Vocalise Issue 10

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APRIL-JUNE 2019

Welcome

Welcome to the 10th edition of Vocalise, the community magazine for St Pauls, St Werburghs,St Agnes and Montpelier. We are really excited about this issue and it’s full of great stories from some really talented people.

I’d personally like to thank everyone involved for their contributions, we honestly couldn’t get it done with out you. Especially those who distribute and make sure Vocalise gets to every household.

If you would like to help contribute to the next issue please email: info@vocalisemagazine.org.uk The deadline for submissions will be 21st June.

We're really excited to be publishing our first dual language article this issue.

Our back page is a reader survey, please fill it in on paper or online. http://vocalisemagazine.org.uk We really appreciate your feedback.

Vocalise Bristol CIC

Happy reading, Hollyanne (Project Co-ordinator)

Contents 2 Welcome 3 Local Photos 4-5 Local Artist Tina Brown 6-7 Kurdish culture 7 St Pauls Advice 8 Illustrated Poem 10 Interview: Angel-Mel 11 Vitality Festival 11 Full Circle at Docklands 12 ACE 13 Thoughts from an Oldie 13 Theatre Review 14-15 Local development 16-17 What's On 18 Local Hero Kitty Ali 19 Environment CHEESE 20 Recipe 21 Engery Champions

22 23 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Cllr Mike Davies Police Update MP update Interview Uri Green Architechture Centre Youth Voice Babbassa The Dolphin School Activities Cute Critters Wellbeing Impact Survey

There's more to see and read online!

Check it out for more articles and activites!

http://vocalisemagazine.org.uk

Supported by

Regulated by

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Please reuse this magazine. Share it, collage it, recycle it!

This is YOUR community magazine, if you’d like to be involved, get in touch! info@vocalisemagazine.org.uk vocalisemagazine.org.uk @vocaliseBristol @vocaliseBristol Published by: Vocalise Bristol CIC Backfields House Upper York Street Bristol BS2 8QJ

Co-ordinated and designed by: Hollyanne Schnieden Special thanks to: Tina Brown, Uri Green, Angel Mel, Shula, St Pauls Advice Centre, Etain O'Shea, Tom Bonson, Zaheer Mamon, Hilary Finch, Lydia Latham MacQueen, Studio Hive, WRW, Babbassa, Kitty Ali, Cllr Mike Davies, Avon and Somerset Police, Thangham Debbonaire, The Architecture Centre, Jamie Hanlon, ACE CIC, Dolphin School, ScrapStore, Rethink, Lucy Mortimer. //Kabbo Ferdinand.

Also thanks to all our volunteers and directors.

Tina Brown Vandna Mehta Hilary Finch //Kabbo Ferdinand Lynn Mareno Judith Davis Lydia Latham MacQueen Lucy Mortimer Tessi Moghaddam Becky Chamberlain

Front cover: Sun | Moon by Zoë Power Prints are available at www.zoepower.com Vectors from:Vecteezy.com

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Local Photos

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Local st

own

Tina Br

Snow shee p cr Photo by T eated by Jenny Ship way ina Brown

Mike Jon es Age 9

We Shall Overcome, Lydia MacQueen

fe of Li e e r n T Brow Tina

Local street art Photo by Hilary Finch

St Pauls A dvice Cent re Photo by H ilary Finch

Sun | Moon Zoe Power Street art by

To be included in the next issue send your photos to info@vocalisemagazine.org.uk Deadline is 21st June The best submission will be used for our front cover!

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Local Artist Tina Brown

A very young at heart Tina Brown arrived in Bristol twenty-five years ago to find her own creativity having previously gained a broad experience in various places and fields. Some inspirations include: people, street art, roots and dub music, and geometry. She was born in Yorkshire but moved with her mother to London when she was 16 and started pursuing her art and music career there, learning the piano and completing a foundation art course.

Tina says she always used to lack confidence in herself due to her difficult childhood and finding the art course did not suit her she trained as a chef instead. Tina then moved to France for two and a half years mixing with musicians and artists there before returning to live in Devon where she worked at a holistic education centre as part of the community where she learned to skin a djembe and made other musical instruments.

‘Art and music are what saved me, and a deeply rooted philosophy that I’ve carried with me since childhood. I’ve often felt isolated and an outsider. I’m a bit of a recluse; always’ hovering on the edge of groups. However, this put me in a position of an observer, and into contact with a diverse array of people.

I think human beings are beautiful and everyone holds a spark of wisdom and creativity. I’m not religious, however, I see an underlying truth - a common thread in all beliefs. My art and music strive to unify the thoughts and feelings I have, geometry has helped me see the beautiful patterns of creation in nature, and music is the language that speaks to all. Creativity is often compartmentalised into the arts and music, performance.

I see creativity as being inherent in everything, everyone; Sciences, education, the mundane and I hope to see a world where creativity is brought back into the curriculum, where people accept their differences and work together to build a better world’.

Now in Bristol Tina enjoys collaborating: making music and videos, (YESIdub productions), mixing her drawings through animation with live footage for her music videos; type Yesidub in youtube to find video’s of her last release ‘Lessons in Dub – Conscious Man and Come Around’.

‘I have thoroughly enjoyed drawing portraits of the artists that sing on my tracks, it’s an expression of my love; and music has enabled me to release my creativity, it gave me a voice, it helped me to step out into the world and be seen, boosting my confidence and my drawing skills, I love exploring my creativity and learning new skills’.

Some of her work can be found at facebook.com/Y.E.S.I@ yesidub. Her music is also available on soundcloud.com/ tina-yesidub and yesidub@bandcamp.com, iTunes and Spotify.

She finds time to do this while bringing up her two children as a single parent. It took seven years, but she also managed to do an Open University course in English and French language and acquired a 2.1 degree.

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Having such a broad experience she wants to give back to the community, and has lots of ideas for creative workshops. She is open to new opportunities – commissions for artwork, murals, portraits as well as videos and music collaborations.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Portrait of Mina Mann

Portrait of Alexis Billington

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COMMUNITY VOICES: KURDISH SPOTLIGHT

S ‫ﺷوﻋﻠﮫ ﺳﻠﯾﻣﺎن‬

hula is a member of the Kurdish Community in Bristol.

Her article welcomes our readers and thanks Vocalise for allowing her to share her love for her culture with others. Especially parts that may be being forgotten. Through Vocalise she is able to show and tell, and also welcome people from the Kurdish community both within Ashley Ward and other areas to events.

If you have an interest in these, Kurdish or not! Please contact Shula or the Vocalise team.The table shows the months of the year.

The first column shows the Kurdish script.

The second column shows Arabic script. And the final column shows the Kurdish numbers corresponding to each month.

This knowledge is something that is being lost and that Shula would like to encourage the learning of both in and out of the Kurdish community.

Shula has also kindly included Roman phonetic of the Kurdish and Arabic so you can have a go at saying them!

If you want to write in your own language contact info@vocalisemagazine.org.uk

‫ﮔوﭬﺎرى ﭬوﻛﮫ ﻻﯾز ى ﻧﺎوﭼﮫ ﯾﻰ ﺷﺎرى ﺑرﯾﺳﺗول ده رﻓﮫ ﺗﯾﻛﻰ ره ﺧﺳﺎﻧد‬ ‫ ﺧوم ﺑﮫ ﺧوﺷﺣﺎل ﺋﮫ زاﻧم ﮔﮫ ر ﺑﺗواﻧم‬، ‫ﺑو ﻧﺎﺳﺎﻧدﻧﻰ ﻛﻠﺗوره ﺟﯾﺎوازه ﻛﺎن‬ ‫ﻛﻠﺗورو زﻣﺎﻧﻰ ﻛوردى ﺑﻧﺎﺳﯾﻧم وھﮫ روه ھﺎ ﺑﺎﺑﮫ ﺗﻰ ﺑﮫ ﺷﯾوه ﯾﮫ ﻛﻰ ﺳﺎده‬ ...........‫ھﮫ ﻣﮫ ره ﻧﮓ و ﺟوراو ﺟور ﺑﺧﮫ ﻣﮫ ﺑﮫ ر ﭼﺎوى ﺧوﯾﻧﮫ ران‬ ‫ ﺳﮫ ﺑﺎره ت ﺑﮫ ھﮫ واﻟﻰ ﻛوردى‬، ‫ﺗﺎﻟﮫ رﯾﻰ ﺋﮫ م ﮔوﭬﺎره وه ﺋﺎﮔﺎدارى ھﮫ وال و ﭼﺎﻻﻛﯾﮫ ﻛﺎﻧﻰ ﺋﮫ م ﻧﺎوﭼﺎﻧﮫ ﺑن‬ ...... ‫ ﺗﺎ ﻟﮫ رﯾﮫ وه ﺋﺎﮔﺎدارى ﺑﺎﺑﮫ ﺗﮫ ﻛﺎن ﺑن‬،‫ﻛورداﻧﻰ ﺷﺎرى ﺑرﯾﺳﺗول ﺋﮫ ﮔرﯾﺗﮫ وه ﻧﮫ ك ﺗﮫ ﻧﮭﺎ ﻧﺎوﭼﮫ ﯾﻰ‬ ‫ﺑو ھﮫ ر ﺳﮫ رﻧﺞ و ﺗﯾﺑﯾﻧﯾﮫ ك ﺋﮫ ﺗواﻧن ﭘﮫ ﯾوه ﻧدى ﺑﻛﮫ ن ﺑﮫ م ژﻣﺎره ﻣوﺑﺎﯾل و ﺋﯾﻣﮫ ﻟﮫ ى ﺧواره وه‬

