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December, 2018 Issue 21 FREE EVERY MONTH IN THORNBURY AND SURROUNDING VILLAGES
Parents pull together to support struggling schools PARENTS are rallying to support Castle and Marlwood schools after a bleak portrayal of the challenges they face in the BBC2 documentary ‘School’. At Castle School, parents have decided to set up a formal organisation to raise extra money after the programmes laid out the extent of the school’s financial problems. Both schools have received cakes from parents for their staff rooms and messages of thanks have poured in, congratulating staff for taking part in the programme and thanking them for their hard work. The six part series features four schools managed by CSET (Castle School Education Trust). The production company ‘Label1’ was given access to film staff and pupils for the whole of last year. Will Roberts, who heads CSET said there are more than 110 parents involved. “They want to do fundraising and some work on the grounds. Maybe it took something like this programme to be a rallying point.” School special, pages 8&9
Map prompts development fears Huge areas considered for housing PAGE 3
Single recorded for Thornbury charity Band reforms to help Brain Tumour Support PAGE 6
Going up in the world Councillor's donation funds kids climbing frame PAGE 14
Fares 'not fair' Campaigners claim Thornbury is penalised by First Bus PAGE 19
Stuttering start for Thornbury Town Fish out the tights; Nigel Lane stars as Prince John and Will Titcomb as The Sheriff of Nottingham as the Octopus Drama Group gets ready to stage Robin Hood in Thornbury. See page 15 for more
Three postponements hamper start to season PAGE 30
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December, 2018
n NEWS
Chance for local choirs Former Castle to shine on Bristol stage School pupil fronts
TV comedy quiz
JOHN Robins a former pupil of the Castle School and an award winning comedian, is to front a new comedy quiz show on the TV channel Dave. ‘Beat the Internet’ features John and Sunil Patel. The pair challenge contestants to finish sentences which are based on some of the most popular internet search terms. The programme is on Thursday evenings at 8pm and runs until mid January.
A CHRISTMAS choir competition is returning to the Bristol Old Vic, with schools, youth choirs and nurseries in the area all invited to take part. Organisers are asking choirs to send in a song recording which will be judged by the musical directors of their two festive shows; A Christmas Carol, and Chloe and the Colour Catcher. Winners will take part in a performance of their songs on 5 December and can win tickets to the shows. For more information visit www.bristololdvic.org.uk/competition
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December, 2018
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n NEWS
Huge areas on long list for further development HUGE swathes of land around Thornbury, Alveston and other villages have been identified as possible areas for housing. The sites are in addition to those which are already going through the planning process. The sites are shown on an online map produced by South Gloucestershire Council. One site shows a large area from the north east of the town up to the motorway, and more possible locations for development to the West. There are further areas identified all around Alveston and other villages, including one that would join Tockington and Olveston. The locations are part of the local authority’s work on a new local plan for South Gloucestershire. As part of the public consultation process that has already begun, anyone was able to put forward sites for consideration under a ‘Call for Sites’ exercise. These have been added to sites that the council owns. Thornbury campaign group Trapp’d said it “exceeds our worst nightmare of what could become of Thornbury.” Colin Gardner, Co-Chairman of the group said: “Enough is enough; it is time that our local authority should recognise the disastrous planning blight that their polices have created, and start to fight back.” The local authority says that the new suggested sites are merely that – suggestions. By publishing them on the map there is no implication that they will be approved for development and the usual planning process
would apply. The next step will be for them to be assessed to see if they are viable options with the findings published in 2019. Then the public will be asked what they think. The West of England Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) will outline where new homes and businesses can be situated. It’s currently being examined by independent planning inspectors. The local plan will set out the rules for how the expansion in homes and businesses will be delivered. Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and the Strategic Environment, Councillor Colin Hunt, said: “We believe in plan-led development. That is, we work with communities to identify what growth we might need and seek agreement on how it can be delivered. We want plans that allow us to meet our future needs, but also that protect us from poorly thought out speculative development, which doesn’t grow communities, it puts pressure on them.” “We want to be totally transparent, which is why we are publishing this list and making it available with an online map. These sites are just ideas at the moment, but we know people want to hear about and potentially shape those ideas. This information will help us, as well as the community, as we go through the review and assessment process as part of the next phase of preparing our new Local Plan.” Trapp’d have requested an urgent meeting with council leader Toby Savage.
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Friday 1st February Chipping Sodbury Town Hall
Government cash for road repairs is welcomed ROADS in the Thornbury area are more likely to be repaired thanks to £7 million in government funding for highway maintenance in South Gloucestershire. It includes over £2 million from the £420 million of extra funding that was promised by the Chancellor in his autumn budget. Cllr Colin Hunt, Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and Strategic Environment, said: “Maintaining and improving our streets is one of the Administration’s key priorities and so we are delighted to have received this additional funding in the Budget. We will be working hard to ensure it is put to good use.” Between 1,000 and 1,2350 potholes are repaired by the local authority every month. Colin Hunt said: “The effects of the extreme weather we have endured over the past winter and summer having taken their toll and we have been very active in recent months to ensure our roads are fit for use.”
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December, 2018
n NEWS
Wriggle Jigglers folk band to play charity gig
EIGHT young musicians are to play a concert to raise money for the War Child chairty. The Wriggle Jigglers folk band is made up from three families based in Thornbury and Rockhampton. They play; fiddles, mandolin, melodian, guitar, whistles, double bass, and percussion. Winners of the South Downs young folk competition, they were also finalists in Music for Youth, and have performances in Sidmouth, Bristol Harbour and Rockhampton festivals under their belts. Their music is either from the British Isles or their own composition. Wriggle Jigglers come to the Cossham Hall in Thornbury on 12 January at 3pm. Tickets are £7.50 for adults and £5 for under 16’s and include tea and cake. They’re available from Thornbury Town Hall or via 01454 412272
Local information South Gloucestershire Council www.southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582 Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk
Environment/trading standards 01454 868001 Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk general enquiries: 101 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061 NHS Health Call 111 Well Aware health & social care information www.wellaware.org.uk Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Thornbury Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Thornbury Voice is distributed each month to local residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is welcomed, call Richard On 01454 800 120 or contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk
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BBC’s Blue Planet inspires Thornbury volunteers THE group Plastic Free Thornbury has held a plastic pick up supported by local volunteers. The weekend event targeted local ponds and waterways. Volunteer Danny Bonnett said: “We were so pleased that the Blue Planet TV series brought the issue of plastic waste to the fore last year. It’s really helped to open the public’s eyes to the dangers it presents when it enters our rivers and seas. This plastic pick-up received great local support.” Amongst the volunteers were staff from the house builder David Wilson Homes. The company has committed to improving its environmental credentials when it builds houses. Last year 94 per cent of its construction waste was recycled in the region, and it planted or kept over 11,000 trees and shrubs. Gareth Neale, David Wilson Homes’ Construction Director, said: “It was our pleasure to roll up our sleeves and take part in the plastic pick up. Looking after the areas we’re working in is important to us and we’re so pleased to see Thornbury has such dedicated environmental champions in the form of the Plastic Free Thornbury group.” It's hoped that Thornbury can become a ‘plastic free’ town. But to attain this status it must demonstrate a commitment to using less plastic, and host community initiatives such as plastic pick-ups.
ANY is in Tho T last mem W repe Thu
LUKE HALL MP Volunteers from David Wilson Homes and Plastic Free Thornbury
Folk Festival expands into winter ROCKHAMPTON Folk Festival is holding its first Winter event. The popular festival is in its sixth year and is now expanding to include a concert in January. The concert at Rockhampton Village Hall features the Spindle Ensemble. The youthful quartet includes Daniel Inzani (folk harp, accordion and keyboard), Caelia Lunniss (violin), Harriet Riley (marimba and vibraphone ) and Jo Silverston (cello) . They perform original
compositions by Daniel that hover cinematically somewhere between jazz, folk and classical music. The group will also be touring care homes and special schools in the area courtesy of the Live Music Now! scheme and the profits from Rockhampton Folk Festival. Tickets for Spindle's public performance on Sat Jan 19th at 7.45 are £10 (£5 under 18) available from www. rockhamptonfolkfest.org.uk
MP for Thornbury, Yate and the surrounding villages Write to Luke at: Luke Hall MP, 26 High Street, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6AH e: luke.hall.mp@parliament.uk w: lukehall.org.uk Promoted by Luke Hall MP, House of Commons, SW1A 0AA.
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December, 2018
Single released to raise funds for Thornbury charity
A BAND has reformed after 30 years to release a new single to raise money for the Thornbury based charity Brain Tumour Support. 100% of the profits from ‘Golden Sun’ will go to the organisation. Garry Brandrick, the brother of the The Inspiration lead singer Marc, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2017. He’s been supported by the charity and the band members wanted to say
Garry Brandrick
‘thank you’ in a special way. The idea for the single came up at Garry’s birthday celebrations where Marc was performing with some of his former band members. They’d previously played together in the 1980’s. Marc said: “We decided to make a new recording of a song that I wrote more than 30 years ago. We hope it raises a lot of money for Brain Tumour Support, a charity that makes a real difference to the lives of brain tumour patients.” Garry’s 62, and his brain tumour has meant that he’s had to change his role at the charity where he works, which he set up himself. He can’t drive and struggles to use a keyboard. His hobby was wild camping, but he can’t now go on his own in case he has a fit. “People tell me how well I look,” says Garry. “It is often difficult for them to understand how devastating a brain tumour diagnosis is. I grew up in care, so
I have always been independent. I don’t ask for help. I didn’t think I needed support. But then Sarah, from Brain Tumour Support got in touch.” “Mates and family have been great, but they will never really understand,” says Garry, “With Sarah, the support is consistent, and I know she is there whenever I need to speak to her. I have found the support I get from Brain Tumour Support very beneficial. It is the only form of professional support I get, and I really value it.” Brain Tumour Support will support anyone affected, for as
Marc Brandrick
long as needed, including family and friends. The single is available to download from Amazon.
