The Big Picnic: Putting The Unity in Community!
On 21st June, Redcatch Park will once again be the vibrant heart of community spirit as it hosts The Big Picnic a free, communityled celebration set to bring together residents of Knowle and South Bristol, for a full day of fun, connection, and local pride.
ORGANISED BY THE FRIENDS OF REDCATCH PARK, the award-winning group known for their dedication to the park, the event follows the success of their 2023 community balloon launch, which drew over 2,000 attendees across the day. This year promises even more, with an expanded programme of activities from sunrise to evening.
A Day Full of Local Colour and Connection
The Big Picnic kicks off at sunrise with a balloon launch and yoga session, setting a peaceful and uplifting tone. The day continues with a general fitness session and breakfast provided by Yew Tree Farm, Bristol’s last working farm.
Throughout the day, the park will be alive with activity:
• Community stalls featuring local groups, services, and initiatives
• Fitness and recreation taster sessions including tennis, football, yoga and dance fitness
• Children’s crafts and activities
• Live music and performances by Battala Samba Band plus others
• All-day community cinema in Redcatch Community Garden Canopy
• Food stalls and a bar
• A sunset balloon launch will cap off the day
Continued on page 4
Illegal vapes and alcohol shopkeeper
A South Bristol shopkeeper has been refused the right to sell alcohol after police seized thousands of illegal vapes and cigarettes, along with nitrous oxide canisters, in multiple raids at his previous store.
ARYAN JAMAL stocked his latest shop, Sky Supermarket in North Street, Bedminster, with booze despite not having a premises licence to do so.
His other outlet, Bon Bon News in Ashton Road, next to Greville Smyth Park in Ashton Gate, had its licence revoked in December 2023 at the request of the police.
He applied for an off-licence at Sky Supermarket but Bristol City Council’s licensing subcommittee agreed with Avon & Somerset Constabulary that it should be rejected as they had “no confidence” he would comply with the rules.
Police licensing officer Louise Mowbray told the hearing at City Hall on Thursday, April 3, that a colleague patrolling Bristol City home football games spotted Bon Bon News selling alcohol to underage children on match days
Continued on page 10
Balloon launch from 2023
Contacts
Ruth Drury Publisher & Editor
07590 527664
sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk
news@southbristolvoice.co.uk
David Drury Layout/Design
Next month’s deadline for editorial and advertising is noon on May 14,
COMPLAINTS
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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 southbristolvoice.co.uk/complaints-procedure
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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.
Ellie Freeman Green, Bedminster
Email: cllr.ellie.freeman@bristol.gov.uk
By phone: 0738 669 8680
Emily Clarke Labour, Bedminster
Email: cllr.emily.clarke@bristol.gov.uk
Phone: 0738 669 8678
Tony Dyer, Green, Southville Phone: 0758 418 2862
Email: Cllr.Tony.Dyer@bristol.gov.uk
USEFUL NUMBERS
Bristol City Council www.bristol.gov.uk 01179222000
Waste, roads 01179222100
Pests, dog wardens 01179222500 Council tax 01179222900
Follow us on social media:
Christine Townsend Green, Southville Phone: 0758 418 3843
Email: Cllr.Christine. Townsend@bristol.gov.uk
Cam Hayward Green, Knowle Email: cam.hayward@ bristolgreenparty.org.uk
Toby Wells Green, Knowle. Phone: 07386 698771
Email: toby.wells@bristolgreenparty.org. uk
Ed Plowden Green, Windmill Hill
Phone: 07584184577
Email: Cllr.Ed.Plowden@bristol.gov.uk
Lisa Stone Green, Windmill Hill Phone: 0758 418 6535
Email: Cllr.Lisa.Stone@bristol.gov.uk
Housing benefit 01179222300
Social services 01179222900 Police Inquiries 101 Emergency 999
�PUBLISHER’S NOTE
I love it when May shows up with longer days and plenty of sunshine. Flowers start popping up everywhere, trees get their leaves back, and the air smells fresh and new. Birds are out singing, bees are buzzing around, and everything just feels more alive. It’s like nature hits the reset button and everything starts growing again.
South Bristol Voice has reached the grand old age of Ten and we’ve much to celebrate. So many changes in South Bristol and the city as a whole have occurred over the decade and there’s plenty ahead as well.
We’ve spoken to our resident kids tv hero Andy Day, bagged you some tickets to a show at the hippodrome and have exciting news of The Big Picnic back again for 2025. So settle down in the sunshine, grab a cold drink and enjoy
our May edition.
A huge thanks to everyone in the team at South Bristol Voice for all their hard work and dedication to our magazine and to the wonderful Paul Breeden for starting it all.
Electrician
Leading law firm, Barcan+Kirby celebrates 10 years �ADVERTORIAL
Barcan+Kirby is celebrating its 10th birthday in April after merging with Barcan Woodward and Kirby Simcox in 2015. The firm has lots of exciting events planned throughout the year to celebrate a decade of Barcan+Kirby.
On 1st April, to mark the first day of birthday celebrations, staff and local businesses around the areas of their five offices were treated to cupcakes. Members of staff handed out boxes of cupcakes to local businesses so they could be part of the celebrations too, a gesture aligning with the firm’s community value.
The firm will also be hosting a birthday party in May where colleagues and friends of the firm will come together and celebrate the fantastic work and commitment achieved over the past 10 years from their dedicated staff.
In June, a full-on internal party will be held at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club which will also be a joint celebration of the firms new Partnership since Bill Willcocks retired in March. Anna Wilson has stepped
into the role of Managing Partner and Richard Harries has become a Senior Partner.
Managing Partner, Anna Wilson commented:“We’re overjoyed to be celebrating 10 years of Barcan+Kirby. Our long-term vision is to continue organic growth across our personal and business teams, with a strong focus on expanding and strengthening our Commercial division. We believe there has long been a gap in the Bristol market for accessible, affordable legal support for small and medium-sized businesses. We now have a fantastic team in place and are committed to providing expert advice without the hefty price tag of a huge national law firm.”
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Continued from front page
This year, South Bristol Voice is proud to return as a sponsor of The Big Picnic. We were delighted to support the very first event and are thrilled to be back for this bigger, better, and more ambitious celebration of community. In a time when togetherness and local pride matter more than ever, we believe the message behind The Big Picnic is not only powerful but necessary. It’s exactly the kind of initiative we love to
champion—grassroots, inclusive, and full of heart. We're very happy to be involved again and to play a part in helping this become a cherished annual tradition for Knowle and the wider South Bristol area.
The Friends of Redcatch Park have already put in a huge amount of work behind the scenes, and knowing the scale, cost, and coordination involved, it’s clear they’ve taken on a herculean task. Thankfully, they’re not alone—generous local
businesses like Cleverley Builders, Matthews & Co, ERB Printers, Bristol Beer Factory, Redcatch Community Garden, and of course South Bristol Voice have all stepped up to sponsor the event, each digging deep and showing real commitment to helping deliver a celebration for the whole community.
To help raise additional funds and support the ongoing work of
the organisation, the Friends will also be running a Grand £1 Raffle, with all proceeds going towards the event and their other park initiatives. The top prize? A spectacular balloon flight over Bristol! Once again, Knowle’s generous spirit is on full display, with other prize donations pouring in from local favourites such as Truffled of Totterdown, The Bank Restaurant, Farrows Fish &
Spectators at the balloon launch
Friends of Redcatch Park Volunteers from 2023
Chips, The Park Centre and Rock Choc Café—and with many more expected to join in.
But they can’t do it without people power. As the organisers put it: “We had 30 volunteers for the first balloon launch—this time we’re going to need about 50. But we know our fellow Knowlers won’t let us down.” So, if you’d like to volunteer, or if you’re a non-profit organisation or local trader and want to be part of the day, now’s the time to get in touch!
A Vision Beyond the Picnic
The Friends of Redcatch Park hope to make The Big Picnic an annual tradition and a model for community events across Bristol. With more volunteers, more partnerships, and more local love, it’s not just an event— it’s a movement.
