WALK THIS WAY TO BADOCK’S WOOD Everyone is invited to join a new walking group which meets every week at the Greenway Centre for a stroll around the woods. For full details turn to page 11.
WHAT A DRAMA! MEADOWS TO MEADERS RETURNS Work has begun on part 2 of Meadows to Meaders to be performed on the Greenway Centre stage in March 2019. Everyone is welcome to join in, contact Ruth: 0117 907 0010
Greenway Centre presents
A Travelling Light production kindly sponsored by United Communities Storytelling, song, dance and puppetry in a sparkling show about finding out where you belong, overcoming your differences, and listening to the secret stargazer in each of us. Suitable for ages 5+.
Wednesday 31st October 2018 Doors open: 11.30 am - Performance: 11.45 am Please book tickets online at https://greenwaycentrethreekings.eventbrite.co.uk Venue: Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Southmead, BS10 5PY. tel: 0117 950 3335 email: info@southmead.org Greenhouse CafĂŠ open 8.30 am - 7.30 pm
THE MEAD 3
ACTION FOR SOUTHMEAD’S SHELTERED RESIDENTS With residents at Port Elizabeth House
Shirley and Maxine of Travelling Teapot By Cllr Helen Godwin COUNCILLOR FOR SOUTHMEAD With Cllr Brenda Massey, Deana Perry from Team Southmead, and Tracey Edwards-Brown from Linkage, I have been touring many of Southmead’s sheltered accommodation blocks to meet residents and assess the condition of the buildings. The project was inspired by the work that was done in The Woodnook, behind Glencoyne Square.
Deana fed back that she was concerned that people in other blocks were having similar issues and felt isolated and ignored by the council. And so, armed with packets of biscuits, a notepad and, more often than not, my 4 year old son Leo, we arranged a series of meetings at Millpool Court, Haweswater, Port Elizabeth House, and Kirkstone Gardens. We still have more work to do – please let us know if you would like us to visit you!
When Brenda, Deana, Ian Thornley and I first went to the Woodnook it was in a state of disrepair due to vandalism and anti-social behaviour within the block. By working closely with the wonderful residents and their families, the police, the council and voluntary groups, within a year the Woodnook common area was transformed into a warm, cosy space for residents to meet, spend time together and hold events – it was even visited by Radio Bristol.
These meetings have often been attended by Bristol City Council staff who have been able to expedite repairs, answer questions on common areas and offer support to residents. We have heard about issues with blocked gutters, drains, fly-tipping, damp, inconsiderate workmen, bins, rotten windows, outstanding repairs and much more, and I am pleased to say in most cases we have seen quick progress from the council.
But these coffee mornings are about more than just complaints. As your local councillors and volunteers we want to make sure that all of Southmead has a voice and feels listened too. We understand that not everyone can be online, or able to get into town to see the council and we hope by coming to you we can also tell you about some of what is happening locally by way of groups like Knit and Natter, Men’s Shed, or the Over 50s lunch club. And we can even help you organise a coffee morning at home with our friends from the Travelling Teapot – another amazing idea that came out of The Woodnook. If you would like us to come and see you in your block or sheltered accommodation feel free to phone me, Councillor Helen Godwin on 07774 012 839
THE MEAD 4
WE THE CURIOUS IN SOUTHMEAD By Anthea Mustard SOUTHMEAD MAKE SPACE PROJECT
A successful partnership between the Southmead Development Trust and We The Curious inspired an invitation for Southmead to become part of a special arts project. Last April, Will Hunter from We The Curious rocked up to a Team Southmead meeting to propose codeveloping an exhibit that represents Southmead to be displayed at We The Curious, and also a work of art to be placed in Southmead. It sounded interesting, so we drew together a working group of residents. One Sunday in May we were invited to a swish opening lunch at We The Curious and here we selected ‘A Question’ for potential artists to answer. We began interviewing artists to work with us and chose Charlotte Biszewski. Throughout June and July we held a series of meetings to develop ideas. The We The Curious team and Charlotte also gathered thoughts from residents at the Southmead Festival. We hope as many voices will be incorporated into the art as possible. We have now all met several times to collaborate on ideas for a piece of art to encourage visitors to make the
The Southmead Make Space Project Team at work
‘journey’ out of the City Centre to Southmead, as they did to see the Gromit, and also to discuss how we would like to see Southmead represented in an interactive art piece to be displayed at We The Curious from next February. During the Autumn we will be collecting stories about life in Southmead through individual interviews and drop-in sessions. We want to record all stories with an aim of celebrating the diversity of the area, the good and bad, as well as the changes over the years.