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Local clubs invited to celebrate Christmas ALVESTON Methodist Church is marking the festive season with ‘A Tableaux of Christmas Carols and Songs’ which will be on display from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 December. Local clubs, societies and organisations have been invited to take part.
It follows last year’s ‘Christmas Tree and Nativity Festival’ which featured a wide variety of entries, including a Christmas tree entered by the Badminton Club which was decorated with Angels made from shuttlecocks. The Church will be open from 10am until 5pm on Friday and
Saturday and from 12 noon to 4 pm on Sunday following the Church service. Entry to the festival is free, with donations to Made a Mark, a local charity. On Saturday 8 December the church is also holding its Christmas Fayre, with stalls offering gifts, cakes, produce, and a raffle.
Wine challenge raises over £1,000 for cancer charity A ‘wine challenge’ evening held by Thornbury and District Cancer Research UK has raised over £1,300 for the national charity. The event at St Mary’s Church Hall involved guests identifying 8 different wines which had no labels, and they had to guess how much they cost. It was won by Shelia Forsythe.
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8
n SCHOOLS SPECIAL REPORT
thornburyvoice
December, 2018
Hundreds of parents support new friends group
PARENTS are setting up a friends organisation to raise funds for Castle School after a BBC2 documentary revealed the impact of cuts on day to day school life, both there and at Marlwood School in Alveston. The programme shows Castle School’s efforts to make savings of £296,000 between September 2017 and August 2018. Senior staff face having their additional teaching and responsibility payments removed, with some of them facing up to a £6,000 salary cut in order to keep within the budget. The hard-hitting documentary has prompted parents to organise a friend’s group to support the school. A PTA did previously exist but hasn’t been active for some years. The new group is likely to be called Friends of The Castle School - or FOC - in an attempt to attract local companies and people who aren’t parents to get involved. Parents at both Castle and Marlwood school have rallied, sending supportive messages and donating cakes for the staff rooms. Marlwood already has an
established friend’s association, but at Castle it seems that the BBC2 programme has inspired parents to come together united in wanting to help their school. Sara Iles is one of the parents coordinating the relaunch. She said: "It's really clear that none of our schools have enough Government funding, so we, as parents, are determined to make a difference. It's not fair to the students or teachers if education suffers in this way." The BBC2 programme also focused on Marlwood as it dealt with its first year of special measures after being rated as ‘Inadequate’ by OFSTED. The head at the time, James Pope, is shown struggling to make improvements due to funding cuts and falling pupil numbers. Will Roberts, CEO of CSET, the Castle School Education Trust which is responsible for four secondary schools and three primaries in South
Gloucestershire, said: “There’s bits that I watch, and I wince, and think I wish that hadn’t happened but that’s the reality and people are respecting the honesty of it.” “What I felt, before I’d even had any contact with this programme, was that the public understanding of schools is limited, there’s a whole layer of complexity of decisions that heads have to make and people don’t know about it because we don’t show them.” “The danger is that schools would say it’s all fine everything’s ticking along when actually there are some challenges we’re having to face, and unless we show people then they can’t have a view or understand those decisions.” Mr Roberts says the response has been extraordinary, not only with messages of support coming in from local communities, but from schools across the country. The financial pressures at Castle and Marlwood schools
are by no means unique, and schools in some areas are asking parents to make regular financial voluntary contributions, something CSET has currently ruled out. At Marlwood, head James Pope considers whether the cuts in support staff have contributed to the behaviour and attendance issues which are shown in the film. Mr Roberts said: “It’s easy for us to say we’d like to have more money, if it was that simple it would have been done already. We need to show how additional money would help.” He also says Marlwood is improving: “The school had an extremely difficult year in its first year of special measures. We know as of now that the school is having a much a better year than last year as a result of all that painful work.” “Parents are savvy, our intake is from 5 villages to the south of Alveston, all the parents talk to each other and parents know whether the school’s doing well or struggling a bit. Putting it on national TV helps them to understand what they already knew about. For our local community there were no surprises in the Marlwood programme.” Marlwood school has recently had what Roberts describes as a ‘very positive’ monitoring visit from OFSTED. Del Planter, the new headteacher, says that ‘significant progress’ has been made since the documentary was filmed. Meanwhile Castle School’s progress 8 scores are forecast to place it within the top third of schools in England.
Busy inbox for Castle School parents PARENTS who are re-launching the dormant PTA as a friends association already have an action plan, with at least 130 parents signed up so far. First they will put pressure on MP Luke Hall to make fair funding for schools a priority, urging him to attend a public meeting. They plan to run fundraising events, a DIY SOS style day to
improve the school grounds, and to support the wellbeing of staff and parents. The friends will carry out a skills survey to find parents who can help to improve the school site, and it’s already asked staff for a ‘wish list’ of what equipment they need most. Parents who want to be involved should email cas-enquiries.tcs@cset. co.uk and title their email PTA.
L-R: Sara Iles (parent), Andy Bethall (head at Castle) and Cindy Titcomb (previous PTA chair)
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December, 2018
9
n SCHOOLS SPECIAL REPORT
Outlook for Marlwood School improving
ITS image might have taken a bit of a battering in the BBC documentary, but staff at Marlwood School say things are looking up for the Alveston School. Recently appointed headteacher, Del Planter, said “I am very proud to be the new Headteacher of Marlwood School. We have made significant progress since September 2018 in addressing the very real challenges we face. Behaviour at the school is positive with our students responding well to the high expectations that have been placed on them. Marlwood currently has the highest attendance across Castle School Education Trust.” “We have staff with a longterm commitment to Marlwood
School despite the difficulties who are working tirelessly alongside new staff to rapidly improve students' learning and general experience in school. The culture and climate of the school has come a long way since last year. We are now focused on building momentum following on from our most recent Ofsted monitoring visit in November''. William Roberts, CEO of Castle School Education Trust, said ''Marlwood School has made an excellent start to this academic year, with a renewed leadership and teaching team under the leadership of new Headteacher Del Planter. Attendance has improved considerably and the number of Year 6 parents making Marlwood their first choice has
Dear Thornbury Voice, rised, to read that South I was interested, but not surp best place to live in England the d Gloucestershire was vote sidered 8). The selection process con (Thornbury Voice, October 201 , ool’ ‘Sch 2’s BBC g chin – so wat issues such as school provision funding shortage at the of act imp the ted ligh which starkly high e me pause for thought. Thornbury’s Castle School, mad job of continued to do an amazing The Castle School has clearly set are ch whi es, tanc ums circ llenging educating our children in cha . ging was to get more challen ediately wanted to help, and As a parent at the school, I imm in a few With s. uirie enq ing mak also delighted to find many others port. sage board to offer their sup days, 130 people joined a mes er parents taking oth join to l ona irati insp y It has been trul p’s school community. The grou practical action to support the the villages into ury, rnb Tho of n tow reach extends well beyond the and Bradley Stoke. staff. meetings with Castle School In the first week, we had two n to work with kee are and ent lvem invo They have welcomed our ed offers DIY jobs. We have also welcom ents us to raise funds and tackle stud t por sup to is l goa ity. Our of help from the wider commun ieve their very best. ach to e tinu con they that and teachers, so for campaigning for ‘fair funding’ Parents are also involved in apply more t mus We . ntry cou the ss schools both locally and acro all provide enough money to give pressure to our politicians to on. cati edu d goo young people a rness and the ability to make A sense of community, togethe survey that identified South the in a difference were not criteria w we ul place to live. However, I kno Gloucestershire as a wonderf too! ies gor cate would top those l supporting our amazing loca If you want to get involved in and title it o.uk et.c @cs s.tcs uirie enq secondary school, email: casPTA. Yours, Emma Wiles Thornbury
increased. We had a very positive inspection monitoring visit, details of which we will share as soon as the summary letter is published by Ofsted''. In the longer term, a 112 place
special school is to be built on the Marlwood site. In October, MP Luke Hall met the Minister for Schools Lord Agnew to request capital funding of £2.3 million for the project.
58 headteachers warn of ‘devastating’ impact of cutbacks A REPORT compiled by 58 South Gloucestershire headteachers reveals that although only a small minority of schools are currently in deficit, by 2020/21 the majority will be in the red. Published by the Primary Headteachers’ Executive, and distributed to parents and MPs, the report is based on a survey sent to all local schools. It shows that three quarters of schools have cut teaching assistants, and half of schools have cut teacher hours, in some cases relying on senior leaders to cover lessons.
The document highlights the ‘stark financial landscape’ in the area’s schools, which are amongst the most poorly funded per pupil in England. Many headteachers kept their comments anonymous. One said: “The biggest savings are in teachers: I have cut everything back already and am now having to cut back on the most precious resource that makes the most difference: teachers.” Another says: “The greatest impact will be on the most vulnerable children; little or no TA support for early
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intervention.” South Gloss Lib Dem Council Group Leader, Claire Young, said: “I welcome the 58 head teachers’ bravery in coming forward to make their concerns public. It is an unusual step for teachers to speak out so publicly. The fact that they have felt forced to do so now just goes to show how desperate the crisis in local schools has become.” Cllr Toby Savage, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council and Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Employment, said: “I share our schools’ concerns
about funding. Campaigning with schools, parents, pupils and our MPs, Conservatives in South Gloucestershire were successful last summer in securing just under £8million in additional funding over two years from the Government’s new funding formula – one of the largest increases in the country.” The headteacher’s report concludes: “We cannot allow our children to be failed in this way. Together we must make ourselves heard.”
