The Bristol Six magazine - Jan/Feb 2017

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A free community magazine delivered each month through 9,000 le erboxes across Redland, Kingsdown, Cotham and Westbury Park

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The Editor’s Small Piece Hello there and a belated ‘all the best for 2017’. I hope that this issue finds you happy, healthy and warm - I’m certainly pleased to be inside, looking out at 7am at the first (and quite possibly the last) settled snow of the winter - set off by a stunning full moon. Like many people I know I’m just shaking off the remnants of the cold that I went down with at new year. The pessimist in me would say “what a rubbish start to the year”, but for once I’m only hearing the quietly spoken optimist in my head saying “great, that’s got this years cold out of the way nice and early, now crack on”.

So crack on I will. This issue, which is an intentionally late January / February joint issue, brings you the usual mix of bits and pieces, together with a lengthy but really interesting catch up on some of the historical articles brought to you over the last couple of years by Julian Lea-Jones, and a suggestion for a trip out this month to witness a staggering wonder of nature (the front cover gives you a clue).

Fingers crossed that whets your appetite and that you enjoy this issue. The next one will be out on 1st March by which time the crocuses will be out, the holidays will be booked and I’ll have had two more bouts of man-flu!

Best wishes, Andy the Editor 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY andy@bcmagazines.co.uk / www.bcmagazines.co.uk 0117 259 1964 / 07845 986650 Deadline for the March issue - 15th February

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Useful Information Contact Numbers Gas Emergencies 0800 111 999 Electricity Emergencies 0800 365 900 Water Emergencies 0845 600 4600 Avon & Somerset Police Non-Emergencies 101 (new no.)

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 Southmead Hospital 0117 950 5050 Bristol Royal Infirmary 0117 923 0000 Bristol Children’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 and information 0300 323 0700 Postal Services Cotham Pharmacy & Post Office 9 - 6 Monday to Friday 9 - 1 Saturday Whiteladies Rd Post Office 9 - 5.30 Monday to Friday, 9 - 13.00 Saturday Gloucester Rd Post Office 9 - 5.30 Monday to Saturday 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.

Local Libraries Cheltenham Road - tel. 903 8562 Mon 1-7, Tues closed, Weds - Sat 11-5 Redland - tel. 903 8549 Mon closed, Tues 11-5, Weds 11-7, Thurs-Sat 11-5 Henleaze - tel 0117 903 8541 Mon-Tues 11-5, Weds 11-7, Thurs 11-5, Fri 1-7, Sat 10-5 Public Transport Visit the excellent Bristol City Council website

www.travelbristolorg to plan out your routes in, around or out of the city - whether you are going by bus, train, ferry, air, bike, car or foot.

Recycling and Household Waste The Household Waste and Recycling Centres at Avonmouth and St Phillips on Kingsweston Lane, Avonmouth are open from 8.00am to 4.15pm, 7 days a week .

Bristol City Council www.bristol.gov.uk - 0117 922 2000 Trains to / From Temple Meads Trains depart from Redland Station to Temple Meads at the following times Mon-Fri 0628, 0645, 0744, 0819, 0852, 0932, 1019, 1052, 1133, 1219, 1251, 1333, 1419, 1451, 1534, 1619, 1650, 1732, 1819, 1914, 1948, 2019, 2154, 2235, 2319 Sat 0650, 0733, 0819, 0850, 0932, 1019, 1051, 1134, 1219, 1250, 1334, 1419, 1451, 1534, 1619, 1650, 1734, 1819, 1931, 2012, 2154, 2234, 2319 Sun 1011, 1107, 1207, 1307, 1407, 1507, 1607, 1710, 1809, 1837 Trains depart from Bristol Temple Meads to Redland at the following times Mon-Fri 0514, 0548, 0630, 0703, 0803, 0836, 0916, 1003, 1034, 1116, 1203, 1234, 1316, 1403, 1434, 1516, 1603, 1635, 1713, 1803, 1847, 1933, 2034, 2137, 2216 Sat 0603, 0634, 0716, 0803, 0834, 0916, 1003, 1034, 1116, 1203, 1234, 1316, 1403, 1434, 1516, 1603, 1634, 1716, 1803, 1903, 2034, 2140, 2216 Sun 0908, 1023, 1123, 1223, 1323, 1423, 1523, 1623, 1652, 1753

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If you want to see a starling ...

Birds are fascinating little things aren’t they? Like humans in many ways. Study them closely and you’ll realise how territorial they can be, how aggressive or tolerant towards others they are, whether the same species or different, and how localised their communities are. Despite our best efforts over the years we have never seen a sparrow in our garden.

Our neighbours opposite get plenty - we can hear their joyous chirruping but they never cross the road to visit our garden. We however get goldfinches feeding by the charm-load, which our friends don’t, and long tailed tits on a daily basis, and the arrival of a heron, blackcap or thrush, whilst still a pleasure, is no longer a cause for excitement. I know it is usually determined by habitat and foodstuffs, and birds either like it or they don’t. Bit like humans really.

Another real rarity for us though is a little baffling, because the ubiquitous, iridescent and cheeky starling, a gregarious, confident, and resilient chap, almost never feeds at our well-stocked garden restaurant, indeed fails even to pop in and look at the menu.

the reeds in front of us like a foghorn warning ships off a rocky headland.

The whole reserve is a joy - plenty of parking (free to RSPB members), flat, accessible and well maintained pathways with plenty of seating, so suitable for those in buggies, wheelchairs and with mobility issues, and plenty of hides to allow you to get up close and personal. There are more than three miles of marked trails with identification boards, and volunteers on hand to answer those birding questions that might arise.

Our visit though was primarily to witness the starling murmuration, a true wonder of the natural world when enormous flocks of them return home after feeding to roost in the reed beds. Our first visit was back in March, a still and overcast day with dusk settling and an expectant crowd of people looking up to a giant empty sky. Then they started to arrive, coming in across the reserve high overhead in multiple flocks that seemed to merge, over the chosen roosting site, into one seething mass of dancing black

However a couple of weeks ago we made up for our starling starvation in a big way, a truly epic way. It required a 45 minute drive, so as usual they weren’t flocking to us at no. 8, but it was well worth the journey. I’m talking of course about witnessing a starling murmuration, the congregation of hundreds of thousands of them at dusk to roost overnight.

Ham Wall is an RSPB reserve on the Avalon Marshes just outside Glastonbury, a wetland sanctuary that provides a safe home for many rare species and a brilliant opportunity for us to spot a wide range of wildlife including otters, voles, kingfishers, a wide range of wetland-loving birds including herons and egrets, marsh harriers and the highly elusive bittern. And it’s not just the sales blurb that says that - we’ve been twice now and have seen plenty and, although we couldn’t see it, the unmistakeable sound of a bittern boomed out from

shapes that twisted and turned, contorting as one giant flock into ever-changing shapes. Then, like kamikaze pilots, they pointed groundward and plummeted en-masse to settle in the reeds - and in seconds they were gone. From a distance of about a mile away the experience was ethereal, captivating and silent.

Our recent visit afforded a very different murmuration experience because although we watched again from the same viewing point - just a 5 minute flat walk from the carpark - this time the starlings were roosting elsewhere. Right by the path.

We saw flocks coming in from the south again but not seemingly in the same numbers, and we saw little in the way of the morphing midge-like clouds of birds

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we’d seen previously, but turns out they were right above us, shielded largely from view directly above by the tree canopy lining the path. But then they dropped - a huge mass of birds falling from the sky and swarming into the reeds next to us like a plague of locusts of biblical proportions. Hundreds of thousands of starlings chattering away to each other from their newly-occupied perches 3 feet off the ground and 100 feet from the path. We stood and watched them, the early winter chill seeping into us as the sun set, for a good twenty minutes as more and more birds arrived and the roost grew in size in the reed-beds alongside the footpath, a seething mass of

avian excitement. The spectacle of watching the starling murmuration is truly stunning - it is easy to forget that what you are watching are actually individual birds, just coming to sleep after a busy day.

I can’t recommend the experience highly enough.

Practicalities.

Starlings numbers at Ham Wall are at their greatest in December and January as many birds are migratory, but significant numbers still arrive daily from October until early March - so you’ve still plenty of time to see them this winter. Still bright days are better - the starlings seem to prefer doing fair weather aerobatics and the reserve itself can get very busy at weekends so bear that in mind. To double check that there are worthwhile numbers of birds roosting, and specifically where, try calling the murmuration hotline, updated daily, on 07866 554142. Arrive an hour before dusk and you will be in good time to see the show, and do dress up warmly as it can get very, very cold at this outdoor event. And one final piece of advice, do check www.rspb.org.uk for details on how to find Ham Wall and the Avalon marshes as it is a bit tricky. We headed off at junction 23 of the M5 for Glastonbury, through Bawdrip and when we got to the village of Ashcott we asked!

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No‐Prize General Knowledge Quiz (answers on page 60) 1.

What is the collective noun for a) foxes, b) camels, and c) beavers?

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How old are a) Ainsley Harriet, b) Delia Smith, and c) Jamie Oliver?

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The ‘average’ Briton drinks how many cups of tea in a year? (correct if within 50)

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Name the British monarchs missing in this sequence - George III, George IV, ______, _____, Edward VII.

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Name the (permanent, not acting) Labour Party leaders missing from this sequence - Harold Wilson, ______, ______, ______, ______, Tony Blair.

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Which football teams play at a) Goodison Park, b) Prenton Park, and c) Rodney Parade?

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What are the currencies of a) Austria, b) Lithuania, and c) the Czech Republic?

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Who released the following debut albums 11.

- a) The Kick Inside, b) Surfin’ Safari, and c) In The City?

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Which products were promoted using the following slogans - a) ‘A drink’s too wet without one’, b) ‘Watch out, watch out, there’s a Humphrey about’, and c) ‘It’s frothy man’?

Place these English towns and cities from a) south to north, and also b) east to west - Peterborough, Coventry, Cambridge, Ipswich

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What road name would you find in the address of the following landmark buildings - a) the Bank of England (UK), b) the White House (USA), and c) The Kremlin (Russia)?

