thornburyvoice
THESE dancers from Sharon Phillips School of Dancing were among 195 who helped raise more than £3,500 for charity with a "magical" show.
Full story: Page 11
School will double in size
A THORNBURY primary school will double in size after "years of failure" to meet rising demand for places.
Manorbrook Primary School in Park Road will expand from 210 to 420 places over the next two years, with two classes in each year group, to meet a surge
in demand for places following years of housing development around the town.
Work to provide extra capacity will be carried out in two phases and involve building a new, bigger nursery and four new classrooms.
South Gloucestershire
Please contact Rowena Moncrieffe for further details…
Council's ruling cabinet has approved the expansion, with leader and Thornbury councillor Maggie Tyrrell saying the town had been left in a "terrible situation where the houses have been built but no school places were provided".
Turn to page 3
Dad's 100k march
THE father of a young Thornbury man who died in a lorry crash is teaming up with his two brothers for a huge fundraising challengewalking 100km in just two days.
PAGE 5
School values praised
AN inspector has praised a village primary school's high expectations, caring staff and values "rooted in love".
PAGE 7
Farm festival banned
COUNCILLORS have pulled the plug on a three-day dance music festival on a farm near Thornbury, after residents said it was "a form of torture".
PAGE 4
VE Day memories
AS communities prepare to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a veteran who was in Germany in May 1945 has shared his memories.
PAGES 8&9
Farm festival is banned
COUNCILLORS have pulled the plug on a three-day dance music festival on a farm near Thornbury, following objections from residents, police and environmental health.
South Gloucestershire Council's licensing subcommittee refused the application for Goa Cream Festival to go ahead at Yewtree Farm in Old Gloucester Road, just north of the town.
Neighbours who objected to the licence described heavy bass from music at a previous event as “almost inhumane and a form of torture”.
Organisers had hoped to hold the event for the third year running over the weekend of September 12-14.
But councillors agreed with Avon & Somerset Police and the council’s environmental health team that locals’ lives would be made a misery and issued a counter-notice banning it from happening.
Environmental health officer Florence Fisher told the hearing that last year’s festival sparked 11 complaints from locals, with one person saying it gave them a headache all weekend and others stating that the music made their houses and windows shake.
She said: “The main thing is the nature of the music, which is really heavy bass. It goes on for hours and hours, and is something people can’t escape from."
Ms Fisher said the council imposed some conditions for last year's event but when officers asked afterwards for evidence of noise monitoring,
they were given only “numbers scribbled on pieces of paper” and insufficient screenshots of equipment readings.
Police licensing officer Wes Hussey read out a complaint from a neighbour after last year's event, which said the extremely loud noise had a “profound effect” on him and his family.
Mr Hussey said it was unfair and unreasonable for residents to have to endure disruption for the whole weekend, with music and alcohol sales proposed until 1am on Friday and Saturday and 10pm on Sunday.
He said told the meeting in April: "We’re not the fun police, we’re not trying to stop people having fun, enjoying themselves and making a living but we also have to see the other side where we had that quite compelling letter from that member of the public."
Goa Cream organiser Piers Ciappara told councillors the small festival was raising money for Bristol Suicide Prevention and Sharpness lifeboat station and attracted a mature audience with an average age over 40, with many bringing their children.
Mr Ciappara said they did their own noise monitoring in 2024 but had now contracted a professional sound acoustic engineer.
Announcing the decision, panel chairman Alex Doyle (Labour, Filton) said the site was "not suitable".
The organisers can appeal to magistrates.
Man jailed for rape
A FALFIELD man man who repeatedly punched then raped a woman has been jailed for tenand-a-half years.
Avon & Somerset police said Inderjit Singh Bains, aged 46, of Heneage Lane, had picked up the sex worker in his van from a street in St Werburghs, Bristol, in January 2002.
He and the woman, who cannot be named, agreed a fee and a place to go but instead Bains drove up the M32 before turning off and stopping in a secluded area near Frenchay.
Police said Bains then punched her repeatedly to the face and body, causing her to lose and swallow a tooth.
He then raped her, without using a condom, before telling her to get dressed and driving her back into the city.
The victim reported the incident at the time to the One25 Project, a charity which supports street sex workers, to warn other women, but did not feel able to
Inderjit Singh Bains
report it to the police until 2022. She could still remember the number plate of her attacker's van.
A jury unanimously found Bains guilty of rape and assault causing actual bodily harm following a trial at Bristol Crown Court in March.
In a written statement the victim, who is now in her 50s, said: "The flashbacks, panic attacks and nightmares I have continue to this day. I truly thought I was going to die that night - that kind of trauma is not easily fixed."
Investigating officer PC Chris Quick, of Operation Bluestone, said: “Bains carried out a cruel, callous and violent attack on a vulnerable victim, leaving her with horrible injuries and a lifetime of trauma.
“Her decision to come forward and report this offence is a testament to her enduring strength and courage."
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
School is 'rooted in love'
AN inspector has praised a village primary school's high expectations, caring staff and values "rooted in love".
Ofsted visited Olveston Church of England Primary School in February.
