The Bristol Six - May 2016

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


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The Editor’s Small Piece May. It is here - but where does it come from I pondered as I sought inspiration for my small piece? I wish I hadn’t pondered. The simple bit is that it is presumed to have been named after the Greek goddess Maia who was the goddess of the growth of plants and nurturing. After that it all gets a bit confusing because the Romans also had a goddess Maia, associated with growth and the spring. So it may be that May was named after two goddesses. More interestingly (unless you are a scholar of ancient mythology) is the Old English name for the fifth month of the year which was primilce, meaning literally “three milkings” because it was the only month of the year when cows could be milked three times a day. I must check the validity of this with my wife, a dairy farmer’s daughter. Arguably more interesting than a triple helping of gold top this month is what is celebrated


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around the world in May. As well as National Tree Planting Day in Mongolia (14th May) and the widely observed Hummus Day (19th), May also sees National Carpet Day celebrated in Turkmenistan (29th), Star Wars Day celebrated wherever the Force is strong on May the Fourth, and International No Diet Day (6th). Whatever and however you choose to celebrate your May I hope that the month of three milkings is good for you - and that you enjoy this issue of the magazine. Thank you as ever to everyone who has contributed to it and do please support your local businesses if your need arises. Now I’m off to prepare for National Naked Gardening day on the 7th. See you on the allotment. Cheers Get In Touch - 0117 259 1964 / 07845 986650, andy@bcmagazines.co.uk, 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY, @BS9Andy, www.bcmagazines.co.uk


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Useful Information

or foot.

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

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 6.45pm, 7 days a week .

Postal Services

Sat

Cotham Post Office 9 - 5.30 Monday to Saturday

0650, 0733, 0819, 0850, 0932, 1019, 1051, 1134, 1219, 1250, 1334, 1419, 1451, 1534, 1619, 1650, 1734, 1819, 1931, 2012, 2154, 2234, 2319

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

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

Sun

Gloucester Rd Post Office 9 - 5.30 Monday to Saturday

1011, 1107, 1207, 1307, 1407, 1507, 1607, 1710, 1809, 1837

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

Trains depart from Bristol Temple Meads to Redland at the following times Mon-Fri

Local Libraries New Hours from April Cheltenham Road - tel. 903 8562 Mon 1-7, Tues closed, Weds - Sat 11-5

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

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

Sat

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

0603, 0634, 0716, 0803, 0834, 0916, 1003, 1034, 1116, 1203, 1234, 1316, 1403, 1434, 1516, 1603, 1634, 1716, 1803, 1903, 2034, 2140, 2216 Sun

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 planning to go by bus, train, ferry, air, bike, car

0908, 1023, 1123, 1223, 1323, 1423, 1523, 1623, 1652, 1753 Journey time is approximately 15 minutes in each direction


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Hypnotherapist Sophie Harding looks at Solu on Focused Hypnotherapy

Solu on Focused Hypnotherapy focuses on how you would like your life to be rather than going over past problems and current issues. The client sets out their desired goals and with the help of the hypnotherapist solu on focused techniques are used to achieve this followed by hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy is when we go into a state of relaxa on known as trance. This is when the two minds (intellectual and primi ve) come together and focus on the same thing. This is when we have access to the subconscious mind which is ready to accept posi ve sugges on. Hypno c trance is a relaxing experience in which you are in full control. We go into trance many mes a day e.g. watching television and driving the car. When we operate from the intellectual mind we generally cope well with life. When in the primi ve part of the brain life can be difficult and this affects our daily lives. The more me we spend in the primi ve brain the more it encourages us to be nega ve. So as well as having hypnotherapy how can you help yourself move into your intellectual brain? Posi vity is key ‐ posi ve ac on, thought and interac on. These ac ons produce the most important neurotransmi er being serotonin. Exercise is an excellent way to help achieve this and you do not have to pound a treadmill if that is not for you. A daily walk is excellent and exercise also increases brain cells. It has also been proven that a er a period of regular exercise sleep pa erns improve. Think happy ‐ be happy.


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No Prize General Knowledge Quiz 1.

If you are celebrating your pearl wedding anniversary how long have you been married?

2.

Name the four English golfers who finished in the top ten of the recent US Masters.

3.

Name these mascots from recent / forthcoming international sporting events.

4.

According to Royal Mail figures how many post boxes are there in the UK?

5.

Name the six founding nations of the European Economic Community in 1958.

6.

The Equator passes through which of these countries - Brazil, Barbados, Uganda, Belgium, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Angola?

7.

11.

How many men have walked on the moon?

12.

Name the lead singers of these bands - The Killers, Maroon 5, Catatonia and The Sweet.

13.

The following roads run between which towns / cities - Route 66, the TransSiberian Highway, Brian Clough Way?

14.

Name the marked English counties

A

Name the actors who played these “Dad’s Army” characters.

B

E

D

8.

Name the last six Presidents of the USA.

9.

Name the actresses who took the leading roles in the following Alfred Hitchcock movies - Psycho, The Birds, Vertigo.

10.

What are the full names of the following television “couples”?

15.

C

What was the original marketing slogan for Opal Fruits, who dreamt it up and in what year were they renamed as Starburst?

Answers on page 64


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Chris Worthington’s Film Review

In London a cabinet minister and the Attorney General discuss the legal position at some length much to the frustration of Lieutenant Eye In The Sky Frank Benson (Alan Rickman) who is their Directed By Gavin Hood military adviser in London. They eventually decide to go ahead with the strike and the drone Eye in the Sky is based on a surveillance pilot Steve Watts played by Aaron Paul (Jesse in operation directed against Al – Shabaab “Breaking Bad”) begins the countdown but terrorists in Nairobi. The film starts at the contrary to orders stops when a girl is seen Northwood UK Military headquarters where selling bread within the kill zone. Reluctantly Colonel Katherine Powell (Helen Mirren) is in Colonel Powell concedes that a re-evaluation of charge of the military operation but the key collateral damage is needed and meanwhile the decision to launch a hellfire missile fired from a politicians busy themselves by seeking drone controlled from a US airforce base in confirmation from the Foreign Secretary, the Nevada can only be made by the politicians in Prime Minister and the US Secretary of State London. In this film the director continues with a who is playing ping pong during a cultural dialogue about the nature of good and evil exchange in Beijing. The Foreign Secretary is explored in two of his previous films, “Rendition” also inconvenienced by the call which he takes and “Wolverine”. The film was produced by Colin while sitting on the lavatory with a bout of Firth. diarrhoea. However his efforts are commendable compared with the Prime Minister’s display of sang froid that amounts to “do whatever you think best.” By now Colonel Powell is desperate for a solution and turns to the officer in charge of estimating collateral damage played by the excellent Babour Ceesay. In a tense scene he Eye In The Sky starts with a certain amount of high tech messing around with mobile phones, downgrades the risk to an acceptable Skype calls and images of the target area taken level giving the from the drone but once that is over with the politicians the get tension starts to build. The situation on the ground is that a local agent Jamah Farah (Barkad out clause that they need. The phrase “aren’t you paid to make these Abdi) is ready to initiate surveillance of the decisions” comes to mind. At the end of the interior of the target compound with a drone operation the final word is appropriately with disguised as a flying insect but to control it he Lieutenant Frank Benson. As they leave the has to take cover as a vendor of plastic buckets room one of the useless politicians takes it on in a local market patrolled by Al Shabaab. The herself to say that the operation was a disgrace. drone images confirm the presence of high His reply is “never assume that a soldier does not profile terrorists who are getting ready for a understand the human cost of his actions.” Alan suicide bomb mission. The key question then Rickman’s last words on film. becomes should this be a capture or a kill operation? Chris Worthington chrisworthington32@yahoo.com


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Music with Duncan Haskell

Next Step Trans by Neil Young (Geffen)

