The Mead BS10 Issue 71 December 2022

Southmead News & What’s On Issue 71 December 2022 FREE DONATIONS WELCOME

Rhona, Sher & Lucille at Greenway

HAPPY HOO-GAH! ��: ����� ������� C�������� ����������� ������ S�������� ����������� �����

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t’s hard to believe in these winter months that England is a top des�na�on for some. But every winter hundreds of visitors migrate here to look for milder temperatures.

Fieldfares, bramblings and waxwings are just some of the birds that brave the journey from Russia and Scandinavia in search of milder climates. Starlings can be seen in their murmura�ons at this �me of year too. They perform a truly spectacular display of togetherness as they twist and dive as one. They gather in this impressive show to keep warm, and protect themselves from predators. Have you

ever been down to see them on the Somerset Levels – if not, it’s worth us going!

As light turns to darkness and warmth to cold, what can we do to help ourselves and follow nature’s lead towards a more rejuvena�ng and res�ul �me, par�cularly this winter?

In Scandinavian countries people focus on nature to enrich their well-being throughout the cold months. They call this ‘hygge’, pronounced hoo-gah!

It’s said to be a feeling of contentment and is the art of crea�ng a comfortable and cosy atmosphere.

Hygge is a mul�-sensory experience that uses the senses to put emphasis on nature. Candles, spices, oranges . . . cont page 3>

INSIDE P.5 From Sudan to Southmead P.7 Connie’s Cri�ers P.8 Travels with the Teapo�ers P.11 Cheers to Volunteers P.12 Seasonal Poems P.13 Stepping Back In P.15 Caring with Dennis & Simone P.16 How D’You Hoo-gah P.17 Season Safety P.18 Community Info P.19 Save Safely P.20 Christmas Waste Collec�on Dates

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NOWHERE’S PERFECT! B�: L������ S���� C�������� ����������� ������� S�������� D���������� T����

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espite the rising prices and colder weather there have been some great community things happening.

Our Living in Southmead yearly update is now complete, thank you to those of you who filled it in. Nowhere’s perfect but it’s clear that most of you love living in Southmead.

Many of you have put forward good ideas for things we can do to support each other at the moment and we’ll work on ge�ng some of those going. But the main thing everyone said is ‘let’s spend more �me together’, and there are plenty of ways to do that for free.

As we go to press we’re gearing up for another Greenway Market (and if you came along we hope you enjoyed it!). Market day is somewhere we can all be together, not just to buy affordable handmade cra�s and pre-

loved items, and sample the tea and cake offered by kind volunteers, but to get support and do ac�vi�es.

There will be extra bits such as cra� sessions in the café space every month - if you’d like to offer an ac�vity or know a good musician who might like a slot please get in touch.

It’s been the frui�ul season and at last month’s Seamills repair café we had a table for people to share their extra produce if they had grown a lot of edible things. I came home with a lot of apples to make into pies. I recently a�ended the launch of the Southmead and Henbury Family Prac�ce Community Garden. It’s a really beau�ful space for groups to use and if you have green fingers you might like to volunteer to maintain it.

Have you got your panto �ckets yet for Aladdin at Greenway on December

10th? If not, you need to - oh yes you do! It’s going to be a fantas�c family event and the cafe will be open serving hot dogs - both meat and veggie - and popcorn of course!

The ‘Last Minute Christmas Market’ at Greenway with Santa’s Gro�o is on Saturday 17th September and we hope to see you all there.

I’m feeling so warmed by Rhona’s ar�cle about the concept of hygge and it’s got me thinking about how, when everything is so expensive and there’s so much worry, that we can focus on simple acts which offer contentment and a sense of cosiness, rather than try to give each other expensive Christmas gi�s. We’ve gathered a few ways others do hygge on page 16 - including mine!

I also really love Muna’s story on page 5 and Jane’s on page 13 - both such inspiring community stories.

As always, please contact me if you have ideas of how we can keep ge�ng together and suppor�ng each other through the winter months. tel: 07498 755 863 email: lucillesmith@southmead.org

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. . . HAPPY HOO-GAH! <cont from front page

. . . wood and leaves are enjoyed in the warmth of homes across the country.

