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Delivered each month through 9,000 letterboxes across Westbury Park, Cotham, Redland and Kingsdown
A free community magazine for the residents and businesses of BS6.
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4 The Editor’s Small Piece Hello there. Every autumn as I look out of the window and see the trees in Blaise start to turn colour it reminds me of what a great place Bristol is to live, with open spaces, parks and woodland within a stones throw of us all. Many spaces are old friends - Leigh Woods, Ashton Court, the Downs - yet even the spaces we think we know well can surprise us. This month I cantered down, and plodded back up, the newly reinstated Victorian steps and footpath down the Gully from the Downs to the Portway below, a path I, and I’m sure many if not most readers, will never have previously seen or ventured along. Do give it a try - it gives you a new perspective on the wild side of this fabulous green asset we have in our midst. And well done to the Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge for their work in bringing this path back into use. See p26 for more details! All the usual stuff between the covers this month so I hope you find something to interest you, stimulate your brain or encourage you out to enjoy the many and varied events going on in and around NW Bristol. Strict deadline for inclusion in the November issue is 15th October, and you can get in touch by phone on 0117 968 7787 / 07545 986650), email andy@bcmagazines.co.uk or by writing to 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY. So until next month, enjoy the early Bristolian autumn. Andy the Editor (and thanks once again to local student Ollie Boulton for providing another lovely front cover photograph). 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 in The Bristol Six are not necessarily those held by advertisers 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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6 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 Donation0117 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 Post Office 9 - 5.30 Monday to 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, Weds, Fri, Sat - 10.00 to 13.00 and 14.00 to 17.00 Redland - tel. 903 8549 Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat - 09.30 to 17.00 Thurs - 09.30 to 19.00 Sunday - 13.00 to 16.00 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
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planning to go 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 until the end of October when they will revert to winter opening hours 0800 to 1615 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 Journey time is approximately 15 minutes in each direction
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Welcome to your new local independent travel agent! At C The World, we know that no two people are the same. Everyone has their own idea of what makes a perfect holiday and each and every trip we arrange is different. Some people like the idea of ge ng dust on their boots while others prefer indulgent luxury and a concierge service. Tell us how you would like to see the world and we’ll do the rest. We have 60 years’ experience in the travel industry and have visited over 90 countries. This has given us the knowledge to be able to create bespoke, tailor made holidays. Whether it’s a weekend break in London, a ski chalet hire, adventurous African safari or round the world cruise, we can make it happen. We understand that when you book a holiday, you want to feel safe in the knowledge that your plans will go smoothly. We are ATOL and ABTA protected, and even have a 24 hour emergency phone number in case of emergency for our travellers. Wherever, whenever and however you want to see the world, we'll create the perfect holiday for you.
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10 Gardening Tips from Hilary Barber
rhubarb crowns and have a plant swap with friends!
1. Start to rake up leaves. Though you can put small quantities in a compost bin and mix them in well, it is best to compost leaves on their own, to make leaf mould, a great soil improver and mulch
9. Some perennials can be cut back, but I prefer to leave flowerheads and seeds for the birds and then tidy in spring (unless frosted and then it is best to tidy up blackened stems and leaves)
2. You can make a simple leafmould bin with four posts and chicken wire or sturdy plastic netting. Alternatively, use biodegradable loose-weave jute leaf sacks or fill pierced bin liner with moist leaves. It will take up to two years for the leaves to break down. 3. Aim to plant all bulbs as soon as possible after purchase and finish planting by the end of the month, with the exception of tulips. Tulips are best planted later, in November, to reduce the risk of fungal infection problems.
4. Prune shrub roses by one third to prevent wind rock and breaking of the branches during the winter. Also prune climbing roses this month 5. Plant hardy trees, shrubs and climbers while the soil is still warm and moist but not soggy. 6. Complete scarifying, aerating, top dressing and apply autumn lawn feed before the end of the month. October is also a good time to lay turf. This may also be the last month for mowing 7. Finish planting of autumn onion sets and plant garlic. Sow overwintering broad beans such as 'Aquadulce’ and plant out spring cabbages 8. Divide your herbaceous perennials and
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10. Start mulching borders with well rotted manure, compost, leaf mould or mushroom compost, making sure that the mulch, which is rich in nutrients, is spread around plants/ shrubs and trees and does not touch them. 11. Give evergreen hedges a final trim before winter. 12. And finally, if you are thinking of planting for next year and you want to support our declining bee population, and other pollinators, download the Perfect for Pollinators plant list from www.rhs.org.uk/perfect for pollinators. The results of the Plants for Bugs project, started in 2010, can be found at www.rhs.org.uk/ plants4bugs.
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Viewings strictly by appointment only from October. To register interest for this limited opportunity call 0117 923 8238 or email clifton@cjhole.co.uk
Clifton Lettings 0117 946 6588 www.cjhole.com
14 Thornbury Castle Prize Wordsearch This month we return to a favourite theme of mine, castles. And the prize is entirely appropriate - cream tea for two people kindly donated by the nice people at Thornbury Castle, just up the A38. As usual your job is to identify the missing word, in this case a castle. Listed below are 25 British castles. 24 of the names are also hidden in the wordsearch grid, reading forward, backward, up, down or on a diagonal. All you need to do is spot the missing castle, let me know what it is, and one correct entry drawn at random after the closing date of 31 October, will be going for tea at Thornbury Castle.
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Entries please by post (8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY), phone (0117 968 7787), email (andy@bcmagazines.co.uk), text (07845 986650) or Twitter (@BS9Andy). Right, here are your castles Alnwick Berkeley Corfe Goodrich Inverlochy Ludlow Richmond Thornbury Walmer
Arundel Belvoir Deal Harlech Launceston Powderham Spofforth Tintagel
Beaumaris Bodiam Fraser Herstmonceux Lincoln Restormel Stirling Urquhart
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18 Films with Chris Worthington
improved by a musical score in keeping with the landscape of the Norfolk Broads.
45 Years Directed By Andrew Haigh The title of the film is the number of years that seventy somethings Geoff and Kate Mercer have been married. A major celebration for their forty fifth wedding anniversary is being planned but a letter arrives that upsets their quiet retirement on the Norfolk Broads. It informs Geoff that the body of Katya, his lover in the 1960s, has been found preserved in a glacier in the Swiss Alps. Geoff and Kate each try to come to terms with this in their own way. Geoff (played by Tom Courtenay) attempts to dismiss it as “all happening a long time ago”. Kate (played by Charlotte Rampling) tries to be sympathetic but is feeling very disturbed and finds it hard to concentrate on their plans for the anniversary party. Meanwhile life in a typical market town in Norfolk goes on it’s merry way. Kate and her best friend Lena (played by Geraldine James) carry on with their voluntary work and Geoff continues to be irritated by George, his old mate from work in nearby factory who is obsessed with playing the ukelele. And of course the dog that helps to fill the life of a childless couple needs to be taken for a walk every day.
Beneath the surface things are not going so well. Geoff secretly calls into a travel agent to enquire about going to Switzerland and Kate discovers some photos of Katya in the attic that add to her disquiet. In a memorable scene she turns to playing a piece on the piano that perfectly reflects her sombre mood. This is the only music in the film apart from the pop songs played at the anniversary party and the film may have been
The discovery of Katya’s body prompt Geoff and Kate to a slow and thoughtful evaluation of their marriage and their relationship. There is talk of a “starting again” with cups of tea in bed, scrambled eggs for breakfast and a fairly unsuccessful attempt at sexual intercourse.