‫ھﮫ ر وه ھﺎ ده ﺗواﻧن ﺳﮫ رداﻧﻰ ﺗورى ﻛوﻣﮫ ﻻ ﯾﮫ ﺗﻰ ﮔو ﭬﺎرى ﭬوﻛﮫ ﻻﯾز ﺑﻛﮫ ن ﻟﮫ رﯾﻰ ﺋﮫ و ﻧﺎو ﻧﯾﺷﺎﻧﺎﻧﮫ ى‬ .......................................... ‫ﻟﮫ ﺑﮫ رﮔﻰ ﭘﯾﺷﮫ وه ى ﮔوﭬﺎره ﻛﮫ دا ﻧﯾﺷﺎن دراوه‬

‫ﺧﺷﺗﮫ ى ﻣﺎﻧﮕﮫ ﻛوردﯾﮫ ﻛﺎن ﺑﮫ راورد ﺑﮫ زﻣﺎﻧﻰ دﯾﻛﮫ‬

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‫ﻛوردى‬

‫ﻋﮫ ره ﺑﻲ‬

‫ﺋﯾﻧﮕﻠﯾزى‬

‫ژﻣﺎره‬

‫رﯾﺑﮫ ﻧدان‬ RebaNdan

‫ﻛﺎﻧون اﻟﺛﺎﻧﻰ‬ Kanun althani

January

1

‫ره ﺷﮫ ﻣﻰ‬ Resha Mei

‫ﺷﺑﺎط‬ Shubat

February

2

‫ﺧﺎﻛﮫ ﻟﯾو‬ khakah lyw

‫أذار‬Adhar ‫ﻣﺎرس‬Mahrs

March

3

‫ﮔوﻻن‬/Golan ‫ﺑﺎﻧﮫ ﻣﮫ ر‬ banah mihr

‫ﻧﯾﺳﺎن‬ Nisan

April

4

‫ﺟوزه ردان‬ Jawzardan

‫أﯾﺎر‬ Ayar

May

5

‫ﭘوﺷﭘﮫ ر‬ Pwshphr

‫ﺣزﯾران‬ Haziran

June

6

‫ﺧﮫ رﻣﺎﻧﺎن‬ kharmahnan

‫ﺗﻣوز‬ Tamuwz

July

7

‫ﮔﮫ ﻻوﯾژ‬ Galawezh

‫أب‬ Ab

August

8

‫ره زﺑﮫ ر‬ Rahzibhr

‫أﯾﻠول‬ Sibtambar

September 9

‫ﺗﺷرﯾن اﻷول‬ October ‫ﮔﮫ‬ ‫ﻻرﯾزان‬/Ghlarizan Tishrin al'awal ‫ﺧﮫ زه ﻟوه ر‬/ khahzahluhr

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‫ﺳﮫ رﻣﺎ وه رز‬ Sarmawahrz

‫ﺗﺷرﯾن اﻟﺛﺎﻧﻰ‬ November Tishrin althani

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‫ﺑﮫ ﻓراﻧﺑﺎر‬ Bafranbar

‫ﻛﺎﻧون اﻷول‬ kanun alawl

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December

Factfile Who are the Kurds?

Between 25 and 35 million Kurds inhabited a mountainous region straddling the borders of Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Armenia.They make up the fourth-largest ethnic group in the Middle East, but have never obtained a permanent nation state.

The Kurds formed a distinctive community, united through race, culture and language, even though they have no standard dialect. They also adhere to a number of different religions and creeds, although the majority are Sunni Muslims.

KURDISH SPOTLIGHT: DRAWING ACTIVITY Kurdish celebrate Newroz, their New Year, in the Spring.

This flower is a symbol for their new year celebrations.

Have a go at colouring it in or drawing your own.

We'd love to see them, please send them to us on our facebook page or email: info@vocalisemagazine.org.uk and we'll share them for you!

Feedback We'd love to know what you think of this article.

Please email: info@vocalisemagazine.org.uk Or write: Vocalise Bristol CIC Backfields House Upper York Street Bristol BS2 8QJ

A little advice...

Question My partner has recently moved in with me and I have claimed Universal Credit because I’ve been told that I can’t claim job seekers allowance. My partner can’t work because he is sick and we have 2 small children.

He looks after them and I’m looking for work. Although the claim took a long time to process, I’m now getting Universal Credit.

However, I just found out that the money I used to get to pay my Council Tax has been stopped and that I now owe the Council several hundred pounds in Council Tax. I have no savings to be able to repay them. What should I do?

Answer Council tax is not paid by Universal Credit. Universal Credit pays what would previously have been paid by tax credits, housing benefit and income support/ jobseekers allowance/employment support allowance depending on the claimant’s circumstances.

When the Council was told that you had been put onto Universal Credit, the money you receive to pay your Council Tax (Council Tax Reduction) did not end but was superseded because of the award of Universal Credit. You don’t need to make a new claim for Council Tax Reduction. As the Council were not able to get the information they needed from their internal systems, they should have sent you a letter asking for clarification of your change of details.

The first thing you must do is to contact the Council tax office and let them know that you are getting Universal Credit. You must challenge their decision to suspend your Council tax reduction award by appealing – this must be done within one month of the date of the decision to suspend your claim and it must be in writing, stating that you’re getting Universal Credit. You should ask for the council tax reduction to be backdated to the start of the universal credit award.

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We Are Stronger Together W

Interview by Tina Brown

to go in the flow of music and all to do with music.

Things did get tough, I suffered stress & anxiety due to work related stress, so I took time out to reflect and think. I asked myself; “What are the things I most love in the world?” The answer was music and fitness. Angel Mel trained as a Personal Trainer and slowly built up her business in music, promoting artists, setting up a dj/artist booking agency and getting more regular work. ‘These times were my lessons in Angel Mel hosts the ‘Spread Love Show’ airing on life and it really felt like it was all meant to happen.

Tuesday’s between 6-8pm on Ujima Radio. ‘I’m By going with the flow I’ve become more creative, from a multi-cultural background and hugely influmore adventurous, more open to ideas and I’m realenced by my parents who have an eclectic taste in ly living life on my own terms.’ Angel Mel describes music’ says Angel Mel.. Her radio show reflects her herself as being ‘quietly spiritual’, and multi-cultural background and I would say this is an apt description. diverse musical tastes.

"I hope that St Pauls She hold’s the qualities of a caregiver ‘Our city is a place of diversity and my show is like a celedevelops in a way that at the same time as maintaining good boundaries. bration of our city, bringing doesn’t lose the heart of She gets genuine fulfillment through different genres and people this vitally important area’." bringing people together, promottogether with a feel good ing people, enabling new artists to factor on the inside and the emerge, as well as supporting women outside’. Inclusivity is very or those who identify as women in music with her important to Angel Mel and she helps many people facebook group ‘Sisters we are DJ’s’. She doesn’t (like myself) to get a voice when they are not heard. shout out about it, she just gets on with it and I feel that her motivation comes straight from her heart.

‘I moved to St Pauls 18 months ago.

