Henleaze & Westbury Voice August 2025

A proud century of caring

The St Monica Trust has marked 100 years since the founding of its first home, Cote Lane Retirement Village, by Henry Herbert and Dame Monica Wills.

Report: Page 8

Shock over £85k bill

A JUDGE has ordered We Love Stoke Lodge campaigners and Bristol City Council to pay legal costs after ruling in favour of Cotham School in the long-running battle over the playing fields.

Judge Paul Matthews ordered Kathy Welham to pay £85,203 and the council £ £9,467 by July 28 and he refused Ms Welham leave to appeal.

Ms Welham and the council both said they would pay. We Love Stoke Lodge described the ruling on costs as "vindictive" and said the

community intended to apply directly to the Court of Appeal against the decision that the council had been wrong to declare the site a village green.

Cotham School said “We welcome the recovery of public funds that were necessarily expended in protecting the school’s playing fields, which are required for our delivery of PE lessons. “We now look forward to resuming use of our playing fields as soon as possible.”

Report: Page 3

Send us your Gromit photos

Have you seen Edelweiss, the movie-inspired Gromit outside Crossfit Henleaze?

Send us photos of your family and friends with the statue by August 13 for inclusion in our September issue.

Family memories

Cousins travelled from far and wide for a reunion in Westbury on Trym where they recreated a family photo from 1970.

PAGE 5

Peak success

Thea Brigham, ten, completed the Three Peaks Challenge for the Grand Appeal.

PAGE 13

New chapter

Dawn Dyer is set to retire from Bristol's Central Library after 49 years

PAGE 22

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CAMPAIGNERS have pledged to continue their battle to ensure public access to Stoke Lodge Playing Fields in spite of two devastating court blows.

A judge ruled in June that Bristol City Council had been wrong to designate the site as a town and village green. Last month he awarded costs against the council and protester Kathy Welham.

In what the campaign group We Love Stoke Lodge has called a “vindictive" ruling, Judge Paul Matthews said Ms Welham should pay 90 per cent of the legal bills of Cotham School, which leases the fields from the council, and the council should pay 10 per cent.

He ordered interim payments of £85,203 and £9,467 respectively to be paid by July 28 and he refused Ms Welham leave to appeal.

The judge said the split was because the council was “at best a junior partner” in the High Court action.

Cotham School said: “We welcome the recovery of public funds that were necessarily expended in protecting the

'We're incandescently angry – but we will keep fighting'

school’s playing fields, which are required for our delivery of PE lessons. We now look forward to resuming use of our playing fields as soon as possible.”

Kathy Welham said:”We are amazed and angry at the unfair assumptions about our community that appear to underlie the allocation of 90% of the costs of this case to a group of individuals who, in all good faith, accepted Bristol City Council’s - and Cotham School's - encouragement to participate in the litigation.

“We, however, are standing by our commitment and obligations, and I would like to emphasise that we hope that the money that is (unjustly, in my personal view) being required of me and my supporters, will be used to help mitigate any detriment to Cotham School pupils flowing

from the effects of the school’s repeated legal actions on its financial reserves.

“Finally, we as a community remain incandescently angry that our last accessible, neighbourhood green space, that we love deeply, and which has been relied upon for many decades by the thousands of Bristol citizens who share it with Cotham School, is again in danger of not being protected as it should be. Our commitment to protect the land for future generations is undiminished.”

Commenting on the costs split, We Love Stoke Lodge said: "We believe this allocation could have a chilling impact on other community groups seeking to defend important matters of principle."

It said the community's outrage over the outcome of

the High Court hearing had strengthened the group's resolve.

"The judge has granted an extension of time (to midSeptember) for the community to apply directly to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal the recent decision. The community intends to do so, and in that appeal process can also challenge the current costs decision," We Love Stoke Lodge said.

The group pointed out that although the judgement had ended the village green status for Stoke Lodge, four public rights of way across Stoke Lodge were recognised by the council last November, with councillors finding "overwhelming evidence" that these routes have existed for decades. It believes this will prevent the school fencing off a large part of the site.

Trial scheme to allow more solar panels

A NEW trial will allow homeowners in historic buildings in Clifton to install solar panels more easily.

Solar panels can now be put on some Grade-II listed houses and flats within the Clifton conservation area, as long as they can’t easily be seen from the streets below.

Bristol City Council has passed a new rule called a “local listed building consent order”. This means many homeowners in Clifton, an area with lots of old buildings, can put in solar panels without having to apply for planning permission, an expensive and lengthy drawn-out process.

The plans were approved by councillors on the development control A committee on July 2. If successful, it could be rolled out across Bristol to reduce barriers to installing solar panels and increasing renewable energy use.

Conservative Cllr Richard Eddy said: “This seems to be a

no-brainer and it has my full support. I’m sure it will prove successful and then we’ll be able to roll it out city-wide.”

Homeowners sometimes have to apply for planning permission to install solar panels on their rooves. A consent order such as this one removes the need to get planning permission, cutting both costs and hurdles.

With planning, councils must follow strict rules o, including protecting the views of old buildings and their “architectural heritage”. But there are growing questions about whether this is still the right priority, given how the climate is warming due to the use of fossil fuels, which is making heatwaves, floods and storms more common.

Many of the homes on an online map within the conservation area are marked as orange for “maybe”, meaning that homeowners might be allowed to install solar panels on their rooves, but only if there

isn’t a “harmful visual impact”. Other homes are marked as green, meaning they definitely can, while some are red, meaning that they can’t as the panels would be too visible.

Labour Cllr Zoё Peat said: “Supposedly by 2050 parts of Bristol will be underwater due to climate change. And yet we’re worried about being able to see solar panels from the street. The appearance of Clifton and its heritage sites will be far worse if it’s submerged under water.

“I appreciate there’s nothing that we as a council can do without the support of the government, but I want to note how ridiculous this is. There are buildings out there that are eligible for solar panels and could go a long way to mitigating the effects of climate change — but they can’t because we can see them.”

Green Cllr Rob Bryher, chair of the committee, added: “It’s very hard to balance the

aesthetics, which we might think is a peripheral issue, with what is a very demanding and challenging time to get all this stuff done in the time we have available. But this is the best we could hope for at this point.”

The order was worded so the council could get the approval of Historic England. The organisation agreed to the new rules, as long as the solar panels weren’t too visible from the street, to protect the “uniform appearance” of buildings.

Writing to the council, Historic England said: “If uncontrolled, there is a danger that randomly installed solar panels could detract from this uniformity. We are therefore glad that the provisions outlined above have been designed to prevent installation of panels which could damage the visual appearance of the area and its buildings.”

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Charity marks food poverty milestone

FAMILY Food Action (FFA) is marking five years of community action to tackle food poverty in children and families in north and central Bristol.

Although five years of food poverty is nothing to celebrate, the dedication of the FFA supporters certainly is, and they gathered on July 12 at the Ardagh Food and Craft Market to showcase the achievements of the charity and to encourage more residents to support it, so that it can continue to help feed children and families in food poverty in the communities that neighbour our own.

Food poverty is growing and even in Bristol, one of the most successful cities in the country, there are increasing numbers of children and families who need help to access healthy food. Children who go to school without breakfast, and whose families cannot afford healthy food, struggle to learn which will directly affect their futures. By targeting families, schools and play session organisers, FFA can reach large numbers of children in greatest need. Its focus is on healthy food, especially the fresh fruit and vegetables which are often missing in their lives, as well as culturally appropriate items.

Alison Bromilow,vice chair of FFA, said of the event: “It was a blisteringly hot day

at the Ardagh and the Craft and Food Fair visitor numbers were down, but everyone who came along had a great time and lots of people dropped by to support FFA. We made over £650 and raised the profile of FFA and the need for support for many local families struggling to put food on the table.”

Each week, FFA collects donated food and toiletries through neighbourhood volunteers. After collection, donations are taken to the

sorting hub for allocation to community partners in north and central Bristol, who work directly with families and children in poverty in their areas. FFA also receives food donations from growing organisations such as allotments and community gardens, as well as collecting financial donations which are used to source bulk fresh produce, fruit, vegetables, eggs and dairy products.

www familyfoodaction.org.uk

A PHOTO taken in Westbury on Trym in 1970 inspired family members to travel across the world to stage a re-enactment.

A group of cousins posed for a jolly picture on the wall of 1 Tower Villas along College Road 55 years ago. Last month they returned to recreate the shot.

Linda Sutcliffe, who arranged the re-enactment, described how it came about. She said:”My grandparents, Arthur and Nora Fisher, lived at 1 Tower Villas and my dad and his two sisters were brought up there. In fact, Nora was actually born in the house, around 1904, and lived there all her life. They later sold the land around the house, on which the retirement flats of Westminstere Court have now been built.”

The location of Tower Villas

Focus on family memories as cousins recreate photo

was originally part of Westbury College, constructed in the 13th century as a college for priests, and of which the 15th century gatehouse remains, maintained by the National Trust.

Linda explained that her cousin was visiting from Australia, which inspired her to get the group together and recreate their pose from childhood. Another sister also flew in from Switzerland for the occasion, which was the first time in 40 years that the cousins had been together. Sadly, the

group of nine is now only one of eight, as one of the cousins died at the age of 17. Linda herself now lives in Salisbury, but others came from Wales, Southampton and Farnham, as well as a couple who are still living in and around Bristol.

Linda said:”It was such a lovely thing to do and for us all to be together again. We all went for drinks and a meal after and there was so much laughter and memories.”

The gathering brought back fond recollections of her

family’s history in the area; her grandfather had owned a saddlery and shoe repair business opposite the White Lion pub, while her great-grandfather had been a blacksmith, with his workshop through the archway which now leads down to the Il Sapore Italian restaurant.

As a final note, Linda added: "My father, John, has passed away, but if anyone remembers his sisters, Judy and Anita, they are still alive in their 90s and continue to live in the Bristol area.”

Linda Sutcliffe, in the yellow, and her cousins reunite in Westbury to re-enact a happy family snapshot from 55 years ago

Remembering a special girl in a beautiful place

A NEW bench at The Ardagh gardens on Horfield Common is a memorial to nine-yearold Daisy Gilbert, who died last year.

The Ardagh was one of the last places Daisy, who had Rett Syndrome, visited with her parents Emily and Dave, twin sister Martha and younger sister Nora before she became acutely unwell.

Emily said the family wanted to share Daisy’s story to explain to the local community why The Ardagh was so special to them.

“It’s such a beautiful and peaceful place and having a bench to go and remember Daisy has been so important to us. We walk our dog, Yoshi, there most days,” she said.

“Daisy’s life was short, but she left a lasting impact on so many people.”

A MAJOR problem has been highlighted with a new plan that would allow Bristol drivers to charge electric vehicles outside their homes.

A trial next year will see gullies dug into the pavement so that cables can run from houses flush with the pavement on to parking spots on the road.

Rett Syndrome is a neurological condition which most often strikes previously healthy girls between their first and second birthday, leaving them with multiple disabilities and medical complexities for life.

Daisy became severely disabled, with complex health issues. She lost her ability to eat orally, her hand control deteriorated, and she developed severe epilepsy.

Emily said: “Despite all the challenges that came her way, Daisy was one of the most content people I have ever met. She loved people and was known for her contagious smile and love of music. Her favourite tunes always made her happy, no matter what she was going through. She was so strong.”

By the time she was seven, Daisy was suffering frequent chest infections but

continued to fight until, in April 2024, she suddenly deteriorated overnight. Her final hours were spent at Charlton Farm children’s hospice in Wraxall.

This year, on the anniversary of her death, the family held a Daisy Day, selling handcrocheted daisy badges for people to wear to remember and spread her love far and wide.

“We wanted to mark the anniversary, not only to keep her memory alive but also to raise vital funds for Children’s Hospice South West, who cared for Daisy and our family so wonderfully when she died,” said Emily.

The bench provides another opportunity to remember a precious girl in a special place. It bears a plaque that reads: “In loving memory of the phenomenal Daisy Gilbert 15/07/2014 – 27/04/24”.

EV drivers 'don't own road'

Bristol City Council is hoping the trial will encourage more drivers to switch to electric vehicles, as one obstacle at the moment is the lack of ability to charge cars at homes without driveways. Charging at home tends to be much cheaper than public charging points, and more convenient.

