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January, 2018 Issue 10
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Town library to be moved to new location despite opposition A “BIGGER and better” library has been promised for Thornbury by moving it to a new location, even though public consultation resulted in a large majority opposed to the change. Cabinet members on South Gloucestershire Council have voted to re-locate the facility from St Mary Street to the Turnberries community building in Bath Road. But the location has been criticised by opponents, claiming it would not be so convenient for users as the current town centre premises. The council said the existing library was in need of costly repairs to the roof, windows, electrics and heating system. It said putting it in Turnberries would mean users would have more space of a higher quality. But Liberal Democrats said the consultation exercise resulted in the public rejecting the move by a large majority of more than two to one. Full story page 5
New owner for Thornbury store Countrywide sells to Mole Valley Farmers PAGE 2
Nuclear reactors for Oldbury get approval Regulators give green light to new design PAGE 3
Thornbury new base for Armed Forces Day Parade and events planned for June PAGE 6
School doing a great job New Siblands labelled outstanding by inspectors PAGE 11
Faith in youth On the move: Thornbury Library is set to relocate to Turnberries Photo: RichMcD Photography
Thornbury Rugby Club plans for the future PAGE 30
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Rockin’ all over Thornbury to support cancer charity A FUND raising dance in the Castle School will feature the band Rock of Ages and local drummer Brian Henley. The event has been organised by the Thornbury and District committee of Cancer Research UK to raise money for the charity. Music from the 1960s, 70s and 80s will be played at the dance, which takes place on Saturday, February 17, and will have a red theme to mark Valentine’s Day. It starts at 7.30pm and the £12.50 tickets, to include refreshments, are on sale in Thornbury Town Hall, T&J Owen on The Plain, The Garden Shop off High Street or by calling 01454 415856.
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January, 2018
New owner for Thornbury country store A LONG-established country store in Thornbury has been sold to Mole Valley Farmers. Countrywide, on the edge of the town, is one of 48 stores to be acquired by Mole Valley in a deal that is expected to be completed by the end of January. Another five stores in other parts of the country will not transfer and are due to be closed. A statement from Countrywide said it would retain all freehold properties, with Mole Valley entering into lease agreements as a tenant. It said: “Countrywide confirms that it has now agreed terms to sell its retail business to Mole Valley Farmers Ltd. “Under the terms of the sale, Mole Valley will acquire the retail business, which will include 48 of the 53 currently trading stores, support teams and IT operating systems for a value that is dependent upon stock
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levels in the business at time of completion. “The sale is subject to review by the Competition and Markets Authority, with completion expected to take place before the end of January 2018.” It also said the sale would affect about 750 employees, who were expected to transfer to the new owners. Andrew Jackson, chief executive of Mole Valley Farmers, said: “We very much look forward to welcoming and
integrating the Countrywide retail team into the company. “My perception is that the staff have remained loyal and focussed on maintaining business performance despite uncertainty about their futures, which is a commendable measure of their stamina and commitment to the business and customers alike.” Mole Valley also has a presence in Chipping Sodbury as it recently acquired A Nichols (Cow Mills) in Station Road.
Thornbury life saver presented with national award THE life-saving action of Environment Agency employer Marcus Fry has earned him a national award. Mr Fry, a project manager from Thornbury, and fellow worker Rob Nichols swung into action after a colleague collapsed at the agency’s head office in Bristol. The woman was unresponsive and struggling to breathe so first aider Mr Fry started administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). He also used a defibrillator to prevent the risk of brain damage until an ambulance arrived. Mr Nichols, a software contractor, took over CPR while the defibrillator was powered up. Mr Fry, 55, said: “These things work on a fluttering heart so while Rob, a volunteer with West Midlands Ambulance Service, continued the CPR, I put the pads on the patient. “The machine did an analysis and instructed us to continue mouth-to-mouth and CPR. “After two to three minutes the paramedics arrived, followed by an ambulance carrying larger equipment, and then a doctor by helicopter.” The medics stabilised the patient before taking her to hospital, where she was slowly awakened and treated for her
heart condition. Richard Houghton, deputy director of health, safety and well-being at the Environment Agency, said: “We are very proud of and grateful to our quick-thinking colleagues whose calmness and first aid knowledge saved their workmate’s life.” A defibrillator sends an electric shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm. Prompt treatment increases a victim’s chances of survival and reduces the risk of brain damage. The woman who was saved, while not being named, said: “I feel like the luckiest person in the world. “Marcus and Rob provided the assistance I needed with minimum delay. Their actions were impeccable. I was in hospital for two days in an induced coma and thankfully hadn’t suffered any neurological damage when I came around.” The lifesavers travelled to London to collect their award from Anne Jolly, the founder of SADS UK, a national charity that campaigns to prevent loss of life from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome. Mr Fry received a Lifepak defibrillator, which he is donating to a village hall in Wiltshire.
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January, 2018
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Nuclear reactors planned for new Oldbury B power plant gain regulators’ approval REGULATORS have approved the design of the reactors that are proposed to generate electricity at a new Oldbury B nuclear power station at Shepperdine. Horizon Nuclear Power, the company behind the major project, welcomed the announcement, saying it was a major leap forward in the process for the technology to be built at its planned sites in both Oldbury and on Anglesey. But it cautioned that the generic design assessment of the UK Advanced Boiling Water Reactor, designed by Hitachi-GE, did not in itself give permission to build. It now has to start a process of site specific safety and environmental applications in parallel to that for its nuclear site licence. It also needs planning permission from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Only when those are achieved can the company move to construction first at Wylfa Newydd and later at Oldbury, where it is proposed to have two of the reactors next to PREPARATIONS for one of the biggest sporting events in the world are well underway, with tickets for the 2018 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials due to go on sale in January. The box office will open for priority booking on January 3, with public booking starting on January 10. The event will run at the South Gloucestershire home of the Duke of Beaufort from Wednesday, May 2, to Sunday, May 6, with the first day taken up by the Mitsubishi Motors Cup for grassroots riders. The feature international
Oldbury’s new reactors will be the same as the one for Horizon’s proposed new site in Wales the Magnox plant now being decommissioned. Horizon said the new station would create up to 850 permanent jobs, with a construction workforce of around
4,000 for the majority of the time and up to 9,000 workers at the peak of construction. Duncan Hawthorne, Horizon’s chief executive, said: “This is a huge milestone
for Horizon and a major leap forward for us in bringing muchneeded new nuclear power to the UK.” Fifty years since power first produced at Oldbury, page 19
Countdown begins for Badminton Horse Trials occupies the following four days, with leading horses and riders from around the globe taking part. Many will be hoping for a good performance to be in with a chance of selection for the world eventing championships later in the year. Eric Winter, who made his debut as Badminton’s crosscountry course designer in 2017, is producing his second track and said there would be plenty of changes, including a new bank early on the course and a
new combination of obstacles in Huntsman’s Close. He said: “The course will run in the opposite direction to the last event and no fence will be in the same place.” Away from the competition, a new food and drink area will be introduced in the shopping village and the British Horse Society has been named as the event’s charity of the year. The society is celebrating its platinum anniversary, having helped and supported horses,
their owners and riders for 70 years. It has more than 100,000 members and is dedicated to education, equine welfare, protecting and increasing access to bridleways and equestrian routes, as well as safety for horse and riders. Lynn Petersen, its chief executive, said: “We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to showcase our work to the thousands of people who attend Badminton.”
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January, 2018
n NEWS
Drama group celebrates half century with panto performance THE pantomime Dick Whittington and his Cat will be the first production to be staged by Thornbury Musical Theatre Group in its 50th anniversary year in 2018. Written by Chris Denys and Chris Harris, the panto is directed by Dorothy Wrench, who has promised a show of traditional fun, with comedy, catchy music, drama, romance and audience participation. The production will run in the Armstrong Hall from Wednesday, February 14, to
Saturday, February 17, with performances at 7.30pm. There will also be two matinees at 2.30pm on the Friday and Saturday. Tickets can be booked online at www.tmtg.org.uk and cost £12.50 for adults, £11.50 for senior citizens and £5 for children. Group discounts are available. A box office, to be run from Saturday, January 6, at Lisa Costa Residential Sales and Lettings at 53 High Street, can also be contacted on 07516 270140.