But, it’s not just the Danish that are a dab hand at crea�ng cosy spaces. It turns out Brits were also born to hygger!

Here at the Greenway Centre we’ve been talking with residents about how we can be kind to ourselves and slow down as the days get shorter. These are a few of the �ps we’ve collected: Tina said, “Candles, woolly jumpers, hot soups, and Oxos in boiling water makes a fantas�c hot drink” - now there’s one for the shopping list!; Janet said, “Cuddles with the dog and early bed �mes”; and James said to “knock up a mulled apple juice to stay warm”.

Hiberna�on is nature’s survival method, but we can’t hibernate all winter and hygge is the perfect balance between connec�on and solitude.

Another philosophy that encapsulates the importance of connec�on is from the Southern na�ons of Africa and Zimbabwe. It’s called Ubuntu which translates as ‘a person is a person through other people.’ This phrase states the importance of community, compassion and literally means ‘humanness’.

Ubuntu echoes the power of collabora�on and collec�ve consciousness, just like starlings when they take flight with aerial dancing and flawless teamwork. Ubuntu is to care for each other as well as to care for the physical world. It requires being in nature, listening to yourself, and observing the natural world around you.

As we draw nearer to the shortest day and the longest night, on 21st December, simple joys like being

outside, having a cuppa, or listening to your favorite song seem even more vital in order to slow down and rest up. Let’s all try to find the �me to do the things that are nourishing for us this winter.

I’m part of the Community Development Team here at the Trust with Lucille and Sher, and we’ve been gathering ideas about the kinds of ways we can offer help at Greenway this winter as we all worry about bills for food and keeping warm.

We offer lots of free ac�vi�es here and a monthly Super Saturday with the lovely Greenway Market alongside different kinds of support, and things to do – please come along.

Greenway is open from 8:00am un�l 8:45pm from Monday to Friday, and 9am – 5pm at weekends. There’s always a space here for residents who need to cosy up because, perhaps, unlike some residents we do know that for this winter at least we can keep the hea�ng on at Greenway.

If you visit, perhaps bring things to help you hygge like blankets, flasks and books? We have free hot showers, a book swap stall and a TV. We are a free drinking water loca�on and during the week our café, Café Des Amis, is open from 8:30am to 2pm serving a winter warmer lunch for £2.50 and cuppas from 50p. We’re also pu�ng in a hot drinks machine.

Please get in touch if you have any ideas for ways we can stay connected and warm this winter. Contact the team here on tel: 0117 950 3335 ask for Rhona, Lucille or Sher.

Meanwhile we send you fes�ve cheer and look forward to staying connected with you in the New Year.

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CHRISTMAS FROM SUDAN TO BRISTOL BY: MUNA TALHA

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was born in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, where there was no difference between Chris�ans and Muslims - we celebrate all the religions. This is in-line with the core values of Islam - to believe in all prophets and messengers and that they all come from the same Good.

Christmas is a public celebra�on and public holiday where Muslims alongside Chris�ans celebrate the birthday of Eisa (Jesus). Christmas lights and par�es are common and everyone joins in.

In Eid Aladha you can see Chris�ans celebrate alongside Muslims and visit each other to exchange gree�ngs and gi�s.

In Bristol I really enjoy the vibrant and cheering celebra�ons at Christmas and as a family we decorate our home and exchange cards and gi�s with neighbours and friends. My kids asked if we could invite our family for Christmas and we used to spend Christmas with rela�ves in London, as we do not have an extended family in Bristol, un�l one day my husband came up with a very good proposal to form a social ac�on group with Muslims of different backgrounds and named it Muslims 4Bristol, with the core aim to celebrate community togetherness across faiths.

The idea is to go out on Christmas day to share a meal and spend the day with our unfortunate Bristol ci�zens who happen to be with no family or who are homeless on Christmas day.

We prepare food, hot drinks and

dessert and tour the streets of Bristol sharing food and company.