Album of the month Neil Young’s 1982 album Trans must be the most controversial attempt by a musician to communicate The new album from with their son. Though it Sturgill Simpson is a was Young trying huge departure from understand what it was the cosmic outlaw like for his son Ben to be musings of his unable to speak, due to his previous offering, severe cerebral palsy, it Metamodern Sounds was seen at the time as him being increasingly In Country Music. difficult. It even started a chain of events which Inspired by his time in led to his label suing him for making music the navy, as well as a “uncharacteristic” of his previous recordings. letter his grandfather wrote to his grandmother, the record is soulful What is often overlooked is that Trans was an and crooning country which manages to adventurous musical move from an artist who balance fatherly advice with his seemingly has never been afraid to bewilder audiences and subversive views, rallying against the call of critics alike. The influence of Kraftwerk and Devo Uncle Sam. was obvious, on the robotic machine music of Computer Age, We R In Control and Sample And Starting with the fitting line “Hello my son, Hold. Young attempted to discover what it must welcome to earth,” Simpson uses the record to be like if you were unable to connect with the jot down some of his life lessons. Retro horns world, and the answer came in the form of the provide the backing on Keep It Between The backlash. Lines as he implores “everything will be fine, long as you stay in school/ stay off the hard stuff Transformer Man was the song on which he and keep between the lines.” Then comes the tackled Ben’s struggles most directly and is the heart-breaking clincher, “it don’t have to be like high point on an album undeserving of its status a father like his son.” as a bizarre sideshow in the Young canon. Rather, as with Simpson, it was a musician using Elsewhere, Simpson’s version of Nirvana’s In his writing as a filter for his paternal outpouring. Bloom is equal parts mischief and menace. Sea Stories deals directly with his military service, as Gig of The Month a swirling guitar rages around him like angry Brian Wilson @ Colston Hall, Sun 15th May waves. The water is much calmer on Oh Sarah which is a close to a sentimental ballad as Some gigs are too huge Simpson is likely to come, lush strings and all. All to miss and Brian Wilson Around You is surprisingly reminiscent of Joe performing Pet Sounds Cocker, complete with a richness in his voice to certainly fits into that compliment the soulful horns. category. In honour of the record’s 50th The final piece of guidance comes on closing anniversary he will be track Call To Arms. "I hope you don't grow up performing it in its believing that you have to be a puppet to be a entirety, as well as man,” is followed by a stream of anti-war throwing in a few other consciousness from a veteran not wanting his classics from The Beach Boys catalogue. children to follow in his footsteps. As both a Although not the first time he’s toured the statement of parental concern and a musical album, and with a different band to those that offering, A Sailor’s Guide To Earth is bold and recorded the album, this is still an opportunity to brilliant from start to finish. witness musical history as played by the man who created it. Duncan Haskell A Sailor’s Guide To Earth by Sturgill Simpson (Loose / Atlantic)


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203 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2XT

We’re looking at an upbeat property market in Bristol this May. Lenders have been lending, buyers have been buying and landlords have been le ng. For what feels like the first me in a couple of years, condi ons seem almost perfect for a level playing field. Supply and demand have almost equaled out, with greater choice now stabilising prices. Tradi onally of course this is one of the busiest property months of the year, and despite pundit claims of an impact from the impending European referendum, here on the streets of North Bristol we certainly don’t seem to be feeling it. With the incredible growth we have seen in the last two years, there appears to be enough momentum to ensure a solid Bristol property market for the me being. Stylish new builds, student accommoda on, ‘metrobus’ prepara ons – the work in the city centre steams ahead transforming ‘old commercial’ to ‘young residen al’. And leafy Cli on, Redland, Cotham, Sneyd Park? They remain as leafy and as desirable as ever, as Bristol really cements its posi on as one of the best places to live in the UK. If you want to have a ‘no strings a ached’ chat about any property related ma er then one of our expert team would be delighted to help. Call the Cli on office on 0117 923 8238. Best wishes, Howard Davis, MD Cli on

www.cjhole.com Clifton Sales 0117 923 8238


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clifton@cjhole.co.uk

Redland – Guide Price £389,950

Central – Prices from £190,000 ‐ £550,000

A well‐presented, garden flat offering: a spacious hallway with storage and u lity cupboard, living room, three bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen. Externally there are private gardens to both the front and rear. The rear garden is enclosed with access to the single garage. EPC D

An exclusive development in the heart of the city. Southey House has been elegantly converted into a selec on of 33 brand new studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, with light modern interiors offering a contemporary feel with a high quality finish. EPCs Various

Redland ‐ £1,425 pcm plus fees

Cotham ‐ £995 pcm plus fees

A garden flat within this Victorian building offering versa le accommoda on. Two/three double bedrooms depending on par cular requirements, recep on room, kitchen/ breakfast room, shower room and rear garden. Available now on a furnished basis. EPC D

Two bedroom top floor flat in a great loca on. The accommoda on offers: double bedroom, smaller second bedroom, open plan kitchen/ living room and bathroom. It also benefits a parking space on a first serve first come basis. Available now on an unfurnished basis. EPC G

Clifton Lettings 0117 946 6588 www.cjhole.com


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Mrs PC ‐ friendly computer training How to improve your broadband speed Many people accept slow speeds when they are paying for a faster service. If you are struggling to get online consistently and waiting for your broadband or seeing a spinning wheel all the time, there are things you can do to improve the situation.

Go to www.speedtest.net/ and click “Begin Test”. Don’t press “Scan now” or any other part of the page. You will get an upload speed, a download speed and something called “ping”. Check your average speed against what you are paying for. Some providers resort to traffic-shaping (where some connections are prioritised) to manage bandwidth. If you have a usage limit on your broadband, install a usage checker to make sure you don’t go over your limit. Try this site - just type tbbMeter into your browser.

uSwitch's StreetStats tool will allow you to find out what other neighbours in the area are getting in terms of speed. If yours is lower than Firstly, check your router. Has it got a password? theirs, you can then ask your provider why that Make sure no one can log on and steal your is. www.uswitch.com/broadband/speedtest/ bandwidth. Check the age of your router. streetstats/ Contact your provider and see if you are eligible for an upgrade. This is often free. Routers are Make sure that you are using a micro filter on constantly evolving, so don’t hesitate to try a your phone line to stop interference- this will newer one. split your phone and broadband signals. Check to see if your router is ideally situated to serve the whole house, or the places you want to connect from. Put it in a central location if possible, but keep it as close to your phone socket as you can. You can check which phone socket gives you the best signal. It’s best to have it up off the floor and in an open space.

If your speeds are not up to scratch you could consider using a wired connection. This is usually much faster than Wi-Fi. Alternatively you can use an adapter, which sends your Wi-Fi through your home electrical wiring.

Most broadband comes to our homes using copper cabling, but the future broadband will Avoid having other electrical appliances too come using only fibre optic cables. This will close to your router. Cordless phones, baby allow astonishing speeds and transform the way monitors, speakers, printers and microwaves and we interact with the Internet. TVs can interfere with the signal. Even though your router is not attractive, don’t be tempted to Thanks to my mother for finding an excellent hide it in a cupboard. Wi-Fi doesn’t travel article on this subject in February’s Saga through thick walls, so you may need a second Magazine, which inspired me to write this article. router or a booster to get signal all around your house. Your provider can check that your router is set up correctly. This is done remotely by sending a signal to it. Changes can be made by your provider to give you a better service. Problems can occur when your neighbours are using the same channel as you are. In order to check this, there is an App called Wifi Analyzer. It will show you the most overused channels in your area. You can ask your provider to switch channel. Test the speeds you are getting and make a note of them. Try doing this at different times of day.


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G. R. Kno Decora ng Services Established in 1969

Working in Bristol for 47 years, and I’m s ll pain ng the town red ‐ or any other colour you fancy ‐ Westbury on Trym based ‐ Private and commercial work ‐ Quality pain ng and decora ng for all types of interiors and exteriors ‐ All our own staff ‐ no work is subcontracted ‐ Property management contracts specialists ‐ Insurance work undertaken Ring for your local decora ng experts

0117 968 8775 or 07836 267 952 www.grkno decora ng.com


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Talking Pets ‐ with the Animal Health Centre Tick Time! Ticks have recently hit the national news, for such a small creature they have caused quite a stir and much consternation in our profession and amongst pet owners. The reason for this renewed interest? A recent spate of confirmed cases of a disease transmitted by ticks in Harlow, Essex. 4 dogs have been diagnosed with the disease Babesiosis, a disease transmitted by the single celled parasite Babesia and carried by ticks. The parasite attacks the red blood cells and causes a variety of signs particularly anaemia and collapse and may be fatal.