New Year, New Year’s Resolution: Charity needs daffodil volunteers MARIE Curie is appealing for people in Thornbury to ‘get behind the daffodil’, by volunteering to collect donations for the charity’s annual Great Daffodil Appeal in February and March. The charity needs volunteers to encourage people in the local community to give a donation and wear a daffodil pin. The money raised from the Great Daffodil Appeal will help Marie Curie Nurses provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones at home in South Gloucestershire. The appeal is now in its 32nd year and has raised more than £74 million since 1986.a Helen Isbell , Community
Fundraiser for Marie Curie in South Gloucestershire said: “It’s easy to sign up, whether you have taken part before or you’re doing it for the first time - and families, friends and workmates can sign up to volunteer together.” To volunteer to collect for Marie Curie and support the Great Daffodil Appeal call Helen on 0117 9247275 or visit www. mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil.
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January, 2018
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n NEWS
Alveston event raises Re-location of Thornbury library money for cancer charity to press ahead in spite of objections THE Thornbury branch of Cancer Research UK has handed over a cheque for £10,000 after a Christmas event at St Helen’s Church in Alveston. “Sip`n Sing” saw the quartet Betar Brass accompany carols. St Mary's Handbell Ringers
THORNBURY’S library is set to relocate to the Turnberries community building, despite opposition to the move. South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet decided to press ahead with the switch, saying the current library in St Mary Street would be replaced with something bigger and better. But those against the change said Turnberries, in Bath Road, was not regarded as being in the town centre and it would be inconvenient for library users. They also claimed that taking it out of the town centre would have a detrimental effect on the town’s shops, cafes and other businesses. South Gloucestershire Conservatives, who had unveiled the plans for the new facility, said the existing library was in a poor state of repair and needed re-roofing, new windows, complete rewiring, repairs to the heating system and a host of other maintenance works which required large amounts of investment. They said the new library would have more space of higher quality and that with more people going to Turnberries as a consequence of the relocation, it would help make the business case to re-open a community cafe within the building. Heather Goddard, the Cabinet member for communities and
tourism, said: “Thornbury library needs so much money investing to bring it up to standard. “Rather than running to stand still, we are proposing to give Thornbury a bigger, better library, in a popular community hub, and we are hoping this will allow the cafe to re-open as well.” But Liberal Democrats said the views of people who responded to a consultation on the move had been “ignored”. They said the “lengthy consultation exercise” saw the public reject the move by a large majority of more than two to one, that most of the writers of 50 letters opposed the move as well, as did Thornbury Town Council. Thornbury councillor Clare Fardell said: “Why ask local people for their views and then ignore them?” The local councillors said they would do their best to overturn the outcome but that the Cabinet decision would not be easy to reverse. Meanwhile, Thornbury Town Council said it was disappointed that the library user committee had been abolished. It said it had been carried out without any consultation when it had been a useful mechanism for communication between library users, the library and South Gloucestershire Council.
Ancient cider custom planned for Littleton orchard
performed and there were also poems and stories. The evening raised more than £900 and a cheque for £10,000 was presented to Nikki Collins a Senior Cancer Research UK Manager by the Thornbury branch chairman Lynfa Fisher
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A TRADITIONAL wassail will be held in Littleton-on-Severn to bless a cider orchard to encourage a good crop of apples. A Wassail Queen and Green Man will toast the trees and scare off evil spirits in the orchard behind the White Hart pub from 7.30pm on Friday, January 12. There will also be songs and a Mummers play by the Barley Rye Choir, supported by the Get Singing Community Choir. Food and cider, including mulled cider, will be available around a bonfire during the evening, which has been organised by the Littleton Lifesavers Cider Club.
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January, 2018
Armed Forces Day to be held in Thornbury
AN annual event to honour the contribution made by past and present members of the armed forces will be held in Thornbury for the first time in 2018. Armed Forces Day has
until now been marked in South Gloucestershire in either Kingswood or Staple Hill, with each taking its turn to host a parade and range of activities. The 2017 event in Staple Hill
was attended by some 16,000 people throughout the day. Now South Gloucestershire Council wants it to become more far reaching and from 2018 it will rotate between
three locations once Thornbury becomes a venue. Pat Savage, treasurer of the South Gloucestershire Armed Forces Day committee, said: “The day honours the contribution made by current members of the armed forces and by veterans of all ages. “It raises awareness in the community of the work the military do, the skills that can be learned by joining the forces and how those skills benefit the community on leaving the forces. “As well as the parade through the town, there will be a wide variety of stalls, stands and activities on the Chantry field. The event is free to enter and has something for all the family.” The event will take place on Saturday, June 30. Photograph courtesy of Rich McD
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January, 2018
n LOCAL MP
Luke Hall MP writes for Thornbury Voice
7
Exciting year for the community THE year ahead promises to an exciting year for our community, for instance we are hosting Armed Forces Day in Thornbury for the first time, marking the centenary of the end of the First World War and giving us the opportunity to remember, in Thornbury, the sacrifice our brave service men and women made to protect our liberty. We do also have challenges ahead of us, especially continuing our fight against the inappropriate development proposed for Thornbury and Buckover. I know many people are concerned that we still have not received concrete assurances about the improvements in local school places, health services, or vitally, the transport improvements that would be needed to accommodate change on this scale. I also understand these plans would represent a complete change in the communities of Thornbury and Alveston, and how concerned
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you must be about them. Many people locally have also told me they feel that no matter how hard we object, the plans will still go ahead anyway. I would ask you to continue to work with me to keep up the fight. So far, working together as the local MP, alongside the community, we have; • Held a debate in Parliament, explaining directly to the Housing Minister how detrimental these plans are for our community, paving the way for challenges to these plans at later stages. • Using the MP’s survey, we have demonstrated that there is a complete lack of community support for the plans. This has stopped South Gloucestershire Council receiving financial and technical support for Buckover ‘Garden Village’, and provides concrete evidence which will be submitted to the planning inspectorate. • Held our elected officials who
have control of these plans to account; for example Metro Mayor Tim Bowles, on his promise to join me in opposing these plans. Now that the consultation has closed, an independent inspector, appointed by the Secretary of State, will now begin to examine the technical arguments within the development plan. Here, alongside the community I will be making the case as loudly as possible to demonstrate that these plans are inappropriate and unsound. I know how important this is to the future of Thornbury and Alveston, and I want to assure you that I am standing alongside you throughout this fight. As both a local man and the local MP, I am truly honoured to represent our community. I would like to wish everybody in our community a very happy New Year. If there is anything I can do to be of help in the weeks and months ahead then please do get in touch.
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January, 2018
Controversial housing plan for open fields to be determined at public inquiry
DEVELOPERS have lodged an appeal to get a decision taken on one of Thornbury’s controversial housing plans. Bovis Homes and members of the Fear family requested a public inquiry to determine their application to build up to 370 houses off Gloucester Road on the north side of the town. The outline proposal involves building across nearly 60 acres (24 hectares) of agricultural land stretching from Upper Morton to Crossways Lane at The Knapp, taking development further out of the town into the countryside towards Whitfield alongside the B4061. A planning inspector will now hold an inquiry on a date to be fixed after the appeal was submitted against South
Gloucestershire Council’s nondetermination of the application within an agreed period. In documents related to the appeal, the date given for the submission of the planning application to the council was mid-April 2017 and it was registered by the council in midMay. Thornbury Town Council, which is opposing the plan, recently expressed concerns about the time being taken to consider the application and “the risk of the applicant appealing through non-determination, which would be the worst possible outcome”. The town council said if the development was allowed to proceed, it would cause “significant harm to the local
community which cannot be mitigated”. Opposition to the estate has also come from the Campaign to Protect Rural England and local pressure group TRAPP’D - Thornbury Residents Against Poorly Planned Development. TRAPP’D is worried about extra traffic that would be generated by the development, the inability of roads to cope with such an increase, flood risks and the pressure so many new homes already being built were putting on the town’s GP surgeries, schools and sewerage systems. It also claimed the development would cause “substantial harm” and destroy the setting of Upper Morton. As well as the housing, the scheme also includes a
community building, allotments, play areas and a country park, with two primary access roads created off Gloucester Road. The inquiry could last for eight days, with the appellants set to claim there would be no adverse effects arising from the development that would significantly or demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the scheme. * The inquiry is the second to take place to decide the fate of large scale housing schemes in Thornbury. Welbeck Strategic Land wants to build up to 350 homes at Cleve Park and an inquiry will take place in March after the scheme was rejected by South Gloucestershire planners.