In November we hope to set up a test day when everyone will have an opportunity to try out initial designs for the interactive artwork. The details will be listed on the The Mead’s website or in the next printed edition. If you are interested in taking part or in telling your story email: antheamustard@gmail.com or telephone 07837 977 086.
UPDATE FROM INCLUSION SOUTHMEAD Inclusion Southmead works for the benefit of all in the community, including elderly and disabled members regardless of whether a disability is visible or not. One of our priorities for 2018 is to achieve easy disabled access to McColl’s Arnside. Working alongside Cllr Brenda Massey and others we continue to press for progress. Our other priority for 2018 is to achieve access for all to Doncaster Road Park. We are in discussion with Nick Ferris from the Council as to the best way to achieve this, and supported by the tireless work of our Councillors we have secured funding. Which moves us onto a conversation
more accessible, inclusive and attractive for disabled children and adults in Southmead. So, if you have a yearning to become involved and help develop activities please come to our Inclusion Southmead meetings. Next Meeting is: - Tuesday 9th October, Southmead Community Centre, 11.00 - 12.45. with local residents to understand any concerns, good and bad, which residents may have to fully opening up the park again so that we can all get on and enjoy this special place. We are also investigating how we can make sports facilities in the community
Details are available from Mike Steel on 07867 690422 and at bristoldef@gmail.com
THE MEAD 5
DIARY DATES FOR OCTOBER BS10 Parks & Planning Group Meeting Mon 8th Oct - 18.00 Henbury Comm Centre Tel: 0117 950 3719
Inclusion Southmead Meeting Tues 9th Oct - 11.00 The Meeting Rooms Tel: 07867 690 422
Fri 19th Oct - 10.00 St Stephen’s Church Tel: 0117 950 7164
Fri 26th Oct - 19.00 New Brunswick URC Tel: 0117 950 7776 (proceeds to the Festival)
Tues 30th Oct - 11.00 Southmead Library Tel: 07790 426 609
Weds 31st Oct - 11.30 Greenway Centre Tel: 0117 950 3335
COMING UP IN NOVEMBER
THE MEAD 6 - 7
WHAT’S ON EVERY WEEK BY VENUE - OCTOBER 2018 GREENWAY CENTRE- tel: 0117 950 3335 MON
TUES
WED
THURS
09:15 AM 10.30 AM 14.00 PM 18.00 PM 19.00 PM
STRONG by Zumba Forever Active Staying Steady Circuits Cycle Burn
19.00 PM 09:15 AM 10.30 AM
Badminton Club Piloexercise Creative Writers Group
11.00 AM 14.00 PM
Tai Chi Staying Steady
18.00 PM 18.30 PM 19.00 PM 19.30 PM
Insane X (High Intensity) Zumba Boxercise TNT Gym (Circuit Training)
09.15 AM 10.00 AM
STRONG by Zumba Gentle Walking Group
10.30 AM 11.45 AM
Better Breathing Lunchtime Pilates
15.30 PM 17.00 PM 17.30 PM 18.00 PM
Reach After School Club Music Course for 11-16s Greenway Pool Club Legs, Bums & Tums
19.00 PM 19:00 PM 09.15 AM
Core & Stretch North Bristol Wellbeing Choir Morning Boxercise Imps Toddler Group Forever Active Gardening Group Insane X (high intensity) Skip Box Westbury Art Club Support for Mental Wellbeing TNT Gym (Circuit Training) Cubatone Better Breathing Knit & Natter Tai Chi (Improvers) Staying Steady Pilates Forever Active Circuits Community Church Service ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH - tel: 0117 950 7164
09.45 AM 10.30 AM 13.30 PM 18.00 PM 19.00 PM 19.00 PM 19.00 PM 19.30 PM FRI
09.00 AM 10.00 AM 10.30 AM 11.00 AM 14.00 PM 18.00 PM
SAT SUN MON WED SUN MON TUES WED
TUES FRI
