has raised over £40,000 for Nacoa, the charity for children of alcoholics.

“Steve’s passion for our work and his loyalty over all these years is truly inspiring and the award is much deserved,” said Nacoa chief executive Hilary Henriques.

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Ashton doesn’t want an RPS

of anti-RPS opinion in Ashton/ Ashton Vale (no doubt from Duckmoor Road and over) owing to the reasons I’ve stated. We do not want an RPS and will not have one imposed on us. Have a look on social media. I honestly believe that those voting against it would be more like 90 per cent in the areas I’ve mentioned.

Phil Hutchings, Ashton

Worried about flooding risk I HAVE been a bit concerned about the possibility of flooding, as featured in the Febnruary issue of the Voice, as water levels

Police update

Y

OU may have seen some of the team working alongside the council to enforce the pedestrian zone on East Street recently. Some motorists, who seemed to think the signs saying no cars or motorbikes didn’t apply to them, received a £30 fine. Regular enforcement is planned, so don’t take the chance.

We will also take action against motorists who put other people at risk by causing dangerous obstructions, whether parking on the corner of junctions or recklessly near locations like schools. The general management and enforcement of resident parking schemes is the responsibility of the council’s parking pervices department.

A

fter receiving some complaints about anti-social behaviour caused by people congregating on Gladstone Street, we have spoken to a number of young people, with one due to be interviewed about his cannabis possession.

S

IT IS hardly a surprise that Southville’s new RPS has now relocated parked vehicles over North Street into the side roads running down to Duckmoor Road. Shock, horror and totally obvious to all.

Now two members of the Green Party are pushing “at the public’s request” for an RPS potentially for the whole of Ashton and, no doubt, Ashton Vale. Sorry, who just shouted “cash cow”? These people have to realise that the housing from Southville across to Duckmoor Road is mostly (not entirely) Victorian terraced houses with very small areas to the front, so no parking.

The housing stock around Duckmoor is generally 30s to 50s. Most have fair-sized fronts suitable to be converted into a driveway, which many have.

Others have rear access, garaging, driveways and so on.

There is no comparison.

There is already a groundswell

southbristolvoice

TER T E

L

April, 2016

www.southbristolvoice.co.uk

Have you got strong views about what’s happening in South Bristol? Email paul@ southbristolvoice.co.uk, post to Letters, South Bristol Voice, 18 Lilymead Avenue, Bristol BS4 2BX or call us on 07811 766072. Please keep letters short. We may edit your letter. rise considerably during massive downpours. I live at the bottom of Beauley Road and I believe that some time ago this area was flooded. The council could at least unblock the clogged-up drains and I have emailed them about it but of course no response, let alone action! Why do people wait until something bad happens before anything is put into action? Prevention is less costly than cure!

While I am annoyed with this, I might as well say I am also very cross about the football matches and not being able to park anywhere near the house in spite of paying for permits! I understand from a taxi driver that things are going to get much

With Sgt Paul Honeychurch, Bedminster police station

members or neighbours have We’re making such a door, please help by sharing this advice. sure that the Rogue Trader Week Finally, returns this month, which is pedestrian zone when we advise, particularly to elderly and vulnerable residents, is properly that “If you’re not sure, don’t open the door.”

Remember, legitimate callers enforced will have made an appointment

W

e’re still seeing a concerning number of burglaries across Bristol, with many involving burglars targeting car keys either left on view or that they can get to by fishing through letterboxes.

Please remember to put your car keys securely away out of sight – never leave them in the back door or within view through a letterbox or window.

The trend for targeting UPVC doors with paddle or stub handles also continues. Don’t just pull the handle up to engage the latch, you must also turn the key to properly lock the door.

Burglars are exploiting this mistake, so if you or family

and certainly will not mind waiting while you check them out or, even better, return when you have someone with you. The same applies for people claiming to be collecting for charity– don’t be afraid to ask them to leave details through your letterbox.

