VOCALISE
Welcome!
Welcome to the autumn edition of Vocalise, the community magazine for St. Paul’s, St. Werburgh’s St. Agnes and Montpelier.
Hi Vocalisers,
Another summer has passed and we’re once again speeding towards the end of the year. While I’ve always preferred summer, those long days full of sunshine that I now remember fondly, I’m also quite enjoying cosying up as the weather turns colder.
It’s now been four years since I started coordinating Vocalise, and this is the sixteenth edition I’ve put together and designed. It almost feels like Vocalise is governing my seasons – whenever a new one begins, I find myself collating content relevant to our community for the months ahead.
I have to say, 2025 has been quite a turbulent year, and our future still feels uncertain. We still haven’t secured any long-term funding, and we’ve given ourselves until the end of the year to figure things out. We’ve submitted another funding application that would keep us going for the next two years, but after four rejections, our hopes aren’t high. If this one gets rejected, we’ll rethink our future and either restructure the magazine or look at partnering with other local organisations.
Either way, we’ll do our best to keep Vocalise alive in some form. Our January edition will bring you more news, so keep your fingers crossed!
As usual, it has been a tremendous pleasure putting this issue together. Inside, you’ll find an update from St Pauls Carnival, poetry, puzzles and activities, as well as articles from various contributors from our community.
Stay warm and happy Diwali, Julia
info@vocalisemagazine.org
vocalisemagazine.org
@vocaliseBristol
@vocaliseBristol
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)
Judit Davis (Director)
Hilary Finch (Director)
//Kabbo Hue Qua (Director)
Julia Widz (Project Coordinator)
Ian Jones
Anna Ruggiero
Lucille Smith
Bob Lawson
Silvia Jiménez Cruz
Goska Ong
Also special thanks to all our contributors.
Front cover:
Our volunteer Anna Ruggiero snapped this fun and fabulous piece by Bristol artist Sam Brentnall. Sam is a multi-disciplined artist working in Bristol who focusses on animation and Illustration with an interest in character and humour.
Vectors and photos from: Vecteezy.com.
Vocalise Bristol CIC
Donate here
Introducing...
On the deep black motorway driving homeward
Sharing the lanes with the pains of honest friendship
Speaking the fears of single women getting older
I said I didnt really want to die alone, She said, she didn't want to be responsible for my death on the road, on the phone. Though she'd nursed many people to death with kind words when she endlessley answered the same question, words kind enough to calm an agitated mind. She's a writer really, but needs must, She uses her skill to hear the stories from the confused.
On the way home
Poem by Deasy Bamford
of their time, clean and comfort, care and share the end of times
They know only too well they will not be able to afford their own quality care. They are precious, I want to promise them someone to nurse them to death with rawcous and gentle laughter served with skillful love and kindness but I cant be so sure.
She listens willingly to tales of the wars before her time.
She's not the only one of my friends to serve those a decade closer to death than her, death is always closer than we think.
She's a poet really, with an artist's eye offering the beauty of tenderness. My older women friends, not quite with pensions, robbed as they were of 7 years
Do you want to promote your business or event?
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I can be sure though of how we laughed, swerving and sometimes colliding with life's bad drivers
The men who would steal all our goodness,the women who would judge and mock.
As friends we have edged each other closer to the end , shrieking and cackling like old witches they had forgtten to burn Jokingly we share our planned escape routes from life's highway As the road hums underneath the tyres of the deep black motorway. Night driving through life.
Get in touch... info@vocalisemagazine.org
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Shopping on resale platforms
Shopping on second-hand resale platforms like Vinted or Depop has become one of my favourite ways to refresh my wardrobe and it’s brilliant for both the planet and my wallet. You can find everything from clothes and shoes to homeware, art, and even small electricals. Plus, if you’re after presents for the upcoming Christmas, there’s an amazing variety of items often in pristine condition, sometimes even with tags still on. It’s sustainable, affordable, and exciting.
Over time, I’ve picked up a few tricks to shop confidently and avoid those usual pitfalls especially around clothing as this is a lottery. Here’s what works for me:
Use Filters to Narrow Things Down
Most platforms have pretty good filters. On Vinted, for example, I always set the size and item condition filters first. This helps weed out what won’t fit or what’s not up to scratch. Quite often the condition filter includes options like “new with tags” or “like new,” which is great if you’re looking for something almost untouched.
Stick to Brands You Know Fit
Double Check the Measurements
Written by Julia Widz
Sizing can be all over the place, especially with vintage or less-known brands. If in doubt, look for product measurements, things like bust, waist, length, and sleeve. If the seller hasn’t included them, I double check recommended sizing info on the brand’s website. Knowing the exact dimensions means fewer surprises when the parcel arrives.
Prioritise Quality and Materials
I look for clothes made from natural fabrics like cotton, wool, or linen where possible. They tend to have more standard sizing, last longer, and are often made with better sustainability standards. Buying higher quality also means you get more value over time, which is important when you’re investing in second-hand.
Be Prepared to Resell
I try to focus on brands that I know have decent and consistent sizing. It really cuts down on the risk of something not fitting. When it comes to secondhand shopping, it feels safer to go for labels that suit my shape, so I’m less likely to get stuck with something I can’t wear.
Don’t Rely Just on the Listing Photos
If the pictures don’t fully convince me, I take a screenshot and do a quick reverse image search on Google. More often than not, I find shots of the item worn by models or from different angles online. This gives a much better idea of the fit and look. Quite often I can find the brand’s original listing to check product details and more images.
One thing I love about platforms like Vinted is how easy they make reselling. If you keep your clothes in good nick, you can always pass them on when you want a refresh. It’s a brilliant way to keep things moving sustainably and make some money back without the hassle. Additionally, if something you buy second hand is good quality, you can wear it for a couple of seasons or occasions and often resell for the same price. It’s like borrowing clothes!
