The Bristol Six + Eight Magazine

BS6+8

Issue 62 - February 2020 Delivered free across Redland, Cotham, Kingsdown, Westbury Park and north Clifton

In This Issue - Playing football with the Russians (page 57), the CHEESE Project (page 38), Prize Wordsearch (page 12), nautical terms (page 53), Lists, lists, lists (page 8), duck recognition (page 59), Carers support (page 51), plus the usuals... 1

You may be concerned that increasingly, solicitors’ practices are becoming ‘law firms’ with a solicitor meeting the client, taking on a matter and then supervising paralegals and legal executives to carry out the work. Corfield Solicitors does not operate in this way; we simply offer three fully qualified solicitors, personally dealing with your matter from start to finish. Deciding to leave his city centre firm, Jonathan Corfield established his own practice in Sneyd Park in 2009 where he and his wife have lived for many years and raised their family. Charles Corfield joined the practice later that year after graduating from Bristol University with a Masters in Law and both were later joined by Stuart Corfield when he also qualified as a solicitor. Our fees are set in order to make a living rather than a fortune. No ‘extra costs’ are added for home visits. No additional ‘out of hours’ charges are made.

Fixed Fee Conveyancing House sale or purchase Flat sale or purchase

£1,000 £1,000

Our fixed fees for conveyancing do not apply to new build or off plan purchases, or properties priced in excess of £900,000.

Wills

Single Will Joint (Mirror) Wills

£195 £295

Probate

Charged at usual hourly rate with no additional percentage of the value of the estate added.

No extra charge for home visits or evening appointments 2

Lasting Powers of Attorney

One type of Both types of LPA LPA Individual £400 £600 Couple £600 £900

Hourly Rate

For work carried out on a timed basis, our hourly rate for all three solicitors is £195. All prices exclusive of VAT.

Residential Conveyancing & Property Issues • • • • •

Purchase & Sale Freehold & Leasehold Remortgage Retirement property purchase Probate property sale

Commercial Property

• Purchase, Sale & Lease • Renewal, variation or surrender of leases • Rent Deposit Deeds & Rent Reviews • Licences to Assign • Local Authority planning agreements • Preparation of auction documentation • Options, conditional sales and pre-emption

Services for the Elderly and Carers

• Home visiting • Nursing home & hospital visiting • Residential, Nursing care provision & funding issues • Retirement property purchase • Wills & Powers of Attorney

Wills Probate and Trusts • • • •

Joint & Single Wills Codicils & updates Provision of Executor services Immediate assistance when a loved one has died • Probate & Administration • Trust administration assistance • Declaration of Trust

Powers of Attorney

• Lasting Powers of Attorney • Registration of Enduring Powers of Attorney • General Powers of Attorney • Appointment of a Court of Protection deputy

Telephone:

0117 968 8890 Office: 2 The Avenue, Sneyd Park, Bristol, BS9 1PA

Email: info@corfieldsolicitors.com

Or visit our website: www.corfieldsolicitors.com

Honest, down to earth ﬁxed fees and hourly rate 3

The Editor’s Small Piece Hello and magazine.

welcome

the

February

OK, hands up, who knows the origin of the name February? Nope, nor did I. Februa was the Roman ritual of purification, held on the date of the new moon in what is now February. February, along with January, were the two months added to the Roman calendar by Numa Pompilius back in 713 BC. If you are celebrating a very small birthday on 29th this month - it is a Leap year - then congratulations, and think yourself lucky, if you had been born pre-Pompilius then rather than every four years you’d have had no birthday at all. Well, according to my logic, for what it is worth. However I can never understand why Easter isn’t on the same date each year, so don’t look to me for clarity on matters of chrononomy. I must say I am happier with the old English names for February - Solmonath, meaning mud month, or even better Kalemonath meaning cabbage month.

Where education is a journey, not a race

BRISTOL STEINER SCHOOL Open Morning Thursday 5th March 2020

9:30am - 11:30am

For more information or to book a place, contact Reception: 0117 933 9990 reception@bristolsteinerschool.org Redland Hill House, Redland, Bristol BS6 6UX

However you choose to celebrate it I hope you enjoy your February - and the magazine too. Cheers, Andy Front cover photo - dusk at RSPB Ham Wall nature reserve Do Get In Touch E: andy@bcmagazines.co.uk W: www.bcmagazines.co.uk T: 0117 259 1964 Txt: 07845 986650 P: 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY March Issue Deadline All entries / adverts / listings for inclusion in the March magazine must be received by Friday 14th February 4

s 0 apply e i t er 5,00 ent fee p Pro £18einstatem m dr froity fee an

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Useful Information Contact Numbers

Bristol City Council

Gas Emergencies 0800 111 999 Electricity Emergencies 0800 365 900 Water Emergencies 0845 702 3797 Avon & Somerset Police Non-Emergencies 101 (new no.) Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 Southmead Hospital 0117 950 5050 Bristol Royal Infirmary 0117 923 0000 Bristol Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital 0117 342 8460 NHS non-emergency 111 Bristol Blood Donation 0117 988 2040 The Samaritans 08457 909090 Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 76975 55 ChildLine 0800 11 11 National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Telephone Pref Service 0845 070 0707 Mailing Pref Service 0845 703 4599 West of England Care & Repair - help, advice & info 0300 323 0700

The Council website offers residents information about BCC services including council tax, bins & recycling, schools, leisure, business, streets and parking. Visit www. bristol.gov.uk or contact the General Enquiries switchboard on 0117 922 2000. Trains to / From Temple Meads New Times Trains now depart from Clifton Down Station to Temple Meads at the following times Note - these come from the new timetable that came into force 15th December Monday - Friday 0616, 0634, 0737, 0810, 0846, 0924, 1014, 1047, 1124, 1215, 1247, 1324, 1414, 1448, 1524, 1615, 1650, 1725, 1816, 1907, 1942, 2020, 2159, 2233 and 2324

Postal Services

Saturday

Cotham Pharmacy & Post Office 9 - 6 Monday to Friday 9 - 1 Saturday

0650, 0726, 0817, 0851, 0926, 1015, 1051, 1126, 1215, 1251, 1326, 1415, 1451, 1526, 1615, 1651, 1726, 1815, 1915, 2005, 2145, 2229 and 2318

Whiteladies Rd Post Office 9 - 5.30 Monday to Friday, 9 - 13.00 Saturday

Sunday

Gloucester Rd Post Office 9 - 5.30 Monday to Saturday

1001, 1051, 1218, 1336, 1436, 1536, 1635, 1736, 1836, 1906, 2006, 2034 and 2134

Late Post - there is a late post box at the main Post Office sorting depot on the A38 at Filton. Currently the late post is at 7pm.

Trains now depart from Bristol Temple Meads to all stations to Avonmouth at the following times -

Local Libraries

Monday - Friday

Redland - tel. 903 8549 Mon closed, Tues 11-5, Weds 11-7, Thurs-Sat 11-5

0512, 0537, 0618, 0701, 0757, 0832, 0911, 1000, 1036, 1111, 1202, 1236, 1311, 0400, 1436, 1511, 1600, 1636, 1712, 1802, 1850, 1928, 2028, 2145 and 2218

Henleaze - tel 0117 903 8541 Mon-Tues 11-5, Weds 11-7, Thurs 11-5, Fri 1-7, Sat 10-5

Saturday

Waste & Recycling

0602, 0637, 0712, 0802, 0838, 0912, 1002, 1038, 1112, 1202, 1238, 1312, 1402, 1438, The Household Waste and Recycling Centre on 1512, 1602, 1638, 1712, 1802, 1902, 2033, Kingsweston Lane, Avonmouth for pretty much 2132 and 2216 everything. Due to ongoing redevelopment and Sunday upgrade work the Avonmouth centre is now open to domestic visitors on Fridays, Saturdays and 0901, 0947, 1058, 1222, 1323, 1423, 1523, Sundays only, from 8am to 4.15pm. 1623, 1723, 1757, 1953 and 2053 6

Open day 29th February 2pm - 3pm

FREE

smile assessment and

£400

ht ” raig t s hing veryt e s t e s “ A smile is the curve that

llis Phy

ler Dil

off full treatments

With an extra day this leap year on 29th February, Whitetree Orthodontic Centre is holding an open day with free assessments by specialists. This is an opportunity to speak with an orthodontic specialist and our other experienced staff about the many options for improving your smile. Specialist orthodontists train for a minimum of 5 years following graduation as a dentist. Please come and see us and at no cost understand the range of options available to you. Many types of brace are advertised these days and it can be hard to know whether marketing claims are realistic. Whitetree’s expert team has the track record needed to advise you. Whitetree’s specialists offer braces colour-matched to your teeth (‘fixed appliances’), ‘invisible’ braces hidden on the inside of your teeth (called lingual braces) and transparent removable braces (we use Invisalign aligners). Our team has the experience to make sure you are confident to smile on important days like weddings and graduations. We have the expertise to predict how long treatment will take and offer treatments that can finish before such deadlines, or that are discretely hidden. If you would like a free assessment with one of our specialists, please email treatmentcoordinator@whitetreedental.co.uk Helen Leach, Specialist Orthodontist, BDS, FDS RCS, M Orth, MSc

Whitetree Orthodontic Specialist Centre 1-3 North View, Westbury Park, Bristol BS6 7PT 0117 973 9397 www.whitetreedental.co.uk 7

To-Do - make a To-Do List What would you put in Room 101 if you had the opportunity? Donald Trump? People on their phones not looking where they are going? Pedestrians who don’t acknowledge you when you stop to let them cross on a zebra? Umbrellas? Clothes hangers? Adverts by “personal injury” lawyers? Go on, let your thoughts roam for a moment.

disorganised and inadequate. Then, I kid you not, a friend of mine called Cath joined in the discussion, as she marched purposely towards the hot beverage section, daughter with trolley in tow. I said hi and explained to her what we were comparing. After we concluded that the collective noun for “middle aged blokes in a supermarket doing a bit of a shop” should be “a rarity”, Cath waved a sheaf of handwritten papers at us. “Handwritten lists” she cried, “Old fashioned but it’s the only way to remember what you need. And so satisfying when you cross things off”. So, there we were, four shoppers, four ways of listing what we needed to buy - and only one of us went home without 20% of the required groceries because he trusted, optimistically but stupidly, his ageing prefrontal cortex.

I caught Len “Seven” Goodman on the Room 101 televsion show last week, and one of the things he successfully had consigned to oblivion was “Too much choice”. Now while I’m not an advocate of the Henry Ford school of thought on this - indeed I’ve never owned a black car - I think dear old dancing Len was on the right track, and I’ll give you my evidence. First though I must take you back to the week before Christmas. I nipped into Tesco at Golden Hill for a few bits. Five bits to be precise. As I walked cluelessly along the aisles I bumped into Jim in the tea and coffee section, looking pensive. He was having a “too much choice” moment of his own, and couldn’t decide which of the one hundred and thirty nine types of tea bag / fruit infusion available to him he really wanted. I couldn’t help him, other than to say that because fruit tea isn’t tea at all his choice was immediately reduced to twenty seven bag and loose-leaf options. “So what are you looking for?” he asked me, as he weighed up a red bush in one hand and some menthol tips in the other. “That’s the problem, ” I said “I’ve come in for five things, I’ve got four of them and I can’t remember what the fifth one is”. I snorted when he asked if it was on my list. I don’t do lists - I generally commit things to memory and then hope (often forlornly) for the best. Jim is more organised than me, as he smugly demonstrated by showing me a tidy, alphabetically ordered list on his smartphone. One he’d methodically created before setting out. With that, Justin, a friend of Jim’s, happened to walk down the same aisle, stopped to say hi and became embroiled in the discussion. “Oh, I tell my wife I’ll go and do the shopping, and by the time I get here she’s sent me a text detailing what she thinks we need”. I was beginning to feel

So, back to my point about agreeing with Uncle Len and bemoaning too much choice. Determined to embrace technology, and become more organised in the new decade, I decided it was time to download a To-Do list app for my phone. | would be more efficient, prevaricate less and basically “Get Life Done” with a list-making app. Until I looked in the App store and saw the choice. I stopped counting when I got to 50 listmaking tools, and that didn’t include the odd ones like lists of mountains you’ve climbed, fish you’ve caught or presents you’ve asked Father Christmas for. The simple had become a pool of options, an sea of choice, an ocean of confusion. In the end I resorted to remain in the 20th century and continue with my tried, tested and 80% trusted technique. Now, what’s next? Er.... 8

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Tips for boosting your mood

Welcome to the latest edition of Senior Snippets: the monthly advisory column with the older members of our community in mind, brought to you by John Moore, Director of Home Instead Senior Care in North Bristol. It is very important, especially with winter lurking, to keep an upbeat state of mind in order to lead a positive lifestyle. Eating nutritious foods and exercising are obvious ways to remain fit and healthy, but there are also many other adjustments we can make to improve our mental health and state of mind. Here are a few mood boosting tips Laugh - As adults we often forget to just enjoy ourselves and laugh more. Laughing releases endorphins into our body which increase serotonin levels in our brain, causing us to instantly feel happier. Practice gratitude - It’s important to recognise what we’re grateful for, acknowledge it, and appreciate it. Try and think of a few things that you are grateful for and notice the difference it makes to your mood. Talk to someone - Whether it’s a friend, relative or neighbour, knowing you have someone you can turn to, can help to put your mind at ease. Don’t forget to be there for someone else too, as this can brighten your mood just as much, as you have the satisfaction of knowing you have helped someone else. Surround yourself with positive scents and sounds - Lavender can be relaxing, whereas peppermint can help to soothe your overactive mind. This can work just as well with your favourite perfume. Alternatively, light a candle, put your feet up and listen to your favourite music. Take deep breaths - Focusing on your breathing and taking deep breaths can relieve stress and increase relaxation. Simply place one hand on the abdomen and one hand on the lower ribs and take a breath that starts in your abdomen and works its way up your body. Control your breathing by breathing in for 3 to 5 seconds, hold for the same amount of time and exhale the air out through your mouth slowly. Do this for 3 minutes and you will feel the stress melt away. If you would like to speak to someone at Home Instead, please do get in touch. Similarly, if you have any ideas for a future topic, please call 0117 989 8210 or email John.Moore@HomeInstead.co.uk - we’d love to hear from you! 10

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Prize Wordsearch The winning entry will win themselves three nice bottles of wine - one red, one white and one rose.