WED
SAT
09.30 AM 11.30 AM 10.30 AM 09.30 AM 19.00 PM 09.30 AM 19.00 PM 10.00 PM 17.00 PM 17.00 PM 18.30 PM
Baby & Toddler Group **CANCELLED on 29th ** Southmead Girls Group **CANCELLED on 29th ** C of E Communion Southmead Men’s Shed **CANCELLED on 31st ** C of E Service SOUTHMEAD YOUTH CENTRE - tel: 0117 377 3605 Open and all welcome Open and all welcome
OPEN:
LPW Friendship (ages 13-24) HENBURY & BRENTRY COMMUNITY CENTRE tel: 0117 950 3573 Coffee, Tea and Cake Drop In Coffee, Tea and Cake Drop In Art Group for Over 55s Soup Club SOUTHMEAD LIBRARY - tel: 0117 903 8583 Tues 11-5 pm | Wed 11-5pm | Fri 1-5pm | Sat 11-5pm
11.15 AM 11.15 AM 14.00 PM 12.00 PM 02:00 PM
Story & Rhyme - Baby Bounce Art Club on the Mezzanine (Adults) Southmead Shares Reading Junior Art Club Saturday Stitch (Adults)
10.30 AM 09:30 AM 10.30 AM 12.00 PM
MON
TUES
WED
THURS
FRI
SAT SUN
09.30 AM 10:30 AM 13.30 PM 05:30 PM 09.30 AM 12.30 AM 14.00 PM 14.00 PM 17.30 PM 19.15 PM 10.30 AM 13.30 PM 14.00 PM 16.15 PM 17.30 PM 18.30 PM 19.30 PM 09.15 AM 10.00 AM 10.30 AM 10.30 PM 13.30 PM 13.30 PM 17.00 PM 17.00 PM 19.15 PM 19.30 PM 10.30 AM 10.30 AM 16.15 PM 10.00 AM 10.00 AM 10.00 AM 14.00 PM 18.00 PM 19.30 PM
SOUTHMEAD COMMUNITY CENTRE - tel: 0117 950 1187 Slimming World 3 Trees Skittles Art & Sensory Slimming World Line Dancing GC Lunch Club (eat at 13.00) Ladies Club SCC Bingo Slimming World SCC Bingo SCC Coffee Morning & Bingo SCC Sensory Session SCC Tai Chi Distraction Dance Bristol Keralites Association Christ Embassy Group SCC Sequence Dance Cubatone Brandon Trust Music Group SCC Knit & Natter Real Economy Southmead Harmony Bingo SCC Sensory Session Bristol Alexander Group Precision Dance SCC Bingo Precision Dance 3 Trees Walking Basketball Silvercare Skittles Distraction Dance Southmead Somali Association Southmead Somali Association Christ Embassy Group Senegambian Cultural Group SCC Bingo Irish Dancing SCART SHOP - tel: 0117 950 6823 Benefits Advice (Appointment Only)
MON
10.00 AM
TUES
10.30 AM 09.30 AM 13.00 PM
THURS FRI
10.30 AM 10.30 AM
MON
11.30 AM 18.00 PM 10.00 AM 18.00 PM 18.00 PM 11.00 AM
Keep Fit for Living (also 09.45 AM at Scout Hut, Tranmere Ave, Brentry) Aadra Kalaa Dance Southmead History Group Girls Brigade - 3rd Bristol Aadra Kalaa Dance United Reformed Service ACTIVITIES AT OTHER VENUES
10.00 PM 10.30 PM 17.00 PM 09.20 AM 09.30 AM 18.15 AM 12.00 PM
Activities for 60+ at Westbury Fields, tel: 0117 377 3700 Coffee Morning at Pentecostal Church, tel: 0117 987 1327 Wicketz - ages 8-11 at Bristol Free School, tel: 07398 211 598
WED THURS SUN M-F MON TUES WED THURS
09.00 AM 10.00 AM 10.30 AM 10.45 AM 11.00 AM 18.30 PM
Bristol Credit Union Job Club Stop Smoking Advisor Bristol Credit Union Bristol Credit Union NEW BRUNSWICK URC - tel: 0117 969 0294
Westbury Walkers - meets in W-o-T, tel: 0117 330 1194 Debt Advice appts - Greenway GP Surgery, tel: 0117 924 1930 BS10 Community Bingo, The Woodnook, tel: 07968 277 787 Chill & Chat, Bethany Baptist Church, tel: 0117 969 5672 SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES Catholic Mass at St Vincent’s Church C of E Service at St Stephen’s Church Community Church at Greenway Centre Bethany Baptist Church New Brunswick United Reformed Church Pentecostal Holiness Church
THE MEAD 8
