Vocalise Autumn Edition 2021

ISSUE 20/AUTUMN 2021

VOCALISE

YOUR FREE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE FOR: ST. PAULS ST. WERBURGHS ST. AGNES MONTPELIER

OCTOBER - JANUARY

Welcome!

This is YOUR community magazine, if you’d like to be involved, get in touch!

Vocalise Bristol CIC

info@vocalisemagazine.org vocalisemagazine.org @vocaliseBristol @vocaliseBristol

Hello everyone and welcome to the 20th edition of Vocalise, the community magazine for St. Pauls, St. Werburghs, St. Agnes and Montpelier.

My name is Julia and I’m the new project coordinator for Vocalise. Let me briefly introduce myself. I come from Warsaw and I first came to the UK in 2016 to study.

Since then, I have been moving around to finally end up in Bristol over a year ago with an intention to stay just for a few months.

As you can probably guess, I fell in love with the city almost immediately. The more I was getting to know the area, the less I wanted to leave. During the past year, we have been asked to social distance, stay home and isolate and this has finally changed.

I’m very proud to be a part of Vocalise and its beautiful and diverse community during this important moment.

This is the first edition I have designed and I really hope you will like it. I would like to thank you all for reading the magazine and providing so many amazing things to write about. I would also like to especially thank all the writers and artists for their contribution. Vocalise is created by local people and for local people so if there is anything you’d like to write about, share or give us your feedback on, please get in touch. Our email address is info@vocalisemagazine.org and the deadline for the next issue is the 10th of November.

I wish you all the best, Julia

Contents 2

Welcome

3 4-5 6-7 8 9 10-11 12 13 14-15 16-17

Local Artist Hazard One Local Hero Oluwa Shittu Keep Art it!

Thoughts from an Oldie Bristol Energy Network Air Pollution in Bristol Fairfield High School Quality of Life Survey Dove Gardens A Typical Collective /Paper Arts St. Werburghs

Community Centre

18-19

20-21

Sustainable Food City Award 22 Bristol Food Fund 23 Yuup 24-25 Indigenous Southern African Myth 24 How to spot signs of

abuse 25 Dockland's Community Centre 26 What's On...

27 Puzzles 30 You Councillors Say...

31 Police Update

Published by: Vocalise Bristol CIC Backfields House Upper York Street Bristol BS2 8QJ

Co-ordinated and designed by: Julia Widz Thanks to all our volunteers and directors.

Vandna Mehta (Founder) Hilary Finch (Director) //Kabbo Ferdinand (Director) Lynn Mareno (Director) Judith Davis (Director) Lucille Smith Dave Holden Also special thanks to all our contributors.

Front cover: Thank to HazardOne who is the artist of the mural and the photo of the front cover. Her artwork can be seen on BS2 Lofts on Wilder St. Vectors and photos from: Vecteezy.com. Some photos from pxfuel.com

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

LOCAL ARTIST

Introducing...

M

Haz known as HazardOne is The Artist of our cover

y name is Haz also known as HazardOne. The new piece on BS2 Lofts was recently completed as a result of some funding I was awarded from Arts Council England to create the tallest mural I've ever painted.

The Develop Your Creative Practice fund is specifically for creatives to focus their time on an activity that will elevate their practice and allow the time to work on something new and developmental.

many industries and it’s all about taking up space.

Painting huge murals is my way of contributing to that - it's definitely one way of taking up space!

I’ve painted many murals but never buildings over 3 storeys tall and I wanted to see what I could achieve if given the opportunity to paint on a taller surface.

I love creating artwork that inspires people to be unashamedly themselves. Women are still underrepresented in many ways in the world and across

Following this, I'm excited to be collaborating with some key figures in the St.Pauls community to create a large community art project - this is where my passion really lies, using artwork as a tool to communicate and represent through workshops and skill sharing sessions! Keep your eyes peeled...

I paint a lot of portraits so I wanted to create something that was empowering and relatable to many.

The theme behind this particular design is all about illumination and taking time to ignite the light that drives and motivates you particularly after the year we've all had!

Do you want to promote your business or event?

To be included in the next issue Vocalise reaches over 10,000 residents per issue. send your photos to info@vocalisemagazine.org Do you want to support your local area?

Deadline is the 10th of November Vocalise has the community at its heart The best submission will be used for our front cover!

Get in touch...

Advertise Here!

info@vocalisemagazine.org Prices start at just £35

Discount for charities and multiple issue ads!

LOCAL HERO

Oluwa Shittu

founder of

written by //Kabbo Hue Ferdinand

Introducing: Oluwa Shittu, the founder and director of Play Wooden CIC. Company motto: “A world of creative entertainment. Fun for both adults and children! Ethical and ecological reinvented wooden games with imagination and purpose.”

Play

Wooden

social enterprise which offers alternative ecological wooden games for children and adults. We offer play activities in schools and after, in parks, workshops at festivals, including team-building experiences with corporates. We are able to offer activities wherever people gather to play and have fun.

//Kabbo: Goes without saying, the lockdowns have left us all a bit jaded, isolated, suspicious and scared. And what is the better way for us to reconnect to ourselves and each other than through playing. I’ve spent time with Oluwa and his offering and have come away feeling stimulated, grounded and inspired. I thought it would be good to introduce you all to this visionary man, who started this business to encourage and introduce more playfulness into our fractured world. Oluwa, please, introduce yourself.

Oluwa: Good afternoon. My name is Oluwa Shtitu, I’m the founder and one of the directors for Play Wooden CIC. We are a small, leading

//Kabbo: What is your motivation and how do you maintain your drive?

Oluwa: My motivation is to embrace the child in me, who is always alive and representing me in everything I do. I believe we must always enchant the importance of play in life, as we grow from child to adult.

Playing plays a very important role in our cognitive development from childhood and does not change when we become adults.

Secondly, our games are environmentally friendly.

We do not use plastic or toxic materials. The only exception is that we use foam wrapped in ethically sourced Afrikan material to create soft games in order to accommodate our smaller children. //Kabbo: What are the cognitive benefits for playing?

Oluwa: As Maria Montessori once said; “Play is the work of the child”, their language and it comes in multiple forms and dialects. It’s innumerable. In fact, it comes in hundreds of thousands of forms. Play is the means by which they express themselves and engage with the world around them.

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LOCAL HERO Allowing them to play freely aids in the development of their own personalities and breeds the confidence they will need to thrive in this world.

It is that freedom to grow happy and healthy, to be human and to develop their own characteristics that needs nurturing. Children play in free form and this should be cared for, not controlled and conditioned by adults.