Shopping second-hand is a win-win—it’s good for the environment, kinder to your bank balance, and you can find unique or even brand-new gems for yourself or as thoughtful gifts. Using these tips takes the guesswork out and makes the whole experience a lot more enjoyable. But be careful, this treasure hunt can also be addictive!
The Time, The Place
Mid-autumn already, but the promise of reinvention still lingers in the air. A bit like January, but more of a back to school vibe. Time to try something different, learn something new. Walking through the lovely urban/suburban St George’s Park one weekend, I pass the skatepark. There, amongst the local youth doing their (pretty impressive) thing, I notice a bunch of older adults slightly more cautious in their movements: an actual skateboarding class! What a brave and brilliant way to spend a Saturday morning!
Skateboards were everywhere in my youth, though my parents were having none of it. In retrospect, I’m inclined to agree with them. I’m never at my best on wheels. A few years back, I was invited to a birthday event at BUMP Rollerdisco down Redcliffe wharf. Well, how hard could it be? I threw caution to the wind, eventually completing a few laps with some kind of support frame similar to the stroller my mum uses to get around her care home.
But times change- BUMP has moved onwards and upwards, into indoor premises since 2024, maybe I should too? Inspired by the St George skaters, I do some research. I read about Lindsay Griffin, founder of BUMP Rollerdisco, and how the sport has boomed post-lockdown. I read about local res-
Written by Ian Jones BUMP Rollerdisco
ident Jeremiah Allman who describes skating as “something people can relate to and turn to when you’re happy or when you're sad”. I learn about the history of rollerdisco, how racial segregation in the States led to Black owners setting up their own rinks, fusing skating with music to create rhythm and soul nights.
Next up, I visit BUMP HQ, a large warehouse on Wellington Road, near Cabot Circus, to find out more about our very own “explosion of rollerskating, energy, skills and creativity.” I chat to the receptionist on front desk; one of the tutors shows me round. It’s warm, friendly. There’s a nice bit of neon. And centre stage, there it is- the rink, with a group of skaters gliding round as if it’s the easiest thing in the world.
There’s lots on offer. Classes for all ages. Rollerdisco. Rollerdisco with games. R&B skate jams. Allsorts. I sign up for Adult Beginners, a five week taster course on Tuesday evenings. There’s Improvers too, but this is more fancy stuff- “cool moves and tricks” as the receptionist puts it. I don’t want to get ahead of myself. Level 1 is the basics. How to stand up, how to fall down, balance and control, that sort of thing. I leave excited, a spring in my step. Make way for Mr BUMP!
St Werburghs Community Update
Ceilidh Night Fundraiser at St Werburghs Community Centre - with 'The Bristol Folk Society'
Friday 14th November 2025, 7.30pm – 10pm
The Bristol Folk Society will lead you through a night of high energy, large group folk dancing. All the steps called by our fabulous caller, and all danced to a live band playing high energy Ceilidh music. Let's celebrate Autumn and we want to see them come back again to mark the end of winter.
Never Ceilidh'd before? Do not fear, this is the perfect night for you.
We are raising money to go towards our Festive Friends Christmas Lunch for older residents!
Come bring your friends, family, neighbours, it really is a coming together affair... Tickets £5 - £9.50: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ stwerburghscommunityassociation/
St Werburghs Community Centre Christmas Market & Silent Disco
Friday 5th December 2025, 3pm –8pm.
Come and be merry! Each year we run a Christmas Market supporting and promoting local makers and businesses. It’s a great opportunity t get together with family, friends and neighbours for some festive cheer. Not in the mood for shopping? Come and boogie to the rhythm of your choosing at our Silent Disco. £6 for an hour, all proceeds go towards the running of activities and maintenance of the Community Centre.
Festive Friends
Friday 12th December 2025, 12pm –2pm.
“I look forward to this party every year.” Festive Friends 2024 attendee. Festive Friends is our annual
Christmas Dinner for older people in our community. Each year we host about 80 older residents to enjoy a delicious 3-course meal with live entertainment and lovely company. Do you want to join? Get in touch! Do you want to help make this day special? Get in touch too! We have several volunteering roles, from contacting local people, to serving food.
Call 0117 9551531 or email events@ stwerburghs.org.uk.
Co-working Space / Office to Let
A rare and exciting opportunity to join us at St Werburghs Community Centre. Our Room 10 in the Annexe will be available from 1st November 2025 either as:
Office to let @ £785.45 per month or Co-working space to let @ £150 per month per desk.
There is a 3-month minimum agreement with an ‘easy-in, easyout’ policy, and the rents are very reasonable. Utility bills and rates are included, and there is access to a staff-only kitchenette equipped with a kettle, toaster, microwave, and fridge. The main office has a photocopier, and all tenant organisations can access it by setting up an account for daily use. There is also a post box and basic cleaning cover, toilets are serviced by external
company. On site, there are several meeting rooms and community spaces, which can be booked on a sessional basis for meetings, events and activities.
For further information or to arrange a visit, please contact Goska Ong, Centre Director on 0117 955 1351 or email director@stwerburghs.org.uk.
How do you get from Portland Square to Narroways?
What is your favourite green space in Ashley?
How do you get from Mina Road to Montpelier Station?
What is the best cycle route into town?
Local organisations, led by St Werburghs Partners, have joined forces with Travel West to create an interactive Active Travel Map of Ashley Ward.
This resource will include cycle and walking routes, community resources such as green initiatives, public toilets and places of historic and cultural interest.
Get involved and tell us your favourite spots and ways to get around. Visit the QR code to add your route or place of interest to the map and find out more about our in-person engagement sessions across the ward. For more information contact climateaction@stwerburghs. org.uk.