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Chinese New Year, which begins on 28th January, will be the year of the which animal?

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Name these creatures -

Name these city skylines -

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The Downs Observer ‐ Richard Bland A history of the Downs in 10 objects - No. 9 the Northern Stormwater Interceptor 1965 The River Frome starts on the Cotswold escarpment in Dodington Park at a height of 600 feet, and it drains a huge area of South Gloucestershire from as far north as Wickwar. It originally joined the Avon in Bristol, and indeed formed a large loop around the bluff that was the Anglo Saxon site of the city, and it was notorious for flooding, as a very large volume of water is constricted by a narrow gorge at Stapleton.

In the seventeenth century the power the Frome provided led to a massive industrialisation of the northern edge of the city around what is now Easton and Minas Park, with many mills and slum housing, all on the flood plain. There were floods in 1800, 1809, 1875 and then major floods in October 1882 and March 1889, which led to a proposal to create a diversionary flood channel which would have involved a tunnel taking surplus water out under the Downs and into the tidal Avon. By this date there was already a railway tunnel under the Downs, and indeed under the River Severn itself, so the technology existed. However, what with the First World War, the Great Depression and the Second World War, nothing was done about it until new floods in 1947 stimulated action that began in 1951.

The tunnel is five metres in diameter, and five kilometres long, and runs straight from the weir on the Frome at Junction 1 of the M32 in Stapleton to the Avon at the bottom of the Gully. It was opened by the Dr Charles Hill MP, Minister of Local Government, on April 4th 1962. It was designed by the city engineers Peter Steele and Bernard Smission, who invented the Energy Dissipating Vortex Drop Pipe System to even out flows. A small building at the foot of the Gully gives access to the tunnel, and there are four large control valves in front of it.

The Tunnel runs deep under the Portway and the outlet is at high tide level where eight massive tidal gates control the flow. When the tide is in the flood water is held back by the gates until the pressure of the flood water is greater than that of the tide, and at low tide all eight gates can release millions of tons of water into the Avon. The concrete spillway ensures that the stream joins the river smoothly, and there has been no bank erosion on either side.

The whole system is entirely self-regulating, and is the reason why Bristol has only had one major flooding event since it opened. That event came on July 10th,1968, when a cloudburst over Mendip and Dundry led to floods that destroyed every bridge between Bristol and the Mendips, and flooded Bedminster to a depth of six feet, and this led to more culverting of the streams on the south side of the city.

The Downs are for people, and the management of a vast number of competing interests is sophisticated and subtle. If you enjoy the Downs, or use if for your sport, why not become a Friend? Membership is just £10. Contact Robin Haward at robinhaward@blueyonder.co.uk or call 0117 974 3385 Next issue - object no. 10 - links in to parking on the Downs

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What does it take to invalidate a Will? More than Saddam Hussein and space invaders…

Delusions and demen a

Doris did not see a solicitor before she decided to gi £10,000 to her only daughter, Sian Lloyd, leaving the rest of her substan al estate, in the region of £600,000, to her only son John and his wife Kathy.

At court, the Judge recognised that there was doubt over Doris' mental capacity and concluded, based upon the medical opinion evidence obtained for the trial, that Doris had indeed been suffering from demen a and delusions on‐and‐off from a me well before she had made her last Will.

Unsurprisingly, Sian challenged the validity of Doris's last Will and felt confident in her There have been some surprising results in a success given that Doris had been suffering from confusion, forge ulness, acts of number of recent cases examined by the aggression and strange delusions for a long courts regarding Wills made by people me before she made her last Will. A whose mental capacity is diminishing due to notable incident for Sian was when Doris demen a or otherwise. informed her in December 2003 that aliens Doris' story had invaded the farm and that Saddam The most recent case (Lloyd v Jones) Hussein had broken in to her home. involved Doris Harris who made her last Will According to Sian, Doris's delusions were in February 2005 with the help of her niece, well known to the family members and were Hedydd Parry Jones, who was also her GP. openly discussed.

There had been some unrest in the family ranks when daughter Sian had previously le the family home in Wales to marry an Englishman. Doris did not approve.

John, by contrast, had stayed close to home and following the death of his father had helped his mother run the family farming business, with his wife's help.

However, the Judge was s ll able to find on the evidence that that this did not necessarily mean that Doris had suffered a complete loss of understanding regarding her last Will.

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Peculiar as this may sound, the Judge placed great importance on the fact that Doris had told a number of witnesses that she wanted to leave the farm to her son John.

Accordingly, when weighing all the legal arguments in the balance, the Judge ruled that Sian's claim should be dismissed and the Will was declared valid.

The lessons to be learnt This decision and other recent decisions like it have all held that a loss of some degree of mental capacity is not necessarily sufficient to invalidate a Will. These cases all point to the courts taking a more robust approach towards challenges founded upon a person's loss of mental func on when preparing their last Will. Clearly, the evidence and facts will

be different in each case and a very important factor in this case was the independent witness evidence sta ng that Doris had o en said that she wanted John to benefit from the farm.

Expert advice on this complex subject is very important. If you think that a Will should be challenged or is subject to challenge, speak to Michelle Rose on 0117 314 5246.

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Music with Duncan Haskell Album of the Month Hamburg Demonstrations by Peter Doherty (BMG/ Cloud Hills) Many of you, perhaps rightly, will have long stopped considering Pete (r) Doherty as anything other than a tabloid-fronting disaster waiting to happen.

Considering the debacle that was his performance at the O2 last May, and his subsequent refusal to tour his latest record in these parts, we probably have all the ammunition needed to disregard his latest offering without a second thought. But to do so would be foolish as, despite the usual issues, there is much to enjoy about Hamburg Demonstrations.

Let’s get the criticisms out of the way early in order to focus on the many highlights. If you love music to be lush with production values, fully-developed ideas and pitch perfect vocals then this second solo offering from the Libertines / Babyshambles frontman won’t do much for you. As with his 2009 effort, Grace/ Wastelands there’s the distinct feel of a demo about the record. However, if you’re willing to accept Doherty in all his scrappy charm, plenty of treats await.

Next Step L.A. Turnaround by Bert Jansch (Charisma) Doherty’s love of Bert Jansch, the genius guitarist and founding member of Pentangle, is well-documented and you can hear the influence on some of Hamburg Demonstrations’ more pastoral moments.

It’s probably unfair to compare Doherty to a musician of Jansch’s quality, but there’s an innate Englishness about them both. As a dominant figure in the English folk scene, Jansch’s music is truly exquisite and this, his ninth album, is a clear example of just why he has continued to influence artists from Graham Coxon to Fleet Foxes.

Recorded in 1974, L.A. Turnaround enveloped the listener in immersive acoustic guitar and Jansch’s soothing voice. Songs such as Fresh as a Sweet Sunday Morning, Travelling Man and There Comes a Time stand amongst his finest. Of course it was also the album which contained Needle Of Death, the most famous song in his extensive canon. A gentle ballad which belied its subject matter, the song found Jansch singing of “one grain of pure white snow / dissolved in blood spread quickly to your brain.”

Perhaps he had more in common with Doherty after all!

Kolly Kibber is a wistful introduction to his softer side, and a showcase for his unique way with words, a literary lyricism fed through a world-weary hopper.

Gig Of The Month Birdcage, a duet with Suzi Martin, cloaks a memorable Strange Face @ St George’s (Thursday 2nd tune with its haphazard edges. Hell to Pay at the February), Gates of Heaven espouses the virtues of the J-45 Not so much a gig this month (John Lennon’s acoustic guitar of choice) over AKas a one-man show in which 47s. writer and performer Michael Burdett discusses a lost Nick It’s an album that grows on you with every listen as Drake recording that he found subtle delights slowly reveal themselves. A Spy in the in a skip in the 1970s, and the House of Love is a slouchy and bluesy delight which subsequent journey that the leads into the wonderfully meandering Oily Boker, a track led him on. Without highlight reel of Doherty’s favourite tricks that is wishing to spoil the thrust of amongst his best songs yet. By the time She Is Far the evening, it promises to be brings the album to a gentle close, it’s hard not to be an enthralling night for any fans of the legendary impressed. Taken on merit alone, Hamburg singer-songwriter, one which has already garnered Demonstrations is a commendable and enjoyable high praise at the Edinburgh Festival. piece of artist.

Duncan Haskell - January 2017

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Films with Chris Worthington In the film the two Jesuit priests arrive by boat from Macau accompanied by, an alcoholic Silence is based on the acclaimed novel by Shusake fisherman who had fled from the persecution and was haunted by the memory of witnessing the Endo about the persecution of Christians in 17th execution of his family. He escaped execution by century Japan. The story is told through the renouncing his faith. They arrive at a desperately journey of two Portuguese Jesuit missionaries, poor and rundown village and make contact with Sebastiao Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield) and Francisco Garupe (Adam Driver). Their mission is local Christians. Kichijuro desperately needs to get to find Cristovao Ferreira (Liam Neeson), the only absolution for his sins from a priest as do the other remaining Jesuit priest in Japan who was rumoured villagers. The two priests set on their quest to find to have committed apostasy. The film was shot in Ferreira in constant danger of being betrayed by informers and found by the Samurai. spectacular scenery in Taiwan.

Silence - directed by Martin Scorsese

The testing of religious faith is a key theme of the film. Rodrigues is betrayed by Kichijuro and imprisoned by the Samurai. He is forced to watch the death of Garupe and the torture of Christians who will not repent their faith. He cries out to God to help him but no answer comes. During his captivity he is interrogated by the Samurai leader who calls into question the value of the catholic faith in Japan. This eventually undermines his own beliefs and threatened with torture, he recants his faith. He is taken to meet Ferreira in a Buddhist Temple. After being in Japan for fifteen years Although the novel is fictional the story is based Ferreira has come to conclusion that Christianity is on the reality of the suppression on Christianity in a lost cause in Japan describing it as a swamp but Japan at the time. Jesuit missionaries first arrived in also stating that human beings find their original Japan with Portuguese traders in 1549 followed by nature in Japan. “Mountains and rivers can be missionaries and traders from Spain, Holland and moved, but man’s nature cannot be moved”.

