South Bristol Voice January 2024

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January 2024 - Issue 97 www.southbristolvoice.co.uk WIDEST CIRCULATION IN SOUTH BRISTOL - 12,000 COPIES OF THIS EDITION FREE EVERY MONTH IN BEDMINSTER, SOUTHVILLE, KNOWLE, TOTTERDOWN, ASHTON, ASHTON VALE & WINDMILL HILL Yew Tree Farm is a designated Site of Nature Conservation Interest

Victoria Park’s new skatepark Page 11

Win family Icescape tickets Page 12

Cemetery expansion approved Controversial plans to expand South Bristol Cemetery onto protected meadows in the greenbelt used for grazing by Bristol’s last working farm have been approved.

A planning committee voted 5-3 to grant Bristol City Council permission for the extended graveyard despite dozens of objections, including from Avon Wildlife Trust

because it would mean the loss of valuable habitat.

The land includes fields that have been farmed for decades

by Catherine Withers, who runs Yew Tree Farm, and the property is also a designated Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI).

All three councillors who voted against giving the goahead were Greens, and the

opposition group criticised the decision after the meeting.

Group leader Cllr Emma Edwards said: “We all agree that we need a strategic approach to burials for residents of Bristol that is not just a short-term stopgap solution like this one but offers a longer term viable option that does not pit the burial of Continued on page 6 >

Upset at axed No 23 bus route Page 14

Meet the man with a big heart Page 17 (pictured above)

Check out our Viva! giveaway Page 18

Jon Kent’s new poetry book Page 21

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southbristolvoice

May 2024 2022 January

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Contacts

Ruth Drury Sales Director Publisher 07590 527664 sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk Jane Williams Editor news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

Next month’s deadline for editorial and advertising noon11, on 82022 January 2024. is May

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

Further details of the complaints process can be found on our website (below) or can be obtained by contacting the Editor by email: sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or by post: 111 Broadfield Rd, Knowle, Bristol BS4 2UX or by phone: 07590527664.

My MP? Karin Smyth MP By email: karin.smyth.mp@ parliament.uk By post: Karin Smyth MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA By phone: 0117 953 3575 In person: Call the above number for an appointment My councillor?

Post: (all councillors) City Hall, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TR. Tessa Fitzjohn Green, Bedminster By phone: 07584182801 By email: Cllr.Tessa.Fitzjohn@bristol.gov.uk Mark Bradshaw Labour, Bedminster. By email: Cllr.mark. bradshaw@bristol.gov.uk By phone: 0117 353 3160 Tony Dyer Green, Southville By phone: 07584182862 By email:

Cllr.Tony.Dyer@bristol.gov.uk Christine Townsend Green, Southville By phone: 07584183843 By email: Cllr.Christine.Townsend@bristol. gov.uk Christopher Davies Knowle Community Party. Email: Cllr.

Christopher.Davies@bristol.gov.uk Phone: 07826917714 Gary Hopkins Knowle Community Party. Email: Cllr.Gary.Hopkins@bristol.gov.uk Phone: 07977 512159 Ed Plowden Green, Windmill Hill Phone: 07584184577 By email: Cllr.Ed.Plowden@bristol.gov.uk Lisa Stone Green, Windmill Hill Phone: 07584186535 By email: Cllr.Lisa.Stone@bristol.gov.uk

USEFUL NUMBERS Bristol City Council www.bristol.gov.uk 0117 922 2000 Waste, roads 0117 922 2100 Pests, dog wardens 0117 922 2500 Council tax 0117 922 2900

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

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January 2024

n NEWS

Group deciding how Bristol will be governed descends into chaos The final public meeting of a group of councillors attempting to decide how Bristol will be governed from next May descended into chaos. Members shouted over each other, stormed out and failed to agree on minor points over how money should be spread across the city.

In May, Bristol City Council will no longer have a directly elected mayor but instead will be run by a series of committees of councillors. The details of how this will work remain unclear and undecided, with a new constitution set for approval in January.

The committee model working group was meant to discuss how council funding could be spread into several neighbourhoods in November. But the group instead spent most of the time arguing about splitting up the funding into two streams.

Green Councillor Lorraine Francis said: “I’m going to excuse myself from this meeting, so whatever happens will be without my consent because this is outrageous. I’m not going to be channelled down the road when there’s lots of

unanswered questions. This isn’t good politics, I’m sorry.”

Green Cllr Jenny Bartle, chair of the working group, added: “I’m not happy with the meeting that I’ve chaired. Things haven’t gone in a timely way that we can all feel like we’ve had a say and a debate. There’s been one debate and it’s not resolved any answers.”

Six area committees currently decide how to spend a relatively small amount of money provided by property developers, who must pay a community infrastructure levy (CIL).

After May, these will be replaced by nine area committees given more powers on local issues.

The problem is more development is taking place in some parts of Bristol than others, meaning some areas have more CIL money to spend than others. The working group wants to share this money out more fairly, so poorer parts of the city can receive more funding.

One idea put forward by Labour Cllr Nicola Beech, cabinet member for strategic planning, resilience and floods, was to give extra CIL money to areas with higher levels of

deprivation. An equity fund would invest into deprived communities.

However this would mean sticking with very large area committees, which several councillors have previously criticised.

Currently they cover entirely separate areas as one place, stretching from Avonmouth and the Harbourside or Brislington and Ashton Gate. Even though a lot of development is taking place in Bedminster, some resulting CIL money is spent in Brislington.

But these large committees would just exist mostly on paper, Cllr Beech said, to satisfy legal requirements, and they could then divide funding fairly to smaller groups, making sure poorer areas received a larger amount. Either way, some areas receive so little funding that councillors said this issue was “academic.”

The new area committees will meet twice a year in person and twice online. They will have a greater say on issues like potholes, road safety, parks and how often the grass is cut.

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January 2024

n NEWS

Cemetery expansion approved Continued from page 1

the deceased against the future of the living.”

Cllr Christine Townsend (Green, Southville) said: “This decision fully demonstrates why the citizens of Bristol are losing faith in the planning process. There is zero evidence that other sites for burial have been considered, and until all possible alternatives have been fully investigated and excluded, the protections of the ecology and wildlife should have been upheld.”

Cllr Tony Dyer (Green, Southville) said: “We are ready to support Catherine Withers in whatever action she now decides to take following this decision.”

In September, Yew Tree Farm was given a reprieve when Bristol City Council’s development control committee delayed its decision on the expansion plans.

Members raised concerns about

Campaigners gather to make their feelings known. the future of the farm if it lost grazing land to graves.

They were told the city was rapidly running out of burial spaces, which the local authority must provide, but councillors requested more information from council chiefs about what options for alternative burial sites had been explored. But

when the committee met again, nothing new had been submitted.

Committee chair, Cllr Ani Stafford-Townsend, told the meeting that if permission was granted, all other SNCIs in Bristol would be under threat of development.

Cllr Stafford-Townsend said: “The applicant’s own ecological

report says there will be harm done to this site. I’m not prepared to take the applicant’s word that they have looked at other places, and I’m not prepared to destroy this piece of land on the say-so of goodwill.”

Planning officers said that while cemeteries, unlike new houses, were not subject to restrictions in the greenbelt, SNCIs were, but that in this case it was judged that no harm would be caused to the site.

Three Labour committee members, a Lib Dem and a Conservative agreed with officers’ recommendation to grant consent. The meeting heard from other members of the Withers family who say they also farm the land, own the cattle and do not object to the council plans.

Claims from them that Yew Tree Farm is not a “small self-supporting business” were vehemently denied by Catherine Withers who said the farm was held in trust and that she was a trustee of that.

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n NEWS FROM BRISTOL SOUTH MP KARIN SMYTH

I want to improve opportunities for young people in our area

While exams are fast approaching for year 11 and year 13 students, I know many will be looking ahead to the important decisions that come afterwards.

For young people and their families, making a choice about the next step for their education or career can seem daunting and complex. Sadly, students in South Bristol often don’t have as many easily accessible options available to them as in some other areas of the city.

When I first became an MP, I heard from many families about how difficult it was to access education and training post16, with many leaving school at 16 with few qualifications and struggling to find work. It’s been my priority since then to

help young people choose by bringing those options closer to home.

It’s shocking that in a city like Bristol, with a thriving job market, local people don’t have the opportunity to learn the necessary skills or earn the qualifications they need to access good jobs that are available.

I want to improve access to job and education opportunities on our doorstep. Students should be able to learn the skills they need to enter the job market right here in South Bristol. This is why I set up the annual jobs and apprenticeships fair: to create a local event helping young people discover what options are open to them.

Seven years on, the fair has

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helped hundreds of people in South Bristol, but its mission is as important now as it was in 2017. Young people still face challenges in finding secure employment, and the number of apprenticeships on offer locally has fallen under the Government’s failure to support further education and apprenticeships in the area.

Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity for people to learn on the job, providing huge benefits to individuals in broadening career options and building knowledge, while also helping businesses develop a workforce with the skills needed for the future. Apprenticeships are suitable for people of any age or stage of career, with options

across a range of sectors.

I’d encourage anyone who is looking to change careers, upskill in their current role, or entering the first stages of their career to come along to this year’s jobs and apprenticeships fair.