Beyond the festivities, the event aims to foster community cohesion, promote greener thinking, and enhance local pride. By shining a light on all that Knowle has to offer and encouraging residents to engage with their surroundings, The Big Picnic hopes to inspire lasting change— boosting safety, inclusion, and a stronger sense of belonging.
As the slogan says, they’re “putting the unity in community”—and inviting everyone to be part of something meaningful and joyful this midsummer's day.
See you there!
For more information please contact:
hello@friendsofredcatchpark.com 07976 733677
Article by Friends of Redcatch Park
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. To sign up, just scan the QR code to the right.
�ADVERTORIAL
Road racing season is well and truly here and the Bristol Half Marathon & 10k are fast approaching!
Any fitness gains are going to be minimal so the important thing is getting to race day feeling fresh to transform all your hard work into a brilliant performance! Here are our top tips for a great race:
Before the Race:
◆ Taper your training – ease off to freshen up but don’t stop to avoid feeling sluggish
◆ Get off your feet – sit down and relax as much as you can in the days leading up to race day
◆ Sleep more in the lead up to the race – don’t worry if you struggle to sleep the night before
◆ Hydrate and fuel up – drink plenty and eat well
◆ Prep your gear the night before
– avoid last-minute scrambling
◆ Know the logistics – figure out where the race HQ is and look at a course map
◆ Arrive early – allow plenty of time to get to the start line in a relaxed state
Race Day Tips & Tricks
◆ Don’t do anything new – you know your body and what works for you so stick to it
During the Race:
◆ Know your pace – it is easy to get carried away but be confident and stick to your race plan
◆ Stay hydrated and fuelled – start topping up energy stores before you need them
◆ Stay positive – think about why you are running the race and focus on the positive aspects
After the Race:
◆ Cool down – you won’t feel like it but walk or jog a little bit to help your recovery
◆ Refuel and rehydrate – replenish your energy and fluids as soon as possible
The most important thing throughout is to enjoy the process and to acknowledge your achievement after the race. Celebrate your accomplishment and enjoy the atmosphere! Good luck!
Fire damaged former sports centre to be demolished
Demolition work has begun on the derelict, fire-damaged, former Whitchurch Sports Centre. The centre, which was most recently operated by Action Indoor Sports, closed during the pandemic.
THE DISUSED FACILITY was severely damaged in a fire in August 2023 and will be taken down carefully and methodically over a 12-week period. The fire, at its peak, took 12 fire engines to tackle and caused extensive damage. The building has sat derelict ever since.
Goram Homes, Bristol City Council’s housing development company, is working with demolition contractor Lawson
Group to carry out the work.
Once demolished, the land will help facilitate the Hengrove Park development, which will create 1,435 new homes, plus new sports and community facilities on the site of the former Whitchurch airfield. Homes at the landmark neighbourhood for south Bristol will surround a landscaped park the size of roughly 30 football pitches.
Councillor Barry Parsons, Chair Bristol City Council’s Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, said:“Demolishing this building will remove what has become a serious health and safety risk in the area. It will also support Goram Homes’ work on the first phase of the Hengrove Park development, which will start later this year.
“Hengrove Park is a longterm project that will create a thriving new neighbourhood of homes to buy, homes for social rent and homes for shared ownership. New sports pitches, play facilities, running loop, and social spaces will also be created,
and benefit the community.”
A single lane road closure will be in place on Bamfield road, closest to Whitchurch Sports Centre, for approximately seven weeks during April and May, starting on the 21stApril. This will enable Lawsons to safely demolish the structure nearest the roadway. Traffic lights and pedestrian crossings will be put in place during this period.
The Family Cycling Centre remains open, and the car park has been moved to the rugby club car park next door.
The demolition site is fully secured, with perimeter fencing and locked gates to prevent access. Security will be present outside of working hours.
Elaine Olphert, technical director at Goram Homes, says:“An expert demolition team will take down the building carefully over a 12-week period to ensure least disruption possible to surrounding residents and businesses. We thank local people for their patience during this work.”
South Bristol resident aiming to raise 12k �NEWS
Local resident Max Wilshaw is midway through an epic 12 month challenge to raise money for the charity Vasculitis UK.
Max, who works at Ashton Gate stadium, lost his close friend Mike George Harris in September 2023 after years of living with vasculitis, a rare inflammatory disease affecting 2-3000 new people in the UK each year. Its diagnosis can often be lifechanging as the affliction has the potential to cause inflammation of blood vessels anywhere in the body.
The charity helps to support those living with the disease and works with organisations to conduct medical research.
In May last year Max raised a staggering £4428 for the charity, after taking part in the Bristol Half Marathon, but this was just the beginning of his ambitions. Starting from October 1st 2024, Max committed to competing in four running events with the goal of donating £12k over a twelve months. Find out more at: www.vasculitis.org.uk
Article by Genevieve Brown
Whitchurch Sports Centre
Image by © Copyright Neil Owen
South Bristol Voice meets Andy Day
We caught up with South Bristol’s resident Andy Day, children's TV presenter and lead singer of the band“Andy and The Odd Socks”and asked him the questions we all want to know the answers to!
How long have you been a South Bristol resident?
Since 2012
What brought you to South Bristol in the first place?
Work, I film my adventures programmes here. We used to film in Avonmouth but now it’s at The bottle Yard Studios.
What are yourfavourite thingsabout the area and where do you like to visit in the area? So many fantastic places to visit in Bristol, especially for families. My wife and I like to take the kids to
• The harbourside on their bikes or scooters,
• Redcatch park, (my eldest has had her birthday parties there many times)
• Millennium square,
• We The Curious, We often take our campervan to Portishead for the kids to scoot or bike and find sea glass, then we make a hot chocolates and toasties in the van, its lovely when the sun is shining. Of course the many lovely parks and local farms like Windmill Hill Community Farm.
What projects are on the horizonfor you this year and can we expect to see you performing locallysoon?
I’m pleased to say I’m back at the Bottle Yard Studios filming another very exciting adventures programme for CBeebies in the summer!!!
We also have some quick-fire questions for you sent in by our readers
Whats your favourite dinosaur? The largest dinosaur discovered so far - Patagotitan
What do your favourite socks looks like and are they odd? Definitely my “Back to the Future” ones, Doc Brown and Marty McFly (odd socks of course).
Bristol City or Bristol Rovers? I'm a gas head!
Whats your go to sandwich from thelocal bakery? Loaf in bedminster (my favourite bread).
Patagotitan
Image - Alexander Thomas Lovegrove
Favourite park to play in with the kids?
Its our local one but i have to say Victoria park (as i have been there a million times).
Where do you buy a pint of milk from locally?
Our local convenience store down St. Johns Lane.
Best place for a pint locally? The Oxford, it used to be The Victoria but they are not so kid friendly these days I’m afraid.
Andy Day & Family at the Upside Down House Image by Littlewildlingsphotography
Seven sites shortlisted for solar farms or wind turbines in Bristol
Seven sites have been shortlisted by Bristol City Leap for developing new renewable energy generation such as solar farms or wind turbines. The City Leap partnership is leading efforts in Bristol to expand the amount of energy generated locally, to help reach net zero climate goals.
Bristol City Leap has published a brief summary of its latest business plan, outlining the partnership’s work over the next five years. A core part of the plan is developing energy generation, and seven sites owned by Bristol City Council have emerged as candidates.
Their locations have not been made public yet, but were evaluated by looking at ecological impact, connections to the local electricity grid, and potential for generating energy. Wind turbines in Avonmouth have previously been suggested as one option.
Green Councillor Martin Fodor, chair of the environment committee, said: “It’s exciting to see the growing pipeline of essential projects to switch to clean, low carbon energy and help
reduce energy waste and pollution in the city. We are also seeing the flow of private capital into new initiatives which is so vital to scale up climate action.
“Another important initiative under the partnership’s banner is the Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund, established to provide important grant and loan funding to community organisations to enable a new wave of community led energy projects across the city.”
City Leap is a £424-million deal between the council and two energy companies, Ameresco and Vattenfall, signed in 2022 to switch Bristol’s energy supply away from fossil fuels — which are causing the climate crisis — and towards renewable energy. Over the next five years, the plans include spending £89 million on local renewable projects.
