Pedestrianise Feeder Road?
Members of the public have backed plans to pedestrianise a main road east of Temple Meads as part of a wider regeneration of the area. Almost half of survey respondents said Feeder Road should be pedestrianised and a new local centre built along the Feeder Canal.
OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS
St Philip’s Marsh, the island east of Temple Meads train station, will transform from an industrial site to one with hundreds of homes. The Bristol Temple Quarter regeneration will focus on the area, as well as the more immediate land around the station.
The Temple Quarter team consulted the public in June and July on the regeneration of St Philip’s Marsh. This looked at possible transport routes, and where local centres, open space and pedestrianised roads should be located. An update on the feedback was given to councillors on the economy and skills policy committee on Monday, November 3.
Karen Mercer, chief executive of Bristol Temple Quarter LLP, said: “We’ve now received feedback and we’re looking at
developing a masterplan which will come forward for consultation in the early part of next year. We’re engaging across Bristol City Council, the West of England Combined Authority and communities and businesses in shaping that.”
St Philip’s Marsh is home to Motion’s new site, as well as the Prospect music venue and the RS Studios rehearsal rooms. The area also includes Avonmeads Shopping Park, Wake the Tiger, car showrooms, a railway depot, Bristol Waste’s recycling plant, and the Bristol Fruit Market.
Feeder Road is a key route leading to east Bristol, but has a narrow pavement and no bike
path.
A quarter of people who said the Feeder should become a new local centre did so because of the waterfront appeal of the canal. On the other side of St Philip’s Marsh is the River Avon, but due to its tidal nature is mostly mud for half the day.
Options which were less popular include creating a new centre on a pedestrianised Albert Road or Albert Crescent. Results on where outdoor spaces should be created were inconclusive, with slightly more people preferring an “ecological corridor” along the Avon rather
Contacts
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sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk
news@southbristolvoice.co.uk
Next month’s deadline for editorial and advertising is noon on December 17, 2025.
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
Christine Townsend Green, Southville
Phone: 0758 418 3843
Email: Cllr.Christine. Townsend@bristol.gov.uk
�PUBLISHER’S NOTE
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Phone: 0738 669 8678
Tony Dyer, Green, Southville Phone: 0758 418 2862
Email: Cllr.Tony.Dyer@bristol.gov.uk
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As we reach the final month of the year, I’m pleased to welcome you to the December edition of the South Bristol Voice.
THIS ISSUE BRINGS
TOGETHER a mix of local updates, seasonal events including local church celebrations, and reflections on what has shaped our community over the past twelve months.
Inside, you’ll find practical tips for fitness this winter, a look at upcoming activities, and some great stories which highlight the everyday contributions people make to keep our neighbourhood thriving.
It’s a busy and expensive time for many, so we’ve aimed to keep this edition grounded, useful, and relevant for all. Thank you for your continued support and for being part of this community. Here’s to a safe and steady finish to the year and a positive start to the next.
than a green loop around the area or a large park in the middle.
Concerns which surfaced in the survey were how existing businesses could access the area after the regeneration and whether a community could be established with so many student flats. Despite the feedback, it’s unclear if the Feeder will get pedestrianised in the upcoming masterplan. Last summer’s consultation was just to “get a
gist” of what the public wants. Green Councillor Jenny Bartle said: “It was interesting seeing the feedback where so much focus was on centringeverything on Feeder Road. Maybe that’s because that’s the bit where everyone knows it more.”
“There’s quite a high disincentive to recommending the bit next to the waste depot, because when I’m on a tour, I’m like, I don’t want anything to be here, I want to leave immediately because it’s very smelly.”
“We need to acknowledge that there’s a potential bias in the feedback we got and not allow that to bias us or restrain us too much. The purpose of the first stage was to get a gist, a direction, rather than anything too specific.”
Article by Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting
Hospice-at-home charity urges local support for seriously ill children, like Fenn, this Christmas
This Christmas, Jessie May Children’s Hospice at Home is calling on the Bristol community to help ensure no family caring for a seriously ill child faces the festive season alone.
The charity plans to support 30 families across the city this December, providing vital care and moments of joy when they’re needed most - but they can only do it with the public’s help. One family who knows just how much difference Jessie May’s care can make at Christmas is Fenn’s. While many look forward to mince pies, pantomimes, and visits to Santa, Fenn’s parents, Wendy and Harry, face a festive season shaped by their daughter’s lifelimiting condition – and supported every step of the way by Jessie May. Fenn, now two, was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) as a baby. Her condition
affects muscle strength and movement, requiring ongoing respiratory support, tube feeding, and physiotherapy.
“Her first year was a blur of medical appointments, equipment, and fear,” says mum Wendy. But through it all, Fenn’s calm and cheeky personality shone through.
The turning point came when the family was referred to Jessie May. Her family first met nurse Lois, and since then, their regular
visits have become an important part of family life.
“It’s been life-changing,” Wendy shares. “Before Jessie May, I couldn’t leave Fenn with anyone. Now I can go to yoga, have lunch with my husband, or just breathe, knowing she’s in safe hands.”
One moment that stands out for Wendy happened in the garden last summer. “I looked out and saw Fenn fast asleep in Lois’s lap. It was so peaceful. That trust, that bond - it means everything.”
Jessie May’s hospice-at-home model allows families to receive care in the comfort of their own space, avoiding the stress of travel and hospital settings.
“When we go to other hospices, it’s a big effort,” Wendy explains. “But when Jessie May comes here, it’s easy. They bring joy right into our home.”
This Christmas, the family is looking forward to hosting Wendy’s parents from the US and
attending Jessie May’s festive party for the first time. “It feels like a fresh start,” Wendy says. “We’re just hoping to make lots of happy memories, and I know Jessie May will be part of that.”
Nurse Lois reflects, “Christmas can be emotional for the families we support. We try to bring a little magic - whether that’s festive crafts, a visit to see the lights, or simply giving parents a moment to relax. For children like Fenn, it’s about joy and inclusion. And for us, it’s a privilege to be part of those memories.”
With the support of the local community, Jessie May nurses can continue to visit families like Fenn’s - giving Mum and Dad peace of mind, and Fenn the chance to simply be a child.
This Christmas, you can make that possible.To sponsor a family like Alex’s this Christmas, visit jessiemay.org.uk/ christmas-appeal-2025/
LOCAL CONSULTATION
Contribute ideas for the future of Bedminster town centre. �
When people have ownership over what happens to spaces in their neighbourhood, incredible things happen.
That’s why Action Greater Bedminster is partnering on a project with Bedminster Works, a Community Interest Company supported by Bristol City Council and the National Lottery Communities Fund to secure long-term, affordable spaces in Bedminster town centre for local independent businesses, community groups, and socially trading organisations: www.bedminsterworks.co.uk
The aim is to set up a Community Panel by January 2026 to feed into strategy and hold Bedminster Works to account. The Panel will consist of
community members who live, work, shop or have a particular connection to Bedminster. No technical or committee expertise is necessary - an experience of the neighbourhood and East Street in particular is all that’s required. The commitment will be attendance at a training session in January 2026 followed by quarterly meetings. Panellists’ time will be remunerated at £50 per session, paid in cash or shopping vouchers.
For more information, contact:
hello@actiongreaterbedminster .org.uk
�LOCAL EVENT
Balmy Bonfire Night
Victoria Park enjoyed the warmest November 5th on record with a bumper crowd at the annual bonfire night.