I’ve always had close links to St. Pauls as my nanny So now Angel Mel not only DJ’s regularly in Ibiza lived here for over 30 years. I’ve watched it develand the ‘Spread Love Show’, she’s also presents op and evolve’ And like all of us at Vocalise she is the Monday morning Rise Up Breakfast show with concerned as to how the regeneration of St. Pauls Plummer Brothers on Ujima radio, holds regular will affect its residents. ‘I hope that it develops in a nights at Turtle Bay, Cheltenham Road, The Florist way that doesn’t lose the heart of this vitally importon Park Street, The Botanist in Bath, Shindig ant area’. weekenders and Glastonbury Festival.

Though Angel Mel loves music she didn’t set out to Check out her webpage ammpromotions.co.uk for become a DJ. She became a mum at 17 and her more information. days were occupied with raising a child and working.

‘At that time I felt drawn to working as a support worker for people with addictions. I found my niche there and I adored my work. It felt meaningful’.

DJ’ing came to Angel Mel by accident, through a series of events that began at the SunceBeat festival in Croatia.

Then as time passed, she got more and more involved in music and though she doubted her skills as a DJ people were asking her to play out. ‘It was a good experience. Doing radio gave me confidence and exposure’. Her first DJ’ing job was a residency in Ibiza, not bad going for someone who thought they didn’t have the skills for the job! hen I first met Angel Mel I was struck by her generous smile and warm personality.

We initially made contact via the Bristol Women in Music network. I sent her my music and was then invited for an interview on her radio show.

As it was my first radio show interview I was very nervous, Angel Mel put me at ease straight away.

‘As things progressed in the music I felt more in touch with going with the flow of things and there was a drive and urge

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Vitality Festival Preparations are going strong here at Vitality Bristol, CIC as we lead up to our next event at The Malcolm X on the afternoon of Saturday 4th May. If you haven’t been to our events yet, well the idea is very simple... Imagine an alcohol-free daytime space where all can gather to share in great music and dance and nourishing plant-based street-food, a space where we can celebrate global cultures that bring vibrance to our city and the satisfaction of feeling healthy, well and energised all together at the same time.

So why are the events alcohol-free and why is the food plant-based? We’re not preaching anything to anyone, this is simply about creating a wholesome atmosphere where all can feel welcome. More and more alcohol-free events are starting to pop up, but many appeal only to a certain niche and we wanted to do the opposite. The vibe of the events feel so refreshing without the presence of alcohol. It just makes perfect sense for a family-friendly daytime event that celebrates well-being...

Plant-based menus mean that everyone can share in the food on offer and it’s no secret that a healthier diet includes more plant-based portions. We love it when people tell us they’ve been inspired by trying the menus at the events. Some say that ‘love’ is always the secret ingredient in the tastiest food and our good friends at Ital Garden truly embody this, in the care and meditation that they put into preparing their delicious Caribbean-inspired Ital dishes. In addition to Ital Garden, the food on 4th May will also include an East-African-inspired menu from Refugee Women of Bristol, raw vegan cakes from Little Roar and bars selling herbal teas, fresh juices and fizzy ‘kombucha’ health drinks.

Entertainment-wise the next event will showcase a variety of local musicians and artists including an outside stage hosted by Vitality resident sound system, Roots Inspiration. There will be dance, drumming and capoeira showcases, stalls from local community organisations and independent businesses, smoothie-bikes, hula-hooping, face-painting, arts and crafts activities and African inspired wooden games.

Vitality is a young project and we’re constantly learning on the job and improving. What really inspires the team and keeps us going through the ups-and-downs of event-organising, is when you get those real gems of feedback from people, telling us how it was their favourite event of last year or how they have never been to an event quite like it... So bring on May 4th and let the weather be blessed once again!

Vitality Bristol’s 2019 Micro-Festival takes place from 1pm – 9pm at The Malcolm X on Saturday 4th May 2019.

Vitality Bristol CIC is looking for volunteers to help with the event.

For more information & volunteering opportunities: email: vitalitybristol@gmail.com

Full Circle at Docklands Ltd

Docklands – an inspiring place for our children on Brigstock Road in St Pauls – has survived many changes since its inception in 1932. The original building was bomb damaged during the war and the current one built with help from the Wills family and opened by our Queen when she was still Princess Elizabeth in the very early 1950's. For the last 4 years the organisation has been working to become self sustainable as Bristol Council funding was withdrawn.

In the warren of rooms that make up the place, boys and girls can play basket ball, pool, meet friends, work with ACE music man Hans Soghe and his assistant, Cherelle Grant in the music studio. Nick Halahan (of @Olas.Art) is also there on Tuesdays and Wednesdays developing artistic and graffiti skills. And in yet another room John Bradford of Digilocal brings laptops for kids to develop computer games that also helps them with problem solving.

The organisation is now run by Full Circle with funding from the Creative Youth Network, Tudor Trust, Avon and Somerset Police and help from various other charities and donations. Marie Lewis is the Centre Manager and Jacqui Pitter the Lead Youth Worker both assisted by a great team who also run the popular Tuck Shop on site.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Supporting the youth

Aspiration Creation Elevation CIC (ACE) is a unique organisation in the heart of St. Pauls, which empowers disadvantaged young people through music and media, role-model guidance and inspirational experiences. We’ve grown from starting as just three entrepreneurs in 2013 to having 18 staff and volunteers today.

The devastating impact of community investment cuts in 2012 sparked us into action. St. Pauls is within the top 3% of the most deprived communities in the UK, and research shows that more than half of children in the area live in income deprived households; with lack of education, skills and training being some of the many key issues.

ACE believes in looking beyond the surface of what today’s youth face, as there is a systematic cycle, which they often fall into, through no fault of their own. This is a cycle of inequality, low aspirations and negativity, which will ultimately have damaging affects on future generations.

We feel that the common ground of art has been the platform to guide, educate and inspire young people to take positive paths in life. We understand that overturning such a deep-rooted problem will take time, commitment and resources beyond our own, but even the smallest positive action can grow into methods of significant change and inspiration.

Our More Than Music weekly open-access sessions (Docklands: Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday evenings and The Station: Friday evenings) offer a creative and safe space for young people to engage and develop through music, media and the arts. We aim to see negativity overturned through art.

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REGULAR FEATURE

Thoughts from an Oldie

To love or not to love....It’s February as I write this and Valentine’s Day roles

round again. Partners buy cards, flowers and chocolates. Invitations are extended for restaurant meals. I have never received a Valentines card or a special invitation. One ex partner did steal a few of my neighbour’s front garden flowers (daffodils) for me which I thought quite amusing. I know some people give their partners a hard time if they don’t do all the right things on the day. Why just the one day? Like Christmas, no one should have to pile on the gifts – but have real affection for each other. Of course I am speaking out of turn as I don’t think I have been really loved and appreciated in all the years I partnered various men. I felt more used by them. My home was convenient. One actually told me so!

He said he was with me as I had food in the larder and paints so he chose me over another.

I love my family and the latest addition, my great grandson, has had my heart turning over for him. He had to have quite major surgery at just two days old. All my grandchildren have my love and affection as do my own flesh and blood. But male partners for myself, I gave up on that years ago and can’t say I feel I am missing much. Sometimes it would be lovely to have someone there to turn to and discuss a family situation or just ask for help, but on the whole I manage just fine. My oldest brother is a good listener. We talk on the phone sometimes and I feel free to say what I think. He knows me well enough and appreciates some of my qualities! It is good to have someone we can open up to. Friends are good but as we get older they die or pass on to pastures new.

Life is not a static affair. Our moods change, our tastes change and patterns of life around us change as do our circumstances. Rubbing up with love is an erratic business. Some do, some don’t. Some abuse love and some demand too much of it. Some are romantics and play it out. Others just grab it and carry on loving and living with acceptance and understanding. There are those who are single by choice, perhaps too hurt to give love another go or just shut down their feelings for a safe life.

However you live your life, I wish you the best.

Hilary Finch

In my view...

A Review of We Have Overcome, a new play by the Malcolm X Elders, Acta Theatre,Bristol.

The Malcolm X Elders have returned this year with a delightful revision of their original 2012 production of We Have Overcome. As we know there’s been a lot of controversy about the situation some Afro-Caribbean people being deported and having their citizenship denied in spite of the fact they have been living in the UK for decades. The Malcolm X Elders who are some of the original citizens who came to the UK from 1960s on felt it was an appropriate time to put the facts straight and tell / retell their stories again!

because I too, upon arriving to this country or the first time, could empathize with some of the experiences they endured.

The play is currently sold out! however hopefully they will put on more performance in the near future.