The target is to expand the amount of energy generated by 180 megawatts. As well as developing new energy generation, the deal includes expanding the district heat networks and installing heat pumps. Upgrading
the insulation in council-owned buildings also reduces the amount of energy needed to heat them.
Over the past year, projects worth £51 million have been signed off, and £31 million has been spent on making social housing more energy efficient. 10 new buildings were added to the heat network, removing the need for individual boilers which emit greenhouse gases.
Mark Apsey MBE, senior vice president at Ameresco, said: “The collaborative efforts demonstrated in this partnership reflect our collective commitment to lead Bristol in climate action. We are addressing the urgent need to decarbonise and prioritising the creation of jobs and support for local communities, with an impressive £15 million in social value generated through our projects to date.
“As we continue to navigate challenges posed by rising energy costs and the impact on households, our work continues to support the most vulnerable. Our initiatives, including a £10 million investment in energy efficiency
measures for homeowners at risk of fuel poverty, directly improve lives. Additionally, our social housing retrofitting program is significantly improving energy efficiency across Bristol’s housing stock.”
According to the business plan, Vattenfall plans to invest £227 million over the next four years on expanding the heat network. This will include upgrading historic pipes in Redcliffe, expanding networks in Redcliffe, Old Market and Bedminster; building out a new network near Temple Meads, and interconnecting heat networks across the city centre.
Energy efficiency work on social housing includes replacing windows and doors and upgrading wall and loft insulation in thousands of homes. This should cut energy bills for residents and make their homes warmer, addressing the problem of fuel poverty. At the moment one out of seven Bristol households can’t afford to keep their homes properly heated.
Article by Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporter
�ADVERTORIAL
South Bristol’s Maverick Chef Goes French at The Park
Acclaimed South Bristol chef Tim Owen is set to return to The Park Centre on May 2nd, bringing with him a masterfully crafted classical French menu. His first pop-up at The Park was a sold-out success,
and this upcoming event promises to be just as spectacular.
Tim is the creative force behind Truffled of Totterdown, the eclectic gem on Wells Road, Knowle, famed for serving Bristol’s best Sunday lunch—an accolade it’s now won three times. With a month-long waiting list for his legendary roast,
it’s clear his culinary prowess is worth the anticipation. But Tim’s far from a one-trick pony. Beyond Sundays, he offers private dining experiences at his restaurant, in homes across Bristol, and, of course, at The Park Centre.
“I’m thrilled to be invited back! It’s going to be classical French all the way— and definitely nothing ‘trending’or ‘viral’. I expect a proper bon soir!”says Tim.
For this highly anticipated return, Tim is taking diners on an unforgettable journey to Paris. Expect the unexpected—his interpretation of classical French cuisine will be anything but ordinary, transforming familiar ingredients into something truly extraordinary.
Don’t miss this rare chance to experience sensational French cuisine from one of Bristol’s most beloved culinary mavericks.
Mange tout, mange tout!
Tickets: £40 (concession £30 for low income)
Guests can BYOB
Book : bitly/TruffledMay or scan the code below.
www.theparkcentre.org.uk
Park Pop-Ups
The Park Pop Ups are proving a great success with their Vegetarian Feast gaining a (perhaps) surprising sell out event with Sophie Gordon planning to return in September. The Square Food Foundation, a resident at The Park will be holding a much-anticipated Community BBQ event in August which will be another not-tomissed foodie experience. If you’re a local chef with a difference who’d like to host a pop up at The Park, then get in touch.
Tim after service
in January 2023.
She said: “The officer said this contributed to crime and disorder and public safety issues on match days in the park.”
Ms Mowbray visited the shop three months later and found illicit tobacco, cigarettes and nitrous oxide canisters behind the counter, as well as more illegal tobacco concealed behind cupboards and doors in the storeroom.
She said 748 packets of cigarettes and more than 2,000 non-compliant vapes were seized.
Ms Mowbray said: “I went back on August 10 and found the majority of the licence conditions had been breached.”
These included alcohol of
more than 6.5 per cent strength for sale, which was against the premises’ licence conditions, as well as more bootleg vapes, she said.
Ms Mowbray said: “In September 2023 I went with the police and trading standards and more non-compliant vapes and non-duty-paid cigarettes were seized from the shop.
“The same day we attended Sky Supermarket.
“He had a wall of alcohol but there was no licence in place for the shop to sell alcohol.
“He admitted this, and we removed 565 bottles of wine and 86 miniature bottles.
“HMRC took away over 600 illegal vapes.
“He was interviewed at the police station and admitted the offence of selling without a licence and stated that he thought the licence automatically transferred from one shop to another, from Bon Bon News to Sky Supermarket, and was told that it didn’t, which was a concern.
“He was given a conditional caution.
“In December 2023 I initiated
a review of the licence of Bon Bon News.
“The licence was revoked at the committee which was unimpressed with Mr Jamal’s explanations.”
She said he applied for a premises licence for Sky Supermarket in January this year but it lacked information and was contradictory.
Ms Mowbray said: “The police have no confidence that Mr Jamal would adhere to the licence conditions.
“He has failed to adhere to them at his previous premises.
“Each time I attended Bon Bon News there were issues, illegal vapes, illicit tobacco.
“There has been poor management of Sky Supermarket and Bon Bon News.”
She said the shopkeeper, who has held a personal licence since 2021, should know his responsibilities but that he claimed that the council had not told him he should not sell alcohol without a licence, which was not the authority’s job.
Ms Mowbray said: “Mr Jamal saying ‘I didn’t know’ isn’t an excuse.
“We have a track record of non-compliance with the licence, illicit tobacco, illicit vapes, and the last premises were subject to a licence review.
“I have no confidence that Mr Jamal understands his responsibility or the licensing objectives.
“This application should be refused.”
Mr Jamal told the Bristol City Council meeting that he had been unaware he could not sell booze in the shop but accepted it was his fault.
He said he bought the vapes from a cash-and-carry but did not realise they were illegal.
Mr Jamal said he assumed that because the vapes were freely available on the shelves that they were legal, but that he now researched each vape he had for sale to make sure it was.
Announcing the decision to refuse the licence, subcommittee chairman Cllr Guy Poultney (Green, Cotham) said: “We don’t have confidence you will uphold the licensing objectives.”
Article by Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporter
Image from Google Maps
�NEWS FROM BS3 COMMUNITYTHE CHARITY THAT RUNS THE SOUTHVILLE CENTRE AND THE CHESSEL CENTRE
The Tuesday Club at Philip Street Chapel
Launched in June 2024, The Tuesday Club is a welcoming community club open every Tuesday for anyone living in and around the Bedminster area.
We provide affordable food cupboard essentials to support local residents experiencing financial challenges, and our Communities team is available to offer guidance, including social prescribing support and information about local events and services. There's adult digital skills support available, a cosy kids' corner for under-5s with toys and, and free refreshments.
The club is based in a hired space at Philip Street Chapel, located in Bedminster with excellent bus links for easy access.
Over the past year, the club
has grown and is offering additional support. We've welcomed drop-in visits from health organisations such as Alright My Liver and Accure, offering diabetes and blood pressure checks, as well as sessions from Workwell, and Bristol Older People’s Forum.
Our Community Connectors work closely with local people to
understand what they want from the club. After conversations with visitors highlighted a lack of affordable exercise classes, we now run two sessions to help fill that gap.
Move together Strength and Balance.
Gentle seated and standing exercises to strengthen body &
mind. The class is on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 - 2pm (next sessions: 13th & 27th May). Suggested donation of £2
Move it or Lose it.
A fun, low-impact group exercise class, set to music. The class is on the first and third Tuesday of the month, 10 -11am (next sessions: 6th & 20th May). Suggested donation of £5. With tea, coffee, and good company on offer, the club is thriving—building connections, offering support, and going from strength to strength.
Open every Tuesday, 9.30am to 4pm.
Philip Street Chapel, Clarke Street Entrance, BS3 4EA.