The regulator no longer gives one-word overall ratings for routine inspections but said the school is maintaining the standards identified during the last visit in 2019, when it was rated 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for its early years provision.
Inspector Tonwen Empson said: "This is a happy school. Pupils enjoy their learning and attend well.
"The school carefully considers how to develop pupils’ character.
"Pupils benefit from the school’s high expectations for achievement and behaviour. They thrive on the consistent routines and the kind, caring attitudes of staff.
"Strong, shared values, summarised as being ‘rooted in love’, pervade every aspect of the school.
"There is a deliberate intent to ensure that pupils leave the school knowing that they can contribute to make the world a better place."
The inspector said pupils learn the curriculum well from Reception onwards, with clear "steps to success" that help them understand what they are learning.
Extra help for pupils who need it, including specialised support for those with special educational needs or disabilities, is highlighted in the report.
The inspector said that since the last inspection at the school in Elberton Road, which has 201
pupils aged from four to 11 on its roll, the curriculum has been further enhanced.
She said: "‘Golden threads’, such as justice and diversity, ripple through different subjects."
To improve further, Ofsted recommended that the school ensure key curriculum concepts are "explicitly introduced" to help pupils deepen their understanding, and ensure its strategies to support children needing help to catch up are checked carefully to ensure they are effective.
Head teacher Lee Dunn said: "We are pleased that the Ofsted report recognises our commitment to fostering a community where 'rooted in love' is more than just a motto—it’s the foundation of everything we do.
"This report affirms that our school offer has significant impact in developing the whole child.
"The inspector definitely saw this during her inspection visit.
"I think it is difficult for any inspector to capture the essence of a school in less than 800 words.
"So, as pleased as we are with the report, we take greater pride in the responses from our families.
"With 96 responses to the Ofsted Parent View, our community clearly wanted to share their positive views with the inspectorate.
"With 100% of parents and carers stating that their children are happy and feel safe in school, and that they would recommend the school to another parent.
"I think the Parent View responses are a demonstration of what our school provides for our children and families - a happy and thriving school."
Head teacher Lee Dunn with Olveston pupils
n VE DAY
VE Day remembered - by a soldier who was there
AS communities across the country prepare to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the Voice met one of the last surviving South Gloucestershire Second World War veterans who fought in Germany in May 1945.
ASK Leonard Trewin where he was on VE Day - May 8, 1945and he can give you the answer in a flash.
"I remember it all well," he says. "We were at Wismar on the Baltic, trying to keep the Russians out!"
Len is 100 now. His hearing isn't what it used to be, he isn't very mobile and dementia has affected parts of his memory.
But there are still some events that are etched in his mind, from seeing action for the first time during the Battle of Normandy in 1944 to meeting his German wife-to-be at a labour camp liberated by his battalion.
Len also carries a permanent reminder of the war, in the form of a piece of shrapnel lodged above his left eye, which has remained there for the last 80 years.
Born in Cornwall and brought up in Devon, Len volunteered for the Home Guard in 1940.
He was called up in 1943, aged 19, and trained with the 13th Warwickshire Regiment and the Devonshire Regiment before volunteering for parachute training.
Len first saw action in August 1944, when he joined the Battle of Normandy in Herouvillette as part of the 8th (Midlands) Parachute Battalion, 3rd Parachute Brigade, 6th Airborne Division.
He said: "We were reinforcements. We saw action straight away.
"That was three days before the break-out. We finished up by Le Havre."
Len's battalion returned to England in September but he and his comrades were called into action again in December, when they crossed the Channel on Christmas Day to take part in the Battle of the Bulge.
They helped to counter the German offensive in the Ardennes that had been
launched to try and turn back the Allied advance.
"We went to get the Americans out of trouble," Len says.
Joining the battle at Anhee on the River Meuse in Belgium, they advanced to Houyet and then Rochefort, as the Germans were finally pushed out of Belgium.
In January 1945 Len's division moved into Holland, where his mortar section fired on German positions across the river Maas, before returning to England for training to take part in the Rhineland offensive.
On March 24 he was one of 16,000 paratroopers dropped onto German territory on the Eastern bank of the Rhine as part of Operation Varsity, the biggest and most successful airborne operation ever carried out on a single day at one location.
Len's battalion was the first to land, near the village of Hamminkeln, with the aim of clearing the drop zone for the other troops.
He jumped with three mortar shells strapped to his legs.
A list of the 16 paratroopers in the Dakota aircraft with Len shows that one - a sergeantrefused to jump.
One was killed on the day of the drop and another was listed as missing, while two others
were wounded, three weeks into the campaign.
Len himself was injured three days after the drop by a piece of shrapnel, which narrowly missed his eye.
He said: "We were going along the road and they were firing 20mm anti-aircraft guns at us."
One of the rounds exploded and shrapnel pierced Len's skin just below his eyebrow.
He was taken to a field hospital, where medics decided not to try and remove it and, after a night in the hospital, Len returned to his unit.
After the war he was asked if he wanted the shrapnel removed but he told doctors to leave it there.
Len said: "It's not done me any harm - it's been here long enough!"