Freedom of playing has a massive impact on their brain and character development. I can’t emphasize enough how crucial this is for their growth.

Play is the most important aspect of a child’s growing experience. It contains everything that is needed to be good, functioning human beings in their family, community and the world. I would say it remains that way even for serious adults.

The exciting thing for us is that despite the pandemic difficulties, we’re not giving up!

In fact, we got stronger as our profile and visibility have improved. People are now realising how important play is. We are coming out of the pandemic with more motivation and passion for what we do.

We ultimately want to get the community more actively involved. For example, we are running a survey on the Dalrymple Park area that has been abandoned and neglected. We are enquiring about what they want to happen there.

Our intention is to put a permanent installation in there that the community has access to.

We want to make it safe for children to use and we are receiving very positive feedback from the community. //Kabbo: How can people get involved?

Oluwa: We are a social enterprise and have an open door policy. Come and speak to us if you have a passion for playing and working with children, the environment, community and adults in need. Join us and help develop this project going forward. We are located on City Road, St. Pauls, near the Malcolm X Community Centre and our door is always open.

//Kabbo: What is your dream?

Contact us: www.playwooden.co.uk 07522 410945

Oluwa: As long as play is important in society the future is always bright for Play Wooden.

We want to bring this qualitative, ecological, alternative form of play to our communities as opposed to plastic and technological forms of playing. My dream is... try to imagine a spider web, expanding while staying true to our core values. We start here locally in St. Pauls.

Then expand to Easton and St Georges Parks, then Knowle, Brislington and then, who knows, nationally and internationally. People from London have already contacted us and want our activities brought there.

Photos taken by Anna 5

COMMUNITY ART

Keep Art It!

I

written by //Kabbo Hue Ferdinand

found a curious case the other day and could not help but appreciate the irony in it. I was walking around The Galleries shopping centre and found an art gallery, Keep Art It inside. I found it peculiar, walked inside, loved it and now I’m a resident artist preparing for an exhibition in January 2022.

Tell us about Keep Art It. I am Douglas Karson.

I am the founder and director of Keep Art It. KAI has the simple mission of sharing art with as many people as possible. Making art has helped me heal, cope and hope through the worst times of the pandemic and my life

The Galleries in general. Keep Art It was born as a beacon to share the inherent good that art creates in a world that is so full of pain.

All photos were taken by Douglas.

Well, this story is not about me[sic]. It’s about how an artist visioned, dreamed, seeked, planned and created an opportunity for himself and other artists. He’s now living his dream and running a vibrant, eclectic, multidisciplinary arts gallery stocked with amazing artists’ paintings, sculptures and, of course, me. All jokes aside, here’s a few words from the visionary himself.

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A gallery inside

What is the state of the Arts scene now?

The art scene post pandemic is, like most things, in massive flux. This is scary but also an amazing opportunity to re-write the rules of the game. I am so excited to see so many people engaging with art for the first time. A lot of people turned to creation during the pandemic as a way to deal with anxiety and help their mental health. Additionally, as so much business is in flux, high streets are suffering, it is a great time for art and makers to shine like beacons of hope on what can be done to fix and add value to some of these pressing issues.

Why The Galleries for your gallery?

The Galleries is perfect for the location and opportunity it offers in an opportune time. The management team, led by David Wait, has been unbelievably supportive and they need us as much as we need them.

COMMUNITY ART We give fresh life to unused spaces, fresh vision to unimagined possibilities and hope where there was once despair.

What inspires you to do this work?

I am passionate about art. You should see my house! It is floor to ceiling full of colour and life.

I want to make the world better through art.

I want to see creators back on the high street.

It’s a love of mine, seeing artists make their living doing what they love.

Dream for the future?

Keep Art It works and is beautiful. It is a way to see the community engaged and gives artists a voice and space to create. I dream of a Keep Art It that grows nationally but keeps the local flavour of the artists in the area who populate it. Imagine a Keep Art It Photos where photographers work in the shop and provide services to the Keep Art It Gallery painters.

How to get involved?

We are constantly looking for new ideas. So if you have any, bring it forward and we’ll collaborate!

We are also looking for volunteers to man the shop, What exciting news is coming up? engage with the public, run workshops and more.

We have loads of exciting plans and aim to host Or just pop in, come enjoy some of the amazing many more. By the time this goes to print we art, music and we can even share a cuppa. would have hosted a successful book launch for One of our key aims is to run workshops that will the fantastic poet Helen Shepard. That encourage the public to engage in and crewill be live streamed on ate art. We’ve started this process Please September 30th. We are every Friday 1pm-4pm with spread the word super excited as it will be our ‘Drop in Art Friday’s’. through liking, following, comour first launch event It is free and anybody is menting and sharing on our socials and hope it will set welcome. See you there @keepartit to stay informed and us on a glorious path. soon! engaged!

Then, we will host an amazing solo arts Did you spot any typos or errors? performance by Andrew Burns Fancy proof reading for vocalise?

Colwill. We are thrilled and honoured to have if so please get in touch... your support would be appreciated. such a high profile and talented artist choosing info@vocalisemagazine.org our platform to launch his next series of brilliant works on the 2'nd of October for three weeks.

Then we will be having the tattooed traffic warden. An amazing artist we are thrilled to endorse for his first major show namely, Nathan Kitchen.

And then of course we have you, //Kabbo Hue at in January next year taking over the space to create some amazing works and performances with artists and the public, the fantastic storyteller that you are. (Me, blushing) 7

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Thoughts from an Oldie

R

outines, the glue of every day. My morning routine starts with getting up, breakfast, my pills, tea and cigarette, listening to BBC Radio 4 and watching nature through my kitchen window. Then

flowering before the lavenders. Cats come at night.

That's good, the balance of nature, cats versus rats and mice. I ban them during the day and the local ones know this though occasionally they try to sneak in. There is one large very furry grey cat that has had three of the wood pigeons away what ever I do, but hopefully even he has learned that I am not happy

I feed the fish in the pond, fill up the fat ball feeder for the birds and top up the nuts and seeds on the main feeder table – a mini shed on legs.

with him. I hiss, clap my hands and make myself visible to the stalker and which ever one it is runs off jumping onto the back wall and disappearing.

Despite living in the Inner City, I have the constant sounds of sparrows, dunnocks, doves, blue tits, magpies and wood pigeons coming to feed and rummage in the back garden.

Then there are the robins, the handsome jays and blackbirds and occasionally greenfinches.

Feeding them all does cost, but it is so worth it.

I buy a sack full of peanuts that last for a good while. I have given up on the hanging seed feeders as the sparrows make such a mess and I have seen a rat cleaning up after them. But this is solved by nuts and seeds being put in the main feeding station – the shed on legs.