Taking place at the South Bristol Skills Academy on Thursday 29 February, it’s an opportunity to find out more about the different courses and jobs available in south Bristol. I hope the event helps many of you find the right next step in your career.

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January 2024

n NEWS FROM LOCAL COUNCILLORS Gary Hopkins and Chris Davies

Knowle Community Party councillors for Knowle The first thing to report is a rare and significant victory in the BCC budget.

Last year, the Mayor put into the plan for this year’s budget a £3m bill for the poorest in Bristol who have, up to now, not paid council tax. We pointed out that not only was this plan a disaster for households, but also a problem for the council as huge amounts of money would be wasted chasing people for money they did not have. Our protests fell upon deaf ears until, at a scrutiny meeting, council officers confirmed our warnings about the difficulty and cost of collection. Result? A withdrawal of the plan.

We attended the opening of the Bristol Beacon (formerly Colston Hall). While there might well be some concerns about the way the expensive rebuild has been managed, the Trust which Gary helped to set up 12 years ago has done a magnificent job for Bristol in providing music education across the city and attracting government, private and Lottery

funding to rebuild the failing building.

An agreement has been signed for the Trust to not only continue its vital educational work but also pay an income to the council.

Last month’s front page carried the great news that Jubilee Pool was receiving £22,000 of central government cash through Sport England. Our column gave the detail leading up to that and said that backroom nobbling from the Mayor’s team had stopped the much larger capital bid that the pool needed.

They tried to nobble the successful bid but failed.

Follow up questioning of the Mayor on this was postponed as the full council was abandoned due to the Barton House emergency but we are still in pursuit. Meanwhile we are supporting a pool bid through local CIL funding for capital and will report back on what support we get from other parties for the pool.

Residents will be aware that we have been involved in trying to preserve Bristol’s last working farm, Yew Tree Farm on Bedminster Down. Yew Tree Farm is an organic farm that has been managed for decades to enhance biodiversity and preserve its ancient hedgerows. This has been recognised by the designation of much of the surrounding farmland as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI), officially recognising its importance for wildlife and nature.

On 29 November, a Bristol City Council planning committee voted 5-3 in favour of expanding South Bristol Crematorium which will involve damaging the SNCI land next to the farm in order to install drainage to allow for an increase in burial sites. This drainage will flow into Colliters Brook, which flows through Southville ward as well as

impacting on a key source of ecology and biodiversity for our ward.

Along with Avon Wildlife Trust and several other environmental organisations, we opposed the expansion especially as there was no clear evidence that the council had explored all alternatives sites within the city. At an earlier meeting of the planning committee, the administration was requested to provide evidence of their strategy for dealing with the requirement for additional burial sites. It transpired during the meeting on 29 November that this administration does not have a strategy.

There are plenty of words from the administration about an “ecological emergency” and the desire to protect green spaces, but they are meaningless if not followed up with real actions when needed.

n NEWS

Paul celebrates 20-year milestone with Aldi An Aldi colleague in South Bristol is celebrating his work anniversary after 20 years with the business.

Paul Barnes, a Store Manager at Aldi’s Bedminster Store, joined the supermarket in 2003 as an Assistant Store Manager. After being promoted to Store Manager following just two years with the business, Paul has since gone on to lead several store teams across Bristol, as well as in Yeovil and Bridgwater.

A well-known face among colleagues and customers, Paul has seen Aldi continue to grow and invest in the community over the years.

From raising more than £3,000 by taking on the Atlantic Coast Challenge for Aldi’s charity Teenage Cancer Trust, to training numerous colleagues, Paul is an integral part of the supermarket’s

Bristol team.

Paul said: “I am very proud of the team I have around me, which has grown from six people per store when I first joined, to around 50 now. We care a lot about our people and that shows in our achievements and how well we work together.”

Dan Oakenfull, Regional Managing Director at Aldi UK, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to all of our colleagues and take great pride in celebrating their achievements. Colleagues like Paul have played a key part in our growth and success, and I would like to thank him for his contributions.

“Our colleagues allow us to connect with wider communities and continue to provide the highquality service that customers keep coming back for.”

Paul Barnes has been with Aldi for an impressive two decades.

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n NEWS FROM LOCAL COUNCILLORS

As your councillors, we have been hearing about problems with congestion, parking and ratrunning across Windmill Hill and Totterdown. As our area is close to the city centre, commuters can park all day and walk to work, or even leave their cars for days to travel on holiday from Temple Meads or Bristol Airport.

This is made worse by the apparent displacement resulting from the Clean Air Zone, and construction workers on Bedminster Green parking around Windmill Hill as they have no other choice. To try and tackle the problem we have been working with the developers and the Council’s enforcement teams, but there is little that can legally be done without formal parking controls.

Our ward is now the nearest district to the city centre with no

Residents Parking Scheme, which makes the problem even worse.

All of this is already affecting bin collections and access for emergency services. When Bedminster Green is occupied, and the new university campus is finished, the problems are certain to get worse. The developers recognise this and have paid for new parking controls, but the Mayor is refusing to invest the funds for the common good.

Green Party councillors across Bedminster, Southville and Windmill Hill have fought hard to win funding for a major programme of traffic calming. Public consultation will start in 2024 and we will make sure it is genuinely responsive to local needs. We know for many residents it will be a relief and a breath of fresh air.

I shall be standing down as your councillor at the election in May. It’s been a life changing experience and a privilege to get to know you all.

Action Greater Bedminster’s BS3 2025 project has been inviting residents across BS3 to think about what the increase in residents, particularly students, will mean. Following this, I’d like to invite Bedminster residents to work with their local Green councillors to help improve our streets and facilities in the ward.

Alongside a major programme of traffic calming in Bedminster, Southville and Windmill Hill, which has been coordinated by Green Councillors working together, we also have opportunities to shape how we spend our Community Infrastructure Funding. This could

be on new street trees, planting projects or new facilities in our parks.

Having recently visited the newly opened Bristol Beacon, it’s amazing to have a major arts venue in central Bristol that is fit for the 21st century.

However, our local arts organisations should also be celebrated. Bedminster is exceptional in having acta, a creative centre producing a wide range of creative activity that was recently selected for Bristol City Council’s openness funding due to their focus on producing work for a world without barriers to creative expression. It also receives regular funding from Arts Council England.

We have something for every home this Christmas, with our range of high quality windows, doors and roof lights.

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January 2024

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n NEWS

New skate park rolls in for Victoria Park Work to improve the Victoria Park skate and wheels park and playground has begun. In midNovember, the contractors for the skate park broke ground in preparation for a modern, new facility.

Originally, Cllrs Lisa Stone and Ed Plowden won funding for a new all abilities recreation area next to the skate park.

Unfortunately, this was cancelled as the proposed work would effect the roots of the surrounding mature plane trees, adding to problems that have already been caused by major underground works in the area.

Despite this, every effort is being made to make sure that there will still be brand new replacements for the much-loved swings that reached the end of their life in 2021 after 40 years of service.

Although the work has necessitated the closure of the existing skate park, a new one will

Councillors Ed Plowden and Lisa Stone visit the skatepark site. emerge. The work will involve the resurfacing of the space with smooth concrete, the addition of equipment to create a better layout and the creation of areas for differing abilities.

There will be a new accessible recreation area. The all-age, allability recreation area that was to go where the old skatepark is currently located may have to move to a different site, to avoid damaging the roots of the old London plane trees there.

However, it is still at the design stage with more consultation to come.

It is anticipated that construction will take around eight weeks. In the meantime, the nearest skatepark is at Dame Emily Park on Dean Lane.

Cllr Lisa Stone said: “We have been listening to residents’ ideas for an alternative location for the new all abilities recreation equipment. Most people agree that the field between the school

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and the tennis courts should work well and has the bonus of being close to the toilets.

“We will make sure this is done sensitively, and are working with the Victoria Park Action Group and council officers to make sure that the proposals are part of a strategic plan to improve the park for everyone, whilst conserving its existing character.

“Cllr Plowden and I have also won funding for an additional pair of baby swings and for appropriate rewilding in the right places. We are also working with a team of architecture students as to how to make the most of the currently dilapidated lodge building. Watch this space for more news.”

Funding for this exciting project has been achieved through crowdfunding by the Bristol Skatepark Collective, several grants and from the Community Infrastructure Levy.

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n READER GIVEAWAY

January 2024

WIN! Family tickets to Icescape

Get your skates on and enter this festive competition!

This winter, Icescape at Weston-superMare’s Tropicana is back and it is home to the largest covered ice rink. And we have two sets of family tickets (for four people each) to give away. The tickets can be redeemed any time before 7 January 2024.

Icespace is a spectacular festive destination for all this winter. With festive food and drink, amusement rides and more, it’s an event for friends and families that’s not to be missed.

There’s space for 400 skaters in each 45-minute session, with various time slots throughout the day. These include parent and toddler sessions where pushchairs are allowed on the ice; quiet sessions for a more relaxed atmosphere with no music and reduced capacity; skate and donate

for charities; and Friday night disco sessions for adult skaters only.

For more information about Icescape, visit: icescape-tropicana.co.uk TO ENTER For your chance to win, simply email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk, putting the words ‘ICESCAPE COMPETITION’ as your subject line, and tell us the answer to the following question.

Q. Which seaside town is hosting the UK’s largest undercover ice rink this winter?

The closing date is midnight on 21 December 2023.