Through the final weeks of the war, Len's battalion fought through Osnabruck, Minden and Lubeck before reaching Wismar on the Baltic with the 11th Armoured Division, as the Allies raced to occupy German territory before the Nazi surrender.
It was while in Germany that Len met his wife Gerda, an inmate at a labour camp on Luneberg Heath, near Hamburg, that his battalion liberated.
Gerda had grown up in
Braunschweig, or Brunswick, a city near Hanover.
Len said: "She was in a labour camp because she had refused to do war work in a munitions factory - there were lots of them that had refused."
After VE Day Len expected to be deployed to the Far East but Japan's surrender in August meant that he was instead sent to Palestine, then governed by Britain under a pre-war League of Nations mandate.
Len left the 8th Battalion in 1947 and was discharged from the Army that October, but rejoined the following month, serving in the Devonshire regiment and Parachute Regiment in Germany, Cyprus and Egypt until 1953.
Len and Gerda married after the war and raised a family of three sons at Lyndhurst and Fawley in Hampshire, where Len worked at the Esso oil refinery. They moved to Yate in 2000 to be closer to son Mike and his wife Michelle, with whom Len now lives.
Gerda died in 2010.
In recent years, Len has received new honours for his wartime service.
He was made a knight of the French Legion D'Honneur in 2018, receiving his medal in June 2019 at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
He was invited to Ahnee in the Ardennes in 2023, when he was made an honorary citizen of the commune.
Having previously stopped attending commemoration events on the continent due to his age, Len went back after Mike offered to accompany him, and it was only then that he started talking to his son about his wartime service.
Closer to home, Yate retirement development Trewin Lodge was named in his honour in 2019.
He has recently been photographed in a replica Para uniform for the Standing With Giants project, which has produced banners to commemorate VE Day that will be displayed in public spaces across the country.
Len is the last surviving member of the 8th Battalion who took part in the Normandy and
Len Trewin with his medals
Ardennes campaign, and one of only two still alive from Operation Varsity.
He has been invited to one of the national VE Day celebrations in London on May 8 but because of the difficulties of attending an evening event in the capital, he and his family will instead have a party with neighbours outside their home in Yate, after Len attends an event with local school children at Poole Court in the morning.
People are being encouraged to attend events across the country and take time to remember those
Len gathers his parachute after a drop
like Len who fought for freedom, as well as those who never made it back home.
Len himself says marking the anniversary is a matter of personal choice.
He said: "It's up to peopleyou can't make people do what they don't want to do."
It's a free country - that, after all, was the point of going to war against the Nazis.
Len said: "It's not for us to judge if it was worthwhile, but there would've been trouble if we didn't do it - you couldn't let Hitler have his way."
A NUMBER of events have been organised across South Gloucestershire to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Those confirmed as the Voice went to print include:
VE Day Commemoration at Almondsbury Tump on May 5 from 8.30pm, with beacon lighting at 8.45pm.
Beacon lighting at Siston Hill, organised by Siston Parish Council from 6.30pm on May 8.
Fish and chips picnic from 6.30pm, followed by live music, service and ending with beacon lighting at 9.30pm. Attendees are encouraged to wear wartime outfits and bring flags to wave.
Beacon lighting at Tyler’s Field, Yate from 6pm on May 8, including musical performances and a short service before the beacon is lit at 9.30pm.
Dodington Parish Council VE Day 80 Commemoration at QEII
Memorial Garden, QEII Playing Fields, Rodford Way, Yate. May 8 from 9pm, with peace lamp lit at 9.30pm.
Frampton Cotterell Parish Council VE Day 80 event, Centenary Field, Frampton Cotterell, May 8, 8pm-9.30pm.
Thornbury VE Day family funday in aid of the Royal British Legion on Thornbury High Street, May 10, 9.45am to 10pm. Starts with a military march at 9.50am and ends with lighting a beacon of peace, designed by a local artist, at 9.30pm. Music, military vehicles display, stalls and entertainment throughout the day.
The government has announced that all pubs will be allowed to open until 1am on the night of VE Day.
Details of VE Day events happening nationwide can be found online at ve-vjday80.gov.uk
• Re-Felting & Battening
• Complete Roof Re-Fits
• Re-Pointing of Ridges, Chimneys & Walls
• Exterior Painting
• Lead & Valleys Renewed or Repaired
• New Soffits, Fascias, Guttering & Cladding
• EPDM Rubber Roofs - inc Flat Roof Repairs
World record clean-up
PUPILS from a school near Thornbury helped set a Guinness World Record as part of a mass clean-up.
The six Tockington Manor School pupils were among 1,327 people who helped pick up litter as part of the Taff Tidy in late March, setting a record for the most people actively tidying up a river at once.
Head of geography and ecocoordinator Jack Harvey said: "Tockington Manor pupils took part in Cardiff Bay. They picked up an enormous amount of man-made litter along the river’s edge, and we are so proud that they were able to be part of this record-breaking attempt."
The six 'eco warriors' are part of the school’s new Eco Schools Programme and the event was part of their participation in the Big School Clean campaign, which ran until April 6.