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January, 2018
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Action group calls for residents to make their views known avoid this problem. “The JSP in its current form will, therefore, create unnecessary private car journeys.” It also said there were specific problems with the proposed 3,000-home Buckover Garden Village location on Tortworth Estate land, “including the fact that it all but joins with other developments planned for Thornbury and the unresolved issue that the busy A38 - the designated relief road for the M5 - runs right through the middle of it”. TRAPP’D also claimed there was no approved, funded plan to build the necessary transport links and infrastructure to support the proposed developments. Comments on the JSP can be made via the West of England Combined Authority website.
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LOCAL residents have been urged to meet a deadline for comments on proposed development in Thornbury and surrounding areas that could see thousands more homes being built. A consultation process is running until January 10 on the Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) that will define the planned growth of the West of England region over the next 20 years. Thornbury Residents Against Poorly Planned Development (TRAPP’D), along with a number of other local action groups, said a number of flaws in the JSP had been identified in relation to South Gloucestershire. It said: “Our arguments concern the flawed strategy of creating ‘satellite’ development away from where people will work, even though alternative sites were proposed around the M5 fringe that would largely
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Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk 9/2/16 18:37:46
n MERLIN ADVERTISING FEATURE
Merlin announces partnership talks with Bromford Housing to deliver more for customers
“Both our organisations have ambitious development programmes. Working together these can be combined and expanded to deliver 14,000 new homes in the next decade.” Bromford CEO Philippa Jones and Merlin’s CEO Robert Nettleton announcing partnership talks
South Gloucestershire-based Merlin is in formal talks with Midlands-based Bromford to create a partnership which will work with nearly 100,000 customers to achieve more of what they hope for and deliver the largest housing association-led new homes programme throughout Gloucestershire. The partnership will see the organisations – with nearly 40,000 homes between them, a combined turnover of £250m and strong operating margin- join together to invest £1.5bn in 14,000 new homes over the next decade.
with a shared vision of enabling customers to use great affordable homes as a springboard to achieve more of what they hope for themselves, their families and their communities. “Both our organisations have ambitious development programmes. Working together these can be combined and expanded to deliver 14,000 new homes in the next decade. This capability and a common passion to offer an exceptional customer experience, will help our combined business grow and deliver more of a difference.”
Over the coming months the organisations will seek feedback and consult customers and stakeholders on the vision for the In a joint statement, CEOs Philippa partnership which includes: Unlocking the ability to do more Jones from Bromford and Robert in communities the housing Nettleton from Merlin said: associations work in, especially “This is a partnership where each in coaching and empowering organisation brings expertise customers to build resilience and that complements the other and take control of their own lives. This service aspirations that fit really well. It brings together two forward partnership will allow Merlin and Bromford to share expertise to thinking housing associations
benefit the whole and enable them both to reach more customers than they can do alone. Expanding existing ambitious development programmes to deliver 14 000 new homes in the next decade. This capability makes the aspiration of developing and regenerating new communities possible. Together the partnership will be able to deliver the largest housing association led development programme in its area of operation. Transforming customer experience by developing automated digital services alongside the housing associations’ continued strong focus on local services and personal relationships. Enhancing flexible working practices and a culture based on values and behaviours which will attract and retain the best talent, expand apprenticeships and create more graduate opportunities. Merlin will be sharing more information with customers and carrying out a formal consultation in January.
thornburyvoice
January, 2018
11
n NEWS
Outstanding Thornbury school Stirring sound gets high praise from Ofsted NEW Siblands School has been given the highest rating by Ofsted, which said it provided an outstanding education. The regulator said the special school, in Thornbury’s Easton Hill Road, was also outstanding in all key areas. Ofsted’s report said: “New Siblands School provides education for pupils who have severe and profound multiple learning difficulties. There are also an increasing number of pupils who have autism.” Lead inspector Tonwen Empson said headteacher Andrew Buckton, “ably supported by an experienced and ambitious governing body”, led a school that provided a safe, secure and very successful learning environment. She said: “His enthusiasm to promote the highest aspirations
for both pupils and staff alike is infectious. Due to the investment in high-quality professional development, staff are highly motivated to continue to improve their work. “The headteacher, his leadership team and the governing body work with steely determination to achieve the best possible outcomes for pupils. “Teamwork across the school is exemplary. Leaders invest in staff and help them to develop their skills. Morale is very high.” She also said teaching, learning and assessment were consistently outstanding and staff were well-informed, having a good understanding of the needs of pupils. Teaching in early years, together with the personal development and welfare of pupils, was outstanding and
behaviour across the school was “exemplary”. Ms Empson said: “It is a calm and positive place. Skilled and thoughtful staff help pupils to feel secure and to have a strong sense of belonging. “Teaching, learning and assessment in the sixth form are exceptionally well personalised. The range of work experience, enterprise and practical learning offered to students prepares them very well for their future lives. “Pupils make very good and often outstanding progress from their starting points. “Partnerships with parents are particularly strong. As parents said, ‘This school is a dream’ and ‘Nothing is too much trouble’.”
of Welsh choir to fill Armstrong Hall THE sound of the Pontarddulais Male Choir voices will ring out when Thornbury Welsh Society hosts its annual concert. Soloist Charlotte Bateman will join the choristers in the Armstrong Hall on Saturday, January 27. The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets costing £12 will be on sale in Thornbury Town Hall, High Street, from Wednesday, January 3.
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n NEWS
January, 2018
Family entertainment awaits audiences with the Wizard of Oz A SHOW being staged by the Parish Players in Tockington will be a real family affair. Many young people, their siblings and parents are involved both on and off-stage in the Wizard of Oz, which is due to run during the February school holiday. They include Isobel Lambie, who shares the role of Dorothy with Aggie Barnes. Isobel’s sister, Bryony, plays a Munchkin and Aggie’s sister, Jemima, is dance captain of the production. Among other well-known characters is Scarecrow, played by David Proud, Tin Man, a role filled by newcomer Paul Dimery, and Cowardly Lion, performed by Ray Hale. Richard Newley appears as the Wizard. Favourite songs such as Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Ding, Dong the Witch is Dead will feature in the show, which opens in Tockington Parish Hall on Wednesday, February 14, and runs nightly at 7.30pm until Saturday, February 17. Tickets go on sale on Saturday, January 6, in Olveston Stores, where they can be bought from 9.30am-11.30am. They cost £10 for adults, £7 for children and £12 for premium seats and can also be bought from January 7 by phoning 01454 202011. The production’s creative team is led by director Linda The usual suspects: (L-R) Aggie Barnes, Paul Dimery, Ray Hale and Isobel Lambie Evans, with Chloe Allsopp Jones as musical director. Thornbury_voice_ad:Layout 1 15/11/2017 12:54 Page 1
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January, 2018
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n NEWS
New jazz festival for 2018 entices popular singer back to Thornbury
SINGER Jessica Radcliffe will make a welcome return to Thornbury to appear at its new jazz festival. Having performed in the town on five previous occasions, she has now agreed to be part of the inaugural Thornbury Jazz Festival in March. She will be accompanied by the Park Row Five with Gareth Williams on saxophone and flute, Rob Bartlett on trumpet, Stuart Potter on keyboard and piano, Ray Loadman on double bass and James Heming on drums. The festival takes place on Saturday, March 10, with Thornbury Swing Band launching the evening of entertainment at 6pm in a cafe setting in the Armstrong Hall. Also in the programme will be the Mark Randall Six and the Class Act Trio. Concert-goers will be able to get hot food for £5 throughout the evening and a bar will be available. Ticket prices range from £6 for the swing band concert to £18 for the whole event and will be available from mid-January in Thornbury Town Hall or by phoning 01454 412272. The festival is part of the phase one fund raising efforts to improve the Armstrong Hall. Pictured right: Jazz singer Jessica Radcliffe
Performers in harmony for next classical concert by young musicians YOUNG musicians will entertain an audience with an afternoon concert in Thornbury’s Cossham Hall. The instrumentalists, aged 1118, have been brought together by local professional musician Michael Lunts, who will introduce the players and the classical pieces to be performed. The concert, on Saturday, January 20, will feature a selection of solos and ensembles to include strings, piano, woodwind and brass. It starts at 3pm and all proceeds will go to phase one of the Armstrong Hall redevelopment project. Tickets cost £7.50 or £5 for under-16s, to include interval refreshments. They can be bought in Thornbury Town Hall or by phoning 01454 412272. The concert follows a
successful performance by the young musicians in November,
when they played to a full house in the same venue. Also organised by Mr Lunts,
who accompanied a number of the performers on piano, it included Aggie Barnes playing a movement from Bruch’s 1st Violin Concerto and later singing a Spanish song while accompanied by her guitarplaying sister, Jemima. Becca Taylor played a Poulenc oboe sonata, while Tom O’Brien played Reveille and the Last Post to mark Remembrance Day. He also teamed up with Richard Usherwood for the lesser known Two Comrades. Ed Miller and Lizzie O’Brien performed pieces by Massenet and Kreisler, while the finale involved the Betar Brass group’s rendition of a march from Vaughan Williams’ Folksong Suite and Jack Gale’s Tiger Rag.