Thoughts from an Oldie
"Was it an old lady fall?" my brother asked while chatting on the phone. Well l'm old (79 by the time you read this). I tripped over my left foot crashing onto the carpet covering the concrete floor in the corridor outside my flat fracturing my left arm. I'm right handed so not too bad! Fortunately l had the sense to move into this building for those of us over 55 a couple of years ago so was able to call for help. I couldn't get up but several neighbours came to help, one drove me to the BRI and another came with me for company. Thank you Chris and Ceanie.
Unable to sew l thought l might be able to paint while waiting the 6 - 12 weeks repair time. Well that's awkward too. I hadn't realised how much movement and my left hand played a part in my efforts. Trying to attach paper to the board on my easel proved impossible but rather than do nothing l painted over a previous canvas. I found moving about so much at that point very painful and frustrating trying to open paint tubes and cans. I could only use paints that are easy to open one handed - too many false teeth to use the bite grip technique! I ended up with a limited colour scheme. There are some developments to it l hope to manage in the future.
written by Hilary Finch
The day before all this happened l had almost completed Louise Fletcher's free on line abstract art course where using a limited palette and messing about with unfamiliar tools were part of the deal. My right handed efforts seemed like an extension of that!
Three weeks in and l'm getting braver about putting my arm into a sleeve thereby wearing clothes suitable for the cooling weather. Mindful breathing is a help. I rejected the hospital sling early on and simply tied a knot in a favourite scarf making a much simpler and easier to manage version. I still prefer pyjama trousers to jeans and zips though if l feel l should l do wear trousers now.
Hopefully painting will be a lot easier soon but sewing, cutting out and pinning for others will have to wait for a good while yet.
St Paul's Repair Cafe
St Pauls Repair Cafe is back!
After stopping due to the pandemic, the St Paul’s Repair Café is back! Offering the local community free help to repair broken items, cut down on waste, and save money.
The café now runs every second Saturday of the month from 1:00pm – 3:00pm at St Paul’s Learning Centre, St Paul’s, Bristol, in Glen’s Kitchen.
Visitors can bring along household items such as small electricals, clothing, toys, mechanical items and furniture or other much-loved belongings in need of fixing. Skilled repair volunteers will be on hand to share their repair knowledge, give practical help, and show that many things can be mended instead of thrown away.
Repair Cafés are part of a worldwide movement to reduce waste, build community resilience, and pass on valuable skills. The relaunch of the St Paul’s Repair Café is a chance for local residents and beyond to come together, meet their neighbours, and help the environment in a friendly, welcoming space.
Event details: �� St Paul’s Learning Centre, St Paul’s, Bristol �� 1:00pm – 3:00pm�� Every second Saturday of the month Everyone is welcome – whether you have something to fix, want to learn new skills, or just fancy a cup of tea and a chat while you see repairs in action. If you have Repair or Organisational skills and would like to Volunteer please get in touch!
For more information, please contact: Email: stpaulsrepaircafe@gmail.com Facebook: St Paul’s Repair Cafe St Paul’s Repair Cafe is part of the City Centre and High Streets Culture and Events Programme, funded by Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority.
Community Recovery Conversations
This autumn, the Diverse Artists Network has been holding a series of Community Recovery Conversations.
Supported by the Quartet Community Foundation, in partnership with the Greenway Centre and VisionBAME CIC, these talks explore what helps to build resilience in the face of civil unrest. And how creative responses can act as resistance.
Three sessions have taken place in St Pauls, Hartcliffe and Central Bristol, with another in Hartcliffe coming up soon and a final session in Southmead. It’s all about giving people a chance to come together to listen and be heard, to face these troubling times together in community:
Artists Gathering
1. Join VisionBAME CIC on Saturday 11 October at the Withywood Centre, BS13 8QA. Arrive by 12.30pm for a free lunch before the conversation, which will run until 3pm. To sign up, email bame.vision@ gmail.com with Conversation 2 in the subject heading.
2. Head to the Greenway Centre on Tuesday 25 November from 5.45pm for a 6pm start. This conversation ends at 8.30pm. For more information including details of how to sign up, visit: diverseartistsnetwork. com/event/join-the-conversation
written by Jess Neill
Are you a diverse artist looking to meet and learn from other artists? Then join the Diverse Artists Network on the last Friday of each month for their regular Artist Gatherings. Free for network members or £5 for non-members, you can sign up to take part via the Diverse Artists Network website.
With different themes each month curated with the needs of creatives in mind, these interactive sessions give people a place to connect, share work, hear from guest speakers and develop their networks. The next Artists Gathering takes place on Friday, 31 October, in its usual home of Arnolfini’s Community Workshop, BS1 4QA, level 2. It will be led by writer, wellbeing coach and movement guide, Lildonia Lawrence.
Email hello@diverseartistsnetwork.com for more information.
Sign up for Artists Gatherings via: diverseartistsnetwork.com/events
For more on memberships see: diverseartistsnetwork.com/memberships
DIASPORA! 2026 - Save the Date
DIASPORA! - the first-of-its-kind festival for Bristol and the regions, celebrating cultural diversity through the arts - is back next year from 1-11 May. Head to the Diverse Artists Network website to sign up to their newsletter and/ or follow them on socials for updates and news.
The Community Casserole
There’s a wave of happiness flowing from the learning centre doors
As Saturday school spills, from the rooms and the halls
Gathering voices ready to cross the road
Vibrant open minds ready for the futures to come.
The 2-year-old swinging while mum looks on and the bigger kids swirl
Around her, school’s out and the day begins again.
Bright eyes, wide smiles racing each other, Stopping for younger brother, mischievous laughter rising.