PS Don’t forget to tell us your name and contact details.

Terms and conditions: By entering the South Bristol Voice competition in issue 97, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions: The prize promotion is open to UK residents only. Entrants must be 18 or over and all entries must be made from within the United Kingdom. The prize shall be awarded at the discretion of South Bristol Voice. We reserve the right, at any time, to verify entries and to disqualify any entries by any person who tampers with the entry process or who submits an entry that is not in accordance with these Conditions of Entry. Directors, employees and their immediate families of the Promoter and the agencies associated with this promotion are not eligible to enter. Multiple entries per household and individual are accepted, but only one prize will be distributed. No purchase is necessary. The closing date for receipt of entries is midnight on 21 December 2023. The winner will be chosen at random. The Prize: As specified above. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and no cash alternative is available. Other than where such liability cannot be excluded by law, South Bristol Voice cannot accept responsibility for any damage, loss, injury or disappointment suffered by any person entering the competition or as a result of accepting the prize.

n COMMUNITY GARDENS NEWS Top award for Victoria Park

indicating a garden which is thriving. The awarding bodies are the Royal Horticultural Society, Britain in Bloom SW and It’s Your Neighbourhood.

Barney Smith, who leads the volunteer group, and volunteer Hom Aboubakar were presented with the award by Steve Clampin from Bristol City Council.

Victoria Park Community Garden has recently received a top award.

The garden, located south of the bowling green, has received an outstanding Level 4 award

Join the Patchwork Groups’ Wassail The Patchwork Community Gardening Group is holding its annual Wassail on Saturday 13

January from 2-4pm at the Myrtle Street Orchard (behind Tesco on North Street).

There will be music from the Red Notes choir and folk singer Guy Malkerson, as well as poetry, mulled cider and cakes. Join the group to welcome in the new year and wake up the fruit trees.

For more information contact bemmiepatchwork@gmail.com

The UK’s only berry maze is still here in South Bristol

The Malago Greenway Berry Maze is six years old and still the only one in this country, and it has just received an ‘advancing’ award from the Britain in Bloom ‘It’s your Neighbourhood’ scheme.

The maze is on the open space between Marksbury Road and Novers Steps and is open to the public all of the time so the team say that it is remarkable that it

has survived at all. Thanks are specially due to Good Gym who have helped on a monthly basis ever since the project started.

Already the maze is well known for the yummy yellow raspberries which are particularly popular with small children from June to October, but everyone can try the more exotic wine berries in summer and goji berries in autumn.

However, the berry maze team would like to make it even better.

They would like to make better use of the concrete platform where the scout hut used to be and need help to raise funds to pay for play sculptures there.

They also welcome gardening help on Tuesday afternoons from 2.30-4pm. For more information, contact Barney Smith on 07929 727259.

From left to right, Christine Higgott, Barney Smith, Stephen Clampin (City Council) and Phill Stone (Good Gym)

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14

January 2024

n TRANSPORT NEWS

Elderly and disabled ‘abandoned, isolated and forgotten’ Last month, we reported on the isolation many in Ashton Vale feel since the termination of the No 23 bus route. Since then, the story has grown.

A neighbourhood which is home to many elderly and disabled people in South Bristol has been “abandoned, isolated and forgotten” by recent bus cuts. Since April, people living in Ashton Vale have been cut off from public transport after the 23 bus service was scrapped.

One resident of Ashton Vale urged councillors and the metro mayor to try pushing her wheelchair-bound husband to the nearest bus stop over half a mile away themselves.

Bernice McKendrick told councillors on the growth and regeneration scrutiny commission at Bristol City Council that one couple living in Ashton Vale with early onset dementia have “not been out” since the 23 was cut, now unable to find their way.

She said: “We have had no

bus for eight months and winter is now coming. Your decisions have left a whole community cut off from normal life. [West of England mayor] Dan Norris is meant to be a transport mayor, but he’s more interested in stopping buses. We are struggling to do normal things like shopping, going to doctors, to dentists.

“Do you go shopping? Do you go to the cinema? Do you go to cafes? Do you meet friends? We can’t do this, we have to pay for taxis just to go to the shops. The government has provided extra funding for areas like ours but we are left without a bus.”

The 23 bus was one of many services scrapped in April across the West of England region, covering Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset. These services used to be subsidised by local councils, through the West of England Combined Authority.

But due to huge inflation in the bus industry and massive

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pressure on council budgets, the three councils did not increase the subsidies in line with what was needed to keep all of the services afloat.

Ms McKendrick told councillors and council bosses in the scrutiny commission that she held both them and Mr Norris and his combined authority responsible for scrapping the 23 bus. She also criticised new West of England schemes such as giving people free bus travel during the month of their birthday, and the demand-responsive transport West Link minibuses.

She said: “Do we not count?

Do we not deserve to have a life?

Our transport mayor has spent millions to run the birthday bus scheme and millions to run West Link — which is a glorified taxi service, and when people do manage to use it they’re left stranded when they need to get home. Our mayor has just paid £10,000 to have his picture put on buses, but refuses to sort out the mess that he has made of our bus service. That £10,000 would have paid for us to have a bus for two months.

“I have invited Dan Norris down to Langley Crescent to walk down to Ashton Gate and to explain to the residents why they are being abandoned, isolated and forgotten. My husband, who is wheelchair-bound, is quite willing for one of you to push him down so that you can see how difficult it is for us to get on with our lives.”

Ashton Vale is a very long walk from the closest shopping centres on North Street and East Street, too far for many of the elderly and disabled people who live in the neighbourhood. Their closest bus service is now the 24, which runs along Winterstoke Road.

Ms Kendrick said: “There is a couple who live in Ashton Vale who both have early-onset dementia. They knew they could catch that 23 bus, go to Bedminster a few times a week to do their shopping and have a coffee and come home. Because with dementia, you know your own routes.

“They haven’t been out since April because they are frightened to walk up that road. Their bus stop was two minutes away. This is what you have done to them.

These are the people who are just

being ignored. How can one man destroy a whole community? I do not know. And be allowed to do so? My husband is now not able to go out unless we can afford taxis to go here, there and everywhere.

What do you say to him, a man who has served in the army for 25 years? He feels that he’s now on a rubbish tip, because nobody cares.

“They’ll send a double decker 24 down, coming down the back way, for the drivers to learn. Now the old people thought they put the bus back on, and we had to go and tell them that no, they’re just doing driver training.”

The West of England metro mayor blamed the cancellation of the 23 service on First Bus, the company running the majority of buses in Bristol. However, First Bus previously told reporters that they could no longer afford to run the service “without financial support from the combined authority”.

The West of England is the regional transport authority and, along with local councils, is responsible for subsidised bus services which are “socially necessary”. The subsidies provided to companies like First Bus are supposed to pay for services such as the 23 in Ashton Vale, which don’t make a profit but are still relied upon by many passengers.

Responding to Ms McKendrick’s comments, Mr Norris said: “Ashton Vale residents are understandably frustrated that the number 23 bus was withdrawn by First West of England. This was a commercial decision taken by the operator. Buses are a complicated funding and regulatory jigsaw.

“Using the pot of cash for transport I specifically control, I’ve done things like introduce Bristol’s £2 flat bus fare — four months before the government followed suit — and introduced Birthday Buses to encourage new people onto our buses.

“This really matters, as it’s the only long-term solution to build the sustainable bus network locals deserve. I would also encourage communities to explore the mayoral combined authority’s £2 million WESTlocal fund for hyper-local transport solutions.”

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporter

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southbristolvoice

January 2024

15

n SPINAL COLUMN

Movement is the lifeblood of our cells In our rapidly evolving world, where convenience often trumps physical exertion, we’re moving less but needing movement more than ever. At Kasa, we recognise this dichotomy and its impact on health.

Our bodies, masterfully crafted for activity, are now navigating a reality where we drive instead of walk, sit rather than stand, and engage more with screens than the physical world. This shift, although convenient, has distanced us from our inherent need for movement. At Kasa, we see this not just as a challenge, but an opportunity for transformation.

Understanding the critical role of movement goes beyond the common narratives of fitness or athletic prowess.

Movement is the lifeblood of our cells, the very conduit through which nutrients travel to sustain every part of our body. It’s about nourishing every cell, rejuvenating every tissue and invigorating every organ.

Moreover, the way we move matters

immensely. It’s not about dedicating an hour to intense exercise and then succumbing to stillness for the rest of the day. It’s about integrating movement into our daily lives in small, consistent doses.

This regular, varied movement is key to maintaining spinal health, improving posture and enhancing overall well-being.

At Kasa, we don’t just address the symptoms of restricted movement, we delve into its root causes. Our approach

combines chiropractic care with massage therapy, ensuring that your body moves in a balanced way, free from nervous system interference. Our modern facilities, including in-house digital x-ray machines, allow us to tailor our treatments to your unique needs, aligning your spine and facilitating your body’s natural healing processes.

We invite you to visit us at our Clifton or Bedminster clinics, where we’re committed to not just treating the pain but treating the person. It’s time to reconnect with your body’s fundamental need for movement, and we at Kasa are here to guide you on this journey.

Embrace movement as a way of life and discover a path to holistic wellness.

Your journey to a healthier, more active life starts with us.

Charles Herbert Kasa Chiro 0117 370 2680 www.kasachiro.com

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Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

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16

January 2024

ADVICE FROM A PHARMACIST with Ade Williams

Travelling abroad in 2024?