Both the main actors have had very long careers in film. Tom Courtenay’s early films included Billy Liar, a very good 1963 satire on growing up in “the north” and Doctor Zhivago (1965). During the filming of Doctor Zhivago he shared an apartment with Omar Sharif and allegedly convinced the great actor that Hull Kingston Rovers were the best football team in England. More recently he has guest starred in the Royle Family. Charlotte Rampling’s film career started with Georgy Girl in 1965. Since then she has made films with several directors including Woody Allen (Stardust Memories), Sidney Lumet (The Verdict) and Francois Ozon (Swimming Pool). She has also been a model and has appeared on the covers on the covers of Vogue and Elle. The last part of the film is the anniversary party, a large gathering in local function room. Geoff makes a truly dreadful speech and breaks down in tears. Kate remains unmoved but they bravely start the dancing with “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” by the Platters. 45 years is about what love can become, in the words of the director “you change but the love does not”. Chris Worthington chrisworthington32@yahoo.com
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Free Valuation Days
5th, 6th, 7th & 19th, 20th, 21st October 9.30am ‐ 1pm & 2pm ‐ 5pm at the Salerooms
Jewellery Watches Silver Gold
£23,500
FREE VALUATION DAY
£19,600
Tuesday 27th October 10am ‐ 4pm At the Salerooms Ample free parking (Other times by appointment)
£69,000
Chinese porcelain Gu vase, Chenghua mark, later period, 41cm high. Sold on behalf of St Peters Hospice, discovered in a charity shop donation.
£30,000
Sold for £7,000 (sold free of commission)
On these days we are pleased to provide free verbal valuations for sale purposes on all items. No appointment is necessary
£41,000
Our experienced Valuers will be at the Salerooms appraising jewellery, watches, silver & gold providing verbal estimates, with no obligation, for possible consignment to the
19th November pre‐Christmas Specialist Sale
Fine Art Auc oneers & Valuers The Auc on Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon, Bristol, BS21 6TT Tel: 0117 325 6789
www.clevedon‐salerooms.com
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130 Westbury Road, Westbury on Trym, 0117 962 0008 www.chironcentre.co.uk For all your complementary healthcare needs Relax with Reflexology Here at the Chiron Centre, our team of Reflexologists who have over 30 years experience between them, focus on helping their clients to relax and keep mentally and physically healthy. Why is it so important to relax? Fundamentally, relaxation is essential for releasing stress and maintaining good health. If we are feeling tense, the body and mind do not work as efficiently and effectively so the more relaxed we are, the healthier and happier we are. It’s as simple as that! To help us relax we need to prioritise a short period of time each day or during the week for ourselves. We can use the time to visit or go out with a good friend, read a book, listen to music, watch a film or go for a brisk 20 minute walk. When activities such as these are combined alongside eating healthily, cutting down on alcohol and caffeine and getting 7 or 8 hours sleep per night, we can really make a difference to how relaxed and how 'well' we feel. In addition, having a Reflexology session will help you relax. Reflexology can be both mentally and physically relaxing as the feet or hands are massaged in a specific way which helps the whole body, including the head and brain to relax and release endorphins, our feel good hormones.
(l to r) Anne Brunton, Charlotte Perrey, Claire Collins and Sarah Geraghty All our Reflexologists are professional and caring and take time to listen and support all our clients. For more details of the complementary healthcare therapies offered by any of our practitioners please contact The Chiron Centre reception on 0117 962 0008 or visit www.chironcentre.co.uk Â
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22 Life Coaching with Anne Miller
Be realistic! The SMART acronym is well known as a basic way of checking that our goals have the necessary criteria for success: When we are setting goals it is important to make them Specific, measureable, achievable, realistic and timed. This is also true for the actions we plan that will move us towards our goals and being realistic with our expectations of ourselves is where I sometimes see clients coming unstuck.
something else. If this is not an isolated situation however, it is necessary to enquire further and one of the realisations that sometimes come out of this is that the actions planned were not realistic. So does it matter if we set intentions and don’t achieve them all? Yes! If we do this repeatedly we notice a pattern (sometimes subconsciously) and build limiting beliefs based on this: “I’m just not good with time management”, “I’m not a completer finisher”, “I always let people down”, for example. Further, it becomes less exciting to plan new actions because we don’t believe we will complete them!
When we are sufficiently motivated to address the changes we want to see and are keen to achieve our stated results it can be tempting to minimise the effort and attention required to reach the milestones we have identified. The focus on the goal needs to shift to the actions and being realistic is essential.
Deciding to take new actions needs to come from a strong foundation which includes being clear about why they are necessary to move us towards our goals. Because they are new they will take more effort and we need to see progress and take pleasure in that progress to maintain our motivation to continue. When we set intentions which are realistic and we achieve But isn’t it good to stretch ourselves and aim them we can justly be proud and enjoy high? Possibly! Aiming high is great if you establish the necessary back up and that includes celebrating. being realistic. It may not seem so exciting to be realistic with our expectations of ourselves but over time it is the most effective way to make progress and build belief in our own resourcefulness. Feeling good about our achievements is a vital part of building self belief and motivation. Visit www.annemillercoaching.co.uk for more information and to book a free consultation Tel: 07722110228
I ask my clients to state what actions they are going to take and check with them at the next session how they have got on. This accountability is one of the things that helps make actions more likely. The choice of actions is with the client so if they haven’t fully happened, this leads to an enquiry as to why. Of course, life is not predictable and there are occasions when we decide we must prioritise
Working with a coach you will gain new perspectives empowering you to make better choices and achieve positive change. Anne offers life and business coaching and runs Inspired Solutions Mastermind Groups for small business owners .
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Bristol and Keynsham Society
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26 The Downs Recorder - Richard Bland
The Victorian Steps The Gully, close to Sea Walls, is a very steep narrow valley, which is an ancient route down to the Gorge. It is clear that there was a riverside path along the Bristol side of the Avon well before the nineteenth century, partly to provide access to barges that were loaded with stone from the quarries. In 1845 there was a large and handsome pumping station at the bottom of the Gully, at the foot of an earlier quarry, roughly where the present Northern Stormwater Interceptor comes out. The pump house was designed to take water from a spring and pump it to a reservoir in Clifton Camp. This early scheme to provide clean fresh water to Bristolians came to nothing, but it probably encouraged the creation of a welldesigned path down the Gully which is first seen in maps of the 1880s. This path was almost certainly also used to gain access to the site of the railway vent built to ventilate the railway line from Temple Meads to Severn Beach opened in 1876.
top revealed a gravelled path with its edges outlined in stone, long buried in ivy. A contractor took a very short time to find the line of the original steps, and carefully regraded them to ensure that even in the heaviest rain the water would run off readily down the cliff slope. A little invasive ivy and other scrub was removed, but every effort was made to ensure that the natural environment, which the goats are busily improving, was damaged as little as possible. The steps were covered in heavy duty limestone chippings, and these were continued down to the kissing gate at the bottom of the Gully which gives access to the Portway.