I recommend everyone see this excellent play, from the young to the old. Let give our Elders a ‘Bravo!’ for the energy and effort it took to put on this wonderful play.

And, what stories they are! With humor, courage dignity and, might I add, some really ‘cool’ music, these lovely ladies share their experiences, challenges and successes in coming to England and eventually making their mark on society. They had to endure the shock of the weather, the cold draughty homes, overt and subtle racism. But, they persevered and most important, they supported each other in their effort to survive.

by Lydia Latham MacQueen

The play is very entertaining, alternating between funny and quite emotionally poignant scenes. As an African American woman I had moments of sentiment 13

COMMUNITY NEWS

Regeneration: preserving the community

Studio Hive give their view on the development of St Pauls, and their hopes for maintaining the vibrant community spirit.

‘Regeneration, but not disintegration’ was the theme of an excellent article in the last edition of Vocalise, and many of the points raised are relevant to us as a development company.

Regeneration of city areas will happen, and to some extent must happen if the fabric and infrastructure of our communities is to be prevented from falling into disrepair and disuse. However, regeneration is not necessarily gentrification. Almost everybody wants their local environment to be improved. This may be better pavements, less cars, better homes or more shops. The difficult part is being able to fund these improvements without destroying the fabric and spirit of the existing community, to carry out these improvements without driving the existing community away. As a Bristol based development company, the team at Studio Hive take pride in their track record of urban regeneration in interesting but challenging city locations. Places such as Hartcliffe in Bristol and Stonehouse in Plymouth provided the fabric for some of the previous regeneration schemes we have worked on and helped to bring investment back to areas that were being side lined by more mainstream investors. The site that we are currently developing, between Portland Square and Wilder Street, has been semi derelict and unused for some time and as a result an eyesore

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and a potential hazard. A site that has seemingly never fully recovered from the bomb that landed there during the second world war, demolishing half a block of traditional Georgian housing that has never been replaced with buildings of quality or long term value. We are now constructing a

'Hopefully, many of our students will fall in love with St Pauls and look to move from student rooms to a first time home.' new, traditional brick clad building and we have worked closely with the planners and the community to achieve an appropriate design in keeping and to scale with the local architecture, as a home for 225 students. The accommodation is built to a high standard, built to last, but not aimed at the ‘luxury’ high end student market. The building will be fully managed to ensure that the students take responsibility for their new homes and respect their neighbourhood. There is also the opportunity for commercial and retail spaces at street level to be taken up by local businesses, adding to the increasing employment opportunities in the area, whilst the Community notice board gets a new and permanent setting on the building façade.

St Pauls is already a richly diverse and vibrant community. The introduction of a relatively small number of students from varying backgrounds, with a wide range of interests, will only add to that diversity. Bristol has one of the country’s highest post-graduate retention rates, students fall in love with the city and because of its wide range of employment opportunities are able to start their working lives in the city. Hopefully, many of our students will fall in love with St Pauls and look to move from student rooms to a first time home.

The accommodation that we are providing is

COMMUNITY NEWS self-catered. The students are fortunate that the area provides them with the opportunity to shop not only in more mainstream stores within Cabot Circus, but also to sample the wide range of ethnic outlets along the Gloucester Road. Being students we are sure they will relish the diversity of both ingredients and take-aways that are on offer and probably prefer the ‘cool’ independent traders to the national retailers. Hopefully the community will welcome the new residents, sitting alongside them in the local coffee shops and pubs, offering them advice on where to shop and where to play. Equally, we hope that the students will fully embrace St Pauls, and after three years look to stay and invest their skills and enthusiasm in the community of the future.

Birdseye view of the construction sight taken from a timelapse video

Designers projection of what the front of the new building will look like.

Join the conversation.

If you are a local student or have an opinion on development in the area we'd love to hear your thoughts. email: info@vocalisemagazine.org.uk or write: Vocalise Bristol CIC Backfields House Upper York Street Bristol BS2 8QJ

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Te a

r

What’s on...

Regular events

3rd Sat of the Tues, Weds, Month Thurs Repair Cafe @ St Pauls Learning Centre BS2 8XJ

More than Music Evenings @ Docklands BS2 8UF

Every Wednesday

Every Thursday

Drumming, music, song & rhythm @ St Pauls Learning Centre BS2 8XJ

pin

an

m

e

m

d

up

Every Friday Over 50s Happiness 11am-1pm @ St Pauls Learning Centre BS2 8XJ

Every Friday

Female Football Talking Tables 50+ 1pm-2pm 11am-2pm @ @ St Pauls community St Werburghs sport centre City Farm BS2 9NH BS2 9YJ

Every Monday Girls group 8-12 4.30pm-6.30pm @ Full Circle Docklands BS2 8UF

Go to our website for more regular events and more!

April

6th

From 6th-28th

8th

12th

Bristol Plant Market 1pm @ St Werburghs Community Centre BS2 9TJ

Bristol Aquarium 10 years 10am-5pm @ Bristol Aquarium

Open day Scrapstore 11.30am-4pm @ Scrapstore House BS2 9LB

Circomedia, Hotel Paradisio 7.30pm @ Portland Square

6th-22nd

13th

17th & 18th

24th

Calmer Llama Trail @ Bristol Shopping Quarter

House of Veg Street Market 12pm @ Pennywell Project BS5 0TL

Circomedia As a tiger in the jungle 7.30pm @ Portland Square

Intergenrational networking event Babbasa 6pm-9pm @ The Station

20th Reggae Fish Fry 2pm-8pm @ Malcolm X BS2 8YH

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27th

New Vegan Carribean Cafe launch with Roots Injection 1pm til late @ Kuumba

Running an event?

Let us know and we'll help promote it!

e !

ou

t

Got a free hour? Help us deliver!

Please email info@vocalisemagazine.org.uk if you can help deliver, it really helps us and you'll be invited to Vocalise socials!

May

June

from 3rd

4th

10th

Adult printmaking 10am-12.30pm @ St Pauls Learning Centre BS2 8XJ

Vitality Festival 9pm-9pm @ Malcolm X Centre BS2 8YH

St Nicks Night Market 5-10pm @ St Nicks

23rd & 30th

25th

27th-30th

First aid training for mental health @ Rethink St Pauls BS2 8UH

Music & the Muse 2-4pm @ Fishponds BS16 3TP

Engines,Stokers & Steam Week @ Harbourside/SS Great Britain

Tribe of Doris presents DAN (diverse artists network) 10am-1pm @ Bristol Old Vic

1st-4th

8th

14th-18th

21st

Engines,Stokers & Steam Week @ Harbourside/SS Great Britain

Summer Fair 12-7pm @ St Werbughs City Farm BS2 9YJ

Comedy Garden @ Queens Square

Murder Mystery Night 7pm @ Bristol Museum

11th

23rd

11-30th

30th

Eid celebration @ Trinity Centre BS2 0NW

Celebrating sanctuary @ Queens Square

Bristol refugee festival @ Bristol City (various events)

Pride Festival Starts @ Bristol City (various events)

18th

Seasonal Cycles Womens Day 9am @ St Werburghs City Farm BS2 9YJ

14th

Don't forget St Pauls Carnival! 6th July we'll bring you updates on facebook and our website over the coming months.

...in Ashley Ward

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Local Hero

Celebrating the incredible life of Kitty Ali

After fifty-five years on her feet serving customers at her shop, Ali and Kitty’s, on Grosvenor Road, Kitty Ali has retired. Not able to leave well alone she covers for the new owner on Friday afternoons when he is at prayers. I met this vivacious Dublin woman on her Friday stint and listened to her story while she busily served customers and checked in new products.

Kitty was born in Dublin in 1945 and followed her father to Birmingham when she was twelve years old. Ali Arrived in Birmingham from Pakistan in 1958. They met, married and came to Bristol so Ali could work as a labourer building the original Severn bridge.

Looking around the neighbourhood they saw a niche market for African and Asian food and bought their shop on Grosvenor Road in 1964 to supply halal meat, groceries and spices. They had included a few hair products but as other shops opened supplying these foods Kitty started specializing in all things to do with hair and divided their shop, left the food side and concentrated on building up the hair business. She was recently given an award in Bristol for her years of service to the public.

Asking her for any stories, she thought for a moment before telling me that rapper Goldie came in to buy a saucepan. (I am guessing that was a while ago – no saucepans in the shop now!) Her hair supplies also attracted Blondie who dropped in to buy a wig. She was headlining at Glastonbury Festival that year.