For more information, contact:
info@bs3community.org.uk 0117 923 1039
�ADVERTORIAL
The Farm Tap is Open! Local Beer, Big Garden Vibes - Now Pouring at Windmill Hill City Farm
Windmill Hill City Farm just got a whole lot hoppier. The Farm Tap, a brand-new permanent beer space from the team behind Bruhaha, is now open at Windmill Hill City Farmright in the heart of Bedminster.
Tucked away in the farm's beautiful front gardens (just off East Street), The Farm Tap serves up a curated selection of locally brewed craft beers - many made by Bruhaha themselves, who first started brewing in this very spot. After two years of running a pop-up brewery in the farm's outdoor kitchen, Bruhaha now have a dedicated indoor and outdoor space for pouring pints all year round. Think leafy surroundings, laid-back vibes, and beer with real Bristol character.
Friday Street Food
Every Friday night features a rotating local food truck dishing up some of the best bites in the city. Come for the beer, stay for the bao (or tacos... or jerk chicken...).
Who's it for?
The Farm Tap is ideal for:
◆ Young families looking for a relaxed early evening hangout
◆ Students & locals after a chilled pint in a leafy setting
◆ Anyone who enjoys drinking something brewed with soul
There's space to roam, spots to sit, and always something tasty on tap. Supporting the Night-Time Economy By hosting The Farm Tap, Windmill Hill City Farm is helping support the local night-time economy - creating a safe, welcoming, well-lit space for people to gather and enjoy the area after dark. It's about more than beer - it's about building a positive presence in the heart of Bedminster. Independent, Local, Properly Bristol Bruhaha is a small, independent brewery born right here in BS3. They employ local people, serve local beer, and put flavour, creativity and community connections at the heart of what they do.
The Farm Tap is their latest adventure - and you're invited. Come find us just off East Street and discover your new favourite Friday and Saturday spot. And from June, make a day of it - the new Windmill Hill Market will be running every Saturday from 10am to 3pm, right on site. Pop by for fresh produce, local makers and street food, then roll into The Farm Tap for a pint in the garden.
The Farm Tap - Windmill Hill City Farm, Philip Street, Bedminster, BS3 4EA bruhaha.beer | @bruhaha.beer
The Bottle Yard Studios shortlisted for studio of the year at international industry awards
The Bottle Yard Studios, the largest film and TV production facility in the West of England, has been shortlisted for Studio of the Year at the Global Production Awards 2025.
Presented by Screen International, the annual industry awards take place at the Cannes Film Festival. They were launched in 2023 to celebrate outstanding and sustainable work in the world of film/TV production, locations and studios.
The Studio of the Year Award will go to “the studio that through its body of work can demonstrate delivering to the highest level for productions, innovating and at the same time delivering for the local community it works in.” Judges will be looking for “evidence of a studio’s professionalism, attraction to customers, creativity, customer service, sustainability and community focus.”
Laura Aviles, Head of Film (Bristol City Council), says: “It is incredibly rewarding to see The Bottle Yard Studios shortlisted for this prestigious award –particularly after it won the Sustainable Initiative Award in 2023 for its TBY2 solar rooftop, and went on to be a central part of Bristol’s success in winning the City of Film Award in 2024. Having The Bottle Yard in the running for Studio of the Year
puts Bristol’s film and TV production industry firmly in the international spotlight for a third consecutive year, which is a huge boost for the city’s global profile. Well done to the whole Studio operations team.”
The other shortlisted studios in the category are: Cinespace Studios (Canada), NFI Studios
(Hungary), Shinfield Studios (UK) and Vancouver Film Studios (Canada).
Winners will be announced at the 2025 Global Production Awards ceremony, taking place at the Cannes Film Festival on 19th May 2025.
Article supplied by Tara Milne
The Bottle Yard Studios TBY2 facilities with its solar rooftopHawkfield Way
Bocabar - Finzels Reach
Tel: 0117 3741898
www.bocabar.co.uk/finzels @bocabarbristol
Melissa & Paul Eavis - Owners
Bocabar very much grew out of the smaller Pizza/Deli ( Bocacina) on Wells Rd which was where we were living at the time in 2003. Both places opened in response to the area at that time, needing either a café, deli or bar with a family focus & it was here Boca pizzas first got their tastings! Being on our home patch, we knew what would work well, developing the business instinctively & able to react to what was most well received.
Only a year later we were invited to look around an empty warehouse on the new development at Paintworks and we jumped at the offer. Those were exciting times for us & probably the community of Totterdown, Knowle and Brislington. Bocabar Paintworks (2004-2025) was quickly adopted by the South Bristol community as a favourite place to go for pizza, Bristol beers & big socials.
When Paul & I moved with our kids to Glastonbury, we opened Bocabar Glastonbury (2013-2020) which was a big part of a community enterprise project. That was a whirlwind of fun, music events and was fully submerged in the local communities around the area & fundraising projects.
Moving back to Bristol in 2019, we fell in love with the Bocabar Finzels building and made it into our city centre Bocabar venue. It is here, with our wonderful team of about 25 staff, we plan to continue the legacy of Bocabar Paintworks with our Boca pizzas, small plates, seasonal specials & local beers.
Tell us about your company
Paul & myself are very involved owners of Bocabar, we don’t just rock up for pizza & cocktails! This covers an overseeing of almost everything on a daily basis plus the back engine of the duller stuff such as the accounts & payroll. We have a wonderful team here at Bocabar Finzels, some here for over 5 years now.
BocabarFinzels Reach
Our Head Pizza Chef Ben Sacree has been with us from the start in 2019. Ben is highly driven and incredibly passionate about creating new interesting pizzas and of course the dough which it is what it’s all about!
Our General manager Breno has been here the last 5 years as well, loved by his team and an absolute genius at the ops side of the business.
Then we have Tess our daughter, who has been one of our managers at Bocabar Paintworks and now Finzels. We feel very lucky & proud to have Tess working alongside us, bringing in new ideas to the business to help keep it fresh & moving forward.
What is the best part of running your business?
Overall, if you’re in hospitality, your purpose is to create a space for people to relax & enjoy being social with friends and family, away from work & life’s worries- & we do love creating & also seeing this. When there’s a buzz in the building because everyone’s having a good time, it means all the work done by the team is working and worth everyone’s hard work to get it to that point.
It’s also been a pleasure to give young people what’s often their first job & see them grow. It’s lovely to see them mature quite quickly with a new found confidence which hopefully helps with life outside of work as well. Getting to work with my daughter Tess is a massive bonus and my husband, (honestly ).
Paul & myself share the workload based on what we’re best at (or not!) so no fighting over doing the same stuff! Also the creative side has to be the best part of what we do, finding ways to improve & promote Bocabar, putting on the odd event like a NYE party. Our input into new menus and tasting them isn’t such a chore either!
What makes your service different from other places?
I think the spaces we’ve been very lucky to have for Bocabar Paintworks and Bocabar Finzels make them stand out from other venues. Both having unusually large spaces & in really lovely old red brick buildings with character, make them more interesting and enjoyable spaces to be in too.
Bocabar Finzels’ terrace especially, makes it stand out when you’re looking for a large outdoor dining/drinks space.
We also strive to keep up a really welcoming, friendly, professional customer service to hopefully set us apart from other places. This is something we really feel makes it a better experience all round. We are also believers ‘in attention to detail ‘– be it from the making of food and drinks to a clean, organised environment.
What are your plans for the future?
Well (deep breath!), after the mammoth task of closing (& letting go of) Bocabar Paintworks, it’s now time to focus on having the one Bocabar Finzels! We’re already coming up with new ideas to keep Boca on its hospitality toes – such as barbecues on the terrace this summer & definitely a NYE party again, this time at Boca Finzels. We’re also launching with Deliveroo in the next couple of weeks, so Boca Pizzas can still come to Totterdown & beyond!
As for us - our aim, as owners, is to hopefully have less stress & responsibilities so we can enjoy Boca more & maybe also some more free time ourselves. I know Paul is already thinking - fewer emergency DIY plumbing jobs on weekends would be good!
�
WICKED WITCH
In witch we have some lodgers
Tallest boychild messaged me. He was leaving his rental with his girlfriend (GF) and they were looking for a new place to live.