The wordsearch this month features the most popular names given to babies in 2019. Listed below are thirteen of the most common names for girls and thirteen for boys. Twelve of each are also hidden in the wordsearch grid. The words can be hidden running forwards, backwards, up, down or on a diagonal. Simply work through the list to discover two missing names - one male and one female. Once you have discovered the names get in touch to let me know the two answers. Send in your entries please by post (8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY), email (andy@bcmagazines.co.uk), telephone (0117 259 1964) or text (07845 986650), and the closing date is Monday 2nd March. All correct entries are allocated a unique number, and one number is then chosen by ________________________________ a random number selection programme on the computer.

Here then are the names you are looking for EVIE THEO LILY OSCAR ELLA FREDDIE POPPY JACOB MIA ARCHIE GRACE LEO SOPHIE ALFIE EMILY JACK ISABELLA GEORGE AVA NOAH ISLA CHARLIE AMELIA HARRY Date: ___________________ OLIVIA OLIVER

Names Y

E W S

A J

R W Q

M O H

M G

Q O O

O H

N W T

H M

O Q M

EVIE

LILY

ELLA

12 POPPY

The December competition was about all things festive, and the missing word was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Goodwillâ&#x20AC;?. Thank you to everyone who entered and congratulations to Ruth Lloyd whose name came out of the hat first. Ruth wins herself a goody bag of bits and pieces from the BCML prize cupboard. Have fun with the puzzle and do enter if you find the missing names.

"Thanks Sandra and Alan for superb customer service and of course a very overdue oven clean. Well done Alan, your determination to make my oven shine was much appreciated" Kirsty Thompson

The Camera Eye In photography, it is easy to get waylaid by technicalities. If you want your photographs to be the very best, then eventually you are going to have to learn about ISO, shutter speeds and apertures. Fortunately, being completely electronic, modern cameras have more than just those three dials, and you can set the camera to choose appropriate settings for the type of photograph you are shooting.

speed but can now be altered in-camera, and is measured on the ISO system. A slow speed is 50. Most photographers aim for 100-200, but there are times when very fast ISOs are called for, and some cameras can now manage 25,000. You could read the manual, but they are not easy reading, especially as few are now available in printed form but can only be read on a computer. Or you could look at tutorials available on-line, of which there are many, some excellent, and some useless. The best way is to chat with other photographers, and here at NWBCC there is a friendly group of amateurs, with a range of cameras from different manufacturers, only too happy to guide you through the sometimes not-so-easy-to-follow screen menus of digital cameras.

There is an unfortunate tendency to be dismissive of these shooting modes, but just setting “portrait”, “landscape”, “close-up”, or “sports” is remarkably effective. You can even leave your camera in fully automatic mode – Canon calls this “Scene Intelligent Auto” – and you’ll get good images. Or at least, you’ll get good images most of the time: it’s those other times when you’ll wish you were a bit more familiar with some numbers.

The interior of Holy Trinity Church © Peter Farmer If you want to get more technical then, as photography is all about light and how much of it reaches the sensor, you have to learn how to control the light to achieve different effects. The amount is controlled by two things adjustable by the photographer: the length of time the shutter is open, and the width of the lens. The time is usually some fraction of a second, although night photography needs seconds or even minutes. The width of the lens is actually the area through which light falls, referred to as the aperture, and measured as an index of the focal length of the lens. Thus, for a particular exposure, the settings may be 1/100th of a second at f/11; or 1/50th of a second at f/8 – the larger the “f number” or “f stop”, the wider is the aperture. The sensor has an in-built sensitivity, which is the same as film

Canford Park © Philippa Crabbe If you live in the catchment of BS9, then come along to North West Bristol Camera Club (NWBCC). We meet on Wednesday evenings (except in July and August) at Westbury Fields. Details can be found in our notification on p50.

North

est Brist W

Neville Goodman Chair NWBCC

Camera Club 14

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Good Reads - Bruce Fellows book recommendations The Fifth Risk is Michael Lewis’s excellent horror story but it isn’t fiction, it’s his study of Trump’s government in action and it’s much stranger than fiction. The transition from one US administration to another is crucial since so many offices change hands and there’s vital information to pass on. Government departments typically set aside two months to brief the newcomers, as the thirty-billion-dollar-a-year Department of Energy did in 2016. After a month, one man arrived to learn everything. Lewis goes on; Agriculture, Security, tornado prediction; Government is a mess. This is a riveting book that would be hilarious if it weren’t so frightening. Anne Tyler’s thoughtful, moving and always entertaining novel, Clock Dance, shows us Willa Drake at key moments in her life, culminating in 2017 when her son’s ex-girlfriend is shot and Willa leaves Arizona for Baltimore to care for the woman, Denise, and her daughter, Cheryl. It becomes a revelatory experience for Willa. Cheryl is a competent delight, Denise is an irreverent hoot and the neighbours are welcoming and idiosyncratic. How can Willa go back to her old life now? Full of neat observations and regrets, the book sucks you into Willa’s world and you’ll read the last page with regret that you have to leave. Nurse Korede gets the call and she has to go and clear up. She’s done it again. Who? Her sister, as in My Sister, the Serial Killer, Oyinkan Braithwaite’s disturbingly funny Nigeria set tale of sisterly love. Ayoola (the sister) just can’t seem to help herself and the murders are all in ‘self defence’. Nigerian men are dropping like flies. The trouble is, Ayoola is gorgeous and men just naturally fall for her but then the doctor that Korede is keen on starts seeing Ayoola and the cat’s well and truly among the pigeons. This pacey, clever and strangely informative novel is a great read. Trump’s not the only one keen on border barriers. John Lanchester writes about one that runs around Britain in The Wall, his gripping and unsettling dystopian novel set after ‘The Change’. Sea levels have risen, some countries have disappeared and ‘The Others’ make constant attempts to breach Britain’s defences and disappear into our still beautiful land. The old feel guilty though about what’s happened and the young resentful. For Kavanagh, who like all young people must spend two years manning the defences, life is terrible but he’s young and naturally there’s a girl. This is a clever and plausible imagining of what might be coming. In Airhead, Emily Maitlis has written an enlightening, surprising and always entertaining romp through the news of recent years, at least as far she’s been concerned with it. She keeps a bag ever ready in the hall to jet off to the next big story and her work is surprisingly often produced on the hoof; the news is as imperfect as life is. ‘There he is! Stop him!’ was how her interview with Trump press advisor Anthony Scaramucci came about. Bill Clinton, Russell Brand, Emma Thompson and ex-Trump people galore are amongst her list of interviewees. This is a funny, thought-provoking, and very human book. 16

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The Bristol Bookcase Company 17

Talking Pets - with the Animal Health Centre “Dog years” myth debunked

+ 31. To work out your dog’s human age; first enter the dog’s age then press ‘ln’ on a scientific calculator. Then multiply the figure you get by 16 and finally add 31. Tricky maths!

Most have heard of the rule of thumb that one dog year equals seven human years. Well, not quite! New research from California suggests that this formula is actually a bit of a myth. The study has provided a new and improved formula to work out how old your dog is in human years. Dogs come in all different sizes and typically the larger breeds have a shorter life expectancy but, despite this, all dogs do exhibit some similar development features. For this reason a medium sized breed was chosen for the study.

Initially, the canine biological clock ticks much faster than humans and then slows down e.g. a 2 year old Lab may still act like a puppy but it is actually middle-aged. This is because the DNA of a 2 year old Labrador is roughly equivalent to a human entering their early forties, as opposed to a 14 year old, which the old traditional formula would suggest. The formula nicely matches up the average life span of Labradors (12 years) with the worldwide lifetime expectancy of humans (70 years).

The research team studied 104 Labradors and revealed that dogs (or at least this particular breed) and humans share Womble, sprightly at 76 certain similarities in their ageing process that can be used to translate a dog’s age to their human age. Over a lifetime, DNA ages and gets chemical marks on it that can be used to track a person’s or dog’s biological age. These chemical changes are called methylation and many scientists currently regard it as the best way to measure the ageing speed of a mammal. The research team used the rate of the methylation changes in dogs to match it to the human biological clock, although the resulting dog age conversion is a bit more complex than multiplying by seven! The new formula, which applies to dogs older than one, says that a dog’s human age roughly equals 16 ln (insert dog age)

So to speed your calculations, here’s some we have already done for you: Dog Age/years 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Human Age equivalent 42 53 60 64 68 70 73

Happy calculating! Holly Scrimshaw, veterinary surgeon at the Animal Health Centre

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Dare to Dream

With more than 30 years of industry experience, Of course, buyers will still choose locations for the Howard agency is the personal vision of schooling, work, retirement and natural beauty Howard Davis. This professional and truly local so these will to beexperience, strong With factors more than 30 continue years of industry property business is born of family values - honesty personal Butisone thing most ofofus the personal vision the influencers. 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History Notes - Julian Lea-Jones Number 145 - For whom the bell tolls

with the town crier’s historic role in mind. In the opening issue, eighty-one years ago, the anonymous editor, (can any reader help, as his or her name does not appear in any of the issues?) expressed the belief that there was a need for a West Country review magazine; “… which would compete with those of London”. Founder members included famous West Country writers and those who set the literary standard. The address of the Bellman Press’ was given as 26 Grove Road at the corner of St Vincent’s Hill, just off Blackboy Hill. The present house fronting Grove Road has been rebuilt on the Bellman site, as can be seen from comparing the tall round headed window in the 1939 line drawing from the Bellman magazine with a 2004 photograph.

In the 138th history note I told about the loss of HMS Lutine and the recovery of the ship’s bell, and how it led to a City tradition. The recovered bell hung in hall of the insurers, Lloyds of London, and was tolled to proclaim the loss of one of their underwritten ships. Long before the days of newspapers the Town Crier attracted the citizens’ attention to official proclamations by accompanying his cry of “Oyez, Oyez” with the tolling of a hand bell. The Bellman, as he became known, was Bristol’s official proclaimer (for all the news those in office they wanted you to hear). In the late eighteenth century Jacob Easterbrook was Bristol’s Bellman and, given the dates, it is possible he was the person with the unenviable task of proclaiming the reward of one guinea, (twenty-one shillings, or £1.05 pence in modern coinage) for the finder of a missing person. The person was a poor runaway African girl who had fled into hiding. Although by then slavery was illegal the continued plight of those such as this terrified girl, referred to euphemistically as “domestic servants from Africa”, was common. As a result of the Bellman’s proclamation the unfortunate girl was found, and the “trembling wretch was dragged out from a hole in the top of a house, where she had hidden herself, and forced on board ship.” We know of this because Hannah More* the philanthropist and reformer wrote to a friend, “Alas! I did not know it till too late, or I would have run the risk of buying her [freedom].”

Extracts from early issues give a flavour of the magazine. A cheerful example is Violet Lamb’s account of her itinerant Shakespeare repertory group who travelled to schools and village halls around the country, living and rehearsing in their old bus, pushing it up hills, camping in fields of buttercups, but thoroughly enjoying it. One article reported to readers on Bristol City Council’s annual rate-setting, expressing alarm at the annual rate increases but reduction in services. As the nineteenth century French writer and critic, Jean-Baptist Karr famously said, “plus ça change plu c’est la même chose” (The more things change, the more they stay the same).

It is reasonable to assume Jacob Easterbrook had been reluctant to carry out that particular proclamation as his son Joseph was the wellknown and outspoken Anglican Vicar of Temple Church. Coincidentally Temple Church was only a ‘stone’s throw’ away from the Seven Stars Pub where the Reverend Clarkson gathered evidence for Wilberforce’s anti-slavery bill to be set before Parliament.

On the topic of anopther of Bristol’s unchanging problems - traffic congestion - ‘Beau Peep’ of Clifton voiced in a letter in the May 1939 issue of the Bellman. “No doubt readers of your last issue were delighted to know what our new Centre will look like, but this writer never expects to see it. Long before it is opened, he is likely to be found dead from exhaustion and starvation in the middle of a traffic blockage anywhere in our main streets. Failing this he will abandon his car

However the Bristol Bellman that is the subject of the article this month is not a Town Crier nor [thankfully - the Editor] is it the ‘Bellman’ or ‘flood fill’ maze solving algorithm **, rather a delightful but sadly short lived twentieth century publishing endeavour. The name though was almost certainly chosen

(continued overleaf) 33 23

History Notes - Julian Lea-Jones as useless and wait for a bus. He will do this only because death from exposure and pneumonia is less lingering. Russia is a much-maligned country, but it appears they actually shoot people who fall down on their jobs of organising the supplies, transport and welfare of the people…” If ‘Beau Peep’ was still around it would be interesting to hear his comments on the subsequent 80 years of Bristol City Council road improvements.