The event is a community favourite organised by Victoria Park Action Group (VPAG) and sponsored by Greenwoods Estate Agents. There was no organised firework display, but the crowd enjoyed the huge bonfire and food and beverages served by Victoria Park PFTA, St Michaels and All Angels Church, Feral Folk Café and Casa Latina mobile food van.
Shaun Hennessy the bonfire night organiser said, “A lot of hard work goes into the event from the volunteers. We've been worried about putting on free events as essential costs have gone up so much. Therefore, we are enormously grateful for the sponsorship from Greenwoods which eases financial pressure. When you see the faces of the crowd enjoying the bonfire, it makes the stress and hard work
all worthwhile.”
VPAG is a volunteer organisation that also organises the Victoria Park Festival, Wildlife activities, litter picking and other events in the park. For more information visit
VPAG.org.uk
VictoriaPark ActionGroup
The Duke of Gloucester Marks 25 Years of The Park Centre’s Community Service
On Tuesday 9th December, HRH
The Duke of Gloucester will visit The Park Centre in Knowle to round off the organisation’s 25th Anniversary celebrations.
THE VISIT WILL MARK a proud milestone for this much-loved community hub, which has spent the last quarter-century supporting education, enterprise, and wellbeing across Knowle West and South Bristol.
This will be the second time a Member of the Royal Family has visited The Park Centre the first being in 2005, when Queen Elizabeth II visited to acknowledge the Centre’s vital service to the local community.
Nearly two decades later, the staff and trustees are once again honoured to be recognised for their continued impact and innovation.
The Park Centre is home to more than twenty organisations, many of them non-profit, working collaboratively to create opportunities for learning, inclusion, and community connection. The Duke’s visit will shine a light on the people and
partnerships that make The Park a true Bristol success story.
Emma Greenham, speaking on behalf of The Park Centre, said:
“We are very proud of our staff and our achievement; going from a disused school to a thriving community hub and still here 25 years later. The Duke’s visit
acknowledges the vital service The Park provides.”
Media are welcome by prior agreement. Further details, including timings and on-site arrangements, will be confirmed on Tuesday 25th November.
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...to Run �ADVERTORIAL
Christmas-time runs are some of the most enjoyable of the year –there’s something truly special about running through streets lined with twinkling lights, decorated trees, carollers singing, and maybe even some fresh, crisp snow.
But running isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Christmas but don’t let your exercise routine slip during the festive period. Here are our top tips to maximise your running through December:
1. Plan – family commitments, office parties and other events mean you have to be flexible and adapt. Perhaps consider increasing the intensity of your run if you are short on time.
2. Run to reduce stress –Christmas is stressful, so use running to get out and clear your head. Make sure to greet every runner with a cheery “Merry Christmas”!
3. Balance out the festive treats – there will be plenty of good food and drinks. Remember though Christmas food can be healthy; turkey/nut roast is high in protein, cranberries reduce inflammation, and vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals.
4. Enter a festive themed race –enjoy a great day out with fancy dress competitions, seasonal medals and fun, festive atmospheres.
5. Run your local Christmas Day Parkrun – one of the biggest Parkrun events of the year. Start the day off right and fill yourself with feel-good endorphins. Our local Parkrun at Ashton Court is a great option!
There’s no better feeling than a Christmas Day run so get out this festive period and make sure you enjoy an extra mince pie or two, it is Christmas after all!
Original visit by the Queen in 2005 [Image: The Park]
HRH The Duke of Gloucester [© Image: John Swannell]
To all on duty, as we celebrate
AS we approach the festive season, I find myself reflecting on what binds us together as a community.
Christmas is a time when our streets and towns are lit up, not only by decorations but by gestures of kindness, moments of understanding, and traditions shared with families and friends. It is also a moment to pause and appreciate the often unseen work that holds our communities together throughout the year. want to express my deepest thanks to the volunteers, community groups, support workers and charities across Avon and Somerset who give their time and their compassion to others. They support families in need, offer warmth to those who feel alone, guide young people through difficult moments, and provide care when crisis strikes. Their dedication is not seasonal – it continues long after
the decorations are taken down – but at Christmas, it feels especially important to acknowledge it.
also want to thank the police officers, staff, and volunteers who will spend the festive period working to keep us all safe.
While many of us will be celebrating around the table with our families, they will be on duty – answering calls, protecting the vulnerable, responding to emergencies, and offering reassurance when people need it most.
Their work places significant demands on them and their families, and I am deeply appreciative of the role they play in maintaining the safety and stability of our communities.
This time of year reminds us of the strength that comes from looking out for one another.
It is easy to feel divided in the age of online conflict and instant commentary, but the real
character of our communities is found in how we treat each other face-to-face: in the conversations we have, the support we offer, the neighbour we check in on.
Small acts of kindness have the power to bring people together and remind us that we share more than we disagree on.
As we celebrate, I encourage everyone to take a moment to think of those who may be struggling, those who are grieving, and those who feel isolated. If you are able, reach out, listen, and make space for someone who might need it.
That is how community cohesion is built person by person, gesture by gesture.
I wish you and your loved ones a safe, peaceful and enjoyable festive season. May it be a time of warmth, connection, and hope for the year ahead.
With Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody
�ADVERTORIAL
From Chaos to Calm
As 2025 comes to an end, you may be planning for the year ahead. Before jumping into new goals, look around your home. Is it helping you feel calm and in control, or flustered and frazzled?
Decluttering isn’t about a minimalist décor and labelled boxes. It’s about making life easier by having less to manage and using simple systems. Start small, maybe with one drawer or a bedside table. Notice how it feels when everything has its place. Keep what you use and love but let go of what you don’t.
Quick Tips:
1. Create a‘Donation Station’, which is a bag or box kept in an accessible place. As you find unwanted things day-to-day, add them to your donation station.
2. Keep an‘Out’box or basket near the front door for things to return, send or deal with. It’s a quick, no-fuss way to keep clutter moving out of your home.
3. Have an exit plan. Set a monthly reminder to empty your donation station. Check the out box, when leaving your home, to see what you can take with you and get done. Having a place for everything is helpful, but the secret to organisation is having a system that stops things piling up.
A bit of order goes a long way. If you’d like some help creating simple systems that work for your household, I’d love to support you. Book a discovery call at whitespacepod.co.uk
Barcan+Kirby Appoints Partner and Legal Director to Court of Protection Team
Barcan+Kirby continues to strengthen its Court of Protection team with the appointment of new Partner, Caroline Featherby and Legal Director, Leigh McDonough who both join the team from Enable Law.
Caroline started her legal career in 2007 and qualified as a Solicitor in 2014. She specialises in acting as aCourt of Protection Deputyfor property and finances. Caroline acts as a financial Deputy and Trustee for a number of clients with acquired brain injuries and supports the management of the Court of Protection team. Caroline will be taking over acting as Deputy for all existing deputyships and building relationships with the team’s existing network as well as expanding with contacts she already has in the industry.
Caroline said: “I am really looking forward to building on an already very successful and strong
a part of it.”
Leigh qualified as a solicitor in September 2017 and specialises in the management of the property and financial affairs of people who are not capable of doing so themselves due to a brain injury.
As well as the day-to-day management of an individual’s property and financial affairs (in both Deputyship and Trust matters), Leigh’s role also includes preparing applications to the Court of Protection for the appointment of a Property and Financial Affairs Deputy (both lay and professional) and Statutory Wills. Leigh will work closely with the firm’s Personal Injury and Medical Negligence teams, providing litigation support from a Court of Protection perspective.
foundation and work towards further growth and expanding the Court of Protection offering at Barcan+Kirby. We have a great team, and I am really excited to be
Both Caroline and Leigh will work from the firm’s Gloucester Road office.