The birds all take their turns and a squirrel does too!

I feel very fortunate to have these creatures visit and the bees that love my lavender, hotlips, heucheras, masses of nasturtium and so many of the other flowers I grow for them.

This year I had an enormous echium about 15 foot tall that the bees loved and it was 8

Written by Hilary Finch

Despite my floral offerings, butterflies are in short supply. I have the same 3 or 4 cabbage whites drifting about most days and occasionally spot something new that is gone before I get a photo or am able to recognise it.

But I did get a photo of a comma, a new one to me. Thankfully someone on Facebook recognised it from my photo and educated me.

So, there we go, a little news from my inner city garden that I love to see people enjoying. It has been a boon during the lockdowns and enjoyed by quite a few friends.

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Air pollution in Bristol Are you concerned about the air you breathe in Ashley? Two innovative projects are looking for Ashley residents to get involved. The air we breathe gets affected by many factors like temperature and humidity, as well as pollutants and irritants released into the air from urban activity.

What is air pollution?

There are two major components of air pollution: Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulate Matter. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) emissions are released when fossil fuels like diesel and petrol are burned, for example in cars and lorries. It can lead to asthma and other respiratory diseases. Particulate matter are tiny bits or droplets in the air, released by smoke, dust and the burning of fuels. Particulate matter can travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

It is especially dangerous for vulnerable people, children and older people.

Written by Annali Grimes, Creative Producer at Knowle West Media

Why is air pollution bad?

Air pollution impacts our health steadily over our lifetimes and the effects on our health is not immediately noticeable.

If someone has underlying health conditions, and they are regularly exposed to poor air quality, their health can get worse. Children whose lungs and hearts are still developing are also very vulnerable to poor air quality. Because we don’t see the air pollution and can smell and feel it only in the worst cases, we are slow to realise that our health is being affected.

What do people in Ashley think?

According to the Statistical Ward Profile for Ashley for 2021, 81% of Ashley residents think air quality and traffic pollution is a problem.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-matters-airpollution/health-matters-air-pollution

The Air We Breathe Bristol has and continues to have, along with many cities around the UK and the world, illegal levels of dirty air.

This fact shocked me, as air gives us life – the thought that the very thing we need to live, that the unconscious act of breathing could be harmful to our health or killing us couldn't be true. This was just the start – the more I learnt, the more I was shocked. I felt I had to do something to build on the hard work, share the knowledge and bring the change needed.

My project ‘to breathe: community solutions for clean air’ aims to do this by raising awareness, sharing knowledge, asking what people think, feel and what ideas they have for change.

Written by Olivia Sweeney, Green and Black Ambassador

I'm building a picture of clean air in Bristol through photos, questions, and discussions around the themes of lived experience, perception, power and action.

Clean air is about more than NOx, PM 2.5 and pollution, it is about our health, both mental and physical, it is our ability to find space, refresh and reconnect. Clean air means different things to different people and different communities and is more than the legal scientific measurement of clean. The changes we want to see to ensure everyone can breathe clean air are broader and richer than the conversations which currently focus on transport. I have been asking people . . . Where do you go to breathe? I go to. .. . Lords woods, Eastville Park, Church, my garden in Montpelier, Royate Hill Nature Reserve, to the sea, Felix Road Adventure Playground, St. Pauls Park, Victoria Park, Greville Smyth Park, Troopers Hill, Netham Park, Newton Park, the forest...... to breathe fresh clean air.

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT We go to green open spaces, that are connected with people, nature and faith. How do you feel when you are there? I feel. . . . calm, grounded, surrounded by tranquillity, peaceful, light, free, invigorated, uplifted . . . when I breathe here. We feel serene, protected and free.

To breathe I need...nothing but me, natural air so that I can function mentally in a stable safe place, space, to be safe, to have knowledge, for others to want to make things better, awareness, to make lifestyle changes, to have clear guidance from government, to trust, to know companies and corporations are trying to make things better, to make small changes, to consider negative implications before acting. To breathe we need to be safe, to have naturally clean air, to have space, trust and knowledge.

Slow The Smoke

Bristol City Council has received funding from Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs to do a project in Ashley to research emissions from an important and growing source of pollution: domestic solid fuel burning, which means the burning of wood or coal inside homes. This will be done through the installation of an air quality monitor in the area and engagement with citizens through surveys, workshops and citizen science.

Everyone should be able to breathe clean air, and changes for clean air should work for everyone. Communities of colour around the world are suffocating from a system that tries to take power and agency, not only this but we are breathing toxic air that can take our lives. Clean Air is an issue of environmental justice, of racial justice and of social justice, and it is a fight for our lives.

To be part of building a picture of clean air all you need to do is answer these three questions…

I go to breathe at (your special place here) I feel (how you feel) when I breathe here To breathe I need… … and send a photo of that place (don’t worry you don’t have to be in the photo if you don’t want to be!) with your response to me: olivia@blackandgreenambassadors.co.uk

Written by Annali Grimes, Creative Producer at Knowle West Media Centre The partners in the project are the Air Quality Management Resource Centre at the University of the West of England and Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) – a Bristol based organisation with over 20 years experience in community engagement, supporting people to make positive changes in their lives and communities, using technology and the arts to come up with creative solutions to problems and explore new ways of doing things.

KWMC will run fun and engaging workshops in Ashley over the coming months. We aim to bring people to the heart of innovation through a process called The Bristol Approach. The workshops will explore people’s experiences of air quality and by creatively using technology and understanding data, we will look at finding solutions which are people and issue led.

“The Bristol Approach comes at the problem from the citizen’s point of view, and gives old tools and approaches new life.” (participant) Get in touch if you want to build and install a sensor at your home, take part in workshops and stay updated with the project. Email: slowthesmoke@kwmc.org.uk

source: https://www.cleanairforbristol.org/slow-the-smoke/

A major part of this project will involve local residents through citizen sensing. Residents will get an opportunity to build their own sensors to install at their homes. They will then be part of the research to get a better understanding of the impact of solid fuel burning locally. Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said: “We have a moral, environmental and legal duty to clean up Bristol’s air. This project shows that we must all contribute, and is an opportunity for people to get involved and reduce the impact of burning solid fuels on the air we breathe.”

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Graffiti Workshops prove a great success Fairfield High School (FHS) is working in collaboration with Graffarty and the Creative Youth Network to deliver a graffiti course, designed to grow students’ confidence, encourage communication and expression through art and to aid relaxation.