Looking into the Gully from the Seawalls / Circular Road
Looking back up the Gully past the railway ven la on sha As a way of celebrating the Green Capital Year the Friends of the Downs decided to reinstate the original steps and path, as it is an official footpath, but which had long fallen into disuse and been covered by scrub. Money was raised from the city footpaths department and volunteers helped clear the scrub, which at the
On the evening of September 7th the Victorian Steps were formally inaugurated by the Lord Mayor and at the same time a Downs App was launched. It is free, and was created by the Design Department of the University of the West of England UWE, as part of the Parkhive project. It gives details of some 50 sites of interest around the downs with an interactive map and links to various websites. There were some 50 people at the ceremony including members of the Downs Committee and the Downs staff, and food and drink was provided courtesy of Café Retreat at the water tower. 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 telephone 0117 974 3385
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29 and treats onto the den to help your dog relax. Use the TV or a radio to drown out noises from Once again as we head into winter our thoughts outside and keep curtains closed. Walk your dog turn to the annual terror for some of our pets in the daylight when they are less likely to that is Bonfire Night with the accompanying encounter fireworks. And most importantly, act fireworks. So now is the time once again for me normally yourself, do not make a fuss of your pet to give some advice on how to help your pet and as this reassurance will only serve to reinforce the you cope. worries and fear.
Pet Page with the Animal Health Centre
Many dogs are frightened of fireworks and although we spend a lot of time with our puppies in their first consultations advising about socialisation and how to introduce them to fireworks, there still seems to be plenty of dogs worried as soon as November arrives.
There are many products available to help, you can use pheromone plug-ins and collars, calming supplements and medications. There are foods available now which have calming ingredients. Most of these products are available ‘over the counter’ and do not need prescriptions. Thunder vests help some dogs. CD’s are available with firework noises which can be used over a long period of time to desensitise dogs. If you happen to have a pup aged under 16 weeks as you read this, make sure he is introduced to fireworks, let him see the flashes and experience the noises while you carry on as normal ignoring them so he does not pick up any fear.
Cats can also be spooked by fireworks so it is important that they are kept in at night over this Puppies need to have their first experience of a period to keep them safe. Provide a litter tray and situation before they are 16 weeks old to enable don't forget to check that your cat’s microchip them to accept that situation as ‘normal’ and details are up to date in case he does run off with hence be able to cope with it, this is called fright. And if you are planning a bonfire don't ‘socialisation’. Puppies born at this time of year forget to check it before lighting for any tend to be naturally socialised with fireworks as hedgehogs that may have crawled in. Ideally there are so many displays, pups born at other stack your wood a little away from where you are times can find it more difficult to pack in that first to light your fire and build the bonfire fresh just experience before the 16 week limit, and hence before you want to light it. can be nervous of fireworks. We would be pleased to offer any other advice to To help your pet cope needs careful planning. help you enjoy the fireworks and not dread them Build a den somewhere in the centre of the each year. Do call in and speak to any of us in the house if possible away from the noise and team and I wish you a happy and safe November. flashes. A large cardboard box with blankets inside to allow your dog to burrow and blankets Nicky Bromhall - Principal Veterinary Surgeon over the top to deaden the noise helps. Put toys Animal Health Centre
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31 This Cotham Life - Duncan Haskell One of the recurring themes in this column is my love of living in a top floor flat. Without wanting to sound repetitive, I’ll never tire of the sight of passing hot air balloon or miss out on an opportunity to snoop on the comings and goings in the carpark. The one major downside of our recent dishwasher purchase is the fact that it has eliminated the need for washing-up, formerly a favourite part of day spent gazing out the kitchen window.
Similarly, I’m not altogether against taking matters into my own hands, but if my fruitiest language (backed up by my svelte frame) can’t dissuade someone from trying to break into the garage it’s tricky to know what else to do. An incident from a few years ago best sums up this predicament. Our previous flat, on Pembroke Road in Clifton, was also on the top floor. One night our peaceful sleep was interrupted by a strange glow, accompanied by a crackling sound. A car had been set alight on the street below and the tires were exploding one by one. Again, not wanting to make a fuss I asked my wife what I should do, to which she rightfully replied “ring 999 you idiot”. Sometimes, it’s good to check.
There is a drawback to having such a vantage point, namely that there are times when you witness things you don’t wish to see. On three occasions I have been forced to contact the police due to strange goings on in the neighbourhood. Most recently I was certain that the operator on the end of the 101 number would see it was me again and decide not to answer - thankfully she reassured me that there are “far worse” frequent callers than myself and I needn’t worry.
One thing I can happily say is that the response time of the police is phenomenal. They reacted It’s a strange dilemma, on the one hand you to each incident within minutes and prevented don’t want to be a pest and create needless work serious crimes from occurring. for the emergency services, but on the other, seeing two men dressed head-to-toe in black Hopefully this article will put an end to my stint diligently checking the door handles of every as community custodian. If you’re reading it, and basement flat in the road probably does require are thinking about getting up to any mischief in further investigation. Cotham, just remember…. I’ll be watching!
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35 History Notes from BS6 & BS8 - no. 96
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. This month I am considering signs of the times, not these times, nor the interesting times of the Chinese proverb, but times past.
momentarily revealed, whilst others have left a clue in the shopfront design. The shop on the corner of Whiteladies and Chantry Road sells furniture but the entrance step mosaic still reads ‘Jewellers’ and dates from when it was Punchard’s Jewellers and Silversmiths.