Tables full, plates of curry goat, rice and peas steaming
Click clack, knives and forks, chit chat, open doors
Glen’s Kitchen drawing you in, every day
Bellies full, internets connected, community contented.
Reaching up, reaching out, stretching horizons, yoga in Carr House
Women bending, mending strains and stress, gentle flow.
Mogul-minded striving for a better future full of grace
Poem by Deasy Bamford
There’s dedication and commitment to share out the cake.
There’s struggles and stresses that come with these times
Where money is king and not everyone is kind.
There’s barriers to cross and boundaries to bust
So we are joining together and flourish we must.
There’s character and closeness, there’s culture and joy
There’s peace and there’s change happening in front of our eyes.
New residents are joining and finding their feet
There’s hope and opportunity, these ingredients are sweet.
St Paul’s, full of history, where’s a better place?
The people blend, wend their ways across the greens
Watching life change, adjusting their screens, under the trees
With the brightest red leaves, on the low wall they’re sat
The summer sun slanting across the hijab and rasta hat.
Local shops still holding sway, Kitty and Ali’s open each day
The pubs and the clubs are nearly all gone, but carnival
Carries the soul of celebration, the song at the heart of us
Since it first took to the streets it’s become the mark of us.
There’s the feeling of village on the edge of the centre
Life going forwards and holding together. There’s Docklands for youth with music to make
There’s pride in knowing we have what it takes,
Diversity the flavouring that community makes. Our recipe’s cooking, we roll with the dice
Dominos and samosas with Somalian rice.
Latin and Eastern new tongues on our streets.
Community sharing, delicious food to eat.
Bold books in our library dancing through the night
Malcolm X showing we can often get it right.
We have a taste for independence and the spice of identity.
When the sun shines on the green we enjoy our serenity.
Through music and culture, learning and creating
In our kitchens we are proud of the dishes we’re making.
It’s Kurdish New Year and Jamaican freedom is walking
Our neighbourhood’s friendly with cross-cultural talking.
We have old school reggae and bassheavy sound systems
We’re sharing community casseroles ’cause no one can resist them.
St Paul’s Carnival
Written By St Pauls Carnival CIC
For nearly 60 years, St Pauls Carnival has celebrated African-Caribbean culture and heritage and our aim for the future is to continue to honour Carnival's origins, to reflect community needs and to adapt to financial and operational challenges.
One of our proudest achievements is our year-round Education Programme, which brings the spirit, history and creativity of St Pauls Carnival into local schools and schools across Bristol. Each year we work with primary and secondary schools and other education settings to deliver inspiring arts and culture projects that celebrate African-Caribbean heritage and promote inclusion. In 2025 alone, we’ve already reached over 1,800 students through vibrant workshops, including costume making, dance and drumming and offering students a chance to take part in Carnival day celebrations.
We also run engaging “History of St Pauls Carnival” assemblies and help schools host their own carnival events. Alongside arts delivery, we provide teacher training and anti-racism education, equipping staff with tools to teach challenging topics such as slavery and colonialism in empowering, trauma-aware ways. We also offer Black History Month sessions and year-round workshops in spoken word, poetry, African dance and drumming, guest speaker ‘Inspire’ assemblies, and Carnival history. Our aim is to celebrate culture, build understanding and create more inclusive, joyful learning environments for children and young people across the city. On Carnival Day 2025, the community demonstrated its passion and resilience as residents from St Pauls and the wider city, came together to celebrate their collective heritage on the streets of St Pauls. While
this celebration was extremely well received by the community and highlighted Carnival’s grassroots spirit, it also emphasised risks relating to health and safety; such as the provision of temporary toilets, medics and road closure/ counter terrorism infrastructure.
For us, the key takeaway from Carnival Day 2025 is that Carnival can and should develop into a model that emphasises community leadership while providing the essential professional infrastructure to ensure a safe and sustainable celebration.
Therefore, our vision for the future is to refocus Carnival as a community-led, grassroots celebration supported by a consortium of community partners responsible for its delivery. To create a safe and inclusive Carnival Day, along with year-round activities that build community capacity, ultimately future-proofing the organisation.
In 2023, the first Carnival post-pandemic, we encountered hugely escalating infrastructure costs which has had an ongoing negative financial impact on the organisation's ability to deliver carnival
at scale. Through the aim of a shared consortium model, in-kind support, volunteering, and negotiated partnerships, we aim to alleviate pressure on the CIC while ensuring that essential safety measures are maintained.
Our priorities are now focused on hearing from the community via regular consultation meetings which began in September with the "Back to Our Roots” meeting which revealed a clear desire for Carnival to return to its roots as a celebration of African-Caribbean culture and community. Participants expressed frustration about recent years, noting issues such as poor communication, limited elder involvement, and low visibility for local families and vendors. They also raised concerns that Carnival’s historical identity was being diminished, and its African-Caribbean heritage threatened.
The community’s priorities are clear:
�� Grassroots leadership: Carnival must be led by and for the St Pauls community, with the CIC acting as a custodian and facilitator rather than a top-down organiser.
�� Cultural preservation: Elders’ stories and the lived experience of the Windrush generation should be placed at the heart of the programme, ensuring that young people understand Carnival’s origins and purpose.
�� Youth education and training: Schools programmes and capacity-building opportunities should help the next generation learn not only about Carnival’s history but also how to organise, steward, and sustain it.
�� Local inclusion: Sound systems, vendors, and artists from the community must be prioritised, ensuring local people feel ownership of the event.
�� Transparency and communication: The CIC must improve how it engages with residents, vendors, and partners, providing clearer updates and more inclusive decision-making.
This feedback lays the foundation for the future, for us it is not just about organising an event, but also about creating an all year-round platform for cultural education, youth opportunities, and community pride. The community consultations also highlighted that, while the grassroots spirit of Carnival remains strong, without organisational support and partnerships, the risks of under-provision are considerable.