I hope that you agree that the following account makes a fitting end to this month’s article. The story started with the kindness of a WW I refugee, Joseph Bleyens from Antwerp and his family. Many years ago, a close friend and neighbour of mine, Bert Tarr, gave me a small table with an interesting tale. Bert’s family was one of the many who gave a home to WWI Belgian refugees, and Joseph, a cabinet maker, stayed with them in Brislington. After the war Joseph returned home, but before leaving, as a thank you for his host’s hospitality, he made them a little inlaid table and signed his name, town and date in pencil underneath it. I often thought it would be nice to try and trace Joseph’s family and return the table. Twenty years of appeals in the newspapers, on BBC Radio Bristol and enquiries in Antwerp sadly all drew a blank. I then decided to write up this account and years ago put it on my website www. history4u.info/can you help. No response until Autumn 2016 when out of the blue I received an email from Joseph’s Great granddaughter, Helene, who had inherited family papers but had no success in tracing her Great Grandfather’s time in England until she came across my website appeal. One memorable Saturday in Radio Bristol’s studio, seen here, we were able to reunite Helene with her heirloom table and thus after nearly a century the table returned to her amazed family in Belgium. Oh, and the loose link with the subjects of this month’s article? Helene’s surname: Belmans.

On a lighter note, I am sure that the intrepid Bristol University Professor, the late Tom Troscianko, who in February 2009 fulfilled his lifelong ambition to ski down St Michael’s Hill (seen here), would have been pleased to learn that he was upholding a Bristol tradition. In the June 1939 edition article ‘An unauthorised guide to the West’ Anthony Gittins described an earlier trip down Park Street thus. “At the first sign of snow, Park Street was decked with Chinese lanterns and all the shopkeepers raced down using the most suitable object from their window displays. Booksellers rode encyclopaedias, Jewellers - silver trays, Furnishers - upturned tables…. The first to reach College Green with the least injury won”. If The Bellman was published today, I am sure that Anthony Gittins would have lauded Tom Troscianko’s achievement. And did George Ferguson take his inspiration from this for the May 2014 ‘Great Park Street Water Slide’? I wonder what other mad-cap ventures we can uncover from Redland’s past? Sadly, despite its optimistic start, I have been unable to find any copies of the magazine from after September 1939. Was its demise due to the outbreak of the War and paper shortage or…? If any of our readers remember the magazine or have any later copies tucked away, PLEASE contact us.

*Excerpt from Karen Swallow Prior, Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More: Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist. Thomas Nelson, 2014. Book review at The Gospel Coalition. **https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwh-QNlsurI © 2020

Eur Ing Julian Lea-Jones C.Eng, FRAeS

34 24

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Quiz Time -answers on page 61 General Knowledge

Musical Knowledge

1. The world’s first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black, was introduced in the UK in which decade?

1. Larry Mullin Jr is the drummer in which rock band? 2. “Israelites” was a hit record in 1968 for which artist?

2. Made famous in film or book, name the castles pictured below.

3. Name these artists’ UK debut albums a) Stormzy, b) Alanis Morisette, and c) Phil Collins. 4. Who has had the most UK number 1 singles as a solo artist - Elton John, George Michael or Michael Jackson? 5. What names are missing from these lyrics - a) “xxxxx, is that Jimmy’s ring you’re wearing?” (Leader of the Pack, The Shangri-Las), b) “They call her Natasha when she looks like xxxxx.” (I Don’t Want to Go to Chelsea, Elvis Costello), c) “I wanna die with you xxxxx, on the streets tonight in an everlasting kiss” (Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen)?

3. What were the previous names of the products now known as a) KFC, b) Nissan, and c) Veet?

6. Name these three pop stars.

4. Name the biggest moon in our solar system, and which planet does it orbit? 5. What would you do with a spurtle? 6. Essex, Berkshire and Lincolnshire Curly Coat are three breeds of which farm animal? 7. Comice, Anjou and Williams are three variety of which type of fruit?

7. Name these three classical composers.

8. As the crow flies, put these cities in order of distance from Bristol, closest to furthest away - Seville, Berlin and Reykjavic. 9. Which mainline UK railway station has the most platforms? 10. What is measured in a) bar, b) milisieverts, and c) kelvin?

(continued on page 12) (continued overleaf)

10 26

Data protection update: first UK fine issued under the new data protection regime

Businesses are required to implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure the security of the personal data they process. This requires protection not only against unauthorised or unlawful processing by third parties (such as hacking incidents and theft of data) but also against accidental loss, destruction or damage of the information.

Just over 18 months have passed since the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the supplementary Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018).

Clearly, the pharmacy had failed to comply with these obligations. The ICO also found that it had failed to comply with a number of other obligations, such as having appropriate policies and procedures and providing practical advice to employees. It had also failed to provide individuals with information required by the GDPR.

Many will recall that one of the most significant changes brought by the new regime is a higher maximum fine. The regulator is now able to issue fines up to €20 million (c. £17 million as at the date of writing) or 4% of global turnover, whichever is greater. This is a significant increase from the previous regulatory regime where the maximum fine was £500,000.

The penalty notice (which can be found on the ICO’s website at https://ico.org.uk/ action-weve-taken/enforcement/doorstepdispensaree-ltd-mpn) is useful reading for all organisations as it highlights what bad practice looks like and outlines the factors which the ICO will consider when carrying out its investigations and deciding on the appropriate penalty. It is clear that the ICO will take data breaches seriously and is willing to use its power to issue substantial fines.

In the first use of these increased fining powers, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has fined a London pharmacy £275,000 for failing to comply with data protection rules. The data breach relates to unsecure storage of documents containing personal data. The pharmacy left some 500,000 documents in unlocked crates, bags and cardboard boxes in a locked courtyard at the back of its premises. The documents were not marked as confidential waste even though they included highly sensitive information, such as NHS numbers, medical information and prescriptions. Some of the documents were soaking wet which indicated that they had been stored in this way for some time and had not been protected against the elements.

A fine under the new regime can have a serious impact on any business. Data protection should be a key consideration for all businesses and it is important that policies and procedures are kept under continuous review and are updated regularly. As the first enforcement decisions have been published, now is a good time for businesses to review their policies and procedures and to remind themselves of their data protection obligations.

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Quiz Time 6. The polka dot jersey is given to which rider in the Tour de France?

8. These tracks feature in which televsision programmes - a) “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac, b) “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve, and c) “Brand New Day” by Kodaline?

7. What sports are these US teams associated with a) the New York Mets, b) the Detroit Pistons, c) the Pittsburgh Penguins?

9. What makes “All Around The World” by Oasis and “What Do You Want” by Adam Faith stand out as UK number 1 singles? 10. Which group won the talent contest Popstars in 2001, and what was their chart topping debut single?

8. Name these sporting couples.

Sporting Knowledge 1. Which English rugby league star recently announced he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease? 2. Which teams compete at these venues a) the Oak Tree Arena, b) Gresty Road, c) The Stoop? 3. Which sports do these stars participate in - a) Laura Muir, b) Eddie Pepperell, c) Lando Norris?

9. How high is a) a football crossbar, b) a cricket stump, and c) a tennis net (at the centre of the court)?

4. Who has the most - Lester Piggott Derby wins, David Beckham Premier League titles, or Donald Bradman test match double centuries?

10. In what sports would you come across a) an oche, b) hog line, and c) a derny?

5. BBC sports presenter Gabby Logan represented Wales at which sport?

Answers on page 61

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Rehab & Unknot

Children’s Puzzles - answers on page 61 Odd One Out Can you spot the odd one out in these lists? 1. Emperor, Chinstrap, Macaroni, Stilton, Humboldt 2. Wyoming, Utah, Normandy, Ohio, Arizona 3. Mercury, Jupiter, Mars, Apollo, Neptune 4. Macaroni, Lasagne, Spaghetti, Tagliatelli, Botticelli 5. Torpedo, Javelin, Discus, Hammer, Shot

Name the Animals Can you name the following creatures? There are 3 choices for each one -

Mongoose Red Panda or Skunk?

Sloth Lemur or Wombat?

Wolf Lynx or Snow Leopard?

Mystery Personalities Can you recognise the three “famous people” behind the frames below?

Gorilla Chimpanzee or Orangutan?

Hilary Barber’s Top Gardening Tips 1.This is your last chance to plant bare root raspberries this month. Remember to prune the canes of summer-fruiting types to 10in after planting, and autumn-fruiting varieties down to ground level. Currant bushes and gooseberries (usually container grown) can be planted up until late spring.

10. With the mild (ish) winter so far, don’t get complacent! We may yet have very cold weather and so look out for those late frosts and cover tender plants.

2. Seed potatoes are available now. Chit them (allow shoots to form) by placing them in a light, cool, frost-free place (usually in an egg box or similar so they stand upright.

12. Cut back d e c i d u o u s grasses such as Miscanthus and Pennisetum, which have provided structural interest throughout the winter. Also remove dead grass from evergreen grasses.

3. Vegetable seed beds can be prepared this month so you can start sowing as soon as the soil warms up. I shall also be preparing new beds and borders and digging in lots of organic matter to improve the soil.

13. Trim winter-flowering heathers as the flowers fade. Shears are the ideal tool. This will prevent the plants from becoming leggy and bare.

4. This is a good month to make sure that all your tools are sharpened and oiled to start pruning in March. Your lawn mower can also be serviced for the first cut of the year.

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11. This is the last month to plant bare root trees and shrubs, as long as the ground isn’t frozen.

Happy Spring gardening!

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5. Prune wisteria (cut back the whippy growth to 2 buds, to encourage a good display of flowers) and any winter flowering shrubs which have finished flowering eg winter flowering honeysuckle (Lonicera purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’), Viburnum bodnantense, Cornus mas, Chimonanthes praecox.

Garden development, Therapeutic gardening and tutoring

6. Also prune clematis tangutica and take the leaves off epimediums to expose the beautiful flowers coming through. 7. Towards the end of the month, divide snowdrops and plant any bulbs in the green eg snowdrops, bluebells, winter flowering aconite (Eranthis hyemalis). 8. Put up bird nesting boxes this month - it’s the last chance before tits start looking for a suitable residence. 9. Consider moving or replacing damaged, overgrown or badly placed shrubs. 31

The IT Page - Russell Isaac Save Your Energy! It’s tough to exist without a smartphone these days, and with so much of our life contained inside these tiny devices, we don’t want them running out of juice at an inopportune time. Here’s a few simple tips, using iPhone as an example, to make the most of battery life....

down a battery quick. Turn off location services completely via Settings > Privacy > Location Services. This, however, will make a number of useful apps much less so. i.e. you won’t be able to ask Google to produce driving directions based on your current location. 4.Turn Off Background App Refresh When you close an iOS app, it will keep running for a bit until entering a suspended state. With Background App Refresh, however, those suspended apps can still check for updates and new content. You can disable Background App Refresh completely or just for certain apps. Navigate to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Tap Background App Refresh up top to turn it off, or opt to have it happen only over Wi-Fi.

1. Activate Low Power Mode One of your strongest weapons against battery drain is Low Power Mode. With it enabled, your phone only performs the most essential of tasks, so background activities like downloads and mail fetching are disabled. Low Power Mode will automatically kick in when the battery falls below 20 percent, but you can also activate it manually. Head over to Settings > Battery and toggle the Lower Power Mode switch. 2. Adjust Screen Brightness Smartphone displays are bigger and brighter these days, but those crisp screens keeping you awake at night can be murder on your battery life. The good news is you can easily dim that brightness. First, activate auto-brightness. Navigate to Settings > General > Accessibility > Display Accommodations and toggle AutoBrightness to on. Your phone will then adjust its brightness based on your current lighting situation.

5. Customize ‘Fetch New Data’ Having email on your phone can be super convenient and data fetches mean your inbox is always displaying the most recent messages. But you can customize how these fetches occur so the phone isn’t draining its battery by constantly searching for new messages or calendar items. Turn off data pushes by navigating to Settings > Passwords & Accounts > Fetch New Data. You can make further cuts by switching off WiFi, Bluetooth and Air Drop – though of course you will limit your phone’s capabilities quite considerably!

3. Turn Off Location Services Location services are helpful for apps like Google Maps or Yelp, but those GPS pings can wear

On This Day In Bristory News

returning to the burning building when he realised that Lombard had not followed him out. Security guard Martin Cody, who started the fire, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years for manslaughter and arson.

23 February 1932 Following similar action in January, an estimated 3,000 protesters from the National Unemployed Workers’ Movement marched to protest about a cut in unemployment benefits. The crowd were diverted to Old Market where a large number of police officers were waiting in the annex to the Empire Cinema on Carey’s Lane. A violent clash ensued between both sides, and what seemed like a premeditated attack by the police force shocked the people of Bristol.

Sport 16 February 1935 A record crowd attended Bristol City’s match against Preston North End in the Fifth Round Proper of the FA Cup (the 60th season of the world’s oldest football cup competition). The game ended in a 0-0 draw, with City then losing 5-0 in the replay on 25th February. The winners of that year’s trophy were Sheffield Wednesday, who beat West Bromwich Albion 4-2 in the final.

3 February 1821 Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States, was born in Counterslip, Bristol. Her family moved to America in 1832, first to New York and then Cincinnati, Ohio. Blackwell graduated from New York’s Geneva Medical College in 1849 and claimed that she turned to medicine after a close friend who was dying had told her that she would have been spared some of the worst suffering if her physician had been a woman. Blackwell went on to have a long and successful medical career.

3 February 1940 A clash between Plymouth Argyle and Bristol City was the only one of 56 scheduled matches to beat the weather – making it the worst day of domestic cancellations in English football history. Due to the conditions and WW2, both teams struggled to put sides together (many players were borrowed from other teams). Plymouth won the match 10-3 with Jackie Smith scoring four of their goals.

26 February 1918

Culture

HMHS Glenart Castle was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat UC-56 in the Bristol Channel. Having left Newport and set out on its way to Brest, France, the hospital ship was hit at 04:00. The 162 fatalities included Captain Bernard Burt, nurses, medical officers, orderlies and 99 patients who were being treated on board. Only 32 survivors were reported.

19 February 1946 The inaugural production by the Bristol Old Vic Company, the country’s first subsidised regional theatre company, took place at the Theatre Royal. The Beaux Stratagem, written by George Farquhar and directed by Hugh Hunt ran for two weeks, nightly at 18:30 and with matinee performances on Thursday and Saturday. The Company declared that their desire was to create, “A theatre which will be worthy of the city and the famous playhouse in which they are privileged to act.”