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January, 2018
15
n NEWS
Foodbank receives accolade from Thornbury Volunteer Centre for helping people in need VOLUNTEERS who run Thornbury’s foodbank have received an award for their valuable contribution to the local community. The Alan Hudson Award is given each year in memory of the former chairman of Thornbury Volunteer Centre to recognise the work and achievements of an individual or group in the locality. The foodbank is one of the Trussell Trust's UK-wide network and was established four years ago as a branch of the Yate and Chipping Sodbury Foodbank but as a Thornbury Churches Together initiative. Food is collected by churches, schools, businesses and other groups, as well as individuals, and donated to the foodbank. It then distributes it to provide emergency meals for three days to people experiencing short term difficulties, such as the delay or withdrawal of benefits, separation, unexpected bills, debt, bereavement or redundancy. By supporting them, the worry of feeding their families is removed while problems are sorted out. Foodbank organisers, Mair Vaughan and Chris Verey, received the award and said it was a sad reflection of modern life that such a facility was needed. The foodbank is based at Thornbury Baptist Church in Gillingstool and is open every Friday afternoon from 2-4pm.
Picture: Mair Vaughan, left, and Chris Verey, right, receiving the Alan Hudson Award from Barbara Ray, chairwoman of Thornbury Volunteer Centre, second from right), and town mayor Helen Harrison.
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n ADVERTISING FEATURE
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January, 2018
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January, 2018
17
n REVIEW
Almost as good as the real thing SEEING top class ballet on a budget isn’t easy, but the growing trend for live cinema screenings of productions is sweeping the world, and South Gloucestershire is no exception. The Vue cinema in Longwell Green joined over 1300 cinemas around the globe in showing one of the most famous ballets, and Vicky Drew was on hand to try it out for us. Think Christmas, think The Nutcracker, the wonderful ballet with the infamous dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy which has been delighting ballet fans for years. Seeing The Nutcracker is a delight to behold, however the cost of a ticket alongside travel to The Royal Opera House in London is prohibitive to many which is why it it is good news that The Nutcracker is being screened in cinemas around the world. On opening night screenings were taking place with the added bonus of an introduction by Darcy Bussell, the Strictly judge and a former ballerina who once
performed the demanding and mesmerising dance of The Sugar Plum Fairy herself. This particular performance by The Royal Ballet debuted in 1984 and showcases the talents of the company, both young and old. At first it seems a little strange to be listening to the sounds of The Opera House in a Vue cinema, however being able to see close up shots of the orchestra and having a sneak peek backstage (which is strictly off limits to the average theatre
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goer) is certainly an advantage. As the curtains open on stage, hush befell the cinema and it was a relief that rustling popcorn did not feature in this particular cinema screening. The opening scenes of The Nutcracker have a stage filled with action as Christmas is celebrated and Clara is presented with her nutcracker soldier. It is during these scenes that being in a cinema is a little frustrating as the camera dictates which area of the stage is in view and at times
the camera action is a little jerky as shots flick between close-ups and whole stage. Soon the focus shifts to fewer characters and the magic of the dance is able to dominate the experience. As the mysterious magician Drosselmeyer seeks to break the spell that turned his nephew into a nutcracker soldier, he guides Clara through a world of wonder and magic. Being able to view the performance so close is a real treat and enables the audience to marvel at the skill of the dancers. With the added commentary, cinemas audiences are given an insight into the casting and rehearsal schedules of the dancers which is both informative and entertaining. For the die hard ballet I am sure that the cinema experience is no substitute for a night at the Royal Opera House, however anything that makes ballet accessible and more affordable to the masses can only be a good thing. And for me it really did bring a touch of Christmas to the cinema.
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18
nW HAT’S ON IN OUR AREA January 8 n Resolve is a four-week course exploring the resolutions we might make, and what they mean for who we want to be. It is being run 8-9pm in Hawkes House from Monday 8th January. For more information see www. thornburycofe.org.uk. All are welcome! 'Branch Lines around Swindon & The MSWJ’ presented by Brian Arman January 9 n Where: BAWA, 589 Southmead Road, BRISTOL, BS34 7RG. When: Tuesday 9th January 7:30 for 7:45 pm. The meeting is open to all and there is no admission charge, but a suggested donation of £3 to help defray expenses is appreciated. Contact: Dave Winter 01454 324230. January 15 n Prospect is a support group for Bristol and district prostate cancer patients, partners and carers. The next meeting will be at BAWA, Filton BS34 7RF, on January 15, with a speaker (7pm). Coffee mornings are held at the Macmillan Centre, Southmead Hospital, on the first Thursday of each month (10am-noon). Website: http:// www. prostatecancerbristol.org.uk and the Tackle helpline, 0800 035 5302, will put callers in touch with Prospect
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January 17 n Severn Vale Small holders Association, Stuart Room At the Chantry, Castle Street, Thornbury. Wednesday 17th January. All About Apples at 7:30 pm. David Frith January 24 n Alveston Local History Group John Stennard will speak about 'The Cold War - was Thornbury a target?' He will examine preparations made for defence and survival made in this locality. Weds Jan 24th 2018 Alveston Methodist Church BS35 3RA. 7-30. Everybody welcome. Visitors £2-50 at the door. Contact Margaret 01454 417578 January 25 n Avon Organic Group The local group for everyone interested in organic growing and organic foods. This month we welcome Mike Feingold, Bristol’s Permaculture Guru, talking about Ideas from Permaculture and leading a discussion on how to make growing easier and more productive. Thursday at 7pm – 9pm at The Station (in the Dance Studio), Silver Street, Bristol. BS1 2AG. All welcome. Visitors £5 / Members £2. www.groworganicbristol.org / secretaryaog@gmail.com January 27 n Thornbury Welsh Society will
Call us on 01454 262818
to book
Venue for all events
for a Sunday Carvery at Get the family together every week from 12-2pm Eastwood Park, served
as well as , freshly cooked joints, An assortment of starters desserts us icio del of h a choice a vegetarian special, wit 8DA , Gloucestershire, GL12 Eastwood Park, Falfield 01454 262818 events@eastwoodpark.co.uk www.eastwoodpark.co.uk
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January, 2018
present their annual choir concert on Saturday 27th January at the Armstrong Hall starting at 7 30pm. Guest choir will be the Pontarddulais Male Choir with soloist Charlotte Bateman. Tickets will be available from Thornbury Town Hall from Wednesday 3rd January, priced £12. February 3 n Sodbury Vale Model Railway Club's 34th Annual Model Railway Exhibition will be held on Saturday 3rd February 2018 at St Mary's Church, Church Road, Yate. Open 10.00am to 4.30pm. Full details at www.sodburyvalemrc.co.uk Wicked Aromaz and Friends Proudly Presents Craft and Gift Fayres n Chipping Sodbury Town Hall Saturday 4 November 10am to 2pm. Free Admission Haven Memory Cafe, Thornbury United Reformed Church n 10.15 - 11.45 am Friday 5th January: Bev Byrne, Sirona; and Bingo n 10.15 - 11.45 am Friday 19th January: Ukulele Band
Regular events
Monday n 7.00 pm Armstrong Hall Cossham Hall World Dance 7-10pm Tuesday n 11.00 am - 1.30 pm Armstrong Hall - Excell Room Recycled Teenagers Lunch Club n 6pm Zumba at Castle School www.zumbathornbury.com n 7pm Zumba Toning at Castle School www.zumbathornbury.com n 8pm Yoga-Lattes at Castle School www.zumbathornbury.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 SachaFrom 7.30pm . Contact Sacha on 07971 578151 or email sachabellydance@yahoo.co.uk for full details. Ridgewood Community Association, Yate BS37 4AF Thursday n 8.00 pm. Armstrong Hall Ceroc Dance 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
What’s on at Thornbury Library Like us on Facebook www.Facebook.Com/sgloslibraries Follow us on Twitter @southgloslibs Looking for opening times, service information or contact details? See our website www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries StoryTime and RhymeTime for babies and pre-schoolers (Term Time Only) . Storytime Mondays 2.15pm – 2.45pm. Rhymetime Fridays 10.30am -11.00am. Most suitable for ages 0-4 years, all activities free of charge, no booking required. 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 Digital Library Services Find out more about our range of FREE digital library services, available 24/7 including eBooks, eAudio books and eMagazines. To find out more information about these free services visit: www. southglos.gov.uk/libraries and select “Library e-resources” or ask at the library.
Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk
thornburyvoice
January, 2018
19
n THORNBURY AND DISTRICT HERITAGE IN 2018 it will be 50 years since Oldbury nuclear power station was officially commissioned. Building started in 1961 and electricity was actually first generated in November 1967 after reactor one went critical two months earlier. The process was repeated with the second of the two reactors on the site the following spring. Tony Benn, the then technology minister and later Energy Secretary, performed the formal opening in 1969 and for more than 40 years the site provided about 137.5 terawatt hours of electricity to the UK - enough to power a million homes for more than 20 years. On a typical day, when fully operational, the site was capable of producing 435 megawatts of electricity, an amount that would meet the needs of a city one-anda-half times the size of Bristol. The Oldbury plant was the seventh to be operated by the old CEGB - Central Electricity Generating Board - which was responsible for power generation in England and Wales until privatisation in the 1990s. Its original design life was 25 years but a number of extensions were approved, which added another 19 years to its generating capability. But finally reactor two was shut down for the last time in June 2011, while the station ceased generating for good when reactor one was switched off in February 2012. The closures triggered the long process of decommissioning and in the early stages of that procedure, Oldbury’s reactors had to be emptied of more than 52,000 fuel elements. They were removed and shipped to Sellafield, with the last load leaving the site about two years ago. Hazards and
Oldbury Power Station
wastes are now being removed as decommissioning continues. During its operating life, Oldbury became the longest serving nuclear power station in the country. It also played more unusual roles - in September 1977 it was the venue for the British Monopoly championships, with around 240 enthusiasts of the board game competing on the nuclear pile cap. Episodes of Doctor Who when Tom Baker played the lead role - and Blakes 7 have also been filmed on-site and pop band Slade recorded a performance there for Top of the Pops. The site also welcomed thousands of people to its visitor centre for tours of the plant but the threat of terrorism brought them to a close. Now, as one nuclear era ends at Oldbury, another is proposed to start. Land next to the power station
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is one of a number of UK sites put forward by the Government as being suitable for new nuclear plants. Horizon Nuclear Power has been developing its proposals for the next generation of atomic
power stations for a number of years, with an aim of building and operating two advanced boiling water reactor plants, firstly at Wylfa in North Wales and then next to the Magnox Oldbury site at Shepperdine.
Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk
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20
NURSERY OPEN DAY
January, 2018
n COMMUNITY NEWS
Thursday 8th March 9:30am to 12:00pm
Thornbury Lions FATHER Christmas has been visiting his Grotto in Thornbury on Saturdays during December. This has been a great success. The Lions who have been looking after Santa would like to express their thanks to the staff of St Mary’s precinct for their help in arranging for and building the Grotto And also for the presents for the children. The annual Senior Citizens Christmas meal was held in the Armstrong Hall and again was a very successful occasion. More the one hundred and twenty people attended and enjoyed a three course meal with raffle prizes being drawn between courses. The evening ended with a very entertaining session from the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group which included audience participation. Hill & Rockhampton WI
An independent nursery for boys and girls aged 2 to 4 years. With full use of the facilities of Tockington Manor School, including swimming lessons and grounds.
Call 01454 613229 registrar@tockingtonmanorschool.com www.tockingtonmanorschool.com
Our meeting this month welcomed Chris Awde, representing Oldbury-on-Severn Community Shop. Chris explained that he had got involved after overhearing a conversation in the pub. A committee had been formed and a bid made to the Lottery Fund, which was successful. Having received the money, the committee then realised that they had to put a shop together. Land was rented from Alan Knapp at a peppercorn rent, a building purchased - and then the problems began. First the water company spent nine days searching for a pipe on the wrong side of the road and wanted to charge for the time; then the building inspector insisted on extra insulation as trees were close by and that the proposed toilet had to be made suitable for disabled access which cut down on the floorspace available. Finally, they were not allowed to connect to the local sewer as it was at full capacity. Thankfully these expensive hurdles were overcome and the shop opened. Any surplus money generated is used to support local charities and the whole ethos is to be a central hub for village activities and for people to buy goods, have a cup of tea and a piece of cake, but most importantly to meet others and chat so building up community spirit. The shop continues to go from strength to strength being well used by villagers, walkers, cyclists and passing lorry drivers. The vote of thanks was given by Sue Allen, who also ran a quick quiz to guess the price of goods she had purchased at the shop.
Got community news?
email us: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120
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New year, new start
Stoke Gifford Retirement Village An ExtraCare Charitable Trust Village
Retirement living for the not-so-retiring Opening this year, Stoke Gifford Retirement Village will provide 261 comfortable new one and two bedroom homes for people over 55, with options for rental, shared ownership and outright purchase. The Village is built around a superb range of social, leisure and well-being facilities including: Fitness Suite and Well-being Suite Bistro and Bar Shop Hair and Beauty Salon Village Hall Hobby and Games Room IT suite and Library Greenhouse and Landscaped Piazza Here you can relax in the knowledge that if you or your partner need care, now or in the future, it can be provided by a dedicated 24/7 on-site team. The Village is a vision of The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, a registered charity pioneering the UK’s most innovative and exciting new retirement villages.