In response to an increasing risk of tick borne disease, the University of Bristol launched ‘The Big Tick Project’ last year where ticks collected by vets around the country are being analysed. Over 6000 ticks have been collected and a map is being drawn up of tick ‘hotspots’. The ticks are also being checked to see if they are carrying disease. The results are due out soon and will make very interesting reading. Meanwhile what can you do to protect your pet, and yourself from these potentially dangerous creatures?

We now have very effective tick treatments for dogs and cats ranging from collars to tablets and spot on preparations. The most effective products are prescription only so can only be purchased from a vet, we would be very pleased to advise you on the best treatment for your pet. Ticks transmit disease once they have been attached to an animal ( or us) for over 24 hours Babesiosis is usually seen as an ‘exotic’ disease, so a regular daily search of your pet is a good that is one that is not normally found in the UK start particularly after walking in areas of long and is transmitted by ticks that are found in grass or woodland where there are deer or mainland Europe naturally. With the relaxation sheep. A tick hook is a of the rules governing the entry of pet dogs into very efficient tool for the UK using the Pet Passport system, dogs are removing even the no longer required to be treated for ticks tiniest of ticks as soon immediately prior to entry to UK. Increasing as found, they are a numbers of dogs travelling using passports and great addition to your dogs being rescued from Europe means that the rucksack when out on likelihood of foreign ticks entering UK is summer walks. increased dramatically. Once here, global warming is allowing the ticks to survive and now If you think that your dog or cat is carrying a tick dogs that have never travelled are at risk of do please call us and arrange a free consultation exotic disease. with one of our qualified nurses for a demonstration of how to safely remove it using To add to the concern, the PDSA has just a tick hook and advice on the most appropriate announced figures for another disease, Lyme tick treatment product for you. Disease also transmitted by ticks. The PDSA has seen an increase of over 500% in cases in pets in the last 7 years. Lyme disease can also infect Nicky Bromhall humans and human cases are also on the Veterinary Surgeon increase. Animal Health Centre


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Coaching with Anne Miller Change Doesn’t Have To Be Scary! Change is not optional. Whether we like it or not and whether we instigate it or not, it happens: our perceptions change as we have new experiences, our needs change and people around us change. So the question is how to find the confidence and motivation to address the changes we want to see and make them happen on our terms.

Sometimes there is a sense of ‘falling into’ their career and they’re wandering what else they might be missing out on. They often acknowledge that they may decide to stay but want to do so for positive reasons if they do and to feel good about that decision.

Listening to our intuition, we know whether we need to make, or at least consider making a change. Forcing a big change without good preparation can lead to doubts and regret and neither of these are conducive to being happy or developing confidence. Far better to take a considered approach: identify your priorities; For some of us know your values and motivations; understand change can seem your strengths and weaknesses; look at the quite scary: fear of the unknown keeps options objectively; listen to your intuition and take small steps that move the decision us hanging on to what is familiar for as forward. long as possible. We Laying out the options in an objective way stay doing what allows space to open up between the we’re doing even emotional glue. Breaking things down and when we know it’s focusing on one aspect at a time, creates some not bringing us clarity that lightens the load and makes it happiness or easier to consider the options and decide on satisfaction and we blame ourselves for not action steps. knowing how to change! We tie ourselves in knots of frustration and the more we worry For most of us making career choices and about not knowing, the harder it is to see changes is not easy, so if you’re struggling, clearly what we do want. don’t beat yourself up! Give yourself time, find support and approach it constructively. So how bad does it have to get? How many Changes built on solid foundations will more people do you know who put up with being easily withstand any future challenges. miserable at work, who seem to be accepting of their ‘lot’? Maybe there’s a fear of not knowing how or what, of getting it ‘wrong’ and Working with a coach you will gain new having regrets. Maybe there’s a level of perspectives empowering you to make expectation that doesn’t include enjoyment. Certainly previous generations didn’t have the better choices and achieve positive change. choices that we do now and the ingrained attitudes of our parents still prevail for many of Visit www.annemillercoaching.co.uk for more information and to us. book a free consultation Tel: 07722 110 228 Many of my clients are in their 30’s and 40’s and have reached a stage in their careers where they are not sure if they want to continue. Often they are not sure what else they would do or if anything else is feasible.


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Bruce Fellows Good Reads

novel, Anatomy of a Soldier, approaches a not uncommon story from an entirely new viewpoint, or rather forty-five viewpoints, to shed light on one soldier’s experience and his fight for life. The objects all have some intimate connection with Captain Tom Barnes or with those in Afghanistan who oppose him. It’s original, brilliant and a terrific read.

Kristen is in turmoil; her partner William is dead; off a bridge. Fell or pushed? William’s son, Theo, has been taken back by his actress mother, Ros. More despair for Kristen but friends arrange some teaching for her: a group of clever kids. In Bristol author Penny Kline’s skilfully written and intelligent mystery, Margaret Forster’s excellent My The Gifted Child, we witness Kristen’s dogged Life in Houses, does what it attempts to discover the truth of William’s death. says on the cover. She describes An artist, a cross dresser and a policeman with a all the houses she has occupied complicated private life also feature among the and tells us about her life in each. well-drawn and intriguingly believable In Carlisle she longed for space characters. An art dealer and the mysterious and visited her school friends’ ‘dog man’ prove important, too. I couldn’t put it larger houses as often as possible. She finally down. Read it. got the space and the light she desired. The Mothering Sunday is Graham stories are told simply and matter-of-factly: Paul Swift’s stunning new novella. It’s McCartney comes to tea; Forster and her March 30th 1924, Mothering husband both have films made from novels at Sunday, and the Niven family and the same time. This is more than a memoir; it’s a their neighbours have gone to a moving exposition of the way the notion of hotel for lunch. The respective home affects us all. domestic staffs have the day off, Thatcher Stole My Trousers is including housemaid Jane, though art student, ranting comedian, TV she’s an orphan with no mother to visit. But star and Liverpudlian Alexei Jane has an appointment and she gets on her Sayle’s second instalment of bike to go – where? Well, you’ll have to read it to autobiography. He takes us find out. For Jane, a strong, determined and through those incarnations one by decisive young woman, the day is a turning one in this gripping, enlightening, point that sets her life on a surprising new path. and often touching book. He rubs shoulders Don’t miss this enthralling, sensual, tragic but with countless celebrities but his determination uplifting novel. not to betray his left wing, working class, origins, A bullet, a prosthetic leg, a bicycle, a carpet: won’t allow him to become a celebrity; if he they’re unlikely narrators for a novel but along were ever to be picked up in a limo he would sit with forty-one other inanimate objects they tell in the front with the driver. As compere at the the story of BA5799 or Tom as his mother’s Comedy Store he rules the anarchy and limits handbag tells us he is called. Still with me? Robin Williams to fifteen minutes. You’ll laugh Harry Parker’s skilful, poignant and absorbing out loud on every page.