However, even if drivers pay for gullies to be dug, there is no guarantee that the parking spot outside their house will be available.

The plans were approved by councillors on the transport policy committee on July 10, who flagged the potential problem.

Green Councillor Emma Edwards said: “Even in places with a resident parking zone, people don’t have allocated spots. It’s every person for themselves. I’m worried that this

is going to be an impossible ask in areas where people really want them.”

The channels would be owned, installed and maintained by the council, and paid for by individual drivers. It’s unclear how much this would cost. A report to the committee admitted that gulley charging could “cause disagreement” with neighbours in areas where “competition for parking is high”.

Shaun Taylor, head of highways, added: “We can’t have trailing cables going 20 yards

up roads, for electrical safety as well as trip hazards. They will need to charge just outside their property. The reality of that is for places with highly dense parking, people might not think it’s attractive. The highway is there for everyone’s use and you cannot designate parking outside your house.”

The council will soon start accepting expressions of interest from drivers. A trial will run for at least a year.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

The bench in memory of Daisy Gilbert

A new wellness and beauty destination, Aura Therapies, opened its doors on Kellaway Avenue in March — offering clients a tranquil and welcoming retreat. With over 20 years of experience in the holistic and beauty industry, owner Prabjot (known affectionately as PJ) brings a wealth of expertise and personal focus to every treatment. Having worked locally with other businesses, PJ has now created a beautiful salon space of her own. Backed by numerous 5-star Google reviews, her dedication to personalised treatments ensures every client leaves feeling truly special. The pristine white walls are beautifully offset by the warmth of dark wooden flooring, creating a space that’s both fresh and grounded. Every client in welcomed with artisanal luxury drinks set in a plush calming seating area, every detail is designed to help you unwind. In the spacious main area, you’ll find a nail bar and treatment chairs, alongside a cosy, private room for holistic therapies—including pregnancy massage. Aura offers a wide selection of premium treatments including Massage, Facials, Nails, Lashes, Waxing. Threading, Reflexology and Aromatherapy. PJ exclusively uses high quality, vegan, cruelty-free Dermalogica products and is proudly BABTAC-registered— providing clients with the highest industry

A Relaxing New Aura on Kellaway Avenue

recognised professionalism. To meet client demand, a curated selection of bohemian style boutique clothing and bags will also be available to browse during visits. The salon location on Kellaway Avenue provides a peaceful spot where clients can step out after a soothing treatment without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. Parking is located outside the salon and ample space are available on nearby roads for convenience. As Aura becomes part of the community, they are offering several exclusive Reader Offers—perfect for anyone looking to indulge in some well-deserved self-care.

n NEWS

'Jewel in our crown' marks century of caring

THE St Monica Trust has celebrated its 100th anniversary with a landmark event at its original home, Cote Lane Retirement Village in Westbury-on-Trym.

Held under a grand marquee, the celebration included a live video link connecting the festivities with garden party events being held across all of the Trust’s retirement villages and care homes. There was also a performance by the Garden House Residents’ Handbell Ringing Group, which featured some residents born in the same year as the trust opened its doors.

The St Monica Home of Rest, as the trust was known then, first opened its doors to residents on 25 June 1925. The Home was the fulfilment of Henry Herbert and Dame Mary Monica Wills’ wish to establish a charity to provide accommodation and financial support for missionaries returning to England after a lifetime’s service overseas. Following the death of Henry Wills in 1922, Dame Monica became President of the charity and not only oversaw the building of the Home, but also its day-to-day running until her death in 1931.

Peaches Golding OBE, His Majesty’s LordLieutenant of Bristol, was among the 300 guests, alongside civic leaders and long-time

supporters of the trust, plus individuals and organisations supported by the charitable giving programme.

Peaches said: “The St Monica Trust is a jewel in Bristol’s community crown and this celebration of 100 years of caring is truly special. Today rightly places a focus both on those who have made such a difference in caring and supporting older people, and on the vital contribution that the Trust’s residents continue to make towards their own communities and beyond.”

Chief executive of the trust, David Williams, explained: “In 1925, wireless technology in the St Monica Home of Rest was a portable transistor radio that could be wheeled into one of the Home’s five wings and headphones connected to residents’ beds so they could listen. The Home also generated its own electricity via a self-contained power plant, was heated by a coal-fired central heating system and employed its own dentist to provide free dental care for its residents.

“The charity’s house governors, matrons, stokers and page-boys may have been replaced by CEOs, care home managers, maintenance operatives and a modern apprenticeship scheme, but what remains untouched throughout the last one hundred

years is the extraordinary dedication and skill of our staff, the contribution that our residents make to our villages and care homes, and the unquenchable desire to continue building upon our founders’ vision of creating communities where older people flourish.”

President of the St Monica Trust, Tim Ross said: “Today’s event is not only a celebration of the longevity and stability of this important charity, but it is also an opportunity to rightly honour the St Monica Trust’s founders and all those who have contributed to its many successes over the last one hundred years.”

From a single care home for ladies of ‘gentle birth’ and Lady Visitors delivering annuities and pensions to recipients across the country, today the St Monica Trust operates five retirement villages and four care homes across Bristol, BANES and North Somerset, and through its charitable giving programme it provides more than £1 million in funding to support individuals, organisations, and communities across the South West.

The charity employs more than 1,200 people and supports 1,100 older people in its villages and care homes.

Making a difference to generations of young people

AFTER more than 50 years supporting young people in and around Horfield, thanks and appreciations have been bestowed on Geoff Stock as he now hands the reins on to others.

In January 1975, Geoff founded Horfield Young People’s Club, fondly known as ‘Geoff’s Club’, and based at Horfield Parish Church. Established for youngsters aged from 6-11, the club continues to provide sport, games, craft and community activities every week in term time, with seven volunteers supporting around 30 children in total.

In recognition of his commitment and dedication to so many young lives, Geoff received a special letter of thanks from Avon and Somerset Police Force’s Chief Constable, Sarah Crew, presented by the PCSO for Horfield, Tristan Fussell.

With a career teaching a range of subjects in schools in and around Bristol, Geoff still found the time and motivation to run the club, inspiring teams of volunteers to ensure a safe, warm and friendly environment for countless youngsters over the years. He was awarded the MBE in 2017 for services to youth and the community.

Speaking of his half-century leading the club, Geoff said:”If I don’t move on now, I never will, but any time would bring sadness; it has been a privilege to work with youngsters.”

The club celebrated its golden anniversary

with a party last month. Geoff said:”I have every confidence the club will continue with the ongoing leadership. They have commitment, trust and faith and the children will be greatly helped by this. But I have also

n FROM BRISTOL NORTH WEST'S MP

had so much blessing and benefit from the children themselves. I feel overwhelmingly blessed, too, by people who have prayed for the club, both through good and tough times – you can almost feel it”.

On its Facebook page, Bristol Neighbourhood Policing remarked: “Over the decades, the club has become a cornerstone of the community, with second and third generations of families benefiting from Geoff’s unwavering commitment, leadership and positive impact on countless lives."

The club - and its similarly-volunteer-run Messy Church - are always happy to welcome new members. If interested, please look at horfieldparishchurch.org.uk for further details.

At the grand age of 80, Geoff plans to pursue his passion for writing children’s books – his first publishing success, ‘Jimmy Evans and the New School’ was highlighted in the November 2024 issue of the Voice. Two more books are in the pipeline – one, a sequel to Jimmy Evans; the other inspired by a neighbour’s child on a trampoline. The boy in Geoff’s new book jumps so high that he doesn’t return. Where does he go.......? It has a message for adults and children alike, brought once more by Geoff’s wealth of experience with the young people of Horfield and beyond.

Meeting the climate challenge

I HOPE you've all managed to stay fairly cool and comfortable during the recent heatwaves that saw the UK Health Security Agency issue three health heat alerts for the South West in just over three weeks.

It hasn't just been hot of late, but exceptionally dry, too. Data reveals that March to May of this year was the driest three-month period in the Wessex Water catchment since 1990, and the fourth driest since records began. (Despite this dry spell, Wessex Water has not introduced a hosepipe ban – like we have seen elsewhere in the country – as 75% of its water source comes from groundwater, which is more resilient against dry weather.)

This extraordinary weather is set to become much more ordinary: the impact of climate change in the UK means we can expect to see hotter and drier summers, warmer and wetter winters, and more frequent and

intense weather extremes.

We talk a lot about climate mitigation, which is the action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But alongside the work to reach Net Zero, we also need to need policies to tackle the present-day challenges of living in a world with a changing climate.

As part of the government’s climate adaptation plans, I presented the Government's 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy recently, which has committed £7.9 billion over 10 years for the largest flood defence programme in the country's history.

Staying on the topic of energy and the environment, I’m trialling a new way of engaging constituents via YouTube this autumn – and the first video will focus on cleaner, greener aviation.

I’ll be running a live text-based Q&A after the video premieres on YouTube, which will offer a new way to engage with constituents who wouldn’t attend a town hall

event, for example.

If you regularly attend my inperson events, you’ll have noticed that there’s usually few people in the audience under the age of 30, so I feel it’s important that I break the mould of how an MP engages with constituents and try something new!

If this is something you might be interested in, please subscribe to my YouTube channel (www. youtube.com/@darrenjonesmp) to be notified when the watch page for the event goes live.

I’ll continue to run the more traditional town hall events, too, with details of forthcoming events to be announced after the summer recess. Please subscribe to my newsletter at www.darrenjones.co.uk/contact to be among the first to hear when a new event is available to book.

Finally, I hope you all have a wonderful summer! By the time you read this, Parliament will be in recess, but my constituency office

Darren Jones writes for the Voice

will remain open throughout the summer if you need any help with a personal issue.

• As always, if you need my help or have a question, you can email darren.jones.mp@parliament.uk, call my office on 0117 959 6545 or write to me at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.

PCSO Tristan makes the presentation to Geoff

n COMMUNITY NEWS: WESTBURY ON TRYM VILLAGE SHOW

Calling all growers, crafters and cooks ...

ONE of the highlights of the year in our community, the Westbury on Trym Village Show, will be returning to the Village Hall and Gardens on Saturday September 6.

We are pleased to announce that local resident, Roger Smith, will be doing us the honour of opening the Show at 11.15am, with the doors opening to the public at 11am. He has recently retired from the position of President of the Westbury on Trym Allotments and Gardens Association so, no doubt, he will be casting a professional eye on many of the exhibits.

The names of many of the classes will be inspired by this year’s theme of ‘Space’. There will be plenty of opportunities for growers, crafters, gardeners, flower arrangers, cooks and photographers of all ages to showcase their talents and interests. Anyone may submit entries, it is not necessary to live locally. Most of the funds raised go towards the support and maintenance of the Village Hall, with further donations being made

to the Westbury on Trym Flower Fund, and Family Food Action, which is based at The Ardagh on Horfield Common

A wide variety of stalls have been booked. Performances by the ever-popular Marshfield Brass Band and the Bristol Great Western Chorus will add to the traditional village show atmosphere. There will be a range of reasonably priced and delicious food and drinks on offer.

The show schedule (free of charge) is available in local shops, businesses and the WOT and Henleaze Libraries. Entrance, payable in cash at the door, is £1.50 for adults, £1.00 for exhibitors, and accompanied children of 16 and under are free. It is always a lovely way to end the summer and to herald the coming of autumn so remember to save the date!

Further information may be found on the show’s Facebook Page and website (wotvs.co.uk).

Carole Thorpe (WOT Village Show Chairman)

n COMMUNITY NEWS: WESTBURY ON TRYM SOCIETY

Westbury Heritage Trail

The Society’s committee has been considering possible ways of bringing more people to Westbury on Trym to counteract the decline in use of the village businesses. The Society has prepared an updated copy of the Westbury on Trym Heritage Trail, which was originally published 10 years ago by the Neighbourhood Partnership and Westbury on Trym Business Association, neither of which are currently in existence. The Trail leaflet guides walkers through some of

the Conservation Area and other fascinating, often hidden, places that this unique ‘Village within the City’ has to offer. The origins of Westbury-on-Trym predate those of Bristol, going back to the 8th century, when King Offa of Mercia granted land at Westbury to his minister.