Italy. By 1579 there were about 200,000 Christian converts in Japan and the Jesuits were involved Christianity continued to be banned in Japan until with substantial trading activities in silk, gold, and 1873 when exiles were allowed to return and a military supplies. cathedral was built. It later emerged that thousands of Christians had survived in the The situation changed when Japan become a prefecture of Nagasaki. Pope John Paul ll visited unified country towards the end of the sixteenth Nagasaki in 1981. century. Under the new ruler Christianity and trade with European countries was perceived to be a threat. The “closed country" isolationist policy was implemented under which Japanese people were not allowed to travel abroad, return from overseas, or build ocean-going vessels. The only Europeans allowed on Japanese soil were the Dutch, who were granted a single trading post on the island of Dejima. Christians were rounded up by Samurai warriors and were deported or tortured and executed. However Christian worship continued Chris Worthington without priests and in secret in private homes. chrisworthington32@yahoo.com (continued overleaf)

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Prize Wordsearch Last month I added in a little extra difficulty to the wordsearch puzzle. I suspect this got some extra grey cells buzzing - but it also led to a twothirds reduction in the number of correct entries received. So back to the normal format - at least for this month. Your theme this month is 1980’s music and you are looking for bands that graced that era - some leaving a greater legacy than others!

Listed are the names of twenty one bands with hits in the eighties. Twenty of the bands names are also hidden in the wordsearch grid - you can find them hiding forwards, backwards, upwards, downwards or on a diagonal. Discover the band that has not made it intro the puzzle, let me know who it is and if you are correct your entry will go into a draw. First name out of the hat will win a £25 gift voucher to either Colston Hall or St Georges to treat yourself to some live music.

Here are the bands to look for Ultravox China Crisis OMD The Clash The Smiths Talk Talk The Human League New Order ZZ Top Yazoo Haysi Fantayzee

Big Country Culture Club ABC Cocteau Twins Blancmange Depeche Mode Altered Images Simple Minds Talking Heads Go West

Entries please by post to 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY, email andy@bcmagazines.co.uk, text 07845 986650, phone 0117 259 1964 or tweet to @BS9Andy - closing date 20th February.

Best of luck and have fun.

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Local Success in The Home Care Worker Awards South West Regional winner of The Home Care Worker Award in the na onal Great Bri sh Care Awards was Home Care Worker, Milla Owen of Shirehampton from Bristol homecare company, Premier Homecare. Premier Homecare, based in Westbury‐On‐Trym and Stoke Bishop, provide care and support to people wishing to remain as long as possible in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes The Great Bri sh Care Awards celebrate excellence across the care sector, promote best prac ce within both home care and care homes sectors and pay tribute to those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work. Over 300 people a ended the awards, represen ng Care Homes and Homecare Companies throughout the Southwest. Milla was one of 6 finalists from the South West Region and was absolutely delighted to have been chosen as the winner of the South West award.

never look back. Milla’s clients describe her as having a genuinely reless passion and enthusiasm in consistently suppor ng them to feel mo vated, of worth and content in their own homes.

Premier Homecare as a Company also achieved the accolade of South West Regional Finalist in the category of ‘Care Employer’; an award which acknowledges and celebrate employers’ commitment to care and how this is contribu ng to achieving success in delivering an excellent service.

Judith Swindells, Registered Manager Premier Homecare expressed how extremely proud she and Co‐owner, Simon Swindells are of Milla and the en re Premier Homecare Team; “We established Premier Homecare with express aim of improving service delivery standards and employment working prac ces in the homecare sector. Along with the hugely valuable input of the varied skills possessed by all within our team we draw on our nursing and business backgrounds in developing the Premier Homecare Team of 2 to the commi ed and highly professional team of 106 today.

Milla will be a ending the Great Bri sh Care Award na onal finals in Birmingham in March 2017; all at Premier Homecare wish Milla well and congratulate her The loss of a close friend was the inspira on behind Milla again on her achievement and success in contribu ng to becoming a Home Care Worker with Premier Homecare raising the standard of care in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. in June 2014, a profession from which she says she will

displays of colour and lights in our windows and gardens.

Chandos Window Wanderland February 25th and 26th 2017 from 6pm to 9pm.

Come and wander round our local Chandos Road neighbourhood streets and see the area in a whole new light. Be enthralled, amused and entertained with magical

No ckets or fees – just wrap up warm, encourage your friends to come along & enjoy the displays. Refreshments are available from local businesses in the area.

A map of par cipa ng addresses and further informa on can be found on www.windowwanderland.com

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This Cotham Life ‐ Duncan Haskell “The time has come” the Walrus said, “to talk of many things,” - like selling the flat, moving home and potential new beginnings. However that was (quite) a few months ago and in order for this column not to take up a whole edition of BS6 we’ll skip all the viewings, offers, counteroffers, surveys, searches and the innumerable other trauma-inducing aspects and jump straight to moving day itself.

Thankfully, we had the whole of Twixtmas to organise and pack. Despite the initial optimism that our two-bedroom flat, uncluttered and minimal of furniture, would be quick and easy to box, it became apparent that this was not the case. 35 boxes of books (I might have too many books), 4 boxes of pristine notepads (I might have too many pristine notepads) and 2 boxes of inkless pens later (I definitely have too many inkless pens), it was apparent that the job was larger than anticipated.

Even though we were aided by the strength and packing skills of our too expert removal men (think giant Tetris inside a 10-tonne truck) I still found myself unable to sit and watch as they took our belongings down three flights of stairs. Robin (my father-in-law who had volunteered his services for the day) and I decided to help. By the time the van was loaded we had clocked up 11km worth of stairs and were sporting scraped knuckles and bloodied knees aplenty. Well-versed in the “moving sofa problem” (from an afternoon spent with mathematical genius Carol Vorderman) we were able to successful manoeuvre all items out of the flat and down the stairs without the need for mass flatpack deconstruction .

Flat empty, carpet wefty, taps sparkling, it was time to say goodbye. Goodbye to the first home that we

owned and were allowed to decorate without fear of landlord reprisal. How do you say farewell to such a place? Before we had time to decide/ well up, our estate agent called to say that we were late in dropping off the keys. So, instead of any final gestures, we legged it out the front door without even a backwards glance.

With keys deposited and collected, and money magically appearing in the right places at the right time we embarked up the four- minute journey up the road to our new home, where the van was waiting to be unloaded. I might leave it to the experts this time…

Duncan Haskell

Vacancy for Part Time Housekeeper / Home Help Cheerful, conscientious and thorough help around our home required (part time) for professional lovely family in Sneyd park. Duties would include: cleaning, dusting, caring for antique and fine furniture, laundry inc. delicates; feeding/walking two medium sized dogs; providing occasional babysitting (4 nights per month), candidate must be good with children, some cooking skills, variably also driving the children to and from school and events, shopping.

Hours/days of work will vary depending on whether it is term time or not. 2-3 days/week from September, or if earlier start then 4-5 days per week until August. Hourly rate to be agreed.

If you are interested and would like to find out more please contact Andreas on 07855 310 956

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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.

An independent family business we are able to offer you a level of expertise and service you rarely get on the High Street.

Why not come in and browse and see what catches your eye, discover our special promotional prices and discuss your options with our friendly and knowledgeable staff?

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

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Bruce Fellows’ Good Reads Chat show, radio, Eurovision and now a novel, is there no end to Graham Norton’s talents? Holding is the title but it could be ’Gripping’ because it is from page one. It’s also lyrical and funny. Part mystery, part love story, it concerns some bones that turn up on a hillside in Ireland (where else?) The overweight Sergeant PJ Collins has to deal with them. There are three sisters and a man missing for many years, a couple with an ailing marriage, PJ’s elderly housekeeper and an out of town big shot cop: a mixture that bubbles and boils nicely to a surprising end.

others about his work and his family that are more enlightening and moving.

It seems he’s a normal guy who just happens to be a cult hero with his face on T-shirts all around the world.

Vivien, a large ungainly but intelligent young woman, only in love with her horse Greystokes, goes up to London to propose to an employee of her father. It’s 1922. She has money, he has none. Post World War One she knows it’s her only route to a husband.

Fay Weldon’s astonishing novel Before the War goes on from there. Who is the father of the twins? They don’t know. We think we know but do we?

Crooked Heart is Lissa Evans’ entertaining new novel. Mattie is losing There are eccentric characters, wit and wisdom on every page, a trip to Bavaria her marbles, sad for an ex-hungerand entertaining interjections from the striking suffragette, and worrying for author. You’ll gallop through this her ten year-old jug-eared ward Noel. book, like Vivien on Greystokes.

When the War starts, their world crumbles. Noel is evacuated to St Albans and, needing the ten shillings a In His Bloody Project, Graeme week, Vee takes him in. This is a heart Macrae Burnet gives us the story of the brutal murder of three members of a breaking but very funny tale told with vigour and pace. It demonstrates that Highland crofting family by their seventeen year-old neighbour, Roderick while the British could take it, they Macrae. Afterwards, Roderick walks didn’t half moan in the process.

Although normal human vices continue into another neighbour’s house and confesses his crime, so the novel is not to flourish under the bombs, Noel’s so much a whodunit as a why-did-hesense of right and wrong drives the do-it. Central to the story is Roderick’s story to a touching conclusion. own confession, which describes the events of his life leading up to the Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston’s climactic day. In this brilliant historical excellent autobiography is, as the title tour de force the grandeur and beauty suggests, A Life in Parts. After a tough childhood, the acting bug bit and of the Highlands contrasts tragically with the unceasingly hard lives of he became a working actor with crofters and Roderick becomes a constant other jobs on the side. And work is the key to his story. Don’t aim surprising and movingly sympathetic for a home run, hit a single, move on a hero. base. It worked for him. Show biz Bruce Fellows - January 2017 stories are out-numbered by lots of

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Do you fancy a pamper?

Do you fancy a treat?

Come and relax, put up your red feet.

Let me paint your nails for you, Whatever you choose.

Red, pink or blue, There's nothing to lose.

Silky smooth legs As you walk down the street.