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Disposing of or Acquiring Commercial Premises – and sometimes a business as well! Janine Harris Commercial Property Solicitor with AMD Solicitors, offers tips which may help expedite your transaction and reduce costs.

his intentions known to any Landlord before any legal work is commenced and also make enquiries of the local authority to check what consents would be required and whether these are likely to be granted. If consent will not be given, or at least without onerous conditions, and the plans are central to the buyers plans for the premises then time and money will be saved. Matters relating to an associated business

Matters relating to the premises

Where the transaction involves the sale of a business as a going concern, a buyer will want details of all assets and liabilities relating to the business including licences, outstanding contracts, accounts, hire purchase agreements, etc. If the seller is able to provide these at the beginning then If you occupy the premises you are disposing time will be saved. of under a lease bear in mind that the lease The contract for the sale will need to include will need to be assigned to the buyer and a breakdown of what is included in the sale invariably the Landlord’s consent will be required . A Landlord will want to check that (for example, the premises, goodwill, the buyer is suitable and will want references chattels, stock) and the price apportioned to (usually a bank and two trade references and each of those items. The price agreed for any previous trading accounts). If references these items will have tax implications for both the buyer and seller and therefore the advice are available at the outset then any of accountants should be sought at the additional requirements or objections the beginning of the transaction. Landlord may have will be known sooner If you are selling, locate the title deeds and any documents relating to the premises such as any leases, guarantees or notices so that these are available for your solicitor at the start.

rather than later thus reducing delays. Remember that the Landlord will want his legal costs paid for dealing with the assignment. The seller is primarily responsible for these costs but it is not uncommon for the seller to negotiate that the buyer will pay. The seller should therefore find out what the Landlord’s costs are likely to be as soon as possible A buyer may intend to alter or change the use of the premises. The buyer should make

Bearing the above in mind should help both seller and buyer avoid some of the practical problems which can cause delays, increase costs, and cause all parties involved to become frustrated. Janine Harris and the other members of the Commercial Team at AMD Solicitors offer further advice and information upon buying, selling or leasing commercial property (including a free first half hour consultation) with or without an associated business Email janineharris@amdsolicitors.com or telephone 0117 9735647. AMD have offices at Henleaze, Clifton and Shirehampton. Copyright AMD Solicitors www.amdsolicitors.com


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Can schools help with the isolation and loneliness felt by older members of our community? I am involved in an amazing project called Silver Stories, and I am looking for schools to take part. Dame Esther Rantzen, calls it “A genius idea” after launching the initiative at Torpoint Nursery and Infant School. She goes on to say, “ There are some people who don’t have the benefit of conversations and contact with younger people. I hope this concept will spread, Silver Stories is a wonderful idea."

Stories process and to arrange an appropriate day for the children to read to each of them. Meanwhile consent is obtained from the parents of children taking part. A member of staff will then phone the Silver Listener and the phone is put on loudspeaker and the pupil reads to them brightening their day! This is such a simple idea and yet, as I have witnessed, has an enormous impact, both on the children and the Silver Listener - something magical happens.

If you are a school that would like to start Silver Stories please contact me, I would be love to come and to talk you through the process, and will also go and visit prospective The older members of the community are called Silver Listeners. Silver Listeners and pupils telephone them once All a Silver Listener requires is a telephone, a a week for about 5 minutes, and read a short comfy chair and a good listening ear! Together story or poem , as part of increasing their we can make a difference! confidence with their reading skills and linking the children with older people in their Jane Jackson - Founder of community. Bristol Grandparents Support Group. Once potential Silver Listeners are found a visit T: 07773 258 270 then follows in their homes to discuss the Silver Email jane@bgsg.co.uk


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Prize Wordsearch No real logic to the theme this month other than that I had the chance to meet and chat with the lovely ladies (and a few nice gents) of the Fielder Club last week. So some traditional ladies names for you to try and find in the wordsearch grid. Listed below are 21 names. All bar one will be found in the puzzle, hiding forwards, backwards, upwards, downwards or on a diagonal. Just track down the missing lady, let me know who she is and if you are correct you will go into the draw to win a ÂŁ20 gift voucher to be spent at either Vanilla Gifts in Westbury or Kondi Gifts in Henleaze. Please get your entries to me by 31st May 2016 - and the name of the winner will be published in the July issue. Entries by email to andy@bcmagazines.co.uk, post to 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY, phone to 0117 259 1964, text to 07845 986650 or Tweet to @BS9Andy. All correct entries, however received, are allocated a number and then one number is selected randomly by computer to determine the winning entry. Best of luck - here are the names you are looking for:WENDY SYLVIA SUSAN PHYLLIS PAULINE NORMA MARJORIE MARION MARGARET JOAN JEAN

BARBARA BEVERLEY DOREEN EDNA ELIZABETH ELSIE ELSPETH GLENDA HELEN JANET

The winner of the March competition, where the missing racecourse was Doncaster, was an emailed entry from Heather Rees. Congratulations Heather your raceday tickets are on their way. Thanks as ever to everyone who entered.


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The Downs Recorder ‐ Richard Bland

the rock surface, it is more surprising that Leigh Woods exists than that the downs are bare.

The Merestones also give a glimpse of a well organised society, tightly bound by written laws, The brilliant television series called “A history of by documents, with a clear religious, the world in a hundred objects”, which I largely administrative, and social structures, the three closely intertwined, and very different from the missed, has inspired a number of similar series. Roman structure of large towns, straight roads, The basic idea is that any man-made object is intimately related to the entire human structure military camps, and large agricultural estates, based on slavery, that had begun to vanish 450 of the time in which it was made, and any relic, years before. It was a society in which all were however humble, can, properly understood, inform the present of the nature of the past. So I equal under God, the law, and the king, and all propose to write about ten humble and familiar were involved in a complex network of duties, objects that are representative of their time, and responsibilities, rights and liberties enforced by courts and administrative officers. There were no help us to understand how the Downs we love slaves, but neither was anyone free as we would came to be. understand the word. Agriculture was essentially Number One. The Merestones 883AD cooperative, and the poorest land in each parish was common to all inhabitants, with rights to In a line across the Downs graze animals, hunt game, and gather furze, and there is a line of seven there were rules to ensure that no one took stones, mostly in pairs, undue advantage. called the Merestones. The best known group is by It was under this system the café, and was called that the Down was Sweordes Stone (Sword managed from 883 to the Stone) in a charter of 883 Downs Act of 1861. More which defined the than 2000 sheep, cattle, boundary the parish horses and donkeys did all boundary between Clifton the conservation work and Westbury, and also now undertaken by the the boundary between two mediaeval manors, Downs rangers team. The Clifton and Henbury, and two areas of common whole structure has, of land, Clifton Down and Durdham Down. The course, been utterly boundary starts at the River Avon, and runs up transformed, but it is also the centre of Yewcombe, later Walcome Slade, one that we still recognise and, in essence, still nowadays the Gully, and is then defined by the understand. It was the Anglo-Saxons, not the Merestones across the Downs surface. The Normans, that created England. And the fact stones themselves are made of Pennant that we have not pushed the stones aside in the Sandstone, not the local limestone, and some name of an easier run for the gang-mower, and still have the letters CP (Clifton Parish) and WP that Bristol’s largest Yew tree, though only two (Westbury Parish) carved into them. hundred years old, still grows close to the top of Yewcombe, is a symbol that we are aware of our past and value the continuity that it represents. Each set of stones can be seen from the previous The Downs are for people, and the one, which makes it clear that the Downs was management of a vast number of competing already open and treeless. It seems probable interests is a sophisticated and subtle task. that, when the Roman built the Via Julia across the Downs in the first century AD, they also had If you enjoy the Downs, or use if for your an open landscape to negotiate. There is sport, why not become a Friend? Membership evidence of pre-Roman Bronze Age fields on the is just £10. surface of the Downs, and the iron-age Clifton Contact Robin Haward at Camp, has views extending to some thirty miles robinhaward@blueyonder.co.uk, visit in a wide arc from south to north west, which fodag-bristol.weebly.com (no need for also imply that trees had already been removed. www.) or ring 0117 974 3385 Indeed, given the thinness of the soil covering of The history of the Downs in ten objects


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What can hypnotherapy help with? • Difficul es sleeping • Lack of confidence & self esteem • Achieving your goals • Public speaking anxiety

• Exam / interview nerves • Anxiety, stress & tension levels • Fears and phobias • Weight management • Unwanted pa erns of behaviour • Nega ve thought pa erns • Stopping smoking • Pregnancy and childbirth • • • and much more

All sessions are completely tailored according to your individual needs.

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Do you find yourself ge ng worried, anxious or angry and frustrated? Maybe shou ng a bit more o en at the kids or at the other drivers on the roads? Maybe ge ng upset over the slightest smallest things? Maybe thinking “these things didn't use to bother me” – why now? Hypnotherapy might be the answer you are looking for. Here at Solu ons Hypnotherapy I work with clients who want to get back in control of these areas, make posi ve changes in their life and live the life they want. Many say it has helped them get the “real me” back. If you have not considered hypnotherapy before why not come along for a free ini al consulta on and I will explain how the brain works and how we may be able to help you to achieve the results you want in your life. Book your free ini al consulta on during June quo ng “Bristol 6/9” and you will receive a £10 discount off each session. (Offer applies to all sessions and not just for help with phobias and weight loss.)