Steve Fitzpatrick from Graffarty explains about the group work: “In addition to individual pieces of art, we encourage the young people to embark on group activities, such as spray painting plastic wrap or vinyl bands. We also have grand plans for creating a striking mural of a waterfall, so watch this space.”

The 10 week course is very effective for those students finding it challenging to engage with school for a variety of reasons, whether in or outside of school.

This form of engagement provides an alternative variation to the school day, with the young people finding team bonding, communication Mason Somerville, Achievement Coordinator at FHS and creativity to be hugely beneficial. summarises: “These graffiti courses are highly effective for engaging those students who may not respond The course involves the use of different techniques, particularly well to the traditional school model. Whilst often starting with the painting of their names onto their week still consists of learning from a broad canvas using curriculum, they look forward to their time outdoors, stencils, water becoming lost in based paint the art world and and pen. creating unique This free flow pieces which continues, they are then with students encouraged to choosing to create whatever take home and enjoy with their takes their fancy; the result families.” being different patterns, shapes, animals or galaxies – there are no set rules.

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Help decide where and how money should be spent in Bristol

Bristol residents from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background and young people aged 16-25 (of any ethnicity), are invited to take part in Bristol's latest Quality of Life survey. Your voice and opinions, on what it is like living in Bristol and in your local area, are vital in making sure the views of residents are fully represented. The questions are designed to give a fully representative picture of life in Bristol, from the issues that are important in Ashley, like crime and transport, housing and education, to the way your health and wellbeing is supported. You are welcome to skip any questions you don't want to answer.

The survey is anonymous. Your voice helps Bristol City Council decide where and how money should be spent- make sure you are heard. You have until midnight on Sunday 24 October 2021 to complete the survey.

You can do the survey online by typing this address into your browser bar www.bristol.gov.uk/QoL21 or you can request a paper copy to be sent to you. Copies will also be available at Junction 3 Library and St. Pauls Library.

If you have any queries or need a different format email QoL@bristol.gov.uk or call 0117 922 2704

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

Winte r issue deadli ne 10th o Novem f ber Front cover submissions

We are always on the look out for: Writers/Poets Artists Editors Distributors Advertisers Photographers Get in touch... are also welcome!

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

info@vocalisemagazine.org 13

COMMUNITY NEWS

DOVE GARDENS

By Bernie Munoz

‘Go back to your country’

he yells at me when I am crossing the road. No point in explaining that this is my country. This year, I became a citizen of this convoluted kingdom. After ten years of living, studying and working here - plus jumping considerable hoops, such as paying what could have been a deposit for a mortgage, passing an English test, a life in the UK test, being forensically scrutinised and providing a pile of records and evidence of my life worth a stone - even the Home Office agrees that I am asset to the place I have chosen to call home.

But Bob Dylan’s singing ‘I pity the poor immigrant who wishes he would’ve stayed home’ makes me realise it is time for a change. Robin Wall Kimmerer reminds me that if a plant is considered a source of goodness, people forget that it is not endemic. The Italian navigator Giovanni Caboto is a perfect example. If you improve your place, you would even be claimed as a national. But how do you do it?

I wonder whilst looking into Cabot’s statue in the harbour.

His bronze eyes are fixed faraway. As in a trance. A vision.

A private trip.

How to belong? Through participation and improvisation, whispers the anthropologist Dorothy Holland. You take part.

You build relationships. But most importantly, you create something new. You also need to stop idealising, adds my husband. Focus on the present. Associating yellow with childhood is fine for a Cold Play song, but not as a filter for the past. Don’t let nostalgia get the best of you.

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By this time I have spent a year living in the council flats on Dove street. My neighbours are not strangers anymore. Some have even become friends. They have saved me a piece of cake for Eid. They have picked me up from the airport. They have let me use their hose.

Their screwdriver. They have been kind to my children. While surviving the pandemic we have shared a little our vulnerabilities.

Having someone to lean on is what makes the difference sings Bill Withers. All of this goes through my mind whilst picking blackberries.

Sometimes only that sour-sweetness stops me from stepping into the abyss of homesickness.

COMMUNITY NEWS And that is when I see it. Under the overgrown bushes of the fly-tipping corner in front of the flats, an apple hangs from a delicate branch.

As if wanting to be eaten. As if I am Eve. No Adam, no god, no snake this time. By now I have also lost my patience. The waiting is over. If I want to see change, I need to be that change. I write to my neighbours. I invite them to clear the space.

A Saturday morning in July six of us turn up. Some haven’t met in person before, but have been so close through Zoom and Whatsapp, that there is a certain familiarity. We catch up whilst picking rubbish, cutting branches, carefully removing needles. Lots and lots of plastic.

By now I have reached the part of the story you have heard before. A new community garden.

We celebrate our achievement through a picnic.

We use stickers to democratically choose a name. Twenty five neighbours vote. The children win. Dove Gardens is born. It brings the best we have to offer. Kind words of those who pass by. Nods of recognition. A shared space to rest and breathe. Smiles and laughs. Nature does the rest. The extreme beauty of rosemary beetles. Purple, white, yellow, pink flowers. The apple tree is blooming. We stop being strangers.

We become friends. We are a community.

Follow us on: dove.gardens Dove Gardens - Public Group 15

COMMUNITY NEWS

Newly formed Bristol-based A Typical Collective create a mural in Stokes Croft Newly formed Bristol-based A Typical Collective create a mural in Stokes Croft which celebrates their In August, A Typical Collective, supported by PAPER Arts CIC and local emerging muralists Tanith Gould and Yoli Ward-Streeter, will be taking over PRSCs Outdoor Gallery in Stokes Croft.

As a celebration of their diverse, creative practices and the end of the course that brought them together, A Typical Collective will be painting the 50ft wall on Jamaica Street. The collective met during the Creative Employment Programme, a 6-month course for creatives with learning disabilities, Autism and ADHD which supported them to gain the skills and experience necessary to make a start in Bristol’s artistic community.

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As one member of the group described it, the course was “like being at an art school but with all the best bits” where facilitators and guest speakers “encouraged us to explore our practice [and] gave us permission to be ourselves.” The programme was run by PAPER Arts (based in St. Pauls) who help young creatives build networks and establish creative careers.

The course was funded by Bristol City Council and the Mural generously supported by Nisbet Trust.

Inspired by an online session with Iconic Black Britons founder Michelle Curtis, the group set their sights on designing a large-scale outdoor artwork together.

COMMUNITY NEWS

The mural is intended to represent their individual practices and the collective as a whole, showcasing the diverse skills and interests of creatives who happen to have disabilities. A Typical Collective are: Beth Richards, Gabriel Nissen, Josie Ewers, Nicola Willis and Serafina Kiszko.