“Why don’t you come home for a few months, save up for your own place.” I said, instantly regretting my words and wincing. The doorbell rang and there they were. Oh.
I was torn, we’d only just got a child free house and I was loving it. No empty nest pining for me, oh no. I joyfully waved youngest girl out of the door. Shut said door. Leaned against it and smiled. Job done. They were all out in the world and I was no longer a responsible adult. The thing is, they tend to come back. There was one time when Tallest went travelling for a few months and decided to surprise everyone by coming home a few
weeks early. The door opened and there he stood, suntanned and happy with a bursting with bed bugs backpack. “Surprise”he called. “Oh no”was my response. His bedroom had been converted to a dumping room, I was not happy. As for the travelling GF she arrived at her house to find her bedroom had been rented out. Never surprise your family.
Anyway, the return of Tallest forced us to have a good clear out and redecorate. They moved into a freshly painted room, instantly ruining the minimal aesthetics with plants, fluffy blankets and stuff.
They are both managers in hospitality, long hours and stressful. I assumed we’d never see them. This is not the case.
Although one time I crept around the house for two days thinking the GF was in her room sleeping, only to discover she was
in Barcelona with her friends.
Sharing your home with other adults is a tricky balancing act. Lights are left on. Extra long showers are taken. Dirty dishes left in the sink. And that’s just me and Himself. But when I saw how some washing had been thrown on the line I was mortified! The neighbours? What would the neighbours think? I had to run out and rectify the hanging sharpish.
There are of course positives. It’s nice to spend time with youngsters and have a laugh. I’m trying to think of more. Nope. That’s it. Thank goodness for laughter.
THE WICKED WITCH OF KNOWLE
�RECIPE COLUMN - PROVIDED BY MICHELLE VOWLES, REDCATCH COMMUNITY GARDENS
THIS RECIPE is part of Redcatch Community Garden Shaping Places project in partnership with Oasis Hub, South Bristol based at Connaught School. It aims to build on community strengths and existing work around food insecurity, to work collaboratively with cross-sector partners, to resource and test new approaches and share learning widely.
The project also aims to understand if there is a sustainable model where these meals can be sold to the public and made available at an affordable rate to provide inclusive meals for all.
All sales of meals at the Garden will go towards providing affordable meals for those who need them most.
These following meals are available this week on sale at Roots for £4.50 or 3 for £12:
Pasta Bolognese
Sweet & Sour with Rice (chicken or tofu)
Mac & Cheese
Chicken Curry with Rice
Vegan Chilli with Rice Enjoy!
Cauliflower & CoconutCurry - Serves 4
Ingredients List
1 cauliflower cut in to florets
4 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 tablespoons of black mustard seeds
1 tablespoon of cumin
6 cardamon pods (seed only)
2 onions - thinly sliced
5 garlic cloves - grated
1 thumb size piece of ginger grated
1 teaspoon of coriander
1 teaspoon of turmeric
1/2 teaspoon of chilli powder
400g can coconut milk
300g veg stock
Method
1. Toss the cauliflower, 1/2 the oil, the mustard seeds, cumin and cardamon in a bowl then roast in oven on 180°C on a baking sheet
2. On medium heat, fry the onions for 10-15mins. add the garlic, ginger and spices for the last 5 mins
3. Add the ingredients from the oven, plus the stock, and coconut milk
4. Cook for 5 minutes
Serve with rice, lime wedges and chopped coriander
Tips
If you don'thave the spices, you can use a medium curry powder instead.
If you add a tin of chick peas, the curry will go further.
224 Youth Zone Announces Exciting New Partnership
224 Youth Zone Announces Exciting New Partnership with Bristol Bears Community Foundation, Robins Foundation, Bristol Sport Foundation and Flyers Community.
224 YOUTH ZONE is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Bristol Bears Community Foundation, Robins Foundation, Bristol Sport Foundation and the Flyers Community.
This collaboration will enhance sports delivery within the state-of-the-art 224 Youth Zone while also driving wider community engagement and participation in physical activity
and sport across South Bristol.
224 Youth Zone, located close to the roundabout connecting Hartcliffe Way and Hengrove Way, is due to be open in Spring 2026, it will offer more than 20 different activities, from sports like basketball, rugby, football, boxing, and climbing to creative arts, music, drama, and even employability training.
This strategic partnership brings together three of Bristol’s leading sports foundations, uniting their expertise, resources, and passion for inspiring young people through sport. The collaboration will not only deliver high-quality sporting opportunities within the new 224 Youth Zone but also extend into the broader community, ensuring that more young people can access and benefit from physical activity, regardless of their background or ability.
The full structure of the partnership will be finalised in due course, but all four organisations have made a strong commitment to working
together to achieve shared goals that will support young people to participate in sport and activity.
Matt Justice, CEO of Youth Moves, said: “This partnership is a game-changer and will support us to reach more young people across the city. By working together with Bristol Bears Community Foundation, Robins Foundation, Bristol Sport Foundation and Flyers Community, we can create more opportunities for young people to engage in physical activity, develop new skills, and be part of something bigger. Sport and physical activity has the power to transform lives, and this partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to making that a reality for young people in our community.
Sarah Mortiboys, CEO of Bristol Sport Foundation, speaking on behalf of all the Bristol Sport Group foundations, said: “As a collective, we are proud to be partnering with Youth Moves to build a brilliant collaboration which will inspire
�ADVERTORIAL
the next generation to participate in sport and physical activity. We believe that every young person has the right to be the best that they can be, and that sport has the power to unlock transformational learning enabling the building blocks for success.”
224 Youth Zone is set to become a transformative space for young people in South Bristol, offering cutting edge facilities, programs, and support. The inclusion of this sports partnership reinforces the Youth Zone’s mission to provide world class opportunities for young people to thrive, stay active, and build positive futures.
More details on the partnership and its initiatives will be shared in the coming months. In the meantime, all organisations remain committed to working closely together to shape an inclusive and impactful sporting offer for young people in South Bristol.
Article by Youth Moves
Inspectors praise Cleve House and Wotton House International Schools
Cleve House International School, on Wells Road in Knowle, and Wotton House International School, both received visits from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) last term.
The two schools partnered in 2023, with Cleve House expanding from a primary school into taking secondary pupils up to the age of 16. It has also become the first school in Bristol to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme for 11 to 16-year-olds. An alternative to the traditional GCSE route, the IB is seen as a“gold standard”across much of the world and offers a“slimmed down”set of exams in five core subjects at 16.
The inspectors’report says:“Pupils develop high levels of self-confidence and self-esteem and respond positively to the empathy and kindness shown towards them. They develop the resilience to participate fully in their learning, enabling pupils to achieve well across the full range of subjects that they study.”
“Pupils with additional needs make rapid progress due to the skilful and focused interventions by staff and the consistent focus on building pupils’self-esteem and self-
confidence.”
Clare Fraser, headteacher at Cleve House International School, said: “Bristol’s independent schools have been hugely successful over the years by offering a traditional educational approach, but we are offering something radically different.”
“This has been borne out by our latest inspection report, which recognises the way we are already transforming our pupils’development through our unique educational approach in partnership with Wotton House.”
Meanwhile ISI inspectors recognised personalised learning as being a significant strength at Wotton House, which has announced that it is launching a sixth form ready for the next academic year.
“As part of this inspection, our application to extend the school’s age range has also been approved and from September we will be launching a Wotton International Sixth Form.
“Our partnership with Cleve House is a game changer for education locally and from September we will be able to provide even more opportunities for our students to thrive.”
Steel frames being lifted into place.
ADVICE FROM A PHARMACIST with Ade Williams
Did you know you can now receive effective antibiotic treatment funded by the NHS for infected insect bites from Bedminster Pharmacy?
As the weather gets warmer, there is usually someone who always seems to be the unfair target of the most insect bites and stings. Some people are more prone to insect bites than others due to a combination of factors, including body scents, carbon dioxide exhaled, body temperature and blood type?
Most cases of insect bites or stings are not usually serious and get better in a few days, but sometimes they can become infected or cause severe allergic reactions. Infected insect bites occur when bacteria from the insect’s saliva or from scratching the bite site enter the wound, leading to inflammation and potential complications.