The leaflet gives information on 26 locations to visit and the 3km (1.9 mile) route takes about an hour and a half to walk. The leaflet is free and copies are available from Westbury and Henleaze Libraries, Stoke Bishop and Westbury Village Halls and a number of shops in the Village. Alternatively, you can view and download a copy of the leaflet from our website, www.westburyontrymsociety.org.uk although it may be difficult to read on a small screen! Do enjoy a stroll in Westbury on Trym this summer.

Westbury flower displays

The bright summer flowers in pots and baskets are looking at their best now and really enhance the village, making it a more pleasant place to visit. We are fortunate to have Blaise nursery plant our pots, provide the baskets and regularly

Marshfield Band will be in Westbury again for 2025m when producers of art, craft, gardening and cooking will be put to the test at the Village Show

water them. To improve our displays and to replace breakages we purchased three new pots this year. The new large pot outside the entrance to the Methodist church has attracted positive comments and is very welcome by the church as they lost their two hanging baskets last year which were deemed unsafe. Unfortunately, the council will not replace brackets so the Society is looking to purchase more pots instead.

We are grateful to all of the residents and businesses who have contributed to the flower fund. The ever-rising cost of the planting and watering means we have an annual shortfall of almost £4,000, so further donations would be welcome!

Traffic concerns in the village

Readers will be aware of the major housing developments underway just beyond Bristol’s boundary, in South Gloucestershire, which will generate much new road traffic to and from Bristol. As a result, the A4018 Passage Road/Falcondale Road route will become even busier. In 2019, Bristol City Council produced a discussion paper of its own ideas in response to this,

including traffic alterations in Westbury on Trym’s village centre. Many of its proposals were unpopular, some poorly considered and almost all were rejected at the local public consultation. The council promised to return sometime later with fresh ideas, though this seems to have been deferred, whilst some changes take place on the A4018.

In anticipation of future proposals for the village, an informal group of locals with professional and personal backgrounds in transport and traffic planning was convened by a member of the Society, to ensure that, next time, there would be some locally-generated ideas to cast into the mix of debate. After meetings and surveys, workshops, and ongoing contact with council officers, the group has now produced a Discussion Paper, which can be found on the Westbury Society website or by going to https://tinyurl.com/3trrpkf6

It is hoped that this will generate a lively, constructive debate on how best to deal with current and anticipated future levels of traffic, so that the village can engage with the council constructively in future. Andy Renshaw, Chairman

Thea, 10, completes Three Peaks challenge

TENACIOUS ten-year-old Thea Brigham has completed the Three Peaks Challenge on the hottest weekend of the year, raising more than £2000 for Bristol Children’s Hospital's Wallace & Gromit Grand Appeal.

The challenge involved hiking 26 miles up Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon - a total ascent of 3064m - within 24 hours. Records show she is among the youngest to have taken on the challenge.

Thea, a pupil at Clifton High School, said: "I started climbing mountains when I was five and really enjoy it, it’s challenging and so rewarding. I’ve always loved getting outdoors and into the hills. It was incredibly hot and the mountains were long but I just kept going and I’m so pleased I did it."

Plenty to celebrate

COTHAM Gardens Primary School ended the school year on a high - with significantly improved academic outcomes and the appointment of a new permanent leadership team.

In national assessments (SATS), pupils performed in line with or above the national average in key areas. This included improvements of more than ten percentage points from 2023/24 in reading, writing and maths while results for younger children in phonics and early years development goals were also strong.

Emmeline Smith has been appointed permanent Head of School after serving a year in the role on an interim basis, while Chris Seaton, the school’s trust CEO, will continue in post until September 2026.

Ms Smith said: “There are so many positive things happening at Cotham Gardens and I want to pay tribute to the entire school community— staff, parents, carers, pupils and wider community

supporters—for working with us to bring about this improvement.”

“This September, we will welcome two Reception classes and have waiting lists in two other year groups—affirming the school’s reputation and appeal. Excitingly, Elmtree Preschool will also relocate to our Elmgrove site from September 2025.”

Mr Seaton added: “Whilst we continue to seek a strong multi academy trust partner, we recognise that the climate is challenging for schools and trusts both locally and nationally. Meanwhile, our focus remains on building a thriving and resilient school.

“Thank-you to our staff and to our governing body. Thanks also to our families and community for their trust and support – your faith in us has been vindicated. This summer, we celebrate the gains we’ve made and look forward to more academic progress and greater certainty for the school’s direction in the year ahead.”

Ofsted praises St John's

ST John’s Church of England Primary School in Clifton has been recognised for its exceptional strengths in its latest Ofsted inspection, receiving Outstanding judgements in four out of five categories.

The inspection in May of the 471-pupil school was the first under the updated framework, which no longer gives schools a single overall one-word judgement.

Instead, schools are now graded separately across key areas, providing a more detailed and balanced view of performance. St John’s was awarded Outstanding for Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership and Management, and Early Years Provision.

Although the judgement for Quality of Education has moved from Outstanding to Good, the report acknowledges the school’s strong progress and clear commitment to ongoing improvement.

It celebrates St John’s as “a place where children

flourish both academically and personally,” highlighting the school’s “magical experience of reading” and “uncompromising drive to give pupils a high-quality education.”.

Headteacher Justin Hoye said, “We are thrilled that our focus on children’s personal development, attitudes and happiness comes through so strongly in the report. We wholeheartedly believe that this is at the heart of primary education and setting children up for the future.”

“Recognising that St John’s is a place where 'pupils thrive' is extremely important to us.

"The outstanding feedback from our families, with 100% of parents and carers saying they would recommend St John’s is a testament to the trust and confidence they place in our school every day.”

The school extended its thanks to all staff, governors, families, and pupils for their commitment and support.

The full Ofsted report is available on the school website.

Thea ascended and descended Ben Nevis, left, and Scafell before scaling Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), above

Trinity Academy hosts gathering of music teachers

TRINITY Academy was the second state school to host the Music Teachers’ Association Conference and the first school in Bristol to host for 30 years at the end of May.

Due to its first rate concert hall and music facilities and position as a music and performing arts specialist school, Trinity was privileged to be asked to host the annual Music Teacher Association Conference for 2025.

The conference welcomed over 200 music leads and teachers from across the country over three days. The event included a keynote speech from choral director and arranger Mark De-Lisser, a gala dinner and trade fair. The theme of the conference was ‘Stronger Together’, and this was exemplified by the collaboration between schools from the Cathedral Schools Trust.

Students from Trinity Academy

and its sister school Bristol Cathedral Choir School, performed at the event and teachers from both schools led training sessions. The choir from Horfield C of E Primary School also performed during the day.

The association were hugely grateful to the school for hosting and were particularly impressed with the quality of Trinity’s music facilities and music provision. It was felt that these matched the quality of fee paying schools. Many delegates commented on the friendly feel to the school and left feeling inspired, with creative ideas to take back to their own settings.

Trinity Academy is part of the Cathedral Schools Trust. It is a music and performing arts specialist school. As such, 18 places in Year 7 are offered to students with outstanding musical aptitude.

Trinity student Mairi with headteacher Eiron Bailey, Catherine Barker from the Music Teacher Association and Trinity student Pavel

All students in Year 7 are given the opportunity to learn a musical instrument at a reduced rate and the school runs over 15 music ensembles and choirs a week, with regular performances in our concert hall.

• Trinity Academy will be running the following Open Evenings for entry in September 2025: Lower School: Tuesday September 23 Sixth Form: Tuesday October 21 and Thursday November 6

TRINITY ACADEMY 6TH FORM

Sister school to Bristol Cathedral Choir School

OPEN EVENINGS

Tuesday 21st October 2025 & Thursday 6th November 2025

Autumn Open Events

Whole School Open Morning (for ages 3 – 18)

Saturday 27th September

Sixth Form Open Evening

Friday 10th October

Pre-Reception & Reception ‘Stay and Play’

Friday 10th October

Scan to book your place

n NEWS FROM S us WoT

Great news for the River Trym – less pollution soon!

THIS spring, the regulator (OFWAT) approved water companies’ 5-year plans. Subsequently Local Environmental Delivery Plans have been published - revealing Wessex Water will upgrade 10 Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) affecting the Trym by the end of 2030. A further 19 CSOs entering the Trym will be investigated by 2030, ahead of making further improvements where necessary.

Less pollution will be fantastic news for nature on our doorstep and should lessen smells sometimes encountered near the river. The 10 CSOs to be upgraded between them spilled over 350 times in 2024 (Source: the Rivers Trust, Is my river safe to play in?)

The plans for the Trym are the culmination of extensive dialogue over many years by Trout in the Trym with Wessex Water - who have prioritised fixing our river. Their discussions were underpinned by voluntary work along the river. Demonstrating

that the Trym is genuinely valued by local communities made a real difference and was noted as ‘exemplary’ by Wessex Water. So far Trout in the Trym volunteers have removed 400 tonnes of rubbish from the river and nearby green-spaces (including 18 motorbikes), spent hundreds of hours removing invasive nonnative plants and they regularly monitor water quality, riverfly populations and report pollution.

Do take a walk along the stream. Recent wildlife sightings include kingfishers, grey wagtails, little egrets, mullet, brown trout

and eels. Heading upstream from Coombe Dingle car park is a great place to start, as is Badock’s Wood.

Trout in the Trym has a website and Facebook page. Get in touch if interested in meeting others and keeping your local patch tidy.

Links to the following reports can be found on the TroutintheTrym.co.uk website.

• Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP): the PR24 Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP), DEFRA Data Services Platform

• Is my river safe to play in?

SusWoT will be part of the Bristol Get Growing Trail. On Saturday 20 September the Westbury Library Garden and the Community Garden will be welcoming visitors. The Community Garden, between Stoke Lane and Reedley Road is a great place to sit and relax. The garden is mature now and there is a lovely bench to sit on and rest. The Library Garden has tomatoes, courgettes, cucumber and peppers growing. The soil is

terrible; there is shallow layer of topsoil but below that is mainly builders’ rubble. But some crops have been grown. In the heat of July, a team of volunteers kept it watered.

Mogfords closing will be a big loss. SusWoT tries to support local businesses, use it or lose it. Luckily there is still Henleaze Hardware on Henleaze Road. Very important are Westbury’s pubs and restaurants. To have fun and bring SusWoT members together SusWoT visits a local pub and a local restaurant each month.

Want to get involved?

SusWoT does not have a membership fee. If you would like to get involved with growing food, looking after community gardens, improving the Trym, helping people save energy or keeping local streets clean please get in touch at suswot2050@gmail.com.

Alex Dunn and Peter ColemanSmith

Connect with your community. Learn

Rubbish collected from the Trym in 2018

Rogue landlords and terrible tenants: What are your rights?

As rents continue to rise and demand for rental properties continue to increase, disputes between landlords and tenants are becoming more and more frequent.

We at AMD Solicitors are frequently instructed to deal with such disputes and set out below the answers to the questions we are most frequently asked.

The Renters (Reform) Bill is currently in the final stages of its passage through the House of Lords. It is expected to become law upon receiving Royal Assent, with implementation anticipated in the coming months or by early 2026.

However, as the bill has not yet become law, we address below the position as the law currently stands.

Most frequent questions from Landlords

My tenant isn’t paying rent - can I evict them?

There are two options for landlords, serving a section 8 notice or a section 21 notice. It is typically not worth serving a section 8 notice unless the tenant is in arrears by at least two months, as the Court does not have to order possession and has a discretion.

If the tenant is two months in arrears, while you only need to give the tenant 14 days notice before issuing legal proceedings, the tenant may seek to defend the claim or even bring a counterclaim in response to seek to set off the arrears.

However, the service of a section 8 notice does allow for the recovery of rent arrears, which cannot be recovered by service of a section 21 notice.

Can I evict my tenant by serving a s.21 notice?

You cannot serve a section 21 notice earlier than 4 months into the tenancy, and they are only valid for

6 months. In order to serve a section 21 notice, the landlord must, prior to service of that notice:

• Have provided the tenant with the How to Rent guide, EPC Certificate and Gas Safety Certificate, ideally at the start of the tenancy;

• Protected any deposit paid by the tenant by placing the deposit in an authorised tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of the start of the tenancy.