It takes a lot of confidence to say no, especially when confronted by someone with a convincing story. Please take time to ensure your elderly neighbour or relative knows what to do when confronted at the door by someone they are not expecting. There is lots of advice on our website.

Sgt Paul Honeychurch • www.avonandsomerset.police.uk

23

worse with the rugby. I have only lived here four years and wonder whether I have made a big mistake!

Name supplied, Beauley Road

Calling all the printmakers I AM a Bristol artist and printmaker working on a project called Bristol Set in Print. This investigates the role of industrial print in Bristol, exploring how it has shaped our city and acknowledging all those involved.

I am especially interested to talk to the workers and printers who were on the shop floor, in letterpress primarily.

So far I am working with a few printers from Bedminster – ES&A Robinsons was very prominent in the area. I am based at Spike Island.

I am looking for participants to share their skills with a new generation of printers.

Charlotte Biszewski bristolsetinprint@gmail.com www.bristolsetinprint.com

Choir with an added beat aims for off-the-wall A CHOIR with a difference is about to strike up in Windmill Hill. Called Break Out Voices, it isn’t just about singing but percussion too, including beat-boxing, body percussion and noise-making.

“It will all be put together to create fun and slightly off-thewall performances,” said founder Kate Fletcher.

“We are a really friendly group and are open to adults of any ability or experience you don’t need to know how to read music. The percussion section means that so long as you can feel a beat, you don’t even need to be able to sing at all!”

Break Out will be rehearsing in Victoria Park Baptist Church on Sylvia Avenue in Windmill Hill on Tuesdays, 7.30-9.30pm.

The launch session is a free taster event on April 12. After that the fee is £5 per session, paid by the half term. Terms will roughly correspond with school term times.

• www.breakoutvoices.com • facebook.com/breakoutvoices

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

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April, 2016

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25

News Planning applications

MP’s call to employers on apprentices SOUTH Bristol’s MP Karin Smyth has challenged the Prime Minister to make good his pledges to recruit three million high-quality apprentices, partly funded by a levy on big businesses.

But the MP says she does not want to play party politics and wants to hear from local businesses about the challenges they face in providing training.

Ms Smyth used National Apprenticeship Week in March to make an open call to small and medium-size firms to set out their ambitions for apprenticeship schemes over the next decade.

She wants firms to write to her saying how official bodies can help them provide good training.

South Bristol lacks many large employers – though there are hopes that if the arena is built, hundreds of jobs and training opportunities will be created for local people.

Speaking in the Commons on March 22, Ms Smyth asked for assurances that small firms will get their share of the training opportunities.

The Labour MP told David Cameron that she supports the Government’s aim of three million apprenticeships by 2020.

But so far the plans to meet the ambitious target are “sketchy”, she said.

“Over recent months I’ve met lots of business owners and staff who are keen to play their part in offering training and

121 Raleigh Road BS3 1QU Prior approval for single storey rear extension to extend beyond rear wall by 3.5m, with maximum height of 3.5m and eaves 3m high. Pending consideration 178 Chessel Street BS3 3DG Single storey rear infill extension.

Pending consideration 6 Langton Park BS3 1EG Proposed two storey infill extension. Pending consideration

Karin Smyth: Firms want to know what Govt pledges mean to them apprenticeship opportunities,” said Ms Smyth in a statement.

“Like me they hear the pledge for three million apprenticeships by 2020, they welcome it, and they are keen to get involved, but many of them are unclear about how to go about it, and how best to equip their own firms with the tools to ensure they can offer good quality training openings that meet local need.”

Previously she asked skills minister Nick Boles a similar question. The minister responded: “We do have a lot of questions that we need to answer,” but promised details will be revealed during April.

Owners of small and medium-sized businesses in South Bristol – and staff with responsibility for training – are invited to give their views by email to karin.smyth.mp@ parliament.uk or to write to Karin Smyth MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.

Kylie leads the charge for bargains ITV News personality Kylie Pentelow led the charge at a new St Peter’s Hospice shop in Bedminster as the first customers nabbed bags of bargains.