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Gardening with Hilary Barber Here are my top tips for May. 1. Now that the spring bulbs have finished, they can be deadheaded and congested clumps can also be divided. Apply a liquid organic fertiliser such as seaweed extract to bulbs after they die down to prevent bulb blindness next year. 2. Regularly hoe off annual weeds to stop self seeding. Many annual weeds such as chickweed (l) and hairy bittercress have overwintered the mild winter and so have got a good head start! 3. Mow lawns weekly, and if you haven’t done so already, feed your lawns with a spring lawn feed high in nitrogen, to green up your lawn. 4. Watch out for late frosts (who knows what the weather is likely to do!) and plant up your pots with summer annuals to add instant colour. This RHS article gives a great selection, but you will find a fest of colour at any local nursery https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile? pid=577 5. Check for nesting birds before clipping hedges. I was just about to trim a conifer last month and saw a pigeon flying in and out with nest building materials. 6. Put supports in for tall perennials before they get too tall and flop over on smaller plants in the front of your borders. You can use natural pea sticks pruned from dog wood or hazel or buy metal supports from the garden centre 7. Ensure your water butts are ready for the summer, just in case there is a period of dry weather

8. Remove moss and lichen from paths, especially after the recent wet weather. 9. Cut back early flowering shrubs and climbers, such as forsythia, ribes, osmanthus burkwoodii, Viburnum bodnantense, Viburnum TInus and Mahonia 10. I have noticed that some camellias and magnolia grandiflora have yellow leaves after the winter - Give them a good dose of sequestered iron or ericaceous feed 11. Watch out for blanket weed in your pond - twirl it out with a cane, make sure you have a net of barley straw in the pond, and if it’s very problematic, you can buy a liquid barley straw extract from your local garden centre. 12. And finally keep an eye out for slugs and snails, as they will have survived the mild winter and I’m forecasting that they will be very busy this summer! Happy Gardening!


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Have you no ced some people in the local community are looking fi er and healthier than ever? The reason may be put down to their par cipa on in the Exercise Referral Scheme at the local leisure centre. It is a scheme run in partnership with Bristol City Council and the NHS to offer reduced price supervised physical ac vity sessions for those people with health condi ons. Local resident and recent par cipant Stephen says “I have been so impressed with the scheme and its effect on my health that I have now become a member of the leisure centre in order to con nue my progress. Before beginning the programme my muscles were very weak but now my muscle performance and coordinated movement has improved significantly. It is my hope that others with the same needs will take the same opportunity”. Whether you would like to shi a few pounds, improve your mobility or stamina or if you have a longer las ng condi on such as high blood pressure, diabetes or a joint problem you are eligible to join. It could not be simpler. All you need to do is download a referral form at the link below then see your GP and they can refer you on to the programme. Your body will thank you for it! Alistair Macfarlane alistairmacfarlane@everyoneac ve.com 07825 033741 www.bristol.gov.uk/ac vechoices “I read about the Active Choices programme in The Bristol Six magazine a couple of months ago. I’d been thinking that having hit forty, and with a little more time on my hands now the kids are at secondary school, I really ought now to do something to get myself in better shape - both for my benefit and for the rest of the family. A quick chat with the nurse at our GP’s kicked me into action - and got me the referral form signed off that allowed me to join the Everyone Active programme at Henbury Leisure Centre (I could have joined at Horfield or Kingsdown Leisure Centres as well) The programme allows reduced price membership of the centre and a 12 weeks supervised programme of exercise during which time you commit to going twice a week (or more). I started off with a general fitness assessment with Alistair in which we talked about what I wanted to achieve, and what forms of exercise I enjoy (and those I don’t), and then he showed me around the gym and “introduced me” to the various bits of kit. I hate running so I steer clear of the treadmill but I like cycling, and I have grown to love the rowing machine - you really can focus on those things that you find you enjoy most. That’s what it is all about - if you enjoy something

then you’ll keep doing it. Alistair helped set me up with a programme to follow each time I visit. I’ve now been going 6 weeks and I really can say I enjoy it. The gym isn’t intimidating, sometimes it is busy and sometimes it is quiet, and all the time there are trained staff to help you. And you know what - there are plenty of “normal” people exercising - people my age, my shape, my level of fitness. Go early in the morning and the older crowd are in, go in early evening and there will be more of a mix of ages. At 6 weeks I had a mid-term assessment with fitness coach Dawn and we went through all my measurements again. I’d been gradually “upping my levels” each time I’ve been in and it was nice to see I’d lost almost a stone (I’m trying to be good on the food front too). My clothes feel a little looser - must be my lower BMI!, I genuinely feel better in myself and I actually enjoy pushing myself each time I go in. Even my husband and the kids notice a difference in me. I guess the first step of deciding to do something to benefit your health is the hardest - but this hasn’t been difficult. I’ll let you know how the next 6 weeks go - but I’ve already extended my membership at Henbury. I may not be Jennifer Lawrence yet but I’m a happier and healthier version of me.”


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SHIREHAMPTON PARK GOLF CLUB INTRODUCTORY 1ST YEAR MEMBERSHIP OFFERS TO SHIREHAMPTON PARK GOLF CLUB

• • • • 





20% off 7 Day Full Membership ‐ 12 months unlimited golf now only £695 33% off 7 Day Full Membership when 2 or more people join together ‐ 12 months unlimited golf for now only £595 No Joining Fee Monthly Direct Debit Payment op on Flexible Membership £410 including 15 x 18 hole rounds of golf Academy Membership ‐ only £99. A great introduc on to club life ‐ become a part of a friendly and welcoming club with an op on to upgrade to full membership at a discounted rate. “Get into Golf” ‐ a 4 week beginners course including group coaching with Club Professional Jon Palmer and use of equipment ‐ £20 per person. Phone the club for dates of upcoming courses.

Discover the advantages of belonging to a social & friendly golf club with a great bar, restaurant and pro shop. For further informa on, terms & condi ons please contact Karen Rix at Shirehampton Park Golf Club, Park Hill, Shirehampton, Bristol Tel: 0117 982 2083 / Email: info@shirehamptonparkgolfclub.co.uk Web: www.shirehamptonparkgolfclub.co.uk


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This Cotham Life ‐ Duncan Haskell Like those who walk its streets, Bristol’s architecture is ever-changing. As houses spring up in impossible spaces, and new buildings replace the old as quickly as the dust has settled, the city’s landscape evolves and expands. But no matter how used to this morphing you become there’ll always be a development that catches you by surprise. You’ll look out of your window one day and be greeted by something wholly unexpected.

we learn to love our newest inhabitants? Just as the graffiti of many of our favourite artists was once seen as an act of vandalism, will the sizable sextuplet come to define our city and provide us with memories for years to come?