BIKING IN SOUTHMEAD From Life Cycle UK Southmead residents who experience difficulties with their mental or physical wellbeing are being offered the chance to explore nature on gentle group bike rides, thanks to local charity Life Cycle UK. We all know that getting some gentle exercise in nature has been proven to boost health and wellbeing – and cycling is the perfect way to do this. Thanks to some fantastic local cycle routes it’s far easier to cycle to green spaces from Southmead than you might think. But what if you need a little help getting started? Life Cycle’s ‘Bike Minded’ project organises gentle group cycle rides to help people improve their physical and mental wellbeing. All cycling abilities are welcome (including beginners) – and Life Cycle can provide free cycle training to those whose confidence needs a boost. They can also provide access to affordable bikes, or loan of an electric bike. Life Cycle’s autumn programme features rides that either start at – or stop off at – the Greenway Centre in Southmead. Riders have the chance to visit ‘Feed Bristol’, Blaise Community Gardens and Pilning – amongst others. Bike Minded participant, Sylvie says: “It’s such a friendly and supportive group! I have gone from ‘not cycled in years’, to getting an affordable bike from Life Cycle, to building my confidence and now cycling regularly.” For more information and to book onto a ride, please contact Life Cycle: 0117 353 4580 or email bikeminded@lifecycleuk.org.uk
THE MEAD 9
SOUTHMEAD YOUTH CENTRE NEWS
A NEW FACELIFT
United Communities (above) celebrate their hard work. Thanks to UC and Lloyds Banking (pictured hard at work below)
By James Creed YOUTH TEAM LEADER
We have been very fortunate at the Southmead Development Trust recently as two of our partner organisations dedicated their time to help us get our Youth Centre in prime condition. Firstly, a team from United Communities spent the day with us as part of ‘We Care Day’ to clean and paint our outside area; all the railings, sculptures and benches were given a coat of paint to make the approach to the building a bright and inspiring space. A team from Lloyds Banking Group then came from across the country to spend a day painting and generally giving the inside of the building a much-needed facelift!
BOXING CLUB UPDATE
We are sorry to announce that Southmead Boxing Club will no longer be delivering boxing from the Southmead Youth Centre. We are currently looking at a finding a We are very grateful to both new provider to ensure that boxing organisations for giving their time to continues to run from the Youth us here and would like to say a public Centre. If you have any questions thank you to everyone who spent a please contact James Creed, Youth day with us! Centre Manager, directly –
email: jamescreed@southmead.org telephone: 0117 950 3335.
For our times and events please check www.themead.org.uk Or the What’s On listings on pages 6&7
THE MEAD 10
SOUTHMEAD’S SUPER SUSAN
Susan before, during and after, now feeling like a “different woman” FROM SOUTHMEAD SLIMMING WORLD A super slimmer has been named Southmead’s Slimming World ‘Woman of the Year’ 2018 thanks to her lifechanging 6 stones 8.5 pounds weight loss. Susan Potter, age 56, from Southmead has gone from 14 st 13.5 pounds to 8 st 5 pounds in just 62 weeks. Susan was chosen to represent the Southmead Tuesday Slimming World group in the nationwide Slimming World Woman of the Year 2018 competition which aims to find the UK and Ireland’s most inspiring female slimmer.
fact. With Slimming World it’s completely different”.