The core vision is to ensure unfortunate homeless fellow ci�zens celebrate Christmas with us as one big family. So for the past eight years we go out and celebrate the day in the streets of Bristol with other hundreds of fellow Muslims and Chris�ans together. Many Muslim families are Sudanese, Somalian, Arabian and Asian, and with their children join in and bring food and desserts.

Many fellow Bristolians were surprised when they saw Muslim people wearing Christmas clothes and

elf hats, sharing meals and celebra�ng.

Few people know that Islam celebrates and cherishes Jesus or Eisa and that there is several men�ons of Jesus as prophet in Islam and a whole chapter in The Quran en�tled ‘Mary’ which talks about the birth of Jesus Christ and the life of his mother.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our Southmead Communi�es a Merry Christmas and Happy New year and if you want to be part of our Christmas day celebra�on please do get in touch. email: munatalha@gmail.com

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CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

WE NEED YOUR EXPERIENCE! F���: B�����’� W��� S�����

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ere at Badock's Wood E-ACT Academy we are looking for support from people within our community, and beyond, to visit our school and hold career sessions with our children. Every term, each class have a number of careers linked in with their curriculum from Christmas Tree Farmers to Youth Workers, and Wind Turbine Technicians to Marine Engineers.

We also want to invite people from different cultures and religions into school to spend �me with our children, educa�ng them on what their culture and religion means to them, as this cannot be taught from a book.

We want to promote the culture of learning from one another and those within our community.

If you would like to pop by for a visit then please do get in touch, email: hannah.green@bdw.e-act.org.uk tel: 0117 903 0050.

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CONNIE’S CRITTERS B� J�� L����� C�������’� L��� W����� S�������� ����������� �����

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s part of Link Forward, our children and young people’s social prescribing service, we connect young people to a range of ac�vi�es and groups in the community.

Some�mes we also support young people to set up their own clubs around their interests and passions.

I wanted to introduce you to a brilliant young conserva�onist who takes a keen interest in helping local wildlife and nature thrive.

She has a wildlife pond and is part of the forest school at her school . . .

“My name is Connie and I really love looking a�er our natural environment. I especially like woodlice, which are also called Isopods. I told my friends and started The Isopod Club for people who share my interest. We use our break �mes to search for good Isopod spots and make sure they've got what they need. Some�mes we find some really good colour morphs!. Below is a few of my favourite pictures.”

If this is something you would like to do as well, or if you have ideas for other nature clubs, the Southmead Adventure Playground has an outdoor classroom next to the stream - an ideal spot. If you’d like any further info about our work with children and young people, or have any ques�ons for Connie about her club we can pass on, do contact me: email: jenlister@southmead.org tel: 0117 950 3335 The Mead would like to thank Connie for wri�ng and hope it inspires other children to send us ar�cles. We’d love to ask Connie a couple of ques�ons please: Is it true some people call Woodlice ‘Daddy Granfers’?

Also, will you be having a Christmas party for your Isopods and if you are, what will they eat?

Could you send us a pic please?

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TRAVELS WITH THE TEAPOTTERS! B�: S������ N������ T��������� T�����

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�er a couple of successful trips back in the summer we were inundated with requests to book some more. At The Travelling Teapot we hold coffee mornings to raise money to help fund the trips and make them affordable by subsidising the majority of the cost. With rising petrol prices the bus hire has doubled and therefore reduces the amount of trips we are able to offer. It is a lifeline to many who haven’t got transport, or their health and mobility restricts their use of local buses.

With ‘door to door’ pick-ups and ‘drop offs’ we make it happen.

On November 11th we did a trip to Yate for a spot of early Christmas shopping and a stop off at a farm shop on the way back. We have a great �me, laughter and plenty of ‘bus banter’. We’d like to thank Barry, our driver, for pu�ng up with us, and also thanks to the wonderful team at Lawrence Weston Community Transport. Here’s to our next trip in the New Year!

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FANCY A CHAT, CUPPA & STROLL? B�: S���� T������� W��� L�����

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e enjoy ge�ng together to take a gentle stroll in our local parks and having a cuppa a�er. We’ve been doing this for a few years now and have discovered there are plenty of parks, paths and gardens to keep us interested so we don’t no�ce our legs moving! This way we keep ac�ve and build up a rou�ne with plenty of social chat to look forward to each week.