The new St Peter’s Hospice Clearance Store, in East Street, offers thousands of items at less than £5, from clothes for women, men and children to shoes, books, bric-a-brac, toys and small items of furniture. The

33 Jasper Street BS3 3DT Prior approval for single storey rear extension to extend beyond house by 6.0m with maximum height of 3.8m and eaves 2.5m high. Pending consideration

shop helps pay for care for those with life-limiting illness in Bristol.

The latest shop follows the success of Bargains: Kylie an earlier St Peter’s clearance store in Wells Road, Knowle.

Redpoint Climbing Centre, 40 Winterstoke Road BS3 2NW Extension of climbing centre to form assembly area (Resubmission of 15/04308/F) Pending consideration 21 Risdale Road BS3 2QU Prior approval for single storey rear extension to extend beyond the rear wall by 3.65m, maximum height 3.72m and eaves 2.83m high. Pending consideration Land at rear of 38 The Nursery BS3 3EB Erection of attached dwelling with access from Thistle Street. Pending consideration 49 North Street, Bedminster BS3 1EN Proposed dwelling to the rear. Pending consideration 214 Ashton Drive BS3 2QA Erection of a new dwelling.

Pending consideration 68 Ruby Street BS3 3DW Single storey rear extension Pending consideration County Gates, Ashton Road BS3 2JH Infill with new glazing between concrete columns to increase office area and form a new building entrance. Pending consideration 94-96 Bedminster Parade BS3 4HL Demolition of first floor and erection of 2 new storeys for nine flats above existing ground floor commercial space. Removal of brickwork infill, and shop front glazing,

replaced by curtain walling and cladding of structural piers to match development above.

Pending consideration 296 North Street, Bedminster BS3 1JU Demolition of storage building and construction of a two bed dwelling. Refused 14 Greville Street BS3 1EF Single storey rear/side extension to terraced house. Pending consideration 35 Duckmoor Road BS3 2DQ Lawful Development Certificate for dormer roof extension and single storey rear extension.

Pending consideration 13 Irby Road BS3 2LZ Lawful Development Certificate for rear roof extension. Pending consideration 32B Allington Road BS3 1PT Proposed conversion of ground floor garage below a maisonette into two bedroom flat. Pending consideration 34 Gores Marsh Road BS3 2PF Two storey rear extension. Granted subject to conditions 64 Foxcote Road BS3 2BZ Two storey rear extension.

Granted subject to conditions 18 Colliter Crescent BS3 2PA Single storey rear extension. Granted subject to conditions 25 Greenbank Road, Southville BS3 1RJ Two storey rear extension. Granted subject to conditions Rear Warehouse, 127-129 East Street Bedminster BS3 4ER Change of use from storage (Use Class B8) and land within its curtilage to dwelling houses (Use Class C3). Granted

33 Bedminster Down Road BS13 7AB Demolition of outbuildings and replacement with single storey “granny annex”. Granted subject to conditions • The status of these applications may have changed since we went to press. Check for updates at planningonline.bristol.gov.uk

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

southbristolvoice www.southbristolvoice.co.uk Reports from your councillors – Southville 26

April, 2016

T: 07811 766072

S

O WE are coming to the end of the council year, and with elections looming, who can tell what the Charlie future holds.

Bolton The highlight of Green, my year has been Southville chairing the place scrutiny committee. Scrutiny is a strange thing. On the one hand, it is there to hold the executive to account. In practice, this involves moaning at whoever is in charge of any given policy, and making more or less no difference to how the policy is implemented.

The alternative way of running scrutiny is to get in early and try to be part of the policy-setting. This can be far harder to define. But you do find ideas you have raised appearing – at some stage – in the final policy. I co-chaired a housing scrutiny day, which has resulted in a number of policies being adopted by the mayor. You’d be surprised how much agreement

there is across party. Everyone recognised the need for more affordable housing which is genuinely affordable. The problem will arise when the same councillors are faced with controversial planning applications.

