Settling In Guide

2012 welcome guide presents the official

WELCOME TO UWE STUDENTS’ UNION

www.uwesu.org www.facebook.com/uwesu www.twitter.com/uwesu

We believe going to university is much more than just getting a degree – there is an entire lifestyle that comes with being a student, although studying is a big part of it. What you hold in your hand is a guide to making the most of your first few weeks at UWE and beyond. Being a student gives you the opportunity to get involved with a number of different activities, which you can explore in this guide. Our core values are diversity, respect, honesty, trust and ambition. We strive to make our Students’ Union more accessible and inclusive for all, irrespective of your nationality, gender, age or ability.

– plans are currently underway for a multipurpose SU building, which is set to begin construction in 2013. The new building will be the centre of students’ attraction here at UWE, and will be based at the heart of Frenchay Campus.

HERE TO MAKE SURE YOU GAIN THE BEST EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE

Every indication suggests that we are witnessing the emergence of a new sense of community here at UWE. As a Students’ Union, we are entering into an exciting time

Our job and privilege, as Students’ Union’s elected officers, is to be here for you; the students – to walk alongside you and make sure that your time here at UWE is memorable. No matter what you are studying and on which campus, we represent you all. On behalf of all the students of the University, we welcome you to UWE. You will have the time of your life here, and UWE Students’ Union (UWESU) is here to make sure you gain the best possible experience.

UWESU provides a range of advice & support services, helping you to settle into life at university.

Join Us Online (see below) Buy a Membership Card (see below)

SETTLE IN

YOUR ESSENTIAL FRESHERS’ 2012 CHECKLIST Join a Sport, Society or Network Go Out: Buy Tickets Join Us at Freshers’ Fair

JOIN US <picture- sabbs x 5> Join us online and buy a UWESU membership card at... www.uwesu.org/joinus For exclusive online access to over 100 Sports, Societies and Networks, Part-time jobs, Email Newsletters and Special Offers and other UWESU member only services.

UWESU Membership Card only £4 for local and national student discounts.

“It saved me loads” Matt Ribbins (thumbnail photo) 2nd year Computing Student

UWESU’s events are the hub of social life at UWE. Find details of freshers’ events on your campus and around the city centre.

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Settle In with a Freshers’ Newspaper (on shelves during Freshers’ Week)

UWESU offers a diverse range of sports and activities for you to take time out from your studies and meet people with similar interests.

Check out these opportunities.

JOIN IN

Join In with Social Media

WE ARE YOUR ELECTED EXECUTIVE TEAM We’re democratically elected to work for you through UWESU’s annual election process, representing you on a wide range of issues. We’re here to respond to your feedback about your experience at UWE, campaign for you on current issues, and lobby UWE to bring about positive change. Read about how to join in with us through representation, sports, societies, networks and media over the coming pages.

Stay in touch with us during freshers and beyond in person or via email, facebook, twitter or our latest blog posts on www.uwesu.org/presidents

UWESU PRESIDENT Emmanuel Okon, President and Chair of the UWESU Executive My role is to ensure that there is regular engagement with students and that your views, issues and opinions are represented to the University. Please feel free to drop by anytime, or if you see me walking around campus, stop me to say hi and tell me how things are going! I’m always keen to find out what your views are and what you want changed or improved. So feel free to visit me in the Frenchay Students’ Union, 4th Floor F-Block or call on 0117 32 82512.

supresident@uwe.ac.uk www.facebook.com/emmanuelle.okon www.twitter.com/uwesu_president

EDUCATION

vpeducation@uwe.ac.uk www.facebook.com/ollyreid7 www.twitter.com/vpeducation

Olly Reid, VP Education, assisted by: Oliver Kirby, Education Officer We’re here to represent you on all things academic. I work closely with student reps to ensure your voice is heard and I strive to ensure that the quality of your education continues to improve.