Infected insect bites can manifest with various symptoms.
These include:
■ increased pain or tenderness at the bite site,
■ redness and swelling may spread from the bite area,
■ warmth or heat radiating from the bite,
■ pus or discharge from the bite wound,
■ fever or chills,
■ swollen lymph nodes near the bite area.
Bedminster Pharmacy offers effective antibiotic treatment funded by the NHS for infected insect bites.
Infected Insect Bites? Bedminster Pharmacy can now offer effective NHS
Treatments
(+Fashion Tips?)
You can come in any time the pharmacy is open; no appointment is required, and you will be assessed to determine the best course of treatment for you.This service is available for children and adults.
You are advised to seek urgent medical advice if
■ symptoms get worse or do not improve within a day or two,
■ a red line is tracking upwards from the bite area,
■ difficulty breathing, dizziness, or swelling of the face and mouth,
■ history of severe allergic reactions to insect bites.
To help prevent insect bites and stings
■ use insect repellent when outdoors,
■ wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves and pants,
■ avoid areas with high insect populations,
■ clean up and store food properly to avoid attracting insects.
If you have a history of severe allergic reactions to bites, when last did you check the expiration date of your adrenaline pen, and have you advised your family and close contacts where to find it and how to administer it?
Finally, this is liberating for some; for others, it is an excuse, but darker colours can make it easier for some insects to see and find you, so let us be fashioncolour-conscious. Go Bold, Bright, and Loud!
The Bedminster Pharmacy team will always be on hand to advise on antihistamine treatments and Self-Care advice.
Sponsored by Splasherist
If you’d like to get involved and live in South Bristol please send your creative work to news@southbristolvoice.co.uk and we will pick a winner for next month!!, GOOD LUCK!
‘I’m doing things I would have never had the chance to’: Meet the change-making
WITH ONLY one-in-ten young people believing that politicians focus on the youth’s needs when making decisions, Bristol City Youth Council are fighting to get the region’s teens more involved in politics.
Bristol City Youth Council (BCYC) is a board made up of young people, aged 11 to 18, from all across the city who represent young people and their views in council decision making. The board consists of 29 young people,
Youth Councillor
elected in one of three ways: within their school/youth organisation, through their equality groups or through their areas.
South Bristol Voice spoke to Sam McGauley, one of the elected representatives from South Bristol, about the board, how it has enriched his life and what he hopes the future will look like for the city.
The BCYC split their focus across many issues impacting young people in the city, however at the moment, they are“mainly focus[ed] on knife crime and safety”for their city-wide campaign. The previously elected team gathered young people’s thoughts on the biggest issues impacting teens in the city, and the newest team – who were elected in February 2024 – have been making steps to challenge identified problem by raising awareness and
working with elected officials. McGauley explained that“We cover knife crime as it is something that impacts everyone involved, not just the victim. It can affect the victim, the victim’s family, the perpetrator and their family.”
The board are also investigating three other main causes as part of their tenure: prevention, education and welfare, police and crime, and safer environments and communities. They want to change the way that young people understand and feel safe for the better.
Speaking about what drew him to stand for the role, McGauley shared that he found out about the position through his school“and thought it seemed interesting.” He also acknowledged that it“looked like a valuable opportunity for any careers I might like to pursue in the future,”with other representatives aspiring to study law, history and
even subjects unrelated to their interest in local democracy. McGauley wants to encourage young people to get involved with local democracy in whatever way they can, whether that be by standing at the next election, following events at the country’s Youth Parliament or through local advisory boards. But there’s more benefits than just getting your voice heard politically, there’s social ones too. He says that“Other people in South Bristol should get involved as it is a good opportunity to make many friends [and] to be able to do many things [that] they would never usually get the chance to do.”
These young people are trying to change the system from the ground up, and we’re excited to see how their work will impact life for teenagers in South Bristol.
Article by Emily Jordan
It is not just our birthday
We decided to see who in the area also made an appearance around the same time as the South Bristol Voice and so we are sending big double digit birthday wishes to Esme and Daisy who also turn 10 in May!! Congratulations to you both!!!
Sam McGauley - South Bristol BCYC Representative
Esme Forsyth Daisy Maya Thornhill
�GARDENING COLUMN
Did you go to the garden centre this weekend?
Easter is the busiest weekend of the year for plant nurseries, so there’s a decent chance you were there. I love a garden centre, but often we go, buy a random plant that catches our eye, plonk it in the garden and hope for the best. If that’s you (no judgement, it’s me too), here are some tips for success:
◆ Acclimatise your plantsthey’re used to a soft, comfy life. Let them spend a week outside in a sheltered spot, before you plant them in their final position.
◆ Watch out for slugsGarden centres employ a range of anti-slug tactics, and your tender darlings are at risk in the Wild West of your garden. Organic slug pellets still kill wildlife, so use wool pellets, crushed seashells or beer traps instead.
◆ Water in new plants really, really well - Better than that. Still more water. Make sure the soil in the pot is really damp
before you plant, then use a whole watering can for small pots, and five cans for trees. Keep an eye on your new babies for a whole growing season, and water deeply if they’re wilting. Final tip, and probably my favourite
◆ Go back to the garden centre! - They display the bestlooking plants at any given moment, so if you only go once a year, your garden will look amazing for that season, and underwhelming the rest of the time. Happy hunting.
Article by Rose Orlik Garden Design
�BS3 WILDLIFE - PHOTOS BY CAROLINE RIGG
Ladybirds? Good or Bad?
Members of the BS3 Wildlife Group were recently speculating about the future of some local animals: ‘If certain local creatures died out, which would you miss most and which least?’
Predictably, creatures such as hedgehogs, robins, bumble bees and butterflies figured strongly in the ‘I hope they don’t go extinct in Bristol’ column. But, there were surprises too. Among other favourites were peregrine falcons (the fastest animal on earth that can dive at 180 miles an hour); slow worms which are legless lizards, (Bedminster’s only reptile?); hover-flies (great pollinators and predators of garden ‘pests’) and elegant collared doves. Most creatures were somewhere in the middle. Herring gulls, carrion crows,
grey squirrels and foxes were not particularly popular, but nobody wanted to wipe them out.
Rats didn’t do too well, although there were one or two people who said they didn’t do much harm and did help to keep the place tidy by eating our waste. Wasps were seen as dangerous, but useful as pollinators. Moths received a mixed reception until is was pointed out that they were great pollinators, important food sources and only some of the UK’s 2500+ species are small, brown and boring. Only a couple eat clothes.
Largely disregarded creatures such as slugs and worms started off as unpopular but improved their position thanks to their contribution as bird food and in creating the soil that all our plants depend on.
Which three wild creatures would you want always to be around and which three would you like to see gone for good? Why?
Ben Barker, Secretary, BS3 Wildlife Group, mywildbedminster@ bs3community.org.uk
Grey Heron - Ashton Vale Marsh
Egret - Colliter’s Brook
Male Blackcap - Lyme Road
Image by Riverside Garden Centre
�NEWS FROM LOCAL COUNCILLORS
Tony Dyer and
Christine Townsend Green councillors
Southville
Why the long grass?
Once again residents may notice that areas of our local parks and grass verges will be left for nature in the month of May.
By allowing wildflowers and plants to bloom, it provides valuable nectar and habitats for pollinators during this critical month.
Approximately 97% of flower rich meadows have been lost in the UK since the 1930's and with them vital food sources for wildlife.
Private gardens, however small, left to grow in May can also help to provide corridors for wildlife and help tackle pollution.
Residents who have walked past North Street Green lately will have noticed the improvements that have been underway by the newly formed 'friends' group.
Our thanks go out to this group of local residents, and we will continue to work with our neighbouring councillors to support this work in whichever way we can.
Another shout out needs to go to local group Patchwork also very active in our ward in terms of urban nature.
Patchwork volunteers have taken on a neglected piece of grass opposite the St John Road car park entrance to Asda and the difference their work will make this summer is about to be shared with is all.
We would like to express our appreciation and thanks to everyone who volunteers locally to help keep the area we all call home a welcoming place to live and work.