The lowlight was probably the budget meeting. It is the most nakedly political meeting of the year. Councillors from other parties get the knife out wherever possible. You feel they oppose others’ amendments because they can, rather than because they are wrong. Of course, we got £3.5 million for adult social care – for a two per cent council tax rise. (It is worth noting that no other party brought an amendment for this social care precept). Some of us then voted against the budget as a whole, so we do our own politicking.

Whoever wins in May, we face £75m in further cuts. Officers start to talk of stopping running some services. The new mayor will face some unpleasant decisions almost from day one.

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EPENDING on the election results, this might be my last piece as a councillor so I thought I would Stephen reflect on the year Clarke gone by. I started Green, full of hope and Southville expectation and overall I think I have achieved some useful work. However, under the current system, where the elected mayor is pretty much all-powerful on most issues, there is a big question mark about what real power we have as councillors.

I suppose my experience has been that we can really only have a marginal influence on city-wide issues. For example, I (and the rest of the Green group) were very against digital advertising as it seemed so obvious that giant video screens showing adverts on the roadside had to be a rubbish idea. Greens all voted against it but it was approved by a large margin because the Labour group voted for it. Likewise, the

How to get in touch with your councillors – page 2

Greens proposed a Clean Air Zone in Bristol but were voted down. Frustrating!

However, locally it feels like the councillors can achieve some useful results. I have been contacted by hundreds of residents asking for help around issues such as planning, fly-tipping, problems with parking and housing issues. My experience has been that councillors (of all political persuasions) work hard to try to help such people, or find someone who can. Here it feels like we can make a difference.

I would say that the key (as ever) is really listening to what people say, and myself and Charlie Bolton have really tried to do that; whether through the RPS survey we have been carrying out or the surgeries we have been holding in the council blocks. This is an area of my role that I have really enjoyed. So, like all politicians, my fate is in your hands! If you extend my period in office I promise to work hard to justify your faith in me.

Can prayer be effective in healing?

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To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Paul on 07811 766072 or Emma or Hollie on 0117 908 2121.

www.southbristolvoice.co.uk southbristolvoice Reports from your councillors – Bedminster E: paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk

April, 2016

A

T THE final council meeting before the May election, Labour councillors pushed for action Mark on worsening air Bradshaw quality. It’s not just Labour, a Bristol problem, Bedminster but our argument was that Bristol, as 2015 European Green Capital, should have been much more ambitious on traffic pollution. Cities such as Nottingham, Oxford, London and Brighton have all introduced or are about to bring in Low Emission Zones and other measures. With record numbers of children and adults with breathing illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis, the rising levels of air pollutants such as NOx and particulates needs to be tackled.

In our area, Parson Street has some of the worst air quality – this is monitored, but not for particulates which are known to cause much damage over the years of exposure. In fact, Bristol

has several monitoring stations but they do not measure particulates – they need to. As a former school governor at Parson Street (Celia is one now) I know that action to deal with traffic pollution and noise nearby is vital. Throughout Bristol there are corridors of poor air, often near schools.

As well as better monitoring, the Labour proposals (which were backed by all parties, except bizarrely the Greens and Lib Dems) called for a Low Emission Zone, starting with buses and HGVs, to be brought in as soon as possible.

The phased replacement of the council’s vehicle fleet with low emission vehicles was also accepted by most councillors.

We also want more freight consolidation – where large loads are split into smaller ones carried by electric or low emission trucks. Green councillors said we needed to fund more research.

Thankfully, the majority of councillors thought we ought to take action and stop the delay.

the five ways to wellbeing and forms part of the public health strategy for Bristol. Community activities offer low-level mental health support to all ages and I am fully committed to supporting social prescribing, community networks and citizenship.

Speaking of citizenship, Let’s Clean Bedminster is moving forward and several street and site visits have taken place in conjunction with Street Scene officers and Bristol Waste. You have told us that you would really like the streets to be kept clean and tidy and offered suggestions as to how this might be made easier, so all these will be fed into the pilot. Everyone has a part to play by putting bins away if you can, and thinking about how much you recycle. Just to let you know, we are watching the streets and will be taking positive action across the area.