Another more interesting sign used to be in the doorway of Richards’ Newsagents at 14 Northview, Westbury Park. Mounted on the entrance door jamb was a three foot high blue I was prompted and white enamelled to write about advertisement for them when I came across this Stephen’s Ink. Claiming splendid biscuit to be ‘Non-clogging at tin for the Ashley all temperatures’ their sign incorporated a Vale Biscuit thermometer. Early Company that ones which now sell for has a most imaginative use of Bristol’s many hundreds of pounds had a Fahrenheit scale eponymous logo. The company was based in St Pauls, firstly in York Road and later in Milk Street. marked: Blood Heat, Summer Heat, Temperate, During WWII their St Pauls factory was bombed, Freezing and Zero could be seen at many newsagents. I remember the one at but the company survived and moved to Normington’s in Boyces Avenue. Avonmouth. Apart from smaller decorated celebration tins large ones were the norm for Lastly a much more enigmatic very tall faded grocers from which the grocer dispensed your painted sign is high on the side wall of 142 order. Those were the days when any broken Whiteladies Road. The faintly visible letters biscuits from the bottom of the tin were sold appear to have been overwritten but may read, cheaply as a paper bag of ‘brokens’. Nowadays you buy whole biscuits in a plastic wrapped case (from top to bottom): APPLETONS, BICYCLES, TRICYCLES, and have the privilege of reducing them to PERAMBULATORS, crumbs yourself when trying to extricate them WASHING MACHINES from their ‘protective’ wrapping! Reading AND IRONMONGERS. University has a large archive of Huntley & Palmer biscuit company’s photographs and letter Again any books, amongst which are photographs of Ashley Vale Biscuit Company, implying that they information about took them over. If you have any memories about this will be welcomed. I hope this has this company or their range of biscuits I will be encouraged you to pleased to hear from you. keep a watch for other examples of This made me think about other long gone companies that once graced our streets but have signs of the past. been replaced by other establishments. © Julian Lea-Jones FRAeS 2015 Sometimes old signs come to light when a shop www.history4u.info frontage is being replaced and the original sign is
36 in China. The broad aims of twinning are youth projects, educational links, economic development, cultural exchanges, global I had a great day recently citizenship initiatives and international meeting with Bristolians who are development programmes. Each arrangement involved in the Bristol twinning has its own particular structure and emphasis programme and also welcoming and these can change over time. The twinning visitors from Europe. Bristol first with Puerto Morazán, for instance, is focused on twinned with Hannover in 1947. work with the under 5s and with Fairtrade. It started when two Hannover and Bristol have strong music links at communities, both trying to the moment; Tbilisi is seeking business links and rebuild in the aftermath of 6 years of war and Bristol was able to offer some support to them both coping with one of the harshest winters for when the recent summer floods caused damage many years, reached out to each other in a and loss of life; the port of Bristol and the port shared humanity. Bristol children and families company of Guangzhou have recently signed a sent shoes, clothing and toys to the children of memorandum of understanding. Economic Hannover. The transport for those first visitors development is supported by the Council but from Bristol to Hannover was an army truck – no other links are funded by the participants budget airlines then! The friendship and links themselves. have grown and developed since then and are sustained by active groups of volunteers who I imagine that there are quite a few families in have a passion for language and/or a real Henleaze and Westbury who have had some interest in sharing culture and ideas. Long contact with one of our twinning cities. Our two lasting personal friendships and the occasional children both enjoyed exchange visits to romance have also formed part of the glue. Hannover as teenagers. I would be interested to hear of links that have been established, as it is a Bristol is now twinned with Bordeaux in France little known feature of Bristol life and yet an (top left), Hannover in Germany (top right), important one in the way Bristol relates to the Oporto in Portugal (bottom left), Tbilisi in wider world. It is certainly a fascinating part of Georgia (bottom right), Puerto Morazán in being Lord Mayor! Nicaragua, Beira in Mozambique and Guangzhou
View from the Mansion House - Clare Campion-Smith, Lord Mayor of Bristol
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Kemps Jewellers Est. 1881
A local family business offering you professional friendly advice Rings and jewellery, new and old - and a great range of modern second-hand jewellery to complement our existing selection of beautiful traditional second-hand pieces
Beautiful gift ideas for ladies and for gents
Kemps Jewellers, 9 Carlton Court, Westbury on Trym, 0117 950 50 90, www.kempsjewellers.com Â
38 Music with Duncan Haskell Album of the Month October Anthems for Doomed Youth by The Libertines (Virgin) Eleven years and countless disasters after the release of their second, and seemingly final album, The Libertines have returned with a new record, Anthems for Doomed Youth. It’s sometimes hard to remember that behind the smoke-filled curtain of drugs, prison stints, in-band fighting and more drugs, were a rabble capable of making the most raucously enjoyable tunes you could wish to hear. This comeback sees a more mature band emerging from the scandals to tackle their legacy of missed opportunities. The chemistry between frontmen Peter Doherty and Carl Barat has always been the band’s focal point and it’s strangely gladdening to hear them trading vocals again on opener Barbarians. The ska-tinged indie continues on Gunga Din and Fame and Fortune. It’s a promising, if slightly underwhelming start, but then with the title track The Libertines of 2015 truly reveal themselves. A contemplative ballad led by Barat who sings “we thought that they were brothers/ then they half-murdered each other” in recognition of the dark past he shares with his partner in crime. Even You’re My Waterloo, an old demo finally allowed to bloom, fits in with this reflective direction. Heart of the Matter tackles where it all went wrong most directly and Doherty echoes a sentiment many have been thinking for over a decade as he sings “with all the battering it’s taken/ I’m surprised it’s still ticking”. Unable to escape tragedy for long, Dead for Love, is a heart -breaking album closer dedicated to Doherty’s friend Alan Wass who died in April. There is the occasional misstep, Glasgow Coma Scales Blues in particular sounds like the boys in the band who refused to grow old. But amazingly, and against all odds, Anthems for Doomed Youth is
an album which proves there is still a need for The Libertines unique vision of England. Next Step Back in Black by AC/DC (Atlantic) As far as comeback albums go, there is one release that trumps all others. AC/DC’s seventh studio album was their first since lead singer Bon Scott’s death from alcohol poisoning and the recruitment of Geordie frontman Brian Johnson. Their previous album Highway to Hell had been a breakthrough for the band but with the turmoil of their singer’s death nobody was expecting Back in Black to dwarf their other achievements and go on to sell around 50 million copies. Although packaged in all black and opening with a funereal tolling of the bell, Back in Black couldn’t be any less mournful if it tried. Instead it’s a rocket-fuelled tribute to drinking hard and partying even harder. Built on the inestimable guitar trickery of brothers Angus and Malcolm Young, tracks like Shoot to Thrill, You Shook Me All Night Long and Have A Drink On Me are hard rock at its most thrilling. It is a relentless appreciation of every vice imaginable and exactly the kind of send-off that Scott would have wanted. As Brian Johnson pleads “rock and rock ain’t noise pollution” on the album’s final track, you can’t help but raise a glass in agreement. Gig of the Month Steve Earle and The Dukes @ Colston Hall, Wednesday 14th Oct Steve Earle, the legendary blues songwriter, is currently touring his latest album Terraplane. One of the few musicians who can match Peter Doherty in the hellraising stakes, just ask any of his seven wives, Earle’s music is as vital as ever and with the backing of his band The Dukes he’ll ensure that those in attendance will boogie the night away.
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41 Mrs PC - Friendly Computer Training
Wifi Hotspots
customer, your hub will soon be providing free hotspots to any other Virgin customers in your area.
A hotspot is a Wi-Fi access point. Wikipedia defines it like this:
This new initiative of sharing a portion of your hub is revolutionary. It can be disabled if you don’t want to share yours, but I am all in favour A physical location that offers Internet access over a of the idea as long as security isn’t compromised. wireless local area network through use of a router I discovered free BT-Fon hotspots by accident connected to an Internet service provider and this summer whilst on holiday in the Dales, and typically using Wi-Fi technology. was amazed to find I was able to receive iMessages, Whatsapp notifications, BBC news Hotspots can be found in airports, railway notifications and emails in the most unexpected stations, coffee shops, and shopping centres. of places. Sometimes you have to log on to access them, and enter a password, but sometimes a password Do however be careful with what you do in a is not required. If you are signed up with BT Wi- hotspot. I would advise you not to access your Fi, or The Cloud you connect automatically. bank account or shop online using a credit card If you are a BT customer, and have a smartphone as you can’t be sure that the information will be or tablet, you should download the BT app. Once safe. Your information could be hacked. Most Wi you have put in your email address and -Fi hotspots don’t encrypt the information you password, this will then allow you to access any send over the Internet and aren’t secure. Other BT Openzone hotspots and enjoy free Internet users on the network can see what you see and when you are out and about. what you send. They could hijack your session and log in as you. New hacking tools which shockingly are available for free online make this easy. Some people turn off Wi-Fi on their phones or tablets when they are out and about. This will stop them from trying to connect to Hotspots. Do feel free to get in touch and suggest topics you would like me to cover for future issues. Perhaps you have a query that has been bothering you. Hoping you enjoy Computer Corner every month. I never quite know if my ramblings are read or appreciated! BT have also got an initiative with Fon that aims to give all its customers access to wireless broadband. This is made possible because all BT Wi-FI customers securely share a portion of their wireless bandwidth through a separate channel on their BT Home Hub or wireless router with other customers who are in range of their Hub or router. These wireless routers become known as "BT Wi-fi hotspots. You may notice BT with Fon is on the list of options to connect to at your house. Virgin Media are following suit and if you are a
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43 The No-Prize General Knowledge Quiz How general is your knowledge? How knowledgeable are you generally? Time to find out. Answers on page 60. 1.