Most frequent questions from Tenants

My landlord hasn’t protected my deposit - what can I do?

Where the landlord has either protected the deposit late or not at all, the tenant can bring a claim for compensation. The Court must order the landlord to pay between 1 and 3 times the deposit. The property is in disrepairdoes my landlord have to carry out and pay for the repairs?

The tenancy agreement will usually contain clauses as to the repairs the landlord needs to carry out. However, where this is not the case, section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requires the landlord to carry out certain repairs.

The above should not be taken as legal advice. If you are a tenant or landlord and need assistance, please contact Martin Hall Head of Civil Litigation on 0117 973 3989 who will be able to advise you more fully, email info@ amdsolicitors.com or call into one of our four Bristol offices.

Martin Hall

Investing in our cultural scene

THIS is my first column for the Voice not to focus on transport, but I will start with a reminder for readers - by the time that you’re reading this, kids go free on our buses.

In South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, and North Somerset, if you’re under 16 then just hop on board from now until September 5, with no bus pass or registration required! That’s a great way for families and young people to save money and have fun.

On the travelwest.info website, you’ll be able to find details of just some of the brilliant free ways for kids to enjoy the summer.

One thing they can do is visit the Gromit Unleashed 3 trail. This celebration of creativity is not to be missed, and I’m sure you’ve already seen some of the new dozens of unique Wallaces, Gromits, Feathers McGraws and Norbots while out and about.

It’s all in aid of The Grand Appeal, who have raised £90 million for Bristol Children’s Hospital since 1995.

I was lucky enough to see the sculptures at a preview at Aardman, and to meet the team behind the trail. We’re in for a real treat this summer – and a lot of grand days out!

Recently the government has confirmed

that the West of England will be one of six areas in the country to share a new £150 million fund for creative places. This recognition for our cultural sector is a real vote of confidence, and will help support businesses across our region to grow – creating more jobs and opportunities for local people.

The creative industries are already a big part of the West’s economy. People visit from all over the world, whether it’s for our street art or a city so historic that UNESCO listed it twice.

Culture here knows few limits – or equals. It’s part of who we are and now, through the new Industrial Strategy, we can invest more in the future to bring through the next generation of talented creatives and drive economic growth.

From festivals to theatre, sport to heritage, clubs to cinema, everyone in the West deserves to make the most of the best of life here. As I’ve said to sustainable businesses and investors since taking office, the West of England isn’t just the best place to spend money, it’s the best place to spend time.

It’s time for all communities, wherever and whoever they are, to be connected to that –including the economic opportunities offered by a world-renowned cultural scene.

Metro Mayor Helen Godwin writes for the Voice

That’s why I was glad to help launch a new citizens’ assembly on cultural policy in our region with Citizens for Culture. Invitations were sent to 15,000 randomly selected households in the West, with 52 people to be chosen to answer the question: “What would culture and creativity look like in the West of England if they were for everyone?”

Working with partners and councils, their discussions will help shape a new Cultural Plan to be unveiled towards the end of the year. I can’t wait to see their ideas and energy –and the difference that we’ll make together in this new chapter for the West of England.

Traffic-free street gets civic launch

COUNCILLORS, residents, visitors and many businesses celebrated as Princess Victoria Street in Clifton was made permanent.

The ‘Grand Opening’ event on July 5, organised by Clifton BID and ward councillor Paula O’Rourke, featured a ribbon-cutting by the Lord Mayor Henry Michallat. Visitors were then treated to performances from artists and performers, including stilt walkers, a choir, live bands and a Mr Brunel= Cllr O’Rourke and fellow ward councillor Jerome Thomas were joined by the chair of Bristol's Transport and Connectivity Committee, Cllr Ed Plowden, who said: “There is no doubt that these works will have a huge impact on the area. By creating a traffic-free zone in the day, it means people can walk, wheel, cycle and spread out across the whole road, which is looking very smart and greener than ever with the new planting."

Work to make permanent the temporary pedestrianisation that’s been in place since August 2021 began in January.

Some traders say they are counting the cost of six months of closure while work on the £655,000 scheme took place.

One said: "We were told it would take 18

Lord Mayor Henry Michallat cuts the ribbon held by ward councillors Jerome Thomas and Paula O'Rourke

weeks. That didn’t’ happen and here we are at the beginning of July and it’s still not ready. I reckon most traders will have lost 20 per cent of their trade over this period."

But Cllr O’Rourke said: “I am delighted that the street now looks so inviting. Now

that people can shop online, we need to offer something quite special to entice people onto the high street, and I think that is what we have done. The footfall has increased and it's great to see the shops and restaurants thriving."

n FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS

W-o-T & Henleaze:

Stephen Williams, Caroline Gooch and Nicholas Coombes (Lib Dem)

Downs Update

The council had a short debate about the Downs at its July meeting. The debate was triggered by the ‘Protect the Downs’ campaign group’s petition. Caroline and Stephen have been engaging with the group for several months, taking their concerns back to council officers. Stephen spoke for the Liberal Democrats in the debate, thanking the group for raising many issues, which he and colleagues were working hard to tackle. Stephen stressed that the ecology and visual amenity of the Downs was important to the whole city and that the council also had a duty to address the desperate housing shortage in the city.

The council is grappling with issues arising from three distinct groups. Firstly, the people who are living in vehicles parked up semipermanently on the highways around the Downs. The council has drawn up a long-list of development sites and land currently vacant around the city where lived in vehicles could be parked up. A rent would be paid to cover the council’s costs. The aim is to have an additional 250 pitches available by the end of the year. The council will also speak to all vehicle dwellers about their housing and welfare options. This is a huge logistical exercise, there are at least 800 people living in vehicles at dozens of locations across the city. When these processes are in place council officers will become firmer with enforcing parking restrictions. One impediment to effective enforcement is that there is no national register of caravan ownership. Stephen wrote to Bristol North-West MP Darren Jones in May, asking him to request that his government colleague the Transport Secretary removes this loophole. Darren has replied that he will do just that, so it is good to

be working together.

The second group are the visiting gypsy, Roma and traveller (‘GRT’) encampments on the grass of the Downs. GRT encampments occur all over the city during the summer and the council requires possession orders from the court every time to move them on. This became a constant catch-up exercise for each new group on the Downs, so in July the council succeeded in obtaining a comprehensive court order covering the whole of the grassed area, plus Ladies Mile. This has made it much easier to move groups on, however it is still difficult to prosecute any groups who may have been fly-tipping waste. General anti-social behaviour on the Downs has been increasing

Southmead: Kaz Self and Kye Dudd (Labour)

£752 million for transport in the region

Announced in early June by the Labour Metro Mayor Helen Godwin was investment of £752 million in transport infrastructure for our local region. Helen has said that she wants to use this to deliver on her election promise to improve our buses, expand suburban rail and fill in the gaps in public transport, including a study on the possibility of mass transit. Better roads are also in her sights, including fixing potholes and getting basic maintenance (like road markings) sorted.

Bus service improvements In November 2024 a motion from Cllr Kaz Self was passed by Council which asked for improved bus services for those who work in

the night-time economy (defined as 6pm -6am). We’re pleased to report that from September there will be an hourly night bus service on key routes in the city operating on weekends. The funding for this has come partly from Clean Air Zone charging and a bus improvement grant from the Metro Mayor.

in terms of littering, barbecues (only allowed in designated area) and driving and parking on the grass, all of which is against Downs bylaws. Please report instances such as driving dangerously on the grass to the police.

Due to the hot weather and dry grass there was recently a large fire on the Downs from a barbecue, and the Downs team are picking up a tonne of litter a day, which is costing a huge amount to dispose of and preventing the rangers from doing the land management jobs they are employed to do.

Stephen has worked with council officers to get a special webpage setting out the many issues to do with vehicle dwellers and the council’s emerging policies. This can be viewed at https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/peopleand-communities/vehicle-dwellers-in-bristol and it will be updated regularly.

Canford Park

Last summer the pond in Canford Park had to be fenced off for safety reasons after the surface of the water was covered in a thick scumlike substance. This was azolla, an invasive species of plant. The advice from ecologists to the council’s parks service was that a natural way to clear the plant was with weevils. Unfortunately, there were outbreaks in many other places and the council was not able to source the weevils. This year we were ahead of the game and weevils were released into the pond in May. Currently the azolla is under control, but there is another algal growth, which in the first instance is being tackled by barley straw.

Nicholas, Caroline & Stephen cllr.nicholas.coombes@bristol.gov.uk

The funding is also being used to make improvements to other bus services across the city, including another new route in the south of the city.

Free bus travel for U16’s

A reminder that free bus travel for under 16’s continues throughout the summer holidays, until September 5th, thanks to investment from Mayor Helen Godwin.

Parking issues near Henleaze Lake

We continue to get complaints about poor parking around the Henleaze Lake area. The proprietors of the lake have said that they have improved their database to keep a record of number plates of the cars owned by their users. If you see a badly parked car, you can

report it to them via parking@ henleazeswimmingclub.org

We will be monitoring this and will ask the council to consider more parking restrictions (e.g. double yellow lines) on problematic sections of the road. Council officers have a record of street improvements requested by local residents https://www. bristol.gov.uk/residents/streetstravel/tell-us-about-a-roadsafety-concern , you can add new ones by clicking on the ‘Tell us about a road safety concern’ link. Or if tech isn’t your thing, give us a phone call.

Kye & Kaz

Kye & Kaz

cllr.kye.dudd@bristol.gov.uk 07795 509 531 • Cllr.kaz.self@bristol.gov. uk 07386 698 716

Time for Dawn to turn the page

ONE of the longest serving librarians in Bristol will start a new chapter in her life at the end of the month.

Dawn Dyer will be retiring after 49 years but she plans to return regularly to the Central Library at College Green to continue her research into women’s history – a subject close to her heart.

Dawn, who is Bristol born and bred, started her career by taking a City and Guilds qualification. She said: “One of the assignments was to research, write, illustrate and bookbind a literary subject of our choosing. We had a library binder then and we did a short course on bookbinding.

“I had studied World War One poets for A-level exams so I chose Graves, a war poet, for the library qualification.

“The Reference Library had lots of material on the subject, some contemporary with the period. I still have the book somewhere, bound in what was called blue library buckram, made by my own hand.”

A colleague of Dawn’s said: “From the very beginning Dawn has had a deep passion for history and a strong commitment to promoting the library’s local studies and reference collections.

“Over the years, Dawn has played a key role in numerous research projects and exhibitions. Among those she holds dearest are Bristol 1807, Writing Britain and Votes for Women. She fondly recalls her very first exhibition – Sherlock Holmes: A Study in Scarlet."

Dawn Dyer is a library user as well as a staff member

n NATURE WATCH with Dawn Lawrence

Why aphids are your friend as well as foe

IT is a relief to see that insects are doing better in these recent heatwaves than they did in last year’s gloomier weather. However, even our local insect decline won’t be rectified by a couple of months of blazing sunshine (indeed climate heating has adverse effects on many species) let alone the global collapse. They all need our help, therefore it is my mission today to introduce you to the aphids and to raise them in your estimation. Many insects are beloved of gardeners, many are persecuted: few are as unpopular as aphids. Let’s see what we can do about that.

Did you know that if you root around the dandelions in the gutter (yes, entomologists do this kind of thing) you could find more than twenty species of aphid, let alone other small invertebrates such as springtails, slugs and pseudoscorpions? In fact there are over 600 species of aphid in Britain! You may know them as green- or blackfly but they also

come in brown, white, yellow and pink with stripes, spots and even patterned wings. They range from the giant willow aphid which can be over half a centimetre long down to the woolly apple aphid which is around 1mm long. They are Hemiptera, or True Bugs and as such they use their piercing mouthparts like a straw to penetrate the plant and drink the sap. They consume so much sugar in this way that they have to excrete it, as honeydew, beloved of the sweet-toothed ant! The anthill-building yellow ants live almost entirely below ground and rely on root aphids whilst

A wonderful close-up by Max Westby of a red ant tending blackfly

the ferocious red ants (those of the nasty bite) farm blackfly, tending to their aphid flocks and moving them to fresh pastures as necessary.

It seems unlikely but many plants have their own unique species of aphid. Plants as tough as gorse, as poisonous as ragwort and as inhospitable as stinging nettle support a unique aphid that will eat nothing else. Some aphids are even fussier, such as the one that eats only apple in winter and only plantain in summer.