Contact our travel clinic today Going somewhere nice this year? Taking a gap year, school trip, holiday, religious pilgrimage or planning a business trip? If you need travel medicines and vaccinations, whether you need them as part of your job working with animals, in healthcare, waste management and recycling, cleaning or air conditioning, did you know Bristol Travel Clinic guarantees the lowest prices, with a price match promise and award-winning service and advice available at Bedminster Pharmacy? Call us free on 0800 7723575 or come in for details.

The recommended time to seek health advice is eight weeks before your trip, but if it is late, don’t panic... contact us now. Our same-day / flexible hours and multiple locations mean that if you need same-day, multiple doses spread over several weeks, we will make it convenient.

We are always conscious that price should not be a barrier to accessing health services. Our

guaranteed low cost with a price-match promise means we keep to this ethos. We also have an increasing number of people travelling across the bridge from Wales to access our services, so Bristol Travel Clinic is a destination for affordable protection.

Travelling is a beautiful experience, but it is crucial to do so safely. Different countries may have health risks that require vaccinations, hence why our free travel health consultation is so important.

Discovering another country’s health system as a patient when you are far from home is no holidaymaker’s dream. The additional cost and anxiety can form part of what could be an endless avoidable nightmare. Well-travelled, award-winning NHS-regulated professionals run our travel clinics. They can provide you with expert NHS advice that you can rely on through your local pharmacy. Alongside travel

vaccinations, we also offer treatment to delay periods while on holiday and altitude sickness treatment.

If you are not travelling but need vaccinations to protect from chicken pox, meningitis B and any work-related vaccinations, we can help.

By using the services offered by the Bristol Travel Clinic, you are also supporting our community-focused work, including donations to our partner charities.

Bedminster Pharmacy is a local independent pharmacy that is part of the local NHS, and we pride ourselves on always providing the best care for our community.

Nominations open for Bristol Social Impact Awards Nominations are now open for the Bristol Social Impact Awards (formerly known as The Voscurs).

This awards ceremony will return on Thursday February 29, and now is your chance to show your appreciation for a local third sector organisation.

To nominate, please visit: forms.office.com/e/ magrPttBg5 Do you know someone deserving?

Bristol Social Impact Awards brings together organisations across all sectors that strive to make Bristol a great place to live, work or volunteer.

At the event, you will have the chance to network with organisations from the business, public and charitable sectors to celebrate the achievements of all social purpose organisations.

All awards will be nominated by people across the city through a publicly promoted process. Nominations will be received by a panel of representatives from the business, Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE), and public sectors with expertise in each category.

Sponsors for each award will be invited to participate on the panel to determine the award winner.

NEWS? Email us at: news@southbristolvoice.co.uk To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

southbristolvoice

January 2024

17

n FEATURE

A man with a big heart

There are plenty of people who see something that needs to be done and just wait for someone else to do it. But there aren’t so many people who stand up and make those things happen. Fortunately, Simon Brookes of Defibs4Bristol is one of those people who is prepared to make things happen.

Before he retired, Simon had a long career working with the Royal Marines, and then as a Physical Training Instructor helping others to pass their fitness tests to join the Royal Marines’ Commando course. A number of those who Simon trained went on to serve in Afghanistan and Iraq.

After retirement, Simon became a volunteer First Responder for the ambulance service, where he was sent out to respond to 999 calls.

He was trained in how to respond to cardiac arrests and shown how to use a defibrillator, but this prompted Simon to wonder how others would respond in a crisis before waiting for the emergency services to arrive.

And he wondered what would have happened if there had been community defibrillators available on site for people to use immediately without waiting for help.

As Simon, who founded Defibs4Bristol in 2018, explains, if someone has a cardiac arrest they need to be treated with a defibrillator within three to five minutes, and they need immediate CPR in order to stand the best chance of surviving. Which is why there isn’t always time to wait for the emergency services to arrive. As a result, Simon began fundraising and campaigning to install community public access defibrillators around Bristol. These are ones that are on the outside of buildings and are freely available 24 hours a day.

The most recent defibrillator that Simon saw installed was at the Hartcliffe Community Centre. While the installation costs were kindly donated on this occasion, there are still ongoing maintenance costs for every defibrillator to ensure that it is primed and ready for anyone who might need it. The batteries for the defibrillators last four years and have several hundred shocks in them, but after four years £500 must be found to replace the battery. In addition, the defib pads must be replaced every two years at a cost of £60 a time. And this is the case for all of the 25 or so defibrillators Simon has helped install across Bristol.

CJ Hole on North Street has a defib outside.

Although he lives in Westbury-on-Trym, Simon says he felt it was “selfish” to concentrate on only helping his local area, which is why he has helped install community defibrillators all across Bristol. “North Street seemed a good area, so the guys at Trojan Gym helped fundraise to raise money for me. Then I recently put one on each of the Southville Community Centres.

“More recently I’ve had a cabinet fitted to the Masonic Pub on North Street, because the other nearest one is at CJ Hole which is too far away in a crisis.”

A defibrillator was recently installed in Hengrove, as this was a site of two previous - fatal - cardiac arrests. This defib was called out three times in the first week that it was installed, showing how necessary it was. “At that point, the nearest defib was at a school,” says Simon. People who contributed to the cost of the Hengrove defibrillator include Don Gay’s Flowers, AFC Taxis (who also allowed the unit to be fitted to their building and wired into their electrics), the local pharmacy and convenience store, as well as quite a lot of people in the community.

Of course, once a defibrillator is installed, it then needs to be maintained. And this is undertaken by Support Guardians, who are people who do monthly checks on the units to ensure they are in good order, as well as remembering to change the pads and batteries when needed. The Support Guardians are part of a group called The Circuit, organised by the British Heart Foundation with whom all defibs need to be registered. This means that when a 999 operator takes a call, they can immediately see where the nearest defib is. Once a 999 operator sends someone to the defib, the Support Guardian for that defib gets an email saying it may have been used. The Support Guardian then goes to check if it is still in place or if it has been taken away by the ambulance service. If it’s been taken away, the Support Guardian needs to return a few days later to see if it has been returned and follow this up. So there is more maintenance involved than you might think.

As well as this, Simon works alongside the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity as a Heartstarter. “We go round schools teaching kids how to do CPR,” says Simon.

“We also do Blunt Truth, which is a joint campaign between the health services and police to try and stop kids carrying knives. I introduce people to bleed kits and show them the components, so they have an idea what to do.”

Additionally, Simon teaches groups how to do CPR and use the defibrillators. He’s happy to go any group that invites him and has previously taught everyone from the Bristol Bears to the Westbury Harriers and groups of taxi drivers.

He doesn’t charge for the courses but just asks for a contribution towards the cost of whichever

Simon Brookes with one of the defibrilators.

The team at Trojan Fitness with their defib. defibrillator is next being installed. For more information on Simon’s courses, please visit his website defibs4bristol.com Simon adds: “Money doesn’t arrive easily and all contributions are welcome. To donate, please visit this link: https://tinyurl.com/4hxyzvp6” For more information, visit: defibs4bristol.com/how-you-can-help

Where are the South Bristol community defibrillators?

AFC Taxis, Hengrove Parade BS3 Community Centre, Chessels Street BS3 Community Centre, Southville Centre, Beauley Road CJ Hole, North Street Hartcliffe Community Centre, Hareclive Road The Masonic Pub, North Street Monarch House, Smyth Road The Sandringham, Sandy Park Road Trojan Fitness, South Liberty Lane Windmill Hill Community Centre, Vivian Street

Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

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18

January 2024

n NEWS FROM BS3 COMMUNITY – THE CHARITY THAT RUNS THE SOUTHVILLE CENTRE AND THE CHESSEL CENTRE Happy New Year from all of us here at BS3 Community.

We have two new events at our Southville Centre this January as part of our Festival of Voice.

Colouring-in for Wellbeing

Join us on Saturday 20 January for two free colouring-in sessions. Come and relax with a drink in our Southville Centre café, meet some new people, and choose from a wide selection of colouring-in sheets, pens and pencils. All materials will be provided. Our café will be serving drinks and warm snacks.

Alcoholic drinks will also be available to purchase during the evening session.

From 3-5pm we have a family friendly session, suitable for all ages, then from 6-9pm we have a session for ages 16+. Visit our Eventbrite page

to book a place: eventbrite. co.uk/o/bs3-communitydevelopment-51407983403 Or telephone our reception team on 0117 923 1039.

Talk: 100 Years of Public Health Advertising

On Friday 26 January you are welcome to join us in our Milford Hall for a talk on public health advertising, spanning 100 years in the UK. This visual, engaging lecture will be delivered by our Head of Communities, Emmeline Rodman, followed by a group workshop to discuss what wellbeing means to BS3 residents.

6.30-7.10pm – Talk 7.10-8pm – Optional workshop and discussion.

The talk is suitable for ages

16+ and is free to attend.

Visit our Eventbrite page to book a place: eventbrite. co.uk/o/bs3-communitydevelopment-51407983403 or telephone our reception team on 0117 923 1039.