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December, 2018
n NEWS
Almondsbury boy battles with one in a million condition NOAH Jackson is a one-year-old with a condition so rare it affects just one in every million people worldwide. Noah has primary hyperoxaluria type one, which means his liver is missing one enzyme and so produces crystals called calcium oxalate. Left untreated, the condition would slowly calcify his organs. He visits Bristol Royal Hospital for Children six days a week with his parents Beccy and Garth and his half-siblings Coel, eight, and Lorelei, six. There he has haemodialysis for three hours before returning home to Almondsbury. Mum Beccy Sweet said: “It’s hard coming into hospital six days a week. It’s not what you think will happen when you have a baby, but the care and treatment we have received is
Tea dances
second to none.” “The staff on the Lighthouse Ward have become our family and our little boy would not be here without them.” Noah’s condition is so rare that it took doctors three weeks to diagnose him, after sending blood samples across the country. He is only the second patient in Bristol hospitals to have the condition. Beccy said: “Garth and I are both carriers of the gene but it’s dormant in us. Noah had a one in four chance of getting the condition with the ‘bad’ gene from both of us, and it would be same if we had any more children. “Noah was diagnosed with the condition when he was 11 weeks old. They did some blood tests and when they came back it was really bad news. It was awful. I knew something was wrong, but I didn’t think he would be dying.” Noah had a liver transplant in June this year at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Once he is bigger and stronger he will have a kidney transplant. Now the family have lent their support to Above & Beyond, the official charity for Bristol city centre hospitals. They are rallying people to sign up to the
Festive afternoon teas
charity’s Bristol to Paris Cycle Challenge – a 470km bike ride from Bristol to the French capital over four days next September. For more information on the Bristol to Paris Cycle Challenge, visit the Above and Beyond website at: www.aboveandbeyond. org.uk
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December, 2018
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n NEWS
Old and young get together as part of charity initiative SCOUTS and schoolchildren have been enlisted to help older people in Thornbury. Members of 3rd Thornbury Scouts have helped residents from Beech House care home to take part in the Remembrance Parade by pushing their wheelchairs. The young people are taking part in a project called ‘Making Pals’, organised by the local charity ‘Alive’. It aims to connect care home residents to their local communities. ‘Alive’ works across the UK to enrich the lives of older people. The project is also helping the Scouts to work towards their Chief Gold Scout award, and they will visit the residents every month to share activities.
The Alive charity is also helping residents from Beech House care home in Thornbury to enjoy festive activities with local school children from Manorbrook primary school. The Access All Ages scheme links a primary school with a local care home. The children come for regular visits at the care home where they take part in hands-on creative activities with older people whilst making new friendships. Over the festive period the children and residents will work together to make Christmas decorations and paint seasonal pictures which will line the walls of the care home. They will also use iPads to explore each other’s memories of Christmas and to
make festive digital collages. After experiencing her first Access All Ages session, a care home resident called
Violet said, “This is better than a Christmas day. This is the happiest I’ve been in ages”.
Councils unwilling to provide travellers sites By Kate Wilson, Local Democracy Reporter Temporary sites for gypsies and travellers are “urgently needed” in South Gloucestershire but no town or parish council is willing to help. This is according to a taskforce set up to see what more district council can and should be doing when it comes to encampments. South Gloucestershire councillors said it “urgently” needed to set up temporary facilities the communities can use when they are on the move or unauthorised camping will continue. There are up to 100 unauthorised encampments in South Gloucestershire each year. Gypsies and travellers from the UK, Ireland and continental Europe constitute one of South Gloucestershire’s largest ethnic minorities. The authority has two authorised gypsy/traveller sites, with 39 pitches in Winterbourne
Dan Regan/Bristol Live and Patchway, but it says it experiences high volumes of unauthorised encampments when they are in transit – often to horse fairs, weddings, funerals and seasonal travelling. A report to the council’s scrutiny commission said temporary stopping places could “significantly” reduce the negative impacts of unauthorised camping – but no town or parish council was willing to help. The taskforce members said that stance was “not helpful
or constructive and reflected attitudes that contribute to many of the unhelpful perceptions about the gypsy and traveller community”. The report added: “There needs to be urgency and prominence given to identifying and delivering land that might be suitable for temporary stopping places.” During the meeting Cllr Steve Reade, who presented the conclusions of the taskforce, said just 50 per cent of town and
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parish councils responded to the taskforce review. “We asked would they be willing to make land available for these sites, and every one said no,” added Cllr Reade, “But they all said they recognised a need.” The recommendations from the taskforce ask cabinet to investigate the provision of negotiated stopping spaces across the district. However some of the members of the scrutiny commission felt this did not go far enough and asked that “transit sites” also be included. Frampton Cotterell councillor Pat Hockey said some gypsies and travellers visit the area for more than a couple of days depending on the reason for their visit. “In some cases they can stay for months and I think we really need to look into the possibility of transit sites as well,” she added.
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December, 2018
n NEWS
Thornbury Sea Cadets welcome visitors THORNBURY Sea Cadets has been visited by the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire, an organisation which supports
youth organisations as part of its charitable giving. The Sea Cadets, who are aged 10 to 18, showed off their
classrooms, and a new mini bus which was funded through sponsorship. They were presented with achievement awards by Air Marshall Sir Dusty Miller. A plaque and a donation were presented to Simon Cottam and Ian Hirst.
Thornbury Sea Cadets welcomes young people aged 10 to 12 on a Tuesday evening, and aged 12 to 18 on a Monday and Thursday at 7pm. For more information go to www.seacadets.org/thornbury
Simon Cottam, Ian Hirst, Sir Dusty Miller
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December, 2018
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n NEWS
Charity launches ‘The Big Eat’ campaign to support terminally ill children
Christmas Crackers Concert
THE charity Jessie May is hoping to inspire people in Thornbury to get creative with their cooking whilst raising money to support terminally ill children in their homes. The Bristol based organisation must find around £1.5 million every year to fund nursing care at home, and it almost entirely depends on public support. ‘The Big Eat’, asks people to cook, to eat, or compete. Julian Withers, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Jessie May, said: “From office ‘Bake Offs’ to street parties, there are plenty of ways everyone can get involved.” To find out more and download Jessie May’s Big Eat Fundraising Pack, visit www. jessiemay.org.uk/the-big-eat
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THE Filtones choir is preparing for its Christmas Crackers Concert which is raising money for BRACE, which funds research into dementia. The evening of festive music and songs takes place on Friday 14 December at 7.30pm at Eden Grove Methodist Church, Horfield. There’ll be a raffle and a retiring collection. Tickets are £7.50 from Dot Bryant in advance on 07870 984760, from choir members, or on the door.
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December, 2018
n NEWS CHILDREN at First Step preschool are enjoying a new climbing frame, thanks to Thornbury councillor David Chubb. Mr Chubb donated £650 from his Member Assisted Funding to buy it so that children had something to play on outside. First Step’s chair Geoff Chappell said: “This climbing frame is our very own first step as we look to offer our children something outside the four walls of the new building, it gives them a chance to be even more active.” “We all want to wish a big thank you to David, not just for his contribution in helping us get this amazing new equipment, but for his support through the tough times in completing our new home.” The preschool opened its new home in April, after a bumpy start. The building project had been given a £225,000 grant from the Department for Education, with the project committee
Councillor’s donation helps fund climbing frame planning to raise the remainder. But it turned out that the VAT couldn’t be reclaimed, adding another 20% to the cost. The new, unfinished building was redundant for a while before the committee approached South Gloucestershire Council. It agreed to finish the project in return for ownership of the building. Cllr Chubb said: “It was wonderful to see the Council save the building project earlier this year and it makes me very happy to see so many smiling faces here today. I hope this new equipment will be enjoyed just as much by many children to come. I am really pleased to see my Member Assisted Funding being put to such good use by First Step.”
Official Fuel Consumption in MPG (l/lOOkm) and C02 emissions (g/km) for the Citroën C3 Range: URBAN 65.7-46.3mpg (4.3-6.1L/100km); EXTRA URBAN 88.3-67.3mpg (3.2-4.2L/100km); COMBINED 78.5-57.6mpg (3.6-4.7L/100km); CO2 emissions 93-110g/km. MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions. Offer applies to retail sales of qualifying models ordered & registered 01/10-31/12/2018 or until such time as offers/prices may be withdrawn by Citroën at its complete discretion & include VAT, delivery to dealer & number plates, Government Registration Fee & 12 months’ graduated vehicle excise duty. ◊Citroën SimplyDrive is a 3 year Personal Contract Purchase offer. A deposit is required followed by 35 monthly payments, with an optional final payment at the end of the contract. Excess mileage charges will apply if you exceed the agreed annual mileage. A guarantee may be required. Over 18s only. Finance provided by and written quotations available on request from PSA Finance UK Ltd (company registration number 01024322), RH1 1QA. PSA Finance UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Carco Ltd trading as City Motors are acting as a credit broker and not a lender. To finance your vehicle we will only introduce you to PSA Finance UK Ltd, the exclusive provider of SimplyDrive. ∞The first year’s Road Fund Licence (RFL) is provided with the car. The Dealer will provide customers with a cheque for the value of years 2 and 3 RFL (based on current rates for years 2 and 3 at time of purchase) and the customer must apply for year 2 & 3 RFL. Citroën SimplyDrive is subject to status. +Minimum age 18 with Telematics, otherwise 21, 25 or 30 on selected models, maximum age 75. Policyholder must have a minimum of 2 years NCD to use on the vehicle and all drivers must meet eligibility criteria including minimum 2 years’ full UK licence or with Telematics drivers are required to install the Telematics box & consent to data capture & transmission to qualify for insurance and all drivers must hold a full UK licence. Insurance subject to cancellation if you receive four warnings for poor driving. For all drivers, limits on claims/convictions and excesses apply. 3 years’ motor insurance is provided and underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Payments will vary according to age, post code & annual mileage. The costs of insurance, servicing & Roadside Assistance are included within the monthly cost of Citroën SimplyDrive but are provided on a monthly pay-as-you-go basis & can be cancelled at any time without penalty or affecting the remainder of the Citroën SimplyDrive contract.