The main group meets at the Greenway Centre on Wednesday mornings at 10am. You may have seen us se�ng off through the car park or down Doncaster Road heading to Badock’s Wood. This group has been going for over four years now and plenty of walkers have become volunteers, helping to lead, or to keep an eye out at the back. Some of us take a short cut and return early, while others con�nue for the hour.

Everyone meets back at the Greenway Centre’s cafe for coffee and a chat, and once a month we have lunch together. We’ve been given some funding from the John James Founda�on to pay for these socials.

We really enjoy new walkers joining us so please don’t be put off by the size of the group, everyone will welcome you and you can join in as much or as li�le as you like. There’s no pressure to come every week, it’s just most people like it so they come regularly. This way we make friends, and can catch up with each other.

There are smaller groups that meet in local parks – at The Ardagh on Horfield Common, Canford Park in Westbury, at Southmead Hospital allotment, and at Blaise Museum. All the groups follow a similar format and many walkers a�end several groups Why do we do this? We know it feels good to be ac�ve, but not under pressure. And to be outside in the fresh air and daylight, and yes, some�mes the rain! So long as we are dressed for the weather we are fine, and we even bought some large brollies which some of the volunteers carry to share. We

can talk about any concerns. We can listen to each other and share ideas and �ps. We like to see the changing seasons in the trees and nature as the leaves come and go. We like to look at the flowers, the colours, the clouds, and meet other walkers and dogs as they go by. And all this means for a li�le while we forget our worries and just have a break from the business and pressures of life.

The group members come from different backgrounds, but we all share a commitment to looking a�er ourselves as best we can. To take �me to make sure we are ge�ng some

physical ac�vity, connec�ng with others and nature, sharing and listening, and, very importantly, having a laugh.

Some members have very serious health issues but this does not stop them being out, joining in, and feeling part of something. It’s not a cure, but it’s a morale booster when life is a bit tough. Fancy joining us? Not sure?

Fair enough. Why not come along for a coffee (on us), have a chat, and then decide.

Do get in touch with us via Caitlin, email: caitlintelfer@southmead.org tel: 0117 950 3335

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CHEERS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS! B�: A��� B������ V�������� C���������� S�������� D���������� T����

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t’s Interna�onal Volunteer Day on December 5th and we would like to say a MASSIVE thank you to all our incredible volunteers.

Without you many of our ac�vi�es, services and projects wouldn’t be able to run. Things that our residents rely on and look forward to such as Neighbours Connect Southmead, Greenway Community Corner and Greenway Strollers.

The COVID lock downs, although bleak, showed us how much people care, with folks checking in with long lost friends over Zoom, sending care packages and doing their neighbours shopping. It was lovely to see.

Since the pandemic we’ve been suppor�ng groups to rebuild and want to keep ac�vi�es running that residents want to see at the Greenway Centre and The Ranch.

But we can’t do it without you. Life is incredibly busy but if you find you

GAMES AREN’T JUST FOR CHRISTMAS! BY: S��� F����� C�������� D���������� W����� S�������� ����������� T����

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e’re so lucky to have Linda as a dedicated volunteer at Greenway. She does so much and works so hard - oh and she plays hard too at Scrabble and cards!

Do you like board games? If you do, come and join our join our friendly club on Wednesday

have an a�ernoon or morning spare and are interested in volunteering then please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you. We have a variety of ac�vi�es you could be involved in with different levels of commitment, some out and about and some here at the Greenway Centre.

Volunteering opens many doors you could learn a new skill, make new friends, build your confidence or improve your fitness! Giving back and connec�ng with people improves mental health and wellbeing for all involved and it can be great fun.

I’d love to talk to you about volunteering so please do give me a call or email, or drop in for a cuppa and a chat. And for volunteers currently working with us, have a great day celebra�ng how awesome you are! We appreciate you so much. email: alexbenne�@southmead.org tel: 0117 950 3335 (Pic above: Sher, me & Linda)

a�ernoons, 2 �l 3:30pm, in Community Corner at the Greenway Centre. We have a lot of fun and cha�er and you can enjoy a free cuppa during the winter months. Everyone’s welcome and we can’t wait to meet you.