Tockington Manor School 'eco warriors' at the Taff Tidy
The school hopes to extend its litter-busting efforts into Tockington and also plans a wildflower meadow on the grounds, a reduction in plastic use and limiting food and energy waste.
Mr Harvey added: "The children have already done an audit around the school, looking for lights left on in empty classrooms and have been quick to act, bringing in a new traffic light system."
Tip bookings 'cut queues'
SOUTH Gloucestershire Council says its new system of booking to visit Sort It recycling centres has cut queues and spread visits more evenly.
The council introduced the online advance booking system in March at all of its tips, including Thornbury, to meet a law introduced last year requiring councils to regulate the disposal of household DIY waste.
A spokesperson said council is "actively monitoring" the system and feedback from residents, although it was not possible to compare it with the old system, which had not accurately recorded visits.
During the opening "transition period", extra council staff and a security guard helped centre staff to check drivers had bookings and help people book them, but there has been no overall permanent increase in staffing levels to support the system.
The spokesperson said: "Our review shows that most residents are able to book their preferred time on the same day, although weekends tend to be busier, with available slots filling earlier in the day.
“Following this initial bedding-in period, feedback from staff and residents suggests that the system has helped to reduce queuing and spread visits more evenly across the week, easing pressure during traditional peak times.
“Most site users have adapted well to the new system.
"While there have been some incidents involving aggressive behaviour, there have been no serious threats or acts of violence reported. Verbal and physical abuse of our staff and other site users is not tolerated."
The council says there has been "no overall increase in fly-tipping since the booking system was introduced".
JTP in regional theatre final
Alex Nixon, Tony Domaille, Lynne Cartlidge, Sarah Wiggins, Sarah Cully Morgan, Chris Holland, Peter Minshall and Phil Domaille
THORNBURY'S JTP Theatre will represent Avon in the All England Theatre Festivals regional final Regional Final in May.
The group won the Avon Short Play Festival Competition with their original drama, I Know a Place. In group member Tony Domaille’s play, a woman goes missing and the police arrest
her ex-boyfriend, who refuses to speak to anyone other than a forensic psychiatrist who finds himself in a race against time to save a life.
The play won Best Original Script and Best Director (Tony Domaille), Best Actor (Alex Nixon), Best Technical (Peter Minshall) and Best Play in Festival at the Avon competition in March. There were also acting award nominations for Phil Domaille and Sarah Wiggins and for costume.
The regional final takes place at the Merlin Theatre, Frome on May 17, with a place in June's All England Final up for grabs.
It is the third time the group have won the Avon Festival Competition, having taken the award in 2020 and 2022.
JTP Theatre only produce original theatre, most of which is written by Tony Domaille, and since 2020 has won 25 festival awards for writing, directing, acting and production.
For more information about the group visit www.jtptheatre. com.
Octopus Drama Group
OCTOPUS Drama Group’s next production is comedy play The Village Hall.
Written by Ashley Burgoyne and directed by Sue Smith, it will be performed in Christ the King Church Hall in Castle Street, Thornbury from June 11-14, at 7.30pm each evening.
Four new members are joining us on stage in this play and everyone is having a lot of fun in rehearsals!
The play concerns a parish committee chairman who is determined to win back the coveted ‘Village Games’ crown from the local rivals after losing it for the first time in a decade.
Meanwhile an amateur theatre producer is determined to get her play produced, so there’s a constant hive of activity - but also a dark undercurrent, as something unpleasant attempts to disrupt the daily events.
Tickets, costing £8 are on sale from May 3 at Rosie & Rex gift shop on Thornbury High Street (open Saturday and weekdays
except Wednesdays and bank holidays).
The venue has a bar and plenty of parking nearby.
For more information visit www.octopus-thornbury.co.uk
St Mary's Music
ST MARY'S Music are delighted to welcome Minpins Children's Choir to their third Sunday Afternoon Concert on May 18, at 4pm at St Mary's Church, Thornbury.
The choir, directed by Zoe Hynes, was formed by Stroud Choral Society ten years ago. It was created with the support of the Roald Dahl Literary Estate and particularly by Felicity Dahl, the author's widow.
The name of the choir comes from Roald Dahl's final book, in which the Minpins are a "city of little people".
Members of the choir are aged between eight and 13, and make many public performances.
We look forward to welcoming them and look forward to your support.
If you’re looking for help with any of the services here, we’re the people to talk to.
+ Buying and Selling
+ Commercial Property
+ Corporate + Commercial
+ Court of Protection
+ Dispute Resolution
+ Divorce + Separation
+ Domestic Abuse
+ Employment
+ Family and Child Law
+ Inheritance Disputes
+ Medical Negligence
+ Personal Injury
+ Powers of Attorney
+ Wills, Trusts and Probate
As usual, admission is free and there will be a retiring collection for the St. Mary's music Fund.
Angela Hughes
Rockhampton Festival
ROCKHAMPTON Folk and World Music Festival takes place on June 14 from 2pm.
Get ready for a day of fab music and lively dancing, in a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere – all topped off with delicious local food and drink.