So, what have aphids ever done for us? Whilst not acting

as pollinators themselves their presence attracts pollinators, such as hoverflies, whose larvae eat aphids; without aphids we would be very short of pollinators! They are vital for many nestlings, including those of blue and great tits, being a concentrated source of calories. They don’t just attack your roses but help to control several weed species including the tenacious herb bennet and the rapidly spreading willowherbs. Personally, I love an anthill so I am grateful to the root aphids which see our yellow ants through the winter. Aphids are essential jigsaw puzzle pieces that contribute to local food webs; we mess with them at our peril. Natural controls really do work: evidence shows that gardens that attract more blue tits have fewer aphids. So, spare the insecticides, encourage hoverflies, lacewings and ladybirds, and see how many species of aphid you can find in your garden.

© Dawn Lawrence

Bristol-based The Window Hub progresses on green goals

On Chapel Sands

IN 1929, a three year old girl is kidnapped while playing on a beach on the Lincolnshire coast. Five days later, the child is discovered safe and well and dressed in new clothes in a nearby village.

Bristol-based home improvement company, The Window Hub, is aiming to plant 3,000 trees over the next three years as part of its commitment to being a climate conscious business.

The child is Betty Elston. She remembers nothing of these events and her parents, George and Veda never ever speak of them again. From that day onward, Betty is not allowed to play with the other children in her village and the only times she is allowed out of her home is to accompany Veda to church or to go to the beach with George.

The trees will be planted at Boyd Valley Lake, which is located in Bitton. This is in addition to continuing its policy of recycling all old frames so they don’t end up in landfill.

The window installation company was launched during lockdown in 2020 by seasoned industry professional Danny, who wanted to create a business that was “built on quality rather than greed”.

From humble beginnings, The Window Hub now operates from a head office and showroom in Staple Hill in Bristol with offices, showrooms and installation depots across the South West.

Betty’s daughter is the author and art critic Laura Cumming. In 1982 her mother presents Laura with a memoir of her early life. Laura learns that George and Veda were Betty’s adopted parents who adopted her shortly before the kidnapping. Betty discovers she is adopted when aged 13 she is approached on a bus by a woman claiming to be her grandmother when the only grandmother she has known is dead.

by Laura Cumming

uncovers family secrets that had laid buried for over fifty years.

This is a beautifully written and well researched detective story and family history illustrated by the photographs which are methodically and movingly analysed by Laura as she seeks the truth behind her mothers disappearance. We are skillfully taken through a series of revelations by the author who finds herself reappraising her own views on the motivation and identity of the individuals involved in the kidnapping of her mother. For this book and many more please come and visit your local library in Gloucester Road. You will be greeted with a friendly smile and a warm welcome.

In fact, a new showroom is scheduled to open this month.

Review

Laura decides to delve into the mystery concerning her mother’s kidnapping. Using a collection of family photographs and letters she

you know what? It is so easy to

OPENING HOURS: WoT

Monday (2pm-7pm)

Tuesday (11am-4pm)

Wednesday (11am-4pm)

by Bob Deacon of Bishopston Library

Danny launched The Window Hub because he wanted to be much more than just a double glazing company.

“We know that choosing new windows and inviting someone

Thursday (11am-4pm)

Friday (11am-4pm)

Saturday (11am-4pm)

into your home can be stressful, so we have introduced as many initiatives as possible to be fair and reasonable in our approach to give our customers the best experience possible,” he said.

Sunday (closed)

“Sales begin and end with treating customers properly. And

from the ONLY company in the South West & South Wales in the final of the industries Prestigious G24 Awards!

0117 3134 862

01392 642 634

Newton Abbot: 01626 932 964

friendliness, tidiness, and attention

OPENING HOURS: HENLEAZE

The hard work of Danny and his company was also recently recognised and commended, with The Window Hub being named the ‘Best in the South West’ at the G24 Awards last year.

Monday (11am-5pm)

Tuesday (11am-5pm)

Wednesday (1pm-7pm)

Thursday (11am-5pm)

Friday (1pm-7pm)

In 2025, The Window Hub will grow to cover domestic homes between Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and Lands End in Cornwall.

Saturday (10am-5pm)

Sunday (closed)

For more information, please visit TheWindowHub.co.uk.

Prediabetes diagnosis? Don't panic – you can reduce risks

HAVE you been told you have prediabetes? This is a warning sign that you are at high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Prediabetes is also sometimes called borderline diabetes. An estimated 6.3 million people are at an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes in the UK but Kellaway Pharmacy can help reduce this risk.

Prediabetes means that your blood sugars are higher than usual, but not high enough for you to be diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. It also means that you are at high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. You are unlikely to be experiencing any symptoms of prediabetes.

Type 2 diabetes happens because insulin can’t work

properly or the insulin your body makes doesn’t work properly, so your blood sugar levels keep rising. This means more insulin is released. For some people with Type 2 Diabetes, this can eventually tire the pancreas out, meaning their body makes less and less insulin. This can lead to even higher blood sugar levels.

Prediabetes doesn’t have any symptoms. A lot of people, however, also don’t get any symptoms when it comes to Type 2 diabetes, or don’t notice them.

These symptoms include: • Going to the toilet more often, especially at night

• Feeling more tired than usual

• Losing weight without trying, and loss of muscle bulk

• Genital itching or frequent episodes of thrush

• Cuts and wounds are taking longer to heal

• Blurred vision

• Feeling extremely thirsty.

Visit your GP as soon as possible if you experience any symptoms of diabetes.

Did you know that being at risk doesn’t mean you will definitely develop Type 2 Diabetes? The good news is you don’t have it yet, and with the right support, up to 50% of cases of Type 2 Diabetes can be prevented or delayed.

How? Research has consistently shown that combined lifestyle interventions—encompassing diet, physical activity, and sustained weight loss, alongside

giving up smoking and reducing alcohol intake —can be effective in reducing the risk of Type 2 Diabetes by half!

Today is a great time to start making healthy changes to your diet, increasing your physical activity levels, and losing weight to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Making these lifestyle changes can seem daunting, while achieving and maintaining sustainable weight loss can be a challenging task. However, the good news is that we now see daily at Kellaway Pharmacy that this possible , and our team is here to help you too.

Come in or contact Kellaway Pharmacy on 0117 9246579, we will offer you support.

n WHAT'S ON

AUGUST EVENTS

n LA SCALA DELI HENLEAZE

Join us for one of our wine tasting evenings. Led by our inhouse sommelier:

August 1st - Mountainside Vineyards

August 7th & 22nd - Friuli Venezia Giulia

August 21st - The "big 5" of northern Italy

September 5th & 18th - Lombardia

September 6th & 19th - The "Big 5" of central Italy

October 3rd & 23rd - Veneto

October 4th & 24th - The "Big 5" of southern Italy

SPECIAL EVENTS

Wine & Dine Tasting Menu5 courses - 6 wines

August 9th - Puglia

September 20th - Sicily

October 25th - Sicily

Tickets at www.lascaladeli.com/tickets Private enquiries welcome!

AUGUST 9th

n BLAISE COMMUNITY

GARDEN behind Blaise Museum, BS10 7QS. Open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 102. Interesting walled kitchen garden, free to enter, new volunteers welcomed. Plants always available. Events: Café on 9th August 10-2, and Art Exhibition with Cafe on 13th September 10-3pm

AUGUST 18th

n HENLEAZE SENIOR FILM

CLUB - a week earlier due to the Bank Holiday Paddington in Peru (PG). The 2024 live-action animated adventure comedy film directed by Dougal Wilson. Paddington returns to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the home for Retired Bears. With the Brown family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru. Starring Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters and Olivia Colman. Carers welcome, easy access St. Peter’s Church Hall, The Drive, Henleaze BS9 4LD. For more information, please call 0117 435 0063. Carers welcome, easy access Refreshments £4, St. Peter’s Church Hall, The Drive, Henleaze BS9 4LD For more information, please call 0117 435 0063

REGULAR EVENTS

Various days

n WESTBURY WILDLIFE PARK The park’s peaceful setting, with children’s play area and cafe, is open for you to enjoy with your friends and family from Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 4pm. Refer to the website wwpf.uk for events, activities and volunteering opportunities.

n WEST OF ENGLAND BRIDGE

CLUB meet at the RAFA Club, 38 Eastfield, Henleaze. Thursday afternoon is for improvers, and Monday and Friday afternoons, are for more

n BRISTOL AND WEST OF ENGLAND WNO FRIENDS BRANCH CLOSURE NOTICE With much sadness, we announce the closure of the Branch. Our 25/26 Programme which included David Bednall, Jonathan Dimbleby, Nigel Simeone. Gwyn Hughes Jones , a Gala Concert at All Saints Church and a coach trip to Cardiff for "The Flying Dutchman" has had to be cancelled.

We are all hugely disappointed but apparently financial constraints imposed on the Company by the Arts Councils mean communications between us and our members are no longer possible despite our receiving an undertaking earlier in the year that they would be. Data protection and the necessity of translation into Welsh are further complications.

To all our Friends and guests who have supported us for nearly fifty years and helped to contribute close to £100,000 to the Company we send our great regrets, many thanks and much appreciation. Andrew Borkowski and the Committee borkmail@gmail.com 01275 848526

capable players. These are EBU recognised sessions. You may come alone to any afternoon session or Wednesday evening when a partner will be found. The two evening sessions are Wednesdays and Fridays. For more information go to our website at www.woebridgeclub. co.uk or contact our Secretary Alan on 0117 4526947.

Monday

n PLAY BOWLS at Canford Park in a friendly, social atmosphere. Qualified coaches and equipment provided. Contact: Les on 07305695579

n TEATIME CHURCH - Children and families are welcome to join us once a month at the back of Holy Trinity Church in Westbury-on-Trym for crafts, games, stories and songs, followed by supper for all the children. There is also a baby/toddler area and a monthly Lego challenge. This is a very informal service, where children/adults can learn a little about God and the church in a fun and friendly environment. All are very welcome! Please visit our website for further information and monthly dates https://www.westbury-parishchurch.org.uk/teatime-church/

n CANFORD BOWLING CLUB season has started again, and new members of any age or experience would be very welcome. Free coaching is available. If interested please email canfordbowlingclub@gmail. com or ring 07504254499.Come and give it a go.

n BRISTOL HOME LIBRARY SERVICE - We are a free service for any adult who lives in Bristol and who can’t get to their library but still wants books or audio books. Volunteers call monthly. Contact us if you would like to volunteer or know someone who needs us. BHLSVisits@ royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk or 07714 898558

n BRISTOL STITCHERS - a friendly, independent creative members group which meets three times a month at Helliwell Room (Horfield Parish Church Hall, Horfield) offering Talks, Meet and Stitch sessions, Meet and Stitch Plus and Workshops. More information here: https://bristolstitchers.wordpress.com/about/ Contact Joanne our Chair here: bristolstitcherschair@gmail.com

n WESTBURY SINGERS: Westbury Singers - If you enjoy singing, we invite you to join our friendly, non-auditioned, 4-part choir in term-

time on Monday evenings 7:30pm - 9:30pm at Reedley Road Baptist Church (far left entrance off the car park). Ability to read music useful but not essential. See our website www. westburysingers.org for more information, email us on wotsingers@ gmail.com, or simply come along one evening!

n DICKENS SOCIETY. 7pm, at Leonard Hall, Henleaze URC, Waterford Rd, Bristol BS9 4BT. Talks, costumed readings, book club and social events. New members welcome. See www.dickens-society.org.uk or phone Roma on 0117 9279875 for further details.

n WESTBURY ON TRYM WOMEN'S INSTITUTE meets on the third Monday of the month in the Westbury Village Hall, Eastfield Road, BS9 4AG, from 2.00 - 4.00 pm. We have interesting speakers, and extra activities of crafts, lunch club, skittles and outings. Our lively, friendly and inclusive group welcomes visitors at any meeting. For more information call Sascha on 07961619806 or Traci on 07766073917

n BRISTOL GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR rehearses at Westbury-onTrym Methodist Church (BS9 3AA) 2-4pm (term time only). We are a fun and friendly, non-audition, community choir for both male and female voices - one of 32 Good Afternoon Choirs who ‘sing in the afternoon’ around the South West and further afield. New members are always welcome and, whether you come alone or with a friend, we will be very pleased to meet you! For further details please visit our website – www. goodafternoonchoir.org – or contact us on 01761 472468 or via e-mail at gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk

Tuesday

n WESTBURY PARK WOMEN’S INSTITUTE meets on the first Tuesday of every month in the Girl Guide Hut on Westmorland Road from 7.009.30pm. We are an active and friendly group with a varied programme plus extra sessions for craft, coffee, book clubs, walks etc. Visitors are always welcome and for more information do call Sue on 07813795936 or email westburyparkwi@gmail.com

n COMMUNITY SIGHT LOSS HUB, First Tuesday of each month, 11am1pm at Trinity Church, Henleaze. Join our coffee morning for blind and partially sighted people to socialise with others and receive advice and guidance from our experienced advisors. Tailored support also avail-

able by appointment by calling Sight Support West on 0117 322 4885.

n CARERS’ SUPPORT GROUP run by Bristol Dementia Action Alliance, held on the first Tuesday of each month, St Peters’ Church, Henleaze, BS9 4LD, 2pm-4pm. A chance for carers to share stories and gain support from each other. For further information, contact Tony Hall, office@bdaa. org.uk

n WESTBURY FOLK/COUNTRY

DANCING - come along to have some fun folk dancing on Tuesdays 1.30 – -3.30pm at Westbury College in College Road. All dances are called and refreshments are available. FFI contact Christine on 07775 628524 or codonnell100@btinternet.com.

n COMPANION VOICES BRISTOL is recruiting new members . We meet in Easton on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7 to 9 pm to learn soothing and uplifting songs by ear and build skills in sensitivity/compassion/ loving presence to sing at the bedsides of people nearing the end of life. To join or support us in this work, contact Valerie on bristol@companionvoices.org. Visit www.facebook. com/CompanionVoicesBristol and www.companionvoices.org.

n SCOTTISH DANCING TO KEEP FIT AND HAVE FUN.

Bristol Westbury Scottish Country Dance Club. Beginners taster package, (phone Tina: 07568 537154): £20 for 4 wks starting Sept. For new-to-us dancers, first night free, then £6pw. (Email: maggiekirkup@gmail.com). All classes are at St.Peter's Church Hall, Henleaze, Tuesdays 7.30 - 9.30 pm. Details at www. westburyscottish.org.uk . SC dancing also possible with RSCDS Bristol: see Thursday columns.

n BRISTOL HARMONY WEST GALLERY CHOIR AND BAND sing and play lively church and village music from the 18thcentury. St Edyth’s Church Hall, St Edyth’s Road, Sea Mills, 7.30 pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month. All voices (SATB), string, wind and reed instruments welcome. No auditions but ability to read music helpful. www. bristolharmony.wordpress.com or call Fritjof 0117 924 3440. Contact before attending.

n WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP meet on Tuesday mornings at Westbury-onTrym Methodist Church, 10.30amnoon. An interesting programme of speakers; come along to make friends. For more details, ring Kate 07905 064720.

n BRISTOL A CAPPELLA: Tuesdays 7.30pm, Victoria Methodist Church. Bristol A Cappella is an awardwinning mixed barbershop chorus of around 30 members who love to sing close harmony a cappella. Our songs are mainly from pop music, with a bit of rock and some musicals. www. bristolacappella.co.uk/ Contact: membership@bristolacappella.co.uk

Tuesday and Saturday

n BRISTOL HF RAMBLING CLUB

We are a friendly sociable club with a variety of walks. We have 2 Tuesday walks of either 8-9 miles or 5-6 miles. On Saturdays we have varying length walks including a hill walk eg Brecon Beacons once a month. If you would like more information please visit our website.

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

n FRIENDLY BRIDGE SW is a Bridge Club operating on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 10am to 1pm at Stoke Bishop Village Hall. We also offer online bridge and face to face tuition. New faces are always welcome. Please email friendlybridgesw@gmail.com or call Gareth on 07921-788605 for further information.

Wednesday n HENLEAZE CHORAL SOCIETYmeets at Henleaze Bowling Club, Grange Court Road, Wednesdays 7.30 to 9pm. A small, unauditioned choir singing varied music. New members welcome. For info, contact Kathy, 0117 949362 http://www. henleazechoralsociety.org.uk/

n AFTERNOON CAFE CHESS BS9

From 2.45pm - 4.30pm on fortnightly Wednesdays in Coffee #1 on Henleaze Rd - Feel free to drop in for informal chess over a cuppa - All ages and abilities welcome (markRthwaites@gmail.com). Upcoming on 9th July, 23rd July, 6th Aug, 20th Aug, 3rd Sept and 17th Sept.

n A CLASS FOR EVERYBODY!

KEEP FIT, St Peter’s Church, Henleaze, Wednesdays, 10-11am, £8. Improve your health and wellbeing with this low-impact exercise class. With music from the 60s to today’s pop to enjoy a supple strength workout. Call Louisa: 07725 091429. Email Louisa: chairaerobicslouisa@gmail.com

n GRIEF & BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP: Meets on the third Wednesday of the month from 2.00. pm – 4.00.pm. in The Goronwy Room, St. Peter’s Church, The Drive, Henleaze. BS9 4LD

n WELCOME WEDNESDAY

Friendly and free coffee afternoon on the last Wednesday of the month, 2-3.30pm at The Beehive Pub, Wellington Hill West, BS9 4QY. Meet new people, have fun, and find out what’s happening in your local area. Call 0117 435 0063 for more information.

n A GENTLE WAY TO KEEP FIT & HAVE FUN! CHAIR AEROBICS, St Peter’s Church, Henleaze, Wednesdays, 11.15am-12.15pm, £8. Maintain and progress your strength, stability and balance at our seated and gentle standing exercise class. Songs from every era to enjoy and complement a workout for mind and body wellness. Call Louisa: 07725 091429. Email Louisa: chairaerobicslouisa@gmail.comwellness. Call Louisa: 07725 091429. Email Louisa: chairaerobicslouisa@ gmail.com

n GOLDEN HILL WI Meets the first Wednesday of every month. 1-3pm. Golden Hill Sports Ground, Wimbledon Road, BS6 7YA. A vibrant, lively, afternoon WI in BS6. We have a varied programme to offer members. Visitors and new members will be given a warm welcome. For more information contact Pam Scull at goldenhillwi@gmail.com.

n HENLEAZE BOWLING CLUB Wednesday morning whist drives, 10.00 for 10.30, all welcome. £2.00 including tea and coffee. Located in Grange Court Road next to Newman Hall. Please see our website for information and all social events. https://henleazebowlingclub.org.uk/ social-events/

n COME AND ENJOY free tea and cake in a friendly atmosphere at Holy Trinity Church, Church Rd, Westburyon-Trym every Wednesday 10.30-12. Call 0117 9508644 (mornings) for more information

n BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm until 10pm at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS. New members welcome- first visit free so come along and give us a try. For further information contact Tania by email at tanialake@yahoo.co.uk

n HEALING Spiritual Healing is available from 2pm to 3.30pm by the accredited healing team at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up or or visit www. westburyparksc.org

n OPEN DEVELOPMENT CIRCLE For those interested in developing their spiritual awareness and mediumistic ability. 7.15 for 7.30 start at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up or or visit www.westburyparksc.org

n SWIFTS INCLUSIVE SPORTS swimming sessions are for adults 18+ with any type of disability (hoist available) 7-8pm. £5 per session at Henbury Leisure Centre. Contact Karen Lloyd at 07734 335 878.

Thursday

n TODDLERS TOGETHER is a parent and toddler group for the community. It takes place every Thursday during term time from 10-11.15am at Westbury-on-Trym Methodist Church Hall, BS9 3AA. There are toddler toys, a baby area, a weekly craft activity, singing, drinks and biscuits and a final prayer to end the session. We ask for a £2 voluntary donation per family on the door. You can just turn up - no need to pre-book. To find out more about this group, visit https://www.westbury-parishchurch.org.uk/toddler-group/

n EMMANUEL WESTBURY TODDLER GROUP. A play group for children aged 0-4, their Parents & Grandparents. Every Thursday in term time, 10:15-11:45. Northcote Scout Hall, Great Brockeridge, BS9 3TY. £3 per family, payable on door. Includes homemade cakes, hot & cold drinks and all activities. Come along or look us up at https://emmanuelbristol.org.uk/events/emmanuel-westbury-toddlers/ or enquire by email to avbradley@outlook.com

n FRIENDLY CLUB meets every Thursday from 2 - 4pm in the Methodist Church Hall, W-O-T. We are a lively group of older people who meet to chat, play Scrabble or cards. Trips out and entertainments are arranged, plus we have tea and biscuits for only £1! Do come and make some new friends.

n FRIENDS TOGETHER

DEMENTIA FRIENDLY CAFÉ

A Dementia accessible café for all on the first Thursday of every month, 10am-12pm; The Randall Room at All Saints Church, Pembroke Rd, Clifton. Support, guidance, information and friendship with complimentary tea, coffee and homemade cake. No need to book – just come along and be a part of our community! For more information contact All Saints Parish Office: 0117 974 1355

n ARCHITECTURE & BUILDINGS

GROUP U3A meets at Henleaze United Reformed Church Meeting Room, Waterford Road, 2-4pm on the fourth Thursday of the month except July, August & December. We are a small shared interest group. No previous knowledge required. Contact Rod for further information. Email: rodathey@gmail.com or call 07792 200949.

n HENLEAZE BOWLING CLUB

Thursday afternoon short mat bowls, 13.30, all welcome £3.00, tea and coffee provided. Located in Grange Court Road next to Newman Hall. Please see our website for information and all social events. https:// henleazebowlingclub.org.uk/socialevents/

n WEST BRISTOL ORCHESTRA is a small, friendly amateur group that enjoys music-making without public performances. It meets on Thursday nights in term time at St. Peter’s Church, Henleaze at 7.15-9.15pm. We would especially welcome more string players. Please visit our website for further details at maths. bris.ac.uk

n SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING Join us for fun, fitness and friendship (singles welcome). First evening free! RSCDS Bristol. New/Inexperienced dancers 7-8.30pm (£4). Intermediate/ Advanced dancers 7.30-10pm, (£6). St.Monica Trust, Oatley House Main Hall, BS9 3TN. www. rscdsbristol.info. Contact Ruth 0117 968 3057. SC dancing is also possible on Tuesdays with (Bristol) Westbury SCDC: see Tuesday columns.

n HENBURY SINGERS WELCOMES

NEW MEMBERS at Stoke Bishop Primary School, Cedar Park BS9 1BW, 7.30 – 9.15, a warm welcome awaits you at Henbury Singers. We perform sacred and secular music under our conductor Andrew Kirk. No auditions. www.henburysingers.org Contact the secretary at secretary@ henburysingers.org

n HEALING FOR WELLBEINGNEW TIME 5.00 PM TO 6.15 PM Feel more relaxed, peaceful, calmer.

Bristol School of Gymnastics Summer Gymnastics Sessions

Summer Gymnastics Sessions

Summer Play Sessions are open to all Pre School children.

12th August -14th August and 19th August – 21st August

9.00 – 9.45, 10.00 – 10.45,11.00 – 11.45, These sessions are for Preschool children ONLY.