I am always happy to hear your suggestions about how we can make our community better so why not drop me an email? celia.phipps@bristol.gov.uk

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NE of the many reasons I enjoy being a councillor is that I am invited to meet many Celia groups of people, Phipps, organisations and Labour, individuals who Bedminster are the important part of our community. It is a privilege to work alongside other residents in Bedminster and to be able to connect people and events to improve local cohesion.

Isolation can affect us all at different times in our lives, so whether you are a young family juggling the delights of small children or an older person living alone, there are groups and individuals who are willing to support you in the area. The Greater Bedminster Partnership has over 100 affiliated groups and there are opportunities such as What’s on for Older People, WOOP, for people to meet up on a regular basis.

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April, 2016

News Former St Dunstan’s plan refused PROPOSALS to knock down the former St Dunstan’s church on Bedminster Down Road and replace it with nine flats above several shops have been turned down by planners.

The church was built in 1888 as a school for Bishopsworth. It became a mission hall of St Francis, Ashton Gate, then – as more houses were built – in 1929

the district of St Dunstan’s was created. It was closed in 1992.

It is now used to sell workwear by owner APC. The church is not a listed building – but several objectors to the plan told the council they wanted to see it saved.

Bedminster Down is a historic route into the city which has lost a lot of historic buildings, so this

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remnant of local history should be kept, said one objector.

Others said the proposed new building was “blocky and unattractive”, would overlook neighbours and rob them of light.

The planners agreed, saying the plan didn’t prove why the building couldn’t be converted.

They also objected to shops being built outside a retail area,

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April, 2016

E: paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk

Entertainment

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Laura Kidd is South Bristol musician She Makes War. A big tour kicked off last month at the Thekla.What’s behind her visionary, DIY music?

She Makes War, the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Laura Kidd, launches LP Direction of Travel in April. The record owes plenty to the streets, images and atmosphere of South Bristol. Laura has supported and played with the likes of Tricky, Suede, The Levellers, Gruff Rhys, The Magic Numbers, Duke Special, Shlomo and Midge Ure. South Bristol Voice: Have you a specific ethos or philosophical approach to music making?

Laura Kidd: Ignore everyone and everything else and let the music come out in an honest way. I’m not interested in what’s fashionable, I just want to tell stories and share ideas and emotions through my songs.

SBV: Is there any element of Bristol that contributes to and inspires your sound?

LK: I’ve lived in Knowle for three years. I moved over from London in 2012, and love it. I’ve brought my sound with me – a mix of American indie/grunge/goth influences with a slice of Britpop – but I find Bristol inspiring in other ways. I feel much freer to be an artist here, unshackled from the pressure of insane rents and way too many people on the streets. I love being so close to greenery, and South Bristol has some wonderful places like the Northern Slopes which I used as a location for my new music video.

SBV: Performance art seems a better description for your music, as opposed to alt grunge or alt folk. Would you agree? Do labels like these even matter?

LK: I would agree – and thanks for noticing! I’ve never been able to fathom why the word “folk” is used in reference to my music; perhaps people are just confused at the sight of a woman playing sad ukulele then picking up an electric guitar?

But I’m really interested in breaking down the accepted construct of live music

Laura Kidd: Embarking on her tour in April to promote her new album

From DIY to a record deal, Laura seeks peace on tour performance, playing with boundaries and chucking in some humour too. People often say my shows are “different”, which I take as a great compliment.

SBV: Plainly the DIY approach has been a key element of your career to date. What is DIY, in your opinion? Has it helped the music industry overall? When CD sales are plummeting, gig tickets rising massively in price and artists remain unpaid for thousands of streams, what does the music sector need to do?

LK: DIY is a dangerous term if you’re ambitious – it can be very limiting, but a punk spirit is essential these days if you want

to get anywhere with your music.