When we start to think about who gets to decide what art goes where and by who, we can see that very few spaces in our city represent and are accessible to disabled citizens.

A Typical Collective’s wall, up during the month of August, is about creatives with disabilities taking up space in the public realms that often present barriers to them. The mural is a celebratory collage of the collective’s diverse creative practices - from activism and performance, ceramics, textiles to upcycling.

People’s Republic of Stokes Croft have kindly loaned their wall for the project. They are campaigning for more public street art in Bristol’s rapidly gentrifying and privatised streets. PSRC celebrates the value and beauty of the art in the streets and calls out the hypocrisy of the Bristol authorities who market Bristol as a home of graffiti while criminalising those engaged in the act of making it. A Typical Collective’s mural is a celebration of the powerful and affirming messages street art can convey.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

St Werburghs Community Centre's

50th Anniversary

St Werburghs Community Centre is celebrating its 50th anniversary. This is a brilliant chance to look at the history of the community centre and the people that have helped shape it.

In 1999 St Werburghs Community Association officially became a charity and a managing committee was established to manage the centre.

Photo of the choir, 1996 by Carrie Hitchcock, second prints

I

n 1971 a group of locals, including Roy Hackett, came together to transform the old school building into a community centre. This was a new venture with St Werburghs being one of the first community centres to be created in Bristol. Over the years it has been known with many different names including The Baptist Mills Centre for Community Activities and the Horley Road Centre.

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Under the direction of Linda Bell, a new annexe was built in 2009, giving extra space and fresh energy to the centre. The building is home to a range of tenant organisations Khaas, Kingsway International Christian Centre, Amicus Foster Care, Herbalists without Borders, Zedify sustainable transport and Karen Christie Integrative Counselling. Who all utilise our affordable spaces to deliver services to local communities.

COMMUNITY NEWS Not forgetting the much-loved Raking & Baking cooking & gardening course that teaches people skills as well as bringing them together.

This anniversary is about celebrating the local community. As it is the people that make this hub the vibrant space it is. Through the rest of the year, we will be compiling stories, hoping to capture your memories of the centre over the years and what you want to see in the future.

Tell us your moments, share your photos and let's celebrate the community at the heart of St Werburghs. If you are interested in taking part get in touch, we would love to hear from you.

Murilo, Cafe owner at the centre, 2021 by Tom Alexander

Dennison, Tai Chi leader at the centre, 2021 by Tom Alexander

Over the years the charity has developed a range of services and events to support the community. All the projects, events and services that are run here have a clear aim. To promote social inclusion, better mental health and to increase economic and digital inclusion. We also strive to encourage sustainable living and to strengthen community cohesion in Ashley, Easton and Lawrence Hill. One of the highlights of the centre has always been the amazing events that have happened here. From Caribbean Fiestas in the 1970s to dressmaking and Junior Bhangra dance groups in the ’80s.

These days we host Picnic in the Park, an annual event that brings the whole community to Mina Road Park. As well as Festive Friends that reaches out to isolated older people with a meal, gifts and company. At the moment there is a great range of services currently run at the centre. With Easy PC helping people with digital support, through one-to-one sessions every Monday.

Free computers in the lobby for people to freely access the internet and equipment to use it.

Photo of the pensioners, 1996, by Carrie Hitchcock, second prints 19

Bristol Named Gold Sustainable Food City

During summer Bristol was officially awarded the status of Gold Sustainable Food City, recognising the positive work undertaken across the city’s food system, seeking to solve social, environmental and economic issues.

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warded by the UK partnership programme, Sustainable Food Places, the accolade means Bristol is only the second city in the UK to achieve the status, with Brighton and Hove awarded it in 2020. The award announcement follows the work of city-wide initiative Bristol Going for Gold, led by coordinating partners Bristol Food Network, Bristol City Council, Bristol Green Capital Partnership, and Resource Futures.

Joy Carey, Director of Bristol Food Network and Strategic Coordinator of the gold bid says: “How we produce, trade, eat and waste food influences the most pressing issues facing us today: from climate and ecological breakdown to human health and well-being, from poverty and justice to animal welfare. This is why food matters and is why, since achieving silver status in 2016, we’ve been determined to support and uncover more individuals, projects and initiatives that are contributing positively to a fairer, healthier and more sustainable food system for the city and its citizens.

Bristol is brimming with people who are passionate about doing better when it comes to food and it has been our job to capture their stories and impact, whilst doing all we can to support a joined up and holistic approach to food in the city.“ “We’re delighted that this work has been recognised at the highest level, being named a Gold Sustainable Food City.

We want to thank and applaud all those doing better across our city’s food system, including the citizens who have engaged with important conversations about the future of food here in Bristol."

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written by Helen Sharpe

Councillor Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor, Bristol City Council and Chairperson of the Going for Gold Steering Group said: “Despite the most challenging of years, we’ve seen extraordinary altruism and a continued fight to resolve not just the issues caused by the pandemic but broader pre-existing social and environmental issues.

Our Gold achievement is a testament to the whole city rallying together and taking action, from citizens and organisations to policy makers. More than ever there is a collective energy calling for food that is good for people, communities and the planet to be available to everyone in Bristol. This award makes clear that Bristol is on the right path towards a better food future for all citizens.”

The bid to achieve Gold Sustainable Food City status has been supported by sponsors, Essential Trading, GenEco and Lovely Drinks.

Joy Carey, Director of Bristol To view a summary Food Network, concludes: Saddiq, Chair document Says Mohammed of Bristolof the winning bid for gold status, visit: Green Capital Partnership: “Bristol Green “This moment is one to be is delighted to have www.

Capital Partnership celebrated, but most definitely goingforgoldbristol. helped coordinate Bristol’s successful bid to not an end forSustainable us and co.uk/bristols-gold-foodbepoint a Gold Food City.

The aim all the other key stakeholders of bringing the whole city together tosubmission/ crein this project. gearing healthier food system ate a We’re fairer, greener, up to startperfectly work onaligns the Bristol with our work, which seeks Good Food 2030 action plan, to foster city-wide collaboration on a range which willofsee a more joined environmental issues and make links up approach to tackling between them.issues In the past year – and since such as food insecurity, access we supported the launch of the Bristol Bites to land forBack growing food in response to the Betterand campaign waste, as pandemic well as finding better – there has been huge levels ways to empower of interestBristolians and action from the city’s busito create nesses a healthy, thataccessible are intent on doing better. The and diverse food system Partnership will fit befor continuing to support the next decade. and motivate organisations to take further

To join the city-wide conversation that is set to continue as part of Bristol Bites Back Better, visit: https://www. goingforgoldbristol.co.uk/ jointheconversation/

and faster action to help Bristol meet its It’s so important thatclimate this plan ambitious and ecological goals. is framed Food around willthe bereal a key part of this, and the relaneeds and hopes ofand ourcollaboration city’s tionships that have come people and outcommunities, of the work toand achieve this status are an that’s whyideal we’replatform asking everyto build upon.” one to ‘Join the Conversation’ to share their vision for food in Bristol.”