Co-op Local Cause - Bedminster Food Club

Bedminster Food Club project has been selected as one of the Co-operative’s local causes, which their members can support for the next year. Co-op UK members can choose us as the cause they support every time they shop, just login to your account and select us as your cause. Visit our cause page: membership.coop.co.uk/ causes/78486

Voice Viva! Christmas giveaway Bristol-based charity Viva! is giving away 50 copies of its Deliciously Vegan Christmas recipe guide to readers of South Bristol Voice and sister title Long Ashton & Failand Voice, which teaches you how to create the perfect vegan feast this festive season.

Whether you’re hosting vegans, vegetarians or just trying to learn some new skills, the guide provides over 25 recipes, including scrumptious starters, luscious mains, tempting sides and heavenly desserts, not forgetting truffles, Christmas cakes and cheese.

There’s also an abundance of cocktail recipes for those who like to get merry, where you can learn how to make a Cranberry Mojito, an Old Fashioned and vegan ‘Baileys’ Irish Cream Liqueur.

If you’re already in the vegan or vegetarian camp, you can learn some new tricks and whip up dishes to wow your loved ones.

For the 50 lucky recipients – we hope you enjoy the guide. Please do send in

your photos of any dishes you try to news@southbristolvoice.co.uk Where to buy Deliciously Vegan Christmas If you didn’t get a free copy of Deliciously Vegan Christmas with your paper, you can purchase it for just £2 plus postage from vivashop.org.uk/collections/ books/products/deliciously-vegan-vivachristmas-recipe-guide Hurry to get it in time for Christmas!

About Viva!

Viva! is the UK’s leading vegan charity, launched by Juliet Gellatley in 1994 to create a kinder world for all its inhabitants. Viva!’s work focuses on campaigning for the animals, the environment and human health while also providing resources for people to go vegan. The charity is based in Bristol and hosts regular events within the local community and around the country.

Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

southbristolvoice

January 2024

19

n FROM THE MAYOR’S OFFICE

Cemeteries are spaces to honour our loved ones Cemeteries are completely unique spaces in a city’s environment, combining architecture with landscapes and wildlife, silence with reflection. They are memorials to the dead and the past, to Bristolians of years gone by. They serve an essential purpose for the living.

These spaces touch everyone’s life in some way and serve as a constant reminder of those who they loved.

Burials, and the lasting memories they provide, are landmark events for those who are grieving a loss.

If they want to, everyone deserves to be able to bury those they have lost and to have a space to come to remember them. That’s why we have taken important steps to expand South Bristol Cemetery onto neighbouring land that has been allocated for its expansion since the 1960s. It will include 1,500 adult and 260 baby burial plots, new memorial plots and new footpaths.

Bristol City Council has eight cemeteries. They are beautiful spaces that offer a break from the

busy city and time to reflect and remember. But their capacities are limited, part of the finite 42 square miles that make up our city, where our population has increased by 48,000 people since 2008. Council cemeteries, including South Bristol Cemetery, need more room.

So we are acting now to ensure residents from across our city, of all faiths and none, have the space and opportunity for burials in our city. I’m pleased by the decision made by the planning committee in December.

The proposed expansion includes enough land to cover 25 years of ongoing burials in Bristol, including space for a diverse range of faith burials to address community needs alongside an adjacent area for infant burials. This is a necessary decision to have made and the correct one. We are able to enact this expansion now, thanks to a long-sighted agreement between the Council and Yew Tree Farm. In May 2021, council officers met with

n ADVERTORIAL

Marvin Rees shares his views with the Voice In years to come, we can be proud that our foresight to protect space for our cemeteries ensured we could meet demand. We must maintain them as special places, close to the hearts of residents for generations to come. It’s important we take decisions that look to protect the future of Bristol.

RECIPE FOR VEGAN CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

Get ready for Veganuary!

Start Veganuary with a bang with Viva!’s cookbook ‘Everyone Can Cook Vegan’.

Bristol-based charity Viva! has launched its new cookbook ‘Everyone Can Cook Vegan’, ideal for kicking off Veganuary or simply adding some tasty new recipes to your roster of weekly meals.

It contains 100 recipes that you will actually use every day, from proteinrich dishes, such as Spinach & Vegan Ricotta Cannelloni, Tofu Katsu Curry and Spicy Protein Burritos, to triedand-tested classics, such as Moussaka, Broccoli & Tomato Quiche and Vegan Chicken Tikka Masala.

As well as an abundance of dinnertime delights, the book includes healthy and indulgent breakfast options, such as Vanilla & Almond Chia Pudding and a very unique Easy Vegan Fried Eggs recipe. You’ll find secret specials such as Prosecco Fondue, Pan-Fried Broccoli with Almond Purée and Truffle Fries with Vegan Parmesan & Lime Dip.

the farm, providing a generous temporary grazing agreement on the land beyond the scope of the initial expansion. This is set to take place over ten years, in the knowledge that some of that land would be needed for future necessary burial expansion.

The expansion will involve less than 10% of the land currently used (without tenancy) by Yew Tree Farm.

The Council will continue working closely with them on granting a long-term lease for the remaining 90% of grazing land. Similarly, officers have taken steps to submit a robust set of flood monitoring and ecological assessments, including a new wetland pond habitat, new hedgerows and tree planting.

These measures will ensure a rich biodiversity is maintained.

Cemeteries have the potential to be nature rich, beautiful green spaces for residents who have lost loved ones. And Bristolians should never be forced outside of the city’s boundaries to mourn.

We’ve spoken to Viva!’s Social Media Coordinator Amy Pardoe who is providing some handy tips for anyone tackling Veganuary.

“Make sure you check ingredients to see if the foods you buy contain milk, honey or eggs – these can often sneak into pre-packaged foods,” says Amy. “Another great tip is to learn new plant-based recipes rather than relying on vegan-ready meals. Home-cooked meals will be cheaper, healthier and you may enjoy honing your culinary skills! My third and final tip is to take a vitamin B12 supplement, as B12 is vital for vegan nutrition. You can find a supplement at your local health food store or large supermarket.”

Everyone Can Cook Vegan, £12, is available now from the Viva! Shop (vivashop.org.uk).

Viva! has supplied us with a recipe from the cookbook to tantalise your tastebuds.

Ingredients - Paste: Use this homemade paste or, for a speedy version, use 4-6 tablespoons shop-bought tikka masala paste (eg Patak’s). 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped, 5cm piece of ginger (peeled and roughly chopped), 1 red chilli (deseeded and roughly chopped), 2 tsp ground coriander, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp garam masala, ½ tsp ground fenugreek (optional), 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp tomato puree, 1 tbsp desiccated coconut, 2 tbsp plain oil (eg rapeseed).

Curry: 500g/17½ oz vegan chicken pieces OR 2 x 400g/14½ oz tins chickpeas, drained and rinsed, 2 onions (finely diced), 1 red pepper (cut into bite-sized chunks), 1 x 400g/14½ oz tin chopped or plum tomatoes, 1 tbsp tomato purée, 1 tbsp ground almonds (optional), 1 tsp salt, 200ml/5/6 cup water, 1 tbsp syrup (eg maple or agave), Zest and juice of ½ a lime, 150ml/½ cup plain vegan yoghurt.

Instructions - Paste: Blend all ingredients together until smooth. You may need to add a little more oil or water to get a smooth consistency.

Set aside.

Curry: Cook the vegan chicken as per the instructions on the packet and set aside. Whilst the ‘chicken’ is cooking, take a separate large pan and fry the onions in a little oil until lightly golden. Add the tikka masala paste and red peppers. Heat for five minutes, stirring frequently.

Add the tinned tomatoes, tomato puree, ground almonds, salt and water. Cover with a lid and gently simmer for 15 minutes.

Stir through the syrup, lime zest and juice, vegan plain yoghurt and the pre-cooked ‘chicken’ pieces. Heat for around five minutes before serving.

Taste the curry and add a little more salt if needed.

Serving suggestions: aubergine chutney, brown rice, dhal, fresh coriander, fresh tomatoes, fried potatoes, leafy green salad, lime pickle, mango chutney, onion bhajis, onion salad, poppodoms, roasted cauliflower, steamed broccoli, toasted flaked almonds, vegan naan, vegan plain yoghurt, vegan raita, vegetable pakora, vegetable samosas.

Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

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20

January 2024

n PILATES

n LETTER

Sona Pilates with Leanne Copley

Concern about the axed No 23 bus route

Happy New Year! I don’t do resolutions but I set myself an intention of how I want to proceed throughout the year. And 2024’s slogan is to ‘feel good on your own terms’.

In the past few years, the wellness industry has put on pedestals saint-like figures whom we all feel pressured to measure ourselves against. Turning the purest choice of looking after your body and mind into a comparison nightmare and carefully curated Instagram conflict.

But the happiest people are not perfect, you my lovely friend are not perfect. But you have handled life’s ups and downs, disappointments, chased dreams and spontaneous fun. As we weave our way through life, at its core remains our desire to feel good in body and mind. Joseph Pilates always advocated for a life full of vigour and zest, not the perfect booty or brunch pic.

So this January and beyond, consider what gives you vigour and zest, trust yourself that you know what you need: be that creative connection, walks in nature, a takeaway with friends or a new fitness experience. Feel good on your own terms, follow your joy and not the crowd. Maybe you’ll find you feel good at Pilates. www.sonapilates.com

I have recently moved into the area and received a copy of your magazine which I read with great interest.