This year’s line up is packed with musical gems from across the world, from the smooth swing of The Schmoozenbergs, to Kitty Stewart & Rohan Black, Yara, and Karen Pfeiffer & Paul Walker.
We've added in the rhythms of Hungarian and African dance, and will wrap it all up with a high energy Bavarian-style oompah band to end the evening.
There’s something for everyone – kids’ activities, and free music workshops for all ages.
More information and early bird tickets are available from
rockhamptonfolkfest.org.uk. Chris White-Horne
Opera on the Green
ARMSTRONG Arts Group presents opera on the green at Rockhampton, the day after the village folk festival.
Opera in a Box returns with a fresh take on Mozart’s enchanting masterpiece The Magic Flute, making opera accessible, engaging and unforgettable for all.
This is an opportunity for the family to experience opera in an entirely new way, making it both intimate and thrilling.
Featuring talented young singers and artists from across the disciplines, the production takes place on Sunday June 15 at 2.30pm on Rockhampton Village Green.
Tickets cost £20 for adults, and £10 for under-18s £10, with under-10s free and refreshments available to buy.
Bring chairs and somewhere to put a drink!
For more details email AAGThornbury@gmail.com or call 01454 850933. Jane Parfitt
Eisteddfod win for Castle
THE Castle School Singers demonstrated "exceptional vocal talent" in winning a trophy at the Thornbury Eisteddfod.
The choir impressed the adjudicators with their performances of two folk songs, The Water of Tyne and Clear the Line, to win the Choral trophy at the event in March.
The Castle School Singers (pictured below) are one of four choirs at Castle School.
School head of music and choir leader Becky Elderton said: "Their performance was a testament to the hard work and commitment of every member.
"The blend of voices was impeccable, and the overall sound was incredibly polished. It was truly a highly skilled performance."
The choir embark on a tour to Germany in July, alongside the Castle School Concert Band, performing across the Rhineland.
n WHAT'S ON
May 1-5
n SEVERN VALE ART TRAIL. Diverse range of arts and crafts on show across bank holiday weekend in venues from Berkeley to Frampton Cotterell and Slimbridge to Wickwar. Artist and venue details at www. severnvalearttrail.org.
May 3
n JIGSAW THORNBURY DOG SHOW, St Mary Centre, Thornbury, 10am-4pm. £2 per class entry - families without dogs welcome to come and watch the show.
May 3
n FAIRTRADE GROWER VISIT AND TALK, United Reformed Church, Chapel Street, Thornbury, 10.45am, with Rosibel Gonzalez Ruiz, of Odorico De Andrea coffee co-operative, Nicaragua. Tea, coffee and Fairtrade stall. More information from Mark on 07564 874221.
May 5
n ALVESTON GARDENS ASSOCIATION meets at the Jubilee Hall, Alveston, 7.30pm. Talk: Lillies of Greece, with Duncan Coombs.
May 6
n WALKING WELL gentle walk for around 90 minutes. Meet outside the MS charity shop in St Mary Centre at 10am. Also on May 20, same time and place. With Thornbury Wayfinders.
May 9
n THORNBURY STAMP CLUB AGM & AUCTION in the Buckingham rooms at the Chantry, Castle Street, Thornbury, 7.15pm.
May 10
n THORNBURY WAYFINDERS 5km walk on part of the Biodiversity Ring with Sustainable Thornbury. Meet outside The Swan in the High Street, 10.30am. Also on May 31 form the Anchor pub, Gloucester Road, 10am.
May 10
n THORNBURY CHORAL SOCIETY spring concert at St Mary's Church Thornbury, 7.30pm. Tickets are £18 advance, £20 on the door - £5 for under-18s. Email tickets@thornburychoralsociety.org.uk or call 01453 811723 to book, or buy from Horders Stationers.
May 10
n VE DAY 80TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, Thornbury High Street, 9.45am-10pm.Military march at 9.50am, beacon lighting 9.30pm. Live music, military vehicles, stalls and entertainment throughout the day.
May 13
n EASTWOOD GARDENERS CLUB, Turnberries, Thornbury, doors open 7pm. Talk: 'True Green - How to Create a Green Lawn,' with Mike Simmons. Visitors welcome.
May 15
n ARTS APPRECIATION GROUP at The Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue, Winterbourne, 2pm. Talk: My love of
pottery, by Roslyn Mayne-Caudwell. More details from Sally on 07946 508316.
May 17
n THORNBURY BAPTIST CHURCH
Spring Plant & Craft Fair, Gillingstool, Thornbury, 10.30am-2.30pm. Gifts, plants, refreshments, cakes, light lunches. To book a table to promote a craft contact greenspade25@gmail. com or call 0744 354 4658.
May 16
n THORNBURY PICTURE HOUSE presents Honeyland at Thornbury Methodist Church Upper Hall, doors 7pm. Members free, guests £5. For more information about film and membership visit www.thornburypicturehouse.org.
May 18
n ST MARY'S MUSIC SUNDAY AFTERNOON CONCERT, 4pm, St Mary's Church, Thornbury. With Minpins Children's Choir of singers aged 8-13 years. Admission free, retiring collection for St Mary's Music Fund.
