The Mead BS10 Issue 72 February 2023

Issue 72 February 2023 FREE DONATIONS WELCOME

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’m desperate to see a daffodil, I’m scanning for swallows, and I’m aching to put my watch forward that emblematic hour. It has been a tough winter across many fronts.

The Greenway Centre is feeling the pinch when it comes to the rapidly rising cost of energy and everyday items affecting all UK businesses and households.

Whilst it is hard to assign blame for this crisis, we also know that it isn’t an accident. The ongoing dependency on fossil fuels and a rapidly warming planet are

combining to make unpredictable events more common. Many of us are frustrated by what seems to be slow progress on taking action.

But within the power of our small community there are plenty of actions we can take.

Here at Southmead Development Trust we have found adapting to rising costs a significant challenge.

However, we have embraced the opportunity to build a more sustainable, comfortable and less wasteful Greenway Centre. We are supercharging our existing plans for this.

Not just on energy, but across a range of issues including transport, single-use plastics and biodiversity. cont on page 3>

INSIDE P.4 The Joys of Rubbish and Rain P.5 There’s Trout About!

P.7 Trees, Bees and Bird Feeders P.8 Kathy Glover, What A Woman P.9 Celebra�ng Women P.12 Linking Kids To What Ma�ers P.16 New course - Find Your Strengths P.17 Remembering Terry G. Johnson P.18 Community Info P.20 Ci�zens Advice Cost of Living Support

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appy New Year everybody!

I’ll look back on 2022 as a year of posi�ve ac�on and coming together, but also of record breaking weather and a nudge from Mother Nature to take further steps to be more environmentally friendly.

We’ve been thinking about this at Greenway. We are keen to support opportuni�es for the community to come together and take ac�on collec�vely. Why not join us on our next li�er pick on Monday 20th February? It’s a great opportunity to get outside and look a�er our surroundings. You can read about our last li�er pick on page 4. It was great fun even if it was a li�le soggy! Or why not recycle some of your old books or jigsaws in our Book and Jigsaw Swap area of the café. Sharing and borrowing is the way forward! If you

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re you cooking for a special occasion? Are you rustling up a community lunch or a bake sale? O�en when planning these big food events we need some extra equipment. Instead of spending lots of money on kit you won’t use again, you can now hire a Southmead Community Cooking Kit from Southmead Development Trust.

They are available to hire by local community groups and residents of Southmead for one-off events or on a more

or your group are hos�ng an event, you could borrow one of the Travelling Kitchen Cooking Kits rather than buying loads of new equipment. You can read more about how this works below. We are always happy to hear if people have ideas about how to look a�er our environment. If you’re hos�ng an event, need space to meet or would like to collaborate, I’d love to hear from you!

I like to spend the first few weeks of a new year reflec�ng and making plans for the coming months.

Many of us find it can be a good �me to try new things.

We have a couple of new things star�ng at Greenway this winter. Our fun singalong group on a Thursday a�ernoon really is just for fun so you don’t need to be musical or a fantas�c singer! We also have a new jigsaw puzzle group star�ng on a Friday

a�ernoon. All our other groups would be happy to welcome you too! Take a look at page 10 to see our full array. If you have been wan�ng to try something that we don’t offer then get in touch, maybe we can help you to get it going.

I’m really pleased to say that our MPower Menopause support group is returning! The group has been running for a year now and we’ve decided it’s �me for a refresh. A�er some feedback we are moving it to the first Thursday of the month (see page 11).

The next one will be Thursday 2nd March. We will be having a bit more structure with speakers and experts coming to share their knowledge, while maintaining the space to talk about anything and everything we are experiencing. There’s no pressure to share, you’re welcome to just listen. Tea and coffee are provided. If you think there’s a topic which would be valuable to learn about or a good contact for a speaker, get in touch! We can add them to the programme. tel: 07498 755 863 email: lucillesmith@southmead.org

regular basis. For a small fee (£1 per kit) and a refundable deposit (£20) you can hire up to 6 kits, each containing: � a saucepan and a frying pan � weighing scales, chopping mats, measuring jug, mixing bowls � child friendly knives and vegetable peeler � utensils such as wooden spoons, measuring spoons, whisk, grater, colander � baking equipment such as baking tray, cooling rack, rolling pin.

We also have 6 induc�on hobs

that will also be available for hire separately (£1 per hob plus a refundable £20 deposit) so you don’t need to worry about stove top space at all!