UWESUEducationOfficer@gmail.com

COMMUNITY & WELFARE

vpcommunityandwelfare@uwe.ac.uk www.facebook.com/louise.gouxwirth www.twitter.com/louise_g

Louise Goux-Wirth, VP Community & Welfare, assisted by: Victoria Wallace, Community & Welfare Officer You can get involved with campaigns on equality, welfare and community, and be a part of shaping your Students’ Union. Turn your passion into making a difference to your UWE student community.

UWESUCommunityWelfareOfficer@gmail.com

vpsports@uwe.ac.uk www.facebook.com/NinaGizzie www.twitter.com/ninagizzie

Nina Gizzie, VP Sports, assisted by: Miki Parr, Sports Officer We are here to work with all students and sports clubs to aid and represent you especially on any sporting matters, making sure you are getting the best experience and support you can in your chosen extracurricular activities!

UWESUSportsOfficer@gmail.com

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SPORTS

SOCIETIES & COMMUNICATION

CAMPUS OFFICERS

JOIN IN

Annie Turner, VP Societies & Communication, assisted by: Lydia Dismore, Community & Welfare Officer Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our jobs to organise all of the societies here at UWE; managing their budgets and providing as much support as we can throughout the year. Societies are a great way to make friends, gain invaluable experiences vpsocsandcomms@uwe.ac.uk and ultimately make the most UWESUSocsandCommsOfficer@gmail.com www.facebook.com/uwesuannie.turner www.twitter.com/vpannabelle out of your student experience.

Each campus has an elected officer. We are currently looking for students to represent Bower Ashton and Gloucester. See overleaf for details on how to join the executive team.

Rich Bursey & Hollie Glover Glenside Campus Officers GlensideCampusOfficer@gmail.com

Meet the team at: www.uwesu.org/presidents

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Umer Sheikh Frenchay Campus Officer FrenchayCampusOfficer@gmail.com

Catherine Mukoyi Hartpury Campus Officer HartpuryCampusOfficer@gmail.com

Daisy Cochran & Terri Hammond St Mattâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Campus Officers StMattsCampusOfficer@gmail.com

YOUR FRESHERS EVENT GUIDE FRENCHAY CAMPUS SATURDAY 15th - SATURDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER 2012 It’s that time of year again where Freshers’ Week is on everyone’s lips. And rightly so too! It’s a pivotal time in a student’s life where they begin to test out new ground, whilst meeting an array of new-found friends – university is an exhilarating adventure, and it’s just about to begin for all of you. Whilst Freshers’ Week is synonymous with partying it’s essentially about you settling in. UWE Students’ Union & UWE host a week of informative events, fun-filled activities and entertainment that’ll be sure to blow your mind!

On hand will also be the Freshers’ Reps and Angels – a group of students who are responsible for making sure you’re having a bloomin’ good time! They are also your Freshers’ fountain of information for the week, so fire away if you have a burning question to ask – you’ll be sure to not miss them in their bright pink t-shirts.

at the Exhibition and Conference Centre Registration Sessions Saturday 15th Sept. 11am-6pm Welcome Talks From the Vice-Chancellor, UWESU Executive and Student Accommodation Staff.

Sunday 16th Sept. full details at: www.uwe.ac.uk/newstudents

ALSO ON...

If you fancy a quiet alternative to the main evening events that UWE Students’ Union put on (pg 22-23) then how about: Chill Evenings in the Octagon Monday 17th - Friday 21th Sept.

6-8pm Film Nights in Scene-it Tuesday 18th - Friday 21th Sept.

7-9pm

FRESHERS’ FAIR UWESU proudly plays host to the UK’s largest annual Freshers’ Fair on Friday 21st September 2012. Packed with around 200 stalls, there promises to be something for everyone!

FRESHERS’ WEEK EVENT GUIDE GLENSIDE CAMPUS

BOWER ASHTON HARTPURY CAMPUS CAMPUS

Registration Sessions and Welcome Talks

Registration Sessions and the Bower Bazaar

Throughout Welcome Weekend there will be plenty of opportunity to get involved in the fun at Glenside Students’ Union. Staff will be on hand to welcome you; don’t miss out on all the fun of the fair with candy floss, ice-creams, balloon modelling, face painting and much, much more.