4 February 1996 Fleur Lombard became the first female firefighter to die on duty in peacetime Britain having been killed by a flashover while fighting a fire at a supermarket in Staple Hill. Lombard was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal and her partner, Robert Seaman, was awarded the George Medal for bravery for

10 February 2003 Massive Attack released their fourth studio album, 100th Window. Robert Del Naja/ 3D was the only one of the group’s original core line-up to still be involved at this point. Guest slots on the record included Damon Albarn, Sinead O’Connor and Horace Andy. The album reached No 1 in the UK charts and is now certified Gold. 35

Can Your Smartphone Resolve a Will Dispute?

Michelle Rose

Conten�ous probate specialists VWV recently acted for clients who were successful in defending a Will challenge against a rela�ve’s estate using video evidence captured on a smartphone.

N’s Story

The Legal Ba�le

N died leaving three sons. Her eldest son M had three daughters, who began a legal ba�le with their two uncles over N’s last Will and main asset - her ﬂat.

A�er N’s death, two of her sons challenged the deed of trust on the grounds that N did not have capacity to execute the trust or that if she did, she was unduly inﬂuenced to do so. They also challenged the validity of the Will on similar grounds.

Two years before N died, she decided to exercise her right to buy her council flat in Chiswick. She didn’t have enough money, so she borrowed around £140,000 from her three granddaughters. At that �me, N made her last Will, leaving all her other assets of about £10,000 equally between her three sons. Deed of Trust N also executed a deed of trust, just for her flat. The deed of trust was to ensure that, whilst N was alive, she and her youngest granddaughter owned half the flat each, and that a�er N’s death, the whole flat would pass to her granddaughter. Sadly, in August 2015, N had a fall, which resulted in her losing the ability to make decisions for herself. Following the advice of medical staff she was admi�ed to a nursing home where she remained un�l she died.

The sons argued that N had suffered from demen�a and was delusional at the �me she made the deed of trust and the Will (before her fall). If they could prove this through evidence, the flat would not pass to N’s youngest granddaughter, as the deed of trust would not be valid. Instead, the flat would be divided between N’s three sons if the Will were to be upheld. However, if the Will was not upheld, the flat and N’s remaining assets would pass under her 1993 Will, giving a £10,000 legacy to M and dividing the rest between the other two sons. The two sons’ arguments were not accepted by M or his three daughters and the case came to court for trial.

How Did VWV Help? We uncovered a lot of N’s conversa�ons held with various family members, which were captured on video. These demonstrated that N was determined to buy her ﬂat and that she was equally determined in wan�ng to leave it to her youngest granddaughter. Most importantly, there was a video of N signing her last Will and the deed of trust. This, together with the spoken evidence of witnesses, was crucial. Viewing this, the judge was able to form a clear impression that N was stubborn and determined, and he

could see that she had not been inﬂuenced by anybody. The two sons were unsuccessful in their Will challenge claim because the judge was not sa�sﬁed by their evidence which he found was “illogical, irra�onal and incoherent”.

If you are concerned about a Will, it is vital to access advice from a specialist at the earliest opportunity. For advice, contact Michelle Rose on 0117 314 5246.

Need Legal Advice? We offer a personal service to meet your needs: • Buying or selling a house • Estate administration • Family, divorce & children

• Lasting powers of attorney • Personal injury • Wills & inheritance tax

Contact Michelle Rose at mrose@vwv.co.uk or on 0117 925 2020.

vwv.co.uk

Energy savings - with CHEESE The recently formed NW Bristol Climate Action Group recently held its first meeting of the year, held in Stoke Bishop’s Hiatt Baker Hall. At the meeting Rob Bennington spoke on the the work of the CHEESE Project (Cold Homes Energy Efficiency Survey Experts), after which the group considered what we could all do to save on our heating bills, have warmer houses and reduce Bristol’s carbon footprint. Rob showed the group how the CHEESE survey teams track cold air coming into the house with their thermal-imaging cameras and explained some of the most frequent causes of heat loss. Britain has many poorly insulated houses and Bristol has its fair share! More details of how you can benefit from the CHEESE project are detailed below. Jeff Bishop then led the group in a discussion of how to get home energy improvements done. This led to the forming of a group of local residents who will aim to support each other in making changes, sharing good practice and looking for quantity discounts from joint projects. The NWBCAG February meeting will be on Thursday 20th February at Hiatt Baker Hall at 3 pm - 4,30 pm. Enter the University campus and follow the road until you come to the bus stop area, where you will see The Source Cafe. A reception worker there will be able to point you towards The John Allen Room where we meet. The topic will be our Natural Environment and we will be discussing resilience, the Wills Hall allotment project and rewilding. Please book your place through EventBrite. Bristol North West Climate Action Group: Natural Environment

“Improve the warmth of your home, save money, and take action to reduce climate change with a C.H.E.E.S.E. heat-loss thermal survey!” The C.H.E.E.S.E. Project (Cold Homes Energy Efficiency Survey Experts) is an award winning, not for profit community project covering greater Bristol. We use a unique thermal imaging method to survey inside homes to reveal heat loss problems in detail. We provide a video of the survey and written and verbal reports to help you reduce your energy use, carbon footprint and energy bills by up to a third. Big energy savings can then be made by targeting faults precisely. Often this can be done simply, at low cost. Whether you’re a tenant, homeowner or landlord, have a small or large budget, want to combat fuel poverty or climate change, start with a C.H.E.E.S.E. survey. We charge from £100.00 (subsidised) for three rooms. “CHEESE is the single most useful intervention I have had in my home since I began doing improvements when I first bought a house.” Bristol Green Doors customer 2019 Surveys are FREE to low-income households. www.cheeseproject.co.u k/apply-for-a-survey 38

Music, present, past and future - Duncan Haskell Album of the Month Walking Like We Do by The Big Moon (Fiction Records)

how Weezer’s Blue Album is a mainstay on their tour bus and that’s enough of an excuse for us to recommend this power-pop tour de force from 1994 as this month’s next step.

At the point of writing this month’s column there’s a distinct feeling that the music world hasn’t quite woken from its festive slumber. That the megastars are yet to make themselves heard isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it just gives us an opportunity to remove our focus from the mainstream. That’s not to say that London indie rockers The Big Moon aren’t a recognizable name (their debut album was nominated for the 2017 Mercury Music Prize after all), just that with less clutter getting in their way, Juliette Jackson and her group have something of a captive audience.

Largely the work of frontman Rivers Cuomo, with added sparkle courtesy of eventual producer Ric Ocasek, the Blue Album established Weezer as a group who had swapped grunge’s grunginess for a giant dose of melody and a self-deprecating sense of humour. Supported by three memorable singles, the slouchy Undone-The Sweater Song, the emo influencing Say It Ain’t So and the epic Buddy Holly (complete with one of the finest music videos of the 1990s), the record more than held its own against anything made by Weezer’s Seattle rivals.

Second albums always pose an intriguing question; do you double down on what you did on your debut or have the confidence to switch things up? In this case it’s definitely the latter. The guitar sound which propelled Love In The 4th Dimension hasn’t disappeared completely but it’s now just part of their sonic ensemble. The piano and synths which kick things off on album opener It’s Easy Then establish this fuller sound straight away and it’s a thread which runs through Dog Eat Dog, Waves and Take A Piece.

Listening to the Blue Album felt like being invited into Cuomo’s world. On In The Garage he sang about Dungeons & Dragons, Marvel Comics and Kiss, pre-empting much of what followed over the next two decades. What started out as an outsider record went on to sell 15 million copies, early proof that the geeks would indeed inherit the earth – for which we all are thankful. Gig of the Month The Big Moon @ The Fleece, Thursday 27th February

Fear not though, lead guitarist Soph Nathan hasn’t had to keep hands in pockets the entire time. On songs such as Don’t Think and Holy Roller there’s ample opportunity for her fingers to get busy. But even then, the addition of big backing vocals and extra orchestration elevates these numbers from straight up indie rock. With the “oohs and aahs” and psychedelic horn blasts of ADHD bringing Walking Like We Do to a close, The Big Moon have managed to to make a followup album that rewards existing fans without getting bogged down in what those same ears might have expected to hear.

So, you’ve read the above review of Walking Like We Do and listened to that excellent album. Then, having decided you wanted to hear more, you’ve dug out their punky debut Love In The 4th Dimension and you now want to see Juliette Jackson and her group doing their thing on stage in our city. Well guess what, you can, in just a few day’s time. It’s almost as if we planned this whole caper from the start. Duncan Haskell

Next Step Weezer / Blue Album by Weezer (DGC) The Big Moon have mentioned in interviews 39

What’s On & Community News Alpine Garden Society meets on the 3rd Friday of every month at Westbury Methodist Church, Westbury Hill, at 7.30pm. We have speakers on various topics, plant sales and social events. Visitors are very welcome at £2 a visit. For more details please call 0117 967 3160.

Listings for community events, not-forprofit clubs and charitable activities are free of charge. If you have something of this nature that you would like listed please get in touch by calling 0117 259 1964 or 07845 986650, or emailing andy@bcmagazines. co.uk. Listings must be submitted in Word or text in an email only and be no longer than 75 words to be accepted.

The Arts Society Bristol is Bristol’s society for those who enjoy the arts and we welcome new members. Lectures are given monthly on a wide range of subjects by specialists in their field. The lecture on 11 February is given by Sarah Dunant on Isabelle d’Este and on 10 March is “Nefertiti: Images of Egypt’s most intriguing queen”. Lectures are held at 8pm at Redmaids’ High School, Westbury-on-Trym, BS9 3AW. For more information visit our website www. theartssociety-bristol.org.uk

Details shown are accurate to the best of my knowledge, but dates, times & locations may change without notification. So if you are unsure, and to avoid disappointment, please contact the organiser listed to double check. Aikido for Kids: Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art which draws on fencing (kenjutsu) and wrestling (jujutsu) techniques. Regular practice develops confidence, flexibility, strength and focus. Westbury Aikido Club offers lessons for children, Sundays from 10am to 10.45am, during term-time, at the Scout Hall (Northcote), Great Brockeridge BS9 3TY. See www.westburyaikido.club for more detail, or email reenee@westburyaikido. club. The first lesson is free, so come along and give it a try!

Babbers Radio Show every Monday from midday to 2pm on Ujima Radio - 98FM. The show is organised and presented by older people for older people with the aim of helping to reduce loneliness and social isolation - although the topics we cover are interesting and relevant to all. For more details - info@ujimaradio.com. Badminton. Beaufort Junior Badminton Club. Want to play Badminton aged between 10 & 18? Want to join a club with other social, friendly and enthusiastic young people? Then join us on Monday evenings 6pm - 7pm, from September to Easter, term time only at Cotham School Sports Hall, Cotham Lawn Road, Bristol, BS6 6DT. All coaches DBS checked and Badminton England qualified. All abilities welcome with progression through to senior clubs. Cost £4 per session with free introductory session. Suitable for D of E awards. If you are interested please contact Penny Shears for more information email : pennyshears@ googlemail.com or mobile 07941013514

Alexander Technique. Low cost lessons by 3rd year Alexander students at Southmead Community Centre, BS10 6BQ. The Alexander Technique is a well-established, self-care life skill of mind and body. Through movement-based mindfulness skills, build emotional resilience and physical flexibility; improving posture, stress and pain management and improved balance. New career? Teaching the Alexander Technique could be it! Now recruiting students for the professional programme. Further details: www.bristolalexanderschool.co.uk or email Caroline at cchalk19@gmail.com Alliance Française de Bristol. Can’t speak French? Or would you like to brush up on it? Talk to us about our courses and cultural events. Learn French with the French! www. afbristol.org.uk

Biodanza Classes. Enjoy life more moving to world music. Fun, uplifting and relaxing. Restore your sense of harmony and wellbeing. Biodanza promotes selfconfidence, self-expression, compassion 40

be passed on free of Inheritance Tax after two years, provided they’re still held on death and the portfolio still qualifies for the relief. What is Business Property Relief (BPR)? BPR has been around since 1976 and broadly means that if you invest in a portfolio of investments that qualify you could potentially pass on that portfolio IHT free provided that:

Inheritance Tax and ISAs Did you know that you can pass on your ISAs tax free when you die?

• The portfolio is held for at least two years and are still held on death

• You can protect your ISA from potentially 40% inheritance tax on death

• The portfolio still qualifies for BPR at the time of the investor’s death.

• You can continue to benefit from taxfree growth and income during lifetime

Time for an Inheritance Tax and ISA review? It might be time to get in touch to see if an Inheritance Tax free ISA is relevant to your circumstances.

• You can keep control of your ISA portfolio during lifetime, taking money out if you need to Many people don’t realise that the tax treatment of ISAs can be extremely unfavourable when you die. Although the general rule is that ISA savings will be passed on to your beneficiaries, the tax implications of this could be significant. Most significantly, ISAs form part of your estate on death. Therefore, if your estate is liable for inheritance tax, then your ISA could be caught too.

Richard Higgs, Chartered Financial Planner, provides friendly financial advice in BS9 on a face-to-face basis in a welcoming location at 50, High Street, Westbury on Trym. He specialises in advising retired clients on savings, investments, Inheritance Tax and long-term care planning. You can contact Richard on richard@haroldstephens.co.uk, 0117 3636212 or through the website: haroldstephens.co.uk.