The article on the lack of bus service particularly caught my eye as, although my partner drives, I don’t, and as I am getting older this may become a problem in the future.

I spoke to my partner and, as the decision to take the bus off seems to be based on purely financial reasons, he came up with the idea that perhaps if everyone was to be charged for using the bus, including those with a bus pass, this may solve the problem. People may be more willing to pay this than have no bus service at all.

It could perhaps be tried out for say three months and it would be down to people to use it or lose it.

Elizabeth Blammon, Ashton Vale

HAVE YOUR SAY - Email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

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southbristolvoice

January 2024

21

n FEATURE

All hail the emperor!

Totterdown’s very own self-appointed emperor has just published a book of 52 short poems about a museum. Jane Williams spoke to the man himself to find out more…

J Kinkaid, also known as Jon Kent, is a triple threat. Not only a musician (having performed in several Bristol-based bands over the decades, and released his own music under the name of the Rev Jonny Kinkaid), he’s also a photographer (and has produced two books of photos) and now a poet. And it’s his work as a poet that we’re most interested in today.

But before we get on to that, just how did Jon become the Emperor of Totterdown?

“During lockdown, I was going out on my daily walks and started looking up the boundaries of Totterdown and then walked the boundaries,” says Jon. “There was a Bristol mayor that beat the boundaries of Bristol in 2007 and I decided that if you walked the boundaries of somewhere you could claim to be emperor. Although I’m still to be recognised with that title!’

The story Jon is referring to is that of Bristol’s former Lord Mayor, councillor Royston Griffey JP, who took part in an ancient ceremony known as the Bristol Perambulation to check Bristol’s boundaries.

When Cllr Griffey did this in 2007, it was the first time anyone had undertaken the task since 1901, although the tradition of beating the boundaries dates as far back as 1373. The intention of the perambulation is to check that all of the boundary stones and waymarkers are in good order. Although the ritual has somewhat fallen by the wayside in recent decades, to mark Bristol’s 650th anniversary last year, the Deputy Lord Mayor and Deputy Sheriff took part in a perambulation last September.

But back to our mighty emperor and his new

book of poetry. ‘Like Summer’s Rain’ is a collection of 52 short poems about a museum, specifically the Bristol’s Museum and Art Gallery at the top of Park Street, where Jon works as a visitor assistant. “I spend my days walking around the galleries, looking at art and chatting to people about the collections,” he says.

His project began about a year ago, setting out to write a haiku inspired by the, then new, display of Japanese porcelain. By the end of the day, it had become four haikus, one for each season. “I was pleased with these and put them away and swiftly moved on,” says Jon. “A couple of months ago, I was performing at a spoken word event and one of the other poets recited some haikus and I suddenly remembered my haikus and decided to return to writing some more.”

But what is a haiku, for those who are new to this short form of poetry that originated in Japan? Jon says: “It’s a poem which is as short as it can be, and as long as it has to be. Here in the Western world, it’s often said it has to be three lines of five syllables, seven syllables and five syllables, but that’s just one type of haiku. I was looking up some of Jack Kerouac’s haikus, which are just really short poems which capture that very moment in time. Being a photographer, the photograph captures that decisive moment and with haikus it’s similar but without a camera.”

Because Bristol’s Museum and Art Gallery is celebrating its 200th anniversary, Jon decided to keep writing. “I soon had 52, which I thought was the right number, for volume one at least. 52 reflects the year, the seasons, and this in turn connects to the museum which Totterdown’s Jon Kent is a man of many talents. almost has a symbiotic relationship with the natural rhythms of nature. We have the permanent collection and the coming and going of temporary exhibitions.

“The seasons bring different visitors, groups of schoolchildren and summer tourists. The weather can change the experience of the museum. Wet weather on a non-school day and the museum fills up with families escaping the rain.

Extremely hot days

with the sun shining down through the glass skylights and the heat can become a challenge for visitors and staff. It affects the collection as well, leaking roofs, and buckets or keeping the humidifier/dehumidifiers working.”

Before the pandemic, Jon had worked as a photographer for 20 years or so, mainly for the local press, but lockdown brought an end to that which was what led to his role at the Museum. However, he realised there were connections to be made between the short poems and photography. “It’s photography without a camera,” he says. “I am dyslexic and photography was a way to connect with the world around me, and writing these short poems has given me a similar connection. A connection to the moment but in a deeper, more considered way.”

Jon’s new book ‘Like Summer’s Rain’, priced £8, will be available in the shops at the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery and at M Shed, and is also available online from South Bristol’s own Tangent Books and from Jon’s Etsy page. But Jon would encourage people to buy from one of the museums if possible so that as much money as possible goes to those organisations.

“Museums and art galleries need to be celebrated, especially in times of so much financial hardships. Government cuts to local authorities are taking its toll on culture at a time when we need it most,” he explains.

“Whether I’ve achieved what I set out to do with the poems themselves I couldn’t say.

Maybe by volume two or three I’ll have a better idea of what writing a short poem is all about but sometimes the act of ‘doing’ is the art itself and everything else falls into place.”

In January, the emperor, aka Jon, will be doing a reading from ‘Like Summer’s Rain’ as part of the Word of Mouth spoken word events at the Knowle Constitutional Club, 162 Wells Road, Totterdown. The exact date was not available as we went to press, but do visit the club’s Facebook page for more information.

Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

southbristolvoice

22

January 2024

n NEWS

Greens welcome plans for a South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood

Councillors from South Bristol have welcomed plans for a South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood, following a Green amendment made to the outgoing mayor’s budget made earlier in 2023.

The West of England Combined Authority granted the council £10 million for two liveable neighbourhoods in early 2022. One is in development in East Bristol, which the Greens have also recently commented on.

Southville Councillor Tony Dyer’s amendment to the budget in February meant that unallocated transport improvement funds could be used to develop the plan for a second liveable neighbourhood in South Bristol. It will then be delivered using funding from local developer contributions and other transport-related funds.

The council have now launched a website for the scheme where people can sign up for more information, stating that there will be engagement early next year among strategic stakeholders, including local community leaders and organisations.

Wider community engagement will then be conducted later in the year.

Councillor Tony Dyer said: “With the support of the other BS3 councillors, I was able to

successfully submit an amendment to the Mayor’s 2023/24 budget to allocate funding towards a Liveable Neighbourhood scheme for South Bristol.

“Over the next couple of decades, the number of homes in Southville is expected to double and the number of cars with it, so this work is essential to supporting existing and future residents. I’m glad to see that some of the funding will come from developments in the area, which themselves are driving the need for some form of traffic management.

“However, as I have said before, we must make sure that the local residents are properly consulted and communicated with at every step of the journey. Many people have campaigned

tirelessly to make residential streets safe and more liveable.”

Southville Councillor Christine Townsend said: “We are currently working with the Council’s transport team to assess the key local organisations that need to be part of the first wave of consultation.

“At this first stage, residents are not being included, and although it makes sense to get the initial scope right before launching a major public consultation exercise, it will be important that expectations are managed.

“We sincerely hope that the Labour administration can focus on the benefits that this will bring to South Bristol so that we can work together on delivering this rather than seek to make this a divisive election issue in the spring.”

Windmill Hill Councillor Ed Plowden said: “As a transport professional and former Head of Service in the Council’s Transport Department, I have direct experience of listening to residents and stakeholders to optimise local transport schemes.

“Knowing officers will be working closely with the hard-working, dedicated and responsive team of Green Councillors across this area gives me a lot of confidence that this large-scale and ambitious project will be a success.

“With all surveys showing that there is a strong majority in favour of this sort of approach across Bristol, and indeed the UK, we look forward to strong Green Party leadership showing the rest of Bristol how beneficial this sort of scheme can be when done well.”

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

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January 2024

23

n EDUCATION NEWS

Values really matter at Four Acres A South Bristol primary school is celebrating a glowing report from the education watchdog Ofsted.

Three inspectors who visited Four Acres Academy in Withywood for two days in October judged it to be ‘Good’ overall and said its provision for pupils’ personal development through “an impressive range of experiences” was ‘Outstanding’.

The school, which has 448 pupils aged two to 11, became an academy in 2015 and is now part of Futura Learning Partnership.

In their report, which has just been published, the Ofsted team had high praise for the staff at Four Acres, who they said were very caring, patient and kind, and built positive, respectful relationships with children.

“The school’s values of ‘respect, confidence, resilience, independence and articulate’ are used to support pupils exceptionally well. Pupils feel safe and happy. They flourish at the school. Staff have high expectations for every pupil. As a result, pupils achieve well across a range of subjects. Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school.

“The school has established strong relationships with parents.

Headteacher Matt Cave with some of his school’s pupils.

Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school. Many say how staff inspire and go the extra mile for their children.”

The inspectors said learning to read was at the heart of the curriculum, from the very start in nursery, where speaking and listening skills were developed, through reception and beyond with well-taught phonics.

“Pupils follow an ambitious curriculum. Teachers set out the important knowledge and

vocabulary that pupils need to learn. Subject leaders receive extensive training. They help staff to deliver the curriculum effectively.

Futura Learning Partnership was praised: “Trustees fulfil their statutory duties well. The trust and governors are well informed about the school’s strengths and next steps for development. They have the right skills to check the effectiveness of the school’s actions.

Senior leaders set high expectations

for everyone.”