And a huge thanks to you Linda for all that you do from offering cra� ac�vi�es and social groups, to keeping us organised. We hugely appreciate the �me you give as a volunteer. email: sherfowler@southmead.org tel: 0117 950 3335

LOVE TO COLIN

F���: �� ���

We know many of you will join us in sending our love and best wishes to one of our community heroes Colin Perry. You may have heard his ‘elf’s’ not great a�er a serious accident.

You may know Colin for his jokes and humour, his big smile, his warm nature, and his brilliant volunteer skills.

Colin’s the kind of guy who turns up and gra�s at the Southmead Fes�val kindly and without fuss he gets the job done. He’s the kind of guy who comes up with can-do solu�ons and who doos them! He’s the kind of guy who, however much he’s carrying in his hands or on his shoulders, is friendly to everyone. He’s the sort who drives around the community delivering The Mead to readers who wouldn’t otherwise be kept in the loop.

We all send you our thanks and love Colin, and wish you a speedy recovery.

We hope you’ll be back to your old ‘elf as soon as possible x x x

SHED LOADS OF FUN!

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re you at a loose end? Maybe you have �me on your hands and are looking for people who have the same interests? If so, this could be something right up your street.

Men’s Shed is a �me to get together and join in an ac�vity, maybe make something useful out of wood, use power tools or just have a chat and a cuppa.

It would be great to get Men’s Shed up and running so if this sounds like something for you to take part in, volunteer to help out at or lead, please get in touch.

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SEASONAL CREATIVE WRITING T�� ��������� �� �������!

B� B���� When I look up to the sky I shake my head and wonder why As a mere morta l why can’t I Fly like the beau �ful bu�erfly Sing a song of sixp ence A pocket full of ry e This is all I have to offer That beau�ful bu �erfly In the garden on e fine day I wrack my brain, I really try To find the proper words to say To that beau�ful bu�erfly. ���� �� P�� F� � � � � mer � A bye to sum d o o g g in We’re say hts are drawing in ig ther Now the n me beau�ful wea d so sure We’ve ha such plea g in iv g s y da ays, L on g h ot , shorter d ty haze s g in n r o a mis Darker m orning to uch a lovely sight m h c a e g Wakin g colour, s e the light in g n a h c s s The tree fore we lo ol e b e n o d g scho Harves�n n back to l now be the rule e r d il h c e ms wil Off go th d classroo for Halloween e n t a e h l a r ll very kee ing a Cent n e n r la a p y e e r h ht t en a The childr val and Bonfire nig ark � s sd e fore it get rk Harvest F e b l o o h c ms s ma Home fro making it ly in a t r e c Autumn is

C������ �� �� �� ���� � Christm � P�� F as is co ����� ming, le We’ll co t ’s all be llect mis m tle This yea r in a re toe and holly erry cession with lot An old f ho so as Of man hioned Christm w will we cope f berries ag ? a One pre ing with in a b s could give us udget c sent ea s ome ho ou ch Remem bering t and lots of he ld be very goo pe d he ar Midnigh t mass is reason for this ty food Singing celebra on e of t so � h Listenin ngs about Jesu ose occasions on g to the s the ba Kings sp b We’ll pla eech th y infant y is year w Then off lots of board gam ill b to bed w hen we es and watch e very differen ’ve had Christm t our fill as films

E�������’� ������� �� ��� S�������� C������� W������ �����.

Why not join us in the New Year?

We meet every Wednesday at the Greenway Centre.

10:30am - 12pm In the Ac�vity Room Please contact Brian, Tel: 07484 268 145

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STEPPING BACK IN B�: J��� H���������

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hree years ago I suffered bereavement and other life challenges that devastated my mental wellbeing. I became very disconnected from myself and the community.