CITY MOTORS 0117 9723030 CASTLE COURT, ST PHILIPS CAUSEWAY, BRISTOL, BS4 3AX dealer.citroen.co.uk/Bristol-Arnos-vale
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December, 2018
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n NEWS
Robin Hood comes Preschool leader celebrates 25 years to Thornbury
STAFF sprung a surprise party for Jenny Harris, who is celebrating 25 years of working at First Steps preschool in Thornbury. Jenny is currently the preschool leader at the Christ the King site. Past and present members of staff and the committee enjoyed the event at the new Crossways building. Jenny said: “I’m looking forward to the next 25 years.”
ROBIN Hood will come riding through the glen and onto the Octopus stage in January. Written for Octopus by Peta Maurice, and directed by Adrian Dennis, the producers say this romp through The Merry Men and Robin Hood in rehearsal. Sherwood Forest L-r: Peter James, John Thompson, Alison Brown, provides a post Christmas treat for Alison Bagnall, Ian Cornes and Peter Wiggins the family. Robin’s merry men will feature as well as Friar Tuck - who has gone vegetarian with alarming consequences. It takes place at Christ the King Church Hall, Castle St, Thornbury from Wednesday 9 to Friday 11 January at 7.30pm and on Saturday 12 January at 11 am and 2.30 pm Tickets, priced £7 for adults over 18 and £5 for concessions and children, are on sale from 3 Dec from Chappell and Matthews on Thornbury High St, or by calling Karen on 01454 413783
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The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the MY18 cars shown are: urban 38.2 (7.4)–44.8 (6.3); extra-urban 56.5 (5.0)–67.3 (4.2); combined 47.9 (5.9)–56.5 (5.0). The official CO2 emissions are 134–113g/km. Figures are obtained for comparative purposes in accordance with EU legislation and may not reflect real-life driving results. Equivalent NEDC value obtained from WLTP figures, aiming to reflect a closer representation of the ‘real-world’ fuel consumption and CO2 figures.
*Clio shown based on £179 deposit, 48 monthly payments of £179, optional final payment £4,221. Captur shown based on £209 deposit, 48 monthly payments of £209, optional final payment £5,059. KADJAR shown based on £6,377 deposit, 36 monthly payments of £189, optional final payment £9,039. Finance provided by Renault Finance, Rivers Office Park, Denham Way, Maple Cross, Rickmansworth WD3 9YS. Subject to status. Indemnities may be required. UK residents only (excluding the Channel Islands). Over 18s. Terms and conditions apply. Offer based on 6,000 miles per annum, excess mileage 8p per mile inc. VAT. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other scheme or finance offers. Available on new cars when ordered by 7 January and registered by 31 March 2019. Retail customers only. Clio and KADJAR shown with optional i.d. metallic paint an extra £650. Captur shown with optional metallic paint and contrasting roof an extra £1,049.
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December, 2018
n COMMUNITY NEWS
Lions enjoy charter dinner THORNBURY Lions have held their annual Charter Dinner at Thornbury Golf Club. Charter celebrates the formation of the Club which this year was 31 years ago. The event took place in very pleasant surroundings with the Golf Club looking after the catering arrangements with excellent service. 49 people attended including members and friends from other Lions Clubs; Brunel, Chepstow, Caldicot and Dursley which is our mother club and helped us to get started. Lion President Keith Townsend proposed the toast to Lions International and summarised the Club’s activities over the last year. Our main activity is raising funds with the second hand book shop in St Mary’s Precinct in Thornbury. The shop has become very popular and is now a recognised part of the community. To safeguard our tenure of the premises we have now become a CIO, a Charitable
Incorporated Organisation, in conjunction with the Charities Commission The President made special mention of the secretary Lion Terry Hunt and thanked him for all the hard work he had put in to secure a favourable arrangement for the CIO. The District Governor Lion Sally Marsh gave the response. She thanked Thornbury for all their achievements and said what a lot had been accomplished in Lions since their formation by Melvin Smith more than 100 years ago There were now nearly 1.5 million Lions in
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200 countries worldwide. Lion Sally then presented long term service chevrons to Lions Brian Davis (25 years) and Andrew
Mayes (20 years) The evening was brought to a rousing climax by Dan Budd and the Thornbury Ukelele Jam.
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December, 2018
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n WHAT'S ON IN OUR AREA December 1 n Turnberries Christmas Fayre, 12pm – 3pm. Santa’s Grotto, craft stalls, mulled wine and much more. Any interested stall holders please contact: enquiries@turnberries .co. uk or telephone 01454 868845 December 7 n 10.15 - 11.45am. Singing & Signing, with New Siblands and Gillingstool Schools. December 8 n Thornbury Lions will be hosting the annual Senior Citizens Christmas Meal on Saturday December 8th at 4pm at the Armstrong Hall. Tickets price £7 will be on sale at the Lions Bookshop from 9am on Saturday November 17th. We look forward to seeing you. December 8 n Christmas Bazaar - The Annual Bazaar for St Peters Hospice will take place in the Thornbury Methodist Church Hall on December 8th between 10.00am and 12noon. Variety of Stalls including Cards, Gifts, Crafts, Home made preserves, Cakes , Books, plus many more. Raffle and Teas. Entry by Donation. Thank you for supporting St Peters – your local Hospice. December 8 n Thornbury Christmas Food and Gift Fair - 10 – 2 Castle Street Back by popular demand, Castle Street is happy to once again be hosting Thornbury’s Christmas Market. There will be approximately 60 stalls – mixed food and gifts, with music, mulled wine and hot food to keep everyone warm and get us all in
the holiday spirit! Meet friends, old and new and find something a bit different for your loved ones Christmas presents this year. December 10 n Messenger or Missile: Angels with Messages of Glad Tidings, Doom, Gloom or Perdition” is the title of the next lecture of The Arts Society Severn Valley to be held at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. The morning lecture is at 11.00 a.m. and the lecture is repeated in the afternoon at 2.00 p.m. Visitors £6. See www.svdfas.co.uk for details of how to book. December 21 n 10.15 - 11.45am. Just Lizzie singing at Christmas,with Lizzie Lindsell December 27 n Christmas Charity Rugby Match Thornbury XV v PROPS Barbarians. Kick off 12:00 Midday. The match, at Thornbury RFC, Rockhampton Road, raises funds for the PROPS Charity to help children and young adults with learning difficulties. January 1 n Dementia Revolution - funding research into dementia. Soup & rolls and tea & cakes at Rockhampton Cricket Club (old ground) on New Year’s Day from mid-day ’til 4pm. Any queries above e-mail or 07800 776998 / 01454 260371
Free Community Learning Courses
Starting soon in Thornbury: n Scrapbooking for Wellbeing. Turnberries in Thornbury. Thursdays 12.30pm-2.30pm. n Torn Paper Collage for
Wellbeing: Turnberries Thornbury Wednesdays12.30-2.30pm. For more information or to reserve a place on these courses or other courses available throughout South Gloucestershire Please contact Jane Thomas, Community Learning Development Worker Tel: 07860 181352 Mob: 01454 864687 Email: jane.thomas2@southglos. gov.uk February 1 n Cotswold Edge Events presents Paul Jones and Dave Kelly. Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Friday 1 February 2019 7.30pm. Tickets from: www. cotswoldedgeevents.co.uk
Bristol Budgerigar Society n Bristol Budgerigar Society hold meetings at Little Stoke Community Hall, Little Stoke Lane, Little Stoke, Bristol BS34 6HR. Meetings commence at 7.30pm on the second Monday of each month. Chairman Alan Fretten. Mob 07922538894 E-mail alan_fretten13@hotmail. com Details from the Secretary Colin Parsons Tel 01454 775878. E-mail colinpauline@hotmail. com Membership; Adult £7.00, senior £5.00, same address partners £10.00, different address partners appropriate single rate each. Juniors free. Visitors always welcome without commitment or charge to see the wonderful budgerigar breeding, exhibition and social experience that Bristol Budgerigar Society can offer.
We would love to publicise your event Send details of your events and activities in the following format:
WHAT IT IS WHERE IT IS WHEN IT IS in no more than 40 words: email us at: contact@thornburyvoice. co.uk
REGULAR EVENTS The Art Appreciation Society
We meet in the Town Hall in Chipping Sodbury on the third Monday of each month. Monday n 7.00 pm Armstrong Hall Cossham Hall World Dance 7-10pm n If you are interested in learning about the arts, in its widest sense, why not join The Arts Society Severn Valley. We meet in the Town Hall in Chipping Sodbury normally on the third Monday of each month. In addition to the lecture programme, we arrange Days of Special Interest which examine
What's on at Thornbury Library Opening Times Monday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
9.30 - 17.30 9.30 - 17.30 9.30 - 17.30 9.30 - 17.30 9:30 –12:30
Like us on facebook Www.Facebook.Com/ sgloslibraries Follow us on twitter @ southgloslibs Looking for service information or contact details? See our website www.Southglos.Gov.Uk/ libraries Christmas and new year opening
• 24th December - 9.30 - 1Pm • 25th – 27th December - closed • 28th – 31st December - normal hours
• 1st January - closed See our website for details of open access hours. Storytime & rhymetime for babies & pre-schoolers (term time only). Storytime mondays 2pm – 2.30Pm. Rhymetime Fridays 10.30am -11.00am. It’s a great way to meet other local parents, new faces are always welcome – and it’s free! No booking required, just turn up - we look forward to seeing you! Sight loss - information, advice and support First thursday of the month 10.30am - 12.30pm Vision West of England are offering information, advice
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and support to anyone living with sight loss. If you, or anyone you know would like more information on services for people with sight loss, then drop in any time between 10.30am and 12.30Pm on Thursdays 6th December and 3rd January. Craft & chat First Thursday of the month 2pm - 4pm. A chance for people who love crafting to get together and share inspiration. No charge and no booking required. Just turn up and bring your craft project with you. New faces welcome! Computer support volunteers Drop-in without an appointment
on monday mornings 10-12 to see mike, our computer volunteer who can help with quick enquiries. If you need more intensive support, book in to see our computer volunteer chris on thursday mornings at 9.30, 10.30 Or 11.30. Sessions with chris must be booked in advance – enquire in person at thornbury library or email thornbury.Library@ southglos.Gov.Uk. Free holiday craft session for children. Drop in anytime between 2 & 3 pm on thursday 3rd january for free family fun, aimed at primary school aged children. Adult supervision required.