Saturday 15th Sept. 10am-4pm Sunday 16th Sept. 11am-3pm

With stalls, hog roast, entertainment and fun.

Monday 17th Sept. 10am-4pm

ALSO ON...

Lost & Found

Hartpury Freshers’ Fair Featuring: clubs & societies, some useful services and local businesses to welcome you to Hartpury as well as the chance to buy UWESU membership cards and hoodies.

Thursday 14th Sept. the Modern Pentathlon Centre next to Legends bar, opens at 11am.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

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We understand that going to university can be a particularly daunting experience when combined with moving abroad. Therefore, extra support is offered to international students allowing them to settle in comfortably at UWE. The Octagon will become the ‘Welcome Lounge’ for international students from Monday 10th September through to the end of September (including the weekends). There will also be an International Students’ Fair in Red Bar on Saturday 15th and International Student Orientation in 2D67 on Saturday 15th and Friday 21st September 2012.

JOIN IN

Freshers’ Angels in the bar offering free tea and biscuits and advice on all things Bower Ashton.

Tuesday 18th Sept. 10am-3pm.

SETTLE IN

SETTLING IN

UWESU Student Lettings Make Us Your First Stop For Finding Next Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home

Register Online At:

www.uwesu.org/studentlettings

Call The Team on 0117 32 86600 Or Visit Us On Red Bar Patio, Frenchay Campus twitter.com/student_letting facebook.com/StudentLettings

TOUWE UWEFROM FROMNUS NUS TO

What is the NUS?

LIAM BURNS, NUS PRESIDENT

The National Union of Students (NUS) is an organisation that represents students nationwide. The NUS gives students a channel to voice their opinion and encourages them to campaign against issues affecting them, as well as providing discount cards (see left) and advice on student living. UWESU is an affiliated member of the NUS, as well as hundreds of other universities up and down the country.

Congratulations... it takes a lot to get where you are today!

You are now part of a very powerful campaigning organisation – a team of over seven million students – and I’m excited about working with you to win a better deal for students over the coming year.

The continuous attacks on students and young people have been colossal, and we need to act.

That’s why we’ll be running a national demonstration this autumn, as we build towards the next general election. I really hope you’ll join us then – look out for more information.

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It’s been a As YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE THE TIME busy last well as OF YOUR LIFE 12 months. funding, Although we’ll also the government cuts and radical reform be fighting your corner when it comes to agendas across our universities and issues regarding accommodation, contact colleges continue to pose serious time, the environment, employability problems, we’ve also won a great deal and so much more. They are all on the – from achieving a commitment from agenda, as we work to help make your universities to abolish ‘hidden course student life better. costs’ to dramatically lowering the fees You have a fantastic Students’ Union at for students who want to study abroad.

UWE and all of us here at NUS can’t wait This year is going to be even more to work with you all to change students’ of a challenge – you’ll be the first lives. Keep up to date with what generation with a £9000 a year price we’re up to through our website, tag hanging above your degree.

Facebook page and Twitter links above.

JOIN IN

www.nus.org.uk www.twitter.com/nusuk www.twitter.com/NUS_Liam www.facebook.com/nationalunionofstudents

SETTLE IN

WELCOME

Looking for a part-time job, while studying at UWE?

Jobshop is the answer Register online at www.uwesu.org/jobshop to receive the free weekly email of all vacancies both with employers in the Bristol area and on campus. You can also register in the Jobshop at Frenchay (see overleaf ) or at your local Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union campus office, where vacancies are also on display. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here to help.

A CENTRE FOR SUPPORT The UWE Students’ Union Advice Service gives help and support to all UWE students about a wide range of different issues.

If we can’t help, we will try our very best to find you someone who can.

We give friendly, non-judgemental and confidential advice. It’s a totally free service too.

So whether you are worried about something, or just have a quick query, contact us and we’ll do our best to help.