Stoke Gifford Retirement Village, Off Coldharbour Lane, Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS16 1EJ For more information please call
StokeGiffordVillage
0117 321 5138
or email stokegifford@extracare.org.uk
or online at www.stokegiffordvillage.co.uk Charges will apply. Details of any costs associated with your home, care and village services will be provided as part of your application. The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, registered charity number 327816, is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales as company number 2205136. Its registered office is at 7 Harry Weston Road, Binley Business Park, Binley, Coventry, CV3 2SN. Copyright Š 2017 - The ExtraCare Charitable Trust
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22
FREE WILL REVIEW MEETING @
January, 2018
n NEWS
Thousands of pounds already raised by Ride and Stride event
Everyone should have the protection of a properly drafted Will:
Everyone should have the protecDon of a properly draFed Will: • • Appointing AppoinDng guardians for children guardians for children • Keeping up with changes to your family and friends • Keeping up with changes to your family and friends • ProtecDon against care home fees against care home fees • • Protection Avoiding unnecessary taxes and family disputes
THE annual Ride and Stride fund raiser has so far collected • Avoiding unnecessary taxes and family disputes John and Michelle opened a year ago in Chipping Sodbury. Our aim is to make it easy and affordable. With us, we do the £40,000 for the repair and work for you. So there are no long forms to fill in. Instead our friendly service gives you all the help and guidance you improvement of churches. John and Michelle opened a year ago in Chipping Sodbury. Our aim is need. Places of worship of any to make it easy and affordable. With us, we do the work for you. So We specialise only Wills, Powers of AUorney and Probate – so you know you will get expert advice. So, please pop in or Christian denomination there are no long forms to fill in. Instead our friendly service gives you call to arrange your free ‘no obligaDon’ review meeDng. across South Gloucestershire, all the help and guidance you need. north Bristol and Office: We’re next to We specialise only Wills, Powers of Attorney and Probate – so you Gloucestershire can benefit Nat West in Chipping know you will get expert advice. So, please pop in or from the event. Sodbury. call to arrange your free ‘no obligation’ review meeting. Held each September, it involves walkers, cyclists, Telephone: Call us on horse riders and drivers 01454 509 722 visiting churches along their @ chosen route in support of the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust. Money raised is given
12 The Plain | Thornbury | South Gloucestershire | BS35 2BE | Telephone: 01454 412 278
out in grants to churches, with half the cash going to the participants’ own chosen churches. Among those who took part this year was Thornbury priest, the Rev Tom Keates, who led an eight-strong team of walkers from the benefice of Thornbury and Oldburyon-Severn between four churches. They started from St Mary’s in Shepperdine and visited St Arilda’s in Oldbury, St Mary’s in Thornbury and St Paul’s to complete their journey.
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at our lovely house in Easter Compton
ABF Ad Half Page 180x120 AW.indd 1 To21435 advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120
22/02/2017 11:09 Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk
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January, 2018
23
n COMMUNITY NEWS
Thornbury Volunteer Centre THORNBURY Community Building Trust is looking for Trustees with particular skills to strengthen their small board of Trustees and manage what is, in effect, a vibrant and expanding small business. The principle role is to assist with projects and initiatives relevant to their area of expertise and to attend bimonthly board meetings. nnn FILNORE Wood in Thornbury is seeking volunteers to help with woodland and grassland management - coppicing, scything, path building, hedge laying and bramble clearing. Volunteers need to be physically fit as quite hilly. Work mornings are held 10am-12.30pm on the second Saturday and the fourth Wednesday of the month.
nnn AGE UK South Gloucestershire based in Thornbury need volunteers to provide administration support to the volunteering team. This will involve extensive use of a computer as every contact they make with a member of the public needs to be recorded on a data base which also involves confident use of the internet. nnn VOLUNTEER French teacher needed to support a group of "rusty" French learners at (roughly) GCSE/A level standard in local U3A group. This is a fun group for anyone who has rusty French and a love of the language. They read and translate informative articles, poems and songs and subscribe
to the Rendez-vous magazine for use at home and in group sessions. They meet at The Chantry on Tuesday mornings.
a workload and work effectively with others as part of a team. This opportunity is largely home based.
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BRAIN TUMOUR Support are looking for a volunteer to work with the Support Team to coordinate and organise several support events in 2018. This is an exciting opportunity for you to get involved with a growing organisation and gain valuable experience in event coordination and working with a charity. You must be familiar with Microsoft programmes and email accounts, have good communication skills, be able to prioritise and manage
A LOCAL Preschool run as Charity in Thornbury are looking for a new member to join their committee as Treasurer. You will be working with the pre-school manager, the payroll team and the bookkeeper and play a vital role in the future of the Preschool. It is a very rewarding position.An understanding of numbers and Excel Spreadsheets, understanding on how budgets are balanced, familiar with only banking.
Personal Resilience and Stress Management Training WEDNESDAY 31 January 2018 10am-12.30pm Council Chamber Thornbury Town Hall, BS35 2AR. This training session will provide helpful tips to help you feel less stressed and techniques designed to help you feel more relaxed in all aspects of life. For more information please contact Thornbury Volunteer Centre on 01454 413392 or mail@volunteer-thornbury.co.uk
Sell-out travel talk gives cash boost to charities TWO charities have benefited from a sell-out photo travel talk on New Zealand that was given in Olveston Parish Hall. Peter and Jane Haworth thanked the 108 people who attended the New Zealand Hotspots event, which made a net profit of ÂŁ2,680. They said the financial support from local business
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around Thornbury and the donations for a draw and raffle helped in the fund raising effort. The money raised has been shared between the Bristolbased Penny Brohn UK cancer charity and Auticulate, which helps autistic children and young people.
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24
Pharmacy chain halves its presence in Thornbury THORNBURY will lose one of its two LloydsPharmacy stores after parent company Celesio UK said it would cease trading in some 190 of the outlets in England. The High Street branch will go but the store in the St Mary Centre will remain in operation. Celesio said as part of the process of identifying “commercially unviable” pharmacies for closure, it looked at other community pharmacy provision in the area in order to mitigate the effect on patients as much as possible. A spokeswoman for LloydsPharmacy said the closure of the Thornbury High Street branch would take place on January 30.
thornburyvoice n POLICE BLOG
PC Malcolm Webley ONCE again I’d ask parents and carers to keep your children safe by knowing where they are, who they’re with and what they are up to. In recent weeks we and paramedics have had to deal with four young people aged between
January, 2018
Keep your children safe from alcohol 14 and 16 found suffering from the effects of too much alcohol in Thornbury. On one afternoon an ambulance was called after a teenage boy and girl were found unconscious on a bus. The pair became abusive towards the ambulance staff meaning police colleagues were called to attend. Another occasion involved two teenage girls who were found behaving erratically one lunch time. The girls were taken to hospital for treatment to suspected alcohol poisoning, but due to their erratic and sometimes aggressive behaviour also had to be accompanied by police officers. It’s thought they had been drinking rum and vodka. On each occasion we had to
contact the children’s parents or carers, and we’ve referred them to other agencies for support. Drinking alcohol underage can leave children more vulnerable to accident, injury, or becoming a victim of crime. If, while under the influence, they’re involved in offences such as criminal damage it could affect their future career prospects and even travel plans. It’s an offence for someone under the age of 18 to buy alcohol, for someone to sell alcohol to anyone under 18, or for an adult to buy alcohol on behalf of someone underage. Finally, if you were lucky enough to get a tablet or smartphone for Christmas I hope you’ve downloaded a tracking app in case it’s lost or stolen!
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January, 2018
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n NEWS
Gardening charity looking for growing support A CHARITY that provides therapeutic gardening session in care homes in looking for new volunteers in South Gloucestershire. Growing Support wants people to help support groups of older people and people with dementia in residential care or day care. Those interested in helping need to be available for
Searching for owls in forgotten landscape OWL expert Ian McGuire will lead an afternoon safari to seek out the migrant short-eared owl and other birds of prey around Aust. The event is part of the Forgotten Landscape natural and cultural heritage project, which aims to conserve and improve the lower Severn Vale levels. Those going along on Sunday, January 14, might also see merlins, kestrels and peregrine falcons. Bookings can be made by visiting the project website www. aforgottenlandscape.org.uk where details of other events can also be found. The project covers the foreshore and coastal floodplain of the River Severn from Oldbury-on-Severn, Shepperdine and Hill in the north to Avonmouth in the south and includes the South Gloucestershire parishes of Almondsbury, Aust, Hill, Oldbury, Olveston, Pilning, Rockhampton and Severn Beach, as well as Avonmouth and part of the Kingsweston ward in Bristol.