Anna Wilson, Managing Partner commented “We are thrilled to welcome Caroline and
Leigh to the Court of Protection team and look forward to the continued success and growth of the team.”
About Barcan+Kirby (www.barcankirby.co.uk)
Barcan+Kirby is a leading law firm in Bristol and has won numerous awards over the years and is recommended in legal directories, Chambers and Partners UK and The Legal 500 UK.
Barcan+Kirby is a firm of solicitors with a reputation for providing high-quality, common-sense advice. It offers a comprehensive range of legal services, delivered by expert lawyers and supported by a culture of respect and understanding.
With five offices located across Bristol and South Gloucestershire, the firm provides advice and guidance to both individuals and businesses within the South West and nationwide.
�ADVERTORIAL - THE PARK
Over 55s Community Christmas Party
The festive season is all about coming together, and there’s no better way to celebrate than at our Community Christmas Party at The Park hosted by Matty Mason on Thursday 18th December from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
AIMED AT ALL YOU OVER 55S who still like a knees-up - this heart warming event promises an afternoon of music, laughter, and friendship, bringing our older community together in true Christmas spirit.
classic tunes, singalong hits, and soulful melodies guaranteed to lift your spirits.
Guests are encouraged to dress up in their sparkly best and join friends, family and neighbours for a proper Christmas party. The afternoon will be filled with good company, great music, and plenty of chances to catch up with familiar friends or make new ones. With cuppas, cakes, and maybe even a mince pie or two, it’s the perfect opportunity to pause amidst the festive rush and simply enjoy being together.
charm, and Christmas sparkle. It’s the perfect way to celebrate, connect, and kickstart Christmas together!
Back by popular demand, Knowle West’s very own crooner extraordinaire, Matty Mason, will be taking centre stage for this year’s celebration. Known for his golden voice and infectious charm, Matty has been entertaining local audiences for years, winning hearts with his smooth renditions of timeless favourites and his lively sense of fun. This Christmas, he’ll be chiming all the Christmas bells and riding a reindeer right to your heart with a festive selection of
The event also carries a special significance this year as The Park proudly rounds off its 25th anniversary celebrations marking a quarter of a century of community spirit, creativity, and connection. What better way to close such a milestone year than with the warm sounds of Matty’s Christmas special filling the hall and hearts alike?
So come along, bring your pals, no need to book, just turn up, pay £3.50 on the door, and get ready for an afternoon that’s full of cheer,
Caroline Featherby (L) and Leigh McDonough (R) standing in front of the Gloucester Road office.
[Image from Barcan+Kirby]
ADVICE FROM A PHARMACIST with Ade Williams
Heartfelt Thank You for 2025 and our Exciting 2026 Plans
As we approach the end of 2025, December often feels like a whirlwind of deadlines and tasks to tackle. I hope that as you read this blog, you find a moment of calm amidst the chaos.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful community for your unwavering support of Bedminster Pharmacy and the NHS over the past year. It remains an incredible privilege to be part of your healthcare journey, and we take that responsibility to heart. As we reflect on this time of year, we also remember those we have lost. Their memory remains in our hearts.
This year has presented its challenges—our relocation to East Street, medicine shortages, and seasonal pressures (which felt like a year-long season!). Each hurdle brought its own set of complexities, but what truly made the difference as we navigated these challenges was you. Your patience during our busiest moments, your kindness
when things didn't go as planned, and your humour and trust in us to provide care and support mean the world to us.
As I reflect onthe year, for our very diverse Bedminster Pharmacy team has also been impacted this year by local and national campaigns, sparking broader conversations about identity and belonging, which has caused me a lot of concern.
Ialsoacknowledgea failure.
I have not been able to improve our pharmacy team's work-life balance as much as I had hoped.
While we faced longer hours and shorter breaks, the fulfilmentwe find in our work has been immense. Together, we have supported the development of a new national policy on Men’s Health, marking our third collaboration with No.10 Downing Street onanational initiative. We also now anticipate offering NHS cancer therapy treatments atour pharmacy in early 2026.
You may have already heard that we are now prescribing NHS treatments as part of a national
pilot, expanding well beyond the national NHS Pharmacy First service. Following our longstanding advocacy for mental health support in community pharmacies, the NHS has now introduced a national service for initial mental health prescriptions.
Looking forward, our mission remains steadfast: to do our best for our community while enhancing the NHS offerings with equity and excellence. If there's anything we can improve, please don’t hesitate to let us know. If we’ve fallen short in any way, we want to apologise, make it right for you and improve.
We are always here to help protect, enhance, and restore health and well-being in our community. Our daily inspiration is reflected in our ever-expanding list of NHS and private clinical services, including weight-loss treatments and vaccinations.
Thank you for allowing us to be an integral part of yourjourney. Here’s to a bright and healthy new year ahead,
Sully’s Bike Workshop Closes Wells Road Store but Set to Reopen Bigger Site in the New Year
Sully’s Bike Workshop has been in Knowle since 2015 but unfortunately the Wells Road shop closed on the 8th of November 2025. However, the closure of the shop is only temporary, and a new shop is set to open by the new year. But in the meantime, the owner is still doing repairs from home and taking a much-needed rest.
MATT SULLY, OWNER of Sully’s Bike shop said: “In many ways the shop has seen me at my best
and at my worst. So much has happened both in the shop and in my personal life since opening, so having this break will probably do me a world of good.”
The new shop is set to open at 101–103 Bristol Road opposite the Toby Carvery in what is currently MG estate agents. Matt said that this was the best location out of everywhere he saw as it was an area that receives pretty high levels of foot traffic and isn’t too far from Wells Road. He also admitted that they outgrew the Wells Road space almost five years ago and welcomes having a bigger shop to display the bikes in.
Matt said: “I’ve been in the bike trade since 1995 and worked for all the big companies like Halfords and Evans until 2011 when I went to work for independent companies.
“In 2015 I unfortunately lost my dad as he had a huge stroke and never recovered. With the
inheritance I received instead of going on holiday or doing anything extravagant, I thought I’ll open a shop as I’ve always wanted my own high street bike shop.”
Matt has held numerous fundraisers and fun days to raise money for the Stroke Association charity and he believes he has raised over £5,000. Once the new shop is up and running, he hopes to hold another fundraising event in the February 2026 half-term.
can be fitted. The workshop will hopefully be set up over the Christmas period so that the business can hit the floor running in the new year.
All of the existing stock from the Wells Road shop is currently in storage until MG Estate Agents move out and shutters
�NEWS FROM BS3 COMMUNITY - THE CHARITY THAT RUNS THE SOUTHVILLE CENTRE AND THE CHESSEL CENTRE
Cool, Clean, and Green: The Chessel Centre’s Solar Upgrades!
Some of Matt’s advice for owning a bike was to treat it like a car, if you’re going to be using it regularly it is a big investment, and repairs will often cost more than you think. He also added that a great way to make services and repairs more affordable is to “have a bike jar instead of a swear jar” so that if you put a bit of money away each week you’ll have more than enough to look after your bike.
Story by Joshua Churcher
Big things have been happening at our Chessel Centre this year, and they’re all about making the building cooler, greener, and more energy efficient.
These improvements have been made possible thanks to a West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Green Business Grant, which supports small organisations to reduce carbon emissions, lower utility costs, and improve energy efficiency. We’re incredibly grateful for their support in helping us take these important green steps forward.