Carnival Day 2026, therefore, offers an opportunity to align with the community’s vision while creating a sustainable model that benefits all stakeholders. Our vision and objectives for 2026 are to deliver a community-led Carnival that celebrates African-Caribbean heritage, empowers the community and local residents, and ensures the cultural and economic benefits of Carnival are seen in the local community and across the wider City. Our key objectives going forward are:
�� Celebrate African-Caribbean culture: Honour Carnival’s roots through the parade, elders’ events, and cultural programming that reflect the community’s heritage.
�� Strengthen community leadership: Position the CIC as a facilitator and custodian, enabling local families, artists, and organisations to take ownership of delivery.
�� Support young people and education: Expand our current education programme and youth training so that the next generation understands Carnival’s history and can contribute to its future organisation.
�� Ensure safe and sustainable delivery: Implement the infrastructure, licensing, and safety measures needed to deliver a significant public event responsibly.
�� Build financial resilience: by diversifying income streams through sponsorship, fringe events, and service delivery, thereby reducing reliance on core grants.
�� Promote partnership working: Establish a consortium model in which local venues, statutory agencies, funders, and community partners all share responsibility for the success of Carnival
In conclusion St Pauls Carnival 2026 marks a significant milestone; a chance to reconnect with grassroots leadership and establish a sustainable framework for the future. The community has clearly expressed its desire to see Carnival returned to its control, with the CIC acting as the custodian and facilitator. The next step is to align that vision with the professional infrastructure and financial backing necessary to ensure safe and sustainable delivery.
Through this joint effort, we can demonstrate our dedication to cultural heritage, community empowerment, and inclusive development.
Xmas collections update
Normal bin day Festive bin day
Thur 25 Dec
Fri 26 Dec
Mon 29 Dec
Tue 30 Dec
Wed 31 Dec
Thur 1 Jan
Fri 2 Jan
Mon 5 Jan
Tues 6 Jan
Wed 7 Jan
Thur 8 Jan
Fri 9 Jan
Mon 12 Jan
Tue 13 Jan Wed 14 Jan Thur 15 Jan
Fri 16 Jan
Mon 29 Dec Tue 30 Dec
31 Dec
2 Jan Sat 3 Jan
5 Jan
6 Jan
7 Jan
8 Jan Fri 9 Jan Sat 10 Jan
Mon 12 Jan
Tue 13 Jan
Wed 14 Jan
Thur 15 Jan
Fri 16 Jan Sat 17 Jan
Back to normal from Mon 19 Jan
Scan me!
When’s your bin day over Christmas and New Year?
Collections pause on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, so your waste and recycling will change for a few weeks.
Christmas tree collections
Put your tree out with your first wheelie bin collection from Tuesday 13 January. You can also take trees to your nearest Household Reuse and Recycling Centre or search online for local charities offering collections in your area!
2026 collection dates
Download your 2026 collection calendar from bristolwastecompany.co.uk/festive
Don’t forget…
Garden waste collections and paid bulky waste services pause from Monday 22 December to Monday 26 January 2026. For more info and festive tips, visit bristolwastecompany.co.uk/festive
Cut out and keep this page!
Atonement & Reparations Motion Bristol
Words by //Kabbo Hue Qua Tura
Reparations from the UK - Who should Atone, Who should Pay?
The debate around the British government needing to pay reparations for the Transatlantic Traffic in Enslaved Afrikans (TTEA) is gaining traction in multiple spheres of our society. The government itself remains non-committal. They have not even acknowledged that this is a crime against humanity, let alone apologised for the harm caused.
The lack of accountability on this grievous matter is shocking. Recently exacerbated by the ‘Windrush scandal’ and centuries long classist-led racial discrimination. Creating a pretty bleak view of the government’s attitude on the matter. When enslavement was abolished by the British Empire they took out a £15 million loan from Nathan Mayer Rothschild and his brotherin-law Moses Montefiore for socalled “slave compensation”. The government later added £5 million to bring the total to £20 million, equating to roughly £300 Billion in today’s currency exchange rates. Yet, the freed enslaved Afrikans did not receive a shilling.
Thankfully; community members, organisations like Bristol Legacy Foundation, Afrikan Connexions Consortium, and Black Southwest Network, etc. and more recently slavery enriched institutions like The Church of England, University of Bristol, etc. and descendents of enslavers like Ms Laura Trevelyan, Co-founder of Heirs of Slavery, are starting the conversations and initiatives around this blight on Britain. The Bristol City Council passed the Motion for Atonement & Reparations for the UK’s role in the Transatlantic Traffic in Enslaved Afrikans on 2 March 2021. Following in the footsteps of the motion passed by the Islington Council of London on 9 July 2020.
I recently attended the first ‘Pan-Afrikan Peoples Assembly’ community session in London hosted by Esther Xosei, renowned international legal expert in reparations and Co-Founder of the Stop the Maangamizi: We Charge Genocide / Ecocide Campaign. The work sessions are labelled, “PanAfrikan Peoples’ Assembly on Afrikan Reparations” and are the next phase in building the grassroots reparations movement. It is the leading reparations framework on the issue in the UK.
She is currently on a nationwide awareness-raising campaign. This process started in 2014 with the annual Pan-Afrikan Reparations Rebellion Groundings (PARRG) on 1st Mosiah(1 August). A Pan-Afrikan procession through the streets of London to Westminster. The ritual was grounded in the handing over of the petition calling for the AllParty Parliamentary Commission on Inquiry for Truth & Reparatory Justice (APPCITARJ).The last procession was held in 2023.