Lisa Stone and Ed Plowden
Green councillors
Windmill Hill
Happy Birthday to South Bristol Voice and many happy returns. Ten years is a very impressive achievement to be printing and distributing any newspaper in the current climate.
Across Britain we are seeing more and more local papers folding altogether or going online only and resorting to clickbait and copy and paste journalism.
A small number of companies now control our local media. Just 3 companies, one foreign owned, now control approximately 90% of British printed local newspapers and all look to maximise their profits.
As a result, there are often articles claiming that Bristol could face some sort of problem based on some new National survey, but you will find almost the exact same article in local papers across the country with no more than the name of the City changed.
Bristol is a lucky exception to this with several local news outlets and is why we are keen to support the South Bristol Voice, with its very local presence and focus. We haven’t missed a column since being elected in 2021 and we often receive feedback from residents in the weeks that follow publication. When it lands on the doorstep, we pick it up and have a good look through it, both for local news and something different like the Wicked Witch!
So please keep reading and supporting the local businesses that help keep this going with their advertising budgets – you can support our local economy by supporting these local enterprises, often owned and managed by your neighbours.
Emily Clarke Labour councillor Bedminster
I’m regularly out door-knocking in Bedminster, speaking to lots of you about the key issues in the area.
One issue that has come up time and time again is the poor standard of road surfaces and incomplete or poor-quality repair jobs. I have reported several streets to council officers – including Chessel Street and Garnet Street –please do get in touch if there are other roads I need to highlight. I try to get around the whole ward, which does take a bit of time!
Parking remains the number one issue for many people. Recently I met a council officer at Ashton Rise to discuss the parking challenges residents are facing. I also continue to raise the importance of the council introducing a match-day parking scheme around Ashton Gate.
May is nearly here which means (hopefully) better weather but also an election! On 1 May, we will elect the next West of England Mayor. The Mayor holds important powers and the purse strings for new transport and infrastructure projects. We need a Mayor who understands our area, can bring in new investment from the Government and knows how to get things done. That’s why I’m backing Helen Godwin. Helen has been speaking to residents with me in Bedminster and she is committed to delivering a more reliable public transport system. On a personal level, she’s a super lovely person (she has been a great support to me) and I think we need more women like her in politics. Please vote for Helen on 1 May.
Ellie Freeman Green councillor Bedminster
Bristol Waste is currently using glyphosate to remove weeds from streets. However, there are concerns about environmental and health damage caused by it.
The council is working with Bristol Waste to identify and fund alternatives. In the meantime, if you think your street would like to opt out and take on weeding the street yourselves in the future, please do get in touch.
I’m really pleased to see Festival Way open again. It was closed for longer than originally planned due to complications with the National Grid. A lot of work has gone into planting up the sides in a sustainable way, creating a bat corridor and eventually a small play area. This stretch of cycle path is an incredibly important link and it has been great to see so people using it already.
There have been some issues with cars parking on Festival Way on match days – please let me know if you see this.
A small triumph this month with Sainsbury’s finally installing the bin they promised me a while ago. They are also going to litter-pick the steps and the surrounding area. Huge thanks to Ashton Vale Together for their litter-picking work highlighting this problem.
Don’t forget to vote for the WECA Mayor
The Theatre and Entertainment Luvver
Jack in the Green- Seasonal public theatre
On the first Saturday of May, this year the 3rd ofMay, Jack in the Green will welcome in the summer. A spectacular mix of folklore, theatre, music, and dance, he appears only once a year, to celebrate the coming of summer.
Jack in the Green is an ancient English tradition with roots in the May Day festivities of the 16th and 17th centuries. It has been running in its current form in Bristol for the last 200 years. It revolves around the figure of Jack, a towering, nine foot high, foliage-covered character coming alive and symbolising nature’s awakening.
Accompanied by a band of dancers and attendants, disguised
in green rags and vegetation. They will play music, dance and sing as Jack leads them through the streets of Bristol. Bristol’s tradition includes a poem that is recited at the beginning and end of Jack's procession.
Originally the Bristol May celebrations were based on Durdham Downs and at the Zoo. As well as Jack in the Green there was dancing in the morning, between 5:00 and 8:00am, and on Wednesdays and Thursdays there was horse racing. There was also the procession of Chimney Sweeps on May 1stwhich was a particularly big celebration as it was their only days holiday!
This year Jack will begin at the Harbourside, near the M Shed, at 10:30am
Procession Route:
10.30 M Shed (Museum Square, Bristol Harbour) SEE MAP
11.00 St Nicholas Market
11.30 St Edith's Well, Castle Park
11.45 Broadmead
12.00 The Horsefair
12.30 St Michael's Hill
At the end of the procession Jack's attendants dance and mark the end of his journey, reciting the poem, signifying his demise and the release of the spirit of summer. As a lasting memory the crowd will take some of his foliage.
We are so lucky to be one of the few cities who still have a Jack in the Green. More than just a parade, it’s a celebration of Bristol’s rich cultural heritage, bringing history to life. Whether you’ve followed the procession for years or are experiencing it for the first time, Jack in the Green is a unique and unforgettable event that is worth making a trip out for.
�ADVERTORIAL
Rabbiting On – Part 2
Following on from last month’s article, this month is about common ill nesses in rabbits:
DENTAL DISEASE – their teeth continuously growing by about 23mm a week and dental disease can have multiple causes but are mainly diet related. The most common complaint is overgrown molars and enamel spurs that grow from teeth. These can irritate and tear the delicate soft tissue in the mouth. It can be prevented by feeding plenty of fibre including grass, hay, vegetables, wild plants, leaves and branches. Clinical signs include inappetence/ anorexia, weight loss and dribbling from their mouths.
OBESITY - rabbits that are kept as pets are much less active than those who live in the wild and can cause issues such as ‘bed sores’on their hind legs and dirty bottoms.
‘FLY STRIKE’– this is a common, distressing and often fatal disease and is common during the summer
months. When rabbits develop a sore area around the rear end, caused by faecal or urine scalding, flies are attracted to the sore and lay eggs and these eggs hatch into maggots that eat away at the flesh. This can be easily prevented with good housing and hygiene and using insect repellents e.g. ‘Rearguard’.
MYXOMATOSIS – this disease is spread via. blood-sucking insects, such as mosquitos and fleas. The risk of spreading of the virus increases particularly in the springsummer time when the populations of biting insects are at their height. Rabbits can be vaccinated against this from 6 weeks of age. Clinical signs include head, face, ear and lip swelling, blindness and facial distortion, eye and nose discharge and subdued demeanour and loss of appetite.
VIRAL HAEMORRHAGIC DISEASE
– this is a serious infection with no cure and is spread by direct contact between rabbits (wild and
domestic) and also indirect e.g. people, clothing, hutches, fleas etc. Luckily rabbits can be vaccinated from 10 weeks of age with a combined vaccine with Myxomatosis. Clinical signs include depression, collapse, difficulty breathing convulsions, lethargy and bleeding from the nose.
Here at Bristol Imperial Vets for ‘ Pets, we offer a range of nurse and vet clinics including rabbit husbandry and diet advice chats to help you keep your rabbit healthy!
Words by Lisa Walters, RVN of Bristol Imperial Vets4Pets
�WHAT’S ON
Wednesday Eves, 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
Thursday 15th May, 5-6.30pm
■ Friends of Knowle Library AGM All welcome to the AGM with tea and cake! Join us to find out more about the Friends Group and supporting the library. We are always seeking more volunteers to expand activities. For details, e-mail: friendsofknowelibrary@gmail.com
�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
Saturday 7th June 2025
■ Bristol Youth Folk Day in the Lantern Hall, Bristol Beacon, Alex Skinner (South Bristol resident), the renowned folk group‘Melrose Quartet’and the National Youth Folk Troup of England (NYFTE) are joining together for a day that will aim to allow 10-25 year olds to experience and engage with English folk music, song and dance through workshops, an afternoon concert and an evening ceilidh (social dance).