The community cooking kits have been assembled by Travelling Kitchen CIC with funding from the Tesco Bags of Help Grant, Team Southmead and Thrive Bristol, so thank you to these partners!

For more info contact Lucille Smith at Southmead Development Trust tel: 07498 755 863 email: lucillesmith@southmead.org

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The first step we have taken is to improve the insulation in Greenway’s roofs and walls. It can be drafty here! We have also achieved some quick-wins in our heating and hot water controls. We have been slowly rolling out the change to LED lighting which we are now looking to accelerate in the coming months - Main Hall users and Christmas Panto attendees may have noticed this already! With our 476 solar panels already on the roof, reducing our energy use means our green-generated energy can go further.

Visitors to our meeting rooms may have noticed that we are phasing out single-use items for refreshments. We’ve replaced individual milk pots with refillable jugs of fresh milk. Our next move is to do away with coffee and sugar sachets, and disposable coffee cups.

There is more in the pipeline for investing in reducing our emissions, and we appreciate there’s a long way to go. We are urgently fundraising for double-glazing which will make the building a warmer, more accessible space for all our visitors. This will help us to reduce our use of gas heating and for Greenway to thrive as a welcoming place for all. Watch this space for how we are creating a Greenway fit for the future!

We are also thinking about the support of the long term future of buildings in Southmead. Renewable energy and affordable bills are a focus for the Glencoyne Square community-led housing project. The new flats will be heated using Air Source Heat Pumps.

We are also excited for the theme of this year’s Southmead Festival to be Green Southmead!

And we need everyone’s ideas and input.

Learn how to make your home warmer and reduce your energy bills.

Come along to our FREE workshop and learn how to draught proof your home.

Saturday 25th feb 12-3pm - part of the community market at: Greenway Centre Sign up or call reception to secure a place: 01179503335

All materials provided!

Hot meal

Childcare

Below you can find out about Bristol Energy Network’s next draftproofing session so you can benefit at home. They’ll teach you how to block up drafty spots and you’ll take away a caulk gun to try at home. If you’d like to run an event with a green focus, we’d love to hear from you!

Would you like to know more about our sustainability at Greenway? Get in touch! email: info@southmead.org tel: 0117 950 3335

DID YOU KNOW?

The changes to ou r insula�on, hea�ng and ligh�ng will

save 40-50 tonnes of

carbon

every year.

That ’s the same as

not driving 92,274 m in a petrol car!

iles

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hat is it that is so sa�sfying about picking up rubbish? Is it doing something good for the environment? Is it about being outside and ge�ng some exercise? Is it because o�en you are with good community minded people? But you can also do it on your own, whenever you feel like it – just grab a bag and go!

Or is it primal? Our need to look a�er our surroundings goes way back, there is scien�fic evidence to suggest cavemen spent more �me doing chores than they spent hun�ng!

For me it is about all of this, there is something about making a tangible difference in a short space of �me and being able to just do it on the spur of the moment or arrange to do it with a group.

Our Big Tidy Li�er Pick with Bristol Waste on the 19th December was the soggiest li�er pick I have ever done. It was absolutely bucke�ng. But there we were, merrily slopping bits of trash into massive bin bags and feeling fantas�c!

We cleared about five bin bags worth from the front of the Greenway Centre car park and another seven from Doncaster Road Park in �me for the tree plan�ng that was happening there the next day.

It was only when water started coming through my boots and my toes started to freeze that we decided to call it a day. But the sense of sa�sfac�on was immense, in just a couple of hours I felt like I had really achieved something. I think ba�ling the rain actually added to that sense of achievement!

Is this sounding appealing? If you fancy the sa�sfac�on but not the sogginess we are hoping to make this a regular thing and have ordered some drier weather. Our next li�er pick will be Monday 20th February - see below!

There is more over the page about how to get involved with a local �dy up.

Meanwhile, if you would like to be added to our Volunteer Li�er Picker list we can give you a call or email about all future dates, so do get in touch. email: lucillesmith@southmead.org tel: 07498 755 863

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ou may have seen volunteers li�er-picking and removing rubbish from the river Trym in Southmead. This is part of an effort by our local group Trout in the Trym to clean the whole of the river Trym from Sea Mills to Southmead, plus the Hazel Brook too. The group is en�rely volunteer led.