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n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA facets of the arts in greater detail, as well as visits to art galleries, museums and gardens plus trips abroad. Full details can be found on our website www.svdfas.co.uk. So come along, have a cup of coffee, enjoy the lecture and, perhaps, do some shopping in this lovely market town. Visitors are charged £6 so, if you would like to “try before you buy”, please e-mail memb@svdfas.co.uk Tuesday n Ladies Shiatsu Massage Sports Rehabilitation Clinic in Iron Acton every Wednesday between 3-8 pm. Naturally restore your energy levels and improve your overall health and lifestyle. Contact Anna on 07487 511516 or email anna@ wholehearted-health.co.uk for more information and to book your treatment session. n 11.00 am - 1.30 pm Armstrong Hall - Excell Room Recycled Teenagers Lunch Club n 8pm Yoga-Lattes at Castle School www.zumbathornbury.com n 6pm Zumba at Castle School www.zumbathornbury.com n 7pm Zumba Toning at Castle School www.zumbathornbury.com n Sunbeams toddler and parent group Thornbury Methodist church hall Every Tuesday 1.15pm to 2.45pm in term time Time and space to share themed activities with your children ( 0 to 4 years) Contact janet_mann@ hotmail. com or margaretcrocombe60@ gmail.com Wednesday n 2.00 pm Armstrong Hall Cossham Hall Tea Dance 01454 412060 n 2.00 pm. Armstrong Hall, Committee Room Lip Reading Classes n Wednesdays Bellydance Classes with Sacha from 7.30pm . Contact Sacha on 07971 578151 or email sachabellydance@yahoo.co.uk for full details. Ridgewood Community Association, Yate BS37 4AF n Growing Ideas Garden Club meets at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of the month from September to June (with a break at Christmas) in the Watkins Room in the Old Grammar School Rooms, Chipping Sodbury. Annual Subs are £15.00 and visitors pay £3. We have a varied programme of speakers and the occasional workshop and a trip during the summer to gardens or a place of gardening interest. We support Sodbury in Bloom. We are a friendly club and by no means all
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expert gardeners. We enjoy sharing what knowledge we do have and welcome visitors to any of our meetings. If anyone is interested in joining or just finding out about our club they are welcome to come to a meeting or phone Naomi Gathercole on 01454 314476. Thursday n 8.00 pm. Armstrong Hall Ceroc Dance n Avon Harmony are a Ladies A Cappella / barbershop chorus. We welcome visitors for a no obligation taster session. We rehearse at the dance studio, Fairfield High School, Allfoxton Road, Bristol BS7 9NL. Every Thursday evening 7.30pm 9.45pm. Tel: Mary 07954170532. n Stokes Singers, a mixed voice community choir meet every Thursday during term time at Coniston Community Centre, Patchway BS34 5LP from 7.30 to 9.30pm. New members are welcome to try their first 2 rehearsals free of charge. For more information go to www. stokessingers.org.uk or phone Membership Secretary Liz on 01454 614148 Friday n 2.00 pm. Armstrong Hall Committee Room Canasta Club n Alveston: Marlwood School Marlwood Folk Companions 7:45 – 9:15pm (term time only). 01454 414365 Peter.sumner@ btopenworld.com n1.30pm Zumba Gold at Thornbury Leisure Centre Saturday n 10am STRONG by Zumba at the New Sports Complex, Castle School www.zumbathornbury.com n Thornbury parkrun is a free, weekly, 5km run or walk, organised entirely by volunteers and taking place every Saturday at 9am on the Mundy Playing Fields. Register once, print your barcode and just turn up. See www.parkrun.org.uk/ thornbury” Sunday n Thornbury Ramblers walk. See www.thornburyramblers.org.uk for details, or ring 01454 413924 n 10.30am Zumba at the New Sports Complex, Castle School www.zumbathornbury.com
Parish's House n Hook Hill, Timsbury, Bath BA2 0ND. 8-acre garden surrounding Regency house (not open) with beautiful views across open countryside. Lawns sweep down to ha-ha. Colour themed herbaceous and shrub borders. Elegant water
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December, 2018
feature. Arboretum of specimen trees and more recently planted acer glade. New woodland walk taking you from native British woodland to more exotic woodland planting. Walled kitchen garden: vegetables, fan trained and cordoned fruit trees of significant age and cut flower beds. Parts of the garden are being developed so we invite you to share our vision, anticipation and excitement!
Sunbeam Toddler Group
n Sunbeam Toddler's Group is held in Thornbury Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Thornbury. Every Tuesday in school term time. 1.15pm - 2.45pm. It costs £2 a session per family and that includes family and that includes a drink and biscuit and tea or coffee for the 'grown ups'! For more details and to book a place please email janetmann@hotmail.com Tel: 07742455505 or email margaretcrocombe60@gmail..com or Tel: 01454 600471
St Peter’s Hospice - Winter Warmer Lunch n St Peters Hospice Severnside Support Group would be delighted to welcome you to the
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Methodist Church Hall, Thornbury on Wednesday 23rd January at 1.00p.m to our Winter Warmer lunch. This will be Cottage Pie and Crumble followed by tea/coffee – vegetarian option will be available. Tickets are priced at £8.00 per person and are available from the Town Hall in Thornbury, from 7th January 2018. Please come along and support St Peters, your local Hospice.
Thornbury Volunteer Centre Grassland Management. Do you enjoy the great outdoors? Volunteers willing to undertake woodland and grassland management - coppicing, scything, path building, hedge laying and bramble clearing in wood in Thornbury. No experience needed. Work mornings are held on the second Saturday and the fourth Wednesday of the month. School Governors. Do you get on with people, would like to learn something new and give something back to the community? To be a governor there are papers to read, meetings to attend in the evenings and visits to attend during school hours. Several local primary schools in the Thornbury area are looking for new people to join their team. No previous experience of being a governor required, although experience of finance/running a business would be ideal. SEN Lending Library volunteer. Last Saturday morning of each month. Volunteers who are comfortable working with children with special educational needs, their siblings and parents are needed to fill a number of roles during the 2 hour Lending Library session. Tasks could include admin, making teas & coffees, playing with the children, collecting items from storage and chatting to parents. Volunteers would be subject to DBS checks and safeguarding training. Music/Film Online Research. Do you have an interest in music and film? A Thornbury Charity Shop would like to expand this department so are looking for someone to take responsibility for it, everything from display and pricing to online research. For further information on any of the above opportunities, please contact the Volunteer Centre on 01454 413392 or email mail@volunteer-thornbury.co.uk
Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk
December, 2018
n NEWS A PIONEERING initiative is to offer NHS physiotherapy outpatient clinics at Thornbury Leisure Centre. It’s being launched by Sirona Care & Health, which provides services for children and adults in the community. It’s hoped that thousands of people will benefit. Anyone recovering from an injury, surgery or problems with their muscles or joints will be treated at the leisure centre rather than in hospital. It will also be possible for patients to use the gym and pool. The pioneering move is part of a plan to move rehabilitation services out of Thornbury hospital to better facilities. It follows the announcement last month that in-patient beds would be moved to a new purpose built premises. Jenny Theed, Sirona’s
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Outpatient clinics come to Thornbury’s Leisure Centre Director of Nursing and Operations, said: “It makes sense to link up with a public facility which has a focus on healthy living and promoting activity as it matches our ethos to make sure people in our care are able to live as independently as possible.” Craig Smart, Operations Director for Circadian Trust said, “Our mission as an organisation is to inspire active lifestyles and maximise participation across all levels of health and wellbeing, so we’re thrilled to be working in partnership with Sirona to provide this outpatient service.
Campaigners say bus fare changes are unfair LIBERAL Democrat campaigners claim that changes to FirstBus fares will leave Thornbury passengers out of pocket compared to passengers in Bristol. They say that journeys from Thornbury and Yate will cost £2.50 for under three miles, whereas Bristol residents can travel further for £2.07. Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Thornbury & Yate, Claire Young, said: “This latest fare rise means that someone wanting to pop into Yate from Frampton Cotterell or from Alveston into Thornbury will have to pay £5 to get there and back. Meanwhile Bristol
residents will now be able to get an adult single anywhere within Bristol for just £2.07. Once again this seems like an example
of Thornbury & Yate residents being taken for a ride by First Bus.” A spokesperson for the
company said: “Our focus for this fare review was on the flat fare for Bristol and simplifying the zone structure for journeys outside Bath, Bristol and Weston-super-Mare, so we have focussed on improvements for our whole operating area, not just Bristol.” “Yate and Thornbury residents can buy a pack of 5 West of England Zone singles via the mTicket app for £17.50, so £3.50 each. These allow travel across the whole zone, regardless of distance, and they match the cash price for 3-6 miles and save between £1 and £3 compared to the cash price when travelling more than 6 miles.”