Tom Andrews, Sustainable Food Places Programme Director at the Soil Association:

“It is incredibly inspiring that even in these most challenging of times Bristol has continued to power ahead with its efforts to become a truly sustainable food city. This award recognises the achievements of the myriad of initiatives from the Children’s Kitchen to the Grow Wilder Centre and from UWE and the University of Bristol’s success in transforming their catering and procurement to the Food Clubs set up across the city to provide low-cost nutritious meals to families. It is a fantastic team effort involving countless individuals and organisations and testament to the passion and commitment of everyone involved in building a fairer, healthier and more sustainable food system.

At the heart of the Sustainable Food Places programme is a belief that good food is a right not a privilege and this principle is clearly evident in everything the city has done. Bristol stands out as a shining example of just what can be achieved when people work together to make healthy and sustainable food a defining characteristic of where they live.”

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Introducing Bristol Local Food Fund

For thousands of people across the city, Bristol’s vibrant food culture is a world away. Bristol Local Food Fund aims to build one central pot to support existing projects to tackle food inequality. By connecting the efforts already in place, and recruiting a citizens panel to choose which new projects to support, the fund will ensure that everyone can access affordable, healthy food.

The recent Gold Sustainable Food Award is a brilliant achievement for Bristol, but this should not overshadow the thousands of people who are unable to access enough food for themselves or their families, due to a range of complex inequalities ethnicity, class, physical ability and more. No one wants to live in a city of inequalities. Bristol has an amazing charitable and community ethos, but to make a real impact, there needs to be a way to focus resources and give power to those who are so often disempowered by the structures in our society.

Bristol Local Food Fund (BLFF) is a new project, created and run by a small group of volunteers working in partnership with City Funds, Burges Salmon, Bristol City Council, Feeding Bristol and Bristol Food Network.

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Through an initial Crowdfunder, BLFF wants to raise an initial £100,000 to give communities the resources to take direct action on food insecurity. A Citizen’s Panel - made up of people from across the city with lived experience of the issues at hand - will be appointed to award the funds. Panellists will be paid the real living wage for their time.

Mike Lloyd-Jones, Founder of Bristol Local Food Fund: “With something like 13,000 households experiencing food insecurity, we need to do more to support the communities being left behind due to structural racism, inequality and inadequate infrastructure. COVID-19 made the situation worse – new projects emerged but now we need to build on that momentum and make sure everyone’s voices are heard.”

If you want to help us get started, please take 2 minutes to pledge your support to the Bristol Local Food Fund.

Or if you’re interested in learning more about the Fund and how you could get involved, please email bristollocalfoodfund@gmail.com.

COMMUNITY STORY

Indigenous Southern Afrikan Myth People did not always live on the surface of the earth. At one time people and animals lived underneath the earth with Kaang (Käng), the Great Master and Lord of All Life. In this place, people and animals lived together peacefully. They understood each other. No one ever wanted for anything, and it was always light even though there wasn't any sun.

During this time of bliss, Kaang began to plan the wonders he would put in the world above.

First Kaang created a wondrous tree, with branches stretching over the entire land.

At the base of the tree, he dug a hole that reached all the way down into the world where the people and animals lived. To populate the world, he transformed into every single plant, tree, water source, rock, stone, mountain and a multitude of birds, in turn, shedding his skin like a snake to become the next creature or plant. After he had finished furnishing the world as he pleased, he led the first man up the hole.

He sat down on the edge of the hole and soon the first woman came up out of it. Soon all the people were gathered at the foot of the tree, awed by the world they had just entered. Next, Kaang began helping the animals climb out of the hole. In their eagerness, some of the animals found a way to climb up through the tree's roots and come out of the branches.

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written by //Kabbo Hue Ferdinand They continued racing out of the world beneath until all the animals were out.

Kaang gathered all the people and animals about him. He instructed them to live together peacefully. Then he turned to the men and women and warned them not to build any fires or a great evil would befall them. They gave their word and Kaang left to where he could watch his world secretly.

As evening approached the sun began to sink beneath the horizon. The people and animals stood watching this phenomenon, but when the sun disappeared fear entered the hearts of the people. They could no longer see each other as they lacked the eyes of the animals which could see in the dark. They lacked the warm fur of the animals also and soon grew cold. In desperation, one man suggested that they build a fire to keep warm. Forgetting Kaang's warning they disobeyed him. They soon grew warm and were once again able to see each other.

However, the fire frightened the animals. They fled to the caves and mountains and ever since the people broke Kaang’s command, they have not been able to communicate with animals.

Now fear has replaced the seat friendship once held between the two groups.

COMMUNITY STORY And where fear lives doubt, anger, frustration, disagreements, arguments, gossip, struggle, power over and other vices soon follow, and so entered the world above. Kaang from his secret watching place wanted to see what else the people and animals will do.

The animals could adapt very seamlessly to their new surroundings for they had keener senses than the humans had and could adapt quite easily to their new surroundings as the vegetation was quite bountiful, the humans struggled a bit more as they could not use vision and thus judgement, as well as their former animal friends could.

Kaang realised that he left the humans with a bit of a struggle to adapt and decided that he will give them one more addition to help them along. He called them all together with a beautiful, melodic song he whistled. The humans and animals knew this song and were both drawn to it.

In the song, Kaang had channelled all the wisdom of the plants, trees, fauna, flora and other things he knew would benefit both humans and animals. Taught them the importance of respecting each other and the Earth they were now blessed to walk on. He taught them that He formed them out of the earth and must respect and treat the Earth as their Mother and if they followed his advice they would never want nor ever quarrel.

This angered Kaang so much that he caused a great storm to emerge and sent down a great deluge that washed every away.

The few survivors had to fend for themselves as he moved his own abode from the earth to the top of the sky. This is where Kaang resides to this day never to be seen walking amongst people on earth ever again.

Things went well for a while until humans again disobeyed Kaang. Men started quarrelling and jostling for the most fertile lands. Proudly building up fences, walls, and houses to keep others out while others started hunting and eating animals.