How could I protect my ISA from Inheritance Tax? One way investors can continue to receive ISA benefits whilst they live and protect the assets from Inheritance Tax when they die is to invest in ISA portfolios that qualify for Business Property Relief (BPR). ISA portfolios that qualify for BPR can normally 41

What’s On & Community News food. We raise money for charity both locally and beyond through a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Lots of fun and fellowship raising and spending money for very good causes. For more details of how to apply for assistance with charitable activities in Bristol or to become involved in our activities see Bristol Brunel Lions Club on line or on Facebook or contact our Club Secretary Bill O’Neill at lion.bill@ virginmedia.com.

and friendship. Tuesdays 7.45-9.45pm Westbury Park School Hall, Bayswater Avenue BS6 7NU. Parking in playground at rear. Visit BiodanzaNow on Facebook for more information or call Sheila on 07731 697 938. Biodanza Spring Celebration Day. A fun day moving to music and making friends. No experience needed. Adults, teenagers and children - all welcome. Shared picnic lunch. Sunday 1st March 11-6pm Stoke Bishop Village Hall. Call Sheila 07731 697 938 for more details.

Bristol Cabot Choir is delighted to welcome new members for all voice parts. Why not come and sing with us for a ‘taster’ rehearsal before a simple audition? We meet at Redland URC on Mondays at 7.30 pm. FFI email admin@bristolcabotchoir. org, visit www.bristolcabotchoir.org or find us on Facebook.

Bristol & Clifton Dickens Society. Meets monthly, Monday evenings at Leonard Hall, Trinity RUH, Waterford Rd, Henleaze,BS9 4BT. Dickens works, Guest Speakers, Costumed Readings, Book Club, Victorian Life etc. Contact us for membership & programme. romahussey@hotmail.com. 0117 9279875. www.dickens-society.org.uk

Bristol Cathedral Choir School Choral Society Concert. Our next concert is on Saturday 21 March 2020 7:30pm at Henleaze United Reformed Church, Waterford Road, Henleaze. When we will be performing Faure Requiem & Haydn ‘Nelson’ Mass with orchestra and local soloists. Tickets available on the door. For further details see www.bccschoralsociety.org.uk

Bristol Astronomical Society hosts a series of astronomical talks, events and activities. We provide free Saturday observing at our observatory in Failand and often stage Star Parties in and around Bristol. Friday evening talks are held at 7pm at Bristol Photographic Society, Montpelier, BS6 5EE. Details of all events are on our website: www.bristolastrosoc.org.uk - All welcome.

Bristol Chamber Choir. Come and join Bristol’s oldest choir (founded in 1837). Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings at Redland Park United Reformed Church at 7.30pm. Further details can be found at www.bristolchamberchoir.org.uk. Please contact our Secretary, Rae Ford, on 0117 939 1685 or Rod Coomber on 01275 843 900 or email rodcoomber@aol.co.uk for more details.

Bristol Bridge Club - new weekly Drop-In Wednesday for social bridge. Everyone is welcome to play bridge In this new relaxed format. No membership needed - come to play, watch, chat .... just drop in with or without a partner. Open from 6 to 11 pm. £3 table money on the night. Licenced bar, hot drinks and bar snacks available. For further information, email: hello@ bristolbridgeclub.co.uk or phone the bridge club 0117 9291846 - at Oldfield Road, Hotwells, BS8 4QQ.

Bristol Community Gamelan play the music of Java and are looking for new members for the 2019 season. We meet every Monday evening in the World Music Studio at Cotham School from 6.30 to 8.30 to play traditional & modern pieces. If interested email keithripley27@gmail.com or phone 9444241. They can be seen on YouTube.

Bristol Brunel Lions Club - We meet on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 for 7.30. On the 3rd Tuesday of each month we have a social gathering normally with 42

River Avon Tide Times Here are your weekend high and low tide times for the River Avon, from Cumberland Basin to Avonmouth, during February. No particularly high tides at the weekends, but Tuesday morning on 11th Feb (0842) and Wednesday morning 12th Feb (0925) will be very high so maybe worth a wander down to witness the river at its fullest. The Avon, at 121km (75miles) is the 19th longest river in the UK, and runs through four counties - Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Bristol. At 6,650km (4.132 miles) the River Nile, according to most (but not all) definitions, is the longest river in the world, and runs through eleven countries - Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Egypt, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan. Date

High

Low

High

Low

Sat 1st Feb

11.21

17.47

2340

Sun 2nd Feb

1205

1833

0030 (Mon am)

Sat 8th Feb

0620

1307

1850

Sun 9th Feb

0709

1404

1938

Sat 15th Feb

1130

1755

2353

Sun 16th Feb

1218

1834

0046 (Mon am)

Sat 22nd Feb

0628

1306

1853

0130 (Sun am)

Sun23rd Feb

0712

1354

1934

0216 (Mon am)

Sat 29th Feb

1016

1640

2229

Sun 1st March

1046

1710

2302

0133 (Sun am)

ÂŠ Crown Copyright and/or database rights. Reproduced by permission of the Controller of Her Majestyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stationery Office and the UK Hydrographic Office (www.GOV.uk/UKHO).

What’s On & Community News Bristol Grandparents Support Group gives support to grandparents who are estranged from their grandchildren due to family breakdown. We give support over the phone, via email, Skype and at our regular meetings held at 9 Park Grove, Bristol. BS6 7XB. Tel 07773 258 270 more information or visit www.bgsg.co.uk.

phone 0117 968 2223. Bristol Morris Men welcome anyone who wants to try morris dancing. We practise on Thursday evenings in the Sports Hall at QEH School at Berkeley Place, Clifton from 8 to 10. For more information please visit www.bristolmorrismen.co.uk or call Grant on 0117 944 2165.

Bristol Humanists is a local group for those who make sense of the world using reason & shared human values, who seek to live ethical lives on the basis of reason, humanity and respect for others, and who find meaning, beauty, and joy in the one life we have. We meet on the first Monday of every month (except BH’s) at central Quaker Meeting House, Champion Square. For more details visit www.bristol.humanist.org. uk or www.meetup.com/Bristol-Humanists.

Bristol Philatelic Society meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month in the meeting room of the United Reform Church at the bottom of Blackboy Hill (Whiteladies Road) starting at 7.30 p.m. Contact 0117 956 7853. Bristol Playgoers Club is the oldest amateur drama group in Bristol. Members have many opportunities to take part and a chance to see a variety of plays and enjoy a programme of social events. Find us on Facebook and Twitter. A warm welcome is guaranteed to all, newcomers and existing members alike, at Newman Hall, Grange Court Road, BS9 4DR. On 18th February Sandy Bateman will give an illustrated talk on “The Bronte’s”.

Bristol Libraries are looking for people who’d love reading aloud and sharing literature with others. We run 11 very successful shared reading groups in Bristol Libraries and some of them need an extra reader leader to support them. If you are this person or you think of anyone else who’d love to help, please contact us at libraries.volunteering@bristol.gov.uk or josephineharwood@thereader.org.uk, 07807 106869.

Bristol Scrabble Club meets every Wednesday at 7.15 pm at Upper Horfield Community Trust, BS7 0PQ (next to Eden Grove Church). New members welcome first visit free so come and give it a try. FFI contact Sue on 0117 924 7871.

Bristol Male Voice Choir invites new singers. The choir has a broad repertoire, performing not just male voice standards, but songs from musicals, pop classics, spirituals, and classical favourites. You don’t have to read music to join the choir as a tenor, baritone or bass, but you will enjoy learning our repertoire, (re-)discovering the voice you may have forgotten about, and being welcomed into the choir’s friendly social atmosphere. We perform for charity, for weddings and a wide range of events during the year. We rehearse every Thursday from 7.00pm till 9.15pm at St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Gloucester Road, BS34 7PS. You will be made very welcome when you come along to a rehearsal. Also visit our website – bristolmvc.org.uk - to find out more, or

Bristol Shambhala Meditation Group offer an Open House every Wednesday evening from 7 until 9 pm at 17 Lower Redland Road, BS6 6TB with qualified meditation instructors available. Please see our website for further details at bristol. shambhala.info. We also have a rentable large room downstairs suitable for yoga or pilates and a smaller room upstairs ideal for one to one therapies. Please contact Roel at shambhalabristolrooms@gmail.com for further rental information. Bristol University of the Third Age (U3A) scrabble group would welcome new 44

Local News from your Clifton and Clifton Down Green Councillors

Cllr. Jerome Thomas

Cllr. Paula O’Rourke

Cllr. Clive Stevens

Cllr. Carla Denyer

Visitor parking permit changes Bristol Council has recently moved to a digital online-system for new visitor parking permits, replacing the system of paper parking permits. Unfortunately this was done without any consultation and residents had little warning. Therefore the change has been quite disruptive for some people, especially those with disabilities, lacking computer skills, or unable to afford internet access. It has also meant residents can’t use the same permit with multiple different visitors in a day, something which was possible with paper permits. Clifton Green Councillors have challenged this – Jerome Thomas put a statement to the Mayor and Paula O’Rourke has discussed the issue with council enforcement officers to find solutions. Councillor O’Rourke said: “It’s a shame the Council didn’t consult local people before this disruptive change. After raising residents’ concerns we’ve now had assurances from the Mayor as well as some changes to the system in response to complaints.” “Residents using the new online system – called MiPermit – should soon be able to register several cars in a single 24 hour period. For those without computer access or who find using a phone difficult, or who require permits for care needs (Essential Care Permits), it will still be possible to apply for paper permits. In the meantime the Council has confirmed that existing paper/scratch card permits will still be valid and usable until the expiry date.” The Council also has a dedicated help line for those having difficulty applying for a permit, which can be reached at 0345 520 7007. Keeping you in the know Please email your local councillors if you would like to subscribe to our quarterly e-newsletters to get updates on what’s going on in the ward, consultations you may want to take part in, etc. Please get in touch Paula O’Rourke (Clifton) - cllr.paula.orourke@bristol.gov.uk - Tel: 07584 370433 Jerome Thomas (Clifton) - cllr.jerome.thomas@bristol.gov.uk - Tel: 07810 581031 Carla Denyer (Clifton Down) - cllr.carla.denyer@bristol.gov.uk- Tel: 07469 413306 Clive Stevens (Clifton Down) - cllr.clive.stevens@bristol.gov.uk -Tel: 07584370434

What’s On & Community News cityvoicesbristol.org and make contact for more information.

members. We play very friendly and informal games every Friday at the Beehive, Wellington Hill West, BS9 4QY from 2 to 4. For further info please contact Heddy Sara on 0117 924 1318 and indicate when asked to give your name that you are phoning about scrabble in order not to be blocked. Or email nigel.d.sara@btinternet.com.

Civil Service Retirement Fellowship. The Westbury-on-Trym group welcomes all retired Civil Servants and their spouses to their meetings held on the first Thursday of the month at Studland Court, Henleaze Road at 2.00pm, Those people without a civil service background are welcome to join our group as Friends of the Fellowship. For more info phone Tony McKenna on 0117 950 2059.

Carers Support Centre. If you are outgoing and could offer two mornings a month to meet, greet and give information to carers when they visit their GP surgery, I would love to hear from you. Full training and support provided. Please contact Marilyn Crump, Volunteer and Training Coordinator at MarilynC@carerssupportcentre.org.uk. If you look after someone who couldn’t manage without you, and would like some information about our services for carers or would like someone to talk to about caring for the person you look after, please call our Carersline on 0117 965 2200 or visit www. carerssupportcentre.org.uk.

Clifton Climate Action provides free talks and discussion at 7:30 pm on the second and fourth Thursday evenings of each month at Clifton Library, 13 Princess Victoria St, Bristol BS8 4BX. Details of all our events and how to get involved are on our website at www.CliftonClimateAction.org, or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ CliftonClimateAction. All welcome! Clifton Rotary Club welcomes new members willing to give their time, interested in making new friends, building business contacts and using their skills to help others. We meet Weds lunchtimes at The Redland Green Club (Redland Lawn Tennis & Squash Club). www.cliftonrotary. org or email secretary@cliftonrotary.org

Carers’ Support Group (formerly Henleaze Carers’ Group). Would you like the opportunity to share your experiences, relax and make new friends? Then come and join the We meet on the second and fourth Thursday morning of each month, 10 to 12, in Bradbury Hall, Waterford Road, Henleaze. For more information please call Monica Rudston 0117 942 6095.

The Clifton Singers are recruiting for all voices. We are a small choir of 20-25 voices, where your voice will make a difference. We sing and rehearse mostly unaccompanied, and we try not to spend too much time learning notes, so good reading is desirable. The music ranges from Renaissance to contemporary. We rehearse in Clifton on Sunday evenings. Contact@cliftonsingers. co.uk or www.cliftonsingers.co.uk for more details.

City Voices Bristol is a non auditioning community choir that welcomes new members. Whether you have been in other choirs or haven’t sung since school days, why not come and join us? We are a friendly bunch of people of all ages and love singing both for relaxation and for enjoyment. We perform two concerts each year at St Georges Hall, with a wide repertoire from Mozart to the Beach Boys and Lady Gaga. If you are interested, we rehearse on a Monday evening from 7.30-9.30 in the Performing Arts Centre at Red Maids’ High School, Westbury on Trym. Meanwhile if you want to find out more before then, please have a look at our website www.

Drop-in Healing Sessions at The Friends Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, Redland, Bristol, BS6 6JE. Healing is holistic, gentle and relaxing and helps restore balance and well-being. Enhances vitality and resilience and promotes a 46

Chandos Window Wanderland Saturday February 22nd & Sunday February 23rd from 6pm to 9pm.

An authentic, off-the-beaten-track 8-day guided tour of Catalonia

Wrap up warmly to enjoy an evening stroll with a difference, wandering round the Chandos Road (Redland) neighbourhood to see our fun and imaginative window displays.

Tour Dates 2020

September 23rd-30th “The best holiday we’ve ever had” Rosemary & Trevor

Further details & map of participating houses available on the host website https://www.windowwanderland.com/ event/chandos-bristol-2020/

“Amazing value for money” Belinda P.