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n STROUD AUCTIONS MEDALS won by a young Royal Flying Corps officer who flew the King of Belgium over the trenches on the eve of the Armistice in 1918 caused world-wide interest at Stroud Auction Rooms' November sale, held just days before the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. There were bidders online, on the telephone and in the room - all fascinated by the story of the WW1 Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) medal group awarded George William Biles (later Bentley), which sold with associated documentation, log books, ephemera and personal papers. George Biles flew land and sea planes on the home front, in Italy and the Western Front, and his medals (DFC, War Medal, Victory Medal with oak leaf, Coronation Medal, Order of Leopold (Belgium) and Croix de Guerre (Belgium), together with miniatures) eventually sold for £12,200. A continental silver cigarette case, believed to be Cartier and presented to the officer in 1918 by King Albert of Belgium, with inscription "To
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Captain G W Bentley RAF in Remembrance of our interesting trip in Flanders, the last Day of the Great War 10th November 1918, Albert" sold for £950. A Second World War medal group presented to Captain Bentley’s son, RAF Flt Lt J P Bentley, together with documentation, flight logbook and ephemera made £1,500. Militaria and weapons also sold well, among the top-selling lots were a Winchester Model 1894 .32-40 underlever repeating rifle with adjustable sights, making £1,100; a World War Two SS officer's peaked cap (£1,200); a Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon V 20 bore over and under ejector shotgun (£1,050); and a pair of Carter flintlock hammer action holster pistols (£950). In the toy section a red Austin Junior J-40 pedal car, with opening bonnet to reveal dummy engine, opening boot, treadle action pedals and battery-operated lights and horn, went under the hammer for £1,550. Other lots included a Victorian dress and underskirt/bustle in embroidered silk, from the
December, 2018
Medals awarded to George William Biles collection of Sir Thomas Woollaston White, which made £650, and a Cotswold School Arts and Crafts oak-folding table which sold for £480. Stroud Auction Rooms December sale is on December 5, 6 and 7, when jewellery, silver, watches, coins and fine wines and spirits will be among the specialist lots. If you are thinking of selling
then please contact our specialist valuers. If you would just like to have a browse and see the 3000plus lots then viewing will be on Tuesday, December 4 (10am-7pm) and from 9 am on sale days. For information about the December auction, ring 01453 873800 or emailinfo@ stroudauctions.com
Austin Junior J-40 pedal car Continental silver cigarette case
Oldbury on Severn Church of England VC
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Every moment is an opportunity to LEARN
At Oldbury School, we understand that happy, engaged children learn better. For us, inspiring a love of learning, isn’t just a strapline, it is the foundation of our approach to education. The unique attributes that come from being a small rural school, from the extensive grounds to the caring environment, underpin a creative approach to education that release the potential of our children.
Inspiring a love of learning
Find out more at www.oldburyschool.org.uk or call us on 01454 414297 to arrange a visit.
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December, 2018
21
n RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Merry Christmas will be binned because it’s gone off. Most supermarkets will only be closed all day on Christmas Day. Check out the hours in advance. My recipe for this month is great for anyone who doesn’t like Christmas pudding on the big day. It can be made ahead and frozen; just defrost overnight in the fridge. Warm through in a moderate oven (180 F, Gas 4) for 10 mins before serving with lashings of cream. In the words of the well-known Christmas carol, “Merry Christmas to you and your kin”
Ann Murray is from the Cooking4 Cookery School based in Chipping Sodbury. She’s teamed up with Thornbury Voice to pass on her wealth of experience in the kitchen.
Hopefully when you read this you will be well and truly enjoying the festive season. But lots of people find planning for Christmas very stressful. My top tips for trying to avoid this are: Plan ahead Make good use of your freezer. Either cook your own recipes or buy in ready-made dishes and pop them in your freezer. This should minimise the work you need to do on the day. on’t be a martyr D If family and friends either offer to bring something to the feast or offer to help in the kitchen on the day, accept gracefully. DO NOT SAY “Oh just bring yourselves” Remember you don’t have to make everything from scratch There’s no shame in using readymade stuffing, gravy and other accompaniments. The same goes for custard for the Christmas pudding and even the pudding itself. ake sure you have some fruit, M cheese and biscuits for surprise visitors There’s no need to over-shop. It’s estimated that a third of the food bought for the Christmas period
Walnut Tart You will need a 22 x 4cm round loose-based fluted flan tin. PREHEAT THE OVEN Ingredients: • 1 Packet of dessert pastry- 375g • Unsalted butter- 200g, cubed • Demerara sugar- 200g • Self raising flour- 100g • Free range eggs- 4, lightly beaten • Ground walnuts- 80g • Walnut halves- 85g • Icing sugar for dusting Here’s What You Do: Preheat the oven to 190C, 375F or GAS MARK 5 1. First, prepare the pastry case. Remove pastry from the fridge, roll to the thickness of a £1 coin. 2. L ine the tin, letting the pastry overhang the edge of the tin all round. DON’T TRIM. Leave to rest for 20 mins back in the fridge. 3. R emove from the fridge. Prick the base with a fork (helps to stop the pastry getting any air bubbles.) Line the case with a piece of baking parchment. 4. T ip in baking beans or scrunched up tin foil. Trim any overhanging pastry. 5. B ake blind (just as it is without any filling) for 10 mins. 6. R emove the paper and beans/ foil and bake for a further 10 mins. 7. Meanwhile prep the filling. Beat together the butter and sugar until well-combined and fluffy. 8. G radually beat in the eggs a little at a time until well combined. 9. F old in the ground walnuts. Then gently fold in the flour. 10. Spoon the walnut mixture into the pastry case. Smooth the tip and arrange the reserved
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walnut halves on the top in a pattern of your choice before baking. 11. Bake in the centre of the oven for 25-35 mins until puffed up, firm and set. You may need to cover the tart with foil if it looks like it’s getting too brown. 12. To test if it’s done, lightly tap the middle of the tart with your finger. It should feel firm, not squidgy.
13. Allow to cool slightly. Dust with icing sugar. 14. S erve warm with pouring cream. Cook’s Tips This tart freezes well. Double wrap in foil having removed the flan tin and allowed the tart to become cold. For best flavour eat within a month of freezing.
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December, 2018
n LOCAL MP
We have come a long way but a new health centre is just within sight
Luke Hall MP writes for Thornbury Voice
THE journey our community has taken for improved health services in Thornbury has been a long one, and at times has resulted in frustration amongst residents after each false start over the years. However a new and improved Health Centre is now just within sight. I have been determined that Thornbury should get the improved health services it was promised, and the new health centre it deserves. That is why I have used every opportunity to take this project to the highest levels of Government at the Department for Health. Where before Health Ministers could only look at the plans on paper, I brought Cabinet Ministers to Thornbury; two from the Health Secretary and another from the Treasury so they could see first-
hand what a difference this project would make to our town, our families and our community. In addition, with support from our Council Leader Toby Savage, South Gloucestershire Council has now said it will do what is required to make the project a reality by taking over the build in co-ordination with local health leaders. This is hugely important for the practicalities of delivering a new health centre once we have the green light. This co-ordination between Government, the council, health leaders and me as our MP has made the difference, and it means that we have never been closer from turning the idea from paper and into health services for our families. That’s why I am now continuing the battle in this crucial last stretch
by pressing Government fiercely to support the NHS’s submission and case for the £10m required to realise the project. In my most recent meeting with the new Health Secretary I have kept the momentum going and explained why we need a new GP hub with outpatient services, community services and importantly mental health provision based in Thornbury – laying out what why the £10 million is needed. It has been a long journey, but these latest efforts will be crucial to securing the project, and as our MP I remain committed to it as ever. A huge thank you to everybody from Thornbury who that has backed and supported the campaign. Success is now within sight.
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December, 2018
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n INTERCHANGE BLOG
It’s all in the mind for Laura Hypnotherapist Laura Jane, who lives in Thornbury, talks to The Interchange blog about techniques that can help to manage stressful situations… Stress, anxiety, depression – we hear a lot about how mental health is an issue for many people. But what we don’t always hear are ways that we can support, improve and help those struggling with those conditions. For Laura Jane, helping people make positive changes was a huge driver when she decided to set up her hypnotherapy practice in Bradley Stoke a year ago. Laura studied psychology at university, but didn’t immediately put her skills into action, having felt that she couldn’t find a therapy that was the right fit for the way she wanted to support people. “Nothing sat quite right,” she says, “but then when my marriage broke down and I was going through a difficult time, I tried hypnotherapy. It really changed my life and I knew I wanted to retrain to help others.” Based out of WillowBrook Clinic at the WillowBrook Centre, Laura’s completed hundreds of hours of practise and training in the last couple of years. Her time is now spent with clients who want to find ways to overcome issues, including stress and anxiety, but also modifying behaviours such as heavy drinking, smoking or gambling. “I relied on alcohol more than I perhaps should’ve when I was first divorced, and as such I no longer drink at all. I’m seeing more people with drinking issues and I feel like it’s an area that I can offer real support,” Laura says. “The key point is that people must feel they want to make the change. That they say to themselves ‘I want this to stop’. Trying hypnotherapy needs to be personal choice, not because someone else has told you that you should,” explains Laura. The type of hypnotherapy that Laura offers is solution focused. Essentially, she talks to clients about the way the brain works and how she can help change bad habits – through what’s known as neural pathways. Laura concentrates on three specific areas – thinking, activity and interaction, which she says are paramount to facilitating change.