The workshops will be taught by Melrose Quartet musicians Jess and Richard Arrowsmith, Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, who bring considerable expertise running youth workshops, and a wealth of experience playing and performing folk music and song to a wide range of audiences. There will be performances by the Melrose Quartet, NYFTE and workshop participants. The Melrose Quintet will provide the music for the ceilidh, whilst Phil Bassindale calls the dances. Local youth folk groups will also be showcasing their work during the
day, and lunchtime sessions will happen for those who want to play more music.
Sunday 8th June 2025
■ Folk dance performances, Local dance sides will join with NYFTE to perform at various locations around central Bristol. Some of these sides either have current NYFTE members performing with them, or have had NYFTE alumni join them.
For more information and tickets please see:
Workshops https://bristolbeacon. org/whats-on/bristol-youth-folkday-workshop/
Concert https://bristolbeacon. org/whats-on/bristol-youth-folkday-concert/
Ceilidh https://bristolbeacon.org/ whats-on/bristol-youth-folk-dayceilidh/
Dance displays NYFTE - The National Youth Folklore Troupe of England
The event is supported by the Bristol Beacon and Bristol University Folk Society.
�NEWS FROM BRISTOL SOUTH MP, KARIN SMYTH
A Decade of Change: Reflecting on 10Years as MP for Bristol South
7May2025marksthe10th anniversary ofmyelectionasthe MP for Bristol South. I am delighted to be sharing this anniversary with the South Bristol Voice which turns 10 this month.
This time has been an opportunity for me to reflect on the huge changes we have seen in our country.
When I was first elected, it was into a Parliament with a small Conservative majority. During the years of Conservative government, we saw a devastating decline in our public services, huge waiting lists in our NHS, crumbling roads and a broken immigration system. We also lived through momentous events that have profoundly changed our world, from the
Brexit referendum, to a once-in-acentury global pandemic, to the return of a major war on European soil for the first time in decades.
Most of my time as an MP has been spent in opposition, representing my constituents but unable to make the real change that they wanted. I am hugely proud of the campaigns I ran as an opposition MP on air weapons regulation and trailer safety, and of the real successes that we saw, such as the 2019 trailer safety statutory report. I am also proud that my annual Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair, which I held for the first time in 2017, has grown into a thriving annual event bringing together employers and apprenticeship providers with jobseekers in south Bristol.
Since July of last year, I have served as a health minister in the
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first Labour government in 14 years. The contrast between government and opposition is stark. Being in government means having the power to act to change the country and taking responsibility for making difficult decisions.
In our first 4 weeks in office, we resolved the resident doctors’ strikes, saving half a million cancelled appointments. Last October’s budget invested £26 billion into our NHS, allowing us to deliver 3,106,424 extra appointments including in areas like oncology where tens of thousands of people are getting earlier cancer screenings and quicker diagnoses. These are the changes we can make in government that make a real difference.
I will forever be grateful to
people in Bristol South for electing me four times to represent them and entrusting me with the ability to make the change they want to see.
This isn’t just a job it’s a role that helps shape safer, stronger neighbourhoods every day. Comes fully equipped with: ◆ A listening ear ◆ Local knowledge ◆ A whole lot of community spirit You won’t come in a plastic box, but we will kit you out and support you every step of the way. Apply now to become a real-life PCSO... ...no assembly required
Karin Smyth shares her views with the Voice
Coffee pod recycling comes to town...
Reducing the environmental cost of Bristol’s morning brew Coffee pod recycling points can now be found in Bristol’s 3 Household Reuse and Recycling Centres, thanks to a partnership between Podback and Bristol Waste Company Podback.
PODBACK - The UK’s coffee pod recycling scheme, has installed drop-off points at all three of Bristol Waste Company’s Household Reuse and Recycling
Centres, making it easier for people to recycle their used aluminium and plastic coffee pods. This will save valuable resources from going to waste and will help boost the city’s recycling efforts.
This partnership between Podback and Bristol Waste Company provides convenient drop-off points for residents to deposit their used coffee pods in the three recycling centres, located across the city at St Philip’s, Hartcliffe Way and Avonmouth. The introduction of dedicated Podback drop-off containers at the recycling centres offers a more accessible solution for a wider range of residents.
Residents are asked to save their pods at home, using any bag or container and keeping aluminium and plastic pods separate. When ready to recycle the pods can be tipped into the relevant Podback container at their local reuse and recycling
centre.
Podback Executive Director Rick Hindley says: “It’s great to be able to partner with Bristol Waste Company to expand the Podback service to Bristol and to make coffee pod recycling more accessible for people in Bristol.
“Bristol is a city committed to sustainability, and this collaboration will empower residents to easily recycle their drinks pods, saving them from going to waste and ensuring valuable materials can be recycled and given a new life. We hope this initiative will serve as an inspiration for other cities across the UK to make improvements to their recycling infrastructure.”
Sarah Burns, Sustainability and Engagement Manager for Bristol Waste, said: “We want recycling to be the norm. Anything people can’t reduce or reuse, we want it to be as easy and possible for them to recycle. By giving people in Bristol the
opportunity to recycle coffee pods, it will help reduce the impact on the planet, tackling the climate crisis and protecting our environment. It will also help get as much as possible out of the city’s black general waste wheelie bins!”
Councillor Martin Fodor, Chair of Bristol City Council’s Environment and Sustainability Committee, said: “Bristol has a reputation of doing what’s right for the planet. We’ve held the top spot for recycling rates amongst English core cities for eight years in a row. Lots of our residents enjoy a morning coffee from a coffee pod machine. Now we have the Podback recycling scheme at all three of Bristol’s recycling centres, Bristolians can bring their used coffee pods along when they next visit. This is yet another product that people here can recycle, helping the planet and the city.”
Left to right: Will French - Podback, Richard Williams - MD Bristol Waste Company, Sarah Burns.
Penny Morgan, a passionate community volunteer from Bristol, has been honoured with a Lord Mayor’s Medal for her years of dedicated service to the city.
ONE OF ONLY 20 recipients in 2025, Penny received the prestigious award from the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Andrew Varney, on 15th April.
The award recognises her long-standing contributions to Arnos Vale Cemetery and her commitment to engaging the community through creative and accessible events. “It’s an honour and humbling joy to be among some amazing leaders making Bristol a little bit brighter, kinder, inclusive and cared for,” she said in a post after receiving the medal.
Penny has played a pivotal role in bringing local history to life at Arnos Vale. Her projects have included organising
educational and interactive experiences like the popular Mouse Trail – a charming activity for children that encourages families to explore the historic cemetery in a fun and engaging way.
In addition to this, Penny has supported themed tours and events, including the annual Christmas market and
storytelling tours like “Murder, Mystery and Mayhem.” Her work has helped turn Arnos Vale into a vibrant community space that blends heritage, learning, and creativity.
Penny was nominated for the Lord Mayor’s Medal by colleagues and community members who have seen the lasting impact of her work.
Looking ahead, she continues to support upcoming events, including the “Wonderful Women Tour” on the 1st of June, which highlights stories of influential women buried at Arnos Vale. Information about these events can be found on arnosvale.org.uk and their social media platforms.
As Penny awaits responses to recent questions about her community efforts, more of her story will be revealed – but her medal alone already tells a tale of service, heart, and a deep love for Bristol.
Article by Lucy O’Sullivan
�LOCAL EVENT
Bristol Radical History Festival Returns with Focus on Local Heritage
THE BRISTOL RADICAL HISTORY FESTIVAL returns on the 26th and 27th of April, promising a packed weekend of exhibitions, talks and guided walks, all exploring Bristol’s hidden and radical past.
Held at the M Shed, the festival will feature exhibitions such as “Short, Sharp, Shock”, documenting life in 1980s youth detention centres and “The Irish in Bristol,” which celebrates the cultural legacy of the Irish community in the city.
Visitors can also join walking tours around South Bristol to learn about its coal mining heritage. Nine collieries once operated in Bedminster and surrounding areas, and local historians will bring these forgotten stories to life.
The festival, which is free to attend, has become a major event for Bristol’s activist, heritage, and academic communities. Organisers say the aim is to challenge conventional narratives and spotlight voices often left out of mainstream histories.
Article by Lucy O’Sullivan