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2 hours at least once a fortnight. They must be able to travel independently to the projects and and to commit if possible for a minimum of six months. If you would like to know more about this role contact Growing Support at volunteers@ growingsupport.co.uk or call 07419 825 261
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thornburyvoice
January, 2018
n MOTORING
A guide to pre-owned cars with Richard Cooke
Second hand Style A look at everyday cars on the cusp of becoming modern classics VW Golf GTi 30th Anniversary Edition, 2007: Fore (cylinders) WHAT’S this, a VW Golf recommended as a future classic? Well, how original… Yes, it’s true, nearly all Golf GTis eventually become classics of some sort, but what about limited production run anniversary editions? VW launched the GTi in 1977, and Mk1 and Mk2 models are undeniably classic cars with a rising price tag to match. The Mk3 rusts, and the associated 1997 20th anniversary model was a bit halfhearted and hardly any were GTis. The less said about the flaccid Mk4 the better, but the Mk5 30th anniversary edition is both old enough to now be reasonably priced and yet young enough to use every day. It looks great, and for once the ‘special edition’ extras are worth paying for over a standard GTi. So what should you look out for? The engine, a well proven 210bhp 2.0 turbo, needs a cambelt change every 70,000 miles. Part of the exhaust pipe needs to come off to do the job, so you’ll need to budget about £600 for the work. If you must buy an automatic (and
MORE people in South Gloucestershire have been included in the category of vulnerable individuals who can get a free flu jab. The NHS has added health and care workers to the list of those eligible for the annual vaccination. It is now encouraging staff who are employed by a registered residential care or nursing home, as well as registered domiciliary care providers, and who are directly involved in the care of vulnerable people to take up the offer. Schools can also fund privately-provided vaccinations for their staff. Meanwhile, South Gloucestershire Council is for a
my test drive car came with one), it can go expensively wrong. This one had already been fixed, and gearbox oil changes every 40k miles may help to prevent what could be a £2k bill. Ouch. That’s a shame, as the box itself is keen and responsive, so my advice is to either get a fully comprehensive used warranty or better still buy one with the more preferable six speed manual. I like how this Anniversary edition looks, sitting on uprated 18 inch alloys that would have been great on all GTis but are a special extra for this model. On start-up the exhaust is quite boomy, and it pops nicely on the overrun. This is no doubt engineered in
deliberately by VW, but it works for me. I found the car struggled for traction on even moderate throttle settings from standstill – the road was damp but it scrabbled far too much and sometimes all the way up to 50mph. That said, there is plenty of power for the front wheels to handle, and I call into question the need for the heavier, thirstier and altogether less ‘pure’ R32 V6 alternative. Handling is excellent, suspension firm for a VW but not as sharp as the best from BMW or even Ford. Brakes are excellent, very sharp and gave me real confidence. Inside there’s a lovely thickrimmed steering wheel and the
usual comprehensive dash layout and reasonably high standard equipment level. That said, whilst everything certainly feels well screwed together it never actually felt ‘premium’. Maybe that’s where sister company Audi comes in with their A3, although at a price of course. I missed parking sensors and a reversing camera, but loved the special edition golf-ball auto shift lever and check pattern retro seats – leather would have looked incongruous. VWs, Golfs in particular and the GTi above all have a loyal, borderline obsessive following. Special edition GTis are, to my mind, immediate minor classics that have nonetheless been built to be used every day. If you’re in the market for a practical hatchback with proper pace and a few thoughtful extras, you could do much worse than this Golf 30th edition. Don’t expect the last word in cosseting luxury, and focus instead on how much fun it is. VW Golf GTi 30th Edition, what to pay: £7k for a 100,000 mile example to £10k for a pristine 50,000 miler Next month: 6 cylinders
Vulnerable groups urged to get free vaccination second time funding the vaccine for many of its employees through an expenses claim scheme. The council said by not having the jab, people working in social care, healthcare and education potentially put themselves and those they came in contact with at risk of serious illness. Others eligible for free vaccinations include the over65s, those with long-term health
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conditions and pregnant women. There are two types of vaccination for children injection and nasal spray - which are administered to youngsters of specific ages either in GP surgeries or at school. Anyone considered at risk if they develop the illness should have received a letter inviting them to be vaccinated - a procedure available at doctors’ surgeries and some pharmacies. Anyone who should be
protected but has not been approached should contact their GP. The NHS said the protection offered by vaccination not only protected those receiving it but also any vulnerable people with whom they came in contact. Flu complications include bronchitis and pneumonia, which could result in hospitalisation, and the worsening of existing medical conditions.
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thornburyvoice
January, 2018
27
n SPORT
Allez Caron! Thornbury fencer in training for world championships VETERAN fencer Caron Hale is preparing for the 2018 world championships with help from Thornbury Lifestyle Centre. The Thornbury sportswoman, 58, said she would not have progressed so far in fencing without the support of the team at her local leisure complex. She has been fencing competitively all over the world for the past 18 years and it was when she was selected for the world championships four years ago that she first started using the centre for training. Its managers knew how expensive it was for Caron to compete, due to her receiving no funding or sponsorship, so they waived her membership fee in return for her encouraging more people into the sport. The complex - now known as Thornbury Lifestyle Centre - currently hosts three fencing
courses in its Severnside Sports Hall, which are taught across a range of ages and abilities on Saturday mornings. Caron, who works as an administrator for the learning disability charity the Brandon Trust, said: “Without the use of the centre’s facilities, I wouldn’t have been able to devote as much time and energy to training as I would have liked, and my competition results would have suffered. “I really can’t thank those at the Thornbury Lifestyle Centre enough – they’ve been absolutely brilliant. “They allowed my membership to continue when I was out of action for a shoulder injury and had to give up fencing for a few months. The staff are always genuinely interested in my competition results and frequently ask to see my medals.”
Caron’s recent medal haul includes silver at the Veteran Commonwealth Championships in New Zealand and bronze at the European Championships in Italy. She is now in training for the 2018 World Championships - to be held in Italy in October - and the Veteran Four Nations event in Glasgow in April. With the help of her coaches Joe Pearce and Andy Martin, there are also hopes that Caron will be selected for the team event at next year’s European Championships in the Netherlands. Caron said: “I hope my story encourages other people to get out there and take up a sport. I don’t think you can ever be too old to get into sport – even fencing. 1067 WWM AS Larger Poster:Strawbs
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“Sport helps to keep you young both physically and mentally and I know a few fencers who are competing well into their 80s. “The taster sessions and beginners’ courses that most clubs offer don’t have an age barrier, so I’d definitely recommend people to go along and give it a try.” Carole Weeks, customer service manager at Thornbury Lifestyle Centre said: “It’s been a pleasure to support Caron as she pursues her fencing ambitions around the world. It’s fantastic to see the journey that she’s been on since starting her training with us. “We wish Caron all the best with her upcoming competitions.”