Thinking “This isn’t about saying ‘cheer up buddy’,” she says, “it’s about asking yourself ‘how do you want this day to go?’ I ask clients to consider what they’re grateful for, to concentrate on the positives. It’s about learning to care for yourself.” Activity “Activity can mean different things to different people. I love to run, and even though I haven’t much lately, in the past it’s been my saviour,” says Laura. “For others that might be listening to music, doing some cross stitch, going for a walk or doing an exercise class. It’s about finding something that can make you happy in that moment.” Interaction “Spending time with friends, family and even colleagues, can be a great way of making yourself feel good – by just interacting with other people,” Laura explains. “Sometimes we can feel that we should be doing something else, other than spending time with friends, but I like to help people think of the could rather than the should. E.g. ‘I could go to the gym, but right
now spending time with a friend will be better for me.’ It’s worth thinking about how we speak to ourselves.” After an initial consultation with Laura, she will put together a personally tailored programme looking at the best ways to tackle a particular issue. The sessions may take six weeks, or longer. Or, in the case of someone wanting to stop smoking, one or two sessions could be all that’s needed. “Although I don’t do it often, I also support clients online. Occasionally people will feel better doing that first before coming in to meet me in person, or perhaps they can’t physically get to me,” she says. Sessions with Laura can either be carried out in her Bradley Stoke clinic, or from her home in Thornbury. She has clients from across the North Bristol and South Gloucestershire area, including Frampton Cottrell and beyond. If you’d like to know more about hypnotherapy, Laura has a Facebook page @ laurajanehynotherapy and is in the process of building a new website, which will be available by visiting www.laurajanehypnotherapy.com
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December, 2018
n THORNBURY AND DISTRICT MUSEUM THE first references to bowls being played in Thornbury were in 1913. A plot of ground, part of Lower Marlwood Farm, was leased from the Harwood family. The green was officially opened on 29th May 1913 by Colonel C.E. Turner Esq. of Old Down House, Tockington. It was located at the bottom of what is now the Mundy Playing Fields. The 1916 Prewetts Directory shows that the club was then known as the Thornbury Bowling Club. One of the key figures in the Club in the early days was Samuel Dennis, the headmaster of the National School (now known as St Mary’s School). He was the secretary from 1921 to 1954. In an article which he wrote in 1923 his wife was appealing for other ladies to join her in forming a ladies team for friendly matches. Based on the names of the people involved in the playing of the game it was popular amongst shopkeepers, trades people and teachers. The bowling club continued
Bowling along for over a century
Going to count the first bowl 1913 paying the rent to the Harwood family until 1947 when Dr Basil Harwood conveyed the
site occupied by the tennis and bowling clubs to Thornbury Parish Council, as a memorial to his father, Edward Harwood. He had been a well known banker in the town. The deed of gift stipulated that the bowling green was to be named ‘Edward Harwood Bowling Green’ but no later reference using that name has been found. The green fell into disrepair and in 1958 the members of Thornbury Bowling Club moved to join the Olveston Bowling Club. The bowling green site was used to expand the number of tennis courts and there was no more bowling in Thornbury until
the indoor greens were open in 1980. The Thornbury Indoor Bowling Club was started largely due to the enthusiasm for the game by Frank Maude, who was Chief Executive of the Northavon District Council. Interest in the game in Thornbury spread fast and a shop selling bowls equipment opened for a short time in premises on the corner of St Mary Street and The Plain. Regular competitions and championships were organised at the Leisure Centre and some of these were even televised to a national audience.
Th'by Bowling Club opening speech
L & J Gulwell
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Th'bury Bowling Club group 1913
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December, 2018
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n NEWS By Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter The top officer at South Gloucestershire Council has handed in her resignation – and it could cost £30,000 to replace her. Chief executive Amanda Deeks announced earlier this month she will be retiring from the £160,000 role at some point in 2019. Her move follows the departure of two of the authority’s four chief officers in the last 12 months. Mrs Deeks, who joined the council as director of corporate resources in 2001, said: “After 17 amazing years with South Gloucestershire Council, I have decided it is time for me to retire next year. “During this time it has been a genuine pleasure and privilege for me to have worked alongside the most incredible councillors and staff, all dedicated to serving our residents and making South Gloucestershire a great place to live and work.” The quality of South Gloucestershire Council’s leadership was celebrated in a
Council boss to quit peer review last year – but it also warned that turnover at the top level was potentially risky when the authority is transforming. A report to the council’s appointments and employment subcommittee meeting on November 14 says: “There is always a balance to be struck between bringing in new talent and retaining high-potential staff through deliberate workforce and succession planning strategies.” “The council has a good record of competitive internal promotions to head of service level, which is balanced with appointments made from external campaigns when no successor candidates were internally ready.” “The market for chief officers, notably those with corporate accountabilities and chief executive posts, remains buoyant and the council risks competing for talent in a tight labour market where labour mobility remains a challenge.”
The appointments and employment subcommittee will discuss recruiting a replacement for Mrs Deeks and potentially advertising the role externally if there are no suitable internal candidates. A national recruitment campaign could cost the council up to £30,000. The chief executive works with elected members and senior
managers “to shape and deliver the vision and strategies of the council”. They will be responsible for the council’s 3,000 staff and its £629million budget. The proposed salary range of between £159,900 and £170,560 will be considered by councillors in December.
New training centre South Gloucestershire opens for young people house prices down by 1.0% with learning disabilities Joseph Hook, data reporter
Up to 25 young people with learning disabilities from South Gloucestershire are now able to attend a training and teaching campus in Stroud. It was officially opened by Council Leader Cllr Toby Savage. The Campus offers young people aged between 16 and 25 with special educational needs the opportunity to study skills across various industries, including catering and hospitality. Its kitchen facilities meet professional standards. The centre is run in partnership with South Gloucestershire and Stroud (SGS) College. South Gloucestershire Council provided £540,000 of funding. SGS College Principal, Sara-Jane Watkins, said: “SGS College is delighted to partner with South Gloucestershire Council to offer such an exciting, new opportunity to young people requiring high-needs support.”
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House prices in South Gloucestershire decreased by 1.0% in September, despite witnessing a 0.2% rise over the last 12 months. The latest data from the Office of National Statistics shows that the average property in the area sold for £273,836 – significantly higher than the UK average of £232,554. Across the South West, property prices have risen by 4.3% in the last year, to £260,142. The region outperformed the UK as a whole, which saw the average property value increase by 3.5%. The data comes from the House Price Index, which the ONS compiles using house sale information from the Land Registry, and the equivalent bodies in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The average homeowner in South Gloucestershire will have seen their property jump in value by around £80,000 in the last five years. The figures also showed that buyers who made their first step onto the property ladder in South Gloucestershire in September spent an average of £233,471 – around £68,000 more than it would have cost them five years ago. Between August last year and July this year, the most recent 12 months for which sales volume data is available, 4,521 homes were sold in South Gloucestershire, 7% fewer than in the previous year.
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December, 2018
n MOTORING
A guide to pre-owned cars with Richard Cooke
Second hand Style Christmas motoring gifts: The power of inflation At what age does the change occur; when one no longer has a Christmas list running to several pages but instead is at a total loss when asked for ideas? 20? 30? Certainly by 40. Every year my short list is one of extremes: Either a book costing about £15 (not substantial enough) or a Maserati (apparently too substantial). Rarely can I think of something midway. So for those of you in the same boat I bring you great cheer for the festive season with two motoringthemed Christmas present suggestions that your loved ones can easily source. First up is a must for those with tired leather seats: Dodo Juice’s Supernatural leather cleaner. Typically I clean the inside of my
car once every two years, whether it needs it or not. I know it’s time when passengers refuse to get in. A quick hoover gets the worst off, but leather is a natural product that needs attention and protection. So whilst £13 for half a litre of what looks like water sounds expensive, you have to trust me: This stuff is magic. Old cracked leather, stained by years of general dirt and dye from trousers comes up just like new. Spray it on and it literally strips the dirt off straight away, leaving clean streaks as it runs down the seats. Rub it firmly with an old cloth a patch at a time and you will be amazed at how grubby the leather had become. It also works on plastic seat backs, fabric roof linings and kick plates. Be careful though, because while it strips away dirt and stains it will also burn your skin. So wear rubber gloves and cover your eyes when you spray it - this is powerful stuff.
Thankfully a little goes a long way, and I estimate that there’s enough for 6 or 7 full interior cleans in the bottle. It will possibly fit in a large stocking. The second present will need to go under the tree, and preferably not on top of delicate items as it weighs in at about 5 kg. What you may not know you need, but I assure you that you absolutely 100% do, is a properly restored vintage foot pump. The item in the photo is my very own Dunlop ‘Standard’, purchased last year for £70. Picture the scene: The porous alloy on your ancient Lexus has yet again set off the car’s tyre pressure monitor alarm. The changing season and with it changes to air temperature has exacerbated the alloy problem that you’re too tight and apathetic to rectify. You’re running late, and if you do have a pump in the boot I wager it is a modern unstable asthmatic
embarrassment. The less said about electric compressed air pumps the better. To compound your misery there isn’t a garage around for miles. Granted that’s a lot of scene for you to picture, but it leads to one irrevocable conclusion: You need a proper foot pump. Dunlop and the wonderfully named Kismet pumps were produced to an extremely high standard up until the 1950s. Such was their quality that Rolls Royce and Bentley included them as part of their standard tool kits, which is all the endorsement I need. Buying one new in 1951 would have cost £150 in today’s money. The action on my Dunlop ‘Standard’ is silky smooth, the heavy chassis giving the pump stability and heft (the Dunlop ‘Major’ is even more substantial). Unwelcome roadside inflation jobs transform into an opportunity to revel in the sheer engineering quality of these old pumps. Unless it’s raining, in which case it’s still a total pain in the backside. The fact is that a significant minority of cars today are tooling around with under-inflated tyres, which both wrecks fuel consumption and negatively impacts handling. Avoid unrestored poor quality Ebay examples and instead get in touch with Gordon Edwards at Vintage Pumps, and you won’t look back. With that, I wish you and your family a very merry motoring Christmas and a happy and safe New Year! In 2019: Business as usual
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December, 2018
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27
n SPORT By Dave Fox St Ives 34 - 18 Thornbury ANOTHER poor start set Thornbury on the way to a heavy defeat in deepest Cornwall. Despite a gutsy performance they were outmuscled by a bigger side Although finishing both halves the stronger team Thornbury’s inexperienced side allowed St Ives to play their impressive power game and dictate proceedings. St Ives, winners of Western Counties West last season, had enjoyed a good start to the season. Thorns looked stuck in third gear as St Ives launched attack after attack with their powerful ball-carriers making inroads through some unconvincing tackles. The inevitable score came after eight minutes with Lawrance being driven over from a rolling maul. The conversion missed but after Thornbury restarted St Ives powered back and from a scrum fullback Dan Magee wandered over unopposed for a second unconverted try. Worse was to follow when almost directly from the restart St Ives’ skipper Tom Nicholas scored out wide. With fifteen minutes gone, St Ives led 15-0. At last Thornbury got to grips with proceedings and Dan Hussey went over in the corner only to be called back for a forward pass. But the referee was playing advantage for offside and Jake Wood slotted over a penalty into the gale to open Thornbury’s account. Close to half time Thornbury’s Jake Wood made an outside break, Alfie Richardson took it on and fed Harry Glew who was hauled down five metres short but he offloaded to Jake Wood who scored a fine try in the corner. He couldn’t convert but a few minutes later added a second penalty on the stroke of halftime to reduce arrears to 15-11 at the break. Now with the elements behind them there was confidence that Thornbury could see this out, but St Ives had other ideas, Grant Thirlby going over in the corner for the bonus point try and a 2011 lead. As the third quarter drew to a close good handling and a loop move put St Ives wing Joe Parma in for a try which Magee converted and at 27-11 the home side were all but home and dry. Thornbury tried to run out of
Thornbury succumb to St Ives defence but they dithered rather than running hard, were turned over and replacement hooker Connor Blick scored a sixth try. Magee added the extras for 34-11. Thornbury looked to salvage something from the game and launched a series of attacks, Alfie Richardson rounding the cover and running in for a try. Jake Wood added the conversion and although the game restarted St Ives closed the game out for a comfortable win.