This is the statement issued on why the march to Westminster has been halted and a change of tact adopted; “ We are not marching this year as we knew we could not march forever, further more we have listened to our respective supporting organisations and communities who have been calling for more effective tactics in drawing attention to our cause.
We have instead chosen to lockdown Brixton because we are not being heard in our demand for the UK government to establish the AllParty Parliamentary Commission on Inquiry for Truth & Reparatory Justice (APPCITARJ) and to commit to holistic reparations taking into consideration various proposals for reparations in accordance with the United Nations Framework on a right to a remedy and reparations, as being called for by the Stop the Maangamizi Campaign.
The terms for the reference for the APPCITARJ should be to study the impact of the United Kingdom's Transatlantic Trafficking in Enslaved Afrikans on social, political and economic life within the UK and the rest of the world in order to begin to understand the legacies of enslavement on individuals, communities and society we live in and commence a dialogue on how to address it, which go further than a symbolic apology.
The APPCITARJ work should be of a participatory nature, calling for submissions from all those with knowledge of the nature and impacts of enslavement and colonialism. This will aim to include, but not be limited to, testimony from: individuals, organisations, academics, communities, and nations. Affected communities and individuals must have their own voice, agency, and self-determined solutions in effecting and securing Reparatory Justice and steps must be taken to facilitate their participation in any reparatory processes in which the UK State, Government and Society are engaged.” - stopthemaangamizi. com
The aims of the wider ‘Stop the Maangamizi!’ Campaign (SMWeCGEC) are to:
1. Promote Maatubuntununyansa* in order to increase recognition of and educate people about the *Maangamizi, its causes, contemporary manifestations, consequences and solutions;
2. Gather evidence of the continuing impact of the Maangamizi as part of the processes towards establishing our own Pan-Afrikan liberatory organs of community
self-empowerment, such as various Assemblies of our People’s Power, Law and Justice, like the Ubuntukgotla Peoples’ International Tribunal for Global Justice; and through them, advance demands of ours such as for the All-Party Parliamentary Commissions of Inquiry for Truth & Reparatory Justice (APPCITARJs) at the levels of the Westminster Houses of the British Parliament, the European Parliament and the parliamentary bodies of the African Union and similar continental and other state formations in the Caribbean and other parts of Abya Yala, Asia and the entire world;
3. Mobilise petition signers/ supporters to organise as a community of advocates for ‘Stopping the Maangamizi’ as a force within the International Social Movement for Afrikan Reparations (ISMAR);
4. Catalyse the development of such a force into an integral part of the Peoples Reparations International Movement (PRIM) to ‘Stop the Maangamizi’, build Maatubuntuman and establish Ubuntudunia as the most effective way to prevent its recurrence as well as effect and secure measures of reparatory justice from the ground-up;
5. To organise periodic Pan-Afrikan Reparations Rebellion Groundings (PARRGs) to amplify the voices of communities of reparatory justice interest who are engaged in resistance to the various manifestations of the Maangamizi
and/or showcase Afrikan Heritage Communities Self-Repairs initiatives locally, nationally, and internationally.
Patrick Robinson, a United Nations judge, recently co-authored a report that highlighted the UK owing and should be paying more than £18tn in reparations for its participation in enslavement. Everybody is not aligned on the process as the Afrikan and Caribbean community feel that decisions are being made without their input. Surely this can’t be right, nor should these institutions permit this behaviour to continue. On this journey of self repair we are committed to stay the cause, no matter how long it takes. Strengthened by and adopting the universally shared self-determining expression of; “Anything About Us, Without Us, Is Against Us!” - Nama & Ovaherero activists in refusal of piecemeal German Reparations- 2021.
Get involved @ https:// stopthemaangamizi.com, email: stopthemaangamizi@gmail.com, num: 07956431498, Twitter / X: @ STOPMAANGAMIZI
Volunteer with Vocalise
Are you looking to get some experience in social media? Would you like to get involved in a local magazine? We are looking for a volunteer to run our social media and a newsletter connecting local organisations with our community members. No experience needed, you will be mentored by a communications and engagement officer from St Werbughs Community centre, Silvia. The role will only need your two hours a week, with a desk space in the community centres, ideally on Mondays. You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a magazine, attend community events and lear n the ins and outs of online marketing! Get in touch to info@vocalisemagazine.org with a couple of sentences about yourself and why you want to get involed.
Our Bank Details: Vocalise Bristol CIC 20662491, 16-58-10.
Children at Fairfield do things because they want to do them, rather than they have to. Fairfield encourages intrinsic motivation, which comes from within. It’s a delight to see.”
For Open Events, please visit www.fairfield.excalibur.org.uk
Vocalise Bristol CIC
Community Action
Community update regarding the ongoing issues at the derelict property on the corner of Tyne Street & Mina Road
Chatting with local resident Greg Watson-Cole. A Bristol man, he remembers the building when it was trading as Kernow Audio & Sound many years ago. He has now become a local voice on the ongoing Public Health & Safety issues surrounding this neglected building as the roof continues to fall in and the rats continue to move in, increasingly impacting the neighbourhood.
Writing an open letter of complaint to Carla Denjar MP & local councillors, highlighting issues about this untenable situation. Supported by several hundred signatures from local residents. Hoping for the place to be developed to add to the community & be sympathetic to the neighbourhood.
Gracewell LTD are the graceless landlords of this neglected property and
Written by Bob Lawson
many more around Bristol that have been left to fall into various degrees of disrepair.
Although vast fines have been implemented, no progress has been made to date. This has been a long ongoing problem. With the added recent media attention & the simple fact that this can no longer continue.
I am hopeful that progress is in sight. As when asked Cllr Tim Wye said: "I am encouraged by the strength of community feeling about this building. It is a disgrace. Although it sometimes seems slow, I am in regular contact with officers & know it is being vigorously pursued. Whilst there is a limited amount I can say, I have assurance that the council are progressing with preparations to act in default following no action by the owner.