Like a goddess in flight, Envied by all that you meet.

Have an all‐natural facial, To make your face gleam.

So that a er the treatment You're a joy to be seen!

Charlo e offers a variety of natural beauty treatments, as well as a range of massage therapies and reflexology.

Please take a look at our website www.chironcentre.co.uk for more informa on, or give recep on a call on 0117 962 0008. And if you’d like to know more about what we do, the latest info on complementary therapy and self‐help ps? Then check out our Facebook page ‘Chiron Centre for Natural Health’ We look forward to seeing you soon!

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Talking Pets with the Animal Health Centre Understanding your kitten It is the time of year when kittens start to come available, cats being seasonal breeders. It is important to get the upbringing of your kitten right from a very early age. Understanding how your kitten thinks can seem a daunting task, however here are a few really important things to know while they are young to prevent behavioural problems in adult life.

being picked up is also important, but try not to carry them around for too long.

Examinations: Practising a gentle examination regularly at this age can really help for the future.

Reassure them and offer treats while having a look at their paws, underneath their tail and gently open their mouths so that they get used to being examined.

Teaching them young that having their nails looked at is nothing to worry about can really help when they are older and they need trimming! Try to avoid staring into their eyes while checking your kitten as this can be threatening.

Play: When you play with your kitten, do not encourage them to chase or pounce towards human hands or feet. Many owners unintentionally teach their kitten to pounce on them, often moving a foot or hand around under duvet covers for them to chase however once they are adult cats it hurts and it’s difficult to retrain! Teach them to use their predatory skills on safe toys that dangle away from your body so that the dancing mouse seems to be on its own and not too close to your hand! Monitor children with your kitten, teach them to stroke in a head to tail direction and not to pick up the kitten too much as again, they will become fed up and evasive towards people.

Please do contact us early on 0117 924 7832 if you are noticing that your kitten is not reacting well to Handling: Hopefully your kitten will have learned handling. The early signs of anxiety and fear are from being handled by the breeder that people are not running away and hiding from scary, but you should still handle them gently and people, but this can escalate to regularly to keep them well socialised. Kittens usually aggression if allowed to continue. prefer having lots of short interactions with people rather than long interactions; encourage them to want Sophie McGill, Veterinary Surgeon to come to you with treats. Getting kittens used to Animal Health Centre

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Top ps for boos ng your mood

Take deep breaths We don’t o en concentrate on our breathing because it’s a natural func on, but consciously focusing on your breathing and taking deep breaths can relieve stress and increase relaxa on. Simply place one hand on the abdomen and one hand on the lower ribs and take a breath In this instalment, I will be sharing some ps to help that starts in your abdomen and works its way up your body. Control your breathing by breathing in boost your mood. It is very important, especially for 3 to 5 seconds, hold for the same amount of with winter lurking, to keep an upbeat state of me and exhale the air out through your mouth mind in order to lead a posi ve lifestyle. Ea ng slowly.

Do this for 3 minutes and you will feel the healthy foods and exercising are obvious ways to stress melt away. remain fit and healthy, but there are also many other adjustments we can make to improve our Some of these simple ps is all that is needed to mental health and state of mind. help us feel be er about ourselves. To make a sugges on for a future topic, please write to me at Here are a few mood boos ng ps john.moore@homeinstead.co.uk or by post to Home Instead Senior Care, 13 Harbury Rd, Laugh As adults we o en forget to just enjoy Henleaze, BS9 4PN or just give me a ring on 0117 ourselves and laugh more. Laughing releases endorphins into our body which increase serotonin 989 8210 ! levels in our brain, causing us to instantly feel happier. Life doesn’t need to always be taken too seriously!

Welcome to the latest edi on of Senior Snippets: the monthly advisory column with the older members of our community in mind, brought to you by John Moore of Home Instead Senior Care in Bristol North.

Prac ce gra tude It’s important to recognise what we’re grateful for, acknowledge it, and appreciate it.

When you wake up in the morning, try and think of a few things that you are grateful for and no ce the difference it makes to your mood.

Talk to someone Whether it’s a friend, rela ve or even a 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 sa sfac on of knowing you have helped someone else.

Surround yourself with posi ve scents and sounds Some mes when we feel our mood dipping it is good surround yourself with scents which can upli your mood. Lavender can be seen as relaxing, whereas peppermint can help to soothe your overac ve mind. This can work just as well with your favourite perfume. Listen to your favourite music and light a candle; you may find yourself feeling great a erwards!

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Coaching with Anne Miller

Resolutions

done? Whenever we make unrealistic resolutions we set ourselves up for failure and we add to any If New Year resolutions work well for you, that’s previously accumulated evidence that justifies great. Noticing what works well and doing more our lack of self-belief - not a good approach at of it is a sound principle. And if your resolutions any time of the year! for 2017 are on track, brilliant! Take a moment For many of my small business clients the desire to acknowledge that and check your course to spend more time with their families or have going forward. more time for themselves is a common issue.

Who wouldn’t want that?! But, of course, it is not a choice taken in isolation; it is bound up in a complexity of other choices which need to be understood and prioritised too.

Resolutions at any time of the year, need to be more than ‘shoulds’: they need to be well considered within the context of all that is important in your life. They need to be planned and they need to be owned by you: they need to really matter. If previous resolutions have not worked well for you, instead of beating yourself up why not revisit and if they are still appropriate, consider: What will the benefit be to you of sticking with this resolution? How does it support who you are and what’s important to you? These simple questions require detailed answers and getting these really clear provides the highest motivation.

For resolutions to work we need to set our sights within the context of who and where we are, and what’s important to us. Then, with a realistic If you get fed up with all the talk about New plan, we have a good chance of keeping to it, Year Resolutions; if you’ve tried them and not been successful or if you’ve never felt inclined to achieving the benefits we desire and building the make them, you’re not alone. At the start of the evidence that feeds our self-belief. year the media love to focus on all the new activities and behaviours, you could be forgiven Visit www.annemillercoaching.co.uk for more information, and to book a free for thinking, everybody else is embarking on. consultation please telephone But the reality is that the vast majority of 07722 110228 resolutions do not last very long!

That might not sound very positive coming from a coach! But let’s be real: what’s the point in making unsustainable or insufficiently planned resolutions? More than this, what damage is

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History Notes no. 110 with Julian Lea‐Jones ‐ answers to articles from our readers Over the years I have probably written over three hundred local history articles for papers, magazines and journals, over 100 for this magazine alone, and I am often asked from where do I get the inspiration.

Sometimes they arise from my own areas of research interest but quite often this research is enhanced by subsequent correspondence from our readers and from places far, far away from the normal distribution area of Andy’s magazine. Therefore this month is a compilation of articles that have resulted in new discoveries and is also a thank both yourselves and to Andy for providing me with the platform providing such interesting and at times amazingly unexpected follow-ons. Prepared to be surprised! #50 – In September 2011 I wrote; ‘When Friday meant Fish’.

1917 and John had secured a 48 hour pass to come to Bristol to get married. The very brief honeymoon and breakfast took place in there. We published a picture of the happy couple asking if anyone recognised them or knew why they chose the Rialto Hotel for their very brief honeymoon’.

#73 – August 2013 – ‘Coincidence or not?’

“No further news until it was pointed out to me that the St Peter’s hospice charity shop next door to 157 “Nowadays, when fish can be more expensive than Whiteladies road had a photograph of their premises steak, and fishmongers are a vanishing breed, I when it had been ‘C Allen and Son, motor agent and noticed a large painted sign for ‘The Redland Fish dealers’ with a line-up of six cars outside. Thanks to Supply Co. Ltd’ on the wall above 102 Whiteladies one of our readers and friend, Roger Tucker he Road? Searching through old street directories identified the cars as all being 1930s Armstrong revealed that the sign is a last reminder of the Lloyd Siddeley, possibly ‘12HP, 6 Cylinder Long 15s or 20s. family firm that once had seven retail shops in Was Ethel related to C Allen? Given the limited leave northwest Bristol.” that John Witchell had if Ethel was related to it would have been natural for him to have recommended the As a result of the interest shown in that article I spoke hotel next door.” to Paul Semple and Mike Lloyd who run our local greengrocer for his dad Robert Lloyd. It was his Lastly a possible explanation came from Diane, my grandfather David who told me that in the late 1960s wife. Her genealogical research using BMDE, 1891 when fish supplies declined they decided to diversify Census and Ancestry.com showed that a Ethel G into green grocers and florists. Here in Henleaze until Allen, born 1887 in Uphill, W-S-M married William J last year we still had Sally Lloyd our very popular Witchell Dec, in 1917 and registered in Axbridge. If it florist’s shop, but the Lloyd family enterprise is still was the same William John who was born June 1891 the oldest continuously owned business in Henleaze. he would be 26 in the honeymoon photo. There was also a William Witchell grocer living at 59 Oxford #57 - April 2012 article - ‘New kid on the block - Street W-S-M. (his father?) which could explain why not really’. the marriage was registered in Axbridge, (being the registration area for W-S-M). William J enlisted in “Outside the Redland Park Congregational Church 1915 into the RAMC survived the war and died in and next to it is this splendid pair of neo Palladian 1972 in W-S-M. This all came about just because I villas. Designed by William Bruce Gingell in 1856, asked why there was a ‘new’ name on a building. I number 157 is now occupied by a Malvern Kitchen wonder if their possible descendants even know of and Furniture company” the existence of this century old honeymoon picture.

It would be nice to pass on to the family. Can you When I called to ask about the new name I was told help? that the shop’s owners had decided to reinstate the builder’s original 1856 name ‘The Rialto’ which had #65 - December 2012 - An unexpected bookshop been a hotel until 1940. On a subsequent visit the find with a mystery. manager showed me a thank-you letter, bill and photograph sent by newlyweds, John Witchell and How many of our readers remember the ‘Larky Lot’ Ethel Allen dating from when it was a hotel. It was second hand bookshop that used to be at 89 Lower

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Redland Road? In April 1994 I bought a number of Bristol Books and a delightfully prosey letter fell out of one. Written ninety-three years ago that month, it was from friends in Dolê in France to Harry Cottrell, presumably here in Bristol on the 7th January 1919, and as well as good wishes to their friends it extolled the virtue and price of Gruyere cheese in Dolê. There was no obvious link between the book and the letter within. Intrigued by the unusual content and wording I included a transcript to share with our readers.

affection and will realise I am referring to Bristol Zoo’s Elephant. I say with affection, because she used to give rides, up to ten at a time. Rosie’s walk began from the Aquarium and Bear Pit end of the main path and went almost to the main gate before returning to the starting point. I asked if any of our readers were one of the children in this photo? We’d love to know.