In April, the team from Solar Sentry Window Films Ltd installed solar window film on all our windows. If you’ve ever spent a sunny afternoon inside the Centre, you’ll know how warm it can get! The new film helps reduce the amount of heat entering through the glass, making our spaces much more comfortable, especially during this year’s summer heatwaves.
But the solar film is just one part of a wider sustainability plan. Next up are Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) units, which will circulate fresh air throughout the Chessel Centre Nursery
rooms. These clever systems can run overnight to remove heat that builds up during the day, while also capturing warmth in winter to preheat fresh air, keeping rooms cosy and energyefficient all year round.
In June, we took things a step further with Your Eco Construction Ltd, who installed a brand-new 30-panel, 13.5kWp solar PV array on the Centre’s flat roofs, adding to our existing panels and boosting our renewable energy generation. Together, these upgrades will lower running costs, reduce our carbon footprint, and make the Centre more comfortable for everyone. The combined initiatives are expected to save around 1.43 tonnes of CO₂ every year, a big win for both our community and the planet!
FixX Helps Local Youngsters Build Skills and Confidence Through Bikes”
a
social enterprise preparing young people for employment through bike mechanics. They work with young people aged 11-25 in Hartcliffe focusing on building their confidence, purpose and resilience through vocational training and mentoring.
Each young person FixX works with repairs two bikes, one of which they keep as a reward. During their placement they learn new skills and are mentored in a real-life workplace environment. Since opening, they have supported over 200 young people to complete a mechanics training programme and earn a bike through them.
Hartcliffe Young Person Logan Winstone (16) said:“I
got involved as wanted to shy away from trouble. I’m into bikes anyway so it’s interesting and feels like there is a purpose more than at other youth projects. I want to be an electrician so it helps doing something like this that’s hands on. I know that Maths and science at school are important but this seems more relevant.”
Buying a fully stripped down and serviced secondhand bike from FixX this Christmas also means that you are helping to fund a young person through their training programme. For more information please contact info@fixxbikes.com or call 07588 492154
Gardening with your mind - mostly �GARDENING COLUMN
It’s Christmas! Nearly. I have been wracking my brains for a topic to write this month’s column on, and came up with diddly squat.
I THINK THAT’S BECAUSE I don’t do much gardening in December. At least, not in my garden, and not with my hands. If gardening with your eyes and your imagination is a thing –debatable, but go with it – then I’m mostly doing that. By gardening with your eyes I mean, going for walks and seeing what looks nice in the woods, or in your neighbour’s garden. We often think nature is drab in winter, but actually, it’s stripped back. No distractions. It’s easy to see the shape of a beautiful tree, the last few berries clinging to a bush, and the plants that hold on to their leaves all year long. If you see something you like the look of, steal it. The idea, not the plant - we’re not doing a
botanical Louvre here. With no distractions, your imagination is free to wander. You can decide that you want some fruit in your garden, without being sidelined by blousy flowers. You can realise that your outdoor furniture is in the wrong place, without being tempted by a little sit down.
If you’re desperate to get your hands dirty, it’s the perfect time to move or plant bare-root trees and bushes. And if you haven’t quite planted your autumn bulbs, do it now. They will flower a little later, and you can call it succession planning. Happy Christmas.
Park licence update �PARK
Professional dog walkers will pay less than other groups in an update on upcoming licence fees for Bristol parks.
DUE to be rolled out early next year in parks across the city, the exact fee that businesses will be charged has not yet been revealed.
After pressure from dog walkers, Bristol City Council has agreed to reduce fees for their licences, compared to other businesses such as personal trainers holding bootcamp classes. These were initially proposed at £450 per business in one park, earlier this year.
Rebecca Wilson, one affected dog walker, said: “There isn’t anywhere like £450 profit in an average, good, responsible dog walker’s business per year. With fees anywhere above £100, this cost will be passed directly to your constituents using invaluable dog walking services.
“Dog walkers will be forced to walk larger groups of dogs at any one time, increasing the numbers of dogs in parks at any one time,
impacting other park users. While we’re all very supportive of dog walker licensing, the current proposed fee is unaffordable.”
The primary aim for the licences is to monitor what commercial activities are taking place in parks and check they have qualifications and insurance — rather than making money.
Cllr Williams said: “When we published the original, quite simple scheme, back in the summer, it became apparent that there were issues with it. I withdrew it at that point and said we would reconsider, for personal trainers and commercial dog walkers. We have redesigned the scheme to a point where I’m more or less happy with it.
“But conversations are still taking place among colleagues and I hope we will be able to publish something soon. The fees for the licences are calibrated at a lower level than for large commercial bootcamp companies.”
Article by Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting
Winter Garden
FixX is
local
We started this year with real problems with the performance of Bristol Waste collecting our bins.
This is typically a problem after Christmas at the best of times, and we may be tempting fate here, but left with a legacy of neglect of Bristol Waste we have had to work hard to get the service back on track.
A new leadership team brought in to manage the company have worked very hard to get a grip. It is clear that investment and new ways of working are needed. Firstly, the recycling vehicles need to be modernised, they are old and mechanically unreliable, but also with the huge growth of cardboard and less glass they are no longer suitable. Too often they are returning to base with some
We’ve had our Area Committee meeting last month and decided how to distribute the Community Infrastructure funding for Windmill Hill, Southville and Bedminster.
In Bedminster, this means funding some improvements to Gore’s Marsh Park and the community garden area at acta. We will also be installing four dog bins – the exact locations to be decided. Good news for Ashton Court Mansion as a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the Bristol Historic Buildings Trust. The Trust will develop a full business plan and negotiate a long-term lease for the mansion, while beginning initial work to prevent further deterioration of the building. I am really excited to see the mansion’s future secured and I know the Trust are inviting ideas from the community too. You can find out more at
Lisa Stone and Ed Plowden
Green councillors
Windmill Hill
compartments overflowing and others little used.
Having looked at how other councils collect waste, we believe that sorting at home – which is what we do at present – is by far the best way to keep recycling rates up. Currently, what would cost Bristol £8m to dispose if poorly sorted, brings in £4m in income as the well-sorted waste is sold for reuse. This also creates value for industry across Britain as part of the“circular economy”.
To make recycling easier and reduce litter, one of the key Citywide issues is the need to invest in new containers to help us all do this well.
So whilst enjoying the holiday season, please spare a thought for everyone at Bristol Waste and try to recycle as much as possible!
Ellie Freeman Green councillor Bedminster
This is my final column of 2025. There have been many highlights of the past year including the fantastic Bedminster Winter Lantern Parade in January, seeing the Duckmoor Road zebra crossing finally installed (which my predecessor Mark Bradshaw worked hard to secure), and on a more personal note, getting married in June.
There have also been some more challenging times (including the division wrote about in my previous column). However, I’ll be ending the year feeling grateful for the welcoming, supportive community we have here in Bedminster, Ashton and Ashton Vale. I’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to email or write to me with your concerns and ideas.
www.ashtoncourtmansion.org/
Another piece of good news: the future of the balloon fiesta has been secured at Ashton Court, with permission given until at least 2030 to use the grounds. The fiesta is a wonderful event, which employs over 150 people, has around 300, 000 people attendees and visits around 3,000 school children.
Maybe see you there next year, 7-9th August 2026! Finally, if you have ideas about how to improve our streets, please add them to the online tool https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/ streets-travel/ tell-us-about-a-road-safety-concern (link on the blue bar ‘Report a concern or request a street improvement’) by 14th December, and it will get fed into the CIL process for next year.