Part of this process has been to gain a warrant from the courts to allow us to enter the building. I am hoping I can announce something more concrete soon." - Watch this space
Complaint Letter
Derelict Property on Mina Road (BS2)
To: Carla Denyer, MP for Bristol Central – carla.denyer.mp@parliament.uk
Councillor Izzy Russell – ashley@bristolgreenparty.org.uk
Councillor Abdul Malik – ashley@bristolgreenparty.org.uk
Councillor Tim Wye – Cllr.Tim.Wye@bristol.gov.uk
Bristol City Council – areacommittee4@bristol.gov.uk
Subject: Derelict Property – Former Kernow Audio & Sound, Mina Road (BS2) – Ongoing Public Health and Safety Issues
Dear Ms. Denyer MP and Councillors, I’m writing on behalf of concerned residents in St Werburgh’s regarding the dangerously derelict building at the end of Tyne Street, formerly Kernow Audio & Sound, 50-54 Mina Road, BS2.
You’ll have no doubt seen the recent national media coverage of the building, detailing how the building is visibly unsafe, infested with rats, and increasingly linked with antisocial behaviour. The situation has now escalated to a clear public health and safety threat.
Summary of the issue:
- The building’s roof has partially collapsed and, to my knowledge, remains unsecured.
- A rat infestation is actively affecting nearby homes — I’ve attached photos (Annex 1) taken in my garden of both a dead rat in our shed and a live rat on our decking.
- Because of the rats, pets have been observed running into the main road, creating serious safety risks to the animals themselves, drivers, and families using the pavements.
- The building attracts fly-tipping, drug use, loitering, and vandalism.
- The smell of decay is now reaching occupied homes during warm weather.
- Residents feel increasingly unsafe passing it, especially at night.
Owner accountability
The site is owned by Mushtaq Ahmed (Gracewell Ltd), a landlord with a sizeable history of neglecting buildings across Bristol. He has been previously fined over £10,000 under a Community Protection Notice relating to this very building — with no meaningful improvement. Previous fines have had no material impact. This demonstrates a repeated and deliberate pattern of neglect.
What we’re asking for:
1. Immediate pest control and clean-up across the area.
2. Structural inspection of the property with findings shared publicly.
3. Enforcement escalation via Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) or forced remediation if the owner fails to act.
4. Transparent timelines and regular updates to residents.
Community Support
This complaint is supported by multiple households in the area. A full list of supporting residents can be found as part of this document.
Please confirm receipt of this complaint and provide details of the steps currently being taken — and what powers will be used if the situation continues to deteriorate.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Kind regards, Greg Watson-Cole
After Midnight: by Daphne du Maurier
“On December the third, the wind changed and overnight it was winter.” Nice punchy opener- short, chilly, direct. We’re in post-war Cornwall, high up on the cliffs with farm hand Nat Hocken, as he munches his way through a lunchtime pasty, watching the birds. They seem more restless than ever this year, but there’s sure to be some explanation. Probably the weather. No surprise he’s woken that night by an easterly wind, cold and dry in the chimney. But what about the tapping at the window?
Welcome to the opening paragraphs of “The Birds”, one of Daphne du Maurier’s most celebrated short stories. First published in 1952, it squawks back to life with a vengeance in this new compilation which brings together thirteen (obviously) of the author’s most unsettling works.
“Don’t Look Now” is here too- the twistyturny shocker of visions, premonitions and loss, set against a melancholic backdrop of out-of-season Venice. But alongside these big hitters, you’ll find lesser known works. “The Blue Lenses”, for example. After an eye operation, a woman begins seeing people with heads of animals that reflect their personalities; turns out her husband is a-
OK, maybe I don’t want to give too much away- horror maestro Stephen King drops a fair few spoilers in his introduction!- so let’s circle back to “The Birds”. I’d seen the film as a kid, but only picked up the print version earlier this year; I read it in a tree house to boot!
Inspired by real life events, (the author having witnessed a farmer attacked by a flock of gulls in her native Cornwall), you can see why Hitchcock was such a fan. As in the movie, the tension builds brilliantly as the story develops.
Thirteen Chilling Tales for the Dark Hours
Book Review by Ian
Jones
There’s a bird at the window, and it grazes Nat’s knuckles. Next time round there’s six, and they’re going for his eyes. Before long, Nat’s family is besieged. Even as he battens down the hatches you’re wondering when the wood will splinter….
These are perfect tales for the season- uncanny, provocative and occasionally terrifying. Something to settle down with as the shadows lengthen and darkness descends. Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected would work now too, and practically anything by Shirley Jackson. But if you’re new to du Maurier, I’d recommend this collection as the perfect introduction to her world. Go to bed early, stay awake all night.
What’s on...
Running an event? Let us know and we'll help promote it!
Saturday Night Comedy Headliners at The Gaffe Comedy Club Until 15 Nov
Expect big names alongside rising stars, local legends and comics from the international circuit – all on one stage!
Ghost Stories by Candlelight at Bristol Old Vic 21 - 25 Oct
The sell-out success returns with four brand new spooky stories from award-winning writers.
Planetarium Nights at We The Curious
9 Oct - 18 Nov
Are you ready to open your mind to the incredibly large and impossibly distant? Looking for a unique date night or fun a Thursday evening with friends? We The Curious's highly anticipated Planetarium Nights have returned!
Howl-oween at Bristol Zoo Project
25 Oct - 2 Nov
Discover the Creatures of the Dark, at Bristol Zoo Project this Halloween, 25 Oct – 2 Nov, with spooky activities for all the family!