I realised then that I needed help and, while searching for a new doctor, I no�ced the word ‘Community’ in Greenway Community Prac�ce something familiar. I needed to connect. From then on I began to build a rela�onship with them, accessing treatment to get be�er. I was offered trauma counselling ini�ally to help me cope with day-today life. I was then referred to the Social Prescribing service at the Southmead Development Trust and joined a gardening group to meet more women in similar circumstances.

Through the service I was also able to go to some swimming sessions at Henleaze Lake and started to make friends.

As I got to grips with all the changes post lock down, I was able to talk things out with my Social Prescribing Link Worker and become familiar with the Trust’s Greenway Centre. A pre-employability course called Find Your Strengths came up and I applied to join. Making more connec�ons with other people like me helped me grow in confidence, and I was almost ready to think about going back to work.

I tapped into all the courses I felt relevant to my recovery and found that the Trust offered much more than I had first realised.

I grew and developed as a person.

I found a safe space where people were kind and compassionate and where I felt supported in my efforts to come to terms with the past.

A�er finishing the Find your Strengths Course I was assigned an Employment Mentor, Claire. During our discussions Claire no�ced all the community work I had done over many years, along with teaching and

youth work. I was hoping that I could offer these skills in a new working role.

We went through how to write a CV, fill in job applica�ons and prac�ced interviews. I men�oned that I would love to work for an organisa�on like the Trust having received so much help and support there. Claire gave me the advice and encouragement to apply for work with the Trust when a new post became available.

I was thrilled when I was offered a new role with the Recep�on Team, and you will now see me during the evenings and at the weekend at the main desk, or facilita�ng birthday par�es at the Ranch.

Thanks to the incredible people at Southmead Development Trust I feel more confident and posi�ve about life than I have done in years.

Check out all the free courses at the Greenway Centre. Go to: www.southmead.org/ greenwaycommunitylearning

FIND YOUR STRENGTHS If you’ve been inspired by Jane’s story and think that the Find Your Strengths course could help you, please do sign up - everyone is welcome.

NEXT COURSE: Wednesday 25th January 2023 10am - 12:30pm (6 weeks) Find Your Strengths is for anyone struggling to take their next steps, or feeling held back from making progress in their lives.

The course is for adults looking to kick-start their employability or training goals, or simply to get inspira�on for improving wellbeing.

It includes a mix of proven psychoeduca�onal techniques and peer interac�on to provide a safe, interac�ve space.

Employability skills included are learning interview techniques, CV wri�ng and job applica�ons.

We can also provide this course for specific groups. Highly recommended!

For more info or to book please email: info@southmead.org, or telephone: 0117 950 3335

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THE MEAD 15

CARING WITH DENNIS & SIMONE B�: C������ C������ G������� C��� C������ M������, S�������� D���������� T����

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am delighted to announce the opening of a new kind of care for North and West Bristol. Here at the Southmead Development Trust we have created Greenway Care Connect with the purpose of giving more choice and control to those who need support.

We offer a service that truly allows people to live their lives in the way they want to, with the support of carers they truly enjoy spending �me with.

We have opened up new, well-paid local work opportuni�es for residents to both support exis�ng carers to remain in the care sector, and to bring good and reliable new workers to the industry.

I am enormously proud that despite many challenges we have now been able to launch a service which does everything we set out to do.

One of our clients is Dennis. We have been working with Dennis and his family to find the right person to support him. We connected him with Simone with whom he now spends two hours each week. Simone is typical of the kind and enthusias�c care workers we carefully partner with at Greenway Care Connect.

Dennis and Simone now spend �me playing games, reminiscing about things that are meaningful to Dennis, as well as planning weekend day trips.

I am absolutely delighted to have been able to facilitate this match which has brought a lot of joy to Dennis as well as Simone. Dennis has chosen the �mes he would like to be supported, for how long, and what he would like support to do.

Everyone’s needs are different and you might need more hours with your Carer and support with different aspects of daily living such as personal care, cleaning, shopping, collec�ng children from school, or going to clubs and classes. This flexible approach

means greater wellbeing for both clients and their care-partners.

In the New Year I’m really looking forward to suppor�ng many more people to find the right kind of care and the right kind of care work.

