The Bristol Nine - March 2015 by Andy Fraser

March ‘15 Issue 107

A free community magazine for the residents and businesses of BS9. A free community magazine for the residents and businesses of BS9. Delivered each month through 12,000 le erboxes across Delivered each month through 12,000 letterboxes across Stoke Bishop, Sea Mills, Coombe Dingle, Henleaze, Westbury on Trym & Sneyd Park Stoke Bishop, Sea Mills, Coombe Dingle, Henleaze, Westbury on Trym and Sneyd Park.

The Editor’s Small Piece Hello dear reader. I hope you are full of the joys of spring. I’m full of pancakes as I write this as it is Shrove Tuesday - and I am giving up pancakes and sherry for Lent. Shouldn’t be too difficult. One of these days I will get to grips why Easter is on a different day each year - it always confuses me, although to be truthful as I mature gently more and more things confuse me. Why haven’t umbrellas been banned under H & S legislation? Why is it that the more space there is in a carpark the harder it is to park? Why do your ears get bigger as you grow older? Why do the same old failing football managers resurface for consideration every time one of their mates is sacked? Maybe life wouldn’t be so interesting if it weren't for these little mysteries. In an attempt to ignore the ageing process I’m off next week for a couple of days of student reminiscences to the lovely city of Nottingham. Before the footy match I’m going to see I’ll probably have a large pot of tea, and afterwards I might have a nice meal and a glass of wine in a gastro pub. Last time I went it was 4 pints before, and 4 more afterwards with a double cod and chips on the way home. Maybe getting on is no bad thing after all. Enjoy the magazine, Do Get In Touch E: andy@bcmagazines.co.uk T: 0117 968 7787 M: 07845 986650 P: 8 Sandyleaze WoT BS9 3PY Tw:@BS9Andy W: www.bcmagazines.co.uk

Living and working in BS9 for 10 years and now contactable on 01454 617 392

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Useful Information Gas Emergencies Electricity Emergencies Water Emergencies Avon & Somerset Police NonEmergencies Crimestoppers Southmead Hospital BRI / Children’s Hospital NHS non-emergency Council Dog Warden Services Bristol Blood Donation The Samaritans Alcoholics Anonymous ChildLine National Rail Enquiries Telephone Pref Service Mailing Pref Service Bristol Care & Repair - home safety checks & handyman

0800 111 999 0800 365 900 0845 600 4 600 101 (new no.) 0800 555 111 0117 950 5050 0117 923 0000 111 0117 922 2500 0117 988 2040 08457 90 90 90 08457 69 75 55 0800 11 11 08457 48 49 50 0845 070 0707 0845 703 4599 0117 95 4 2222

Postal Services Westbury on Trym Post Office 9 - 5.30 Mon to Fri, 9 - 4 Sat Henleaze Post Office - new hours! 8.30am - 6pm Mon to Sat Westbury on Trym Parcel Collection 8 - 3 Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri, 8 - 8 Wed, 7 - 2 Sat 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 Henleaze - tel. 903 8541 Mon 9.30 - 7.00, Tues 9.30 - 5.00 Wed 9.30 - 5.00, Thur 9.30 - 5.00 Fri 9.30 - 7.00, Sat 9.30 - 5.00 Westbury on Trym - tel. 903 8552 Mon 9.30 - 5.00, Tues 9.30 - 5.00 Wed 9.30 - 5.00, Thur - closed Fri 9.30 - 7.00, Sat 9.30 - 5.00 Sea Mills - tel. 903 8555 Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat 9.30 - 1.00 , 2.00 - 5.00 Wed - closed, Thur 9.30 - 1.00 , 2.00 - 7.00

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 planning to go by bus, train, ferry, air, bike, car or foot. Local Churches St Mary Magdalene, Stoke Bishop www.stmarysb.org.uk 0117 968 7449 Methodist Church, WoT www.westburyontrymmethodistchurch.org.uk 0117 962 2930 Baptist Church, Reedley Rd, WoT www.westburybaptist.org.uk 0117 962 9990 Holy Trinity Parish Church, WoT www.westbury-parish-church.org.uk 0117 950 8644 Sacred Heart Catholic Church, WoT www.sacredheartchurch.co.uk 0117 983 3926 St Peter’s Church, Henleaze www.stpetershenleaze.org 0117 962 4524 Trinity URC, Henleaze www.trinityhenleazeurc.org.uk 0117 962 9713 The Community Church, WoT www.the-community-church.net 0117 946 6807 Recycling and Household Waste The Household Waste and Recycling Centre on Kingsweston Lane, Avonmouth for pretty much everything. The Avonmouth centre is now open Winter hours from 8.00am to 4.15pm, 7 days a week .

The Silver Line is the new and only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people - open 24 hours a day every day of the year. Call anytime on 0800 4 70 80 90.

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Cli on £350,000 This hidden gem in the heart of Cli on. An impressive 2 bed garden flat with garage and parking. The exclusive use driveway leads to the private garage and a 50 rear stone walled private garden with raised BBQ decking area. No onward chain. EPC‐E

Cli on £325,000 A super 2 double bedroom maisone e with private courtyard garden and garage. Benefi ng from a private entrance situated within a stone's throw of Cli on Village. This property, in its quiet and leafy loca on cks lots of boxes and viewing is recommended. EPC‐C

Stoke Bishop Guide Price £650,000 Substan al newly refurbished semi‐detached house which has skilfully blended 1930’s charm with stylish modern day family living requirements. 2 recep on rooms, modern contemporary kitchen, cloakroom, 5 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms. In Elmlea catchment area and close to Durdham Downs. EPC ‐ D

Cli on £450,000 Spacious 2 double bedroom period garden apartment arranged on the lower ground floor of an a rac ve Grade II Listed building in the heart of Cli on. Outside, the building has an allocated oﬀ‐street parking space to the rear and sole use of a rear courtyard garden laid to decking.

Westbury on Trym Guide Price £550,000 A charming 19th Century stone faced home, crea ng a spacious, 5 bedroom, 2/3 recep on rooms. Outside is an a rac ve courtyard garden, ideal for entertaining. Oﬀered with no onward chain. EPC‐ F

Stoke Bishop £545,000 A beau fully presented 3 bedroom detached family home, unusually well set back from the road, situated in a highly sought a er road. The house has a number of outstanding ‘Art Deco’ features of the 1930’s that blends beau fully with its modern contemporary twist. EPC‐ D

Prize Wordsearch If ever I was banished to a desert island and could take one foodstuff with me it would, without doubt, be cheese. So compiling this months prize wordsearch has left me craving for the crackers and a little something fromagial to go on them.

phone to 0117 968 7787, text to 07845 986650 or tweet to @BS9Andy. First correct entry out of the hat will win a special edition Gromit Unleashed Monopoly board game.