We know pesticide use across the city is a concern for many of our residents.
During the summer, many residents asked that their roads not be sprayed and volunteered to clear by hand intrusive plant growth. This was a practical way to contribute to the reduction in the use of chemicals such as glyphosate in our neighbourhood and our city.
This voluntary work to reduce the use of chemicals went on across multiple wards (in particular those with Green councillors) and we are grateful for the continued support from local people who gave up their own time to do this on a regular basis.
This voluntary work not only reduces pesticide use but also provides the council with the time needed to identify alternative policy approaches and appropriate sources of funding to investigate
Emily Clarke Labour councillor Bedminster
Every idea raised helps to make our area the best place it can be. hope that all those who celebrate have a lovely Christmas period. I know there will be lots of festive events taking place locally, including West Street Carols outside Mezzaluna with the Salvation Army Band on Thursday 11 December at 6pm and Carols by Candlelight at St Aldhelm’s Church on Wednesday 17 December at 7.30pm (double check timings on their Facebook page). know the financial situation remains tough for many people in our area. I encourage you to donate to the South and East Bristol Foodbank to help support those who may be struggling this Christmas if you can.
Tony Dyer and Christine Townsend Green councillors Southville
the effectiveness of those alternatives.
We are pleased to report a continued reduction in the use of pesticides: in 2020/21 Bristol City Council used 2,034 litres of pesticide to control weed growth including in residential streets.
The latest figures (2024/25) show that the use of pesticides has reduced to 1185 litres, a 42% reduction over a period of 5 years. We recognise this level of usage is too high, and the Environment and Sustainability Policy Committee are considering policy development that reduces further the need for these chemicals. It is likely that next summer the opt-out system will remain in place as an option to further reduce the use of pesticide in residential streets. Meanwhile, we will continue to explore what options are available to us to eliminate the use of pesticides entirely.
It's not too late to join in �BS3 WILDLIFE COLUMN
Christmas cards often include a robin in a snowy scene. Global warming has already made snowy midwinters much less likely and there's a danger that robins will become very much rarer over the next few years.
CLIMATE CHANGE, habitat destruction, poisoned food sources all contribute to the decline in robins and other 'common' birds. All arise from human activity across the planet. One of our aims is to identify the wildlife that share our neighbourhood. Local people have done surveys on bats, moths, hedgehogs and more. Currently, we are undertaking our annual winter bird survey. From October to March people note birds that they see in a particular green space, mostly domestic gardens. These cover around 15% of our urban nature reserve, ie almost six times the area of Victoria Park.
So far (early November) I've
spotted thirteen birds in my Southville garden. Roughly in order of frequency they are House Sparrow, Magpie, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Robin, Jackdaw, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Goldfinch, Dunnock and Wren.
Also a pile of Pigeon feathers one morning suggested a Sparrowhawk, but I didn't see it
�NEWS FROM LOCAL COUNCILLORS
We are pleased to announce that at our Area Committee 9 meeting in November, we allocated funding to several community project proposals.
Friends of Jubilee Pool will receive £36,000 for a new roof on the entrance foyer and gym. Completing this work (and stopping the leaks) will allow the interior to be redecorated and revamped by JeffWay Group, who have already completed refurbishment works for free to the outside of the building.
Redcatch Community Garden will receive £2,000 to further their work on accessible pathways, making more of the garden accessible to more people, particularly those in wheelchairs.
Paignton Park playground will receive 3 new benches so that parents, grandparents and carers have somewhere to sit whilst
Cam Hayward and Toby Wells Green councillors Knowle
accompanying their children in the playground.
For the first time, this official council meeting was held in our area, at The Park Centre. Green councillors pushed hard for this to happen as it is important to us that decisions are made as close to the community as possible.
We'll soon be starting the next round of funding, so in the meantime please get in touch with us if you have any suggestions.
Find out about your local councillors and how they work.
so it won't count.
Other of habitats like a park, a retail street or the Avon New Cut may present different birds. In April, we will be collating results to be circulated via our newsletter and facebook site. It's not too late to join in.
There aren't many insects and other small creatures about at the moment, but come the
spring, we'll be encouraging surveys in response to questions like 'how many species of ladybird can you photograph in your local park?' and 'what types of slug live in your garden?' Incidentally, don't underestimate the importance of slugs. They are part of the free labour that actually makes the soil that your flowers grow in and they are a major source of food for other creatures. 'I love birds in my garden, but I'd don't care if they starve to death' isn't a very consistent approach. You may feel that you don't have the expertise to help with surveys, but you soon will. It's like learning to read or ride a bike. You can't do either first time. One way to learn is to take a picture and share it on our facebook. There's almost always somebody who can say what it is.
Ben Barker, Secretary, BS3 Wildlife Group mywildbedminster @bs3community.org.uk
www.bristol.gov.uk/council/ councillors-and-the-lord-mayor
20
�PLANNING APPLICATIONS (VALIDATED/PENDING) - DECEMBER 2025
Bedminster
6 Agate Street BS3 3AG, Ref 25/14939/CP
Convert the loft by adding a flat roof dormer to the rear of the dwelling and Velux roof lights on the front.
1 Clanage Road BS3 2JX, Ref: 25/14907/VC
T1 - Willow, Pollard at 7m, gnd level.
Ashton Park School Blackmoors Lane
BS3 2JL, Ref: 25/14861/VD
5 Day Notice: T056 - Lime (Dangerous) - Fell.
42 Swiss Drive BS3 2RL, Ref: 25/14839/H
New outbuilding to be used as ancillary annexe. New deck and timber fence and gate.
Land North Of Metrobus Ashton Vale Ref: 25/14832/M
Land West Of Silbury Road Ref: 25/14724/M
Land West Of Silbury Road Ref: 25/14632/M
Application for the approval of reserved matters (appearance, layout, scale and hard/soft landscaping) in relation to a residential-led development, pursuant to outline planning permission 21/03166/P and 21/P/ 1679/OUT (North Somerset Council).
Ashton House And Works Ashton Vale Road BS3 2HW, Ref: 25/14425/F
Replacement of flat roof coverings, removal of existing rooflights from pitched roofs and replacement with new, over-cladding of pitched roofs, refurbishment of existing gutters, installation of new vertical cladding to replace glazing, replacement of roof mounted mechanical installations and all associated works.
Bishopsworth
7 Brookdale Road BS13 7PZ
Ref: 25/15028/H Single storey side and rear extension.
1 Greylands Road BS13 8BD Ref: 25/14989/H Double storey side and single storey rear extension.
48 Headley Lane BS13 7QN Ref: 25/14998/H Conversion of existing garage into annex.
Unit 14B Imperial Park Wills Way BS13 7TJ, Ref: 25/14870/A
New internally illuminated fascia sign and new internally illuminated projection sign.
Unit 14B Imperial Park Wills Way
BS13 7TJ, Ref: 25/14733/F
Change of use from tanning and beauty salon (sui generis) to retail (Class E).
Unit 2C Imperial Park Wills Way BS13
7TJ, Ref: 25/14732/X Related to 15/04997/X and 02/03270/F/S - In order to enable Hobbycraft to occupy the unit.
Brislington East
11 Davies Drive BS4 4HJ
Ref: 25/14924/VC
T1 - Acacia - Fell.
5 Holy Well Close BS4 4HY
Ref: 25/14866/VC
T1 - Field maple - Prune back to the historical pruning points (2-3m).