May 23
n ARMSTRONG ARTS GROUP PRESENTS Last Dance Saloon by Multi Story Theatre Company, St Mary’s Hall, Eastbury Road, Thornbury. Tickets £15. More information from AAGThornbury@gmail.com or 01454 850933.
May 27
n CLUB NIGHT AT THORNBURY
ART CLUB, St Mary's Church Hall, 7.15pm. Highland landscapes in watercolour with tutor Paul Weaver. Demonstration of techniques and tricks, Q&A. Members free, non-members £6 on the door, cash or card. Free parking on-site. More details at www. thornburyartclub.co.uk.
May 28
n ALVESTON LOCAL HISTORY
SOCIETY, Alveston Methodist Church. 7.30pm. Talk: Legends of Glastonbury and medieval buildings, by Stephen McNulty. Visitors are welcome -£5 at the door. Refreshments served in the interval.
REGULAR EVENTS
Monday
n SEVERN VALE FLOWER CLUB meets on the second Monday in the month at 2pm in St Mary's Hall in Eastbury Close, Thornbury, for classes, demonstrations and competitions. For more information contact Sally on ssjjtaylor@hotmail. co.uk or Hazel on 01454 885213.
Tuesday
n CITIZENS ADVICE South Gloucestershire sessions at Thornbury Town Hall Tuesday 10amnoon. No appointment needed. n JUST SEW IT SEWING CLUB, every Tuesday 6.30-9.30pm at the Chantry Community and Arts Centre Castle Street, Thornbury. Come
along and sew with others bring your sewing machine & materials/ pattern. Call Carrie 07753 236095.
n THORNBURY MEMORY CAFE is open on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (except August) from 10.15-11.45am. Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Thornbury. More information from Sue Rowley on 01454 412941 or Louise Wright on 07800 776998.
n THORNBURY ART CLUB
Painting Studio Group meets at St Mary’s Church Hall, Eastbury Road, every Tuesday 1.30-4.30pm. Also Thursday Painting Studio Group at same time and place on Thursdays. Call 01454 414433 or 0777 627 1010 for more details.
n SUNBEAMS TODDLER GROUP, 1.30-3pm every Tuesday in term time, Thornbury Methodist Church Hall (off Castle Court). All families welcome, no need to book, £2 per family includes snack and drink.
n THORNBURY TOWN BAND Friendly community brass band, rehearsals at Thornbury URC Tuesday evening's 7.30pm-9.30pm. New players very welcome. www.thornburytownband.com. email: info@ thornburytownband.co.uk. Turn up or call Anna for more information on 07960008843
Wednesday
n THORNBURY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, Coffee and Chat, second Wednesday of the month, The
n LIBRARY NEWS
Swan, Thornbury High Street, 1011.30am. All welcome
n MEDITATION FOR ALL in the Lancaster Room, The Chantry, Castle Street, Thornbury, 7-8pm. Tea and chat afterwards, all welcome. More details from Dave on 07952 875526 or www.meditationinbristol.org
Thursday
n THORNBURY GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR, Thornbury URC, Chapel Street, 1-3pm. For info visit www.goodafternoonchoir.org, email gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk or call 01761 472468.
Friday
n HAVEN MEMORY CAFE, Thornbury United Reformed Church, Chapel Street, first and third Fridays of the month from 10.15-11.45am. More details from Stuart Hill on 07913 241437 or Sue Walton 07794 370903.
Saturday
n THORNBURY PARKRUN, 9am, Mundy Playing Fields. Free. n THORNBURY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION VETERANS Breakfast, second Saturday of the month, 9am at The Swan, Thornbury High Street. All welcome.
Sunday
n THORNBURY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION branch meeting, last Sunday of the month at the Wheatsheaf pub, Chapel Street, 12.30pm. All welcome.
THORNBURY Library is holding a free drop-in craft activity for children during the school half-term holidays.
Pesky Pirates takes place on Wednesday May 28, from 10.30amnoon.
Lego club meets every Saturday from 9.30-10.30am – no booking required. Create a Lego masterpiece and display it in the library for family and friends to see.
Rhymetime takes place every Monday and Friday, from 9.30-10amlibrary opens early for this event, for families only.
Book group Have You Read…? meets on May 2 from 2pm-3pm: a book group for everyone with no set novel to read, just an hour of chat and refreshments.
A computer volunteer is ready to help with IT and online questions on Thursday mornings, with one-to-one sessions available from 10am.
People can use the computers or WiFi with your own iPad or phone, read a book, a newspaper, browse the shelves, enjoy a communal puzzle or just relax.
The library is staffed from 10am-5pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 9.30am-12.30pm on Saturday.
Open access, for registered users, is from 8am-7.30pm.
Hot drinks are available from 10.30am-4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
For bookings and home library service call 01454 868006, email thornbury.library@southglos.gov.uk or visit the website www.southglos. gov.uk/libraries.
Olveston Parish Council
on permanent display at the school and Olveston Parish Hall, respectively.