In the meantime thank you to everybody who entered the Grupo Lounge Listed below are 21 well known European competition in cheeses. 20 of them are hidden in the the January wordsearch grid, so your job is to find the magazine. The missing cheese. They can be hidden written winner was forwards, backwards, up, down or on a Morgane Dambrun who wins the Grupo diagonal. Once you have found the missing cheese get in touch and let me know what it Lounge voucher. Right, here are your is. cheeses so get hunting … Entries must be in by 31st March and should be sent by post to 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY, email to andy@bcmagazines.co.uk, Blue Vinny Brie Caerphilly Camembert Cheddar Cheshire Cornish Yarg Dolcelatte Double Gloucester Dunlop Edam Emmental Gorgonzola Gouda Livarot Manchego Red Leicester Sage Derby Saint Agur Stilton Wensleydale

177 Whiteladies Road, Cli on, Bristol, BS8 2RY It is fast approaching spring market time here in BS9. The coming weeks are traditionally the most buoyant in the Residential Sales and Lettings markets so now is the time if you are thinking of selling or renting to consider a few insider tips. First impressions DO count: declutter and depersonalise; tidy paintwork, gardens and pathways; air and heat your property so rooms are warm but fresh smelling; and make sure your windows sparkle. Line up your team: research and choose the best people to support you in your move- from solicitor and financial advisor to estate agent and property manager. Recommendation and local knowledge are key. My team at CJ Hole Clifton would be delighted to offer you a FREE no obligation market appraisal. We can also offer advice and support in how to present your property to attract the best possible price. To book an appointment, please call any one of the team on 0117 923 8238.

Howard Davis MD Clifton

For Sale £465,000 - Stoke Bishop A detached family house with three bedrooms, a southwest facing garden, detached garage, driveway and open outlook towards Abbots Leigh.

For Sale £150,000 Knoll Hill A delightful one bedroom ground floor flat in an attractive stone built property. The Oak has lawned communal gardens and allocated parking.

Cli on le ngs 0117 946 6588 www.cjhole.com

cli on@cjhole.co.uk

For Sale £315,000 - Knoll Hill A three bedroom purpose built flat which enjoys views over the Avon Gorge and Leigh Woods. Lawned gardens, private garage and visitor parking.

Sold £400,000 - Stoke Bishop A detached family home with three bedrooms and extensive views on a corner plot. Detached garage and 18m private garden.

To Let £1,550 pcm plus fees - Sneyd Park A stylish first floor apartment on a private road. Three double bedrooms, large living room with balcony and two allocated parking spaces.

To Let £1,100 pcm plus fees - Clifton A newly refurbished top floor apartment in immaculate condition with period features. Two double bedrooms, large living room and private balcony.

To Let £1,400 pcm plus fees - Redcliff Backs Luxury Harbourside apartment. Two double bedrooms, open plan living/kitchen area, underground parking. Available on furnished basis.

To Let £900 pcm plus fees - Clifton A very well presented hall floor flat offering one double bedroom, lounge/diner and decorated to a high standard. Great location and close to lots of local amenities.

www.cjhole.com Cli on sales 0117 923 8238

20Â Preparing for Spring to take off. Now, after a few sun drenched end-of-winter days we see the garden for the potential it has. The thought of seeing the green space come alive once more sparks us with excitement and anticipation. While we eagerly await the young spring blossom our thoughts turn to weeding borders, trimming hedges and pruning vigorously - just to keep up with nature. So take a deep breath and get stuck in. At this time I find myself preparing peoples gardens - cutting back over grown viburnum, forgotten apple trees and ash that were once insignificant and now look like potential woodland giants. Gardeners are never finished, just preparing for the next stage. As a tree surgeon I enjoy the all the aspects of my work - from pruning an old orchard apple to maximize the fruiting potential for the smaller cottage garden, cutting back deep borders to give space for the bulbs and bedding plants or perhaps gracefully dismantling dangerous mature trees to make way for the next generation of tall elegant giants. Using this time wisely, spring shall be a thing to behold.

If you have any questions, need advice or would like a free estimate please call me -

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Diﬃcul es sleeping Lack of confidence & self esteem Achieving your goals ▪ Public speaking anxiety Feeling stressed ? Not sleeping ? Feeling that you can’t cope Exam / interview nerves with things? Hypnotherapy could be the answer. I help many Anxiety, stress & tension levels clients who would like to start feeling like themselves again. Fears and phobias ▪ Weight management Many comment that “ I never used to feel like this”, “I used to Unwanted pa erns of behaviour be able to cope with things” or “I just want to feel in control of Nega ve thought pa erns ▪ Stopping smoking my life again.” Pregnancy and childbirth and much more One of the first things we may no ce is that our sleeping pa erns are disturbed this may mean we have trouble ge ng to sleep as the mind goes over and over the events of the day All sessions are completely tailored according to your individual needs. or runs through what is going to happen in the future. It may mean we wake up in the night and again that familiar pa ern FREE relaxa on CD of not being able to get back to sleep starts again. included with your hypnotherapy sessions If this sounds like you then Hypnotherapy may be able to help. At Solu ons Hypnotherapy we use the findings from the latest neuroscience research to help us to understand how the mind works and to make posi ve changes in our lives. If you have not considered hypnotherapy before why not come along for a free ini al consulta on and I will explain how the mind works and how we may be able to help you to improve your sleeping pa erns and make the changes you want in your life to help you feel you’re back to the real you. Book your free ini al consulta on during March quo ng “Bristol 6/8/9” and you will receive a £10 discount oﬀ each session.

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Bishops Knoll Wood & “Wolf Hall” “If you have been watching the TV serialisation of Hilary Mantel`s “Wolf Hall” or have read the book, you will have noticed that in Thomas Cromwell`s household there is group of young men. Some are family, but one was entrusted to Cromwell aged 7 to educate and improve his chances in life. He is referred to as Rafe, and has become a trusted associate of Cromwell, eventually his private secretary. He is treated as a confidant and `sounding board` by Cromwell who clearly values his thoughts.