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WELLBEING

How to spot the signs of abuse

written by Anna Ruggiero

Relationships form a very important part of our life. They should be a safe place where we can talk about how we feel and what we need without fear of judgement, shaming or abuse. Our close relationships should always be equal, healthy, and respectful of boundaries.

Abusive relationships are never acceptable.

It is important to recognise the signs of domestic abuse and then you can make the decision to leave in a safe way. As a victim of domestic abuse, you might struggle to talk to friends or family about the abuse. It is not uncommon for victims to make excuses for their abusers’ behaviour and not seek out support, this could be for any of the following reasons: Shame: Abuse can be extremely damaging to your self-esteem. Many victims will believe that they are responsible for the abuse and that they have caused it. This is never the case. When you enter a relationship with someone who is abusive, at first, they may come across as charming and kind.

Over time, the abuse starts and sadly for the victim, they have formed an emotional attachment to this person making it harder to leave.

Guilt: Abuse can be very blatant or sometimes it can be very subtle. If you love someone who is abusing you, no matter what that person is doing to you, it is possible you that will still love them until you find the strength and support to leave.

However, because perpetrators of abuse can often be very manipulative, you might find yourself feeling guilty or that you are betraying your loved one by telling other people and seeking support for yourself.

Fear: You feel too scared to seek help. Victims often report that the abuse gets worse once they plan to leave as the abuser starts to lose control of the victim – their need for control becomes greater. It is often advised to have a strategy in place for when you leave your abusive partner so that you can stay safe. This can include staying with a trusted friend, family member or in a shelter.

Acceptance: Once you have shared the abuse with friends/family or a professional, it makes the abuse real and at this point you need to accept what has been happening to you. This can be extremely difficult to acknowledge.

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The forms of abuse: Psychological: Psychological abuse is often very subtle.

The abuser will slowly ‘chip away’ at the victim with comments that aim to degrade, shame, with the ultimate goal being to control the victim.

Some signs of psychological abuse are jealousy and possessiveness; control, such as checking your phone; constantly arguing with you; ‘gas-lighting’ (a form of psychological abuse where a person uses manipulation to try to make a person question their own sanity); isolating you from friends and family; calling you names; shaming or blaming; giving you the silent treatment or withholding affection.

Physical abuse: This is not only hitting. They might restrain you or throw objects. They might pinch or shove you and claim it is a ‘joke’. Some abusers may only use the threat of violence, but this is still abuse.

Financial abuse: Controlling your access to money or resources. They might take your wages, stop you working, or put you in debt, all with the aim to control you.

Leaving an abusive relationship is never going to be easy but trust me when I say, it will always be worth it.

You might question whether it is the right thing to do and a part of you might want to save the relationship.

Many victims stay with their abuser because they think he/she will change. Whilst change is of course always possible, it is neither easy nor quick. The only option you have if you are in an abusive relationship is to leave it for your own physical and mental wellbeing.

The abuse can often get worse once you have made the decision to leave as the abuser will often sense a change and fear the loss of control. Remember, the main aim of abuse is always control.

It is important you have somewhere safe to go.

Victims have often found that changing their phone number helps to maintain a distance between themselves and the abuser which is vital for recovery.

For specialist support on how to leave and recover from an abusive relationship, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

On the 14th September 2021 Docklands Community Centre hosted an open evening event to all trustees and the community. It was a great turn out! The lounge was filled with stalls for Docklands, ACE's music studio and Raised in St. Pauls. The public were able to ask any questions about their services and discuss their achievements and goals. A member of ACE's studio provided us with an amazing performance of her singing, there was a big crowd watching her. Bristol Breakers also joined us in the sports hall to show off what they get up to in their practice sessions; even some parents joined in! A tour took place of the nursery upstairs (Raised in St. Pauls), this was great for parents to see. We had Junior prepare and serve us up some wonderful jerk chicken from our courtyard BBQ. We also had a vegetarian food option from Baba Ganoush, it was delicious as usual. Lastly, we had Full Circle's youth activities taking place in the sports hall, they undertook arts and crafts, games and hair braiding. Overall the event was a great success to show the community what Docklands has to offer. We are now ready to be hired!

If you're looking to put on an event at Docklands, enquire now: admin@fullcircleproject. org.uk

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LOCAL EVENTS

What’s on...

Running an event?

Let us know and we'll help promote it!

WEEKLY WALKING FOOTBALL SESSIONS

From 1 Oct

At St. Paul's Community Sports Academy (BS2 9NH) every Tuesday (1pm) and Thursday (7:30pm)

Bristol Film Festival

1 Oct - 29 Dec 2021

The 2021 season kicks off on Friday 1 October with two of the Coen Brothers' most iconic films – second up is the Oscar-winning, darkly comic crime caper Fargo…

Urban Walk and talk by the Cultravate

From 1 Oct

Join the community in walking & discussing topics to assist with your wellbeing!

Starting in St. Pauls and St. Werbughs.

Not the Same Poet, But Always an Artist at Arnolfini

1 to 31 Oct 2021

Not the Same Poet, But Always an Artist consists of exhibitions of drawings and photographs at partner venues: Arnolfini and Southmead Hospital, workshops for people living with Aphasia, their families and the medical staff involved in their care,…

Bristol Street Art Tour with Where The Wall

2 Oct to 18 Dec. 2021

Haunted and Hidden Bristol Walking Tour

1 Oct to 26 Nov 2021

Adult Creative Wellbeing Workshops

7 Oct to 16 Dec. 2021

Enjoy a 2 hour narrative taking you on a journey through over 30 years of street art and graffiti art history, discover the depth of art in the city.

Fun 90 min walk that combines haunted buildings, TV locations and Bristol trivia.

Advance bookings are required.

Creative Shift CIC bring their creative wellbeing practices to Arnolfini, inviting anyone to take some time out for themselves to be creative in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Bunch of Japes at Smoke & Mirrors Magic Theatre Bar Every Monday evening, Smoke & Mirrors host the very best up and stand up comedy talent, as well as more established pro acts.

From: 11 Oct 2021

black history month black poppies in south west

21 Oct 2021

Black History Month: Early Black Bristolians

21 Oct 2021

Black History Month: Bop Against Racism with RSVP Bhangra Band A Love Music Hate Racism Event

21 Oct 2021

ONLINE TALK: Where are the Black poppies in the south-west of England?

Find out what Black and Asian people within the British Empire contributed to Britain’s war effort during World War One.

Find out how the Early Black Presence Index at Bristol Archives was compiled and the glimpses it gives us into the lives of Black Bristolians from the 16th to 19th centuries.