What is the capital of Cuba?
2.
Name the new Shadow Foreign Secretary.
3.
Name these three Grade 1 listed buildings.
10.
Name the metal most commonly used in the manufacture of a set of darts.
11.
Name the worlds biggest producer of pineapples.
12.
Troglodytes troglodytes is the Latin name for what is the UK’s most common breeding bird?
13.
What nationalities are the current Secretary-General of the United Nations and his two predecessors?
4.
If it is 8.30am in London what time is it in Vancouver?
5.
Could Olympic long jumper Greg 14. Rutherford jump further than the length of an old London Routemaster bus? 15. As the crow flies, name the 5 closest European capitals to London.
6.
7.
From which country does the cloth denim originate?
8.
Girls in songs. Who sang “I’m Mandy, Fly Me” in 1976, the line “they call her Natasha when she looks like Elsie” 16. came from which 1978 hit single, and Julie packed up with who to go out 17. with Gordon the moron in an eponymous 1978 hit.
9.
Where will the 2020 Olympics be held?
18.
What, horticulturally, links Anne Boleyn, Felicity Kendal and Claire Rayner? Board Games. How much does it cost to purchase Pentonville Road in a standard game of Monopoly, who is murdered in a standard game of Cluedo, and how many points is the letter “B” worth in a game of Scrabble? Who is fourth in line to the UK throne? Which one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World remains largely intact? Name Europe’s longest river.
44 A bird hide will shelter 2 volunteer ‘birders’ who will provide information on the art project and local wildlife, plus loan binoculars. Anyone who “After a busy month with workshops across the 3 is interested in volunteering for a couple of hours wards in all of the local green spaces, whether and eating complimentary cake is encouraged to pub gardens, pubs or nature reserves it can now register on bristolmurmuration.com. be announced where the Bristol Murmuration will be appearing… on Durdham Downs Sat 17th After the 25th Oct the - Sun 25th October. birds will be distributed to different Linking the old venues for collection. Scots Pines known People can reclaim as the Seven their bird when they Sisters and the show their number on young circle the back of their nearby, the birds participation will be installed as slip. Please check the though flying website for more from the 3 wards, information. atop hazel poles. October is At going to press 930 birds have been made, on traditionally the track for the brick factory firing of 3000 start of starling elements. murmurations, but has been affected by diminishing gardens Website www.bristolmurmuration.com and increased insecticides. Facebook : A Bristol Murmuration
Bristol Murmuration Update
Saturday 17th October 10am people are to meet at the Downs cafe for a 10.30am walk to the site. People are encouraged use public transport and bring binoculars to aid bird identification! The
Murmuration will be up until the following Sunday 25th. Sunday 18th Oct 10am-12pm there will be a Starling Stroll organised by the Avon Gorge and Wildlife Trust (free but booking essential). Another parent /toddler walk will be announced via Facebook.
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47 Dolly came to the conclusion that a 3 page to-do list definitely wouldn’t help. She just needed to Are you a List-maker or done with Lists? stay calm, pay the electricity bill, and keep her toMy last article was about ways of tackling what do list strictly functional. It is now a neat column of simple tasks that will make her feel peaceful you’d like to accomplish during the last third of the year, starting with finding your list. Recently I once they’re done (and must fit on one page). She finished by saying that life is what happens read an article entitled ‘Why I’m done with lists’ by Dolly Alderton. When I read the title I gulped when you’re too busy writing a to-do list. – I am a list person, never imagining being ‘done’ Agreeing whole-heartedly, I have taken to rationalising my lists, making sure the bullet with lists. points are essential and attainable. So I am still a list-maker, just a more meticulous one! Dolly talked how she feels her life had been measured out with to-do lists, and that to-lists are to her like self-portraits to Frida Kahlo – the Louise England is a Lifestyle and direct and truest route to her psyche at a given Home Assistant and her service aims to free-up your free time. moment. Dolly was documenting her inner turmoil in bullet points. Initially she enjoyed the Her passion is to make a positive blank page, the clean slate of a new day. But her difference to people’s lives by helping them sort things out and lists began to go wildly off-piste and became a bullet point traffic pile-up that taunted her daily. complete jobs in their homes She dreaded the morning, looking back at what quickly and efficiently. she hadn’t done the day before and Website: www.louiseengland.co.uk remembering another 10 things she wasn’t Mobile: 07780 474256 doing. Does this sound familiar?! Email: louise@louiseengland.co.uk
Louise’s Tips for an Easier Life
Twi er: @L_England
48 Henleaze Carers Group “Are you looking after a family member or a friend in their own home? Perhaps with, or sometimes without, help. Then you are a carer one of the unseen army of people looking after their husband, wife, parent or friend at home most of the time, hopefully with a few respite care breaks - or perhaps not. This can be an isolating and sometimes lonely time.
I t is a friendly, supportive group we’re all in the same boat one way or another, although the person we care for may be a child, a parent or an husband or wife.
0ne very useful function is sharing of information e.g. Day or residential places we have tried, benefits and voluntary agencies we may not know about, Care Agencies, to name a few. All this supplemented by our selection of reference information, which Monica keeps updated and Henleaze Carers Group is there for you. We are are there for everyone to use. a friendly supportive group of people all in the same boat, providing a place where we can share I care for my disabled husband and bless the day our worries, concerns, and good times as well, in I discovered Henleaze Carers. Why not come a very safe atmosphere where everything that is along and see for yourself. “ Mavis Hyams said remains within the group. The wonderful volunteers who run it keep us well lubricated with coffee and tea and delicious biscuits. We MEETINGS on 2nd and 4th Thursday also have occasional speakers - Social Services, mornings in the month at Henleaze Care and Repair, a solicitor guiding us over Power URC Waterford Rd. BS9 4BT of Attorney etc, as well as social activities like cream teas, visits to the theatre at Christmas etc Contact Monica Rudston for those who can go. Tel: 0117 942 6095
49 Out of Town Westonbirt Arboretum is always a popular destination at this time of year for people seeking a taste of autumn, and well worth a visit it is - even if it is a bit of a hike to get there.
nice little plant nursery that again will be unfamiliar to most readers. Not huge - it is newly established and growing - the Bristol Tropical Centre & Plant Nursery, at the Tortworth Business Park (formerly the Leyhill Prison Visitors Centre) you pass it on your way back downhill to the M5. I came away with ferns and grasses, and there are plenty of unusual and tropical plants to choose from including bamboos, grasses and palms. Well worth stopping in to say hello to cheery hosts Adrian and Sara Clover if horticulture is your thing. For more details have a look at www.bristoltropicalcentre.co.uk.