Lancaster. He was entrusted with important tasks, being appointed the gaoler of Mary Queen of Scots during her imprisonment in England. When he died, he had acquired wide estates as well as the area around Bishops Knoll Wood, and was described as `the richest commoner in England`.

So, the connection with Bishops Knoll Wood? The Wood and the surrounding area had, during the Middles Ages, been a deer park belonging to the Bishops of Worcester. On the Dissolution of the Monasteries the land came into the possession of one Sir Ralph Sadleir - none other than our Rafe above. Ralph had worked with Cromwell on acquiring ecclesiastical lands for Henry VIII, but although Cromwell fell from favour Ralph was by now an important person on his own account, having become an MP and a Privy Counsellor. On Henry VIII`s death, Ralph was a member of the Council of Regency during Edward VI`s minority rule, but when Edward died young, the great survivor decided to lie low during Mary`s reign as she was a Roman Catholic and he had been much involved in the Protestant revolution. Under Elizabeth I he was restored to favour, and made Chancellor of the Duchy of

In the wood there is one remaining relic you can still see of Ralph`s deer park: a huge ancient oak tree that is probably up to 800 years old. At 7.1 metres round the trunk and with enormous boughs spreading in every direction, it is one of the great trees of Bristol. You can find it a short way down from the Bramble Lane entrance just off to the right, and is well worth a visit.” Bev Knott

The gardener, the house, the Will and The mother's strange behaviour con nued. the mother ‐ how do you protect your She paid for the gardener to go on an expensive holiday and gave him cash gi s family’s inheritance? Most people would agree they should have the right to decide who will inherit their assets when they die. However, problems can arise if it is suspected that a person’s last Will does not necessarily reflect their true wishes. This is especially true when children are overlooked in favour of family 'helpers'. The following case study is based on a real life case that we were involved in recently. We have changed some of the facts in order to protect the iden es of the par es involved. A married couple had three adult children and several grandchildren. The family were very close and the natural presump on was that the children would inherit their parents’ estates. However, the father became unwell and during his illness, the family’s gardener stepped up his tasks, so much so, that he started to care for the ageing father. The mother also became very reliant upon the gardener's support, to the extent that, on the day of her husband’s death, her main concern was to try and change her dead husband's Will, to leave the gardener a substan al cash sum.

and a variety of presents. She also arranged for the gardener to have authority over all her financial aﬀairs; appoin ng him as her a orney. The mother became convinced that the gardener would look a er her in her old age and she believed his promise that he would stay in her house a er her death to maintain it. As a result of these convic ons, she did change her Will. Her children suspected she was suﬀering from the early onset of demen a, but when they broached their concerns, their mother became angry and distressed. Their rela onship deteriorated to the point that she chose to spend Christmas with the gardener rather than with them. When she died, sure enough, the mother le her en re estate to the gardener ‐ the children and grandchildren were cut out altogether. Within days of her death, the gardener had hired a skip and started to clear the property in order to sell it. The gardener's promise to move into the house went out of the window as quickly as the mother's belongings. The children tried to challenge the Will but unfortunately, by the me they had

received the right advice about what steps to take to protect their mother’s estate, it was too late and the gardener had started the administra on process. He was successful in selling the mother's house and pocketed the proceeds. This is a sad story, which may sound fanciful and rare. However, at Veale Wasbrough Vizards (VWV) we see this happen to families more o en than is just. There are vital steps that can be taken to challenge a Will and protect an estate shortly a er death but ming is everything, as this story illustrates. Swi ac on is essen al to give the best chance of success, as unscrupulous beneficiaries will o en act quickly to maximise their chances of taking the assets for themselves.

We specialise in Will and trusts disputes and have been awarded top er status in this complicated area of law by independent research. We also specialise in advising people who are considering making a Will or who may be concerned about capacity issues. To discuss your estate and/or how any of these issues may aﬀect your family, please contact Michelle Rose on 0117 314 5246 or at mrose@vwv.co.uk.

The Downs Recorder - Richard Bland Scrub For the first thousand years there was no problem with scrub control on the Downs. It was done by the sheep and the goats, and the only scrub that existed was on the slopes of the Gorge which were not being quarried, or which were too steep even for goats. There were trees, planted in avenues to guide the traveller along the roads that crossed the Downs. and to ensure that even in snow or fog or the dark you could not readily get lost. The earliest maps show these avenues, and they have been maintained by every successive generation even though today their original purpose is redundant. There were also occasional individual trees, Oak, Ash, Hawthorn, which had got themselves established somehow. They are marked as scattered trees on old maps.

The ending of sheep grazing in 1925 meant that mowing with horses became the main form of maintenance over much of the surface, which was rapidly replaced by more efficient machinery until 1939. War saw the surface of the Downs studded with pyramids of stone to prevent gliders landing, and then the takeover by the American army of large areas, and the end of normal maintenance procedures. Very rapidly Nettles, Brambles, Ivy, Elder, and then saplings of Ash, Yew, Holly and Sycamore began to spread in the shelter of the brambles. After the war there was a huge effort to get the surface back to level grass, to remove all the wire and temporary buildings and to fill in the bomb craters, and a lot of new trees were planted especially on Clifton Green.

Today the Downs team work flat out to maintain the grass, to ensure that damage done by circuses and funfairs and water mains is quickly covered, to remove the rubbish left after every summer weekend, and they do a marvellous job. But there isn’t the time to stop the clumps that have developed all over the Downs in the past fifty years, many of which have an ancient hawthorn at their heart, from spreading, combining, and then becoming secondary woodland. Much of the Zoo banks are now woodland dominated by dark Holm Oaks whose shade inhibits all plants beneath it. The amount of open grassland is diminishing each year. And increasing areas are becoming inaccessible to man and beast, especially along Upper Belgrave Road and the Dumps, and the Ashwood in the north. Now scrub is a great habitat and a natural process in succession. It provides nesting habitat for birds that does not exist on open grassland, and a variety of plants that are the feed plants of some butterflies and moths. It provides a variety of seeds and nuts vital to over winter survival, especially ivy berries, and it provides homes for Foxes and Badgers. But there is an assemblage of about thirty unusual limestone plant species that you wont find together anywhere else, and a number of them now occur in only a single location on the Downs. A century ago they were all fairly widespread and abundant, now they are threatened, and threatened not by man’s activities but by his inaction. They include Harebell, Clary, Vervain, Red Bartsia, Yellow Rattle, Salad Burnet, Burnet Saxifrage, Dropwort, Marjoram, Betony, Yellowwort, Centaury, Dwarf Thistle Fairy Flax, Pale Flax, Golden Rod, Wood sage, Horseshow vetch and Kidney Vetch and Bladder Campion, Pignut RockRose Tormentil Musk Thistle and Bloody Cranesbill. The names themselves are a joy- but to find all these plants, and more in such close companionship is an untold privilege. If the scrub takes over their habitat and is then removed it is not these species that come back, at least not at once, and maybe never. That is why there is an urgent need first to stop the advance of scrub, and then begin to drive it back. And this will need a great deal of volunteer support because it is quite clear that there will not be the money for the foreseeable future to pay for professionals.