On the flipside, you can’t help but feel sorry for anyone living nearby who has literally been thrust under the spotlight and I can understand their concern. Until the matches take place and the level of light emission is accurately measured, it’s hard to know how big an impact they’ll have on the surrounding streets, but it’s Such was the case when we first noticed that the blatantly clear that there will be some controversial new floodlights had been erected disruption. Even their shadows must cast much at Gloucestershire County Cricket ground. of Lancashire Road and Kennington Avenue into Accurately named “the giant spatulas” by angry darkness. locals, the six 45m high lights cast a menacing glare over the area, and that’s before they’ve So we wait to see what will happen and learn to even been switched on. Neighbouring pylons adjust to a new horizon as it reflects the sun and and the Purdon BT Tower, roughly the same sparkles in the early morning. A new symbol of distance from our flat, look tiny by comparison - Bristol, a living city which refuses to sleep or former heavyweights beaten into submission by stagnate, and if you think this is a big change the new kids on the block. just wait for the arena! Duncan Haskell - May 2016

But are they really so bad? I don’t just like cricket, I love it, and therefore the prospect of additional international matches is an exciting one, but even without the increased sport in our city will


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The Demise of the Annual Tax Return Last year the government announced that in future we would all have digital tax accounts and that this would ul mately lead to the end of the annual tax return. For businesses and landlords, these digital tax accounts will change the way they will deal with HMRC. The end of the dreaded self‐assessment return may be welcomed with open arms, but in its place will be a requirement to update your digital account on a quarterly basis with all the details of your self‐employment or rental income. It will no longer be possible to leave everything un l a er the end of the year. Over the next two years, HMRC will be tes ng the new systems and are currently planning to introduce quarterly repor ng during the summer of 2018. Business owners and landlords will need to be ready for this change. If you have an accountant, they should be able to assist with the transi on but due to the frequency of repor ng,

they may not be able to file quarterly updates for every business and the use of so ware and smartphone apps may be the answer. At this stage, it’s too early to look at the new requirements in detail because the rules and HMRC’s so ware are s ll be wri en but more informa on should emerge in the next 12 to 18 months. I will be revisi ng the subject again as we learn more about the end of the self‐assessment return and the introduc on of quarterly repor ng. In the mean me, if you have any par cular ques ons you would like covered, please do get in touch – pjones@wilkinsonpartners.co.uk Un l next month… Phil Jones is a director of local independent tax and accountancy firm Wilkinson & Partners based on Jacob Wells Road.


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Bristol and Keynsham Society


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SURPRISE YOUR EYES Weekend 14th and 15th May 2016 11am to 5pm Make a date in mid‐May with the BS9 Arts Trail and surprise your eyes seeing the work of 75 ar sts in several venues around Stoke Bishop, Henleaze and Westbury‐on‐Trym. Entry is free to all venues with fantas c opportuni es to buy reasonably priced original work direct from the ar sts including: pain ngs, prints, drawings, photography, mosaics, turned wood, hand‐created books, jewellery, ceramics, sculpture. Enjoy this chance to find out about the ar sts and their work whether or not you buy anything. Look out for the colourful bun ng outside each venue. A small group of BS9 ar sts, teamed up to make over 300 metres of bun ng sourcing waterproof, non‐fraying fabric, which they sewed together with tape, the la er supplied from Children’s Scrapstore. All day on Saturday there’s a drop‐in cra workshop with Miss Rochie Makes at Westbury Village Hall where she’ll help you make something amazing from an old CD. Refreshments are available at several venues, including at Oatley Hall, St Monica’s, Cote Lane, the largest group venue, with 18 ar sts. There’ll be teas, coffees and cake donated by the ar sts with proceeds given to Ligh ng Up, a local charity where ar sts work with people living with demen a. Other group venues include Westbury Village Hall, men oned above, Stoke Bishop Village Hall and the University of Bristol Botanic Garden where one of the ar sts, Jackie Johnson, will be demonstra ng her innova ve technique for spinning yarn from plas c bags and you’ll be able to see her crocheted plas c yarn evening dress (le ), recently exhibited in London. Entry to the Botanic Garden is free with a BS9 Arts Trail brochure. Several ar sts are opening up their homes to exhibit their work and in some places, sharing their space with other ar sts. For detailed informa on, visit www.bs9arts.co.uk or pick up a brochure from various local cafés, shops and libraries. Paul Tomlinson - Ramsey Island


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History Notes ‐ an imagined tragedy in the first class dining car

times was a signature ‘cocktail’ made with tomato juice and spices. When the directors were returning home to their temperate wives, The 1830’s - heady times for those investing in and at a time when boardroom drinks were from the new ‘Iron roads’. Mr Brunel’s Great Western decanters rather than the modern fashion for Railway was planned to link Bristol and London Perrier Water, (eau dear!), one of Mary’s and by 1835 the necessary Act of Parliament was disguising drinks was very popular. secured and contracts placed. By the following year Bristol Merchants pressed for a further line Although Mary’s drink was popular she felt that to Exeter, thus providing the company with its in spite of the English fashion for adding own port to break the monopoly of the Exeter Worcestershire sauce it was still too insipid for canal company. By the middle of the century the her distinguished customers; remembering her directors and investors were reaping the Russian background she hit on the idea of benefits; getting very favourable returns of secretly adding Russian spirit to the drink. One about 5%. customer was heard to say, “I don’t know what Mary has done to her cocktail but its jolly fine” His fellow director replied, “I expect it’s a new batch of L & P.” “Perhaps, but its cheered me up no end.” Mary’s fame spread, and it became de rigeur to ask for a ‘Mary’ special. Although often pressed to reveal her secret, she just smilingly deflected the question.

Bristol and Exeter House , the original headquarters of the Bristol & Exeter Railway, alongside Bristol Temple Meads Thus it was that the directors and merchants making use of their new line to attend board meetings in London, Bristol and Exeter, decided to have provision made for a first class dining car. In addition to high quality food, with company’s own chefs recruited away from wellknown London hotels, equal attention was paid to liquid refreshment appropriate to their status. Most unusually one of the staff ‘poached’ from the Ritz in London for the dining car bar was a Russian émigré Mary Ashkenova. Mary had made her way to Paris before ending up in London, where she came to the attention of the Directors of the railway. One of her speciality drinks, very popular in temperance

Unfortunately, she developed the habit of sampling her mix to make sure it was ‘just right’ for her gentlemen which developed into a predilection for the Russian spirit. On the fateful day she was very unsteady on her feet, alighting missed her footing and fell onto the track unconscious. A doctor was sent for and as he checked for any sign of life her head lifted slightly and she gave a last gasp. The Doctor, closed her eyes before turning to the crowd of people saying “I’m sorry gentlemen she is dead, at first sight, a fractured skull”. “What did she say?” “Just two words, ‘Bloody Mary’.” It was only then her secret ingredient that had so cheered them up at the end of a long day was revealed – Russian Vodka. Mary Ashkenova was buried at the new Garden Cemetery at Arnos Vale, where her memorial headstone with a Cyrillic inscription that features a cocktail glass can be seen. It was as a result of her final words that the drink became famous still known today as a Bloody Mary. © 2016 Julian Lea-Jones FRAeS www.history4u.info


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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. All notices must be received by the 15th of the preceding month to guarantee consideration for inclusion. 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.

The Redland Green Choir’s Summer Concert will take place on 9th July at St Alban’s Church, Westbury Park (7.30pm, tickets £8/£6). The main work will be Brahms’s majestic German Requiem, and the choir, under its dynamic young director Nicholas Bromilow, will perform in partnership with the Long Ashton Orchestra. www.rgscommunitychorus.wordpress.com. Really Classical Relay. Bristol Music Club, 76 St Paul's Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1LP. The friendly and relaxed festival of classical music on historical instruments returns for its third year with a stellar line-up of musicians. 6th May 6 - 10 pm, 7th May 11 am - 10 pm, 8th May 11 am - 4 pm Drop in or out. Pay what you like. Refreshments or BYO. Check www.reallyclassicalrelay.co.uk for more details. Email jon@reallyclassicalrelay.co.uk to be added to the mailing list.