MP Claire Young with South Gloucestershire Council chair
Franklin
Owusu-Antwi, Melinda Evans of Olveston's Making Space for Wildlife Group and parish council chair
John Hughes
It is hoped the event and the Local Climate and Nature Action Plan will motivate residents, businesses and organisations in Olveston parish to do what they can to restore nature and tackle climate change in the local community.
Olveston’s Local Climate and Nature Action Plan can be found on the Council’s website at tinyurl. com/yraere6c.
Melinda Evans, Making Space for Wildlife Group
and wildlife topics. Alan Stealey, also from the town council, shared tips on garden ecology, including soil health and wildflowers.
Other speakers talked about local bat species, hedgehog conservation, owls and other birds of prey.
Bristol-based The Window Hub progresses on green goals
all old frames so they don’t end up in landfill.
Parish Council hosted a special event to launch its new Local Climate and Nature Action Plan.
The window installation company was launched during lockdown in 2020 by seasoned industry professional Danny, who wanted to create a business that was “built on quality rather than greed”.
Held at the Parish Hall in Tockington, the event at the end of March began with a presentation from Nicholas Gates, a producer and director of the BBC’s Wild Isles documentary series.
In fact, a new showroom is scheduled to open this month.
Sally Pattison from South Gloucestershire Council, making the case for Community Nature Reserves, and Sue Farr and Mike Wright from St Mary’s Church, sharing their impressive achievements in reducing the carbon footprint of the church.
Thornbury Town Council
Then it was over to several other speakers from local organisations, including
From humble beginnings, The Window Hub now operates from a head office and showroom in Staple Hill in Bristol with offices, showrooms and installation depots across the South West.
Danny launched The Window Hub because he wanted to be much more than just a double glazing company.
THE town council held a launch event for its Community Nature Reserve at Turnberrie's.
“We know that choosing new windows and inviting someone
Pupils from Olveston Primary School, children attending the event and Olveston Brownies have created two beautiful pieces of art, inspired by nature, to go
into your home can be stressful, so we have introduced as many initiatives as possible to be fair and reasonable in our approach to give our customers the best experience possible,” he said.
The event in April was facilitated by Danny Bonnett, chair of the town council’s climate and nature committee.
“Sales begin and end with treating customers properly. And
Talks covered a variety of nature
G24 Awards!
To encourage participants to enhance their spaces for nature, free wildflower seed packs were distributed, supporting efforts to boost biodiversity and help pollinators. The event also featured a lucky draw, with a bird box awarded as a prize – a welcome addition to any wildlife-friendly space.
you know what? It is so easy to be amazing if you don’t cut corners.”
And the Window Hub has the customer reviews to prove it –90% of reviews for The Window Hub on Trustpilot are for five stars, with customers celebrating the company’s professionalism, friendliness, tidiness, and attention to detail.
Thornbury Town Council extends its thanks to everyone who attended and supported the event and encourages anyone interested in the CNR or future conservation activities to get in touch.
The hard work of Danny and his company was also recently recognised and commended, with The Window Hub being named the ‘Best in the South West’ at the G24 Awards last year.
For more information, including how to register your garden or window box for the CNR, visit the Town Council’s website at tinyurl. com/25wrhfzt.
In 2025, The Window Hub will grow to cover domestic homes between Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and Lands End in Cornwall.
For more information, please visit TheWindowHub.co.uk.
Yan Cheung, Climate and Nature Officer
OLVESTON
n SPORT
National bowls award for Alan
A RETIRED police officer who was injured in a hit and run accident has won a national award for his work to make bowls more accessible to people with disabilities.
Olveston and District Bowling Club coach Alan Lambourne has won the Bowls England Diversity and Inclusion Award in recognition of his work finding specialist bowling equipment to help make it possible for people with disabilities to play the game.
Alan, who lives in Frampton Cotterell, said he was “gobsmacked and very humbled” to have been nominated by his club, based at Old Down, and winning the overall award was "a hell of a surprise”.
He was inspired after seeing arm extension devices in use at other clubs.
Alan said: "I was amazed at how well the players were bowling.
"I did my homework to find out what else was out there that would benefit club members and anyone else coming to the club."
After a lot of research, phone calls and grant applications, Alan found specialist equipment including arm extensions, walking and seating aids, for his club.
The equipment has made a real difference.
Alan said: “A former player who had a
stroke was happy as Larry and so chuffed he could play again."
Alan, 63, first got into bowling about 23 years ago, when recovering from multiple injuries suffered a hit and run accident in 1998.
He has undergone 18 operations to date and has “more still to go”, as well as corrective surgery. He had to learn to use his left hand due to his injuries to his right.
Before the accident Alan had played cricket, rugby, football and volleyball, but "lost everything" because of the injuries.
An occupational therapist suggested taking up bowls and he joined Bristol Arrow Bowling Club before switching to Olveston.
Alan said: "I needed a sport and something that was competitive. I fell in love with it within an hour of doing my initial coaching courses – mentally it saved me. I was so desperate for sport.
“The support network is superb. You have 150 friends up there.”