Susan lost 4.5lbs in her first week and was blown away that the changes she’d made had such a big impact so quickly. As the weight started to come off, her fitness improved, and Susan now loves walking and being more active with her grandchildren. She says: “I feel like a different woman to the one who walked into Slimming World 15 months ago and winning Woman of the Year is a real honour because there are so many amazing women in our group. I remember feeling like there was no hope More than half of all women in the UK when it came to my weight, but I’ve and Ireland (58%) are overweight and a realised that when people believe in you quarter of women’s weight is so high – and you believe it risks impacting on their health by in yourself – you increasing their chances of developing a can do anything range of conditions including diabetes, you set your mind heart disease and cancer. Slimming to. I really hope my World’s Woman of the Year competition weight loss can recognises the achievements of inspire other thousands of women up and down the people to get country who have made long-term started on their healthy lifestyle changes. own journey and Susan, who has gone from a dress size 24 know that there’s a to a 12, says: “I never could have dreamt whole group of that I’d be in this position when I first people waiting to began my weight loss journey. Losing support them weight has made such a big difference to every step of the me. My health is better, I have more way – especially at energy, I’m happier and I feel more the Southmead comfortable in my own skin.” Susan Tuesday group. My joined Slimming World in June 2017 after goal now is to stay becoming increasingly unhappy with her on my target and size: “I started to put on weight in my stay there for life, late teens and it piled on after having my which I know I can children. I tried lots of different ways to do.” lose weight, but they usually left me Susan went feeling hungry or miserable – or both, in forward to the
regional finals of the competition, putting her in the running for the national title. The national Slimming World Woman of the Year 2018 will be announced in November and the winner will take home a £3,000 (or Euro equivalent) cash prize or a five-day holiday in Mexico. Nicola Bennett who runs the Southmead Tuesday group, says: “I’m so proud of Susan, She’s a fantastic ambassador for Slimming World and what she’s achieved is nothing short of incredible. She’s a huge inspiration to everyone in our group and I hope she inspires other women – and men – in Southmead to change their lives in the same way.”
THE MEAD 11 We learned how Team Southmead has been successful in helping raise and address issues for residents of The Woodnook and Port Elizabeth, so let’s Safety). We learnt about “the cycle of build on this confidence and continue to harm” which ensures that if the make a significant difference in our underlying causal factors of self-harm are community. not addressed through specialist help We are already developing a support then the cycle of harming is likely to persist through subsequent generations. network to help address domestic violence issues. A spin off of this work is The question we as a community need to our determination and commitment to address is how are we going to deal with ensure that we equip every primary eradicating violence in our community so school child in Southmead with their own that we are free to embrace the future mentor, starting with training and as fully as possible. Going forward, as development for voluntary mentors. Team Southmead develops, it is clear that we have a responsibility to find ways If you wish to know more about these to address the issue of domestic violence strands of activity please contact us and get involved. We owe it to ourselves and with a multi-faceted approach so that the next generation of Meaders! the whole of the community feels able
SOUTHMEAD FORUM By Anthea Mustard CHAIR, TEAM SOUTHMEAD
Despite the inclement wet and windy weather Team Southmead held its Autumn forum on 20th September. We welcomed Dr Mike Peirce MBA, who is CEO of the Southmead Project, to speak on the bracing but critical issue of domestic violence and to explain how it has implications for people as they grow up and live within families and progress through their lives. Frequently the experience can lead to drugs, alcohol misuse and other forms of self-harming in later life. Domestic violence is covered within the Southmead Community Plan (Chapter 4 Families, and Chapter 9 - Crime and
and supported to act.
Contact: antheamustard@gmail.com or 07837 977 086
What’s Up Doc?
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE By Dr Nick Halsey GREENWAY COMMUNITY PRACTICE Some of you may have noticed the ‘hot potato’ topic of whether coffee is good for you has come around again in the media. Not long ago the leading medical journal BMJ had an article stating drinking three cups of coffee a day is associated with health benefits across a range of diseases including coronary heart disease and stroke. I personally love a good cup of coffee, but like so many things, really getting to grips with the evidence isn’t a piece of cake. Coffee still has pros and cons. We know it tastes great, but is also can cause indigestion, urinary issues, palpitations, puts your blood pressure up and makes your breath smell. Remember that the study looked at just coffee – adding syrups, sugar and a slice of cake will add thousands of hidden calories . . . not great for the waistline or your diabetes!
THE MEAD 12
The Mead messages Got a great idea for an item? Here’s how to get it printed in The Mead Step 1: type it up Step 2: add it to our website www.themead.org.uk (with a photo).
● ● ● We rely on donations, however small, and advertising to pay for our printing costs. We are run by Volunteers. Please help us to keep printing The Mead by donating or volunteering to help out. We need help with distribution, advertising, our website, and IT - everyone welcome. via the website: www.themead.org.uk telephone: post: The Mead Group c/o Greenway Centre Doncaster Road Southmead BS10 5PY Next printed issue: November Please add your items to the website by:
Friday 19thOctober www.themead.org.uk
If you don’t have a computer there are plenty of neighbours in the community who can help you out. If you need help to find a friend with a computer please contact us. We need you to add your item to the website as we are run by volunteers and we are not able to type up your hand-written items and still be on time each month. If you put them on the website they are ready and waiting for us to select and print in the next available issue. With thanks