Dia de los Muertos FREE Workshop 1 Nov Arnolfini Join Latinas in Bristol for an all-day event. Activities include face painting, making paper flower garlands, and decorating a community ofrenda (altar). There will also be a dance performance.
Super Saturdays at children scrapstore
1 Nov, 6 Dec & 4 Jan
Family Activities day (10:00 AM - 11:30 AM). A free drop-in session focused on creative, sustainable play and crafting using scrap materials.
Karaoke at the farm
Join for a karaoke night at the Farm!
Well Done, Mummy Penguin at Circomedia
11 Nov & 9 Dec
15 & 16 Nov
Well Done, Mummy Penguin is a heart-warming, adventure-filled show that follows Mummy Penguin’s daring journey through icy waters, steep cliffs, and sleepy seals to bring dinner home to her family.
Afrika Eye Festival
14 - 16 Nov
Afrika Eye Film Festival, held annually in Bristol, is the South West’s biggest celebration of African cinema and culture.
Jazz Rendezvous Jam at The Bristol Fringe 17 Nov
The Bristol Fringe welcomes back the exciting event, The Jazz Rendezvous Jam! The house band invites Bristol’s talented musicians to pay tribute to the greatest jazz artists of all time, showcasing a rich variety of styles from across the ages — followed by an open jam session.
Moulin Scrooge at The Wardrobe Theatre 21 Nov - 17 Jan his Christmas with The Wardrobe Theatre and Front Room Theatre: A brand new belly-laughing, belly-dancing, mash-up musical comedy with big Dickens energy!
Tight Lipped Combo at The Bristol Fringe 28 Nov
A sharp-suited, swinging trio featuring guitar, double bass, and drums.
Winter Fair 2025 St Werburghs City Farm 6 Dec
This is a highlight event for the community. Expect seasonal celebrations, stalls, and a fun, festive atmosphere.
All Wrapped Up at The Hen and Chicken 15 - 17 Dec
All Wrapped Up brings together exceptional performers of all ages for a dazzling collection of Christmas songs and seasonal showstoppers.
Festive Family Gig at Bristol Beacon 20 Dec
Designed especially for families, the event creates a welcoming space to enjoy high-quality performances in an informal setting.
PUZZLES
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated in Mexico on November 1st and 2nd. It’s a vibrant tradition where families honor and remember loved ones who have passed, celebrating life with colorful skulls called "calaveras." Can you count how many skulls you find throughout the magazine?
Happy Diwali Everyone!
SUDOKU
Difficulty level: EASY
Difficulty level: MEDIUM
Difficulty level: HARD
Your Councillors say...
Joint Statement
We are horrified by the recent violent attack on the Manchester Synagogue and deeply concerned about the rise in hatred and division we have seen in recent weeks. As councillors for Ashley Ward, we represent one of the most diverse and vibrant communities in Bristol. Our residents know the value of living together in mutual respect, and they expect leaders to stand firmly against those who try to divide us.
We want to be absolutely clear: there is no place for antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism or any form of hate in our city. Violence and intimidation only cause fear and harm – they do nothing to heal the pain that so many communities are feeling.
We stand shoulder to shoulder with all our residents, regardless of faith, culture or background. In these difficult times, our shared values of compassion, dignity and peace must guide us.
We encourage everyone to reject hate and division, to look out for their neighbours, and to work together for the safety and unity of our communities. We will continue to raise these concerns, to challenge prejudice wherever it appears, and to make sure Bristol remains a city where everyone belongs.
Persistence matters
seen progress on a few issues in the area we have been working on for a while and it’s a reminder of the importance of persistence
The first is the new crossing on Sevier Street (Better Foods) that councillors and residents of St Werburgh’s have campaigned for for years. Paid for as part of the Dye works development it is finally in place
The second is the boards on the former carriage works in Stokes Croft which were part of the short lived Farside bar have finally been removed after much prodding by councillors and work by planning enforcement. We will be looking to get some more action on graffiti in that area. Finally the disgraceful land banking of the ‘Kernow’ building that has lead to this building opposite Mina Rd park is being addressed. The roof has collapsed and it is dangerous. We have worked with residents and Council officers have been resilient in their pursuit, taking the owner to court three times. We now have permission to at to make the building safe and charge the landowner.
Police Matters
We have been working closely with the local Neighbourhood Team. Im pleased to report they have some extra resource and will soon be fully recruited to. We are starting meetings with the community, council officers and police in St Paul’s to tackle some of the crime and ASB by coordinated action.
Its really frustrating that things take so long so we are pleased to have
Contacts for your Ashley Councillors Izzy will be holding a specific drop in for residents under 30 on 11th October 11-2
at the Green Melon Community Shop on Grosvenor Rd. Abdul also carries out a weekly drop in at the Green Melon on Saturday Afternoons. Mostly aimed at increasing engagement with residents in St Pauls, any Ashley resident is able to blook a slot with Abdul. You can contact any of us by e mail. Tim covers other parts of the ward for surgeries.
Cllr.tim.wye@bristol.gov.uk
Cllr.Izzy.Russell@bristol.gov.uk
Cllr.Abdul.Malik@bristol.gov.uk
THE JAM JAR IS KNOWN IN BRISTOL FOR ITS ECLECTIC PROGRAM OF MUSIC FROM AROUND THE GLOBE. WITH A FOCUS ON INTERNATIONALLY TOURING LIVE ACTS, AND A WILDLY DIVERSE SELECTION OF MUSICAL STYLES ON TAP, THE VENUE IS A MUST-VISIT SPOT FOR NEW RESIDENTS IN BRISTOL. A STAUNCH SUPPORTER OF INDEPENDENT CULTURE AND ONE OF BRISTOL’S BEST KEPT SECRETS.
MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THE VENUE’S WEBSITE FOR FULL INFO ON EVENTS AND TICKETS.