Come and ask us your questions about: Housing: including contracts, private landlords, UWE accommodation issues.

Assessment or course issues: including changing course, appeals, complaints, assessment offences.

Money: including funding, debts.

Employment: including your rights and responsibilities.

Going to University can be a nerve-racking time, so we’re here to help you settle in at UWE this September

JOIN IN

Also, because the Students’ Union is independent from UWE, our advice is independent and unbiased, and nothing you tell us will appear on your UWE file.

SETTLE IN

ADVICE

You can drop in, make an appointment or contact an adviser by phone or email.

You can find us at: Frenchay: 2F Patio, outside Red Bar, Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm

Glenside: SU Office, Mondays 9.30am to 3.30pm (term time only) www.uwesu.org/advice advice@uwe.ac.uk 0117 3282676

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Bower Ashton: SU Office, Tuesdays 10am to 4 pm (term time only)

FRENCHAY Level 5

EVERYTHING IN ONE PLACE

Level 5

Level 4

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L

Level 4

&

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BARS

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UWESU bars are located at each site providing youF Block with great value food and drink, whether you need a pre-lecture breakfast or a cold beer to wind Main Entrance Stops & Busany studio bar is a great meeting point for down after a hard day’s study. The SU studious or social occasion and hosts a variety of events, from club nights with great value offers to a casual quiz with great prizes. Keep your eye out for advertising for the next greatStudents’ night atUnion your SU. The SU venues are run for you, and every penny of profit goesEntrance back into services to help you get the (access to all levels) most out of your time at UWE, so if you have www.uwesu.org/bars an idea for an event or would like to use the suevents@uwe.ac.uk venues for any purpose, then get in touch! www.facebook.com/EventsAtUWE

FRENCHAY STUDENTS’ UNION,

SIDE

Community and Representation Office

Support Services (Advice, Lettings, Jobshop)

L

Sports and Societies Department

Level 5 Level 4 Level 3

Student Lettings

Advice Centre

Jobshop

F Block

Level 2

uwe students’ union

centre

Student Lettings

RedBar

Student L

Main Entrance & Bus Stops

UWE Reception & Full of Beans

Student Lettings

UWESU Shop

Main Entrance & Bus Stops

SIDE

SETTLE IN

FRENCHAY STUDENTS’ UNION, WesternEye Office

UWESU Reception

Level 5

Level 4

Level 5

Level 3

Level 4

Level 2

RedBar

Level 1

HubRadio

Level 2 F Block

Level 1

Main Entrance & Bus Stops

studio

Students’ Union Entrance

Escape

(access to all levels)

Level 5

Level 4

Level 3

Level 5

centre

Level 5

Buses go to Frenchay from all campuses and the City Centre (see overleaf ).

From the bus stops simply follow one of the paths up the grassy hill and Level 4 you will come out at F Block.

Jobshop

Level 3

The Students’ Union runs a 62 place nursery on Frenchay Campus.

Children can attend the nursery on a full or part-time basis. The F Block nursery offers priority to students and Level staff2 at UWE. Its aim is to provide a warm, caring environment that will offer a variety of learning opportunities for babies and young children. For details of staff, opening times, fees, policies and other information www.uwesu.org/nursery please look on the UWESU website or nursery@uwe.ac.uk contact Alex Morfaki-Williams, the 0117 32 86290 Nursery Manager.

UWE Reception & Full of Beans

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Level 3

uwe students’ union

UWESU Reception is for your enquiries about sports, societies, networks and speaking to one of the executive team. We also offer photocopying and binding services as well as selling membership cards.

UWESU NURSERY

Level 4

Advice Centre

All of UWESU’s Frenchay services are located in F Block – the current heart of Frenchay Campus – close to the bus stops, lecture halls and the Student Village.

JOIN IN

Lettings

Level 3

CAMPUSES

FINDING YOUR STUDENTS’ UNION UWE encompasses five different campuses, each specialising in specific subjects and spreading as far as South Gloucester. The respective campuses provide a warm and friendly atmosphere that boasts an array of social events, which occur throughout the year.