So if you and your family are thinking about how to meet care needs in 2023 please do get in touch with me to talk through plans and ideas: Telephone: 07376 067 980 Email: ceciliacasadio@southmead.org

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BS10 HOW PARKS D’YOU & PLANNING HOO-GAH? GROUP

Southmead

Christmas

presence

You are invited to celebrate Christmas with Bristol Bears Community Foundation Tuesday 6th December 2022 10:30am-12pm Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Southmead, BS10 5PY

Christmas Carols / School Choir / Mince Pies / Games / Free Raffle

Plus special guests!

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WISHING YOU A SAFE SEASON FROM: AVON FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE

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his Winter we want to help you save money safely when cu�ng costs in response to the rising cost of living. If you're thinking of doing things differently at home to bring down the price of energy bills, it's important to remember to do so safely. This can include thinking about the hazards that come with changing your usual rou�ne. Please go to our website to find a list of all the things to consider, from electric heaters, electric blankets to ligh�ng candles and fires safely, you’ll find a range of helpful things to remember.

Go to www.avonfire.gov.uk As you look for ways to save money remember to heat the body, not the home. Try se�ng yourself a challenge to delay when you start regularly using your central hea�ng.

Layer up your clothing/blankets instead to help save money? Cu�ng your central hea�ng temperature by just 1°C will make a big difference to the amount of energy you use without seriously impac�ng the temperature of your home. Also, try to heat individual rooms and not the whole house. If you’re able to switch individual radiators off in your home, save money by turning off those in spaces that aren’t o�en used, only keeping radiators switched on in the rooms you use most.

If you’re planning to use your fireplace or have a log burner it’s important to make sure your chimneys, fire places and log burning stoves are swept and cleaned before use, also that you have a carbon monoxide detector in place that you have bought from a reputable outlet, such as a DIY store. Use a spark guard, even if you think the fire has died out. Sparks can s�ll unexpectedly shoot out of even a damped-down fire and set fire to your home. Avoid drying clothes in front of an open fire – this is a big fire risk! Ensure wood, coal and other fuels are stored at a safe distance from the fire. Make sure

#SaveSafely Are you thinking about different ways to save money on household energy bills and living costs?

Visit our website for ways to save safely when cutting costs, and reduce your fire risk. www.avonfire.gov.uk

Scan me

Save Safely Advert_The Mead.indd 1 that there is no clu�er on or around the fireplace.

Candles should be fi�ed in a candle holder and placed on a nonflammable surface. Don’t leave them una�ended when burning, especially with young children or pets around.

Make sure they aren't burning close to curtains, bedding, clothing or plants which might catch fire. Be sure not to place burning candles on window sills or on the floor.

Ex�nguish all candles before going to bed. Burning candles shouldn't be placed anywhere where they might be knocked over or caught in a

draught. It is best not to12/10/2022 move 16:11:02 candles when they are alight or while the wax is molten - if you do accidentally burn yourself, follow our cool, call, cover advice.

Whether you're changing things up or not, the most important thing to do in any home is to fit a working smoke alarm on every floor of your property so you're alerted quickly if there were a fire.

If you are not online and would like to contact us for further info, please telephone: 0117 926 2061

THE MEAD 18

TIMES, PLACES & INFO Q��������, ���������, ��������� B�: M��� M����

W

hat’s the latest on the roadworks on the A4018 to Cribbs Causeway? Is the Arena s�ll being built? Any news about the former Filton Airfield? Will the Henbury loop railway ever get built?

All these and many other ques�ons can be answered by a�ending one of our BS10 Parks and Planning group mee�ngs which take place on the second Monday of each month, alterna�ng between venues the Greenway Centre in Southmead and the Henbury & Brentry Community Hall in Henbury.

We have a very good representa�on from the people of Henbury and Brentry, but so far not from Southmead. I find it hard to believe that Southmead residents are not interested in what is happening to the various developments which will

NEXT BS10 PARKS & PLANNING MEETINGS

Monday 9th January Greenway Centre 13th February Henbury & Brentry Community Hall 6:30 - 7pm For info, contact Mike tel: 07875 126 321 inevitably impact on all of us, so please ‘Meaders’ come and join us.