Land At Broom Hill/Brislington Meadows Broomhill Road BS4 4UD
Ref: 25/14850/COND
Related to Cond 4 of 22/01878/P
(APP/Z0116/W/22/3308537)
Development of up to 260 new residential dwellings (Class C3 use) together with pedestrian, cycle and vehicular access, cycle and car parking, public open space and associated infrastructure.
Land At Broom Hill/Brislington Meadows Broomhill Road BS4 4UD
Ref: 25/14849/M Related to 22/01878/P
Development of up to 260 new residential dwellings (Class C3 use) together with pedestrian, cycle and vehicular access, cycle and car parking, public open space and associated infrastructure. Approval sought for access with all other matters reserved).
75 Broomhill Road BS4 4SB Ref: 25/13841/H
A side and rear extension to the existing house involving the conversion of the existing hipped roof to form a gable end on the side elevation.
Brislington West
Dept For Work & Pensions Flowers Hill BS4 5LA, Ref: 25/14975/NMA
Related to 23/03386/M and 21/01699/P. Redevelopment to provide up to 160 residential units (Class C3); change of use of the War Room to provide 489 sqm of floorspace within Class B8 (storage or distribution), Class E (Commercial, Business and Service) and/or Class F (Local Community and Learning); vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access from Flowers Hill; car parking; public open space and children's play space; landscaping; surface water attenuation; and, other associated works. Approval sought for access. All other matters reserved.) Approval now sought for the reserved matters of Appearance, Landscaping, Layout, and Scale. Non-Material Amendment Sought for a Small Number of approved tree locations moved. Minor updates to street-lighting, Landscaping back gate and apartment accesses.
Warrington House Dental Practice, 2 Warrington Rd BS4 5AH, Ref: 25/14760/F
Dental staff facilities extension.
Land To Rear Of 515 - 517 Stockwood Rd Brislington BS4 5LR, Ref: 25/14015/P
Access, Layout, and Scale, for the erection of 59 no. residential apartments with associated works. Appearance and Landscaping a Reserved Matter.
22 Brislington Hill BS4 5BD Ref: 25/13978/F
Existing garage to change to two storey dwelling.
Filwood
Inns Court Open Space Hartcliffe Way BS4 1XD, Ref: 25/15012/COND
Related to Conds 11, 14 and 16 of 24/02391/X Application for variation of condition 27 of 22/02345/F (Erection of a part single (double height), part two storey building to provide a Class D2 Youth Zone facility with associated disabled and mini bus parking
44 Oakhill Drive BS3 5EU Ref: 25/14869/H
Erection of timber outbuilding to form office (Retrospective).
Filwood Community Centre Barnstaple Road BS4 1JP Ref: 25/14796/COND
Related to Cond. 10 and 11 of 24/02421/FB. Proposed retrofit and expansion of Filwood Community Centre, with associated works. (Major)
Hartcliffe and Withywood
32 Millground Road BS13 8NE, Ref: 25/14690/H Porch to the front.
Hengrove and Whitchurch
Parkview Office Campus Whitchurch Lane Whitchurch BS14 0LA, Ref: 25/15082/COND
Related to condition 2, 3 and 4 of permission 19/04124/X. Application to vary conditions 5 (Cycle Storage) and 8 (Plans List) attached to planning permission 18/02208/COU. The development seeks to add 7 apartments to the approved application under section 73.
Hengrove Leisure Park Hengrove Way BS14 0HR, Ref: 25/15060/ COND
Related to condition 16, 20 and 37 of permission 21/00531/P Outline planning application for demolition and residential-led redevelopment comprising up 350no. Use Class C3 dwellings (including affordable dwellings).
McDonalds Hengrove Leisure Park Hengrove Way BS14 0HR, Ref: 25/14935/A
Relocation of pole sign to include new internally illuminated sign head on 6m pole with doublesided 24 hour appendage.
31 King Edward Close Hengrove, BS14 0RT, Ref: 25/14844/COND
Application for approval of details reserved by condition 2 of permission 23/03077/F New dwelling to side of existing.
Knowle
27 Melbury Road BS4 2RR, Ref: 25/14848/HX
Notification of Prior Approval for the erection of a single storey rear extension that would exceed
beyond the rear wall of the original house by 3.65 metres, have a maximum height of 2.90 meters and have eaves that are 2.90 metres high.
Southville
126-138 York Rd Bedminster BS3 4AL Ref: 25/15084/VD
5 Day Notice: Rowan (dead) - Fell. Cutters Row
14 Langton Park BS3 1EG, Ref: 25/14902/H
Dormer loft conversion and raising of roof line.
Bedminster Bridge Roundabout Ref: 25/14860/LB
Addition of a new protective railing to run alongside the existing historic parapet that forms the eastern edge of Bedminster Bridge.
69 East Street Bedminster BS3 4HB Ref: 25/14405/F
Proposed Conversion and change of use of upper floors into a 6 (Six)
Bedroom HMO Property with addition of 1st floor extension and roof dormer and associated works.
20 Upton Road BS3 1LP Ref: 25/14406/H
Loft conversion with construction of rear and side facing dormers.
Windmill Hill
Building Site End Of Brocks Bridge
Redcliff, Ref: 25/14888/NMA
Application for a Non-material Amendment Following a Grant of Planning Permission 24/03996/X
(Application for variation of Condition Nos 2 (List of approved plans and drawings) following grant of planning permission 22/05730/F (Construction of a gravity foul sewer to accommodate the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus development.)
268 Redcatch Road BS3 5DT Ref: 25/14827/CP
Creation of a rear dormer and hip to gable roof change.
24 Sidmouth Road BS3 5HS Ref: 25/14032/H Proposed front porch.
�NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR
We need to lift children out of poverty
SIX months have now passed since my election as Mayor of the West of England.
I’M PROUD to be doing things differently, and have taken the time to reflect on what we have already achieved together in this new chapter for our region.
Kids Go Free this summer saw more than 910,000 free journeys for children and young people across our region, putting almost £1 million back into the pockets of parents or carers.
We’ve already secured the best part of £1 billion for our region –including £752 million for better buses, more trains, and mass transit plans.
On top of that, the government is investing £40 million into Twerton and Hartcliffe, devolving £25 million for us to grow our creative industries, and funding solar panels for two dozen schools.
Working with council leaders and partners, we’re investing in new and existing train stations,
rolling out green electric buses, and launching new routes.
Regional funding is supporting better walking and cycling options across the West, and investing in parks and high streets.
Together, we’ve launched an ambitious new Growth Strategy, with a plan for 72,000 new jobs over the coming decade.
Our new business board will help secure investment, while the Youth Guarantee gets more young people into work and training.
We’ve made a strong start but there’s more to do, and the best is yet to come.
One of the issues that we can –and must tackle together is child poverty. The West is seen as an affluent, progressive region but that reputation belies a painful reality.
In Bristol, 35% of children are growing up in poverty. In some parts of our towns and cities, every other child faces that daily uphill battle.
Our rural areas face similar challenges, with between one in four and one in five children in poverty, compounded by isolation and a lack of opportunity.
This means hungry children unable to learn or play, families bouncing between temporary accommodation, parents blocked from work by constrained childcare, and people cut off from family, services, and social life by unaffordable travel.
This month, building on the commitment in our Growth Strategy, I will be publishing a regional child poverty action plan to complement the work of government and use local levers to help lift as many children as possible out of poverty.
Working with amazing local organisations, we can make a generational impact on the life chances of our most precious asset: our children and young people.
National reforms including the extension of free childcare, school meals and breakfast clubs,
funding for new nursery places and 1,000 family hubs, are already making a difference that families can see and feel here, even before a national child poverty strategy is published.