Volunteers are keen to restore and keep the health of the river Trym so we can all see and hear more wildlife, and can appreciate nature on our doorstep. Healthy rivers are a really important way to support wildlife and plants to thrive. Rivers provide safe places for animals to find water, food and shelter but these are disappearing due to climate change. Healthy rivers are also really great for us. Having access to wild spaces, seeing wildlife and having �me away from city noises can support good mental health.

So far over 50 tonnes of rubbish has been taken out of the Trym. You never know what you’re going to find but some of the things our volunteers have hauled out include 11 motorbikes, countless carpets, plas�c items, clothes, ba�eries, and builders’ rubbish. Removing this rubbish helps wildlife as harmful chemicals and micro-plas�cs are no longer pollu�ng the water. Bristol City Council have helped by taking away the rubbish at the end of each session.

We've observed and reported plenty of wildlife already, including kingfishers and brown trout downstream of Westbury on Trym.

Plus we’ve spo�ed mayflies and freshwater shrimps in Southmead.

There have also been some recent reports of water voles. They used to live on the river decades ago but became very rare. Trout in the Trym, along with Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership, has arranged for a professional ecological survey this year to see if they really are back- watch this space. It will be great to see them return!

Everyone’s welcome to join our river cleaning sessions on Fridays and

This trout was recorded near the car park in Coombe Dingle. We’ve also spo�ed them near the golf course and by the Mill House pub

A�er a river cleaning session in Southmead

Sundays. We’ll start pulling out the balsam again in the summer. Balsam is an invasive plant which crowds out local UK plants and damages the soil.

Controlling it helps the whole ecosystem. Please join us - you can find out about �mes and loca�ons by visi�ng our website.

You can also read the online wildlife guide on our website and keep a look out! You can record anything you spot when you’re out and about by emailing us or telling us on Facebook.

The easiest way to look a�er the river is to think about what we put in the water and how we throw away our rubbish. It’s important not to fly-�p and always follow the 3 Ps! Never put anything except Poo, Pee and Paper down the toilet. Everything else can cause blockages or put something harmful in the water.

You can also report any pollu�on which you see. The sooner it’s reported along with the most accurate loca�on, the sooner Wessex Water will

come and take a look. You can call them on 0345 600 4600.

Are you interested in finding out more about Trout in the Trym? Would you like to go to a river cleaning session? Get in touch with the group. email: trou�nthetrym@gmail.com website: www.trou�nthetrym.co.uk tel: 07377 790 087

Would you like to do more for wildlife?

On the next page you can find out details about a tree plan�ng day in Southmead.

There’s also some ideas on page 7 to nurture the cri�ers in our gardens, streets, parks and allotments!

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inter is a �me when it’s easy to forget about all the life that’s out there. But all those cri�ers haven’t disappeared, they’re just sheltering. Winter is in fact a perfect �me to think about how to give our plants and wildlife a boost in this coming year.

The colder months are tree plan�ng season in the UK. It’s an exci�ng �me to plant something with the knowledge that it’ll be a home to insects and birds for years to come. Trees are also great for us humans who benefit from the shade, oxygen and beauty they give us.

Bees aren’t buzzing around just now but we need to think about what they’d like to feed on in spring to give them a head start. This goes for other

insects too. Unfortunately these cri�ers need a helping hand because lots of their habitats are disappearing. We can help by encouraging lots of different plants and flowers to grow for as long as possible throughout the year. You can plant herbs, bulbs and flowers in the garden or simply in a pot on an outdoor windowsill. However some�mes the easiest thing to do is nothing! Avoid mowing lawns and verges in May and June so the long grass and flowers can give them shelter and food. This is o�en a really beau�ful �me as you never know what is going to pop up!

Birds are now looking for high energy food to keep warm. Some food supplies like seeds might be running low for them. Why not set up a bird feeder so

they can get a good meal.

Different birds eat different things at different �mes, so it’s important to find out how to feed birds safely. The RSPB has some great advice on what, how and when to feed birds. It doesn’t need to be expensive. Two of my favourite ideas so far are making a feeder out of an old teapot and hanging it up, and s�cking your windfall or ‘pastit’ apples on top of a hedgerow.

I love hearing busy birds and seeing what life emerges in spring. Even more I love being an ac�ve part in crea�ng a healthy world for them (and us!)