Kitty also sourced real Afro hair through her customers for the wig makers working on The Pirates of the Caribbean. Then the make up artist working on Broadchurch came in for ready made wigs. Who knew this little shop had attracted people from so far and wide!

Those shelves bursting with oils, sprays, wig, hair and plenty more supplies are still there. Kitty retired this December just gone and wants to thank her family (three daughters and her son) who all helped her at various times in the shop.

She would also especially like to thank the patronage of all her customers who she treated as family.

We thank you, Kitty for a marvelous service.

Words by Hilary Finch

Do you know a local hero?

Let us know: info@vocalisemagazine.org.uk

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Thermal problems with dot-and-dab plasterboard T

ENVIRONMENT

he practice of dry lining masonry walls with dot-and-dab plasterboard was developed as a cheap alternative to wet plastering, since it requires less skill and time to apply, does not take as long to dry and provides superior sound and heat insulation, if installed correctly. It works by applying adhesive directly to a wall in 'dots' and 'dabs' and then sticking the plasterboard to it. The benefits over wet plastering have established it as an industry-standard technique since the 1980s.

The problem with dot and dab from an energy-efficiency perspective is that it can channel cold airflow within a building, between the blobs of adhesive, compromising energy efficiency. Cold air can infiltrate through insulation from the roof or at joist level and cascade down the back of the plasterboard to exit either at the skirting (by which time it will have warmed up) or to the outside. In the worst cases, the effect can be likened to living in a plasterboard tent inside your home.

Unfortunately, remedying existing dot and dab is not straightforward and in most cases will require the dry lining to be replaced. You can find out if your home has dot-and-dab plasterboard by: 1)Tapping the plaster to see if there is a hollow sound with patches of solid sound (although you can't confirm this way whether it's channelling cold air).

2)Feeling a rapid cool down of the room or building when the wind blows.

3)Using a thermal-imaging camera.

So, why does dot and dab continue to be used widely when it is undermining building energy efficiency? The problem is that domestic building energy efficiency is measured primarily with air-tightness tests, which characterise draughts within a building but say nothing about the effects of poor insulation and cold bridging. Until the regulations surrounding building standards and energy efficiency are changed, it will continue to be an issue. Since domestic energy accounts for approximately one third of total energy consumption, this is not a problem that can continue to be ignored.

If you're interested in having a survey done of your home, then you can find out more and apply for one now on the website: www.cheeseproject.co.uk, or email surveys@cheeseproject.co.uk if you have any questions.

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words by Jamie Hanlon

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ith

1 G co 5% et de of :b f ris to l

DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA?

BUY

vegetable seedlings online Or from our polytunnel at St Werburghs City Farm Monday - Wednesday 10am-3pm

propagationplace.co.uk

We're looking for a couple of people to contribute to Vocalise.

We love spreading the word about preserving our environment and making the community greener.

email:

Get in touch!

info@vocalisemagazine.org.uk or message us on facebook Deadline is 21st June 19

ENVIRONMENT

Energy Champions

Celebrating REPLICATE Smart Homes Project, Bristol’s very Own energy saving CHAMPIONS!!!

REPLICATE Smart Homes Project is a Bristol based energy saving initiative that has been awarded the prestigious Smart Cities UK Award for 2018. A noteworthy achievement accomplished through diligent teamwork, inspiring, yet exhaustive conversations, cultural diversity, inclusivity and commitment.

A special “Thank You!” must go out to Anndeloris Chacon and the Bristol Black Carers for your efficiency in engaging with and getting more community members involved. We also appreciate the efforts of the Bristol City Council in supporting the project reach its objectives and contributing to our winning of the award. And also special thanks to Vocalise Community Magazine & Up Our Street for their participation, ads and promotion. And of course a big thanks to all the enfergy champions making it work.

We are not scratching the surface of what’s needed yet, for our own survival. Climate Change, Climate Change! It is here indeed, whether it’s man made, natural, a bit of both or the magnetic effects of an orbiting, not yet discovered Alien planet, nobody appears to know? In Bristol it’s no different as recent reports and studies highlight the risk to humanity, if our diminishing biodiversity were to lead to the extinction of bees. If our way of living continues, unchecked and/or climate change continually contributes to the habitat loss of bees (and other pollinating insects) then we as a species are surely at risk of extinction.

We, as REPLICATE Smart Homes Project fitted energy efficient, Smart Appliances into 150 homes in Easton, Ashley and Lawrence Hill for free. Our intention is to observe if it lessens our energy dependency. We installed washing machines, dishwashers or tumble dryers throughout the year recently finishing the 1st phase of installations. To qualify you have to make your energy bills available for study, as to see if it lessens your home’s energy demand. We're excited that we will be saving Bristol families money and lessening our impact on nature.

Thankfully, our council is active and aware of the situation, On 11th January 2019, they launched our much anticipated One City Plan, outlining how by 2050, we could create a completely environmentally friendly, sustainable, healthy and fair city for all.

Bristol has shown potential of turning into a carbon neutral city. Recently received accolades; the first UK city awarded the prestigious ‘European Green Capital2015’ award and also being the first UK ‘cycling city’ in 2008, prove this point.

Next Steps and How to get involved in 2019 as part 20

of the Smart Homes Retrofit movement.

We are now in phase 2 of the project. Offering boilers and heating controls to the public. The geography of the project's locations are Ashley, Easton, Lawrence Hill & Redcliffe communities. We are organising community engagements to get more people involved and committed to turning our city into a green city.

We are working with Bristol Energy Network in developing legacy projects with Dhek Bhal & APE project that's funded by Bristol Community Energy Fund. Dhek Bhal is running a free energy champion programme for its members. Offering energy advice & home surveys via the; “Cold Homes Energy Efficiency Survey” or C.H.E.E.S.E, as it's known to residents.

The APE project and St Paul's Adventure Playground has developed a DIY solar phone charger workshop and offering it to the public. Alongside developing a solar float in partnership with local schools, Demand Energy Equality & Kirk McLean, a Bristol Energy Network and Smart Homes Champion, to go on parade at St Pauls Carnival in July 2019.

We can not leave it up to the government only. We all need to find a way, a commitment to get involved and help save ourselves and the planet from ourselves. Please Get Involved!!!

If you are interested in becoming a Smart Homes Champion &/or would like to take part in a DIY Solar project &/or the funding being offered get in touch with David Tudgey, projects@BristolEnergyNetwork.org or phone: 07846057470.

Caroline Ennion - 07794 730302 words by //Kabbo Ferdinand

Spring Greens Pasta Serves 4 Ingredients 500g pasta 50g pumpkin seeds 2 ripe avocados 1 bag of spinach 1 bunch of asparagus, diced 1 head of broccoli, chopped 1 large white onion, diced 4 large eggs (optional) 1 pot sour cream & chive dip

Recipe

Top Tip This recipe works with any greens! Try kale, spring onions or celery!

The Method 1) Boil a pan of water ready for the pasta, gently fry the diced onions until soft.

2) Add the broccoli and asparagus to the onions and cook 3) Boil your pasta with a generous pinch of salt 4) Meanwhile smash your avocados together with the sour cream and chive dip (microwaving for 30 seconds can help!)

5) Add the spinach to the other vegetables and wilt.

6) Once the pasta is cooked stir in the vegetables and avocado mixture until combined.

7) Serve with a fried egg and spinkle with pumpkin seeds for a lovely crunch!

Did you try it?