A few years back we discovered another arboretum, about half the distance away, at Tortworth, just off the A38 north of Thornbury. So last week I headed back to see if it was as I remember it. The bad news is that much of the wilder part of the arboretum is now fenced off, but the good news is that there is still a magnificent collection of some 600 trees open to Thornbury Castle then for coffee. I’d known of its the general public that make up the grounds of existence and drove close by daily on my the Tortworth Court Hotel. commutes to Berkeley and Oldbury but never sought it out. I wish I had for it is a hidden gem. Now a top class hotel with bags of Tudor character the 500 year old castle was built for the Duke of Buckingham and was completed in 1521, just after Henry VIII had him executed for treason. Thankfully the castle and beautiful grounds have stood the test of time well. Depending on the clemency of the weather you can have coffee in the comfort of one of the historic lounges or out in the beautiful gardens. Proper afternoon tea is also available - best book though if you have this in mind as a weekend treat. Or you could enter the Prize Wordsearch on p65 and win cream tea for 2 at the castle. Tortworth Arboretum So if you fancy a meander around and among the best arboreal colours that autumn can throw at you then the short trip is very well worth the effort. There is plenty of parking at the hotel, the hotel reception were more than happy to provide me with a map detailing all the major trees and suggested footpaths around the 30 acre grounds, and the views from and of the stately home / hotel, and the peace and tranquility of the place is a real joy. After exploring the estate you can of course take Thornbury Castle advantage of the Hotel’s refreshment offering which I am sure is splendid. I though decided to head on and have an explore of another fabulous Tortworth Arboretum is just off J14 of the M5 but, I suspect, little known and little visited local turn right and head up the hill for a mile, turn historic pile - Thornbury Castle. right at the top following the brown signs. Thornbury Castle is at the bottom end of On the way there however I also discovered a Thornbury town centre behind the church.
50 college sweethearts, divorced, cancer survivors. Just when you thought The things you might there was no more to be expect to have happened said about the Great War, have but many here comes a new and unexpected things have, original book on the War too. The male and female Poets: Owen, Sassoon graduates of 1969 have and co. Instead of mostly managed to survive discussing them one by the years between and one, Max Egremont’s grown funny and often approach, in his wise. Their interaction enthralling Some over two Julys thirty-one years apart produces a Desperate Glory, is to surprising and often moving novel. take us year by year through the war and tell us what each of the poets was doing and how each Bristol in the early was reacting to the war (and, interestingly, to nineteenth century: rich each other). He discusses key poems in the merchants, the sugar context of the year in which they were written trade; and at the other end and then presents them in sections that follow of the social scale, the each chapter. Brief but telling portraits of the teenage Jess, a girl young men emerge as the tone of their work reduced to living on her changes from the glory of war to the pity of war. wits and stealing bread. In The First of Midnight, When journalist Trevor Marjorie Darke’s novel for Grove was called for jury young adults, we join Jess service, he naturally on a journey of discovery wondered if there was a around Bristol, fleeing from villains but also book in it. There was and running into good people, amongst whom is a The Juryman’s Tale is the freed slave, Midnight, forced into prize fighting fascinating result. He to earn a living. This is a gripping read that gives us facts about juries brings history vividly to life. and describes the process of being called up and In The Lieutenant, Kate serving but rapidly moves Grenville’s wonderful on to a description of how novel, Daniel Rooke, a his trial, a particularly strange kidnap, developed. budding astronomer but He describes his fellow jurors in some detail, and also a lieutenant in the the ways in which they interacted. As the jury marines, sails with the First room becomes increasingly squalid – no one is Fleet to Australia in 1787. allowed in to clean - their discussions continue. The convicts, the It’s not as dramatic as Twelve Angry Men but still landscape and the hunger very business like and the right verdict is are ever present but it’s reached. Does the jury system work? Read this the native people who and decide for yourself. take centre stage as Rooke learns to communicate with them and the first The subject of Tim O’Brien’s excellent novel, July, glimmerings of mutual comprehension begin. July is a group of graduating American students Understandably perhaps, the native people are in 1969, who meet up again for a reunion in not overjoyed to have the white men there. 2000. By the Millennium they’re fat, bald, What will the outcome be? Not to be missed. depressed, rich, still in unrequited love with
Book Reviews with Bruce Fellows
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52 contemporary songs and have a lot of fun along the way! You do not need to read music and Listings for community events, not-for-profit there is no audition. We sing modern music by the likes of Adele, Michael Jackson, Stevie clubs and charitable activities are free of Wonder, Take That, Queen, all parts are taught in charge. If you have something of this nature call and response. We run three 10 week terms, that you would like listed please get in touch with a performance at the end of each term. Our by calling 0117 968 7787 or 07845 986650, post details in to 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY new term starts on Weds 23rd Sept 7:30pm at or emailing andy@thebs9.co.uk . All notices Fairfield High School (BS7 9NL). Contact must be received by the 12th of the preceding eliza@vocalharmonychoir.co.uk for more details month to guarantee consideration for or check out www.vocalharmonychoir.co.uk. inclusion. Bristol Cabot Choir is delighted to welcome new Details shown are accurate to the best of my members for all voice parts. Why not come and knowledge, but dates, times & locations may sing with us for 2/3 ‘taster’ rehearsals before a change without notification. So if you are simple audition? We meet at Redland URC on unsure, and to avoid disappointment, please Mondays at 7.30 pm More information via contact the organiser listed to double check. m.h.morse@btinternet.com; www.bristolcabotchoir.org; or Facebook. Theatre Concerts & Music Registered Charity No 1162680
What’s On & Community News
Kelvin Players Theatre Company becomes the first UK non-professional company to take on Cardenio. It has been dubbed Shakespeare’s ‘lost play’ and hasn’t long been released by the Royal Shakespeare Company for outside performance. Set in Andalucía, Spain this play combines all the great dramatic elements you’d expect from the Bard; love, deception, friend turning on friend and a casual bit of cross dressing. When Cardenio declares his love for Luscinda, his supposed friend Fernando comes up with a devious plan to split them apart. Will it all end in tears? With an innovative set and a traditional Flamenco vibe with music and a fiesta scene, this production of Cardenio will be performed from 14th to 17th and 21st to 24th October at 7.30pm. Tickets are £8 for Wednesdays, £10 all other nights, available from www.kelvinplayers.co.uk. West Bristol Orchestra. A Chamber Orchestra, playing a wide range of classical music arranged for the smaller orchestra, meets at the United Reformed Church, Muller Road on Thursdays 7.15pm.to 9.15pm. Additional String players of Grade5+ standard welcomed. Experience of orchestral playing not essential. For more info please contact the Secretary on 968 3998. 'Vocal Harmony' - an exciting contemporary choir based in Bristol. Meet new people, learn