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Thornbury fencer Caron Hale
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28
n SPORT By Dave Fox THORNBURY came unstuck in a tough game on a sticky pitch at Keynsham and slipped to their sixth defeat in the last eight league games. Despite the 24-19 defeat, they secured their seventh losing bonus point, and with other results going their way moved up one place to sixth in the table. Wholesale changes were required once again. With Jak Evans added to the injury list Jack Hussey returned to the back row and Finn Hitchcock was promoted from the Development XV back row to the First XV second row for his debut. Harry Glew, Rich Bennett and Dai Matthews returned to the backline with Sam Poustie restored to outside half and Jake Wood moved to fullback. Five of the starting XV were 17 or 18 years old. Keynsham were promoted to the league as winners of Western Counties North and had a youthful side led by experienced and very capable No.8 Jack Weston. Thornbury kicked off towards the clubhouse on a very cold afternoon under heavy clouds that made the light gloomy. With the game kicking off later than expected at 2:30 there were fears the match would finish in darkness. Keynsham withstood early pressure and their forwards began to take control, with Weston prominent. Wing Kit Timmis knocked on after
thornburyvoice
January, 2018
Thorns slip to gloomy defeat Keynsham had created space out wide but the ball retention of the home side was good and after the pack picked and drove on the Thornbury line the defence cracked and scrum half John Pearce dived over for the opening try. Sam Challenger converted. Thornbury equalised as the first quarter drew to a close. Thorns attacked from a scrum on halfway. Good passing and a looped run from Sam Poustie set Louis Ogilvie clear. He stepped around his opposing winger and showed the defence a clean pair of heels to touch down between the posts. Jake Wood converted. Keynsham’s pack took control again and Ben Angell crashed over for the try. Challenger converted to make it 14-7. Keynsham attacked from their own 22 but Sam Poustie intercepted and ran in for Thonbury’s second try. Jake Wood’s conversion to tie the scores. Parity didn’t last long, with an accurate pass from Keynsham’s Pearce putting Timmis in at the corner. The conversion was missed but Keynsham led 19-14 at half time. While Keynsham returned to the relative comfort of the changing rooms at half time Thorns stayed out on the pitch and when the match recommenced Luke Panting was
on for George Sheldon. Thornbury equalised for a third time when the forwards drove Keynsham over their line from a driving lineout. The backs had joined in and it was centre Harry Tarling who touched down close to the corner flag. The conversion was just short but the momentum was with Thornbury and they continued to take the game to Keynsham but some of the tactical kicking wasn’t up to standard. The ball was regularly kicked away when keeping the ball in hand and stretching the defence looked a far better option. With ten minutes of time remaining Keynsham entered the
Thornbury 22 for the first time in the second half. Their forwards mauled with flanker Jack Evans scoring the winning try. Thonbury knew a converted try would win the match and give them a try bonus point. However, the game was now being played in almost total darkness and Keynsham hung on to win. Scorers: Thornbury: tries – Louis Ogilvie, Sam Poustie and Harry Tarling; conversions – Jake Wood (2) Keynsham: tries – John Pearce, Ben Angell, Kit Timmis and Jack Evans; conversions – Sam Challenger (2)
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January, 2018
29
n TENNIS
A Good Year for Thornbury tennis THORNBURY Tennis Club is celebrating a successful 2017. The club, situated next to the Mundy Playing Fields is heading to 2018 with both first and second teams top of their divisions in the winter mixed leagues and with plans to complete renovations at the club. Brian Jordan looks back at what’s been achieved in the last year. 2017 has been a good year for Thornbury Tennis Club. A wide range of tennis matches have been played from social tennis through to a comprehensive range of tournaments and league fixtures. Several of the club juniors are now challenging for top honours in the club which is a tribute to the strength of the coaching team. Social Tennis Most of the tennis played at the Club is by members having an enjoyable, friendly game of tennis. The scores of these matches are not recorded and there are no trophies awarded. These are mainly doubles matches with some singles matches and the emphasis is on having a good time whilst incidentally keeping fit. The players range from youngsters through to those well into their eighties. Competitions The Presidents Plate tournament is an established annual mixed doubles tournament for Club members, held in April. This year 14 pairs entered the tournament. In the final, Megan O’Connor & Brendan Wilde ultimately proved too strong for their opponents and won 6-3, 6-2. This was the third consecutive year they have won the tournament. The Club held its first Tie Break Tens tournament in
Leo Lazarides – Winner of the 2017 Men’s Singles Tournament.
Contestants ready for the Tie Break Tens Tournament. July. All matches played used a Championship Tie Break format and typically last for 10 minutes. This was a doubles tournament with men, women, juniors and mixed teams competing against each other, with suitable handicaps. Mair Vaughan and Phil Jones were the first winners of this new annual event. The 18th Annual Cancer Research UK Charity Tennis Tournament was held in September and raised £480 for this worthy cause. Altogether these tournaments have raised a total of £7523. The Annual Tournament is the main tournament of the year in the Club year. All preliminary matches were played during September and early October with the finals played in October. The strength of the juniors was demonstrated by them reaching four of the five finals. The Men’s Singles final was between 12 year old, Leo Lazarides and Steve Pikett. A thrilling match with every game hotly contested, worthy of the final. The final score was 6-3, 7-5 to Leo. The Men’s Doubles was won by Felix Boyes & Freddie Savage, the Ladies Singles was won by Sarah Hurley who also took the Ladies Doubles with her partner, Jo Hargreaves. The Mixed Doubles was won by Jo Hargreaves and Felix Boyes. Another new initiative for the club was a series of LTA sanctioned County Junior Open Tournaments being played through the Winter. These are proving to be a popular addition to the club tournament schedule with players mainly from Avon and Gloucestershire but some from much further afield. League Tennis Thornbury Tennis Club participates in the Avon Tennis Leagues. There are separate leagues covering
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different periods of the year with the greatest concentration of matches in the Summer. Throughout the year, these matches have given 80 Club members the opportunity to play competitive tennis against other local clubs. The teams range from those that play very competitively to those gaining valuable experience. In the Winter 2016/7 Mixed Leagues our first team came second in their division and were promoted. In the Summer Leagues both the Ladies Second and the Men’s Second team were promoted. In the current Winter 2017/8 Mixed Leagues the first and second teams are both currently top of their divisions. The challenge will be to stay there. Coaching Thornbury Lawn Tennis Club is very fortunate to have a strong LTA accredited coaching team that offers a wide range of group coaching for juniors and adults. In addition, they provide one to one coaching where a player wishes to improve an aspect of their game. The juniors range from complete beginners, some as young as 3 years old to those successfully competing in county and regional tournaments. Next Year The club has a great clubhouse,
good courts, an excellent location and a great team of coaches. The main focus for next year will be to increase the numbers of people playing tennis – both junior and adult. The club will encourage more people to play who have never played before. It will also encourage those that have played before, but for various reasons have stopped, to return to tennis. Contact with local schools will be improved with a view to getting more young people involved in the sport. Longer Term Plans Regeneration of the Thornbury tennis facilities started in 2012. So far £160,000 has been invested and the regeneration programme is almost 50% complete. The Club intends to work with local authorities and the Lawn Tennis Association to complete this programme of work over the next 2-3 years. This investment will provide excellent tennis facilities for at least the next 15 years that will match the forecast increase in demand for tennis facilities. This local demand is anticipated due to an expansion of the local population size coupled with more people becoming physically active. More information about the Club can be found at www. thornburytennisclub.co.uk
Some of the tennis facilities beside The Mundy Playing Fields.
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30
n RUGBY
thornburyvoice
January, 2018
Rebuilding bears fruit for Thornbury rugby club Dave Fox reviews the first half of a season where youth has been the focus. UNDER new coach Tom Luke Thornbury have begun a rebuilding period and have introduced many of the clubs’ highly-successful Colts team into senior rugby. By mid-December twelve seventeen and eighteenyear olds had played first team rugby, with several others also having played for the second or third teams. Jake Wood, who turned eighteen in September, heads the list of scorers for the First XV. Lack of experience does come at a cost and Thornbury have lost several games by a small margin, but this is all part of the learning process. Strength in depth has been a problem in recent seasons and the development process is starting to build a high quality squad. The entertainment value of the rugby played has been high. Thornbury have secured their first win at Bridgwater & Albion and have reserved their best performances for matches with the top sides. They should have won at league leaders Exeter University and second-placed Drybrook and they out-scored Launceston on tries but had an off-day with goal kicking. They have earned losing bonus points from all except one defeat and have scored a hat-full of tries with Sam Poustie leading the way with ten tries, including a score in each of the last seven matches. Thorns sit in sixth place, and the second half of the season starts with a home tie against
Bridgwater. That match is followed by an away game at Matson and a home tie with Clevedon, both of whom will be desperate for points in their attempt to escape the bottom three. Thornbury played Clifton in the quarter-final of the Bristol Combination Cup and although the visitors from the National Leagues won 33-24 the Thornbury youngsters put up a fine performance. The second and third teams have played well on occasions but have lacked consistency of selection and have been plagued by a rash of fixture cancellations. The Development Squad,
which is the Under 17s and Under 18s combined, are unbeaten although the first match in the defence of their County Cup title with Coney Hill was abandoned. Louis Ogilvie and James Jackson have both played for Gloucestershire U-18s. The season has also seen the formation of an adult Women’s rugby side. The Thornbees were founded by Gemma Tyrrell and with few player having experienced the game before, they have now won three of their seven games and under a coaching team headed by Ian Maunder have improved game on game. They have several fixtures lined up for the second
half of the season and plan to enter the RFU Leagues next season. The junior section are energetically looking at forming girls teams. This Christmas the annual charity game is on December 27th when a Thornbury XV play the PROPS Barbarians to raise funds for children and young adults with learning difficulties. This is the eighth successive season this fixture has been played and it has been a highly enjoyable event which has raised several thousand pounds for the charity. Kick-off is 12:00 midday.
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January, 2018
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