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green to start with; Go Green is about encouraging all businesses to take part across the city. Due to support from Bristol 2015 this scheme is free for all to join. It’s a unique opportunity to show the world that firms in Bristol lead the way in sustainable business prac ce. Go Green officially launched with an event at At‐Bristol Science Centre on 10th February 2015 to packed audience of Businesses of all sizes are being asked to nearly 400 a endees, represen ng over Say It, Do It, Prove It to show their support 200 businesses. for Bristol’s year as European Green Capital in 2015. The Go Green website is full of top ps from experts, plus case studies and stories of how businesses are already going Go Green is a brand new scheme to join up businesses and organisa ons in Bristol green. Members who have created their that are working towards a greener future. Ac on Plan can look forward to a ending Go Green works to celebrate the success green business networking events, of the greenest companies, whilst also masterclasses and behind the scenes tours encouraging many more to seize the at venues such as the ss Great Britain, opportunity created by the Green Capital Bristol Zoo Gardens and more. These year to benefit from free advice on how to events give members the opportunity to learn more whilst mee ng and sharing become a greener business, save money ideas with other local businesses, thus and find new customers. helping them to progress their Go Green Ac on Plan. Go Green is open to all businesses, chari es and organisa ons of all shapes and sizes ‐ from the very smallest to the Find out more and create your Ac on Plan very largest. A free online tool helps today at www.gogreenbusiness.co.uk businesses to consider many different Twi er: @GoGreenBristol issues, not just recycling and electricity use, but also how to make green purchasing decisions, support sustainable travel op ons and support staff wellbeing as well as encourage nature and biodiversity in the local area. Go Green helps businesses to think about a whole range of op ons they have do to improve, and allows them to start with the ones that ma er most to them. Businesses do not have to consider themselves to be

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Constituency Matters - with Charlotte Leslie MP

MP’s Survey: Most residents reject plans to charge on Downs “Readers will be interested to note that residents who responded to my recent survey have overwhelmingly rejected any plans to remove free parking on The Downs. More than 1,300 people completed the survey, with just six per cent saying they support a blanket charge. Around 70% of people said there should be no charging whatsoever while around 23% said they would support some charging in a limited number of areas. Seven per cent said they agreed with charging. A majority also fear that a ban on commuters parking on The Downs could be the first step in introducing Residents Parking Zones on The Downs and residential streets near The Downs. Mayor George Ferguson has suggested the controversial plans, which could see many hundreds of free parking spaces removed as part of his anti motorist agenda. Local councillors, including John Goulandris and Peter Abraham, along with myself, have said the plans have not been well thought-out and would serve simply to shift the problem elsewhere and make life harder for Downs users. The huge survey also found: 1.

77% of respondents believe a ban on free parking would lead to local streets being used instead;

A similar number said that if local streets were used, this would be used as an excuse by the council to introduce Residents’ Parking Zones.

40% of respondents said the Downs

should never be closed to cars, even for special occasions, while 19% said such special events should happen just once a year. The Downs is one of Bristol’s most iconic landmarks, attracting families and visitors at all times of the years. The current parking arrangements generally work well. Some restrictions are required on Stoke Road to assist the flow of the No 40 bus, but these should not be used as an excuse for the draconian parking measures now being proposed. Sledeghammer and nut come to mind! The Downs attract families from all over Bristol, who know they will be able to park free of charge for as long as they wish to stay. Yet we have been faced with the possibility of this arrangement being ripped up, to the benefit of no one. The survey has clearly indicated that there is no appetite for ditching free parking and I hope Mayor Ferguson will listen and then drop the plan. A significant side issue is that there is real worry such a plan would lead to commuters and others using side roads for parking with this being the prelude to the introduction of yet more dreaded Residents’ Parking Schemes – another idea which has largely been rejected by Bristolians. It is clear to me that what is happening is a clumsy attempt to solve a problem which does not really exist while the real problem – better public transport systems including a Henbury Loop Line – is not being addressed. I will be taking the results of this survey to Mayor Ferguson very soon and I hope it will make him see the considerable strength of public feeling.”

Charlotte Leslie ‐ MP for Bristol North West Oﬃce: 184 Henleaze Road, BS9 4NE 0117 962 9427 ‐ www.charlotteleslie.com E: charlotte.leslie.mp@parliament.uk

You tell us what you want to achieve and we will help you achieve it. Tell us what concerns you have and we will find a solu on.

76 Macrae Road, Eden Oﬃce Park, Ham Green, Bristol, BS20 0DD 01275 373348

Inheritance Tax ‐ On the agenda for be an unjust tax and it is not just the wealthy that are affected by it. Property the Elec on? I’ve helped several clients with Inheritance Tax planning over the past year and 2015 will be no different. The Office of Budget Responsibility predicts it may affect 1 in 10 estates by 2019. It is considered by many to

price infla on and the fact the nil rate band (the maximum value of your estate before being subject to inheritance tax) is only £325,000 (2014/2015), is o en cited as a reason why it is so unfair. However when (Con nued on page 35)

35 (Con nued from page 34)

the current IHT Tax regime was introduced in 1986, the nil rate band was £71,000 and interes ngly the increase to its current level, is actually broadly in line with the increases in property prices. Example House Value ‐ £385,000 Other Assets ‐ £30,000 Investments ‐ £95,000 Deposits ‐ £40,000 Total ‐ £550,000 Less nil rate band (£325,000) Balance subject to 40% inheritance tax – £225,000 Inheritance Tax Due = £90,000 (based on 2014/2015 tax year)

solu ons and annually reviewing your circumstances and the current HMRC rules. There are various allowances you can use, gi s you might make and reliefs you can u lise through investment. All of these can poten ally reduce any tax liability. However what works for one person may not for another, so seeking advice is really important. Some people are blissfully unaware of the inheritance tax burden their loved ones will face. However of those that have iden fied a problem, some think it is too great, they have le it too late or they are reluctant as “we might need the money for care fees, so giving it away is not an op on”. The interes ng thing is there are poten al solu ons in all of these cases.