Ofsted also said the trust should ensure that staff adapted learning consistently so that pupils with special educational needs or disabilities could achieve as well as they should.

Headteacher Matt Cave said he was delighted with the report following the first full inspection of Four Acres in more than a decade: “I am so grateful for our staff, parents and carers, governors, trustees and trust colleagues, who work together to create a nurturing and aspirational learning environment for the children in the community we serve.

“I am also hugely proud of our children, who demonstrated to the inspectors that they are flourishing not only academically but as future citizens.”

Futura chief executive Andrea Arlidge said: “Congratulations to Four Acres for showing Ofsted the importance of school and trust values. The school is a valued and valuable part of our trust, contributing to and benefiting from our collaborative approach. I am pleased that once again inspectors have recognised the additional strength that Futura provides.”

Happy pupils make for a ‘good’ school The staff and pupils at Oasis Academy John Williams on Petherton Road in Hengrove are in high spirits following a ‘good’ Ofsted inspection.

All aspects of the school, where the principal is Victoria BoomerClark, were deemed to be ‘good’, from behaviour to leadership and personal development.

The school is part of Oasis Community Learning, which means other people in the Trust also have responsibility for running the school. The Trust is run by the chief executive officer, John Barneby, and overseen by a board chaired by Caroline Taylor.

The inspector felt that pupils were happy at Oasis Academy John Williams and that staff built strong relationships with the pupils and their families. As

a result, most pupils felt well supported.

The school has high expectations of what pupils can achieve, and the staff build pupils’ confidence and encourage them to be ambitious. As a result, pupils feel welcome and valued as part of the school community.

The curriculum and wider personal development enable pupils to develop their characters. Pupils were noted to be friendly and courteous to one another and to staff, and social times were calm and orderly.

Leadership roles provide opportunities for pupils to become active parts of their school community and pupils aspire to these roles and feel proud to represent the school.

The curriculum is felt to be

ambitious. Teachers know what content they expect pupils to learn and how to support them to remember the most essential knowledge.

However, it was noted that sometimes the curriculum does not provide sufficient opportunity for pupils to incorporate new knowledge into what they already know. This means that pupils do not always secure a deeper understanding of the content they are learning.

The school has increased the number of pupils who continue to learn a language at key stage 4. This means that more pupils now study the subjects of the English Baccalaureate. The school has identified how it will increase this further in future so that more pupils follow a

rigorous, academic curriculum for longer.

However, it was felt that the teaching does not always enable pupils to deepen their understanding. Consequently, pupils do not practise what they have learned. The school and the trust need to ensure that pupils apply what they know when learning new content.

Additionally, some pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged or pupils with SEND, do not attend school often enough.

Consequently, they do not learn as well as their peers, nor do they have opportunities for wider development. The school and trust need to continue to prioritise their work to improve pupils’ attendance.

Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

southbristolvoice

24

January 2024

The Theatre and Entertainment Luvver Theatre etiquette in Bristol

videos during the performance. It’s distracting and often the theatre doesn’t want the set to be shared online.

The nights are dark and heating is expensive so what better time to take a visit to some of Bristol’s theatres?

As the lights dim and the curtain rises, Bristol’s vibrant theatre scene welcomes all to a world of drama and comedy. But to ensure an enjoyable experience for all, let’s take a moment to explore the nuances of theatre etiquette. From the front row to the balcony, these simple guidelines might help make the evening one to remember but for all the right reasons.

Punctuality is key Arrive at the theatre with enough time to find your seat and settle in.

Late arrivals can be disruptive, and you might not be let in or have to wait for a good moment, so aim to be in your seat before the lights dim.

Quiet please Turn off all electronic devices before entering the theatre. Even the faint glow of a phone screen can distract both performers and fellow audience members.

The unwelcome soloist Resist the urge to sing along or recite lines aloud. Let the actors on stage, who have rehearsed and prepared for this show, be the voices captivating the audience.

Snack strategically If you plan to enjoy snacks during the show, choose items that won’t create distracting noise. Unwrap sweets before the show starts.

Seating considerations Be mindful of the space around you, including the legroom for other audience members.

Avoid leaning forward excessively or propping your feet on the back of the seat in front of you.

Chat Don’t talk! Save discussions for the interval or post-show conversations to allow everyone to fully immerse themselves in the production.

Applause with gusto The chance for noise is definitely at the curtain call. Applaud at appropriate moments to show your appreciation for the performers and, if deserving, a standing ovation can be an amazing feeling for both audience and performers

Photography-free zone Resist the temptation to take photos or record

But mostly, wrap up and have fun.

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southbristolvoice

January 2024

n WILDLIFE

But what about giraffes?

By Ben Barker, Secretary, BS3 Wildlife Group ‘For an ecologically resilient, wildliferich Bristol by 2030’ is the strapline for a document published in 2020.

Among its promoters were Bristol City Council, Avon Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency, Wessex Water, Bristol Zoo and UWE. An impressive list but progress has been slow. One goal is ‘at least 30% of land in Bristol to be managed for the benefit of wildlife’. Several landowners including the NHS and universities are examining their land and Bristol Parks will soon consult on its own proposals. Probably, most parks will develop a wildlife plan.

But none of these large organisations have control over domestic gardens, although these probably cover at least 10% of Bristol. Avon Wildlife Trust is promoting wildlife gardening, as are Bristol’s wildlife groups.

Gardens are very varied and productive wildlife spaces and corridors.

Recent speculation in the wildlife groups has involved giraffes. Suppose you wanted giraffes in your garden? You undertake research and spend time, energy and money on getting it just right. But, of course, giraffes will never appear. They don’t live in the Bristol region. This shows that although it’s good to make individual spaces more wildlife friendly, we need to think more widely. Birds, for example, don’t live in one space. They cover many miles each day.

This city regional approach is why we declared the Greater Bedminster Urban Nature Reserve 12 months ago. Bristol needs a network of wildlife friendly neighbourhoods offering food, water, nest sites, hibernation options etc. Many in BS3 are responding enthusiastically. How about you?

Contact mywildbedminster@virginmedia.com

Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

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January 2024

27

n WHAT’S ON Every Friday, Tobacco Factory Cafe Snug, Tech and Talk Social Group, 10.15am-12pm. The modern world is more connected than ever, yet many older people find themselves grappling with loneliness and struggling to keep up with technology. Improving Lives of Older People run a weekly free Talk and Tech social group designed for individuals aged 55+. This group empowers older adults to master their mobile phones, tablets and laptops but also is a warm and welcoming community, complete with complimentary tea and coffee.

Call Jacqui on 07956 962 422 for more information.

January 8, Tobacco Factory Theatre, Factory Singers. The Factory Singers is a community chorus who meet weekly to sing together. Through singing, they promote a sense of wellbeing and belonging to the community. Their ethos is to sing with joy, passion, groove and style, while making a beautiful sound. They aim high, but don’t take themselves too seriously.

January 9-13, Bristol

Hippodrome, The Drifter’s Girl.

Nominated for Best New Musical at the 2022 Olivier Awards, this smash-hit show has a phenomenal soundtrack packed full of iconic Drifters hits including Saturday Night At The Movies, Save The Last Dance For Me and Stand By Me. Discover the remarkable story of The Drifters and the truth about the woman who made them. From the highs of hit records to the lows of legal battles and personal tragedy, Faye Treadwell is the legendary manager of The Drifters who refused to give up on the group she loved.

January 10, Ashton Vale Community Litter Pick. Meet at 10am at the grit bin on Silbury Road, to litter pick on Avebury and Silbury Roads. Hi vis jackets, litter picks and rubbish bags are provided, but please bring your own gloves. All are welcome.

January 10-13, Bristol Old Vic, The Roaring Girl. Come and meet the Governess of the City’s underworld, Moll Cutpurse. Often seen sporting men’s breeches, she

exists outside the rules of Jacobean society and has a reputation for doing so. Sebastian and his father, Sir Alexander, however, need these rules to survive and thrive.

Sebastian wishes to marry Mary, a woman of lower social ranking but his father forbids the match. In desperate need, Sebastian turns to Moll to hatch a plan, and, inevitably, chaos ensues.

January 10-20, Bristol Old Vic, Metamorphosis. A word said, an action out of place, the opening of old wounds, none of which can be undone. Until now Gregor has woken every morning, quietly left to take the same train, and worked to pay off the family debt. But that world explodes on this morning of brutal metamorphosis.

January 15-20, Bristol Hippodrome, Life of Pi. After an epic storm in the Pacific Ocean, Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a Royal Bengal tiger. Winner of five Olivier Awards, including Best New Play. Jawdropping visuals and world-class

puppetry combine in a unique and ‘breath-taking’ (The Times) theatrical event that is ‘a wonder to behold’ (Daily Mail).

From January 31, The Snug, Tobacco Factory, Reel Lives.

Come and join this group for an afternoon of TV programmes about Bristol, the West Country and the wider world, made by local TV programme maker David Parker and friends. Each week they will be showing two or three films about the past and present in the city, sometimes straying into Somerset, Devon and other places in the West Country. From 2-4pm. Free but donations towards refreshments are welcome. For more details, contact David on 07774 772301 or Dparker@ availablelight.tv Every Tuesday and Thursday Evenings, Jeet Kune Do Bristol.