Send us a picture: www.facebook.com/vocalisebristol/ www.twitter.com/VocaliseBristol

Theatre Review...

the characters. I never understood, though, where the focus of the play was. If it was about the Bristol boycott, it was skimpy. The family’s personal troubles seem to Review Of the Princess and the Hustler the Old overshadow the events of the boycott. It wasn’t clear Vic Theatre, From February 9th-23rd. Now ap- why it should have. I’ve only seen one other of Ms Odimba’s plays, Medea, to know that she is clearly a pearing at various theatres around the country. very talented writer. But for me somehow she misses Written by Bristol’s own Chino Yerem Odimba, and produced by The Bristol Old Vic, The Princess & The Hustler the mark with this one. Apart from Princess herself, the characters though giving strong is the second national tour coming from Revolution Mix – an Eclipse movement that is spearheading the largest ever performances, seem mere stereotypes. Princess was the only character that impressed me as being fully delivery of new Black British stories. focused in her objective, to find her positive image in a Princess is a sassy 10-year-old girl, wonderfully played society that doesn’t not recognizes her natural beauty.

by Kudzai Sitima, who is obsessed with winning a beauty In spite all tense events going on around her, she pageant in Weston-Super-Mare. It’s all she can think perseveres in her quest. Maybe Ms Odimba was trying about. Her single Mum is working full time to support to channel August Wilson or Zora Neal Hurston in the her two children; she is understandably frustrated and style but somehow it didn’t quite work. The play doesn’t short tempered. Nobody in the family seems to be taking Princess seriously. But Princess is a precocious child and tell you much about the Bristol civil rights moment nor does it give you an interesting enough story of an Afro is determined to find her own beauty. Suddenly her long absent father re-enters the picture startling the family with Caribbean family of that era. This does not mean that I am not eagerly awaiting Ms Odimba’s next play. She is a big surprise. In 1963 Bristol Bus boycott is in full swing. a gifted play writer and a Bristol treasure.

The streets are full with campaigning and protests. This family’s drama is intertwined with the volatile events of the Bus boycott. Volatile emotions are shared between all by Lydia Latham MacQueen

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Cllr Mike Davies

Preserving the night life in Ashley Ward

Our area, and the city of Bristol as a whole, has been changing hugely in recent years. It has become an attractive place for people and businesses to move to, and property prices, particularly in inner-city areas like ours, have been rising steeply. The number of potential development locations has been diminishing, as empty sites are brought back into use and are replaced with new buildings and activity. There are now very few derelict sites left to be developed in the city centre and inner city, and so pressure has fallen on those that already have uses.

Bristol City Council are currently undertaking a review of the Local Plan, which is the document containing the planning policies that determine where development should go and what type of development it should be. You can contribute to this review by visiting http://bristol.citizenspace.com.

Planning in a city like Bristol, whose population is growing rapidly, is a challenge. We need to think about where people will live; where they will work; where they will go shopping; where their children will go to school and play; where they will receive healthcare and care when they get older; how they can get to the places they need to go; and how these policies can protect the environment, conserve heritage, and promote good health outcomes.

Much of the priority for developers right now is building homes, student accommodation, office space and retail, because these produce high profit margins. But people do not just work, sleep, and go shopping. They also go out, have fun and experience arts and culture. However, the profits that are produced by, for example, a pub or nightclub are usually dwarfed by the profits that could be gained from, for example, turning that building into housing or student accommodation, with the market being the way it is. In this way, rising property prices threaten the arts/leisure/cultural offer that helps make the city a desirable place to move to (and it being a desirable place to move to is why property prices are rising).

Recently I have been discussing these issues with the ‘Save Bristol Nightlife’ group, who are campaigning to resist the potential loss of night-time venues like pubs or nightclubs to new development. Some venues in Bristol have already been lost or are under threat, including in our area, and I am working to make sure that

the voice of the community is heard in any decisions that are made over these.

The Council are aware of these issues and have set up a board called ‘Bristol @ Night’ to come up with some recommendations for how to safeguard our night-time economy and its contribution to our cultural fabric. And as your councillor I will do all I can to protect our cultural spaces from profiteering corporate development.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

These issues affect so many people in our community.

Do you have something to share?

Perhaps you have been involved in some of these processes, or just really enjoy the night-life.

Get in touch! info@vocalisemagazine.org.uk

Meet your local Councillors Mike Davies, Jude English and Carole Johnson

Cllr Mike Davies – Labour

Cllr Jude English – Green

Cllr Carole Johnson – Labour

0758 437 0413 cllr.mike.davies@bristol.gov.uk

0758 415 1099 cllr.jude.english@bristol.gov.uk

0117 922 3827 cllr.carole.johnson@bristol.gov.uk

Do you have a local issue that you would like to discuss with someone? Do you feel our area could be run better? Is there something about Ashley that you would like to change?

As your elected Council Members for Ashley, we are always keen to hear views and opinions from local residents.

We will be holding advice surgeries on the first Friday of every month, from 1.00pm – 2.00pm in the Library at St Pauls Learning and Family Centre, 94 Grosvenor Road, BS2 8XJ. The library can be found next to the reception through the main door of the Centre.

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Police Update

Spring is upon us, and like many of you we are enjoying the extra daylight hours and being able to pack away our cold weather gear! Hopefully you will still have seen us out and about within the community over the winter months, but as we move towards summer and the days get longer you will notice us even more. In the coming months we will be joined by new members to the neighbourhood team in the form of both Police Constables and PCSOs, increasing our ability to get out on the ground and come and speak to you about the things that matter to you.

I was very pleased recently to be asked to attend the launch of For Our People TV, a community interest company based in St Pauls, with visions of encouraging community engagement across our ward and beyond.

I’m really excited to see what they will bring to the area, and the types of activities they are looking to put in place. I am hopeful that we will be able to support this exciting initiative through our Police Community Trust funding streams, and I would encourage anyone to approach the Constabulary for support if you have a community initiative or project that you would like assistance with. Please get in touch if you would like to know more, or have a look at our website.

As I have discussed before, one of my main priorities concerns the young people within our ward, and combatting the negative influences that put them at risk and lead them into contact with the criminal justice system.

You will no doubt have noticed the local and national attention attracted by knife crime. In the last few months

we have seen several incidents across the city of young people carrying, and using, knives and we are working hard to stop this alarming trend through engagement and enforcement strategies where suitable.

You will surely also have heard about the exploitation of young people through ‘county lines’ drug activity, which often sees young, vulnerable people exploited and groomed by gangs to run and deal drugs. Again this is something which is sadly very close to home. If anyone has concerns about young people being drawn into these types of activities I would urge you to come forward and share your worries with us. We can’t do anything unless we know what’s going on. Across the city there are some really innovative and effective diversionary and intervention projects being set up to work with young people and help them turn their lives around, which we can refer young people into.

Further, we will also be taking part in a multi-agency initiative run by Bristol City Council that will be focussing on these issues by combining the police, social services, education, and several other agencies, alongside members of the community. Neighbourhood policing is all about partnership working and engaging the community, and we recognise that these issues need this kind of combined approach.

I look forward to being able to share the results of this with you in due course.

Nobody should be forced to live on the street Bristol is one of the wealthiest cities in the UK, but there are areas of real deprivation in our city too.

I know some people in Montpelier, St Pauls and St Werburghs are struggling with one of the most basic human needs: a place they can call home.

Rates of rough sleeping in Bristol are above the national average. Seventeen homeless people died in Bristol 2017, one of the highest numbers for any local authority.

I believe these statistics are shameful. Nobody should be forced to live on the street or in substandard accommodation.

This is part of a national picture, where rough sleeping has almost tripled in less than a decade.

And the number of homeless people in the UK increased to 320,000 people last year, according to Shelter.

We need to look at the underlying causes of this problem. For many people, wages have stagnated while rent has increased. Organisations helping people with mental health and addiction have been cut back dramatically over the last few years. And the roll-out of the government’s Universal Credit benefits system risks making this worse.

I have repeatedly raised these problems in Par-

liament. But we need solutions now. I have also appealed to Bristol City Council to put more money into the fantastic organisations helping homeless people get off the streets.

Almost everyone in Bristol agrees that our city is a great place to live. But one side-effect of our vibrant city is a housing shortage. More housing would help. Empty and derelict buildings in some parts of Bristol are a real opportunity to change this.

I was pleased to see Westmoreland House on Stokes Croft demolished late last year, after lying empty since the 1980s. New homes on the site, including some designated as ‘affordable’, will help ease Bristol’s housing problems.

But there are other derelict buildings across inner-city Bristol which could also be turned into homes. I am speaking to councillors about how we can get these buildings back into use.

Homelessness is not inevitable in a country as decent and wealthy as ours.

Thangham Debbonaire MP

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It’s all been a little quiet these past ten months on Hepburn Road, as the Kuumba Centre closed for a time of thought, reflection and rebuilding. This centre, well known to our community, is also the home of Dadaras Studio’s, run by Uri Green; a local musician, artist and music producer whom I’m happy to announce is back in business as the doors to the centre reopen once more.

Uri hails from Barcelona, Spain and as a child was encouraged by his mum to learn keyboards. He also taught himself guitar and sings. At 16 Uri started his first band and from there he got involved in lots of different bands and projects, fell in love with reggae and the sound system culture adding Dj’ing to his list of skills.