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n SPORT
December, 2018
Rockhampton Cricket Club busy in the off season
WE may be heading towards Christmas, but members at Rockhampton have been busy preparing for the future, and even playing some cricket, as chairman John Hore explains September signals the end of cricket “out in the middle”, the autumn renovations are completed and most clubs close down for winter telling themselves that the new season is only 6 months away. At Rockhampton Cricket Club this could not be further from the truth. The additional land purchased 2 years ago, some two and half acres, has been drained, levelled and seeded and I am relieved to report that the germination has been fantastic resulting in a green carpet of new grass which will be ready for playing on next season. Being able to extend the boundaries will mean that the new square, which was
Rockhampton Cricket Club busy in the off season prepared by Gloucestershire County Cricket Club 12 months ago, will be in use from May 2019. The extended playing area will also allow all the junior teams to have next summer’s Friday night practices all at the Boundary Field rather than being
split between the Common and Boundary Field. The parents can look forward to having drinks and BBQ all at the same venue. In addition to the ground works mentioned we were lucky to obtain funding which has enabled the club to renovate
a large pond which sits in the far corner of the ground, with its very own island graded to encourage wildlife. This should become a tremendous feature for all to enjoy. With regards winter cricket, the Junior Section (U9’s / U12’s) have indoor practice Monday, Tuesday and Fridays at Castle School leading up to Christmas and again in the New Year . Meanwhile the U12s are having a great time playing in the indoor Damien Forder Cricket league at the County Ground, following a very successful season when they won the U11’s Stroud District Development League . Senior Nets will take place from February at the Castle School, dates and times to be announced. Anyone wishing to know more about RCC can call John Hore on 07775 588273 Or Ian Williams 07738119567
Make a date for festive rugby THORNBURY Rugby Club are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds as part of a Christmas charity match. A Thornbury XV will be taking on the PROPS Barbarians on Thursday December 27th, with the kick off at midday The match, at Thornbury’s, Rockhampton Road ground, raises funds for the PROPS Charity to help children and young adults with learning difficulties. Last season’s match was called off due to the weather but in 2016 over £1000 was raised. Despite the Christmas excesses, the rugby promises to be good too. In 2016, The PROPS included players from several Bristol Combination clubs and won 37-27.
Pictured left: Father and son Sean and Jake Goodridge spending some quality family time at Christmas. Above: Former captain “Tet” Ogilvie giving the PROPS team something to think about.
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December, 2018
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n SPORT
Runners enjoy the ups and downs of races HENRY Orna and Matt Johnstone have been flying the flag for Thornbury Running Club in two very challenging races. Henry travelled to just outside Bath for the aptly named ‘Bath Hilly Half’, a two lap race over the half marathon distance which starts and finishes on Bath Racecourse and features an assortment of exhausting climbs. Henry finished 19th overall in a very competitive field in 1 hour 47:24 mins. Matt joined the masses at the highly popular Sodbury Slog over the multi-terrain 10-mile race which starts on the outskirts of Chipping Sodbury. As well as a selection of fields, muddy paths and steep hills to negotiate, the ‘Slog’ is well known for its thighdeep water hazards and deep muddy trenches. The organisers added some off-road sections for this year’s race and even had 4000 gallons of water on standby if one of the sections was not deep enough. After gaining some places in the first half of the race, Matt lost a similar amount of places in the second half after succumbing to the effects of one of the leg-sapping muddy trenches. Matt’s final position was 14th overall and 4th in the MV40 age category in 1 hour 12:25 mins. The second round of the Gloucestershire Cross Country league rolled into Charlton Park, near Malmesbury with a combined team of 19 men and women were wearing the blue and red Thornbury vest,
including three making their cross-country debuts. Last year’s race was a mud bath on the same route, but thankfully this contest was a more straightforward test of running ability and stamina, as the undulating course was firm and fast. In the women’s 6.7k race, Laura Orna had another excellent performance, finishing in 31st place overall in a swift 29:27 mins. Jo Emerson and Clare Watt were the next Thornbury runners. The Thornbury A team were in the top half of the competition in the women’s field, finishing 17th out of 41 teams and thanks to the great turnout there was a B team which finished 39th. Nick Williams returned from injury in the men’s 9.6k race with a strong run amongst some of the best local club runners. After the usual frantic start, Nick settled down into a good pace and finished 59th out of a large field of almost 250 runners in 37:11 mins. Henry Orna bided his time and ran a well-judged race to finish second of the Thornbury men in 101st place in 39:49 mins, closely followed by Dylan Roberts in 104th in 39:52 mins. Dave Beard had one of his best runs for the club, finishing in 116th in 40:26 mins. The men’s team was 15th out of 25 teams and in the Vets competition the A team were 7th and 24th out of 24 teams.
Sarah Newnes in cross country action
Henry Orna tackles the Bath Hilly Half
Tennis club keeps busy through the winter THORNBURY Tennis Club has a programme of eight LTA sanctioned tournaments scheduled through the Winter months: six for juniors and two for adults. The tournaments draw entries from competition players from across the South West, Midlands and Wales. There are several seasonal events in the run up to the Christmas including an American Tournament coupled with mince pies and mulled wine on 22nd December. The recently refurbished
clubhouse has hosted a successful quiz and curry evening, with club member and experienced quiz-master, Matt Stringer, in the chair. The Winter schedule comes after a busy Autumn at the club as the Avon Mixed Summer League concluded. The First Team finished fifth in a very competitive league winning three of their ten matches. Significant victories were the two fixtures against Hanham Firsts. The team secured a 6-4 home win and an
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8-2 away win. The Second Team also finished fifth with four match victories. The most notable were a 6-4 home win against Hanham Seconds and a 6-4 away win against Winterbourne Firsts, including a 6-0, 6-0 result in the final match of the season. Pictured right: Megan O’Connor & Brendan Wilde won both of their matches at Sir Bernard Lovell Tennis Centre during the recent Summer league.
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Thornbury Town suff NOVEMBER has proved to be a frustrating month for Thornbury Town with all three scheduled first team matches having been postponed. At the start of the month Thornbury made the trip to league leaders Cheltenham Saracens, only to find when they reached the ground that travellers had set up camp in the stadium car park and ground, giving the referee no alternative other than to postpone the game. Town were then due to visit Newent Town the following Tuesday evening but this game was also postponed as Newent’s floodlights had not yet been erected. The next weekend saw Town make the trip into Wiltshire to visit Pewsey Vale. However heavy rain on the motorway did not bode well and as the team bus pulled into the car park the match referee called the game off due to the waterlogged state of the pitch which he felt was
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Caravans stop play; Thornbury Town’s visit to league leaders Cheltenham Saracens was thwarted because travellers had set up camp in the car park and pitch. The referee postponed the match.
unsafe for players and officials. Thornbury are hopeful that the local derby against Tytherington Rocks will go ahead. Having had two convincing victories against Rocks this season, Town go into the game with confidence although their opponents will be very much an unknown quantity having made a number of new signings recently. The Hellenic cup draws have been kind to Thornbury having been drawn at home in both the Supplementary Cup and the Floodlit Cup as the opposition in both fixtures have to make long journeys. In the Bluefin Sports Supplementary Cup Town have been drawn at home to Surrey side Virginia Water, who play in the Premier Division, on Saturday 1 December. In the Perpetua Press Floodlit Cup they are at home to AFC Aldermaston from Berkshire, that game is scheduled for Tuesday 11 December, with a
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ffer postponements 7:45pm kick off. Meanwhile in the league, Town have continued to maintain their good start to the season, finding the net on a regular basis. Having beaten Tytherington 6-0 in front of a large crowd at the Mundys with
Marcus Wormwell and Luke Franklin both netting twice and a goal from Asher Budd and an own goal, Thorns travelled to Newent for the first time. Again they found the net on a regular basis winning 6-2 with last season’s leading scorer Craig
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