I would love to hear what you do for plants and wildlife. Maybe you’d like to write about it in the next edi�on? email: ellatainton@southmead.org tel: 0117 950 3335

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athleen June Glover, or Kath or Kathy as she was called by her friends, sadly passed away with cancer at the end of last year. She was my friend and Pastor at the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Southmead for many years. I wanted to pay tribute for the lovely, caring person she was and to acknowledge how liked and loved she was in our community.

Kathy was born and bred in Southmead and lived on Ashburton Road with her family, the Felthams.

She a�ended Doncaster Road Junior School (now Badock’s Wood) and then Pen Park School. When she married Dave they lived in one of the flats on the Post Office side, and then on to a house in Doncaster Road near to her old school - from where she could remember all the names of her classmates and could tell you who belonged to what family. Kathy knew so many people and so was a real Southmeadian in every sense of the word.

Kathy was on many different commi�ees over the years working hard for the community: the Southmead Community Plan; the Southmead Forum; Bristol Parks; as well as those of the different groups and churches.

She was devoted to the people of Southmead, alongside her beloved husband David, doing Sunday school, youth clubs and camps, as well as Christmas par�es (which she loved), and even going as far as to do fancy dress on occasions! Even though they had great fun with the kids at camp - on the beach, cooking, and sneaking in to bedrooms pu�ng foam on the pillows for kids faces to fall into! – they were always there to listen to any problems the young people had, always being sensi�ve to each of their needs.

Kathy and Dave always said they would not want to live or work anywhere else but Southmead, and Kathy was always there for everyone and anyone. Many a �me a�er church I would discuss my own personal concerns with her, knowing it was in full confidence. If anyone needed a li� or shopping she would be there for them, and if she couldn’t be there physically she would always be on the phone asking how things were.

Kathy was Pastor Dave’s support for many years, not only as his Wife and Carer, but also suppor�ng him in church as Sunday school teacher, youth worker and preacher. She was officially commissioned as Pastor on 3rd April 2017 already having taken the lead when Dave passed away. “Pastor Kathy is a tried ‘n’ true good ‘n’ proven shepherd”, it was said, “and a very good pastor”. She did so many funerals these past two years, sadly, of which the families concerned will be forever grateful. She always wanted to do a wedding but that wasn't to be.

A�er Dave passed Kathy decided to take herself off abroad for some holidays by herself - a brave thing to do if you ask me. But she loved it, and loved to go sea swimming at which she was brilliant.

Kathy has two children, Pete and Emmalee, and three grandsons who she loved very much, as well as an older brother, Roger. Her older sister Evelyn sent this tribute for her: "My sister Kath lost her ba�le with cancer. She was courageous un�l the end when she slipped away.

Her loyalty to the community was inspiring and I know she will be sorely missed by many. I am privileged to have shared this last journey with her and she will always be with me and the many people who loved her”.

There have been hundreds of tributes to Kathy, I had around a hundred and fi�y comments on my Facebook page. But the amount of people at her funeral said it all. The church was overflowing, with people standing, and if everyone could have turned up the queue would have been past Iceland. Her friends and family at church will miss her so much and it will take someone very special to take her place.

Kathy, now with your beloved Dave and your Precious Lord, thank you my dearest friend for being with myself and family all these years, we miss you so much already.

Sheila xx Thank you to Sheila for wri�ng about Kathy in this edi�on of The Mead. A dedicated member of the Southmead community, she will be missed.

To celebrate Interna�onal Women’s Day, join us in raising a cuppa to Kathy on Thursday 9th March at Coffee Morning

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ristol Women’s Voice, and a very dedicated team of volunteers, are looking forward to spring, to work together on the programme for our flagship free event of the year.

Not many free events in Bristol a�ract as many volunteers to support them as this, or as diverse a range of par�cipants. This year’s Interna�onal Women’s Day event will bring together women from different communi�es across Bristol to connect, learn and celebrate.

More than 100 contributors and partners will be running workshops, performances, exhibi�ons, ac�vi�es and talks in and around City Hall. Ac�vity themes include health, nurture, poetry, music, film and photography, dance and visual arts.

Highlights from the dra� programme include: The women who built Bristol; Ques�on Time with MPs; sessions on women in tech, business and sport; discussions on global feminism, climate change and what female leadership looks like; curvy girl yoga, menopause ac�on, selfdefence sessions; and LOTS more.

This year we’re planning an evening event and a women’s march as well.