However, it was not music that brought him to Bristol, it was art.

For Uri Green is also a talented graffiti artist, whose work has adorned our humble streets.

In 2006 Uri came to Bristol on an exchange for a year to study fine art. Here he met up with different producers and artists including Jimi Can and Danny Omz, who also moved from London to Bristol around the same time. It is in this buzzing, creative city where Uri got ‘the itch’ for producing.

Though he returned to Spain after a year, where he got involved in different music projects, Bristol ended up calling him back! And so he returned 5 years later, linking up with Jah Garvey and Norris B with whom he set up the Dadaras Studio in the heart of St. Pauls, and with his old friend Danny Omz, founding the production brand and record label ‘Yam and Banana’. Uri Green has not looked back since. He is a self-taught 24 24

music producer and holds a degree in Fine Art. He has now obtained a QTS and is qualified to teach Arts.

His time here has been productive; he has worked with all kinds of musicians and vocalists such as Da Fuchaman, Splitz P, Jah Garvey, Norris B, Mad Sam, Nia Melody, Celestine, Blackout JA and Daddy Freddy to name but a few and has supported emerging local talent and producers. Uri also has worked internationally with artists from Jamaica and Spain, such as Anthony B, Lutan Fyah and Roe Delgado. Added to this Uri also plays in the band Regime, from Wales, who deliver an uplifting performance that makes you want to dance! Their music touches on social commentary, spirituality and deeper issues and though Uri comes across as quite a serious man, their music holds an element of humour to it as well.

Uri’s musical influences are varied and whether he likes a track or not does not depend on technical perfection or big names. What is important to Uri is how the music touches him. ‘If it speaks to me and is exciting, I connect with it, whatever the genre or style. And I like it when people add an element that’s not usually present in a ‘genre’ of music such as a violin in reggae/dub’.

Dadaras Studio is now open for bookings, recordings, production, mixing and mastering.

Contact urigreen@gmail. com.

Check out his music at www.yamandbanana. bandcamp.com and his works of art at globalstreetart.com/urigreen.

Interview by Tina Brown

Improving St Pauls

Last month Vocalise teamed up with Up Our Street to facilitate a public workshop to inform the community about CIL funding. Kindly hosted by The St Pauls Adventure Playground the workshop was a fantastic success and allowed people to discuss ideas and get help to shape them.

There was much discussion, community spirit and, of course, biscuits!

CIL stands for community infrastructure levy, it is money given to the council from large development projects that can be fed back into the local community in captial projects.

Community members place applications that are then selected and argued for by the local councillors.

Last year money was awarded to St Pauls adventure playground and St Werburghs City Farm.

The three Councillors from Ashley Ward attended the workshop to help add clarity to CIL and offer advice to people with ideas. It felt encouraging to have them present and let them see what is on the community's mind.

Potential projects included, park improvements, more youth activity spaces and a new bus stop. Applications are closed at the moment but Vocalise hopes to run further workshops in the future.If you want to learn more we suggest you go to: www.bristol.gov.uk We hope to raise awareness and make sure you can get the support you need to keep making Ashley Ward a vibrant place to be.

Making it Work...

Full article can be seen online

The Architecture Centre have been doing some exploration on how resdidents can improve St Pauls.

'Their mission as a charity is to bring people together and improve the places in which they live.'

Making it work(shop) This pilot workshop set out to test a collaborative process for generating ideas for creative public space projects with and for you, the local people of St Pauls.

Together, we hope to develop a list of locally designed projects that respond to the public space priorities that have been identified by the users of these local streets and green spaces. Having a list of locally designed projects can help make sure that investment from new building in the area is spent in making the neighbourhood’s streets and spaces better for people who already live here and people choosing to make St Paul’s their home. The list will also signpost other sources of funding that could support the best projects to happen in your neighbourhood.

Good News!

This work shop and the CIL meeting did lead to a bid involving the green link. This shows that collaboration can really make a difference and your voices are being acknowledged! Let's keep it going!

Go to our website for more detail on these two events. vocalisemagazine.org.uk

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YOUTH VOICE

Connecting young people Babbasa is increasingly becoming recognised as the organisation that bridges the gap between Bristol employers and young adults from our diverse communities. They provide real opportunities, through mentoring schemes, training, and events like their flagship intergenerational networking event ‘Ask About Me’, returning on Wednesday 24th April, 2019 in collaboration with Bristol 24/7

'The Youth Ambassadors keep Babbassa relevant to the people they support' This year event organisation is led by fourteen aspiring young leaders who Babbasa has engaged and supported in the past: The Youth Ambassadors. Babbasa’s Youth Ambassadors are a group of young people who all share the Babbasa ethos to empower other young people. While they all face challenges they are aware that there is guidance and support out there and recognise that they are in a unique position to reach out and connect with their community.

Hailing from different walks of life, all the Youth Ambassadors share a goal to organise an event that will provide a platform for young people looking to make connections and find opportunities. By collaborating and bringing together their different experiences, they are stronger and more able to empower others. The event not only benefits the attendees but is also a rewarding experience for the Ambassadors themselves, requiring them to step outside of their comfort zones and adopt leadership and professional roles. The Youth Ambassadors are at the start of their journey which began with a search for guidance that Babbasa were able to provide, helping them to improve their social, employability and networking skills.

The Youth Ambassadors keep Babbasa relevant to the people they support. As Max Hoelzle Ferreira, one of the Youth Ambassadors helping to organise the upcoming event, says:

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“We’re young, and we know what the system needs to help us succeed”. The challenges that young people face are varied and the education system is often limited in what it can offer. The Youth Ambassadors’ have first-hand experience of these challenges.

The Youth Ambassadors came together because they want create something amazing for other young people. They understand that young people are often thrown into the adult world with very little guidance on how to apply their skills and talents and focus their aspirations. One of the many highlights of being a Youth Ambassador is the chance to work with and get to know other young people who have the same drive and the same motivation to make a difference. “We recognised ourselves in each other”, says another Youth Ambassador, Beatriz Tanaka.

Babbasa’s extensive research into the local community’s needs illustrate that most young people lack the connections required to pursue their dream careers. Babbasa’s Ask About Me 2019 in collaboration with Bristol 24/7 is a direct response to this problem. It is one of the most ambitious and unique networking events of the

'Most young people lack the connections required to persue their dream careers' year, connecting 100 young people with 100 established professionals from an array of different industries. The intergenerational aspect of the event is not the only thing that makes it unique - its design and organisation is led by the 14 Babbasa Youth Ambassadors. As Youth Ambassador, Kamari Williams says: “This event is by young people, for young people”.

Find out more and secure your place at: https://babbasaaam2019.eventbrite.co.uk

COMMUNITY NEWS

Life at The Dolphin School The Dolphin School is a thriving primary school in the heart of Bristol. Rated Good

by Ofsted in 2018, it is part of Venturers Trust, sponsored by the Society of Merchant Venturers and the University of Bristol.

This successful city-centre school, located within a wonderfully vibrant and diverse community, offers children a rich and challenging curriculum that focuses on the city and the local community, embedding curiosity and creativity into everyday learning. Lessons are engaging and relevant, with the Curious-City curriculum combining indoor and outdoor learning with the fantastic school resources such as the onsite library and sensory rooftop garden with inspiring views across Bristol.

Every term is packed with an interesting mix of educational opportunities for each year group and there is always so much to feel proud of. This March, our Year 4 pupils were thrilled to see their artwork on display at the Royal West of England Academy. Developed as part of their class enquiry question ‘What is creativity?’

Visitors to the exhibition have remarked ‘how innovative and highly creative it is for a school to be involved in this kind of project’.

Whole-school events are a popular part of life at The Dolphin School. Recently, we celebrated Author Week, where highlights included a visit from a local author, dressing up as our favourite book character, family reading sessions, mysterious trails and discoveries in the school playground and a creative competition that saw the winners visiting Waterstones to choose some exciting new books.

Continuing the promotion of reading, an exciting mentoring programme for the children is currently taking place every Wednesday when sixth formers from Colston’s Girls’ School, also part of Venturers Trust, visit the children for one-to-one reading sessions. The younger pupils absolutely love to read alongside older role models.