Bristol Cathedral Choir School Choral Society is always looking for new singers to join our choir! We are an enthusiastic amateur choir specialising mainly in classical works (ancient to modern). We are loosely associated with the Choir School, joining in with some of their concerts and using the school (on College Green) for practice on Wednesday evenings. There is no audition and no requirement for musical expertise, just an urge to sing! Contact Matthew Smith mattmsmith@virginmedia.com if you are interested. The Elgar Society is dedicated to promoting the works of Sir Edward Elgar, our greatest English composer. The Society has regional branches, and the South-western Branch is based in Bristol. Our next meeting is on Saturday 31 October 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 Michael Trott. He will present a programme based on Elgar’s life and work while he lived at Marl Bank in Worcester. This was Elgar’s last home, where he lived with his dogs Marco and Mina from 1929 until his death in 1934. FFI www. elgar.org/elgarsoc/branches/south-western
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54 What’s On & Community News Gardening & Horticulture Friends of Old Sneed Park Nature Reserve. It only costs £5 a year to become a friend of the nature reserve, a wonderful area for wildlife in Stoke Bishop. The land is owned by the council and run with the help of volunteers & Friends. There are 4 informative newsletters a year, and regular events on the reserve. Check the website www.spnaturereserve.com for more details and to download an application form to become a Friend. Henleaze Garden Club is a thriving club for anyone interested in anything to do with gardening! We meet the first Wednesday of each month in the main hall at St Monica's, Cote Lane, with a summer break when the club arranges coach trips. Expert speakers, a quarterly newsletter, and great Christmas event. Annual individual membership is £20 plus a £1 per visit, visitors are most welcome at £5 per visit. Contact Brian Dury on 9621227 or www.henleazegardenclub.co.uk for more info. Fitness, Health, Walking & Dancing Bristol Shambhala Meditation Group offers free meditation instruction at the Open House evening each Wednesday from 7.30 - 9.30 pm at 17 Lower Redland Road, BS6 6TB. A step by step guide for new meditators will be offered at a “Learn to Meditate” evening on Wednesday 7 October. For further information please see our website: www.bristol.shambhala.info 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 take a look at www.henleazeltc.com or contact the secretary Philip Price Tel: 07787 566246 E-mail: philpriceqs@gmail.com Get Involved in Netball. The Avon Netball League is well established in Bristol and welcomes all types of players – whether new to
netball, taking it up after a few years absence and all the way up to premier division teams that cater for high level players. Independents Netball Club is a friendly team looking to recruit new members, with training on Monday evenings at Red Maids School. Please email bristolnetball@hotmail.co.uk for more information. Scottish Country Dancing for beginners and experienced dancers at St Monica’s Trust 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. Fancy a ramble? How about joining us for enjoyable 8-10 mile walks on two Sundays per month ? Our usual group size is 12-15 walkers. Interested ? If so, please come and give Stoke Lodge Ramblers a try. For further details www.stokelodgeramblers.wordpress.com or phone Secretary 0117 9684140. 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 9590970. Every Tues 7.30 9.30pm. See www.wscbristol.com for details. Volunteering & Charities REMAP is a registered charity that designs and makes custom aids which enable a disabled person to enjoy a better quality of life. We design, make or modify equipment to suit their specific needs. No charge is made for our services. Please contact us if we can help - visit www.remapbristol.org.uk, contact Colin 01275
55 West Bristol Arts Trail West Bristol Arts Trail 17th -18th October, 11am to 5pm, with a public preview, to be opened by the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Friday October 16th from 5.30pm at the Bristol School of Art.
at the Bristol School of Art, which is part of the RWA building on Queens Rd. Come along from 5.30pm for a drink, a chat with artists and to pick up the free trail map.
This is a completely free event. Approximately 100 local artists open their homes and studios to the general public so that you can wander around Clifton, Cliftonwood, Hotwells and Redland to browse their work. There are also some “public” venues such as hotels, schools or churches. The artists themselves will be on hand if you wish to discuss their work or perhaps commission something special. This really is affordable art as you can buy direct from the artist, and also learn about their techniques and thoughts behind the creations. However, there is absolutely no pressure to buy work; you may simply spend a delightful weekend browsing some outstanding art. Everyone is invited to get a taste of the trail at the launch event
“Gorgeous Gorge” by Jenny Urquhart
“Cat Lovers” by Laura Robertson
“Starboard Tack” by Anna Duckworth
FFI www.westbristolarts.com
56 What’s On & Community News
would read with the same children each week and be part of a growing group of well over 100 460288 colin305@gmail.com or contact Ray 0117 volunteers. For more information please contact 9628729 rwestcott@blueyonder.co.uk Paul Harrod, paul.harrod@gmail.com Team members needed. At Bristol Child Contact Centre in Henleaze children of all ages spend time with the parent they no longer live with, in a session supported by our volunteers. Most of the ‘contact parents’ are fathers, so we would especially welcome more men to join us. The volunteer team prepares the hall and toys, serves refreshments, welcomes parents and children, listens non-judgmentally when needed, and keeps everyone safe and happy. If this appeals to you, and you’d be free to join our Saturday volunteer rota every 4-6 weeks, do get in touch for further details. You will get an enhanced DBS check, training and support, plus the satisfaction of maintaining a much-valued service which helps families stay in touch after separation. See our website at www.bristolchildcontactcentre.org.uk. and/or ring Helen or Anna on 07511 290505. Volunteers needed to support carers. Could you please help us to develop and increase our support to carers, people who are looking after an unwell, disabled or elderly family member or friend? If you are outgoing and could offer two mornings a month to greet and give info to carers when they visit their GP Practice, or could offer two to three hours a week to sit with an older or disabled person so that their carer can have some time off, we’d love to hear from you. Full training and support provided. Please contact Mike Hatch, Carers Support Centre volunteer on 07503 577830 or e-mail gp_volunteers@outlook.com More Reading Buddies Wanted! Would you enjoy offering reading and language support to children for whom English is a second language? Can you help them improve their reading ability, benefiting both them as individuals and the wider class? Can you commit to giving one hour of reading time a week in term-time? We are working with twelve schools in the Southmead, Brentry and Horfield areas. Training is offered, and your enhanced DBS check is paid for by Bristol City Council. You
Friendship & Social Clubs We are the Bristol U3A – an organisation of lively and interesting people who offer all sorts of groups for enjoyment, friendship and learning. If you are no longer in full-time work, we have a wide range of over 100 different activities, including art, computing, languages, music, walking, and science. Please visit one of our social groups, either at the Eastfield Inn, Henleaze, on the first Monday every month at 10.30am - phone Barbara 0117 9629331, or at Browns Restaurant by the Museum on the third Wednesday or the fourth Thursday every month at 10.15am. For more details phone Jenny 0117 9043697 or visit www.bristolu3a.org.uk. The Over 40’s Club is a non-profit making social club. New members always welcome. Our weekly club nights start at 8.30pm every Thursday. We have a varied programme of events ranging from meals out and walks to gliding and badminton. For further info please contact our New Members Secretary Lynn on 07757780201 or visit www.bbivc.org.uk. 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 our Club Secretary Martina Peattie at mpeattie@btopenworld.com for more details. Calling all Carers. Would you like the opportunity to share your experiences, relax and make new friends? Then come and join the Henleaze Carers’ Group. We meet on the second and fourth Thursday morning of each month, 10am to 12, in Bradbury Hall, Waterford Road, Henleaze. For more information please call Mrs M Rudston 942 6095.