The Bristol campuses are linked together and with the city, by ‘U-Link’ buses (the blue lines). For full details visit: wessexred.co.uk

4 1

You’ll quickly get to know your campus and to help there are maps online or around campus. Also, watch out for our Freshers’ Angels to help you on your way.

2 3

City Centre

5 BOWER ASHTON

5

Campus Officer needed (see page 6)

Bower Ashton is home to the School of Creative Arts and is an eclectic and colourful

community of more than 1600 students and a close network of staff. It is situated on the edge of the beautiful parkland of Ashton Court.

Estate and is close to Bristol’s City Centre. The Students’ Union at Bower Ashton provides a bar, a shop and the office allows you to access all the Students’ Union services including the Advice Centre, JobShop, sports clubs and societies. www.twitter.com/UWESUBower Facebook: Bower-Ashton-UWE

1

FRENCHAY

2

ST MATT’S

student accommodation is based at Frenchay and it has therefore become the hub of activity. A full map showing where to find the huge range of services UWESU has to offer at Frenchay is shown on the previous page.

FrenchayCampusOfficer@gmail.com

Frenchay Campus Officer: Umer Sheikh Frenchay is the biggest UWE campus, so hosts major events like The Allstars Party and the Freshers’ Fair. Lots of

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GLENSIDE

Glenside Campus Officers: Rich Bursey & Hollie Glover Glenside is well known for its sense of community and friendship, with an active student Campus Committee and their Glenside Angels, who play a vital part in putting on an unforgettable

Gloucester campus is home to nursing and widwifery and UWESU is here to help you with independent advice including help with uniforms.

Want to be more involved?

Then why not consider either being a Student Rep or running for Campus Officer.

Welcome Weekend and Freshers’ Week.

You will find the Glenside bar the friendliest one around; with regular events from quizzes to live bands, as well as great food. The UWESU Office at Glenside is for your personal, academic and welfare needs, which also Facebook: Glenside – UWE www.twitter.com/glensideuwesu deals with all the GlensideCampusOfficer@gmail.com clinical uniforms.

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HARTPURY Hartpury Campus Officer: Catherine Mukoyi The UWESU office at Hartpury is on the first floor of the Modern Pentathlon Centre. It has an independent advice service, plus access to all the other SU services such as the Jobshop. Legends Bar is the event venue.

HartpuryCampusOfficer@gmail.com

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GLOUCESTER

3

JOIN IN

St. Matt’s Campus Officers: Daisy Cochran & Terri Hammond With its traditional English sunken lawn surrounded by fantastic 19th Century buildings, St Matthias is the ‘Harry Potter ‘campus.

Small yet perfect, it’s in close proximity to Glenside and

Frenchay campuses, as well as the City Centre.

The grass pitches make St Matt’s home turf for UWESU sports clubs, but there are also the drama ‘lovies’, philosophers and politicians. Whether it’s livemusic, an open-mic night, an existential debate or just a quiet pint – the newly-refurbished bar makes for a vibrant place Facebook: St Matts – UWE to hang-out day or night! StMattsCampusOfficer@gmail.com

SETTLE IN

For more detailed information on all of the campuses visit: www.uwesu.org/campuses

AY MONDND/ HOUSE

HIP-HOP/R DUBSTEP/ELECTRO/DISCO

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01/08/2012 15:39

bristol's busiest bar 7 nights a week

facebook.com/mbargo.bristol

EVERYTHING YOU NEED

Settle in at UWE with your local UWESU Shop at Frenchay, St Matt’s, Glenside & Bower Ashton

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COFFEE ON-THE-GO? Located in the heart of Frenchay and known for its affordable Fairtrade hot drinks, UWE & UWESU’s Full of Beans Coffe Cart is the ideal place to pick up a coffee on-the-go.