We'll be pu�ng the full programme on our website in the next few weeks.

As a �ny organisa�on that punches well above its weight, we only pull this off thanks to a massive team of dedicated volunteers. We really need sponsors to help promote the event and develop some of the ac�vi�es we have planned, and s�ll need even more volunteers, so we’d love to hear from you!

Are you interested in sponsoring the event? Contact Katy Taylor, email: director@bristolwomensvoice.org.uk Can you lend your �me to make sure the event runs smoothly? Get in touch with Troy, email: vtcoordinator@bristolwomensvoice.org.uk

For more info and the events programme go to the website www.bristolwomensvoice.org.uk tel: 07752 552 169

Celebrate International Women’s Day 2023 with Bristol Women’s Voice

FREE workshops and activities, with creche, transport and translation

Together, we can create a fair and equal world #EmbraceEquity NEW evening event and daytime march Music • Art • Film • Debate • Exercise • Networking Everyone welcome www.bristolwomensvoice.org.uk

Bristol Women’s Voice event at City Hall Saturday 11 March 2023, 10am – 5pm To find out about community transport, email info@bristolwomensvoice.org.uk

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ere at The Ranch we are celebra�ng the year 2023 and all the girls in the area with our new All Girls Football Club!

Every Tuesday 4-5pm with Coach Lash Next thing - we need a team name! So far we’ve got the op�ons of ‘The Ranch Rascals’ or ‘Ranch All

Stars’. What do you think? Have you got an idea for a team name? Let me know!

Come and join us if you’re over 8 years old and love football!

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Meet Vicky Wall, our Children and Young People’s Social Prescribing Manager at Southmead Development Trust.

She told us all about Link Forward, our Social Prescribing service for young people aged 7-12.

What is Link Forward?

We work with young people who are facing situa�ons that are affec�ng their wellbeing.

That might be difficul�es at school or at home, low mood or anxiety, or struggling with friendships.

We give 1:1 support to these young people for up to six sessions. Together, we think about what could help to improve things. Then we link them with groups and support in their community.

How did it come about?

Social Prescribing is something that has been available to adults for years, but up un�l Link Forward was born in 2021 there was no way of accessing this type of support for children in Bristol. Some GPs in North Bristol approached us. They were seeing lots of young people coming to appointments with worries about their mental health and asked if we could help. The team has grown quickly since then! We are the only service of this kind in Bristol.

Why is a project like this important?

Because looking a�er our mental health is important! It can be tough being a young person. We all go through things in our lives that can take a toll on us. Research has shown that the sooner we receive support, the more we can prevent these situa�ons from reaching crisis point.

We hope that through our 1:1 sessions, and the connec�ons made in their communi�es, children can have some tools early in life for looking a�er their own mental health. This is really important for the children that we support, but it also has a wider impact. We have all read about how stretched GPs and mental health

services are. By providing support early, we can help to avoid the need for higher level mental health support later in life. This will help to relieve pressure on these vital services.

How does it work?

We mainly receive referrals from GPs and schools in North Bristol. Other organisa�ons can refer to us as well.

What makes our 1:1 support really successful are the groups that we run ourselves and in partnership with other organisa�ons. The young people who are referred to us can come to Resilience Lab, Empire Figh�ng Chance’s Boxing Therapy, Forest School, Wellbeing Arts, and a DigiLocal Coding Club.

Who can Link Forward support?

Anybody aged 7 – 12 years old who is experiencing challenges such as poor mental health, difficul�es a�ending school, or social isola�on. They also need to be registered at one of the GP prac�ces that we support – you can see the list above. You can get in touch with your GP to find out more.

What mo�vates you to run a project like this?

I think many of us have had that one moment when you felt heard and valued, or that one person who

To refer a young person to Link Forward, they need to be registered at one of the following GP surgeries…

Gloucester Road Medical Centre Horfield Health Centre Shirehampton Group Prac�ce Bradgate Surgery Ridingleaze Health Hub Avonmouth Medical Centre Westbury-on-Trym Primary Care Centre Sea Mills Surgery Greenway Community Prac�ce Fallodon Way Medical Centre listened and told you that you ma�ered. That feeling can last a life�me. The Link Workers in our team may well be that person for these young people and over the last two years we have seen the effect that this can have. I also believe that Social Prescribing is a revolu�onary approach to health care. For us it means pu�ng the child and what ma�ers to them at the centre of everything we do.