So as we approach May 2015, we are all going to be exposed to a great deal of ‘poli cal noise’ but perhaps I’ve always thought it a very ‘poli cally announcements around inheritance tax is aﬀected’ tax, i.e. it has the poten al for one ‘sound bite’ you might want to listen good headlines for a poli cal party, but out for or seek help with! changes can be rela vely inexpensive in terms of tax revenue. Rela ve to the big Phil James three taxes (income tax, na onal insurance Grosvenor Consultancy Ltd. and VAT), inheritance tax brings in a frac on of the revenue to HMRC; only There are advantages and disadvantages to using all about 2.5% of the amount raised by of these strategies and they depend on individual circumstances so don’t take ac on without seeking income tax. So in an elec on year, I would competent advice. Tax rules, rates and allowances are not be surprised to see at least some all subject to change. The Financial Conduct Authority commentary about Inheritance Tax in the does not regulate tax advice and some forms of oﬀshore investments. The value of investments and manifesto’s of the main poli cal par es. the income from them can fall as well as rise and you I o en think it is best to tackle Inheritance tax over me, using a combina on of

may not get back the full amount you invested.

Grosvenor Consultancy Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The value of any investment can fall as well as rise and returns are not guaranteed.

www.grosvenorconsultancy.co.uk Mr Ben Olson BSc (Hons) Dip. PFS Tel 01275 373348

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Mr Phil James Dip. PFS Tel 01275 373348 / 07847 490270 Email: .james@grosvenorconsultancy.co.uk

3 months to save Westbury Library By the me you read this ar cle, the City Council’s proposals for the Library Review will have been made public. The proposals will be considered by Cabinet on 3 March for approval by the Mayor and will then be consulted on un l late May. Councillor Geoff Gollop writes “This really will be the last chance to save Westbury Library. I will be holding a public mee ng once the proposals have been published”. If anyone is interested in joining the campaign or a ending the mee ng, contact Geoff on geoffrey.gollop@bristol.gov.uk or telephone 0117 9039946.

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Psychosexual Therapy The ubiquitous nature of sexual difficul es means most people have experienced them one way or another at some point in their lives. The good news is there is lots that can be done about them via a specialist therapy called psychosexual therapy. This form of therapy works by ini ally separa ng out what is a purely 'physiological' problem from the psychological and emo onal aspects and by exploring pa erns of behaviour. The therapy then addresses each aspect via an individually tailored behavioural programme. Take sexual appe te diﬀerences as an example, one partner desiring sex more frequently than their partner, this o en culminates in arguments coupled with feelings of rejec on and even thoughts of being inadequate, a vicious cycle can soon become established and one that is not at all sexy! Via the behavioural programme couples learn to see ' good sex' as being collabora ve and quality soon becomes the focus as opposed to quan ty. Expecta ons are reality checked and a healthier sexual rela onship established. Communica on is o en a key factor in the sexual arena, clear open communica on with the ability to share desires and explore wants and needs are an essen al ingredient in a healthy sexual rela onship, psychosexual therapy enables couples to talk clearly and calmly or passionately if needs be! The therapy is also very beneficial to individuals not currently in a rela onship. It gives them the opportunity to discuss any dysfunc ons or concerns they are faced with and helps them to make posi ve changes. The Chiron centre has two psychosexual therapists who are here to help. Ann Houston and Jo Morgan are both experienced and accredited therapists please see www.chironcentre.co.uk for more info or call us on 0117 962 0008 to book an appointment.

The Chiron Centre 0117 962 0008 www.chironcentre.co.uk

The World of Pets - with Viking Vets The New Puppy Scandal We all know about puppy farms, many people have worked tirelessly to publish the plight of the poor breeding dogs in these breeding factories. Most people make sure when they are buying a puppy that they see the mother with the puppies and are no longer conned by ‘nice’, ‘helpful’ people that will bring the puppy to their door or meet them on the motorway.

and Babesiosos. There have been reports of new tick species being brought in, and this has also brought in new tick born diseases. Secondly, some of the puppies have come in on passports that have been incorrectly filled in or the timings of vaccinations have been wrong. Some of these dogs have ended up in quarantine kennels which is not great for the puppy, and very expensive for the new owner. Others are sold as if they were bred in this country which makes it nearly impossible to track this problem.

Over the last year we have noticed an increase in puppies being imported illegally from abroad. The most common breeds have been Pugs, French bulldogs and British Bulldogs. These breeds are very popular and hence very expensive, so a lot of money can be made from selling them. I have huge concerns about this illegal trade, for both the puppy and the purchaser. Firstly, we are at risk of introducing diseases into the UK that so far we have been lucky to avoid e.g. Rabies, Leishmaniasis, Ehrlichiosis

(Con nued on page 41)

41 (Con nued from page 40)

Thirdly, these puppies have been transported long distances, which is stressful. We have no idea what kind of conditions the mothers are kept in and by buying one of these puppies you may have to spend a lot of money in veterinary and quarantine bills, but could also find yourself exposing your family to illnesses that you have not bargained for. Regrettably our border controls are struggling to cope with the sudden rise in imported puppies and are currently unable to prevent the influx. The puppies are brought in on

weekends when there are fewer checks. Rather than confiscating the puppies they are turned back, which mean they can try again. Committing to taking on a dog is huge decision. Often we see people choosing the wrong breed. It is concerning how dog breeds are as much the whim of fashion as anything else in our society. We would love for people to discuss their breed/ choice with vets prior to making a decision as vets have a wealth of knowledge regarding the different breed traits. We suggest you write a list of what you want from a dog, and then try to match the breed to your requirements. Make sure you speak to your vet regarding any health issues you should be prepared for with the breed you choose. We cannot stress strongly enough that you must see the puppies with the mother to be sure the dog was bred on the premises. My advice is - if a deal sounds too good to be true, walk away as the likelihood is that something is not quite what it seems.