Theatre, Concerts & Music ‘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 and let us know what you think, info@ujimaradio.com The Elgar Society is dedicated to promoting the works of Sir Edward Elgar, our greatest English composer. Our next meeting is on Saturday 28 May 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. The meeting will consist of a recital of Elgar’s songs, including some unpublished songs, by tenor Russell Painter who gained his BMus and MMus at the Guildhall School of Music. He has since made his mark as a freelance singer in England and on the Continent. For more details please visit FFI www.elgar.org/elgarsoc/branches/southwestern/ It's Your Ceili! All dances called and live music with the Highly Strung Band. www.HighlyStrungCommunityBand.co.uk 2016 Series: Friday 6th May, Friday 1st July, Friday 2nd September, Friday 4th November. 7.30p.m. to 10.30p.m. St. Alban's Hall, Westbury Park, BS6 7NU. All profit to St. Peter's Hospice. Licensed cash bar. Tickets £10 in advance e ticket: www.ticketline.co.uk Enquiries - Jill Elliot - 01275 847 909 - 07515 904 707 - jillyelliot@gmail.com

St. Alban’s Players Presents Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard”. A dysfunctional family on the verge of financial ruin facing huge social turmoil- it could be the plot for a modern drama but is in fact a play written over a hundred years ago by Anton Chekhov, set in Russia just before the revolution. One of Chekhov’s lines in The Cherry Orchard ironically states that “People shouldn't go to plays” - hopefully our production will convince you otherwise! Thursday 19thSaturday 21st May, 7:30pm. St. Alban’s Hall, Bayswater Ave, BS6 7NU. Tickets: £8.50 Adults, £6 Concessions. Box Office: www.StAlbansPlayers.co.uk or 01179 2472 66 Piano Recital 10th May Bristol Music Club 76, St Pauls Road Clifton at 7.30pm. Tickets £5. Music by Beethoven, Handle/Brahms, Chopin & Rachmaninoff. For more details please email peterscott@freeola.net or visit bristol-musicclub.co.uk 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. For more details please email rosie_j159@hotmail.com , visit www.bristolcabotchoir.org; or Facebook. Gardening & Horticulture The Alpine Garden Society meet on the 3rd Friday of the month at Westbury Methodist Church, Westbury Hill, at 7.30pm. We have speakers on various topics, plant sales and social events. Visitors are very welcome at £2 a visit.


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What’s On & Community News Our next meeting is on May 20th when our speaker will be Chris Lovell on “The Flora of Morocco”. Henleaze & District Flower Club meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at Bradbury Hall, Waterford Road in Henleaze. Flower demonstrations are held on the second Thursday and practice classes on the fourth Thursday. New members always welcome. For more details please contact Debra Ward on 07974 937741 / debragailward@hotmail.com

House, 126 Hampton Road, Redland, BS6 6JE. Thursdays from 5.00pm to 6.30pm. Run by Bristol Healing Group on a donation basis and supported by members of NFSH The Healing Trust. Healing is beneficial for well-being and health, helping you to relax and feel better. Come along and try a healing session, everyone is welcome. For more information phone 0117 9820184. Westbury Park Tennis Club is a small, friendly tennis club with floodlights for year round play. We welcome members from 8-80. Adult open evenings on Tuesdays. Call Greg on 0117 9425168 for more information.

Bristol Shambhala Meditation Group offers free meditation instruction from a qualified Try Sailing Day. Saturday 14th May from 11-30 instructor at the Open House evening each Wednesday from 7.30 - 9.30 pm at 17 Lower until 4-00 pm. Sample a sail in a dinghy on the Redland Road, Redland, BS6 6TB and the Avon at Shirehampton Sailing Club, by the opportunity for a longer period of practice on the Lamplighter pub, Station Road, off the Portway. second Sunday of each month. Although this Children over 10 to be accompanied by an meditation practice has its origins in Buddhism, adult please. Safety gear and safety boat cover the mindfulness which it cultivates can be of will be provided by the club. Light refreshments and soft drinks will be available. The event is part support to those from any or no tradition. For further information please visit of the RYA Push The Boat Out Week. www.bristol.shambhala.info To book a sail, please ring 0117 9422906. Fitness, Sport, Walking & Dancing

Cotham Park Tennis Club in Redland. The new tennis season has started so why not dust off your racket and come and join us! Cotham Park is a friendly club in the heart of Redland offering tennis for all ages and standards with our weekly programme of club play, social play, league training/matches, ability tennis and coaching sessions. For further information find us online, either on Facebook or www.cothamtennis.net, phone us on 07811 438624 or drop by in person and enjoy a free introductory tennis session. You’ll find us near Redland Train Station and Bannatynes Health Club. Hydrotherapy Exercise Sessions - group exercise in lovely warm water at Southmead Hospital's purpose built pool. Benefits include relaxation, relief of pain & swelling, improved movement, balance & fitness. All ages & abilities welcome. We are a friendly local team of Chartered Physiotherapists with expertise in a variety of disabilities & medical conditions. We have a regular group of local members but new people are always welcome. For more details please contact Chris & Ali Cowley on 07971 086 628, email healthyhydrotherapy@gmail.com or visit www.healthyhydrotherapy.co.uk.

Henleaze Tennis Club has vacancies for players of all standards and ages. Whether you are an established player looking for a club, someone who is rusty or a student come along and try us out. For further information please visit www.henleazeltc.com or contact the secretary Philip Price Tel: 07787 566246 E-mail: philpriceqs@gmail.com 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 Lipreading class. An evening lipreading class to help you cope with your hearing loss runs in Clifton from 6.15pm to 7.45pm every Monday, term time only, at Redland Park United Reformed Church, Whiteladies Road. Fee is £6 per session. For more details email Mary Hall at lipreadingmary@yahoo.com or telephone 07790 283 939.

Westbury Scottish Club country dancing classes for beginners at Leonard Hall, TrinityHenleaze URC, Waterford Road, Henleaze. Tel. Drop-In Healing Centre at The Friends Meeting Maggie on 01934 838175. Classes for more


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What’s On & Community News advanced dancers at St Peter’s Church Hall, Henleaze. Tel. Cheryl on 0117 9590970. Every Tues 7.30 - 9.30pm. See www.wscbristol.com for details. Volunteering & Charities Would you like the chance to go camping, climbing, get involved with community projects while transforming young people's lives? 227th Bristol Scout Group are looking for leaders to help plan and deliver a safe and exciting programme for young people. Joining a team of experienced adult volunteers you will help to inspire young people. For more information please contact Sarah on 07828865430 RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme). Do you like reading? Do you like helping children? If yes to both, you are just the sort of person we are looking for! If you can spare a minimum of an hour a week to hear children read in a local school you could make a huge difference. Our volunteers do not teach children to read, but spend time on an individual basis with them, hearing them read and talking to them about the stories in their reading books. We want children to enjoy books and reading, and individual attention is always a great way to do it. Volunteering is a great way to stay active and to feel useful, so if you are interested in joining us please get in touch. Contact Mina on 07860 669953, or explore the website RSVP-west.org.uk Volunteers needed to support carers. Could you please help us develop and increase our support to carers, people looking after an unwell, disabled or elderly family member or friend in Bristol and South Gloucestershire? Could you help us develop the support that carers can access through their G.P. surgery and other sources? If you are outgoing and could offer two mornings a month to meet, greet and give information to carers when they visit their GP surgery, I would very glad to hear from you. Full training and support for this role is provided. Please contact me, Mike Hatch, GP Carer Link Volunteer on 07503 577830: alternatively please send an e-mail with your details to mikeh@carerssupportcentre.org.uk If you look after someone who couldn’t manage without you, and would like some information about our services for carers or would just like someone to talk to about caring for the person you look after, please telephone our Carersline on

0117 965 2200 or visit our website www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk . Friendship, Social and Support Groups 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. 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. We are a friendly and supportive bunch, exchanging tactics, information and social banter! On the first Tuesday of the month the North Bristol Alzheimer Café opens at St Monica Trust, Oatley House Atrium restaurant, Westburyon-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3TN from 3.30pm – 5.30pm. We provide a relaxed and safe space in which issues surrounding dementia can be aired in a friendly and informal environment. Our café is staffed by trained, caring and experienced volunteers and you will find a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Every week refreshments are served and most weeks live music is played. There is no charge to attend, free on-site parking is usually available and the number 1 bus stops right outside. For further info or to register your attendance contact Jacqui Ramus (Dementia Lead for St Monica Trust) on 07854 185093 or email jacqui.ramus@stmonicatrust.org.uk 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


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REDLAND guide range £995,000 ‐ £1,045,000 A large flexible 5 bedroom (one with en‐suite), 4 recep on room Victorian period semi‐detached family house situated in a popular road, off Clyde Park. Offering generous room propor ons throughout, a sunny south easterly facing rear garden and much original character. Versa le and useful lower ground floor rooms and generous unconverted lo space give this roomy family home plenty of flexibility and further added poten al. A welcoming and characterful home with much to offer. EPC: E