If you’re an artist with something to say, our incredible access to technology means you can find a way to make whatever music you like within your means, share it and find your audience.

It isn’t easy, but it is possible.

After six years of being completely independent I now have a manager and a licensing deal with a record label, so my independent approach has propelled me to a stage where it’s possible to bring other people on board. That feels very rewarding.

It doesn’t matter to me whether people listen to my music on their phones – that’s

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their choice – but I will always strive to make the very best quality, most ambitious, honest and real music that I can. When you don’t have a massive label fronting the costs for you, there’s very little point in spending your own time and money making music unless you truly feel you have something to say.

SBV: The new record: Influences? Stylistic changes?

LK: I wanted the new record to sound darker, deeper and more intense than the previous two, because that’s how I was feeling when I was writing it. I like that it sounds like a natural progression from “Disarm” (lo-fi and grungey) and “Little Battles” (off-kilter and glacial) and it’s certainly the most ambitious so far in terms of production.

I crowdfunded the album and people were very generous, so I was able to spend more time in the studio and invite some brilliant guest musicians to add some extra sparkle. Some of the tracks sound positively cinematic, which comes from my ELO, Blur and late-Beatles influences.

SBV: How was the recording process for the new record?

LK: The recording process involved two proper studios and several home setups. I got a terrible cold just before I was due to record all the vocals at home which caused a bit of a delay, but there’s nothing I hate about recording, I absolutely love making something that didn’t exist before.

It’s challenging to write an album, of course – the songs don’t usually fall out of the sky fully formed, though sometimes they do! This one took me about a year from start to finish, which isn’t bad, as I was fitting it around freelance work and touring and breakups and family illnesses and moving house and all sorts of other stuff.

SBV: The future: where next for She Makes War? What barriers and bridges do you hope to burn down/create/destroy next?

LK: I’m a lover not a fighter – it’s all about creation not destruction for me. At the moment I’m making music videos for the first three singles plus working on some digital storytelling. I will be announcing some tour dates and festival slots soon, then it’s straight on to writing new music – exciting times!

• www.shemakeswar.com

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

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T: 07811 766072

What’s on

Friday April 1 The Led Zeppelin Project, SouthBank Club, Dean Lane, Southville, 8pm. “... made up of five great musicians with a shared love of Led Zeppelin but contempt of the typical tribute band. They play the music the way Zeppelin did; with honesty, energy and a flair for spontaneity.” £8.

• southbankclub.webs.com All’s Well That Ends Well

by William Shakespeare, at the Tobacco Factory theatre. Part of the Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory season (until April 30) to celebrate 400 years since the Bard’s death. “A young woman, using skills bequeathed to her by her father, saves the French King’s life and is rewarded with the right to choose her own husband. But what if the chosen one won’t play the game?”

Hamlet also plays until April 30. Tickets £16-£24.

• www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com South West Graduate Photography Prize exhibition 2015, Knowle West Media Centre, Leinster Avenue,

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Ideas come at rapid speed

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Prizefighting: Anna Freeman

MORE exciting ideas at the Tobacco Factory on April 21 as 5x15 gives five people the challenge of speaking unscripted for 15 minutes.

This time, Ronald Hutton, professor of history at Bristol University, explains why witchcraft works. Grace Gelder talks about marrying herself and TV doctor Dr Michael Mosley, discusses the UK’s diabetes epidemic. Clare Morpurgo will explain the role of her

charity, Farms for City Children. And Anna Freeman will talk about female prizefighters and their patrons in Georgian Bristol.

These events usually sell out; more details from bristol@5x15stories.com

Knowle, 9am-5pm until April 6. Featuring new work from the finalists of the 2015 prize, Joseph Ball, Caitlin Chescoe, Simeon Meinema, Remy-Mitchelson, Jessica Leonard, Dominic Till.