RSVP, a group of Bhangra musicians are playing in Bristol to celebrate Black History Month and oppose racism.

FSC's Inspired by Birds Weekend at Grow Wilder

23 - 24 Oct 2021

Take a moment to mindfully appreciate the charismatic urban avian species through their science and their form.

Life2020 - Markets & Events

30-31 Oct, 20-21 Nov, 4 -5 Dec 2021

LIFE2020, a social enterprise from Bristol are running entrepreneurship workshops at Kuumba Centre.

diverse artists network (Dan) All things music at Bristol beacon

Networking, information, opportunities. Be seen, be heard, be paid. Tickets available on Eventbrite.

Bspoke16 Artists, Makers and Designers Festive Trail A collection of makers from the BS16 area of Bristol come together to bring you a safer 'market shopping' experience avoiding the crowds.

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29 Nov 2021 4 - 5 Dec 2021

KIDS ACTIVITY

Puzzles

Word Search Puzzle | Discovery Education Puzzlemaker

29/09/2021, 09

Puzzlemaker is a puzzle generation tool for teachers, students and parents. Create and print customized word search, criss-cross, math puzzles, and more-using your own word

WORD SEARCH

lists.

Back to School

Backpack

Books

Classroom

Crayons

Dictionary

Geography

Grades

History

Knowledge

Library

Maths

Notebook

Pencil

Sport

Teacher

Trips

Find the word in the puzzle.

How many hands can you find in the magazine? Is there any colour missing here?

Words can go in any direction.

Words can share letters as they cross over each other.

16 of 16 words placed.

Copyright © 2021 Discovery Education. All rights reserved.

How many hands are there in total?

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Your Councillors say...

All your local councillors have been busy since the election and our priority is to continue to work together with residents and officers to ensure the needs of our constituents are met.

For the newbies, Councillors Wye and Cole the training has been key to the orientation of council systems and structures.

There has been a lot of case work to catch up on which we have been working hard on with some success. A lot of these are about waste, fly tipping and housing.

We have had some good outcomes with individual cases with the Council’s Private Housing team. We have also been working with Planning Enforcement on a few local issues. Regarding case work we have been holding surgeries where you can meet your local councillors and discuss your concerns. Surgeries take place on the third Friday of the month from 12-2pm. From September we will be looking to use different venues in Ashley so if you intend to attend a surgery please check the venue.

Traffic and pollution continue to be big issues and we are starting to have discussions with Council Officers about plans to set up ‘liveable Neighbourhoods’. This can cause a lot of strong feelings (and the recent results of the Picton Street pedestrianisation consultation show this) but during the campaign people continually told us about traffic and air quality so that is a priority for residents.

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There are also several large developments in the area. The Brookes Dye works is obviously the largest and is well underway but there are other schemes. For example, there is a new development behind Stokes Croft between the carriage works and Hepburn Road. We have met with developers to hear their proposed plans; we have argued for some further community engagement and a commitment to meaningful ‘social value’.

Anti-Social behaviour is another issue that residents come to us with. Amirah, Tim and Jude recently met with the new Police Commissioner on Albany Green to talk through some of the issues and the importance of good local community policing.

Covid is also a priority as the pandemic has clearly not yet ended. The council is putting a lot of effort into pop up testing centres and there are various dates and times for members of the public to attend. The vaccination programme, whilst having generally great uptake still needs to be promote. In particular, we would remind anyone working in care that they will now shortly be required to be vaccinated.

Thank you again for voting for us.

Your Ashley Councillors Tim, Jude, Amirah

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Police Update

COMMUNITY NEWS

Written by PC Charlie Mileham

As we move into autumn, with our days getting shorter and nights getting longer, I hope that many of you are now enjoying life in the post-lockdown world, and that we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief as we return to normality after difficult 18 months. We have all faced our own unique challenges and had to adapt to new ways of living which hasn’t always been easy.

One scheme that I would like to highlight, looking to engage and enrich communities, is “ROC Conversation”.

Now with shops, bars, cafés and other local businesses open, we can finally start to enjoy all that our community has to offer.

Lockdown policing has, at times, proved challenging and we would like to thank you all for your continued support. We now look forward to protecting our communities for the future.

achieving success. It is a celebration of the positives in the community, whilst also assisting smaller organisations by bringing everyone together to help with funding opportunities and explore what can be put in place to make the community flourish.

www.roc.uk.com/bristoleast or call 0161 393 4511.

Secondly, I would like to address the issue of graffiti that has been occurring in the area. We are always exploring different ways to solve this problem, from round table meetings with members of the public, to testing ideas put in place by other police constabularies nationwide.

We are working together with other partners and agencies to find long-term solutions.

If you have been a victim of graffiti, this can be reported to Bristol City Council via https://www.bristol.gov. uk/streets-travel/graffiti who can arrange cleaning. If you are a repeat victim of graffiti, please report this to police via 101.

Finally, as we are now in autumn and the nights get longer we remind our communities to be vigilant. With restrictions lifted and more people out and about, we have been conducting more high-visibility patrols in the area so expect to see a lot more of us.

We want the community to feel safe. We also want these patrols to be a two-way conversation, so please do say hi if you see us

ROC provides a structured community engagement event, which is live and/or online, and invites members of the community to gather and discuss the specific needs of their community, and explore more practical ways of meeting those needs and

scan me

ROC has had great successes all over the country, from the first ROC café in Manchester, to community work in Weston-Super-Mare.

A ROC Conversation is coming to Bristol East on 30th September at City Academy and we encourage everyone to get involved. For further information please contact info@roc.uk.com. To book a space at ROC Conversation please go to

out and about – we love to chat!

Please stay safe in this post-lockdown world, and until next time, PC Mileham.

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Why? The economic and social contribution of the Black Communities has continuously been undervalued and under-promoted. To combat the lack of awareness and knowledge of these contribution, we showcase their past and present realities and legacies. We support emerging and established creators, innovators and entrepreneurs, bringing the tangible and reflective to the public media space.

What?

A brand new edition! Featuring inclusive media on this year’s topics of heritage, talent, knowledge and education to amplify Black voices, culture and lived experience by representing Black communities and creatives in Bristol throughout the year, not just in October!

Where?

Read our brand new digital edition now! www.bristolblackhistorymonth.co.uk

er 1 b o t c O t Ou

Join us on WEDNESDAY 20th OF OCTOBER for an evening of music, art and food. Check our social media for more info!

Follow Us! @Bristol.blackHM

@BristolBlackHistory

@BristolBlackHM

@Bristol Black History Media

Partners!

Bristol Black History Month magazine is back with a brand new collaboration! Brought to you by: &

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st!