We also offer pupils a range of extra-curricular trips and sporting activities that change throughout the year, with athletics, football, swimming and netball

taking centre stage this term. Our Year 6 pupils recently enjoyed a trip to Stonehenge as part of their enquiry question about engineering and we are currently preparing to take part in ‘The Wettest Classroom’, joining together with schools from across the country to sail around the UK, setting off from Bristol Harbour on 25th May. We strongly believe developing a close relationship with our local community and participating in community-wide events is just one way of building valuable links. The St Paul’s Carnival is always a highlight for us and in January we were delighted to be presented with a very special PCC Pride Award for contribution to last year’s carnival.

We have so many things to celebrate and share, we often invite families into school to take part in our ‘Celebration of Work’ mornings, which encourages the children to feel proud of their many creative, academic and sporting achievements.

We have certainly had a busy start to the year, with many more exciting things to come in 2019. For regular news updates from The Dolphin School please follow our twitter page @TheDolphinSch and if you would like to visit the school, please get in touch: info@dolphinschoolbristol.org / 0117 924 0517.

Principal, Shelley Flanagan

FOR AGES 4 - 11

“ “ “

”

Pupils are happy and enthusiastic learners.

Pupils develop positive attitudes to their learning... and are proud of their school.

”

Ofsted 2018

We encourage our children to develop enquiring minds and a ‘can do’ attitude in all aspects of the curriculum.

”

Shelley Flanagan, Principal

25a Bath Buildings, Bristol BS6 5PT Tel: 0117 924 0517 Email: info@dolphinschoolbristol.org www.dolphinschoolbristol.org RESPECT . RESPONSIBILITY . CURIOSITY . RESILIENCE

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Activities & Fun

DID YOU SPOT THE BEES? There are little bees hidden throughout our magazine, can you find them all?

WE WANT YOU !

We are trying to get more young people involved in our magazine.

People from 5-25 make up a significant amount of people residing in Ashely Ward and we want to hear your voices too!

Please send us your art, poetry and articles. email us: info@vocalisemagazine.org.uk facebook: www.facebook.com/vocalisebristol Our next deadline is 21st June, plenty of time to come up with an amazing idea!

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Cute Critters

Create your own egg box creature These egg box creatures are easy to make, all they require are your imagination and things you might already have at home.

You will need: An empty egg box Scissors

Glue Paint Coloured pens

Googly eyes and pipe cleaners (optional)

Step 1 Cut up the egg box into individual cups. Make sure you keep the rest of the egg box as you’ll need this to add more to your creatures later.

Step 2 Put the egg cups on a piece of paper so they can be easily decorated. This is where the fun begins! Paint your egg cups your favourite colours. You could have red ladybirds, yellow bees and even rainbow worms! Once they have been painted, leave to dry.

Step 3 Now you have the bodies of your creatures, you can let your imaginations go wild! Cut other parts of the egg box into shapes for the wings, you could add a tail to a snail or even fins for a fish. Paint them, leave to dry and attach with glue.

Step 4 Keep those imaginations flowing as it’s now time to embellish your creatures. Add googly eyes, pipe cleaner antennae or legs and draw or paint on some stripes, spirals or spots.

Step 5 Collect your little creatures together, take a deep breath and admire your works of art!

Top Tips!

Don’t have access to paint? Don’t panic, as you could always use coloured pens to decorate your egg box creatures instead. If you can’t get your hands on any glue, mix a little flour with some warm water until you have a glue-like consistency and use this instead.

Why not make your creatures a setting? If you have another egg box going spare, use the top to create a green grassy field or a blue glittery sea for your new friends.

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WELL-BEING

Tackling mental illness How a Bristol Charity is helping England Rethink is a national organisation set up on Brigstoke Road, off City Road in St. Pauls. An unassuming building that is part of a national organisation that helps millions of people affected by mental illness. By challenging attitudes, changing lives and believing a better life is possible for millions of people affected by mental illness.

Over 40 years ago, one man bravely spoke about his family’s experiences of mental illness in a letter to the Times and in the process brought together hundreds to talk about their experiences of mental illness and support each other.

Today they directly support almost 60,000 people every year across England to get through crises, to live independently and to realise they are not alone: changing attitudes and policy for millions.

With workshops and courses, Bristol Rethink Carers Service provides carers to families of individuals experiencing mental health issues, to help cope in three strategic ways.

Caring and Coping Course: Teaches people to recognise the difference between having a bad day and a cry for help. Delivered in partnership with staff who work in mental health services in Bristol it is tailored to people new to caring for someone with mental health needs teaching them: -To recognise the relationship that carers have with a person with mental health. A crisis mode that carers go into, trying to protect their loved one.

A Myth- We can save a person. But, if they are ready to go we cannot save them.

-We teach carers carers to not be afraid to have a conversation if a person is contemplating suicide.

Sometimes joining in and being there as a listener is hard but it might help the individual to break away from that thought and decision The carers assessment includes, individual and group support, practical advice, telephone support, education seminars and courses, local carers service newsletter, family work and facilitated family meetings, liaison with mental health professionals groups & individual support for carers and families of people using specialised and secure services.

Community Development for BME. This is making sure there is representation for marginalised groups by reaching out and challenging stigma and discrimination: with the role of the Community development worker (CDW) at Rethink helping to address some of the health inequalities experienced by people from Black and Minority Ethnic groups ( BME ) backgrounds.

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Mental Health First Aid training course (a recognised international training raises understanding of emotional and mental wellbeing, as well as workshops and events.

Moving forward: there are plans to move further into community liaison to help break down stigmas and encourage people to seek support at an early stage. GP surgeries will be targeted as places Rethink can link in with stalls and events to offer further community commitment to people with mental health issues.

Help in finding appropriate services including voluntary, statutory, community and spirituality is something the CDW worker believes is important to help increase the awareness and understanding that mental health is a responsibility for everyone to be aware of.

Helping families and carers to re-evaluate and look after their own wellbeing is a vital part of Rethinks purpose.

Rethink Bristol also has a Community Service This service works alongside you to help develop better ways to manage your mental health and explore ways you can connect to your community.

Details and contact numbers Bristol Rethink Mental illness St Pauls Settlement, 74-80 City Road, St Pauls, BS2 8UH Bristol Community Service: 0117 9031805/1011 Bristol Carers Service: 0117 9031803 BME Community Development Worker – Narinder Chana: 07970 892041 Email: bristolservices@rethink.org www.rethink.org

IMPACT SURVEY

“The segments within the magazine from counsellors and local MP’s make me feel better connected to the politics of my community” 1

How Are We Doing?

We want to hear from you! This survey will take you 5 minutes to complete. Alternatively, head to our link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RTGKNSM

“Vocalise raises awareness regarding different avenues for community support and wellbeing” 1

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“I believe there is a good variety of opinions within Vocalise and I feel my own are often reflected” 1

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I would like more coverage on…

Art and graffiti?

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Music?

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The magazine is...

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accessible?

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What do we do well and how can we do better?

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Backfields House, Upper York St, Bristol BS2 8QJ

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We are also looking for people to interview on their opinion of their local community. If you have something to say about the changing makeup of your streets, we want to hear from you! If you would be interested in being a participant, please Email me

Agree

at:

“I feel significantly more informed about the goings on within my local community from reading vocalise” 1

Please post or drop-in your completed survey:

lm17664@my.bristol.ac.uk

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GET INVOLVED!

Vocalise are always looking for members of the commnity to get inolved with the magazine.

Sum

We are always on the look out for: Writers/Poets Artists Editors Distributors Advertisers Photographers

Front cover submissions are also welcome!

And don't forget to send in your local photos!

mer dea issue 21s dline t JU NE!

Get in touch...

info@vocalisemagazine.org.uk

What to do with extra waste and unwanted furniture? r Leaving bags of waste or items such as furniture on the

pavement or next to bins is classed as fly-tipping (the illegal dumping of waste).

If you are responsible you can be prosecuted and fined by Bristol City Council’s Neighbourhood Enforcement team.

aReusable items? Sell, give away or dontate usable items - local

charities may collect large items for free e.g. SOFA Project, Emmaus Bristol, British Heart Foundation

aUnusable larger items and furniture? If they cannot be reused, take these to one of our Household Waste Recycling Centres. Don’t forget to bring your Bristol ID with you when you go.

aBulky Waste Collection? If you do not have access to a vehicle

Bristol City Council offer a paid for bulky waste collection service.

Help keep Bristol clean and green Report fly-tipping at www.bristol.gov.uk/flytipping or on 0117 922 2100. Any information you can provide is vital in making prosecutions.

Visit our website for more information www.bristolwastecompany.co.uk