• kwmc.org.uk/events Yola Carter + Harry and the Gondalas + Newton

Country + Duncan Stagg and the Threadbare band, Thunderbolt, Bath Road, Totterdown. Bristol-born Yola Carter has worked for many years with acts from Massive Attack to the McCrary Sisters, James Brown and the legendary Staxx Band. This tour is in

April, 2016

advance of her debut album Orphan Country. 7.30pm. Tickets £5 on the door.

• www.thethunderbolt.net Saturday April 2 Bristol’s Alternative Night, SouthBank Club, Dean Lane, Southville, 8pm. “This is BAN’s launch show. Be there for Bristol’s new, interesting, eclectic, fun, “what you gonna get?”, alternative night. On the bill: anything from rock to classical, stand up, storytelling, pop, jazz, poetry, fashion, art, funk, rap science lectures.”

Launch price of £5.

• southbankclub.webs.com Sunday April 3 Joe Lycett: That’s the way, a-ha a-ha, Joe Lycett at the Tobacco Factory theatre. “The self-proclaimed ‘absolute lad’, and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, returns to Bristol owing to the huge demand for tickets.” £14, 8pm.

• www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com Classic Film Club – Roman Holiday (1953), at SouthBank Club, Dean Lane, Southville.

“The film that introduced a

Cli on High School co-educa onal nursery school to sixth form

Senior School Open Morning: Wednesday 11th May 2016

realising individual brilliance 0117 933 9087 | www.cliftonhigh.bristol.sch.uk To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Paul on 07811 766072 or Emma or Hollie on 0117 908 2121.

April, 2016

E: paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk

What’s on

young Audrey Hepburn and won an Oscar for an un-named and blacklisted Dalton Trumbo.” 5.30 for 6pm screening. Members free, guest membership £3.

• southbankclub.webs.com Wednesday April 6 Easter Sessions 14:19 – Working in Theatre Taster Day at the Tobacco Factory.

Kicks off three days of events for 14-19 year-olds. On Thursday April 7 the session is on Theatre Design and on April 8 it’s Acting: Audition Preparation. £15 per day or £40 for all three.

10am–4pm • www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com Saturday April 9 Spring tree tour at Arnos Vale cemetery, 11am. “Join our ecologist in this atmospheric tour of meadow and woodland habitats in search of spring species in all their glory.” £5.

• www.arnosvale.org.uk Table top sale, St Aldhelm’s Church, Chessel Street, Bedminster, 10.30am-4pm.

With crafts, second hand things, clothes, books, business promotions and more, to raise money for charity Tearfund.

There will also be hotdogs, cake, tea, coffee and squash on sale around lunch time.

Sunday April 10 Louis Pearl, the Amazing Bubble Man, performs three shows at the Tobacco Factory theatre. “Louis Pearl is the world’s leading Bubbleologist.

Fabulously entertaining, Louis explores the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles and combines comedy and artistry with audience participation and spellbinding bubble tricks. £9; shows at 11.30am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm.

• www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com Romesh Ranganathan: Irrational at Tobacco Factory theatre, presented by the Comedy Box. “Irrational will see Romesh examine the issues close to his heart, and explain why everybody else is wrong about them.” 8pm, £14.50.

• www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com Friday April 15 Arnos Vale after dark tour, 7.30pm. “A tour revealing the darker side of Arnos Vale at dusk, in an atmospheric exploration of tragic tales, folk customs and funeral etiquette of Victorian society. You’ll travel along paths overhung with creeping branches, descend into the mortuary crypt and listen out

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for things that go bump in the night.” Tickets £8.50 but sold out at time of going to press.

• www.arnosvale.org.uk Sunday April 17 Jazz night with Mark Randall Six, Windmill Hill Community Centre, Vivian Street, Windmill Hill. Every third Sunday of the month, 8.30-10.30pm.

• www.whca.org.uk Wednesday April 20 Painting and drawing for all at Windmill Hill City Farm, 10am-12.30pm. “This art course explores a variety of approaches to drawing and painting, helping you to develop your own personal artistic expression. It is suitable both for beginners who wish to learn basic techniques and for those with more experience in art who would like to refresh their skills and build a creative portfolio.” 10 sessions cost £120.