Alan’s wife Jean is the club's safeguarding officer, they are both coaches.
They have recently had an influx of juniors: the youngest player is seven.
Alan now wants to find specialist equipment for people with hearing
difficulties, and is aiming to raise around £5,000.
A spokesperson for the club said: "Overcoming his own mobility challenges, Alan has introduced many new players to the sport. He works with various disability groups and stroke survivors, ensuring that bowls remains open and inclusive."
To find out more about the club or to get involved, visit bowlsolveston.co.uk
Alan Lambourne, with his wife Jean, wins the Bowls England award for Diversity & Inclusion
n SPORT
Difficult season for rugby club
THE 2024/25 season proved to be a difficult one across the senior sides at Thornbury Rugby Club.
The First XV finished just above the relegation zone, having only won one game since the end of November.
This was mainly due to a bizarre series of injuries, which saw 52 players used in the 21 games played.
Henry Low was the top try scorer, with 15.
The Second XV had a more successful season and were able to bring in a number of students from the University of West of England, which helped keep the side afloat.
Charlie Shipp scored a rare double hat-trick, with six tries in
Season ends with a goal-fest
THORNBURY'S 1st team ended the season with a highscoring 6-4 loss to champions Lansdowne 3rds.
The home side were having difficulty in countering the strong visiting side and were four goals down when two young supporters started shouting encouragement from the sidelines.
Their shouts worked wonders, and Thornbury responded with for quick goals - three from Coz Deas and one from Liz McFerron.
The club's 2nds ended their season with a 3-1 victory against Knowle 3rds. Three of the club's promising youngsters - Evie Blackham, Amelia Fitzgerald and Emily Broad - scored.
In the latter part of the season, the team fielded two mothers and daughters - Mel Evans alongside Mati Evans, and Amy Bowman with Iris Morse.
A number of players have acted as goalkeeper in the latter games, with Amelia Fitzgerald, Izzie Talbot, Sarah Lally and Mandy McGarry all displaying great skills between the sticks.
Captain Harry Collins scored along with Kieran Cobell in the men's 1sts' 9-2 loss against Clifton Robinsons 6ths. Steve Wyres and Martin Abrahams,
with a rocket, helped the club 2nds to a 2-1 victory against Old Bristolians 5ths.
The men’s section said to be a mixture of both young and not-so-young talent, aged from 12 to 60.
Tom Allison, James Mallinson, Isaac Reid, Austin Davies, Gilbert Melton, Jeremy and William Tett, William Ormond and Tom Board are some of the younger players on whom the team's future is based.
Captain Collins says he is proud of the way his 1st team has developed throughout what has been a challenging season following promotion, and he looks forward to next season.
2nd team captain Martin Abrahams also hopes the young players will continue to develop.
David Parry-Jones
successful season, winning their league and with Cameron Trayler and Cesare Mochi both having international trials, for Scotland and Italy respectively.
The Women’s team lost a number of key players ahead of the season, and also struggled with injuries and consistency of selection, but safely secured their place in the league for next season.
The impact of absences on the senior sides did ensure that a significant number of new and young players were introduced to adult rugby, and will gain significantly from the experience.
With plans to bring in a player-coach for the senior men for next season, the prospect of all senior sides having full and fit teams augurs well for the 2025/26 season.
Netball 1sts stay in charge of destiny
THORNBURY Netball Club's 1st team went into their penultimate game of the season needing a win to stay in charge of their destiny as they aimed for promotion.
They started the match against Firebirds awkwardly, and were down by four goals at one point in the first quarter, which ended 9-7 to their opponents.
Thornbury came out fighting for the second quarter. Their defenders created problems for Firebirds’ attackers, while the team made the most from the turnovers to bring the ball up the court, dance around the Firebirds’ defence and score goals.
By half time the score was 20-14 to Thornbury and their dominance throughout the court continued in the third quarter, which ended 35-20.
Firebirds did not give up, but it was too little, too late and equal scoring in the last quarter meant the final score was 46-31.
Coach Abby Miles said: "The attacking play was slick and confident and the defensive unit stood strong throughout."
The win left the 1sts level with Mangotsfield at the top of their league, with one game to go.
Later the same morning Thornbury 2nds, lying third in their league, took on fourthplaced Jets.
They dominated from the start, playing great netball throughout the court, winning the first quarter 10-5 and extending their lead to 19-9 in the second.
In the third quarter Jets came back fighting, losing it by only two points, before outscoring Thornbury by one in the fourth. However Thornbury had done more than enough to secure a convincing win, with the final score 35-24.
Abby praised the side's "grit and determination" as they prepared for the rearranged return fixture against Jets, their last remaining game of the season.
The club would like to thank sponsors Phoenix Orthodontics, Thornbury Town Council and Thornbury Tandoori.
Nicky Latham
the last match of the season for the Seconds but such causes for
celebration were infrequent. However, the Colts had a
Dave Fox
Leading try scorer Henry Low scoring one of his 15 tries. Picture: Dave Fox
Thornbury Ladies 1st team, with supporters
Thornbury Netball club 2nd team