Everyone is very welcome, no membership is needed, and our mee�ngs are open to the public.

We very much look forward to seeing you.

FRIENDSHIP CAFE Wednesdays (term-�me) 10am - 12pm BABY & TODDLER GROUP Mondays 9:30 - 11am For info, contact: 0117 959 1250 Good coffee!

Children welcome.

Drop in for however long you’d like to.

Bristol Carriage Masters

- Religious or non-religious funerals - Bespoke funerals for burial or cremation - Fully guaranteed pre-paid funeral plans - Direct cremations

177 Crow Lane, Henbury, Bristol, BS10 7DR Telephone: 0117 950 8066 Website: www.bcm-funerals.co.uk Email: admin@bcm-funerals.co.uk

THE MEAD 19

TIMES, PLACES & INFO COFFEE MORNING

Mondays 10:30 - 11:30am Pentecostal Holiness For info, contact: 0117 987 1327 Join us for a cuppa, company and a chat. All welcome!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS ISSUE Contribu�ons from the community are what we love to see in The Mead. We’re extremely grateful for the �me and energy that people put into their items.

NEXT TEAM SOUTHMEAD MEETINGS

NEXT INCLUSION SOUTHMEAD MEETING

Tuesday 31st January Tuesday 28th February 11am - 1pm

Thursday 2nd February 11am - 1pm

St Stephen’s Church For info, contact Deana tel: 07790 426 609

Lanercost Centre For info, contact Deana tel: 07790 426 609

DID YOU READ THE LAST ISSUE? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

If you have feedback on the issue or how The Mead could connect more people, please do get in touch.

Tel: 0117 950 3335, or email themead@southmead.org

DID YOU KNOW? The Mead is completely recyclable!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE SOMETHING WITH THE MEAD? We’d love to hear from you!

If you need some guidance on contribu�ng your item (could be a story, event, pictures or poetry) please contact Lucille tel: 07498 755 863 email: lucillesmith@southmead.org

Please help us to deliver The Mead to community buildings (if you have a car) or door to door in your street on foot. You will need to be able to pick up copies from the Greenway Centre, contact: Alex on tel: 0117 950 3335

THE NEXT SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR CONTENT FOR THE MEAD IS: Friday 19th January 2023 Southmead Development Trust proudly sponsors The Mead.

Contact us by email: themead@southmead.org or tel: 0117 950 3335

We’ve also stopped using staples to avoid unnecessary waste.

So, once you’ve finished reading (and thoroughly enjoying!) your magazine, the best thing to do is pop it into your black recycling box.

PTO for Christmas collec�on dates

www.dovetonpress.co.uk dovetonpress.co.uk

Waste collection days change over Christmas Over the festive season your waste collection dates are changing.

We will work one bank holiday to get collections back to normal as quickly as possible.

Check when we will be coming to you on the calendar below.

Your usual collection day

Christmas trees Revised collection day

Put your TREEout with your first wheelie bin collection from Monday 9 January.

Tue 27 Dec

You can also take trees to your nearest Recycling Centre – book before visiting at www.recyclingcentrebooking.bristol.gov.uk

Mon 26 Dec Tue 27 Dec Wed 28 Dec Thur 29 Dec Fri 30 Dec Mon 2 Jan Tue 3 Jan Wed 4 Jan Thur 5 Jan Fri 6 Jan

Wed 28 Dec Thur 29 Dec

Download

Fri 30 Dec

Never miss a collection – download your 2023 collection calendar from: www.bristolwastecompany.co.uk/festive

Sat 31 Dec Tue 3 Jan

Don’t forget

Wed 4 Jan Thur 5 Jan

Garden and bulky waste services pause over the Christmas period.

Fri 6 Jan

For top tips and festive hacks visit: www.bristolwastecompany.co.uk/festive

Sat 7 Jan Normal collections from Mon 9 Jan

Cans, foil and plastic bottles

Glass bottles/ jars and paper

Why not cut out and keep this advert as a handy reminder.

Cardboard and brown paper

All food: cooked and raw

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