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Financial Planning At Tax Year End The last few weeks before the end of the tax year are an important me to maximise the use of your individual allowances, reliefs and exemp ons. Some of these will be lost if not used before the tax year end which is, of course, 5th April. Income Tax: Key to planning here is making full use of the personal allowance, awareness of the higher rate tax threshold, the 45% tax charge that applies to taxable income that exceeds £150,000 and the fact that people with an income of more than £100,000 may lose some, or all, of their personal allowance. Planning income across married couples is essen al for maximum tax efficiency as well as using tax efficient investments like ISAs, growth orientated unit trusts, single premium investment bonds, Enterprise Investment Schemes and Venture Capital Trusts, which are all valid income tax efficient investment strategies. Capital Gains Tax: Using the most under‐u lised exemp on of them all, your annual capital gains tax allowance, could mean a tax free ‘income’ of £11,000 and a married couple can effec vely double this exemp on between them by transferring assets between themselves free of tax. Inheritance Tax: The freezing of the ‘nil rate band’ at £325,000 un l 2017/18 is clearly bad news for wealthier individuals looking to leave a tax free legacy to their families. Individuals should at least consider the available £3,000 annual exemp on before the tax year end and in addi on use their gi s out of normal expenditure relief. Trust‐based solu ons like discre onary trusts, loan trusts and discounted gi trusts may well be suitable too. Pensions: Consider how best to maximise pension contribu ons which can divert your taxable income from the taxman to your re rement pot. Care must be taken not to exceed the Annual Allowance (now £40,000) and Life Time Allowance (now £1.25m). If you feel that you should be taking advantage of some, or all, of the tax planning strategies outlined above, then please get in touch for a complimentary ini al discussion to see if we can help.

Email richard.higgs@wealthwest.co.uk or telephone 0117 966 5699. Trym Lodge, 1 Henbury Road, Westbury‐on‐Trym, Bristol BS9 3HQ

rs PC - Friendly Computer Training M

Scams, hacking and backup. Funny how in the click of a mouse, things can go very wrong on your computer. If you are very careful what you click on, you shouldn’t have any problems. Once you have made a mistake, it could be very costly to put right or take you a lot of time. This email arrived for me a few weeks ago. Refund Reference Number is: Ref/14377/2014 Dear Taxpayer, *Refund Amount : GBP 521.78 >> Your *Refund Reference Number is: Ref/14377/2014 << ************************* Account ID: 748200162 E‐mail ID: 930155328 ************************* NOTE: If you've received an Income Tax 'repayment' it will either be following a claim you've made or because HM Revenue & Customs has received new informa on about your taxable income or en tlement to allowances. The refund may come through your tax code or as a payment and could relate to the current tax year or earlier years. CLICK HERE to submit your tax refund request Thank you, HM Revenue & Customs

Would you have known that this was a scam? The email is appealing as it is offering you a refund, but look carefully again and see if you can spot the warning signs. There are usually spelling mistakes and poor grammar in scam emails, and there is always a “LINK”, or blue web address or words in blue and underlined which the email asks you to click. HM Revenue would not email, nor would Microsoft or your Bank, so ignore any emails from them, even if they look official. Never click on links in suspicious emails, even if you know the sender. If the sender doesn’t usually email you, or you have any doubts, give them a call to check first. Clicking on an unsafe link can download malware, or nasty viruses onto your system. You can be a victim of this on Facebook too, so if there is a post from a friend saying, please check

out my private video, or tagging you in a post saying you were there, and you weren’t, it is more than likely a scam. Don’t click or you will be infected and infect all your friends. So what should you do if you think you might have clicked on something that you shouldn’t? This free software is extremely good for Windows users. It is also free. https://www.malwarebytes.org/ It’s not a bad idea to run it once in a while to see what it picks up. If your email has been hacked or you suspect someone else’s has, act immediately. If you have received an email from a friend with a strange link in it, and no subject, do tell them right away. I had this from a client recently: Subject: Re:bss18 f h p://www.crea veinfotech.info/er/ jgabpxybgkaibtr.rpiwzorevcjvnhcmaozty huish773 1/19/2015 6:30:50 PM The client did not know she had been hacked. Her friends didn’t know that they shouldn’t click on the link. It was an advert for slimming. I advised her not to click and to change her email password. Make sure you know what yours is, and when you change it, make a note somewhere. If you use email on computer and a phone, or tablet, you will need to reset the password in all of them. Finally, do ensure you have a good antivirus on your computer and that you back up all your files regularly.

From Henleaze to Nepal to the

Eisteddfod

A local man has launched a major operation to bring a troupe of Nepalese dancers from their home in the Himalayas to Wales for next year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. The idea is the brainchild of Todd Lochhead from Henleaze whose wife, Lisa, used to run a shop in the Denbighshire town and who has fond memories of its annual cultural spectacular. Todd, a trained accountant originally from New Zealand, is co-ordinating the effort to fly the 34 members of the Rising Culture Group almost 5,000 miles from their base in the ancient city of Bhaktapur, less than 100 miles from Mount Everest and a dizzying 1,400 metres above sea level, to the iconic cultural festival in Denbighshire. Although he admits it will be a tall order to raise the estimated £40,000 necessary to pay for the trip next July, he hopes that with the help of his friends and contacts around the world and the group’s own determined fundraising efforts it will be possible.

Todd & Lisa Lochhead with Sue McEvoy and Ben Sawin of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

Todd, who lives in Bristol where he works as a financial consultant, first came across the dancers when he journeyed to Nepal in 1995 to work as a teacher at the school where the group was formed. He said: “When I went over to Nepal from New Zealand 19 years ago I noticed that everyone there seemed happy and I wanted to find out why. I heard about a school which had been started in Bhaktapur – it means `city of devotees’ - which is around 10 miles from the capital, Katmandu, and decided to pay a visit there. Called the Rising English School, it was founded by a man named Kapil Banepali and his wife Chandika, who is now the principal, and offers lessons to children aged three to 13, many of whom would otherwise have ended up having to go out to work if they had not found some way to get into the school.