Free for those on means-tested benefit; materials fee payable by all. Course provided by the WEA; call 0845 458 2758.

• www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk Thursday April 21 Silver and copper jewellery making for beginners at Windmill Hill City Farm, 10am12.30pm. “Learn about the basic skills involved in making silver and copper jewellery and produce wearable pieces of your own design. Techniques include soldering, sawing, basic forming, texturing and finishing.

10 sessions cost £120. Course provided by the WEA; call 0845 458 2758.

• www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk Course in Adobe InDesign, Knowle West Media Centre.

Create sophisticated digital documents and page layouts.

Beginners’ course covering documents, text, images, and colours and objects. Tea and coffee provided; bring your own lunch. £225 for two days, April 21 and 22, from 10am-4pm.

Details from Rachel on 0117 353 4609.

• kwmc.org.uk/events Friday April 22 Yoga for everyone at Windmill Hill City Farm, 1.15-2.45pm.

“This safe and effective yoga class will include easy movement, stretching and breathing.

Suitable for everyone, including complete beginners. Come along and experience how yoga can help relax and improve a sense of wellbeing.” 10 sessions cost £75.

Free for those on means-tested benefits. Course provided by the

www.southbristolvoice.co.uk

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Provocative: New version of Irvine Welsh book shocked its author

Tunnel vision for Trainspotting PREPARE to be shocked: Trainspotting is coming to Temple Meads.

The Edinburgh Fringe production of Irvine Welsh’s cult novel is to be performed in the depths of the Temple Meads tunnels.

Described as “punchy”, the production claims to recapture the passion and controversy of the famous novel and the later film.

It is now a stage show which may be challenging for

WEA; call 0845 458 2758.

• www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk Sunday April 24 Andrew Lawrence: Uncensored at the Tobacco Factory theatre. “One of Britain’s best and most subversive and intelligent comedians, Lawrence, has been lauded with many awards including the BBC New Comedy Award, and twice nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award. Absolutely no concessions made to political correctness.” 8pm, £15.

• www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com The Vintage Furniture Flea at Paintworks, Bath Road, 10.30am-4.30pm. “Furniture and homewares from the 1950s and on, featuring everything from Ercol to cocktail shakers, textiles and prints; sideboards and book cases, glass and ceramics, crockery and fabrics, radios, record players and posters.”

Entry £3 before 11am; £2 after 11am. Children under 12 free.

• www.paintworksbristol.co.uk Tuesday April 26 Pattern cutting for everyone at Windmill Hill City Farm, 7-9pm. “For anyone who would like to be able to make their own

some, as the audience are part of the event, including the notorious ‘Worst Toilet in Scotland’ scene. Even author Welsh described it as “shocking”.

With scenes of nudity, drug use, violence of a sexual nature, claustrophobia and very strong language, it takes place at the Loco Klub under Temple Meads. Tickets are £14, £10 concessions. www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com dressmaking patterns. You will learn some easy pattern cutting techniques and there will be a chance to copy an old favourite garment.” 11 sessions cost £105.

Free for those on means-tested benefits; materials fee payable by all. Course provided by the WEA; call 0845 458 2758.

• www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk Wednesday April 27 Last Rockers: The Vice Squad Story – book launch at the Thunderbolt, Bath Road, Totterdown. Punk band Vice Squad formed in Bristol in 1979, attracted the attention of Radio 1 DJ John Peel, and toured the world with UK Subs, Black Flag, Anti Pasti, Discharge, Exploited and scores of others. The book is by the band’s drummer Shane Baldwin. Free entry.

• www.thethunderbolt.net The Battle of the Ones, the annual production by Bedminster Youth Theatre at Acta theatre in Gladstone Street, Bedminster.

Members of the youth theatre “take us on a magical sci-fi journey, in a quest to prevent the creation of the Ultimate Being”.

Tickets £2.

• www.acta-bristol.com

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

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www.southbristolvoice.co.uk

April, 2016

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