Adult classes every Tuesday & Thursday evenings. JKD Juniors after school on Friday. Free trials for everyone! Contact us via bournejkd@gmail.com or call 07846687129

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28

January 2024

n WICKED WITCH

In witch we tumble into 2024

Me and Himself were walking Scrappy Little Dog together which was rare but nice. As we reached a muddy gateway as we headed for home, Himself decided to fetch the dog and carry her over said mud because she is a princess. As he turned, his foot slipped, he performed a graceful pirouette before landing in the mud on his knees. I must admit I’m a screecher in these situations and alerted any passerby to his situation by screaming “Whoahhh”. Thankfully he was totally fine apart from a bruised pride and we giggled all the way home.

I have a friend who I’ve witnessed fall on two occasions. She’s like Zebedee: she went down, I screeched and before anyone could turn and stare she was up on her feet again. Seriously, it’s physically impossible. Each time as she bounced back up she said crisply “I’m fine, I’m fine”, even with bleeding knees she marched

onwards, head held high, the fall unnoticed by all but me, in fact people stared at me wondering what I was screeching about. Very impressive.

We were going out-out with our friends Mr & Mrs Shrew. They had dressed up in their finest clothes and Mr Shrew had his wedding shoes on (very expensive, fancy leather brogues). As we strolled along the tarmacked road, Mr Shrew slipped, flailed, recovered; slipped, flailed, recovered. “What are you doing?” asked Himself. “It’s like going on a date with Michael Flatley.”

My parents had a fall in M&S. They went down the escalator, which they should be banned from. As they got to the bottom, Dad dismounted and turned to see Mum teetering. He moved forward to grab her and she

n PLANNING APPLICATIONS Application No. 22/05240/F. 43 Chessel Street Bristol BS3 3DP. Proposal Change of use from single dwelling to two self-contained flats. Applicant Mr Charles Denton. Decision: granted subject to condition(s).

Application No. 23/03646/FB. 1 Gladstone Street Bedminster Bristol BS3 3AY. Proposal Construction of a new electrical switch room in an existing residential block. Applicant Bristol City Council Housing Services.

Decision: granted subject to condition(s).

Application No. 23/02032/ NMA. 596 Bath Road Brislington Bristol BS4 3LE. Proposal Nonmaterial amendment following the grant of permission 21/05574/H, which approved the insertion of side facing rooflights as part of a loft conversion. Amendment sought: adding a roof light to the side elevation; swapping a standard Velux and a Velux Cabrio on the side elevation; and removing a roof light on the front elevation. Applicant Mr S Bailey. Decision: non material amendment - agreed.

Application No. 23/02643/F. 91 Wootton Road Bristol BS4 4AS. Proposed rear extension to ground floor flat. Applicant Mr Davis. Decision: granted subject to condition(s).

Application No. 23/02948/F. Pt Unit 1 14 - 16 Flowers Hill Bristol BS4 5JJ. Proposal Part change of use from showroom and offices to leisure facility with cafe. Applicant Lux Hire Ltd. Decision: granted subject to condition(s).

Application No. 23/01902/F. Ground Floor Flat 548 Bath Road Brislington Bristol BS4 3JZ. Proposal Enlarge existing single storey rear extension. Applicant Mr & Mrs Pursey. Decision: granted subject to condition(s).

Application No. 23/03155/F. Unit 1B Brislington Retail Park Bath Road Brislington Bristol BS4 5NG. Proposal Internal alterations to accommodate shop fitout, redecorate existing aluminium frames internally and externally

fell, taking him with her. Thankfully they were fine, my brother collected them and they medicated on gin.

I’ve had a couple of ungraceful landings recently, both avoidable.

I was walking Scrappy Little Dog in the local park with my neighbour Mr Lovely. I was wearing inappropriate white trainers and it was muddy.

I merrily trotted along chattering nonsense when we reached a particularly boggy part of the park.

Mr Lovely offered his hand and I took it gratefully as I slithered on the deadly slurry but it did not help.

As I grasped his hand, both feet slid from beneath me and I ended up lying in the mud, hand still in his.

“Oh dear,” said Mr Lovely as I looked at him through muddy eyelashes.

Oh dear, indeed.

A few days later, I was rushing

and new signage. Applicant British Heart Foundation. Decision: granted subject to condition(s).

Application No. 23/00671/H. 13 Appleby Walk Bristol BS4 1SQ. Proposal Single storey rear extension. Applicant Mr H Trent.

Decision: granted subject to condition(s).

Application No. 22/05174/COND. The Whitehouse Centre Fulford Road Bristol BS13 9PB. Proposal Application for approval of details in relation to condition 11 and 12 of permission 20/1212/FB Demolition of former Whitehouse Pupil Referral Unit buildings.

Construction of new clubhouse facility. Provision of two full sized pitches and one training pitch.

Applicant Bristol City Council.

Decision: condition application decided.

Application No. 23/01017/NMA. 12 Oaktree Gardens Bristol BS13 8HX. Proposal Application for a non-material amendment of permission 22/02280/H Proposed two storey side and rear extension, and demolition of existing detached single garage - To change material

down the stairs, caught my foot on a shoe that should definitely not have been there and twisted that foot sideways with a horrid crunch.

I collapsed onto the floor wailing loudly. I needed to cry but my eyes remained stubbornly dry. I shouted a mournful “Help me” up the stairs, hoping to alert the youngest girl child to my plight. She was oblivious. Luckily, I had my phone at hand and called her. “Help Mummy,” I pleaded. She eventually shuffled from her bedroom, peered down the stairs and started giggling. She was laughing so hard by the time she reached me she was too weak to hoist me up and then, in a final act of humiliation, she snorted, “Oh, I’m so sorry, I’ve just dribbled on you.”

Bring on 2024. What could possibly go wrong?

used on North elevation from proposed brickwork to textured render to match the other elevations. Applicant Mrs Jaime Davis. Decision: non material amendment - agreed.

Application No. 22/03148/F. 16 Stackpool Road Bristol BS3 1NQ. Proposal Carbon and energy reduction retrofit work to building fabric. Applicant Brighter Places.

Decision: granted subject to condition(s) .

Application No. 22/05900/H. 28 Frayne Road Bristol BS3 1RU . Proposal Front and rear roof dormer extensions.

Reconfiguration of the existing ground floor kitchen to create a side extension adjacent to the existing two storey extension.

Applicant George Follett. Decision: granted subject to condition(s).

Application No. 23/02464/ COND. 36-38 East Street Bedminster Bristol BS3 4HE. Proposal Application for approval of details reserved by condition 2 and 3 of permission 22/04197/F Subdivision of ground floor to provide 2 no. commercial units: first and second floor and

Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

southbristolvoice

January 2024

29

n PUZZLE PAGE

The FIEND

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

NOTE After feedback from readers, we have made The Fiend SLIGHTLY easier!

8

5

3 7 5 9 2 6 9 8 5 5 2 4 7 1 3

5 2 4 7 7 6

Use the phone keypad to decode the clues.

For example: 2 could be A, B or C ... and 5678 could be LOST

6 4

I A

A M

P

A

N

A N

A

A

A

J

O

M

M

7

A

I

C

H 1

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U O

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A

Application No. 23/00685/H. 10 Eldon Terrace Bristol BS3 4NZ. Proposal Lower ground floor rear

A

Application No. 23/03961/ COND. St Catherines Place

4

8

Application No. 23/02703/H. 26 Frayne Road Bristol BS3 1RU. Proposal Single storey side return extension and enlarged opening to rear elevation. Applicant Hanington. Decision Decision: granted to condition(s).

East Street Bedminster Bristol.

Proposal Application for approval of details reserved by condition 18 of permission 20/04934/P Hybrid application for phased comprehensive redevelopment of the site to provide mixed use regeneration. Applicant GHL (PG ST CATHERINES BRISTOL) LIMITED. Decision: condition application decided.

N

roof extension to provide new residential accommodation.

Applicant Inspacial Developments Ltd. Decision: deemed approval.

A

n PLANNING APPLICATIONS

R

9

I

8

4 2

L

7

3

9

6

Down 2 44262 (5) 3 58242 (5) 4 52726 (5) 5 77246 (5) 7 6254 (4)

A

5

Across 1 66646542 (8) 4 5262422 (7) 6 726262 (6) 8 63725 (5) 9 4726 (4)

Txtpert P

4

Rules the same as the Fiend, but only four numbers in each box, row and column

E

3

Easier sudoku Solutions N

Theme: Countries 2

Print out this lovely picture of four friendly Christmas snowmen and challenge the kids to spot all the differences! Then why not colour the picture in?

3 6

Txtpert 1

For younger readers

n NEWS extension of single family house.

Applicant Mr Callum Yeo. Decision: granted subject to condition(s).

Application No. 23/02664/H. 131 Sylvia Avenue Bristol BS3 5BY. Proposal Single storey rear extension. Applicant C La Porta.

Decision: granted subject to condition(s).

Please note: the status of these applications may have changed since we went to press. Check for updates at bristol.gov.uk

Volunteers needed BS3 Helping Others meets on the first Monday of the month at 6.30pm and the following Tuesday at 10.30am in the Tobacco Factory snug to chat about volunteering and local activities. You can just turn up at the meet-ups, or for more details email bs3helpingothers@gmail. com

Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk

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Got a story for South Bristol Voice? Email news@southbristolvoice.co.uk