The average wage in the area is just 300 to 400 US dollars a year and Kapil’s work with the school opened my eyes about how much can be achieved with so little. I took a job with him as a teacher and stayed for about a month doing all sorts of lessons including English. The following year I returned and spent another couple of months teaching there. It was during this time that I first saw the Rising Culture Group performing their traditional and very colourful Nepalese dance routines, the main one of which is the stunning masked dance that has its roots in Hindu culture, and thought they were just fantastic. As Nepal was in a state of civil war for around a decade from 1996 it wasn’t necessarily safe to go back to Bhaktapur but last October I returned there to see my friends and was invited over again to help them celebrate the school’s 25th anniversary in February. I saw the dance group perform on the school stage and realised they are one of the strengths of Nepalese culture. I remembered the Eisteddfod from the time my wife Lisa ran a small alternative clothing and accessories shop in Llangollen in the 1990s and thought it would be marvellous if the dancers had the chance to come over to Wales and perform in 2015. I had lots of Skype conversations with my friends in Nepal about them competing. They had never heard of the Eisteddfod but I told them all about it and sent them lots of pictures and they are very keen to be involved. We are aiming to bring over a group of 34 people, including 20 dancers aged eight to 16, plus musicians – one of whom is a drum master in his eighties – plus a small number of people to look after the children. Raising the necessary funds to make the trip will obviously be difficult for them but their `can do’ attitude is exceptional and somehow we’ll make things happen. They’ll also be doing their own fundraising over in Nepal..” Eilir Owen Griffiths, Musical Director of the Eisteddfod, said: “This is what the Eisteddfod is all about, bringing together people from all over the world, from different cultures and backgrounds. It is a very inclusive and international event and what gives it its unique Welsh flavour is our tradition of friendly competition and it is wonderful that we will have dancers from Nepal competing alongside English clog -dancers, Scottish sword-dancers and others from Africa, Europe and China.”

Anyone who is interested in finding out more about the project, or wants to get involved, can email Todd at todd@e-aware.org, or find out more at www.e-aware.org/empowering-youth-or www.facebook.com/risingculturegroup.

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T he Veg Growers Diary with Reg Patch Spring heralds the ever increasing rise in temperature, light levels and the imminent sowing of seed. Therefore it would be wise to test the soil pH levels of your newly prepared plot to optimise growing success. One way to obtain a general insight of the soil in your area is to contact Soilscapes at www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes, they offer a freely available overview of local soil conditions with tips on understanding and improving your soil. This is useful if you’ve moved to a new area. Soil influences our whole eco system, and Soilscapes provide information on how this fragile resource needs to be better understood and protected.

www.gardman.co.uk and are easy to use. If you want to go the ‘full Monty’ there is the option of a professional administrated test offered by companies such as www.landcrop.com and similar. Remember knowledge is power . . . and when you stride out with your pH kit firmly clutched in your hand you’ll be one step closer to harnessing the land. . . . and winning! In readiness for seed sowing outdoors, it would be advantageous to try and warm the soil. Cloches come in all shapes and sizes and will protect the soil from becoming water logged on wet days, and will trap the heat at sunnier times. Fleece can also be put over the soil and will have the same effect. Just raising the soil temperature a few degrees will greatly improve seed germination rates.

There are several kits on the market that can be simple to use to give an indication as to the pH of your soil. The pH scale for gardening purpose ranges from 4.5 to 7.5, coloured coded red (acid) through to green (alkaline). A score of 6.5 (slightly acidic) is what most plants thrive best in. If you want to test further you can test your Nitrogen (N) Potassium (K) and Phosphorous (K) levels. Nitrogen is good for leaf growth, potassium for seeds and phosphorous for roots. Depending on what you’re planting the levels could affect your growing success, for example brassicas prefer an alkaline soil of 7 to 7.5 with blueberries thriving in an acidic soil with a pH of 4 to 4.5. When you know the levels you can adjust accordingly, with correct additions of what your soil is lacking, thus improving your chances of a good crop! Basic soil pH testing kits start from as little as £5 and a full range can be found at garden centres and companies such as www.twowests.co.uk and PLANT OF THE MONTH Rhubarb is actually a vegetable and not a fruit .. . and is best enjoyed with cream or custard rather than gravy ! The process of forcing Rhubarb is to cover the crown of a two year old plant after it’s had a good frost on it. This encourages it to produce new, ruby red, sweet but sherberty tasting growth. Covering with an up turned pot or a traditional terracotta Rhubarb forcer will give great results ... and will see Mrs P rustling up a crumble whilst I open the cream!

Seeds grown in a propagator, be it heated or not will have a head start. Just remember that tender plants will need continued protection once leaving the sanctuary of the propagator. So unless you have a heated greenhouse or warm bright area to move young plants on to, its best to keep an eye on the weather and sow accordingly. Purchase now seed sowing compost, labels, seed trays, watering can and of course seed in readiness... as Mother Nature will knock you off your feet when the growing season is in full swing! In well prepared soil raked down to a fine tilth on warmer days, Spinach can be sowed direct into the ground. Reliable varieties are Palco, Appolo and Toucan. Salad leaves also do well with an early sowing, Rocket being strong to germinate in (Con nued on page 52)

52 (Con nued from page 51)

colder conditions. As March marches on sowings can be increased of crops such as Carrots, Beetroot and Kohl Rabi with Melons, Sweet Peppers and Aubergine being sown undercover. Whilst I covered composting last month, a mention should be made on the production of leaf mould which is a different process to composting and is a valuable free resource to the gardener. Leaves are broken down by fungi, and this takes a lot longer than composting. If you have a lot of deciduous trees in your garden then a leaf heap would be brilliant. They are best built in a shady corner, as they don’t give off heat, constructed as a compost heap or they would work well in a large plastic compost bin.

If you collect leaves on a smaller scale then putting in black bags and puncturing holes for drainage will also do the job. An addition of urine at this stage will speed up the process, a job best left to the men folk! Left forgotten for about one to two years you’ll return to a well rotted rich organic matter. This is great used as a general organic compost spread on the soil, to top dress

BOOK OF THE MONTH ‘The Wildlife-Friendly Vegetable Gardener’ by Tammy Hartung Priced at £11.99 shows the gardener how to produce food in harmony with nature and is ‘dedicated to the Earth and all she teaches me’. With fabulous illustrations and whimsical tales it enlightens the reader on projects such as designing wildlife friendly food gardens. One caveat is that the book is American, so tips on bears, beavers and groundhogs are not so useful to the British reader! Don’t see many of those running across the Downs... well just maybe after the odd tipple! the lawn or mix with general compost for growing crops in pots. Oak, Chestnut and Beech tree leaves take the longest to compost but the process can be speeded up if they are chopped up before being put to rest. Good luck with your efforts ... It’s always worth a go.