Drop in sessions (no need to book) with trained practitioners. Venue: Redland Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, BS6 6JE. All welcome - donation basis. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/ BristolHealingGroup or https:// www.thehealingtrust.org.uk/healing/healing-centre or phone Selina 0117 9466434.

n HIGHBURY BADMINTON CLUB: Pete Stables 0117 950 1524 or www. pete4458.wixsite.com/highburybadminton Thurs 7:45pm mid September to End April, Westbury-on-Trym Village Hall

n BRISTOL BACH CHOIR are now recruiting new members. We are a friendly auditioned choir of between 30 and 40 singers. All voice parts are welcome. We rehearse on a Thursday evening at Bristol Grammar School from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. If interested please contact Julie at membership@bristolbach.org.uk

n SINGING TO REMEMBER We meet on 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday from 2 - 3.45 pm in The Bradbury Hall, Waterford Road, Henleaze. It is a friendly, supportive group for people with dementia and their carers. Anyone interested can phone me 0117 9426095 to book a place or discuss.

see if bowling could be the sport for you. Coaching available. Experienced bowlers welcome. Situated in Grange Court Road, by Newman Hall. This is a friendly Club with good bowling facilities and social events throughout the year. Phone, Tom Logan, on 0117 962 1669 or email hbcsec@henleazebowlingclub.org. uk for further details.

n BRISTOL SPANISH CIRCLECome and meet a group of friendly people and enjoy talks in Spanish, musical events and social evenings. We meet every month from September to June, usually on the last Friday of the month, at St Peter’s Church Hall in Henleaze. For info, see https:// www.spanishcirclebristol.com/.

n FOLK NIGHT every third Wednesday of the month at the Victoria inn Chock lane, Westbury on Trym. 7.3010.30pm. All musicians and singers welcome or just pop in and listen. Call 0117 959 0834

Saturday

n SEA MILLS REPAIR CAFE offers sewing, woodwork, general, electrical and cycle repairs at the Methodist Church, Sea Mills Square, from 10am-12pm, every second Sat (except August). Voluntary service run by experienced repairers. Donations welcome. FFI see Facebook @ seamillsrepaircafe or email: repaircafe.seamills@gmail.com

Sunday

12th August - 14th August and 19th August - 21st August

School Age Coaching Courses are open to school children.

11th August, 15th August, 18th August, 22nd August

9.00am - 9.45am, 10.00am - 10.45am, 11.00am - 11.45am

9.00am -10.30am, 11.00am – 12.30pm

All these sessions are bookable online from 4th July

n HENLEAZE FLOWER CLUB welcomes new members. Annual membership £52. Demonstration meetings on 2nd Thursday of the month, 2pm, Bradbury Hall Waterford Rd. Henleaze. Plus optional Practice Classes on 4th Thursday. We meet every month except December and August. Please contact Jenny York, Club Chair yorkjenny2@yahoo or phone/text 07880 700270

Summer Play Sessions are open to all Pre School children. 12th August – 21st August 9.00 11.45, These sessions are for Preschool children ONLY.

n FOLK NIGHT every third Wednesday of the month at the Victoria inn Chock lane, Westbury on Trym. 7.3010.30pm. All musicians and singers welcome or just pop in and listen. Call 0117 959 0834

n WORSHIP FOR ALL MUSIC SERVICE is a brand new musicbased service at Holy Trinity Church in Westbury-on-Trym. Please join us on the last Sunday of each month from 4pm-4.45pm to sing along with contemporary and traditional worship songs with live music and experienced singing leaders. All are very welcome and the service is suitable for children. Refreshments are served at the end of each service. For more information, please visit https://www.westbury-parishchurch.org.uk/services/

www.bristolschoolofgymnastics.co.uk Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol 0117 2392374

School Age Coaching Courses open to school children.

11th August, 15th August, 18th August, 22nd August 9.00am -10.30am, 11.00am – 12.30pm

n HENLEAZE LADIES’ CHOIR

All these sessions are bookable online from 4th July

BOOKABLE ONLINE FROM 4TH JULY

www.bristolschoolofgymnastics.co.uk 245, Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol 0117 2392374

Come and join us at St Peter’s Church Hall. We are a friendly choir and meet on Thursday afternoons in term time from 1.45 to 3.45. There are no auditions, and the ability to read music is not necessary. Contact Jeanette on 9685409 or Jane on 07752 332278.

Friday

n HENLEAZE BOWLING CLUB. Come along at 5.45pm on Fridays to

n BRISTOL ORCHESTRAL PLAYERS are a friendly orchestra meeting monthly for workshop-style rehearsals. We enjoy exploring varied classical repertoire, from well-known symphonies to lesser-played orchestral works. Musical Director Nicola Ashton. Join us 6:30-9:00 in St Peter’s Church Hall Henleaze. New members very welcome, particularly string and horn players. Contact joannamellors34@gmail.com or www. bristolorchestralplayers.co.uk

We Sing in the Afternoon

Grenville Jones started the Good Afternoon Choirs 15 years ago, NO Auditions . . . FUN Community Choirs for men and ladies and in the Bristol area there are TWO choirs. Come along and meet us and join over 1,500 folk, Singing in the Afternoon

at Westbury on Trym Methodist Church, BS9 3AA

MONDAYS 2:00pm-4:00pm at St Paul’s Church (Coronation Road, Southville, BS3 1AS)

TUESDAYS 2:00pm-4:00pm with JOHN HARE

Both Choirs will start back week commencing September 1st

There’s NO CHARGE to come along to your first rehearsal Barry HawkenHannahHawken Martin Palmer Ruth Best

www.goodafternoonchoir.org

Veteran Harry turns 100 – and shares

EARLIER this year communities around the country held events to commemorate 80 years since VE Day.

The date - May 8 1945 - is seared into the national memory as the day when a nation marked the final victory over Germany's Nazi regime.

But the Second World War didn't end then. Furious fighting continued for more than three months in Burma, China and across the Far East and Pacific until the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki forced the retreating Japanese empire to surrender.

Celebrated joyously then - but perhaps less well remembered now - August 15 was declared Victory over Japan or VJ Day, marking the final end of the Second World War.

Harry Francis fought in Burma - and does not have fond memories.

Not only was fighting in the jungle "hell", the last of his many encounters with Japanese forces left him close to death, after being stabbed in the stomach with a bayonet.

Harry, who has just turned 100, now lives in Soundwell in north east Bristol with his wife Gwen.

Before the war he lived in the village of Barford St Martin, near Salisbury.

Frustrated at seeing colleagues at the bus depot where he worked being given deferments when they received call-up papers, Harry lied about his age to volunteer in 1942, joining the Royal Navy when he was still 16.

He joked: "I've been a fool all my life!"

After training at HMS Raleigh in Torpoint, Cornwall, he joined the crew of destroyer HMS Brecon, based in Liverpool.

HMS Brecon hunted U-boats and escorted convoys in the Atlantic, before being deployed to Malta in the Mediterranean. At this point Harry volunteered for the Royal Marines, going through an unforgiving training programme at the renowned Achnacarry Commando Training Depot in the Scottish Highlands, which he says had "some big tough men crying their eyes out".

As the nation prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War on VJ Day, the Voice's Ken McCormick meets a veteran of the campaign in Burma, where fighting continued after the guns fell silent in Europe

Harry Francis today Harry in his Royal Navy uniform after volunteering in 1942. No pictures survive from his time in the SBS

At this point Harry volunteered for the Royal Marines, as he wanted a more 'hands on' role in the war. He went through an unforgiving training programme at the renowned Achnacarry Commando Training Depot in the Scottish Highlands, which he says had "some big tough men crying their eyes out".

One of the first recruits in 1943 to what would become known as the Special Boat Service (SBS), Harry fought in Sicily and Italy during the Allied invasion and took part in raids on Lebanon, which was run by the Vichy France government.

During the visit Tito - later to become Yugoslavia's president - presented Harry with a medal, from a bunch that he kept in his pocket to present to soldiers.

Harry no longer has the medal but it is believed to have been the Yugoslavian equivalent of the Military Medal.

Soon afterwards Harry and his comrades were given new orders to go to the Far East.

Harry said:: "A few miles from Rome we got pulled back.

"We were told 'you made such a good job of this one, you'll make an even better one over there'."

Harry and his comrades in No. 2 SBS sailed to Ceylon - now

Sri Lanka - and from there were sent to the Andaman Islands, between India and Burma, for their first experience of fighting the Japanese.

Harry's unit then went to Burma, operating as part of South-East Asia Command's Small Operations Group, and he admits being "frightened to death".

Fighting in the jungle, often at close quarters, and shooting snipers down from the trees, Harry says the enemy soldiers were "crafty" and refused to surrender.

He said: "It was either you or them. We had a bloody hard time out there. It was bad enough fighting the enemy but when you've got to fight the jungle as well, it's hell - it was a bloody horrible place."

Harry and his comrades would swim up on paddle boards to carry out reconnaissance on Japanese units.

Operating around the Irrawaddy river, they carried out lightning raids, going in and "getting out quick".

Harry said: "I was a mad sod, who went in all guns blazing. We'd do whatever we had to and get out."

Harry completed six missions, often returning and having a day to "get cleaned up

and be off out again".

On his seventh reconnaissance mission Harry's group was ambushed. Two of his comrades were "shot to pieces" and, as Harry ran to help, he had "the biggest bayonet I’d ever seen" thrust into his stomach.

His best friend Slim Fenton killed the Japanese soldier who stabbed him. After their attackers were wiped out he was carried back to an outpost, "bleeding like a stuck pig".

Harry said: "I remember laughing, and them saying 'you should be crying'. I said, 'I'm laughing cos I shan't be back here again!'"

He lost consciousness and say the next thing he remembers is "waking up in a nice bed with white sheets" in Ceylon.

Transferred to the UK, Harry was treated at Haslar hospital in Gosport for peritonitis, a potentially-fatal infection caused by the wound, then sent to recuperate at Netley camp in Hampshire.

He was in the UK on VJ Day, when the war finally ended on August 15, 1945.

Once he was back on his feet Harry was put on light duties, helping to train others until he was demobbed.

He worked as a labourer then took up painting and decorating, a trade he stayed in until he retired, and moved to Bristol around 40 years ago.

He stayed in touch with some of his comrades, sometimes meeting up after the war, but most have now passed away.

Even at the end of the war, Harry says "no-one wanted to know" about the conflict in the Far East, and far fewer do now.

He said: "They don't know what we went through. They say 'we will remember them' but noone ever bloody does!

"People should remember. But don't say that I'm a hero, because I'm not - I'm just one of the boys."

memories on VJ Day anniversary eve

Centenary surprise

At his 100th birthday party, Harry Francis was visited by Lt Col Chris Kedward and Warrant Officer Jonny Morrish, who delivered a message of congratulations from the First Sea Lord, General Sir Wyn Jenkins

SECOND World War veteran Harry Francis had a 100th birthday surprise when the Royal Marines delivered a personal message from the First Sea Lord at his party. Harry, who lives in Soundwell, was joined by

around 40 relatives and friends at the party at Pucklechurch Village Sports & Social Club, the day before his birthday on July 21.

Lieutenant Colonel Chris Kedward, the commanding officer of the Royal Marines

Reserve Bristol, and Warrant Officer Class 2 Jonny Morrish delivered the message from General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, congratulating him on the milestone.

Sir Gwyn said: "Having the qualities needed to serve in Special Forces is a remarkable achievement, but the many covert operations and missions you then conducted behind enemy lines during WWII were truly courageous.

"I hope you can recognise the huge impact you had on the course of the war and the numerous conflicts. You remain an inspiration to us all."

Lt Col Kedward said it was particularly fitting that the message came from the first Royal Marines officer to be made First Sea Lord, the head of the Royal Navy.

Harry was moved to tears by the message, and talked with the Royal Marines afterwards.

Born in Barford St Martin, near Salisbury in Wiltshire, one of four children,Harry's earliest memory, according to his daughter Teresa, is when

he was five or six, holding a girl's hand walking home from school each day and not wanting to let go.

Harry volunteered for the Royal Navy in 1942, aged 16, after lying about his age, before transferring to the Royal Marines and joining the SBS, fighting behind enemy lines in Italy, Lebanon and Burma.

After the war he returned to Wiltshire and worked as a labourer then a painter and decorator, bringing up nine children in his first family, with 29 grandchildren and "many more" great-grandchildren.

Teresa said Harry, known as H, has also been a father to his second family with wife Gwen, who he met in 1985 and has seven children, 10 grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.

Harry has lived in Bristol for the past 40 years.

Teresa says his secret to a long life is "to be a good boy, have lots of patience, which usually means giving in a lot, and having the odd tot of rum".

Harry Francis taking part in a Remembrance Day parade

IT looks like we will be on for a good harvest this year. The vines flowered during a warm week back in June and we’re now at the stage where we can see loads of hard, pea-sized grapes looking really nice and even in shape and size. As a fruit grower this is all you can hope for really. The grapes will keep on swelling for a few more weeks before they begin to soften and ripen so I'm hoping we’ll get some rain which will be converted directly into grape juice and ultimately wine! The recent heatwaves have really dried the ground out so we could do with some decent rain to get things back on track before another hot spell comes along.