57 Business Review - The Record Collector
Do sellers have to come to you, or do you travel to see them?
Jamie Reid-Sinclair’s home-based Bristol business, Jamesboy Records, sells rare and collectible vinyl records. He has been trading since 2005.
“If someone contacts me with a collection that sounds promising then I always go out to their home to view it and will then make a cash offer if I am interested in buying. I have discovered that there is often an emotional attachment to vinyl, so some people find it hard to part with records even if they haven’t played them for 20 years! The way I see it is that I am giving the seller money and space in their house and then selling the records to someone whose actually going to play them!”
How did your business get started? “I kept thinking about how I might earn a living from something I was interested in. All my life I’ve collected vinyl and been crazy about music, so it seemed to make sense to go into business buying and selling records.” How do you find stock and what kind of records are you looking for? “I advertise around Bristol in magazines like The Bristol Nine. I get calls from people with collections that range in size from half a dozen records to 4000 LPs! I am looking for collectible stuff from 50’s Rock ‘n’ Roll, The Beatles and 60’s groups through to classic 70s rock like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, indie groups like The Smiths, Oasis etc and other collectible genres like Reggae, Folk, Psychedelic and Punk Rock. The records need to be in nice condition. Not necessarily mint but they need to be free of scratches and the sleeves need to be clean without writing or tears and major damage.”
How do people get in touch with you? It’s always a good idea to have a list of about 20 of the records handy before you phone me, as I will ask what sort of music is in your collection in order to find out if it’s the kind of stuff I’m after. Or you can email me a brief sample list of your records. Having a look on my website under the ‘Wanted’ menu will show the kinds of records I’m after
58 Minister) – a Literary Supper 6.15 for 7.30 (£20), talk and book signing 7.30, and on November Soroptomists International Bristol are part of a 13th “What have we learnt from the Financial Crisis?” with Sir Hector Sants, former Chairman of global organisation founded in Bristol ninety the Financial Services Authority (7.15 for 7.45, £5 years ago for women from a wide range of entry for guests, £2 for members). professional and business backgrounds who have joined together to give Service, Friendship and have Fun. We meet on the second and fourth Bristol Photographic Society is now based at Mondays of the month at Long Ashton Golf Club Montpelier Central (opposite Montpelier Station) The Society caters for all levels of photographer where we enjoy a two course meal with a and meets every Wednesday evening at 7.30 speaker. As a member of Soroptomists throughout the year when it has a full and varied International we have the opportunity to form programme of courses, visiting speakers and infriendships, not only in our own club but other house competitions. Membership of the Society countrywide clubs and throughout the world. Our charitable projects enable us to participate in requires an annual fee, but potential members can get a taster of what is available, either by all manner of fund raising events. So if you are visiting on any Wednesday evening (a maximum interested in joining our club and helping women and girls throughout a global network of of 3 visits when a small fee is charged, refundable members please contact our membership officer on joining) or by taking out a 3 month membership prior to deciding whether to join for on 0117 9739894 or email gillbea@aol.com for a full year. You can find out more about the more details. Society by visiting its website at www.bristolphoto.org.uk or emailing Interest Groups membership@bristolphoto.org.uk Interested in archaeology? Why not sign up for The Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological an Introduction to Geophysics? 24 October Society: On Monday 26th October at 7.45 p.m. in 2015, Blaise Castle House Museum. £35 / £30. the Apostle Room in the basement of Clifton Age 16+, 10.30am – 4pm. Become an Cathedral, Pembroke Road, Clifton, Anthea Jones archaeologist for the day and have a go at will give a talk on "The particular and the geophysical surveying. Learn the principles and general: Gloucestershire before World War I in techniques involved and help survey a real the Lloyd George survey of land" The Inland archaeological site. Led by Paul Driscoll, Revenue had to assess the value of each property Archaeology and Historic Environment Record and the surveys provide an amazing list of names Officer for South Glos. This day involves a and uses to which a plot of land might be put. practical outdoor session and is not suitable for people with limited mobility. To book visit www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/whats-on or pop in New Dimensions meets every month and we have talks on a wide range of esoteric subjects. to the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery Shop. For The meetings are held at the Friends’ Meeting information please contact Kate Iles – House, 126 Hampton Road, Redland, Bristol BS6 kate.iles@bristol.gov.uk 6JE. Admission: £5 (including refreshments). The next meeting will be held on Sunday 18 October The Bristol Branch of the English Speaking Union welcomes guests to their meetings which at 3pm. The speaker will be Dr Jacqueline Hobbs are held in the Apostle Room of Clifton Cathedral and the title of her talk is “Raw Food: Juicing, at 7.15 p.m. for 7.45 p.m. There is ample parking Superfoods and Spirituality”. Jacqueline will look at the deeper reasons the body desires to eat and entrance is £5. The aim of the English lighter, uncooked plants and fruit. Is the raw Speaking Union is to encourage friendship and food movement just another way of life or is it global understanding through English. Our forthcoming meetings include on October 7th “A part of a genuine shift toward higher levels of Different Kind of Weather” with Lord Waldegrave human consciousness? For further information, please telephone 01749 678 834 or email: (former MP for Bristol West and former Cabinet
What’s On & Community News
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60 What’s On & Community News leasurs@tiscali.co.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. 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. 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 Alan Williams on 07538 509670 or visit www.woebc.co.uk. Exhibitions, Meetings, Fairs & Markets St Peter's Church, Henleaze: Christmas Craft and Card Fair, Saturday 7th November 10:00 - 12:00 in the Church Hall. A great selection of charity Christmas cards and charity and other gifts. Entry £2 to include a cup of tea or coffee. Charity Christmas Card Sale, 17th Oct, 9.30 1200, Abbots Leigh Village Hall. Freshly brewed coffee and homemade cakes. Free admission.
Quiz Answers from page 43. 1. Havana; 2. Hilary Benn; 3. St Mary Redcliffe Church, Bank of England, Royal Liver Building; 4. half past midnight; 5. Yes. The Routemaster was 27 feet 6 inches, Rutherford’s personal best jump is 27 feet 10 inches; 6. Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin, Luxembourg City; 7. France (de Nimes or “of Nimes”); 8.; 10CC; “I Don’t Want to Go To Chelsea” by Elvis Costello and the Attractions; and Jilted John. 9. Tokyo; 10. tungsten; 11. the Philippines; 12. wren; 13. South Korean (Ban Ki-moon), Ghana (Kofi Annan) and Egypt (Boutros Boutros-Ghali; 14. they have all had roses named after them; 15. £120, Dr. Black, 3 points; 16. Princess Charlotte of Cambridge; 17. the Great Pyramid of Giza; 18. the Volga.
Volunteering at St Monica Trust At St Monica Trust’s Westbury Fields and Cote Lane re rement communi es we have over 500 residents living in sheltered accommoda on and our general needs nursing and demen a care homes. Some of our residents are without family living near them, or without family altogether. Your me is the most precious gi you can give them. If you are able to give an hour or two a week to visit an elderly person and change their lives for the be er, then we would love to hear from you. Thank you. Please contact Helen Morris, the Visi ng Volunteer Coordinator for St Monica Trust for more informa on.
helen.morris@stmonicatrust.org.uk or 07875 406891
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