Nick Clark 07919 926 975 nick@cataloniaunlocked.co.uk www.cataloniaunlocked.co.uk

This is our 5th Window Wanderland in the Chandos area, returning by popular request. It’s a fun event for anyone and everyone to join in. Local residents and businesses are encouraged to decorate and light up their front windows or gardens for the evening. From a simple string of lights, to favourite books or toys, to impressively creative displays – anything goes as long as it’s family friendly! (Ideas for window decorations can also be found on the website with plenty of photos from previous years for inspiration.)

SM P

TITANIC Musical Theatre Company

An off-the-beaten-track, guided tour of Catalonia

2020 tour dates

Sept. 23rd-30th

“The best holiday THE MUSICAL we’ve ever had!”

Story and Book by Peter Stone

Trevor Rosemary Music&and Lyrics by Maury Yetson

Nick Clark 07919 926 975

nick@cataloniaunlocked.co.uk www.cataloniaunlocked.co.uk

Enjoy the friendly atmosphere on our streets and see the area in a whole new light! To complete your evening, re f re s h m e n t s are available at local stores, pubs and restaurants.

14th - 18th April 2020

Redgrave Theatre Tues 14th April £12.50 - Wed 15th - Sat 18th £15.00

Percival Road Clifton, BS8 3LE Tel 0117 315 7800

www.redgravetheatre.com - www.smpmtc.co.uk By arrangement with MusicScope and Stage Musicals Limited of New York

What’s On & Community News Facebook - search ‘North Bristol Ultimate’ or email jake.f.waller@gmail.com.

sense of peace. Recommended for stress. Run by Bristol Healing Group with trained volunteers and links with the Healing Trust. Sessions in November and December held on Thursdays from 2.30 to 4.00 pm. Times may change in January. Last session in December on 12th, first session in January on 9th. Please contact Barbara on 0117 9082061 for up to date information.

Happy Days Memory Café meets 1st Friday of the month from 2.00 – 4.00 at Westbury Baptist Church, Reedley Road, BS9 3TD. The café is aimed at carers and people living with dementia and the plan is that we have fun. Why not check us out? For more information please contact Tony on 0117 968 1002 or check our Facebook page.

Friends of the Downs & Avon Gorge - It’s a great thing to be part of. Members get regular updates on projects and how to join in, a quarterly newsletter, and a programme of walks, talks and events. We welcome both active and non-active members as increasing our membership gives us a greater voice to represent all those who care about the Downs and its future. Visit the website www.friendsofthedowns.org for joining details or contact the Membership Secretary, 3 Wallcroft, Durham Park, Bristol BS66XJ.

Henleaze Garden Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month in the main hall at St Monica’s, Cote Lane, with a summer break when the club arranges coach trips. We have expert speakers, a quarterly newsletter, and a great Christmas event. Annual membership is £20 plus £1 per visit, visitors are most welcome at £5 per visit. Contact Brian Dury 0117 9621227 or visit www.henleazegardenclub.co.uk. Henleaze Senior Film Club, Monday 17th February 2pm, presents “Quartet” (12A) starring Dame Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins and Michael Gambon. At a home for retired musicians, the annual concert to celebrate composer Giuseppe Verdi’s birthday is disrupted by the arrival of Jean (Dame Maggie Smith), an eternal diva and the former wife of one of the residents. St Peter’s Church Hall, The Drive, Henleaze BS9 4LD. Refreshments £4 Easy access, all welcome!

Friends of Old Sneed Park Nature Reserve (entrance Glenavon Park). A quiet corner of Stoke Bishop, with flower meadows, lake and woods. Join us on our monthly working parties and enjoy the great outdoors. Suitable for everyone. Free refreshments. Dates for 2020 - Feb. 15, March 14, April 18. For more details or to join as a member – fospnr@gmail.com The next event for Friends of Welsh National Opera is a Study Day on Verdi’s first grand opera, Les Vepres Siciliennes, on Saturday 15 February 2020 at Redmaids High School, from 10am to 4pm. Andrew Borkowski will be exploring this dramatic work based on the Sicilian uprising against the French in 1282.There will be a morning break and lunch hour; fruit juice & biscuits provided. All welcome. Bookable in advance - please send cheque for £25 to Owain Jones, 4 Pepys Close, Saltford, Bristol BS31 3 LS, made payable to Friends of WNO.

Henleaze Singing for the Brain® brings People Living with Dementia and their carers together in a fun, friendly and social environment. First, third and fifth Thursday of every month, 2–3.45pm. £2.50 charge. Please contact Sophia Simlat at Alzheimer’s Society to book a place - 0117 961 0693 or bristol@alzheimers.org.uk. Henleaze Tennis Club welcomes new members of all ages. We are a small friendly club. Our teams play to a good standard in the Avon leagues and we have a good level of club play for those who wish to play a more relaxed game. Check out more on our

Frisbee Club. Beginner-friendly ultimate open to all ages and abilities. Come try the best sport you’ve never played. Find us on 48

Lifeskills Safety Education Centre recently presented volunteer guides Helen Vegoda and Monica Berry with awards for completing over 100 sessions and 125 sessions respectively at the Centre. Helen from Cotham and Monica from Redland have between them taught almost 1,000 school children aged 10 to 11 how to stay safe and live healthy lives.

Heather’s Pregnancy & Post-Natal Massage

Based in The Create Centre, Smeaton Road, Bristol, Lifeskills is an interactive village, - a huge film set with 19 different “scenarios”. Children visit with their classes and are taken round the centre in groups of 4, accompanied by volunteer guides like Helen and Monica. During their visit the children experience practising emergency 999 calls, discovering and reacting to a house fire, carrying out first aid and experiencing the consequences of trespassing on a railway line – all made realistic with the use of light, sound and wind effects

Qualified massage therapist based in the BS9 area. Specialising in Relaxation, Rejuvenation and Support for all stages of Pregnancy Initial consultation (1 hour 30) - £55 Follow-on appointments (1 hour / 1 hour 15) - £40 Discounted block booking available Please get in touch for enquiries: Phone- 07717 743 598

Email- heather.sportsmassage@gmail.com Andy Townsend Manager says “We could not Facebook- Heather’s Sports Massage operate the centre without our dedicated team of volunteers. We know what we here do makes a difference and saves lives; one child helped his family escape a house fire, another prevented a gas explosion, and a boy knew 18/07/2019 how to make a 999 call to help his mother –Heather all Drewe Pregnancy July 2019.indd 1 skills learnt at Lifeskills”

“Lifeskills urgently needs more volunteers so we are running an hour long “taster session” at the Centre on Wednesday 12th February at 10.30am so people interested in becoming a volunteer can come and have a look before committing. If you would like to book a place on a “taster session”, please call 0117 922 4511 or email sam@lifeskills-bristol.org.uk.” For a 360 degree tour of the Centre (which doesn’t give away the surprises the children will encounter!) take a look at https://lifeskillsbristol.org.uk/about-the-centre/tour/. Centre Andy

Manager Townsend

with Monica Berry (left)

and

Helen

Vegoda (right) 49

14:44:10

What’s On & Community News yourself better. Supportive group and course for women going through the menopause and who want help in managing their symptoms. Monday evenings at the Redland Club Burlington Road. For more information contact Tricia Worthington on 07962 892060 or tricia_worthington@msn. com

website: www.henleazetennisclub.co.uk (or give Heather a call on 0117 924 7441) Hydrotherapy Exercise Sessions – A group exercise in Southmead Hospital’s purpose built pool. Benefits include relaxation, relief of pain & swelling, improved movement, balance & fitness. All ages & abilities are welcome. We are a friendly local team of Chartered Physiotherapists with expertise in a variety of disabilities & medical conditions. For more details please contact Chris & Ali Cowley on 07971 086 628, or email healthyhydrotherapy@gmail.com or visit www.healthyhydrotherapy.co.uk.

The NT Bristol Centre is a voluntary group in support of the National Trust. Visits to NT and similar properties, and gardens, and talks of local interest are arranged by the Bristol Centre for the membership of the Centre. Our next talk is on Saturday 29th February, at 2.15pm in the Hall at St Monica Trust, Cote Lane, Westbury-onTrym, BS9 3UN. Entitled “Life Below Stairs” Patrick Hoyte’s talk charts the decline in the status of servants, from the generally amicable cohabitation or shared household familiarity of the medieval period through to the almost complete social repression of the Victorian era and beyond; and looks at pay and conditions of service right up to the present day. A charge of £3 is made to both members and visitors and includes refreshments. For more details please contact the Membership Secretary, Mrs Janet Stanton on 0117 4563497 or visit our website on www.ntbristolcentre.btck.co.uk

Karate Classes on Thursday evenings at David Lloyd Westbury on Trym (no membership required). The evening starts with beginners and advanced classes for children aged 5 and up, followed by a new class for adult beginners. Please contact Trevor on 07921 917 758 for more information. Marie Curie fundraising. If you’d like to get more active or involved in your community why not give an hour a week or a day a month and help Marie Curie as we continue to provide care to patients and their families? If you enjoy meeting new people and raising money for a great cause, we would love to hear from you. FFI please contact Helen Isbell on 0117 924 7275 or email Helen.Isbell@mariecurie.org.uk.

North West Bristol Camera Club is an enthusiastic group of amateur photographers who meet each Wednesday at 7:45pm at Westbury Fields. New members of any level of ability are most welcome. For details contact Neville at nevwgoodman@ mac.com.

Mediumship Workshop. Medium Sharon Bird will host a workshop at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church on Saturday February 22nd entitled Purpose, Practice and Prominence – Mediumship and You. This one-day workshop, aimed at beginners and intermediates, will explore a range of practical techniques to connect and strengthen the link with spirit. 10am to 4pm at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road, BS6 7TH. Tickets in advance and are priced at £20. For further information call Minister Marian Bishop on 0117 977 1629.

NotaBene Vocal Ensemble has vacancies in all voice-parts to expand our dynamic a cappella group. Our repertoire includes a range of styles but mostly comprises modern/popular songs. We perform from memory, often incorporating a theatrical performance style (nothing too scary). We rehearse on Monday evenings in Horfield, Bristol. Music-reading ability useful but not essential and entry is via a friendly audition. Please contact Lisa Smith on 07966 459872

Menopause Matters - Getting to know 50

Peter Wyatt Painter & Decorator Domestic & Commercial No job too large or too small Specialist wallpapering Free estimates & friendly advice Fully insured & reliable BS6 references available Tel 07950 496039 or 01934 625782

Do you care for someone? Did you know you have a right to a Carer’s Assessment?

time for himself. He even had to cancel his own health appointment because he didn’t have anyone to sit with his wife.

Do you look after someone? Or perhaps you know someone who does? Families, friends and neighbours often provide crucial care for someone who couldn’t manage without their help. You could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems.

After his assessment, Elmas was awarded a one-off payment to pay for a sitting service. Then his niece offered to come and stay for three months to help take care of his wife. Jan contacted the council on his behalf and they agreed the payment could be used to pay for the travel. Elmas’ niece is now staying with them and caring for Joan.

If you are a carer, you have the right to a carer’s assessment. Carers Support Centre, a local charity, can help you with this.

Elmas said: “I am so happy how things have worked out. I have more help and it has made such a difference. I lost weight with all the stress and now I am putting weight back on. Joan has benefitted as well because she is getting such good care from my niece.”

In your assessment, you can talk about the impact caring has on your life. This will give you some space to think about how caring affects your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and how this may change in the future. An assessment also often leads to a small one-off payment that will give you the chance to take a short break or do something for your own wellbeing.

Get in touch with CarersLine at Carers Support Centre to find out more about carer’s assessments. If you care for an adult who has a support package from Bristol City Council, you can call the Integrated Carers Team at the council on 0117 352 1668. If the person you care for does not receive support services from the council, or if you are a parent carer or a young carer, Carers Support Centre can provide advice and guidance.

Bristol carer, Elmas, looks after his wife, Joan, who has a terminal illness. When Jan Mussi of Carers Support Centre first visited them, Joan was bedbound and declining fast. Elmas was under a huge amount of stress. When Jan helped Elmas with his assessment, she realised his wife wasn’t claiming her entitlement to benefit. She helped him complete the paperwork and they were awarded the highest rate of Attendance Allowance. Before Elmas’ assessment, they received a daily visit from home care to help Joan wash and dress. This gave him chance to do a weekly shop but it didn’t give him any

CarersLine: 0117 965 2200 carersline@carerssupportcentre.org.uk www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk 51

What’s On & Community News members, free taster sessions. We have a full programmes of men’s ladies and mixed friendly and competitive matches. Reduced membership offer for the first year (£50). More information and contact details https://redlandgreenbowls.webs.com

to discuss or email notabenebristol@yahoo. com. Parkinson’s UK - Bristol and District Branch - meets every first Saturday of the month at St Monica’s Trust, Cote Lane, BS9 3UN from 10am till 12 noon. Carers, relatives, spouses and people with Parkinson’s are all welcome for a social and informative gettogether, with speakers from a variety of backgrounds with many diverse interests. We also meet at The Eastfield Inn, Henleaze, BS9 4NQ once a month for an informal coffee morning. For details of this and other activities in the area, visit our website. www.parkinsonsbristol.com

REMAP - a registered charity that designs and makes custom aids for the disabled. We are on the lookout for volunteers (engineers, craftsmen, DIY enthusiasts etc) who are willing give up a little of their time to enable a disabled person to enjoy a better quality of life. If you can help please contact the Chairman at bristol.chair@ remap groups.org.uk or 0117 3295183 or visit www.bristol.remap.org.uk.

People of Note Community Choir is looking for new members, especially altos. We are friendly and it’s fun, the songs we sing are very varied, pop, folk, world music, original pieces, but not traditional choral. We meet in Southville on Tuesday and Clifton on Wednesday evenings. Visit www.peopleofnote.co.uk or email peopleofnote@btinternet.com for more details. Come along for a free taster!