On the wine front we still have plenty of still rosé, sparkling white and sparkling red available but our sparkling rosé stock levels are getting low – thankfully we have a new batch waiting in the wings to be disgorged and prepped for sale!

hello@dunleavyvineyards.co.uk www.dunleavyvineyards.co.uk @dunleavyvineyards (Facebook & Instagram)

n NEWS

Look out for butterflies

PEOPLE in Bristol have until August 10 to take part in this year’s Big Butterfly Count.

The nationwide citizen science survey, which began in 2010, helps experts assess the health of the environment.

Run by the charity Butterfly Conservation, it is backed by conservation celebrities including Sir David Attenborough and Chris Packham.

Anyone can take part. You just need to count the number of butterflies you see and enter the results online.

The most common species spotted so far are large white, small white, gatekeeper, peacock and meadow brown.

An identification chart for target species is provided at https://bigbutterflycount. butterfly-conservation.org

FINANCE

James Kenward - Independent Financial Adviser

Harold Stephens

50 High Street, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS9 3DZ

T: 0117 3636212

How can we help you?

Typical situations we come across as independent financial advisers might be a newly widowed spouse organising finances alone for the first time; adult children managing a parent's sudden care needs; or families overwhelmed by funding dilemmas. Whether the transition is gradual or sudden, it’s often an emotional time and turning to a trusted adviser can provide reassurance and confidence in making the decisions required. We often find that clients in later life struggle with conflicting goals around whether to gift their money, spend it or continue to save. In other words, whether to enjoy life, gift to children or grandchildren along with preparing for looming care costs.

As SOLLA (Society of Later Life Advisers) Accredited advisers, we have the technical knowledge as well as the soft skills to help put you at ease and talk through your goals and

the different ways you might achieve them. We can take you through care funding options such as the different ways to use your property to pay for care, the most effective way to pay for care using other assets and also signpost you to various support and advice resources in the local area. If inheritance tax is a concern, we can review your situation and propose a suitable strategy, all the while being mindful of deliberate deprivation of assets rules!

Be wary of high-risk arrangements. Some are sold as a means of shielding assets, and particularly the home, from care fees. These arrangements often fail and could leave you worse off – financially and in terms of care options.

We recommend building up assets to retain control and choice. There are plenty of ways to mitigate or even eliminate any inheritance tax

payable by your beneficiaries.

Just ask and we will review the options with you.

Harold Stephens is a later life financial and estate planning specialist. We help families plan for later life issues such as care planning, inheritance tax, Lasting Power of Attorney and Wills. If you are facing these issues, there are specialist options available that we can recommend, not only to fund the care that will provide the dignity in later life you deserve – but also in a very tax efficient way and potentially put a cap on those care costs. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the office for complimentary initial chat. We can be reached at 50, High Street, Westbury on Trym BS9 3DZ, office@haroldstephens.co.uk or telephone us on 0117 3636 212

n TURNER'S VISION

Your eyes are working hard every day – help them out

They help you navigate supermarket aisles, glance in the wing mirror and read the WhatsApp from a friend that makes you smile. But while most of us wouldn’t think twice about getting our blood pressure checked, our eyes are easy to overlook.

As optometrists, we often hear the same phrase from patients: “It’s probably nothing, but I’ve noticed…”

More often than not, it’s that small change – more glare at night or needing stronger light to read a recipe – that tells us your visual system is working harder than it should.

Most changes happen gradually and can be managed or prevented with the right care. And the habits you build now, whether you’re 28 or 78, can protect your comfort and clarity for years to come.

Notice what’s changing

Squinting at a menu, struggling to shift focus between distances, or getting dry, itchy eyes after time outdoors are all signs your eyes need support.

At Turners Opticians, we believe it’s worth listening to these signals. Your eyes are stoic, they won’t always let you know when they’re struggling. But we can.

Simple ways to protect your eyes

Many of the best things you can do are surprisingly straightforward:

Eat the rainbow.

Leafy greens like spinach, orange vegetables such as carrots and oily fish like salmon are full of nutrients your eyes rely on. Omega-3s, lutein and zeaxanthin might not sound exciting, but your retina loves them.

Drink more water.

Dehydrated eyes feel gritty and tired. Most of us need more water than we think.

Give your eyes a break. Using screens?

Try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It’s a small reset that helps reduce fatigue and keep focus sharp.

Use good lighting.

If you’re straining to read, check your lamp is bright enough and positioned to reduce glare.

Wear your sunglasses.

UV damage builds up over time. Sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection help reduce your risk of cataracts.

Eye exams go beyond your prescription

Eye health isn’t just about how clearly you can see. It can also reveal what’s happening behind the scenes.

Conditions like glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration often develop slowly, with no obvious initial symptoms. By the time you notice a change, your vision may already be affected.

Regular eye exams give us the chance to catch early signs, check the health of your retina and optic nerve and monitor how your eyes are coping. They can even uncover high blood pressure or diabetes.

At Turners Opticians, our appointments last longer than most. We take time to explain what we see, answer your questions and tailor your care to your lifestyle.

If it’s been a while since your last eye exam – or you’ve noticed something’s changed – you’ll find our teams in Henleaze and Fishponds ready to welcome you.

Thanks for reading,

Peter

n SPORT

THE world of cricket is mourning Gloucestershire’s president

David ‘Syd’ Lawrence, who died at the age of 61 after battling Motor Neurone Disease.

Fast bowler Syd, who made his debut for the club at the age of 17 and earned numerous county and international honours in a 16-year career, was awarded an MBE this summer.

After his death on June 22, his family said in a statement: “‘Syd’ was an inspirational figure on and off the cricket field and no more so than to his family who were with him when he passed.

“A proud Gloucestershire man, Syd took on every challenge with everything he could and his final contest with MND was no different. His willingness to encourage and think of others right up to the end was typical of the man he was.

“As President of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Syd took on the role with incredible pride and passion and loved every minute of it.”

Syd and his wife Gaynor and son Buster raised funds

Syd: Glos Cricket's hero

for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA). Efforts culminated in Pink 4 Syd, a special evening where the club honoured Syd with a pink kit.

Born in Gloucester on 28 January 1964, David Valentine Lawrence delivered countless memorable performances, forming a formidable new-ball

partnership with West Indies great Courtney Walsh.

He played 170 first-class matches for Gloucestershire, taking 477 wickets at 31.27, including a best of 7 for 47 against Warwickshire.

In one-day cricket, he claimed 148 wickets in 110 appearances, with a standout 6 for 20 against a Combined Universities XI in 1991 - the third best return in Gloucestershire’s 50-over history.

In 1990, Lawrence took a memorable hat-trick against Nottinghamshire in a fiery spell that saw him finish with 5 for 51.

His county success earned him England honours. In 1988, he became the first British-born black man to play Test cricket for England, making his debut at Lord’s against Sri Lanka. He played five Tests between 1988 and 1992, taking 18 wickets, including a famous five-wickethaul against the West Indies at The Oval in 1991 - in the same innings he dismissed the great

Viv Richards.

He also made one ODI appearance, recording remarkable figures of 4 for 67, which remain the best bowling figures by a player who only played one One Day International.

A knee injury in 1992 ended his international career prematurely, but Syd’s life off the field was just as remarkable. He went on to become a nightclub owner, a competitive bodybuilder, and a leading advocate for inclusion and diversity in cricket.

But his connection to Gloucestershire never faded.

In 2022, he was appointed as the first black President in the history of Gloucestershire Cricket - a title he held until the day of his death.

In collaboration with cricket writer Dean Wilson, Syd published his autobiography, 'In Syd’s Voice', using assistive technology to dictate his story.

Clifton gearing up for new season

THE excitement and pride in Clifton securing promotion barely subsided when the fixture list for the 2025-26 season was received. Planning was already under way for the coming season and preseason training began at the end of June.

While most of the successful 1st XV squad have re-signed some recruitment is under way with speculation over who might be joining the new campaign. Warm welcomes are being extended to players of all abilities ranging from those aspiring to challenge for places in the National One side to those seeking a more social and amateur Saturday on the pitch.

Before the real business gets under way with a home fixture on Saturday September 6 - when the famous Blackheath club will be at Cribbs Causeway - there will be preseason games on August 9 and 30 when our visitors will be Caerphilly and Ebbw Vale

Over the summer more Clifton Village businesses have joined the list of sponsors and advertisers in the club’s quest to secure the income required to meet the

additional costs of overnight stays and travel in League One stretching from Plymouth in the South West to well known clubs in the North such as Rotherham and Sale.

Long standing supporters include Simon Quarrie from

the Clifton Sausage and Steve Bullimore from InStep Shoes Simon said: “It was fabulous to see Clifton RFC doing so well last season and getting promotion. We’ve been supporting the club through our Man of the Match award for well over ten years now

and our involvement with Clifton has never been stronger. This season we are also sponsoring the team’s warm up kit and a sign board at the ground. The club’s welcoming, sporting and inclusive outlook and the number of friends we have made there make it a pleasure to support.”

Steve said: ” I have been supporting CRFC for 15 years and for the 2025/26 season am sponsoring young player Harry Delaney as I feel the sport’s future remains with those who are in their initial stages. The club excels in the development of young players.

The club has an extremely competent committee and an inspirational coaching team. Emerging players and experienced semi professionals thrive together to provide exciting and exhilarating wonderful match day occasions “ Commercial manager Alison Harvey alisonharvey@cliftonrugby. co.uk is always open for a chat with potential supporters, sponsors or players.

Roger Opie

Shay Sainsbury receives a Man of the Match award from Simon Quarrie of the Clifton Sausage

POLICE AND CRIME C OMMISSIONER

Strengthening neighbourhood policing

YOU’VE told me you want safer streets and more visible policing, and I’m doing it.

I’ve listened to your concerns about antisocial behaviour, retail crime, and criminality in town and city centres, and I am working with the Chief Constable to put more officers where they are needed, tackling crime in high streets and areas you care

about, because you should feel safe in your high street.

I have launched ‘Your Streets, My Priority’ this month – a coordinated programme of action to enhance neighbourhood policing and create safer, more vibrant town centres and high streets across the region.

There are several centres targeted across the Avon and Somerset area.

The focus is on making our town and city centres safer, more vibrant spaces where residents, businesses, and visitors feel secure and welcomed.

Supported by the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which has added more officers to your local teams, and the additional dedicated patrols in targeted areas, the plans will be delivering more proactive, visible and engaging policing in your cities and towns.

From increased foot patrols to street surgeries and crime prevention advice for businesses, the local plans include ways for the police to work closer with businesses to share information, respond to incidents and target prolific offenders, as well as proactive use of powers to address antisocial behaviour.

We will see additional partnership work with licensing colleagues, to address issues relating to licensed premises, as well as diversionary activities for young people, like the outreach and engagement programmes provided by the South Gloucestershire Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP).

With Police and Crime Commissioner

Clare Moody

My team will also be working with partners to raise awareness of opportunities for young people.

Throughout the summer, I will be visiting different areas throughout South Gloucestershire and Bristol to meet residents, businesses, community groups, and the local neighbourhood police team to see how things are progressing.

I will be monitoring progress to make sure the campaign delivers results for you.

To keep up to date with what’s happening as part of the Your Streets, My Priority campaign, visit my website at www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk and my social media pages.

PCC Clare Moody with a police officer on patrol

If you have any particular requirement not listed above please don’t hesitate to contact Katherine on the numbers below. I work through all four seasons and will work to your specification whether it’s long term, short term or just for the day. Thank you.

If you have any particular requirement not listed above please don’t hesitate to contact Katherine on the numbers below. I work through all four seasons and will work to your specification whether it’s long term, short term or just for the day. Thank you.

If you have any particular requirement not listed above please don’t hesitate to contact Katherine on the numbers below. I work through all four seasons and will work to your specification whether it’s long term, short term or just for the day. Thank you.

www.blossom-gardening.co.uk

www.blossom-gardening.co.uk

above please don’t hesitate to contact Katherine on the numbers below. I work through all four seasons and will work to your specification whether it’s long term, short term or just for the day. Thank you.