#69 - An equally unexpected response to article #65 also shed a light on a forgotten aspect of Bristol’s WW1 history.

“I loved your article on Rosie at the zoo. It brought to mind happy memories of the excitement at looking forward to the ride. It certainly was the highlight of the day. The thing I also remember was the ritual of holding a hand with an old penny out to Rosie. She would take the penny with her trunk and give to the keeper. We had the sensation of the touch of the trunk and also had a wet hand.” Diane said until I read out your letter she had completely forgotten about 'the penny offering' and the strange sensation of the wet trunk, but it brought back happy memories. She thought Rosie passed the penny to the keeper in exchange for a bun? A few months later I was talking to a neighbour when she said “your article about the Zoo elephant. I was the little girl in your postcard picture stood behind Rosie peering through her legs at the photographer. I remember it well as my parents brought me from Wales for the Zoo visit as a special treat.”

A couple of days after publication of the December 2012 article much to my surprise I was contacted by a friend Marian Liebmann who told me that, because of the language of the letter, and the use of ‘thee’ and ‘thou’, Marian guessed that Harry Cottrell might be a member of ‘The Society of Friends’ (Quakers). Marian put me in contact with Roger Sturge also a member of the community. His reply solved one mystery, but there is more! Roger said, “Harry Cottrell was indeed a Quaker and a friend of my parents. He was the father of Jeanne Southam and Jo Martin, grandfather of Ruth Pedder of Frenchay Meeting. They lived at Abbott's Leigh.”

Thanks to Roger, I was able to contact Ruth, who confirmed that her grandfather was indeed the recipient of the letter and provided us with a potted biography of Harry as well as a fascinating and totally unexpected explanation for the letter. “Like most people his work was interrupted by the First World War. As a practising Quaker opposed to warfare in 1914 he registered as a conscientious objector but volunteered for the ‘Quaker War Victims Relief Service’ which leads on to the second part of our unravelled mystery. His training for the service took place in London, before posting to Dole in Southern France where, throughout the war years, his job was making wooden buildings for refugees. During his time there the family and friends liking for Gruyere cheeses became something of a family joke, hence the cheesy allusions in the letter which is written in lighthearted imitation of earlier Quaker language.”

The moral of this story is you never know what you may find in old books, and where it may lead with the added pleasure of reuniting the letter with the family after a lapse of ninety three years.

The following reply from David Skuse reminded Diane and I of another aspect of the Elephant rides.

#96 – September 2015 More ‘Signs of the times’ The discovery of odd and bizarre signs such as faint lettering on the outside of a house in Oakfield Grove proclaiming ‘Pickled tongues’ (Mentioned in article 92) prompted me to look for more. Sometimes old signs come to light when a shop frontage is being replaced and the original sign is momentarily revealed.

A much more enigmatic painted but very large and faded sign is high on the Worrall Road side wall of Whiteladies Road. The faintly visible letters appear to have been overwritten but may read, (from top to bottom): APPLETONS, BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES AND IRONMONGERS. Again any information about this will be welcomed.

Our thanks to Anthony Richards writing to me with the answer.

“The painted sign is indeed interesting. There is a very good image of it on Flickr, which I note has #85 – September 2014 - Remembering Rosie attracted the attention of 'ghost sign' enthusiasts. The first sign was posted by William Morten Appleton Those of us who were children living in Bristol during who had the shop from 1888-1890 and reads: the 1940s will probably remember Rosie with

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W.M. APPLETON'S DEPOT FOR BICYCLES TRICYCLES Paint Maker ...(?)...

WASHING MACHINES Lamps, Oils & IRONMONGERS

even an appeal on BBC Radio Bristol 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 who now lives in Chester.

Helene had recently inherited her grandfather’s family papers but had no success in tracing her great grandfather’s time in England until she came across my website appeal. Helene told me that during the He had started as an ironmonger in Regent Street in war, Joseph worked in Bristol for the Redcliffe Clifton before moving to what was then number 2 Aircraft Company, (remember this was the age when Worrall Road. He was a member of the Bristol Bicycle aircraft were mainly, wood, wire and fabric, so skilled & Tricycle Club (in the days of ‘penny farthings’); he woodworkers were in great demand). That was until won many prizes and in 1887 set its mile tricycle 8th February 1919 when the company’s government record. He was an early motor car owner and in the contract finished along with his employment.

1890’s he became sole proprietor of the Bristol Motor This account and Helene’s letter is what makes history Company. W.M. Appleton’s advertisement is evidently research so rewarding and another example of how the first of two. The second advertises the business refugees have enriched our city. having been taken over by Frank Atkinson (1891-2).

--------------------------This reads: “Dear Julian, FRANK ATKINSON LATE W.M. APPLETON CYCLE MAKER AGENT AND REPAIRER MACHINES LENT ON HIRE

I have spent most of my evening looking through the many letters. With our conversation in mind, I just came across a letter from M. Tarr which must be addressed to my great grandad. I have attached the original and include the full text below...such a find! I have spoken to my mum who confirmed my great grandad was a 'meester-meubelmaker' which may translate to 'Master Cabinet Maker'.”

---------------------Below is a circle with some indecipherable designs.

Following Helene’s discovery of our website and my There is no street listing for 1893-6 but in 1897, 1898 article about the table and with the help of Jennie &1899 it was given as Alway and Bellamy ‘cycle Smith at BBC Radio Bristol and Graham Torrington dealers’. In 1900 & 1901 it also lists 'West Bristol on the BBC’s Birmingham network we had a little Cycle and Engineering Works', which had previously ceremony in the Whiteladies Road Studio when we been listed at 2 Wellington Park, just down the hill. reunited Helene with her great grandfather’s After that date, no further mention is made of cycles.” autographed table - surely a family heirloom with a difference. The table is now back with her family in #106 – Talbot House – Toc H – First World War Belgium – surely a most surprising Christmas present.

Belgian refugees and a remarkable reunion.

Then in January I had the following letter from Helene that shows how the readership circulation of This account is about one refugee, Joseph Bleyens Andy’s magazine is not affected by fears of Brexit! from Antwerp and his family. About twenty years ago a close friend and neighbour of mine Bert Tarr gave “It was also great to have the little table at our home me a small table with an interesting tale. Bert’s family to celebrate Christmas! My nieces (who will be was one of the many who gave a home to the Belgian Joseph’s 'great-great grandchildren') had mentioned refugees and Joseph, a cabinet maker, stayed with the story in their school and they came to have a look them at their home in Brislington. After the war was at it too (picture attached). A local magazine also over Joseph returned to Belgium, but before leaving, showed interest so a separate article is in development as a thank you for the hospitality he made this which I’ll share with you. I have also obtained paper delightful little inlaid table from scraps of available copies of the original article in the Belgian newspaper; wood and signed his name, town and date in pencil [SCHILDE - Na 100 jaar komt het handgemaakte underneath it. I thought it would be nice to try and tafeltje van Joseph Bleyens weer thuis. De Antwerpse trace Joseph’s family and return the table. In spite of oorlogsvluchteling maakte het meubel voor zijn appeals in the newspaper, enquiries in Antwerp, and gastgezin in Bristol. Het verhaal haalde zelfs de BBC-

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radio. Want er was zowel een gelukkig toeval mee gemoeid, als de inspanning van achterkleindochter Hélène.] which I will send to you in the post. I gave copies of the magazine you gave me to my dad, sister and one of my uncles who were all very pleased to hear about the history adventure we went on!”

Lastly if anyone has any knowledge or information about the remaining mystery – The elusive Redcliffe Aircraft Company we will still be delighted to hear from you. #109 – December 2016 – ‘From a post box near you.’

In that article I wrote about the development of our local postal service and the vicissitudes the postmen and postwomen had to endure - one of whom was Hannah Brewer of Bitton. Her daily route was eleven miles up and down the Somerset hills around Bitton and by the age of 72 having walked a quarter of a million miles in all weathers she felt it was time to retire.

included a mention of a family in Stoke Bishop where the position was passed down the family. We would love to know more about this. The Post Office at 67 Stoke Hill was run for many years by the Giersons before it was taken over on their deaths by their son David until it was closed. You must be referring to another family though? We know the original Stoke Bishop Post Office which stood near to Taggarts Fountain, was run by a Miss Pinker. It then moved to the redbrick house, 46 Stoke Hill, which still stands opposite the Village Hall. Our puzzle is that this house became a men's club in 1920 as a memorial to the local dead of WWI. We also know that in the 1930s the Post Office was at 67 Stoke Hill in the newly built parade of shops .But do you know where it was sited in the 1930s? Hope you can help.”

Jenny Weeks, Stoke Bishop Local History Group.

To end this long selection of your very welcome contributions I will end with this heart-warming story which is yet another example of our magazines unexpected outreach.