What is your favourite part of Link Forward?

I am immensely proud of my team for always trying their best for the young people we support. They work really hard to find what ma�ers to each individual, encouraging them to build confidence, talk about how they feel, and try new things. Some of my favourite moments have been in our weekly Wellbeing Arts group where we work with clay. It’s really fun seeing what everyone’s imagina�on creates!

You can read more about the magic of clay on the next page.

Everyone has such cool interests and hobbies which I love finding out about! You may have read about Connie’s Isopod Club in the last edi�on of The Mead. On the next page you can read about Charlie’s passion for trains!

Get in touch with Vicky for more info about Link Forward email: vickywall@southmead.org tel: 0117 950 3335

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Dragons are her favourite creature to draw and sculpt. Never unicorns!

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ink Forward’s Wellbeing Arts group harnesses the magic of clay to allow children to be messy and crea�ve. The group provides a safe space run by an experienced facilitator where children can get to grips with big-world feelings whilst making friends, learning a new skill, and having fun.

But what exactly is the magic of clay? I’ve been thinking a lot about why clay has such an impact on each group of children who are introduced to this unique material. Slowly but surely they come out of their shells. I can never quite put my finger on why but I’ve had some thoughts…

Clay is mud, dug from the earth - It is always fun and freeing to get messy and clay provides mess in bucketloads!

Clay is an experience for all of the senses - Sloppy and slimy when wet, crunchy and chalky when it dries.

You can make fantas�c squelching noises on the wheel, or loud echoing bangs when you hit it with a rolling pin. It even smells unique.

Clay nurtures our imagina�ons - From mythical creatures to fantas�c monsters, delicate flowers to bizarre buildings – nothing is off limits.

Clay boosts your self-esteem - You don’t need to be an expert to create something new. The bowl may not be perfectly round or the duck may not look completely like a duck, but you made it!

Clay is adaptable and forgiving - You can crush it up and roll it back into a bowl, or you can fire it and be le� with something permanent that will last for years to come.

Clay can help you to communicate Whether that is by expressing your feelings through the art that you

create, or whether it is just easier to talk about things whilst your hands are busy sculp�ng.

Clay provides community - We can work together to create art, help each other with ideas, cheer each other on, and get lost together in the

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e love celebra�ng the interests which our young people have. They are so knowledgeable about so much stuff! Let me introduce you to an enthusiast I know.

“Hello! My name is Charlie. I am fascinated by trains because I love learning new facts about them and riding on them to new places. I have lots of model trains at home

make-believe world that our crea�ons exist in. Friendships made in the group bring comfort and confidence.

Some of the group have become talented ar�sts - the creator of the clay dragons has con�nued to draw them since the group ended. It’s great to see a young person’s skills and enthusiasm grow! Below you can read about another of our young people who has a keen interest of his own!

and enjoy taking them apart to see how they work.

My favourite train is The Flying Scotsman because it has a really interes�ng history. Did you know that in 1947 it de-railed near the village of Goswick, Northumberland?

The Inter-City 125 is another one of my favourites but unfortunately it was scrapped because everybody thought it was boring!”

By holding your party at The Ranch, you are helping to support vital youth and play sessions in our community

S E I T R A P Y A D H T R I B H C N A R E H T t a 0117 950 3335 info@southmead.org scan QR code

£150

until the end of March 2 023

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erry G. Johnson of Fonthill Road has sadly passed away at 89 a�er a long ba�le with pneumonia. Originally an R.A.F engineer, he became a plumber by trade and went on to own a tropical fish shop on Cold Harbour Rd, where he met his partner of the next 43 years, Louise.

Moving in to Southmead at the tender age of two, Terry was a lifelong resident and a constant presence in his community, forever lending out bike pumps and fixing anything people brought him. He was always happy to offer help where he could and to stop for a coffee and a chat. An avid reader of the Mead, Terry would point out people he knew in many an ar�cle. He o�en recited tales of war �me Bristol, the Southmead Boys Club and his �me in the R.A.F. A skilled story teller, one yarn he was quite fond of retelling is that of an extraordinary school day in his youth.

A seven year old Terry went to go to

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ack in late summer 2022 there were news reports of an energy and cost of living crisis which would dras�cally affect people over the coming winter.