WESTBURY PARK guide £725,000 A characterful & bright 5 bedroom Edwardian period terraced family house situated in an enviable cul‐de‐sac located within just 250 metres of Westbury Park School and Durdham Downs and 900 metres of Redland Green School. Further benefi ng from two joined recep on rooms, a wonderful sociable kitchen/breakfast room & a level south‐westerly facing rear garden. An a rac ve & engaging family home with plenty of space, a sunny garden & many period features. EPC: E

REDLAND guide £669,950 Set within a well‐regarded WESTBURY PARK guide range £495,000 ‐ £535,000 gated development, a very generously propor oned Generously propor oned & lots of character; a 1930’s 3 storey contemporary townhouse with 3/4 bedrooms, semi‐detached house offering 3 bedrooms, 2 recep on rear garden, driveway parking & garage. Excep onally rooms, driveway parking for 3 cars, sunny 67 rear garden bright, stylish & flexible accommoda on with a ground & separate vehicular access from Bishop Road to a garage floor 4th bedroom/addi onal recep on room which could (now in need of restora on) which links to the garden. accommodate an independent teenager/dependent Very convenient loca on with a variety of useful shops on rela ve or a work from home office. EPC: C Kellaway Avenue just along the road. EPC: D

Richard Harding, the independent Estate Agents selling fine homes in & around Redland, Cotham & Westbury Park - professionally, reliably, successfully


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What’s On & Community News 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.

redlandguides@yahoo.co.uk to try us out or for further information. Bristol Speakers. 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 stressfree environment where members give helpful feedback. It’s a well structured evening, fun and relaxed with a nice mix of people. No exorbitant fees, no long term commitment. Meeting 7.30pm alternate Mondays @ BAWA Southmead Rd. Contact Ben@Bristolspeakers.co.uk

New Dimensions meets every month and we have talks on a wide range of esoteric subjects. The meetings are held at the Friends’ Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, Redland, Bristol BS6 6JE. Admission: £5 (including refreshments). The next meeting will be held on Sunday 15 May 2016 and the speaker will be Tareth and the title of his talk is “Manifesting with Tareth”. Tareth has the ability to manifest energy into matter. This includes producing perfumed oil from his hands Soroptomists International Bristol are part of a and sounds through crystals. He will speak about global organisation founded in Bristol for women his gift of manifesting and his personal journey. For further information, please telephone 01749 from a wide range of professional and business 678 834 or email: leasurs@tiscali.co.uk 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 The Bristol Humanists is a local group for those who make sense of the world using reason & Ashton Golf Club where we enjoy a two course shared human values; who seek to live ethical meal with a speaker. As a member of lives on the basis of reason, humanity and respect Soroptomists International we have the for others; and find meaning, beauty, and joy in opportunity to form friendships with other countrywide clubs and throughout the world. For the one life we have, without the need for an more details please contact our membership afterlife. We meet every month on the third officer on 0117 9739894 or email gillbea@aol.com Monday at 7.30pm in Kingsdown. For more for more details. information contact Margaret Dearnaley on 07986 555817 (evenings and weekends only) or Clifton Rotary Club welcomes new members email bristolhumanists@gmail.com. willing to give their time, are interested in making new friends, building business contacts and using The Bristol Branch of the English Speaking Union their skills to help others. We meet Wednesday meets in the Apostle Room of Clifton Cathedral at lunchtimes at Redland Lawn Tennis and Squash 7.15 for a 7.45 talk which ends by 9 pm. Entrance Club. For more details please visit is £5. The aim of the ESU is to encourage www.cliftonrotary.org or email friendship and global understanding through secretary@cliftonrotary.org English. On Thursday 19th May after our AGM (so the talk will start at 8pm) Brian Freehand will be Interest Groups talking on “The View from the Wings he has had much experience, including working at the BOV, 184th Brownies and Guides. Interested in fun, in a variety of jobs in the theatre. adventure, new skills and making new friends? Brownies for girls aged 7-10 and Guides for girls Philosophy Discussion Group. We are a aged 10-14 meet on Clifton Triangle on friendly and welcoming group who enjoy taking a Wednesday evenings. Contact Sophie on turn to bring topic to share. We meet at 7 – 9pm Rotary Club of Bristol we 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 – see www.bristolrotary.org or contact Martina Peattie at mpeattie@btopenworld.com for more details.


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What’s On & Community News 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. Bristol Photographic Society is based at Montpelier Central (opposite Montpelier Station) The Society caters for all levels of photographer and meets every Wednesday evening at 7.30 throughout the year when it has a full and varied programme of courses, visiting speakers and inhouse competitions. Find out more about the Society by visiting its website at www.bristolphoto.org.uk or emailing membership@bristolphoto.org.uk The Bristol Philatelic Society meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month in the meeting room of the United Reform Church at the bottom of Blackboy Hill (Whiteladies Road) starting at 7.30 p.m. Contact 0117 956 7853. West of England Bridge Club meets for duplicate bridge on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Golden Hill Sports Club, Wimbledon Road, Henleaze from 7.30pm - 10.30pm. New members and visitors welcome. £4 per evening for members, £5 for non-members, special rates for juniors/unemployed. Licensed bar. For further details please contact Gareth Evans on 0792 178 8605 or visit www.woebc.co.uk.

emerging local artists. Fair Trade refreshments and home-made cakes. Quiz Answers from Page 10 1. 30 years; 2. Danny Willett, Lee Westwood, Paul Casey and Justin Rose; 3. Mandeville (2012 Paralympic Games), Clyde (2014 Commonwealth Games), Vinicius (2016 Olympic Games); 4. 115,000; 5. Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany; 6. Brazil, Uganda, Kenya and Indonesia; 7. John Laurie (Private Frazer), Arnold Ridley (Private Godfrey), James Beck (Private Walker); 8. Barack Obama, George W Bush, Bill Clinton, George HW Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter; 9. Janet Leigh, Tippi Hedren, Kim Novak; 10. Ant McPartlin & Declan Donnelly, Terry Scott & June Whitfield, Charlie Stayt & Naga Munchetty; 11. Twelve - 2 each on Apollo missions 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17; 12. Brandon Flowers, Adam Levine, Cerys Matthews and Brian Connolly; 13. Chicago to Los Angeles, St Petersburg to Vladivostock, Nottingham to Derby ; 14. A is Lincolnshire, B is Cambridgeshire, C is East Sussex, D is Surrey , E is Herefordshire; 15. “Opal Fruits - made to make your mouth water”, Murray Walker, 1998. 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.

Exhibitions, Meetings, Fairs & Markets

Telephone: 0117 259 1964 / 07845 986650

Come along to the Henleaze and Claremont Schools Mayfair on the 14th May 2016. Gates open at 2pm, entry is 50p per person, with no charge for pre school children. Attractions include Punch and Judy, T cups, swing boats, bouncy castle, carousel and enjoy horse hoppers. Design and make a crown and enter the Crown competition and enjoy watching the maypole dancing and lots, lots more. Fun for all the family! Join us at Henleaze Schools, Park Grove, Bristol, BS9 4LG

Post: 8 Sandyleaze, Westbury on Trym, BS9 3PY

Westbury Park Arts Fair @ Methodist Church & Hall, Northview, BS6 7QB on Saturday 21st May, 2016, from 11 am to 5 p.m. Eclectic images and designs (paintings, photographs, turned wood, enamels, ceramics, felt work, textiles, jewellery, prints, enamels, re-cycled paper necklaces and handbags) by a range of established and

Email: andy@bcmagazines.co.uk Web: www.bcmagazines.co.uk Twitter: @BS9Andy The deadline for inclusion in the June 2016 issue is 15th May 2016. Please also note that the deadline for inclusion in the August magazine, which will not be delivered until w/c 4th August, is very early. All notices for the August issue must be received by 8th July to be sure of inclusion.


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Index of Advertisers

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 imply a recommendation of it, its aims or its methods. Bristol Community Magazines Ltd cannot be held responsible for information disclosed by advertisers, all of which are accepted in good faith. Reasonable efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this magazine but no liability can be accepted for any loss or inconvenience caused as a result of inclusion, error or omission. All content is the copyright of Bristol Community Magazines Ltd and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of Bristol Community Magazines.


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