In an article about the decorative glass, circa 1920s, windows in Henleaze and Redland. I mentioned one I had seen in Golden Hill, a large very colourful landing window a landscape scene. Unlike most others; usually ships, flowers or art deco abstract designs, this “Hannah was born at Uphill, near Weston-superwindow depicted what appeared to be an alpine scene, Mare, in 1825. The postal service was already in her as it featured a typical Swiss style church and genes as her mother, Ann Brewer, was a letter receiver meadows. The current owner had no idea or as long ago as 1851 and later became the postmistress information about the scene. Some months later I in Bitton. Her father James was a coal miner and was told that a copy of the magazine had been Methodist lay preacher in Bitton and he took over as forwarded to a family member somewhere in the postmaster when his wife died aged 92 in 1889. home counties who sent back this reply about the Hannah went out in all weathers and was the first people who had lived there before them. postwoman to be issued with an official waterproof cloak. She finally retired at the age of 72 and was The couple who awarded a pension of £16.13s 6d per annum. She was lived there in the well liked in the neighbourhood, bringing local news 1920s when the as well as letters to the inhabitants on her round and house was new was given a marble clock and a purse of money on the went to the Tyrol occasion of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Her and as a memento uncle, James Skinner, has a tenuous connection to of their happy stay, Bristol. As an orphan aged 11, he was sent to work the husband for a doctor in the little village of North Tawton in commissioned the Devon (where Ann Brewer nee Skinner was born). superb window as a The doctor, Samuel Budd, was the father of William reminder depicting Budd who has a plaque on Jamie Oliver’s restaurant the place where in Park Street to commemorate his work on they honeymooned. convincing the authorities that providing clean drinking water would prevent the terrible outbreaks of I hope that this demonstrates the value of your cholera which visited the city regularly.” correspondence and of the sometimes amazing and totally unexpected outcomes. Please keep them A few days later I also received a letter from Jenny coming.

Weeks who had read the December article. “You © Julian Lea-Jones FRAeS, 2017 Imagine my surprise when I received this account from a Henleaze neighbour Patricia Dury the greatgreat niece of Hannah Brewer.

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Gardening Tips from Hilary Barber 1.

This month you should prune pipped fruit trees (apple, pear, quince and medlar), figs, acers, silver birch and vines, whilst the sap is not rising.

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2.

Also prune fruiting currant bushes (blackcurrant, whitecurrant, redcurrant) and gooseberry bushes. If you haven’t pruned your autumn fruiting raspberries, prune all the canes down to the ground.

3.

Whilst you are in the fruit garden, you can also start forcing rhubarb for tender young stems.

4.

Plant bare root trees and shrubs, and native hedging (great for wildlife), as long as the ground isn’t frozen.

5.

Whilst the ground isn’t frozen, dig over any beds that are ready for planting, incorporating lots of organic matter, such as manure, household compost, or mushroom compost. Make sure that you dig up any weeds which have survived the mild winter so far, otherwise there will be trouble ahead with seeds everywhere!

6.

Whilst the ground is cold, you can repair and reshape lawn edges.

7.

Ensure tree (and climbers) stakes and ties are firm and hold secure against the winter winds.

8.

Clean pots and greenhouses ready for spring.

9.

Don’t forget about garden wildlife if the garden is frozen. Keep the bird bath topped up and replenish bird feeders.

Don’t clear up any leaves in piles in the corner of beds, just in case there are hibernating hedgehogs or toads or frogs.

10.

If the weather is not conducive to being

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outside start planning your borders, and vegetable rotations for the spring.

If you haven’t recycled your Christmas tree, use the needles to mulch around your acid loving shrubs, such as camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas.

You can also shred the wood for bark mulch although do let it rot down before you put it on your borders.

New Year’s resolution suggestions!

- A water butt for collecting rainwater plants love it more than tap water!

- A new wildlife border.

- Building leaf litter bin in a corner of the garden.

- Grow your own, even just herbs and strawberries in pots, or window boxes.

My resolution is to ensure that the jobs that I suggest to readers are done in my garden without leaving them too late! My beautiful climbing rose blew down and took the trellis with it - I should have pruned it before the heavy winds.

Happy Gardening and A Happy New Year to you all!

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Probate – not as simple as it seems!

The death of a loved one is one of life’s most stressful events. Dealing with the grief and arranging the funeral are only the start. Unfortunately like most of modern life there is a large amount of paperwork that needs to be dealt with.

Usually, a grant of probate will be needed when the person who has died left: - more than £5000; - stocks or shares; - a house or land; or - certain insurance policies.

Executors and administrators (the personal representatives) are personally liable for making sure that the estate is administered correctly. If there is a will, the personal representative must make sure that the wishes of the person who has If the person who has died left a will, it should name one or more people to act as the executors died, as set out in their will, are followed. If there is no will, they must follow the rules of intestacy of the will. (set out in the Administration of Estates Act 1925).

If you are named as an executor of a will you may need to apply for a grant of probate.

Executors and administrators are also responsible for finding out if inheritance tax is A grant of probate is an official document which the executors may need to administer the estate. due as a result of a person's death. If it is, they It is issued by a section of the court known as the have to make sure that it is paid.

Probate Registry.

Whether inheritance tax needs to be paid can depend on: If there is no will (known as dying intestate) the process is more complicated. An application for a - how much the property and belongings of the grant of letters of administration (an official deceased were worth when they died; document, issued by the court, which allows administrators to administer the estate) will need - the value of any gifts that they made before they died, and to whom the gifts were made; to be made.

- the value of certain trusts from which the deceased benefited; or The person to whom letters of administration is - which people benefit under the will or under the granted is known as the administrator. The rules of intestacy (the beneficiaries). administrator is the person who has the legal right to deal with the affairs of the person who Charges can vary and depend on what is has died, and is determined by a set order of involved in administering the estate. It is often priority. not possible to know immediately what may be The administrator will usually be a close relative involved and how much advice and help is of the person who has died, if there is one. There needed. may be more than one person who has an equal However, cost should not be the only right to do this. Your solicitor will be able to consideration. It is equally important to find a provide you with information on the set order of solicitor who is approachable and sympathetic, priority. and whose advice you understand.

When a grant is needed The Probate Team at AMD Solicitors has A grant is not always needed, for example, if the extensive experience of all aspects of probate and intestacy whilst providing a personal and person who died: supportive service to all those involved.

- has left less than £5,000 in total; or For advice on administration of estates and all owned everything jointly with someone else. other private client issues please contact Brenda - However, some financial organisations may require a grant before giving you access even to Smyth or another member of our team on 0117 962 1205, email probate@amdsolicitors.com or a small amount of money. call into one of our four Bristol offices.

100 Henleaze Road, Henleaze BS9 4JZ 15 The Mall, Clifton BS8 4DS 139 Whiteladies Road, Clifton BS8 2PL 2 Station Road, Shirehampton BS11 9TT

www.amdsolicitors.com

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What’s On & Community News Listings for community events, not-for-profit 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, email andy@bcmagazines.co.uk, or post details in to 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY. 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.

Theatre, Concerts and Music Saturday 4th February 2017 10.00 am to 4.00 pm Tyndale Baptist Church, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2Q. Come & Sing Rutter with the Bristol Choral Society. Feel the Spirit – Rutter’s exciting arrangements of spirituals. Tickets £15 (under 18s £7.50) including score hire. Full details at www.bristolchoral.co.uk, book online at www.bristolchoral.co.uk or by phone on 0117 962 3223.

Melody Makers Baby Friendly Choir. We are a daytime ladies choir. Feel free to bring your baby/ toddler too. Escape the real world and spend a fun packed hour singing uplifting popular songs and classic choral favourites. We are open to all levels, so no auditions and no previous experience necessary.

No nursery rhymes or backing tracks - strictly a choir full of grown up music. Come along on Tuesday's 10:30-11:30am (term time only) to our new venue at The Eastfield Inn, Skittle Alley, Henleaze Road. www.melodymakerschoir.wordpress.com Bristol Bach Choir are delighted to be joined on the stage of St. George's Bristol by Canzona, one of this country's leading baroque ensembles. Bach's monumental B Minor Mass was described as “The greatest musical work of art of all times and nations”, and after a rapturously acclaimed performance in 2013, the Bristol Bach Choir is delighted to be returning to this seminal work with a team of wonderful soloists, each heralded as among the very best of the new generation of singers. Saturday 28 January 2017, 7.00pm at St George's, Bristol, BS1 5RR. Ticket prices from £10 to £25 (students and under 18s - £5, subject to availability). Bristol Bach Choir Box Office. Tel: 0117 214 0721. www.bristolbach.org.uk/tickets or email: tickets@bristolbach.org.uk

completely new take on the Wagner opera and is an intoxicating version. Everyone is welcome at Red Maids School on Wednesday February 15th at 7.15pm Tickets at door £5.00 Friends, £7.00 Non-members.

Bristol Cabot Choir is delighted to welcome new members for all voice parts. Why not come and sing with us for 2/3 ‘taster’ rehearsals 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.

‘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, however the topics we cover are interesting and relevant to all. Tune in, let us know what you think - info@ujimaradio.com Bristol Male Voice Choir sing to a wide range of audiences, performing not just male voice favourites, but songs from musicals, pop classics, spirituals, and classical favourites. You don’t have to read music to join 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 welcoming social atmosphere. We rehearse every Thursday from 7.00pm till 9.15 pm at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (formerly Filton College ) where the north end of Filton Avenue meets the A38. Come along to a rehearsal, go to our website – bristolmvc.org.uk - or contact our secretary on 0117 942 4378.

West Bristol Orchestra play a wide range of classical music arranged for the smaller orchestra, and meet at the United Reformed Church, Muller Road on Thursdays 7.15pm to 9.15pm. Additional string players of Grade5+ standard welcome. Experience of orchestral playing not essential. For more info please contact the Secretary on 968 3998.

The Elgar Society is dedicated to promoting the works of Sir Edward Elgar, our greatest English composer. Our next meeting is on Saturday 18 February at 2.15 at the Bristol Music Club, 76 St Paul’s Road, BS8 1LP. Limited free parking is available at 1 Pembroke Road. Admission for visitors costs £3.00 including refreshments. Our speaker will be Dr John Harcup whose talk is entitled Elgar's Japes and Jokes. Elgar was a very serious minded musician who sometimes seemed to be rather gloomy.

However he had a lighter side and Dr Harcup will be Le Vin Herbe by Welsh National Opera. A talk on entertaining us with accounts of some of his lighthearted and amusing moments. this opera by the Director Polly Graham. It is based on Tristan & Isolde and is by Frank Martin, a

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Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston The striking combination of the flame headed double bass player & virtuoso mandolin player create music that Folk Roots say is: “A musical partnership made in heaven. Scintillating, sensitive and brilliant!”

This is one evening you don't want to miss out on!