Retired & Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP). Do you like reading? Do you like helping children? If yes to both, you are just the sort of person we are looking for! If you can spare a minimum of an hour a week to hear children read in a local school you could make a huge difference. Volunteering is a great way to stay active and to feel useful, so if you are interested in joining us please get in touch. Contact Mina on 07860 669 953, or visit RSVP-west.org.uk.

Pilates classes at the Northcote Scout Hall; Mondays 9:30am (Improvers), 10:30am (New Beginners); Tuesdays 9:30am (Improvers), 10:30am (Beginners-Gentle). £8 per class booked as a course, or £10 single sessions. Classes are kept small, so must be booked in advance. Contact; Leanne 07817189474 / leanne@mindbodypilates. org / www.mindbodypilates.org

Rotary Club of Bristol meets at the Bristol Hotel, Prince Street, BS1 4QF at 7.00pm for 7.30 pm on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Mondays and at 12.30 for 1.00 on the 2nd and 4th Mondays. Meetings start with a meal and are followed by a speaker. New members are very welcome – for more details see www.bristolrotary.org or contact Martina Peattie at mpeattie@btopenworld.com

Quilting Exhibition. Severn Valley Quilters present an exhibition of members work at Thornbury Methodist Church Hall, Castle Court, Thornbury, BS35 2AQ, on Friday 21st February 2pm - 5pm and Saturday 22nd February 10am – 4pm. Disabled Access. Admission £3. Traders, Sales Table, Tombola; Refreshments, and proceeds to Great Western Air Ambulance. Contact severnvalleyquilters@gmail.com for more details.

Scottish Country Dancing - come to Dance Scottish with RSCDS Bristol on Thursdays at 7.30pm in term time at Oatley Hall, St Monica’s Trust, Cote Lane, Westbury-onTrym BS9 3UN. New dancers welcome, come on your own or with a friend for fun, fitness and friendship. No need to wear a kilt or a sash! For information contact Alison on 0117 968 4036 or Caroline on 0117 924 9226 or see www.rscdsbristol.info

Redland Green Bowls Club welcomes new 52

The Wordsmith Plain Sailing

at sea but by taking on board as much as I could I found I was soon on the right tack. My advice is to spend time in bars and Spain was choc a block with them. When three sheets to the wind I find that mistakes seem to matter much less. So if you’re sociable, show your true colours and talk to the locals; if you like the cut of somebody’s jib, get chatting to them. But keep out of deep water by giving subject like politics a wide berth. After all, having seven bells knocked out of you by sailing too close to the wind or acting like a loose canon might lead to the ‘learning whilst drinking’ approach going by the board. Know when to pipe down and you should be hunky-dory. That’s all for now: bottoms up!’

After over 2 years on a waiting list I was offered a space in the Dingy Park on Baltic Wharf last Summer. I now sail regularly around our wonderful harbour, very often on my own. Having a boat takes me back to when I was a child. It’s something we used to do as a family and it makes me feel happy. The harbour is not the largest expanse of water and the wind is often ‘flukey’, but it’s much better than not sailing at all. As I was sitting in the warmth of The Cottage Inn enjoying a post-sail pint the other cold January day, I reflected on the many nautical expressions that are commonly used in English. Here’s my first offering: ‘The Wordsmith has always loved learning languages. The trick is to go abroad and to put yourself in a position where you’re at close quarters with your chosen lingo and you either sink or swim. It’s a copper bottomed approach and I learned the ropes many years ago in Spain. At first it wasn’t all plain sailing and I was often all

ALFIE SUTCLIFFE TR EE C ARE 07917 138882 alfie@sutcliffetreecare.com www.sutcliffetreecare.com

Tree pruning Ariel pruning Formative pruning Dead wood removal

Hedge cutting Trimming, reducing & straightening Hedge laying

Tree removal Felling Dismantling

Shrub care Shrub pruning & trimming Rose pruning Mulching

Get in touch for advice and a free quote I take pride in working greenly, cleanly and safely. Tree work operations comply with British Standard (BS3998) NPTC qualified and £5 million Public Liability insurance

What’s On & Community News Tai Chi - an ancient Chinese system of exercise which develops a sense of harmony of body and mind. The classes are fun and inclusive and provide an encouraging environment in which to practice the flowing movements which bring a sense of calm. Classes for beginners in Westbury, Southmead and Clifton. See www.taichiworksbristol.co.uk or phone 0117 9424167 for more information.

Shouri Shotoryu Karate Club holds sessions 6 days a week at Henbury, Horfield and Easton Leisure Centres under principal instructor Nick Moller, 6th Dan. Over 30 years Nick has trained many students to 1st and 2nd Dan black belt and beyond, with all welcome from 5yrs and upwards. For more details visit Shouri Shotoryu karate on Facebook, or call 0117 969 5697. Simply Social Activity and Social Club. Whether you are single or in a relationship, enhance your social life by joining our friendly social club. We are run by members for the members and enjoy a packed programme of activities including walking, live music, dancing, dining out, badminton, a reading group, weekends away and foreign holidays. There are no age limits although most of our members are 40+. Check out www.simplysocial.org.uk or phone us on 07971 427 766, and come along to one of our Thursday Club nights.

Tai Chi for over 55’s. For health, for fitness, for life. Shibashi form, can be done standing or sitting down. Slow and easy movements adapted for older people. Relaxing and enjoyable. Reduces stress and lifts mood. Improves balance, flexibility, muscle strength, fitness. Beneficial for heart, lungs, chronic pain. Drop-in class at The Redland Club, Burlington Road, BS6 6TN on Wednesdays 11:00 to 12:00. Cost £4. Please arrive 5 mins early and bring flat, soft shoes/ slippers to wear. Contact Selina on 0117 9466434 for more information.

Soroptimist International Bristol is part of a global organisation founded in Bristol for women.We meet on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at Long Ashton Golf Club. During the year we support various charities and have an interesting speaker programme. Do look at our website or for more details email: sibristol@hotmail.co.uk (www.sigbi.org/Bristol)

Taoist Tai Chi class every Monday 7pm at Badock’s Wood School, Doncaster Road. You will experience benefits to your body, mind, and spirit, make friends and listen to remarkable stories of health improvement. Our hope is that each person leaves with a renewed conviction that they can make a real positive difference in their own health and with a clear sense of how to go about it. We are a registered charity and all our instructors are volunteers. Young and old alike enjoy the friendly and welcoming nature of the Society. See taoist.org.uk for more information.

Stoke Bishop Local History Group arranges regular talks in the Stoke Bishop Village Hall, 42 Stoke Hill, BS9 1EX. Anyone who is interested in local history is welcome. Membership £6pa Visitors £3. Our next meeting will be on 6th March when Paul Woodwill be looking at St Vincent’s Fountain and new Hotwells.

Venue for Hire. Subud Hall, Wesley Place, Clifton, BS8 2YD. The Subud Hall is an ex Wesleyan Chapel next to the Downs with 2 beautiful, peaceful spaces 7/8 metres for hire. Suitable for rehearsals, choirs, classes etc. Reasonable rates. Please call 07790519683 for more info.

Stoke Lodge Ramblers. How about joining us for enjoyable 8-10 mile walks on two Sundays per month? Our usual group size is 12-15 walkers. If you are interested please come and give a try. For more details please visit www.stokelodgeramblers.wordpress. com or call our Secretary on 0117 950 0934.

Walking Tennis at Henleaze Tennis Club. This is a slower version of the game and is designed so that anyone with a long54

It’s ok not to be ok. You’re not alone. Too many people are afraid to talk about their mental health. Around one in six people in the past week will have experienced a common mental health problem.

Connect to others • listen well • develop a support network • volunteer

Talk to someone

Take care of yourself

• a friend • a colleague • a relative • your GP

• be active • eat well • prioritise sleep • keep learning

Please support us We empower individuals to speak up, promote well-being in the workplace and reduce the stigma of mental health.

www.jonathansvoice.org.uk

@jonathans_voice

Registered charity 1180424

Interested in Science, Engineering and Medicine?

Saturday evening, at Trinity Theological College in Stoke Bishop. We still have a dinner followed by a talk and discussion. We also arrange visits to local places of interest to our members. For example, one recent visit, seen here, was to the Underfall Yard in Cumberland Basin.

If you would like to meet others with an interest in these topics, then why not come along to a meeting of the Bristol Scientific Club? You don’t need to be “academically-minded” to join, but obviously some level of attainment in one of these subjects would be important! The Club was founded in 1886 as a venue for scientists, engineers and medical practitioners working in Bristol at the time to meet to discuss the latest advances in these subjects. The two founding fathers were William Ramsay, professor of chemistry at University College Bristol, and William Shenstone, the senior science master at Clifton College. The format was to have a dinner, followed by a discourse and discussion on some relevant topic.

Our website, where you will find a fuller description of the Club and also the upcoming programme for this year, is www. bristolscientificclub.org and iIf you feel you might like a ” taster” and would like to come along to one of our dinners (the next is on Feb 22nd) to find out more about our activities, then please contact us by email at info@ bristolscientificclub.org.

133 years on, this is still the basic format, but the Club is much more broadly based these days! Our purpose is to act as a place for scientifically minded people to meet, discuss and converse. We meet four times per year, on a Friday or 55

What’s On & Community News Westbury Park Women’s Institute at Redland Church Halls, Redland Green Road, BS6 7HE. From 7.15 - 9.30pm 1st Wednesday of the month. We are a friendly group, have a full programme with inspiring speakers and activities, theatre trips, book group, outings and extra activities. Refreshments available, guests are welcome. (Jan 2020 will be on 8th) Email Westburyparkwi@gmail.com or check out www.westburyparkwi.org.uk Find us on Facebook – Westbury Park WI.

term health condition or who is inactive can participate. It can be enjoyed by many, you do not have to have a health condition to attend! Open to all, members and non-members, sessions take place on Wednesday morning at 9.15am. Cost £5. Come and try it! Or for more information call 07411 263207. Walking Touch Rugby for males and female over 50s. Every Friday 10am to 11.30, Westbury Fields, Cricket Lane, Westburyon-Trym BS10 6TW. A great inclusive sport for all levels of mobility. Come along and be welcomed. Contact Kris Tavender, email ktavender@bristolbearsrugby.com.

Westbury Scottish Club country dancing classes are held every Tues 7.30-9.30pm from Sept-April; a fun and friendly way to exercise body and mind. Dress is informal, and no dancing partner needed. Beginners class is at Leonard Hall, Trinity-Henleaze URC, Waterford Rd., Henleaze BS9 4BT; contact Maggie on 01934 838175. More advanced dancers: at St.Peter’s Church Hall, Henleaze BS9 4LD; contact Cheryl on 0117 401 2416. See www.wscbristol.co.uk for details.

Westbury Folk / Country Dancing on Tuesdays 1.15 - 3.15pm at The College, College Road, WoT. This is a sociable group meeting to have fun, get some exercise and, of course, stop for a cup of tea. No experience is necessary as all dances are called first. For further information, call Christine on 0117 962 2223. It’s £3 per person for each session.

Zumba Classes. Keep mind and body healthy and active with Zumba Gold. Easy to follow, low impact dance moves to great music. Tuesdays 11.10 Westbury on Trym Methodist Church Hall, BS9 3AA. Please contact Jools for more info.; jooljdh@gmail. com / julie737.zumba.com or call 07780 385 830.

Westbury Harriers Running Club is for all ages and abilities, with a variety of different groups and sessions to suit all. Based at Coombe Dingle Sports Complex and Blaise Castle. Training nights Mondays and Thursdays 7pm with additional sessions at Yate track on Tuesday evenings and an informal social run on Saturday mornings. See www.westburyharriers.com for more information on our events or joining us.

Zumba Classes. Zumba Gold - Wednesdays 5.30 - 6.25pm / Zumba Fitness 6.35 - 7.30pm held in the Westbury-on-Trym Village Hall. £5 on door. Just drop in with water and a sense of humour! Phone Marie on 0117 963 4104 or visit www.bristoldancezumba.co.uk for more info.

Westbury Park Orchestra is a friendly nonauditioned orchestra with a repertoire of classical and modern pieces and with an emphasis of having fun. We meet Redmaids’ High Junior School, Grange Court Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 4DP on Monday evenings between 8.00 and 9.30 p.m. (term time only). If you are a string or brass player ideally of a good standard, come along for your free taster session and give us a try. For further information, please visit www.westburyparkorchestra.com or email contact@westburyparkorchestra. com

Deadline for inclusion in the March 2020 issue Friday 14th February

A Cold War thaw - in Sea Mills Just before Christmas I was contacted by Brian Thompson who used to live up in Sea Mills. Brian was kind enough to let me know of an event that he had been involved in at the time of the Cold War, and wondered if this might ring a few bells with some of the older people in the area who might also recall the episode. I’ll let Brian take up the story -

After the game we shook hands, thanked them for the game and said our farewells, thinking that nothing more would come of it. A little later however we learned that the captain of the ship had invited the team back for a visit to his vessel. This was duly arranged and we all met again at the city docks (near where the M Shed is now). We were given a tour of the ship, including the engine room, and afterwards we met the captain who kindly presented us with Russian cigarettes, a picture of the ship and some postcards of Leningrad. On the back of the picture of the ship the captain had written, in Russian, a dedication regarding our visit.

“There was, in November 1955, a group of local boys who were all residents of Sea Mills, and who would frequent The Square, the local playground, and the pitch which was used by the local football team, Sea Mills Football Club. One of the lads, Anthony Blanchard, was slightly older than the rest, and worked during the day in the city docks as a clerk. He told us group of lads that while in town he had worked with a Russian timber ship that was in dock at the time, and that the Russian crew had asked if there was the possibility of playing football locally. Anthony suggested that we, the Sea Mills boys, could arrange a match with the crew and play on Sea Mills football pitch. The game would have to be played on the Sunday, so a small group of us went around to the houses of each of the football club committee members to persuade / plead with them to allow us to play on the “hallowed” Sea Mills pitch.