From next April, 2,000 more schools will join the breakfast club scheme and, from September, another 500,000 more children will get free school meals.
I’m determined as your mayor to use every possible lever to try to break the cycle of poverty and give people hope.
All planning information is available on the Bristol City Council website: tinyurl.com/BSplanning
Metro Mayor Helen Godwin writes for the Voice
In witch Eldest Girl Child gets her dream job
Eldest Girl Child has landed a teaching job in Spain. Brilliant news — she’ll finally be putting that English degree to proper use.
Naturally, nothing about getting there was straightforward. First came the paperwork: mountains of it. Thank you Brexit. Then the pilgrimage to the Spanish Consulate in London to be interrogated. Thankfully she was over-prepared, breezed through the questions, and left feeling quietly triumphant. Others around her were not so lucky. There were tears.
Smugly, she returned home to await the return of her documents. She waited. And waited. And… nothing. Eventually a message arrived informing her that all her invaluable documents had been “incinerated in error.”What?
Cue absolute chaos: a dash to Newport for a new passport,
�PUZZLE PAGE
several fraught trips to London, and at one point being told the consulate was shut“in Spain”and to come back tomorrow. This was her introduction to the word mañana — Spanish for“tomorrow,” but apparently also meaning “possibly next year.”
At last the paperwork was sorted, and off she flew. The job is fabulous, she’s thriving, and the children adore her.
Fast forward to Halloween. She doesn’t work Fridays, but the children begged her to come in to watch their carefully rehearsed dance to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. So she strolled into school, unprepared and un-costumed.
The Spanish teachers, however, were dressed spectacularly — “Day of the Dead” in full glory. The women wore long red lace dresses and flawless skull makeup; the men looked dashing in black matador suits with matching face paint. Eldest Girl,
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NOTEAfterfeedbackfromreaders,wehavemadeTheFiendSLIGHTLYeasier!
meanwhile, had arrived in her normal clothes.“Where is your outfit?”they asked. She explained she was only popping in. One teacher was having none of it.“I have the perfect solution,”he said.
Half an hour later, she found herself being chased around the playground by a large pack of ecstatic Spanish children. While the other teachers stood on the sidelines looking effortlessly cool, Eldest Girl was waddling for her life inside a seven-foot inflatable Tyrannosaurus rex costume, complete with tiny arms. Her assigned“bodyguard”had assured her the kids would go wild — and they certainly did. In 30-degree heat, she spent a sweaty half hour desperately trying to keep her tail intact as children tugged at it with glee. Through the little plastic window of the costume she caught sight of her so-called protector doubled over laughing.
THE WICKED WITCH OF KNOWLE
Meanwhile, her glasses slipped off and slid all the way down into the tail, prompting frantic spinning to stop the children stomping on them.
Finally freed from the costume, she retrieved her bent glasses and peeled herself out of the dinosaur suit. Living the dream.
Puddle forcing pedestrians to sprint past
A “particularly vicious” puddle is forcing pedestrians to wait for a gap in traffic and then sprint past to avoid getting splashed.
The notorious puddle on the Bath Road bridges has been tormenting passers-byfor many years but repairs to the drains could soon finally be made. Thousands of people walk across the bridge every day to get from South Bristol to Temple Meads and the city centre. As the weather gets wetter, the puddle has made its comeback, making people stop and check if a car is coming, and then run to the safety of the other side.
The wider area around Temple Meads will form a multi-million pound regeneration scheme over
the next few years, with huge upgrades to infrastructure around the city’s main train station. Yet Bristol City Council appears unable to prevent this puddle from reappearing whenever it rains.
Similar puddles torment pedestrians elsewhere across Bristol, like on St John’s Lane for example, and many underpasses §too. Leading councillors faced questions about the infamous puddle on the Bath Road, during a member forum meeting on November 4.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Sarah Classick said: “As the weather has turned worse over the last month or two and we’re seeing more rainfall, it’s getting increasingly difficult for pedestrians to avoid being splashed by puddles at the side of the road.
annual cyclical basis and tested to ensure that they are freely running.
The Temple Quarter regeneration has benefited from
£95 million of government support, and will include 10,000 new homes, space for 22,000 new jobs, new entrances to the station and a new university campus. A southern entrance to the station will be built just south of the puddle, with work starting next summer and lasting two years. This could include repairing the drains.
In a written response, Green Cllr Ed Plowden, chair of the transport policy committee, said: “Highway drains on our main roads are cleansed on an
“Twice one night on my way out and back, myself and several pedestrians had to complete a fast sprint on the Bath Bridge roundabout to get past a particularly vicious puddle during a short gap in the traffic. What is being done to improve our roads so that pedestrians can move around in bad weather without ending up too wet and muddy?”
The gullies on the Bath Bridge roundabout have been scheduled to be cleansed next week at night to avoid causing traffic congestion.
“Given that I have experienced this for many years, I have asked for the service to investigate what can be done to proactively address this problem. If significant engineering is needed I have asked whether we can undertake this work alongside, or as part of the roadworks that will be required for the Temple Meads Southern Gateway.”
Green councillors often talk about “modal shift” — trying to get more people to walk and cycle and fewer people driving, to reduce congestion and pollution. Many controversial transport changes aim to make walking and cycling more attractive. But if pedestrians can’t avoid getting drenched without sprinting past a puddle, driving might still be the favoured option for many.
Article by Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting
the season to be wary’ �ADVERTORIAL
‘Tis
Christmas is the time for eating, drinking and being merry, but lots of our favourite festive foods are toxic to our pets and should be kept well out of paws reach:
◆ Holiday Food and Meat Bones: One of the most common problems we see in pets over the Christmas period is vomiting and diarrhoea from being fed rich food. Holiday food can be very rich and high in fat so makes it difficult to digest and often causes a condition called pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. Meat bones are also very dangerous and can cause intestinal blockages so keep meat carcasses out of reach.
◆ Chocolate: Chocolate contains a chemical called ‘THEOBROMINE’, which is poisonous to dogs and cats. The higher the cocoa content of the chocolate the more toxic it is, so dark chocolate is the most toxic. The most common sign of chocolate ingestion is vomiting but a large dose or ingestion of a high cocoa content chocolate can cause seizures and death.
◆ Tinsel and Sparkly Lights: Tinsel and sparkly lights and decorations can be very appealing to dogs and cats so do not leave them unattended near the tree to save them ingesting any tinsel or chewing any electrical wires. Decorations can also be ingested by dogs and can cause intestinal blockages.
◆ Plants: Plants such as poinsettias, mistletoe, chrysanthemums and holly can all be toxic to pets if swallowed so take care and keep them out of reach. Lillies are especially poisonous to cats, the whole plant can be toxic, not just the pollen.
Bristol Imperial Vets for Pets we are open throughout the festive period for further advice and healthcare, apart from being closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day but our out of hours provider MiNight Vet Bristol can be contacted during these periods on 01275 832410.
Article by Lisa Walters RVN from Bristol Imperial Vets for Pets
The Theatre and Entertainment Luvver
It’s Panto Time!!!!
What happened to the rest of the year?… it’s behind you!
As the evenings draw in and the smell of mince pies starts drifting from Aldipantomime season returns once again!Let’s look at some of the unusual traditions that have shaped this very British style of theatre.
One of the oldest rules is the rule of entrances. The villain must enter from stage left, while the Fairy Godmother enters from stage right. This dates back to medieval staging, when the right-side symbolised Heaven and the left side symbolised Hell. The Fairy Godmother’s wand also has some guidelines - she should hold it in her right hand to help shield her heart from the demon approaching from the darker side of the stage.