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What’s On & Community News Exhibitions, Markets and Meetings Quiz Night - St Mary's Church Hall, Stoke Bishop, Saturday 18 March, 7 for 7.30pm prompt start.

Licensed bar and light supper. Tickets £7.50 available from Kate 0117 4010646. All proceeds going to Children's Hospice South West.

Bristol Branch Embroiderers Guild Exhibition.

February 17-18th 2017 at Stoke Lodge Adult Education Centre, Shirehampton Road, BS9 1BN Open: Friday 10am to 4.30pm, Saturday10am to 4.00pm. Admission £3. Light refreshments. Sales Table. EmbroiderersGuildBristol@googlemail.com Jumble Sale, Saturday 18th February at 10am to be held at Westbury-on-Trym Methodist Church Hall, Westbury Hill. Proceeds to the World Church. Free Admission

http://www.keepfit.org.uk for more info about our organisation.

Scottish Country Dancing for beginners and experienced dancers at St Monica Trust’s Hall on Thursdays, 7.30 pm. New dancers welcome - come on your own or with friends. Contact Margaret, 01275 794638 or Graham 01275 854782, or visit www.rscdsbristolinfo.co.uk Westbury Scottish Club country dancing classes for beginners at Leonard Hall, Trinity-Henleaze URC, Waterford Road, Henleaze. Tel. Maggie on 01934 838175. Classes for more advanced dancers at St Peter’s Church Hall, Henleaze. Tel. Cheryl on 0117 4012416. Every Tues 7.30 - 9.30pm. See www.wscbristol.co.uk for details.

Hydrotherapy Exercise Sessions - group exercise in lovely warm water at Southmead Hospital's purpose built pool. Benefits include relaxation, relief Fitness, Health and Wellbeing of pain & swelling, improved movement, balance & fitness. All ages & abilities welcome. We are a friendly The Bristol West Diabetes Group meet next at 2 local team of Chartered Physiotherapists with pm on Thursday 23 February 2017 at the Primary Care Practice in Westbury-on-Trym: Our speaker will expertise in a variety of disabilities & medical be Angeliki Papadaki speaking on 'The Mediterranean conditions. We have a regular group of local members but new people are always welcome. For more details Diet.' please contact Chris & Ali Cowley on 07971 086 628, email healthyhydrotherapy@gmail.com or visit Bristol Shambhala Meditation Group offers free www.healthyhydrotherapy.co.uk. meditation instruction from a qualified instructor at the Open House evening each Wednesday from 7.30 Gardening and Horticulture 9.30 pm at 17 Lower Redland Road, Redland, BS6 6TB and the opportunity for a longer period of practice on the second Sunday of each month. For The Clifton Garden Society invite you to come and further information please see our website: join is as a new member. Monthly coach visits are www.bristol.shambhala.info arranged to great houses and gardens. There is a quarterly newsletter, an annual holiday and a Morris Dancing - Bristol Morris Men welcome Christmas party. If you would like to join this friendly anyone who wants to try morris dancing. We practise group please contact 0117 973 7296 for further on Thursday evenings in the Sports Hall at (QEH) details .

Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital (School) at Berkeley Place, Clifton from 20:00 to 22:00 (ish). For more The Alpine Garden Society meet on the 3rd Friday information please visit www.bristolmorrismen.co.uk of the month at Westbury Methodist Church, or call Grant on (0117) 9442165 .

Westbury Hill, at 7.30pm. We have speakers on various topics, plant sales and social events. Visitors Keep fit with dance moves – at Filton Community are very welcome at £2 a visit.

Centre, Elm Park, BS34 7PS, Tuesday afternoon, from 2pm – 3pm. Improve your mobility and general Volunteering and Charities wellbeing, have fun, challenge yourself and feel more confident, keeping fit to music. The class also Redland May Fair Volunteers. Next year's May includes some body conditioning. Working at your Fair takes place on Bank Holiday Monday 1 May own pace, the class is suitable for everyone. Come 2017, 1-5pm on Redland Green. The May Fair is a along and make new friends at this very social and hugely popular, not-for-profit, free community event friendly class. Pay as you go at £4 per session. Class and is organised by a small group of volunteers on re-commences on 10th January 2017. Wear behalf of RCAS. If you'd like to get hands-on and can comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear. For help out for an hour or two on the day please email further information contact Eileen Scott, (qualified redlandmayfairvolunteers@gmail.com leaving your instructor), on 07969929733, and visit the website contact details and let us tell you more. No

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What’s On & Community News experience necessary, just enthusiasm! May Fair Committee, Redland & Cotham Amenities Society www.rcas.org.uk/redland-fair

with a speaker. For more details please contact our membership officer on 0117 9739894 or email gillbea@aol.com for more details.

If your new year’s resolution is 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.

Volunteers are so important to us. We depend on contributions of time and skills so that we can continue to provide care to patients and their families.

There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer for us, from helping at a collection to placing collection tins in your local community or by joining your local fundraising group. If you enjoy meeting new people and raising money for a great cause, we would love to hear from you. For More information, please contact Community Fundraiser Helen Isbell on 0117 9247275 or email Helen.Isbell@mariecurie.org.uk

The Bristol and District branch of Parkinson's UK meet every first Saturday of the month at St Monica Trust, Cote Lane, BS9 3UN from 10am -12 noon. Carers, relatives, spouses and people with Parkinson's - all are welcome for a social and informative get-together, with speakers from a variety of backgrounds with many diverse interests. Please join us. We also meet at The Eastfield Inn, Henleaze, BS9 4NQ every second Friday in the month for an informal coffee morning from 11am.

Friendship, Social and Support Are you caring for a relative , or a friend ? If so, you may very well like to meet other people in a similar situation at an informal carers coffee morning, and enjoy the friendly atmosphere. This will take place on Thursday 9th February 2017 from 10 to 12 noon in the Coffee Bar of the Bradbury Hall, Waterford Road, Bristol BS9 4BT. You can drop in at any time and stay as long as you wish. You are welcome to phone Monica on 9426095 if you would like to find out more, otherwise we look forward to seeing you there !

Senior Film Club - St Peter's Hall, The Drive, Henleaze. Home Instead Bring Joy Foundation is pleased to support the Henleaze Senior Film Club and bring you the following fun Monday afternoons, each starting at 2pm. On February 20th the film is 'Golden Years' - a contemporary comedy, filmed here in Bristol, about a senior couple who decide to rob a bank! Refreshments (Tea & Cake) £3. Transport offered by Dial-A-Ride, Tel 0845 139 875. For further details, please ring 0117 989 8210 Westbury Park WI has changed its meeting day to the first Wednesday in the month. Guests are welcome, it costs £4 per session and it is possible to be a guest 3 times in a year without having to become a member. We meet at Westmoreland Hall, Westmoreland Road, Redland from 7.30pm.

Soroptomists International Bristol are part of a global organisation founded in Bristol for women from a wide range of professional and business backgrounds who have joined together to give Service, Friendship and have Fun. We meet on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at Long Ashton Golf Club where we enjoy a two course meal

Clifton Rotary Club welcomes new members willing to give their time, are interested in making new friends, building business contacts and using their skills to help others. We meet Wednesday lunchtimes at The Redland Green Club (Redland Lawn Tennis and Squash Club). FFI visit www.cliftonrotary.org or email secretary@cliftonrotary.org Bristol Grandparents Support Group gives support to grandparents who are estranged from their grandchildren due to family breakdown. Family breakdown can be as a result of separation/divorce, alcohol/drug dependency, domestic violence within the home, bereavement or family feud. We give support over the phone, via email, Skype and at our regular meetings held at 9, Park Grove, Bristol. BS6 7XB. Tel 07773 258270 more information or visit www.bgsg.co.uk.

Laugh, Live and Learn with Bristol U3A. If you have retired from full-time work, and want to take part in enjoyable learning with friendship and fun, we have a wide range of groups with over 100 different activities, including art, computing, languages, music, walking, and science. Come to one of our social groups - either at the Eastfield Inn, Henleaze, 10.30am on the second Thursday and third Monday in every month, phone Barbara 0117 9629331. Or at Browns Restaurant, by the Museum, at 10.15am on the third Wednesday and fourth Thursday in every month, phone Jenny 0117 9043697. Please visit www.bristolu3a.org.uk.

Rotary Club of Bristol meet at the Bristol Hotel, Prince Street, Bristol BS1 4QF at 7.00pm for 7.30 pm on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Mondays and at 12.30pm for 1.00 pm 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 Do you, or does someone you know, need

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What’s On & Community News support following a relationship breakdown?

Over the past 20 years Aquila has helped many people learn to cope and rebuild their lives following separation or divorce. Our next 8-week self-help course starts on Wednesday 25th January in Southmead, Bristol. The course is facilitated by a group of trained men and women who have all experienced broken relationships or divorce. If you would like to know more call Gill on 07807 058479, email bristol@hope-after-heartbreak.co.uk or visit www.hope-after-heartbreak.co.uk.

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 Beryl Webb on 01454 614 451.

survive. The Great War may have passed into history from living memory but traces survive across this landscape.

Bristol Decorative Fine Art Society (BDFAS) is Bristol’s own society for those who are passionate about the arts. History of Art related events are organised including monthly lectures and study days led by specialists in their field and cover a wide range of topics. We organise stimulating visits and day trips home and abroad, often with special, exclusive visits to places of interest. Lectures are held in the “The Lecture Theatre”, The School of Chemistry Cantocks Close, BS8 1TS. For more information visit our website www.bristoldfas.co.uk.