After a final round of handshakes we thanked the captain and his crew, and left the ship thinking we had done our bit to improve relations between our countries. The Russian cigarettes were, by the way, not very nice and it was difficult to get other people to try them, but as a parting gift they were a kind gesture.

Being November, I remember that the weather was very cold, and the pitch was quite muddy as it had been played on the day before - so not quite Wembley standard. We were allowed to use the club dressing rooms “as long as we didn’t make a mess”. Somehow we managed to find suitable football clothes, although it was a team of many colours - but our opponents seemed to be more organised and had much more uniform sports gear. Our Russian opponents arrived for the match - I can’t remember how, maybe by bus or taxi - they were on time and we introduced ourselves with handshakes. I think one of the Sea Mills committee was invited to be the referee.

Now after sixty four years, and remembering the story, I decided to finally get a translation done, by a friend of mine, of the dedication and the postcards. On the reverse of the ship photo frame is written “M.V. Razanne, Greetings from cargo ship between England and Soviet Union, 15/11/1955” and on the back of the Leningrad postcard “In memory of M.V. Razanne to Bristol”. The other postcards are views of Leningrad statues and theatres. I do wonder if there is anyone in the Sea Mills area who can also remember the match, or indeed even someone else who played in it. It would be nice to find out.”

Being such a long time ago I cannot remember the result of the match, but I don’t think we considered it that important because we did enjoy the game, and could say to people for years to come that we played the Russians at football at a time when political relations between the two countries were frosty.

If there are any readers who remember this little episode of friendship in East/West relations please do get in touch and I will share any reminiscences with Brian and readers in general. 57

TYING THE KNOT WITHOUT GETTING MARRIED NEW CHANGES IN THE LAW

well with couples who have no interest in getting married in a church, or who have moral objections to the concept of ‘marriage’ and so there will probably be a demand for civil partnerships.

Good news for heterosexual couples who don’t want to get married. With effect from Monday 2 December 2019 mixed-sex couples can register their intent to enter a civil partnership. As the minimum period of notice for a civil partnership is 28 days, it meant that mixed-sex couples who registered their intent on the 2nd December were able to enter into their civil partnerships as from 31 December 2019.

The ‘Common Law’ myth Ask almost any unmarried couple who have been together for a long time if their partnership is recognised as a ‘common law’ partnership, and many would say yes. However, common law marriage is a myth, at least in the UK. While common law itself is an intrinsic part of British law, it certainly has no legal relevance to partnerships, and while the term ‘common law wife’ may have been widely used for years, it’s actually meaningless and has absolutely no basis in law. Up until the present changes you were either married, or you weren’t.

Hitherto the choice to opt for a civil partnership rather than marriage had been closed to heterosexual couples ever since civil partnerships were introduced in 2004, when the Civil Partnership Act stated that only same-sex couples were entitled to apply. Recent decisions in the courts have prompted this overdue and welcome change in the law.

However the new law, though, will not offer protection for co-habiting couples who do not choose to formalise things in a civil partnership. Those who simply carry on ‘just living together’ will be in exactly the same position as they were before, with little or no financial or legal surety or protection, regardless of whether or not they have children. Parental rights will still automatically be awarded to the mother (always a bone of contention in custody battles between co-habiting partners), and the relatives of a partner are still well within their rights to challenge any Will that names the unmarried partner as the sole or main beneficiary.

Is there a demand for civil partnerships? Currently, there are approximately 3.3million unmarried couples in the UK. These couples live together, have children together, and share financial responsibilities. However until now, because they were not legally ‘married’ in the eyes of the law, they did not have the same financial protection as a married couple. With a civil partnership, these couples can now have the same legal treatment for a whole range of issues, including inheritance issues, tax breaks and pensions.The only exception is for siblings who live together, who are still not given the same degree of financial and legal protection.

So choosing to enter into a civil partnership is a sensible course to take if you want to formalise your relationship, protect your assets, or even just ‘tie the knot’ without a church or registry office ceremony. If you are in any doubt as to your position it is always open to you to seek legal advice. Edward Lyons

The UK is becoming more of a secular society than ever before. The option to have a formal partnership that does not require the church to recognise it sits

Email: enquiries@lyonslaw.co.uk Website: www.lyonslaw.co.uk Telephone: 0117 950 6506

OFFICES AT Westbury on Trym 0117 950 6506 Chew Magna 01275 332168 Kingswood 0117 967 5252

Lyons Solicitors - Feb 2020 - draft rev 1.indd 1

An established and progressive law ﬁrm providing a personal and cost-eﬀec�ve legal service for commercial and individual clients. • Family & Divorce Law • Co-habita�on disputes • Inheritance disputes • Wills and Living Wills • Powers of A�orney • Administra�on of Trusts • Property - sales and purchases

19/01/2020 11:53:45

Hone your duck recognition skills RSPB Ham Wall is set to celebrate World Wetlands Day by inviting members of the public to brush up on their identification of some of the reserve’s birds this February and March.

the ducks who call the reserve their home. RSPB Ham Wall is home to much more than ducks alone however, as Abbie shares how: “During the walk will we will also be on the lookout for some of the other fantastic wildlife that calls RSPB Ham Wall home such as kingfishers, great white egrets and bittern. Who knows what we might see. Winter is a great time for bird watching at RSPB Ham Wall but it can be tricky to identify all of the different ducks and other birds that are around at this time of year, especially if you are new to bird watching. Our friendly and knowledgeable volunteers will guide you around the reserve and help you learn how to tell the difference between a mallard and a gadwall or a teal and a wigeon.”

Offering guided duck walks for members of the public to enjoy, RSPB Ham Wall, found on the Somerset Levels, hosts a range of wetland birds all year round. Ducks, as a vital part of this ecosystem, are a colourful addition to the habitat, and throughout February and March the walks promise a fantastic way to learn all about them. Abbie Thorne, Visitor Experience Manager for Somerset, said: “World Wetlands Day on February 2nd which raises awareness of the importance of our wetland habitats for both nature and people – so what better way is there is celebrate it then experiencing the full glory of our Somerset wetlands at RSPB Ham Wall while improving your identification skills.”

An exciting opportunity to learn about the wildlife that can be found at RSPB Ham Wall, the event runs between 10:00am and 12.30pm on each of the three selected dates. Tickets cost just £6 per adult non-member or £4.80 for RSPB members, with children aged 12+ invited to join in for £3 per child non-member or £2.40 for child RSPB members. Booking is essential at https:// whatsthatduck.eventbrite.co.uk (please note booking charges apply).

Taking place within the mystical landscape of Ham Wall Nature Reserve, visitors can enjoy stunning views of Glastonbury Tor and explore secluded paths through this rich habitat, with light refreshments also available from the Welcome Building. Choose from one of the two dates on offer, either Sunday 16th February, or Sunday 8th March, and prepare to learn all about

Location: RSPB Ham Wall, Meare, Ashcott, Glastonbury BA6 9SX

Interested in advertising? Get your business through the letterbox of 12,000 homes across the area - pretty much everyone across Redland, Cotham, Westbury Park, Kingsdown and parts of Clifton.

That's an awful lot of readers - also known as potential customers. For more details on how to advertise your business in The Bristol Six + Eight magazine get in touch now visit www.bcmagazines.co.uk email andy@bcmagazines.co.uk or call 07845 986650 /0117 259 19645

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Quiz Answers General Knowledge (from page 26) 1. 1840’s (1841); 2. from left to right, Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey), Alnwick Castle (Harry Potter), and Bran Castle (Dracula); 3a) Kentucky Fried Chicken, b) Datsun, c) Immac; 4. Ganymede, Jupiter; 5. Stir your porridge; 6. Pigs; 7. Pears; 8. Berlin (684 miles), Seville (987 miles), Reykjavik (1085 miles); 9. Waterloo (24 platforms); 10a) pressure, b) radiation, c) temperature. Musical Knowledge (from page 26) 1. U2; 2. Desmond Dekker (and The Aces); 3a) Gang Signs & Prayer, b) Jagged Little Pill, c) Face Value; 4. Michael Jackson (7), George Michael (4), Elton John (3); 5a) Betty, b) Elsie, c) Wendy; 6 from left to right, Drake, Katy Perry, David Byrne; 7. From left to right, Mozart, Chopin, Grieg; 8a) Formula 1 Grand Prix, b) ITV’s England Football coverage, c) Gogglebox; 9. They are the longest (9 mins 38 seconds) and shortest (1 minute 35 seconds) singles to get to number 1 in the UK; 10 Hear’Say, Pure & Simple. Sporting Knowledge (from page 28) 1. Rob Burrow; 2. Somerset Rebels (speedway), Crewe Alexandra (football), Harlequins (rugby union); 3a) athletics, b) golf, c) motor racing; 4. Don Bradman (12), Lester Piggott (9), David Beckham (6); 5. rhythmic gymnastics; 6. The rider with the most points in the mountain classification (aka King of the Mountains); 7a) baseball, b) basketball, c) ice hockey; 8. Laura & Jason Kenny (top left), Chris & Gabby Adcock (top right), and Kate & Helen Richardson-Walsh (bottom); 9a) 8 feet (2.44m), b) 28 inches (71cm), c) 3 feet (91cm); 10a) darts, b) curling, c) cycling. Children’s Puzzles (from page 30) Odd One Out 1. Stilton is a cheese, the pthers are all typed of penguin; 2. Normandy is a region in France, the others are all states in the USA; 3. Apollo was a Greek god, the others are all planets; 4. Botticelli was a painter, the others are all types of pasta; 5. Torpedo is a weapon fired underwater, the others are all throwing events in athletics. Name the Animals Red Panda, Wolf, Sloth and Chimpanzee Mystery Personalities Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who), Craig Revel-Horwood, Sir David Attenborough Disclaimer The Bristol Six + Eight is published by Bristol Community Magazines Ltd (Co. No. 08448649, registered at 8 Sandyleaze, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS9 3PY). The views expressed by contributors or advertisers in The Bristol Six + Eight are not necessarily those held by Bristol Community Magazines Ltd. The inclusion of any business or organisation in this magazine does not imply a recommendation of it, its aims or its methods. Bristol Community Magazines Ltd cannot be held responsible for information disclosed by advertisers, all of which are accepted in good faith. Reasonable efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this magazine but no liability can be accepted for any loss or inconvenience caused as a result of inclusion, error or omission. All content is the copyright of Bristol Community Magazines Ltd and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of Bristol Community Magazines. 61

Index of Advertisers Appliance Repairs

AASP Domestics

Bathrooms & Wetrooms

Bathroom Perfection Bristol

Paul Whittaker Bathrooms & Wetrooms

Building Services

Garcia Building Services

Cleaning Services

John Presland

Home Instead

Premier Homecare

Oven Gleamers

Computer Services

IT HomeHelp

Jonathan's Voice

Cycle Services

Boing Bicycles

Dental Care

Whitetree Orthodontic Specialist Centre

Electrical Services

Daley Electrical Services Ltd

Badminton School

Garage Doors

Up & Over Doors

Garden Design

Hilary Barber

Garden Maintenance

Katherine Vincent

Harold Stephens The Bristol Bookcase Company

Stephen Carter

McCall Plastering

Furniture

Sarah's Decorating Services

JSH Plastering

Cardens

Schools

Bristol Steiner School

Solicitors

AMD Solicitors Corfield Solicitors

9 29 5 15 4 27 2 58

Veale Wasbrough Vizards

Stairlifts

Tree Services

Sutcliffe Tree Care

H and P Aerials

Crystal Clear

TV Aerials

Windows & Doors

Lyons Solicitors

Thornbury Lift Services Ltd

John Boyce Plasterwork

Peter Wyatt

Plastering

Redland Electrical Services

Financial Advice

Painting & Decorating

G R Knott

A & P Plastering

Howard Estate Agents

Massage

Heather Drewe

Lek‐Trix

Estate & Letting Agents

Jewellery & Gifts

Kemps Jewellers

FAB ‐ IT Rescue

Counselling

St Monica Trust

22 22

Keon Williams

Home Care Services

Home Gleamers

Coaching

Heating & Gas

10 53 9 25

Kemps Jewellers Est. 1881

Dazzling Jewellery - Sparkling Prices

Rings and jewellery, new and old - a great range of modern new pieces to complement our existing selection of beautiful traditional second-hand jewellery.

The Amethyst Counter In February we have some terrific deals on amethysts. Come in and look at our special display, with various great offers on a range of beautiful amethyst jewellery. Traditionally the Amethyst birthstone is associated with a number of different properties including stability, peace, courage, balance, sincerity, inner strength and calm disposition. It is also believed by some that the February birthstone is known to have tremendous healing properties. Being the stone of February, it corresponds to the zodiac sign of Aquarius, the Water Bearer, and is therefore considered to be the birthstone of people born between January 20th and February 18th.

Kemps Jewellers 9 Carlton Court, Westbury on Trym 0117 950 50 90 www.kempsjewellers.com 63

1993 - 2018

Brilliant Sorters of Financial Stuff Hilary Carden, Managing Director of Cardens

“ Most people spend more time planning a holiday than they do the rest of their life. And that’s not right. ” 1993 - 2018

1993 - 2018

If you believe that money is not just for saving, it’s for spending on nice things, family and experiences. If you believe that life planning comes before financial planning. If you appreciate the value of refreshingly straightforward advice. If you want someone alongside you who’s there for the long term. If you’re looking for someone who is genuinely interested in you, your life and your family. If you want someone who’ll help you make the right choices. If a “financial counsellor” might be useful. And someone who promises you no hard sell. Ever.

1993 - 2018

P P P P P P P P

Then we should talk - call Hilary on 0117 290 0259 or visit our website: Cardens.co.uk 1 Westbury Mews, Westbury Hill, Bristol, BS9 3QA

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Company Registered in64England no. 04347771

1993 - 2018