We asked our Neighbours Connect Southmead par�cipants about what might be helpful through the winter months. They said affordable food, a place to socialise and somewhere to keep cosy.

We decided to trial Monday Lunch Club from the beginning of December 2022 un�l March 2023. The lunch club

the outbuilding in what is now Fonthill Primary School and, upon leaving, looked up to see the Polish Air unit flying over headed to the centre to defend against an air-raid. Sirens blaring, noone seemed to have remembered that li�le Terry had gone to the loo!

A loving father, grandfather and greatgrandfather – he is survived

by Louise, his 5 children (Debbie, Terry, Kay, Alicia and Freya), 6 grandchildren and 6 greatgrandchildren, who will all sorely miss hearing his stories.

Family, friends and others whose life Terry touched gathered at Canford Crematorium in Westbury On Trym on February 9th to reminisce, support each other and, as Terry always liked to do, just chat.

Thank you to Terry for being a dedicated reader of The Mead, and to Terry’s family for telling his story in this edi�on.

runs fortnightly. Ini�ally Neighbours Connect Southmead par�cipants were invited and could help plan what ac�vi�es they might like to do. Since then we’ve also had referrals from our inhouse Link Workers and Mentors. Every other Monday we have 7-10 people gather together to enjoy a hearty ‘winter warmer’ bowl with dessert for only £2.50, from the brilliant Café Des Amis here at the Greenway Centre.

A�er lunch we play a game or do an ac�vity which is always a good laugh.

So far we’ve tried

singing, bingo, quizzes and wreath making at Christmas. It’s been a wonderful way to spend �me together. Ideas for ac�vi�es are always welcome!

If anyone has struggled to get here on their own, we have supported them to sign up to The Big Lemon, the new dial-a-ride transport company.

We hope to con�nue the lunch club a�er our trial ends in March.

If you are interested in joining us please contact me email: simonedavis@southmead.org tel: 0117 950 3335 For transport info from The Big Lemon tel: 0117 244 7337

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Wellbeing Coaching at Greenway Gym and Fitness ��: ����� �����

Hello! I’m David, the Wellbeing Coach at Greenway. I work closely with our community based teams like the Social Prescribing Link Workers to offer coaching for people with health condi�ons.

Some�mes people find it hard to know where to start. I’m here to support you with ge�ng the right physical ac�vi�es and a nutri�ous diet so you can get a health boost.

If you’re interested, ask your GP or Link Worker and ask them to refer you to me. Or contact me to find out more. email: davidsully@southmead.org tel: 0117 950 3335

NEXT BS10 PARKS & PLANNING MEETINGS

Monday 13th February Henbury & Brentry Community Hall 6:30 - 7pm Monday 13th March Greenway Centre For info, contact Mike tel: 07875 126 321 David’s Wellbeing Top Tip Keep your heart healthy this winter!

Regular exercise will get your heart rate up and improve your blood pressure whilst also keeping you warm. A win-win!

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.

SUPPORT THE WELLBEING OF PEOPLE AROUND YOU

ly

slimming- frboielnd spag

Contact your local Slimming World Consultant and join a friendly and super-supportive group today!

Southmead Slimming World Greenway Centre, Southmead, BS10 5PY Mondays 9:00 - 10:30am Tuesdays 17:30 - 19:00pm Fridays 9:30 - 11:00am Contact Nicola on 07873 818 193 for more details.

Or just come along to a session that fits your schedule. Sessions available 52 weeks of the year!

slimmingworld.co.uk #YesYouCanWithSlimmingWorld

FREE MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING Monday 20th February 2023 1:30 - 4:30pm Greenway Centre, BS10 5PY Free training from Thrive Bristol to improve our knowledge, skills and confidence to offer people mental health and wellbeing support.

To find out more email: siobhan.buck@cassbristol.org or tel: 07939 933 223

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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

Tuesday 28th February Tuesday 28th March 11am - 1pm St Stephen’s Church 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

NEXT INCLUSION SOUTHMEAD MEETING

Lanercost Centre For next mee�ng, contact Deana tel: 07790 426 609

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

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.

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 3rd March 2023 Southmead Development Trust proudly sponsors The Mead.

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

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

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Struggling with the cost of living?

Our Advice Assistants can help We can provide practical guidance around benefits, money, debt and energy. We can also help you find appropriate support if you need more assistance.

Find us at Greenway Centre Monday and Tuesday - 5pm to 8pm