The 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, without the need for an afterlife. We meet every Instep Club for Widows and Widowers. Weds month on the first Monday at 7.30pm in Kingsdown. evenings 8.00 pm-10.00 pm at Stoke Bishop Village Hall, Stoke Hill. Dancing - Ballroom and Sequence (If Contact Margaret Dearnaley on 07986 555817 (evenings and weekends only) or email you haven’t danced for a long time, don’t worry, we bristolhumanists@gmail.com for more information. will help you learn). Social activities Annual membership £8. Members: £2 per session. Visitors The National Trust Bristol Centre Talks welcome: £3 per session. Come in to see us or Programme 2016-2017 continues on Saturday 28th telephone Donna on 01275 832676 or Wilma on January with “Heroines of Croome at War”. During 9628895 for further information. the Second World War and the early Cold War years which followed, Defford airfield built partly in the General Interests l8th century landscape grounds of Croome Park near Pershore, now a National Trust property, was one of The Raleigh Club is a small and welcoming, informal speaking and literary club. Established back the most secret places in the country. It was here that the latest airborne radar devices invented by allied in 1865 we meet in Westbury Village Hall at 7.30pm on the 2nd Friday of each month from October until scientists were developed, tested and proven. By 1945, up to 3000 people were engaged at Defford including April, with a dinner in May and an annual summer around 700 women, each playing an essential part in outing. It is a great opportunity to practice public this tight knit and very successful team. It is the story speaking in a friendly and supportive environment. of these Heroines of Croome that will be told by Bob New members always welcome - or why not just Shaw, Chairman of Defford Airfield Heritage Group. come along and see what we do? For more details The talk will take place at 2.15 in the Hall at St please contact smigie2@yahoo.co.uk or Monica Trust, Cote Lane, WoT. A charge of £3 is lorna.watson@btinternet.com. made to both members and visitors to help cover the costs associated with the talks programme. This The Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society's next lecture is on Monday 30th January at charge includes the provision of tea and biscuits at the 7.45 pm in the Apostle Room of Clifton Cathedral in end of each talk Pembroke Road, when Richard Osgood, Senior North Bristol Writers next meeting is on 26th Archaeologist, Defence Infrastructure January when we will be looking at peer critiques.

Organisation, will give a talk "Marching unto Time: 7:30pm, venue: The Inn on the Green, War: Training Soldiers for the Great War on Gloucester Road (upstairs room - ask at the bar if not Salisbury Plain, an Archaeology". The military has owned Salisbury Plain since 1897 and, as a result has sure). New and experienced writers welcome - just come along and join us. laid down its own legacy as the topmost part of the archaeological palimpsest. Carvings on trees, hospitals for horses and the trenches in which they trained for The Bristol Philatelic Society meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month in the meeting room of the Somme are just some of the components which

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G G Travel

early

To Book: Contact Merryn Gillam on 01275 543721 / 07966 486 251, email ggtravelinfo@gmail.com or by post to Flat 7 Averill Court, 37a Hill Road, Clevedon, BS21 7NE Pick up points - Clevedon Six Ways, Portishead / Clarence House bus stop / opposite Iceland, Water Tower on the Downs, Henleaze Road layby by The Eastfield Inn, Westbury village opposite Co-op Canford Lane.

Cheques payable to G G Travel. Booking forms and full holiday details available on request. Names taken for Highgrove Garden Tours (dates released Spring 2017). Leaflets available from W H Mogfords in Westbury village.

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What’s On & Community News the United Reform Church at the bottom of Blackboy imply a recommendation of it, its aims or its methods.

Hill (Whiteladies Road) starting at 7.30 p.m. Contact Bristol Community Magazines Ltd cannot be held responsible for information disclosed by advertisers, 0117 956 7853. all of which are accepted in good faith. Reasonable efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of the Stoke Lodge History and Archaeology Group information contained in this magazine but no liability meet on the second Thursday of every month at the can be accepted for any loss or inconvenience caused Friends Meeting House in Hampton Road, Redland, BS6 6JE at 7.30. We host a rich diversity of lectures. as a result of inclusion, error or omission. All content is the copyright of Bristol Community Magazines Ltd New members are always made very welcome. For further details please contact Annette Martin on 0117 and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of Bristol Community Magazines.

979 3209.

North West Bristol Camera Club, are 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 Pete on 07870 589555.

Got a speech to make? Bristol Speakers offers a relaxed environment to practise your public speaking.

Learn how to construct and present a speech, gain knowledge from experienced speakers, conquer your public speaking anxiety. Most of all, practise in a stress-free environment where members give helpful feedback. It’s a well structured evening, fun and relaxed with a nice mix of people. Meeting 7.30pm alternate Mondays @ BAWA Southmead Rd. Contact Ben@Bristolspeakers.co.uk The Bristol Astronomical Society host a series of talks each week and we regularly get experts to talk about historical and topical aspects of astronomy, as well running hands-on demonstrations, activities, free Saturday observing sessions at our Observatory in Failand (weather permitting), and often stage "Star Parties" around Bristol and at Tyntesfield. All details are on our website www.bristolastrosoc.org.uk. All welcome, held at Bristol Photographic Society, Montpelier, BS6 5EE. Philosophy Discussion Group. We are a friendly and welcoming group who enjoy taking a turn to bring topic to share. We meet at 7 – 9pm every fourth Thursday evening of the month at Eastfield Inn, Henleaze, Bristol BS9 4NQ, and 10 - 12 noon every second Friday morning of the month, also at Eastfield Inn, Henleaze. If you would like to be involved please contact Lorna Tarr on 0770 245 3827.

Disclaimer The Bristol Six 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 are not necessarily those held by Bristol Community Magazines Ltd. The inclusion of any business or organisation in this magazine does not

Get In Touch Do please get in touch, whether you are interested in advertising, have an item or event that you think would benefit from a free listing, or if you have any comments or suggestions about the magazine - it is always good to receive any feedback.

0117 259 1964 / 07845 986650 8 Sandyleaze, W-o-T, BS9 3PY andy@bcmagazines.co.uk www.bcmagazines.co.uk

Quiz Answers from page 14 1a) a skulk, b) a caravan, c) a lodge; 2. a) 59 (he’ll be 60 on 28th Feb), b) 75, c) 41; 3a) Everton, b) Tranmere Rovers, c) Newport County; 4a) Euro, b) Euro, c) Koruna; 5a) Kate Bush, b) The Beach Boys, c) The Jam; 6a) Rich Tea biscuits, b) Unigate milk, c) Cresta; 7a) London, b) New York, c) Istanbul; 8. 876; 9. William IV and Victoria; 10. James Callaghan, Michael Foot, Neil Kinnock, John Smith; 11 a) Ipswich, Cambridge, Coventry, Peterborough, and b) Ipswich, Cambridge, Peterborough, Coventry; 12a) Threadneedle Street, b) Pennsylvania Avenue, c) Red Square; 13. the rooster; 14. rockhopper penguin, ptarmigan, moose, capybara.

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Index of Adver sers Around the Garden

Food and Drink

Garden Design & Mtce

Hilary Barber

48

Butchers

Garden Design & Mtce

Chandler's Lands. & Tree Surgery

29

Gi s, Arts, Jewellery & Retail

Garden Design & Mtce

Blossom Gardening

13

Auc on Houses

Clevedon Salesrooms

55

Garden Design & Mtce

Red Oak

25

Photography Workshops

Pocket Money Photography

12

Garden Services

Declan McManus

Jewellery and Gi s

Kemps

35

4

Compost & Manure Supplies Mr Manure Man

43

Fencing

EC Fencing

10

Landscaping

Oak Urban Landscaping

15

Blinds & Shu ers

UK Blinds Direct

57

Bathrooms, Wetrooms & Showers

Paul Whi aker

10

Stairli s

Thornbury Stairli s

31

Cleaning Services

OvenGleam

21

Cleaning Services

Home Gleamers

23

Cleaning Services

Bonne Fresh Clean

Furniture

Gareth Jones Furniture

Cleaning Services

Bonne Fresh Clean

Furniture

Gareth Jones Furniture

Interior Design

Park Interiors

Upholstery & So Furn

Nice Things for Nice Homes

13 4 13 4 13

20

Healthcare Services Complementary Healthcare

The Chiron Centre

38

Complementary Healthcare

Celeste Complementary Therapies

15

Around the House

4

Molesworths of Henleaze

Alexander Technique

David Harrowes

57

Home Care Services

Home Instead

40

Home Care Services

St Monica Trust

Home Care Services

Premier Homecare

27 32, 33

Schools & Educa on Schools

QEH

64

Schools

Badminton School

26

Estate & Le ng Agents

C J Hole

8,9

Estate & Le ng Agents

Bristol Property Centre

29

Estate Agents

Richard Harding

63

Property & Accommoda on

Estate Agents

Ocean

49

Sheltered Housing

Abbeyfield

37

Electrical Services

Lek‐Trix

21

Electrical Services

Paul Daley Electrical Services

13

7

Pain ng & Decora ng

Stephen Carter

15

James Fox

10 15

Building Services Building & Construc on

BS7 Driveways

43

Building & Construc on

Garcia Building Services

23

Plant Hire

Mark's Mini Diggers

43

Windows & Doors

Crystal Clear

Property Maintenance

Prime Maintenance

17

Pain ng & Decora ng

Design & Project Mgmt

Oasys Property Solu ons

15

Pain ng & Decora ng

Sarah's Decora ng Services

Plastering

McCall Plastering

20

Plumbing

Three Sixty Services

20 57

Compu ng, A/V & IT Computer Repairs

Trades

FAB IT Rescue

25

Plumbing

Bathroom Perfec on

Accountancy

William Price

30

Plumbing & Hea ng

John Presland

43

Book‐keeping

Walbrook Bureau Services

30

Chimney Sweeps

Bristle Chimney Sweeping

15

Finance, Legal & Business

Coaching

Anne Miller Coaching

42

Cars & Motoring

Solicitors

Corfield Solicitors

2,3

Garage Services

Autotec

Solicitors

AMD Solicitors

51

Garage Services

Arley Garage

Solicitors

Veale Wasbrough Vizards

18, 19

Fitness, Beauty, Sport & Leisure Sports Centres & Gyms

The Redland Green Club

41

Sports Centres & Gyms

Cli on College Sports Centre

61

Sports Centres & Gyms

Westbury Trym & Tone

25

5 12

Pet Care and Pet Services Veterinary Services

Animal Health Centre

39

Veterinary Services

Vets4Pets

10

Deadline for inclusion in the March 2017 issue ‐ February 15th. Latest.

If you use any of the businesses featured in The Bristol Six please let them know that you saw their adver sement in the magazine. Many thanks for your support.

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