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Whether you’re after a quick snack in-between lectures or a full-blown lunch (the Ginsters meal deal never fails to fill a gap!), the UWESU Shop has a wide variety of delicious foodie delights and drinks that’ll keep you going throughout the day. As well as edible treats, the shop also sells clothes (limited edition hoodies can be brought online today – ideal for staying warm over the winter!), stationery, household goods and other student essentials. There is also a huge discount on newspapers – you can purchase the Guardian for 50p and The Times for only 40p!

All money that is spent in the shop, as well as the bar, goes directly back into UWESU’s sports, societies, networks and services.

SETTLE IN

UWESU SHOPS

VOUCHERS

DON’T MISS OUT ON A BARGAIN

50P OFF A HOT DOG

FREE PACKET OF SWEETS

FROM FRENCHAY SU SHOP

WHEN YOU PRESENT THIS VOUCHER IN YOUR SU SHOP

Valid during September 2012

Between 14th-21st September 2012 First 100

HOT DRINK & i NEWSPAPER FOR £1

BUY 2 HOODIES FOR £45*

A saving of 30p with this voucher

In store Valid 10th- 30th September

Hot Drinks normal price

*Premium Range not included in offer

£1.10 i normal price 20p

30P OFF PETERS XL SAUSAGE ROLL OR XL PORK & PICKLE ROLL

20P OFF FUNSIZED FILLED DOUGHNUTS

Valid from 10th-21st September

Valid from 10th-21st September

WITH THIS VOUCHER

SETTLE IN

JOIN IN

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COMING SOON THE FUN DOESN’T END AFTER FRESHERS’ WEEK

JOIN IN

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Black History Month: October Mental Health Awareness: October Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Month: November

Last Orders: 7th December, 5th April and 24th May. At the end of each term the bars reduce all their drinks, making it a perfect opportunity to socialise and reflect on the term.

National Demo Debate: 25th October NUS National Demonstration: 21st November 2012 Elections Season: January-March. Shape your Students’ Union by standing (January) or voting (March) in the annual elections.

RAG Week: Always an entertaining week of fundraising! Join in and raise money for a good cause.

Varsity Season: Throughout spring, UWE take on the University of Bristol in over 20 sports; a perfect opportunity to embrace the rivalry!

Awards Season: Whatever your involvement in UWESU, the awards nights are a great way to celebrate the year’s successes.

Beer Festival: 3rd May 2013. Enjoy a beer or two at the annual Beer Festival – it’s one of UWE’s biggest events with live entertainment.

UWE Summer Ball 2013: Celebrate the end of the academic year in style at the UWE Summer Ball.

Keep up to date at: www.uwesu.org/whatson

Like what you have seen? <picture- sabbs x 5> Then Join us online and buy a UWESU membership card at... www.uwesu.org/joinus For exclusive online access to over 100 Sports, Societies and Networks, Part-time jobs, Email Newsletters and Special Offers and other UWESU member only services.

UWESU Membership Card only £4 for local and national student discounts.

See You in September!

Your Students’ Union is here to enhance your student experience – from offering you fantastic advice and support, to boasting a wide range of activities and sports for you to become involved in.

We are currently in the process of developing a new Students’ Union building, which will be readily available for you to utilise

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LET’S BUILD A NEW UWESU

in 2014. The Students’ Union presidents and to take is currently squeezed into advantage of the improved a 1970s block on Frenchay facilities such as a large bar, campus, which is far from convenience store and multiideal. The new SU building functional hall. The building will be situated at the – will provide plenty of space soon-to-be – heart of the for you to unwind, as well as campus. It’s set to provide a socialise... much larger space for you www.uwesu.org/letsbuild to meet and engage www.facebook.com/newUWESUbuilding with Union staff and

If you’re AD 3 not registered

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in Bristol, you can’t vote in Bristol.

To have a say on Bristol's elected Mayor and the Police and Crime Commissioner in the elections on 15th November, you need to be on Bristol’s electoral register. Visit www.bristol.gov.uk/vote or call 0117 922 3400 to find out how.

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