Trap doors also played a crucial role in traditional
pantomime, allowing characters to appear or disappear in an instant. One of the most dramatic devices was the “star trap”. This was a hidden opening beneath the stage covered by triangular wooden flaps set on leather hinges.The actor stood on a small platform beneath the trapdoor and counterweights attached to the platform were winched up by stagehands. When the weights were released, the platform shot upwards at high speed, and the actor was propelled through the trapdoor as ifappearing out of thin air. The flaps burst open to form a star shape- hence the name. It was an impressive effect for audiences, though famously risky for performers, and was eventually banned by the actors union Equity. Another feature of lots of pantomimes are the use of “skin roles”. Skin roles are actors
performing inside animal costumes. Some animals are central to the story, such as Daisy the Cow inJack and the Beanstalk, who must be played by two actors working together. Others, however, appear for no story purpose whatsoever.
Victorian pantomimes were famous for throwing in a horse, bear, or even a kangaroo simply because it was fun!
Improvisation is another vital ingredient. When a set wobbles, a joke goes wrong or an actor burst into laughter, as opposed to a mistake in most shows, in Pantomimes it’s to be encouraged!
Whether you prefer to watch from the seats or get involved onstage, there’s plenty happening locally. This year bringsRapunzel: A Hairy Taleat the Tobacco Factory,BS3 Santa & Svenat the Hen and Chicken, Treasure
Island at Bristol Old Vic, Jack and the Beanstalk at Bristol Hippodrome and acta’s new productionLost Within the Pages of a Book. And for those who would rather be part of the action than watch - the BS3 Community “Panto in a Day” returns withDick Whittingtonat the Hen and Chicken. Contact Acting Out to find out more about taking part. I’ll see you at panto – oh yes I will.
�WHAT’S ON
Judo
■ Come and learn the Olympic martial art in a fun and friendly environment.
Tuesdays @ Ashton Vale Community Centre BS3 2QY: 6.30pm-7.30pm - Juniors 5-13 years 7.30pm-8.30pm - Teens/adults 14+ years
Saturdays @ Hengrove Park Leisure Centre BS14 0DE: 10.00am-11.30am - Juniors 5-13 years 11.30am-1.00pm - Teens/adults 14+ years
�CHURCH NEWS
ST ALDHELM’S, Chessel Street, Bedminster SUNDAY
■ 10am every week, followed by refreshments.
■ 1st Sunday of the Month - All Age Service. WEDNESDAY
■ 1st Wednesday of the month – 10am BCP Communion, followed by refreshments.
ALL WELCOME
ST PAUL’S, Coronation Road, Southville SUNDAY
■ 10:30am every week, followed by refreshments.
■ 1st Sunday of the Month - 9am Traditional Communion, 10am Breakfast, 10:45am All Age Service.
ALL WELCOME
Family Events at the Bristol Beacon
Our new Family Gigs are bursting with music, movement and joy! With singalongs, surprises and a brilliant house band, expect giggles, grooves and lots of jiggle-worthy tunes!
20 December &19 February
10.30am&12pm Lantern Hall, Bristol Beacon
Find out more and book at: https://bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/category/ family-events/
Tuesday Mornings, 10.15-11.45am
■ Zest Choir is an inclusive, joyful singing group for all adults who love to sing, —even if you can’t sing and think you are tone deaf! We meet at Headley Park Community Centre Contact Mary on 07954 170 532 www.zestchoirs.com.
Third Saturday Every Month, 7:00 to 9:00pm (Next event Sat 20th Sep)
■ Poetry Open Mic - Sign up from 6:30pm. Grounded Bedminster, Bedminster Parade. Hosted by Cal Wensley, New Grounds Poetry
Wednesday Eve, 7:30 to 9:30pm
■ Break Out Voices Community Choir, Do you love singing? Come along to Philip Street Chapel, Bedminster nights in term time to enjoy a FREE taster session for a brand-new branch of popular local community choir Break Out Voices. No experience or audition required – just an ability to hold a tune. Over 18s only. For more info, see www.breakoutvoices.com, or email katefletcher50@hotmail.com
South Bristol Voice is also now digital
Would you like South Bristol Voice delivered straight to your inbox – 4 days before it hits the streets?
We can now deliver your local paper electronically. Why not subscribe now? For the first 100 people to sign up, it costs just £5 for 12 issues, and £8 after. Digital Subscription Link
17-20thDecember, 8pm
■ Bristol Improv Theatre Panto £12/15, Something to tickle your festive funny bone! A unique improvised panto every night.
Saturday 20thDecember, 2pm
■ Bristol Improv Theatre Panto £12/15, Family friendly matinee 2 To book, go to: www.improvtheatre.co.uk
Do you want to help people who have had a stroke?
We are in need of volunteers to help at our stroke support group in Bedminster every Thursday morning 10 – 1pm @St Monica Wills House, Cromwell Road, Bedminster, BS3 3NH.
Every year 950 people in Bristol and South Glos will experience a stroke: people of all ages…and from all backgrounds. Bristol After Stroke is the local charity that helps those people get their lives back on track –though our groups, activities, mentoring, counselling and so much more. Our volunteers do a variety of things each week from helping with the room set up, serving hot drinks and supporting the activities that are planned eg music, poetry or seated exercise sessions like Yoga or Zumba.
The most important part of the role of the volunteer though is to talk to group members, encourage them to get involved and generally help to promote a supportive, happy atmosphere that contributes to a sense of wellbeing.
If you can help or for more info, please contact Lucy Stockall on 07485 302 868 or email Lucy: stockall@Bristolafterstroke.org.uk
�NEWS FROM BRISTOL SOUTH MP, KARIN SMYTH
Reflecting on Community and Change This Christmas
Christmas is a time of year where many people gather to celebrate with family and friends. But it can also be a time to reflect on the past year and on what we are grateful for. I am heartened by the acts of bravery and kindness that we see across our communities and our country.
Whether that is the courage of the LNER train worker who put his life on the line to protect passengers from a knife-wielding attacker in Huntingdon or, as Keir Starmer talked about in his speech at Labour Party Conference, the decency of those who went to scrub off racist graffiti and clear up rubble after last year’s summer riots. Sadly, there are those in this country who want to drive us apart. Who say that the answer to
people’s genuine concerns about housing and the cost of living is to deport people who have lived in this country for decades. Our friends, neighbours and members of our community.
Disgracefully, in some quarters, overt racism is being tolerated and discussions held in public about whether people from different ethnic backgrounds can be‘truly’ English. This has real consequences; the chief constable of Avon and Somerset police has reported a steady rise in hate crime over the last five years.
The government am part of stands four-square behind communities facing this kind of abhorrent racism. This Autumn, I wrote on my Facebook page that the challenges facing our country will not be solved through division or grievance. It is only by working together as a community that we
can achieve great things.
Those who know me will know that I am an optimist, and I remain optimistic for Bristol South in the years to come. Fighting the politics of grievance means showing that we can make a difference in people’s lives. We are now starting to see real investment in our communities for the first time in over a decade, whether that is the cash coming into Hartcliffe, the £50 million regeneration of Knowle or the Youth Guarantee to make sure young people in this area are either earning or learning.
2026 will inevitably bring with it new challenges, but when we work together, showing compassion and respect for each other, we can defeat those whose only answer is hatred and division.
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours.
Karin Smyth shares her views with the Voice