TOP TIP - As Spring is traditionally the start of the growing year, why not start keeping a gardening diary. It’s a great way to record your successes and failures, and reflect back on what you’d do differently the coming year. Even us olde chaps find year on year, with changes in weather and pests, two seasons are rarely the same . . . which makes gardening the challenge and joy that it is. So you’re never too young or old to learn how to be the expert Vegetable grower.

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Louise’s Tips for an Easier Life Dastardly De-cluttering - The 30-Day Challenge I recently read an article by Victoria Lambert who decided to take the 30-Day Get Chucked Challenge. It is a very simple idea – on Day 1 your identify one thing to chuck out, on Day 2 two things, Day 3 three things and so on. This can lead to 465 possessions being binned in a month! The options of where these items can go are endless – charity shop, free-cycle, recycle, regift, tip, car boot sale, generally giving ‘stuff’ away…. The really good thing about this challenge is that you start decluttering gently. It’s easy to be sentimentally attached to things, but this way of having a sort out gives a sense of purpose and helps you to keep going. I often hear clients say ‘I’ve kept it as it might come in useful one day’. As tempting as this is, especially if you have storage space, I would suggest to really ask yourself if it will come in useful. If you can’t part

with it, put a date on said item and when 12 months have passed and it hasn’t come into use….be strong and let it go. Victoria’s determination had led to a huge number (currently unknown exactly how many) of others being motivate to take the challenge too – see #30DayGetChucked on Twitter. There are loads of photos showing what people have been letting go of. Check it out and maybe you will feel inspired too - just imagine what you could get rid of, but even more so how much clearer could your house be? Louise England is a Lifestyle and Home Assistant and her service aims to free-up your free time. Her passion is to make a positive difference to people’s lives by helping them sort things out and complete jobs in their homes quickly and efficiently. Website: www.louiseengland.co.uk Mobile: 07780 474256 Email: louise@louiseengland.co.uk Twitter: @L_England

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No Prize General Knowledge Quiz 1)

What do the initials DVLA stand for?

If something is described as hirsute what would you expect to see?

5) 6)

How many players are there in a) a netball team; b) a speedway team; and c) a tug of war team? The UK’s first National Park is primarily located in which English county? Name the five boroughs of New York City. What is the highest score achievable with three darts on a standard board where each dart lands in a direct sector of the board? Which has the highest speed - the top speed of Stephenson’s Rocket, the pool entry speed of Tom Daly when diving off the 10m board, or the off-road speed of the Challenger II battle tank?

11)

For what film did Julianne Moore win the Leading Actress BAFTA in 2015?

12)

The following films are biographies of which people - a) The Imitation Game; b) Amadeus; and c) Raging Bull?

13)

These cities are the capitals of which countries - a) Zagreb; b) Valetta; and c) Windhoek?

14)

What is the link between Len Murray, Norman Willis and Frances O’Grady?

15)

What is the link between George Thomas, Bernard Weatherill and Michael Martin?

16)

World War II rationing formally ended in which year?

17)

What would the following people do for a living - a) a fletcher; b) a farrier; and c) a cooper?

18)

On what London tube lines would you be travelling between these stations - a) Upton Park to Hornchurch; b) Highbury & Islington to Pimlico; and c) Kilburn to Bond Street?

19)

On what “scales” are the following things measured a) the heat of a chilli; b) the magnitude of an earthquake; and c) the sweetness of apple and grape juices? In what year was the Aberfan mining disaster?

Who is the oldest of the Top Gear presenters?

Travelling due west from London, which US state would you arrive in first and which would you leave last?

20)

How many MP’s are elected at the UK General Election?

Answers on page 90

10)

Film Review with Chris Worthington

The plot continues on well worn lines. Carefree days out in the countryside, brilliant young men answering the call for king and Testament of Youth country followed by the horror of the Directed by James Kent trenches. Meanwhile Vera is a feisty young Testament of Youth is based on a memoir of woman who is determined to get into the First World War written by Vera Brittain, Oxford and be a writer against her parent’s wishes. the mother of veteran politician Shirley Williams. It stars Alicia Vikander as Vera The later parts of the film move at least a Brittain and Kit Harington as Roland short distance away from cinematic clichés. Leighton, the love of her young life. Roland Leighton wrote poetry before and during the war and the contrast between his youthfully immature poetry before the war and the emotion of his poetry written in the trenches is used effectively. His poetry is included in the First World War Poetry Digital Archive. Vera volunteered to be a nurse and was sent to a casualty station near the front. Following this traumatic experience she finds it hard to adapt to life at Oxford University but she is helped by a fellow The film career of director James Kent is relatively short consisting of two fairly minor student who briskly informs her that “we have all suffered”. At the risk of being films - “The Thirteenth Tale” in 2013 and unpatriotic are we not all suffering from a “The Secret Diaries of Miss Ann Lister” in surfeit of TV and radio programmes about 2010. Before that he directed “Margaret” a 2009 television drama about the last days of the war with three years still to go? Margaret Thatcher as prime minister. The main actors have also had relatively short careers. Alicia’s Vikander started out in ballet before taking a part in a Swedish television drama. Kit Harrington has appeared in Game of Thrones. The film begins in a middle class Edwardian family home in the idyllic years before the war. For many people this will feel like rather over familiar territory and it may not appeal unless you are a keen fan of Downton Abbey. Mr Brittain, the family patriarch, is played by Dominic West, his wife is played by Emily Watson. Both are excellent actors but in this case they have been given predictable roles and a script that even they cannot bring to life.

The final scene, one of the best in the film, features a passionate speech against war by Vera at a political meeting. Here she finds her voice, a prelude to her future career as a writer and pacifist.

Chris Worthington chrisworthington32@yahoo.com

Having problems with your Upvc windows and doors? Misted panes, broken handles, faulty hinges or locks! Why replace if you can repair? For all types of Upvc maintenance and repair, contact Malcolm on 01179 686486 or 07548 928251 for a free quote. www.msp-maintenance.co.uk pidgemsp@aol.com

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Book Reviews with Bruce Fellows When Duke Morrison became John Wayne, America found a hero. In the thirties Wayne made endless budget westerns. He mucked in with everyone, learnt to do most jobs on a film set and taught himself to speak and move naturally in front of the camera. He found fame with Stagecoach, and always claimed he owed everything to director John Ford. After the war, he suffered endless guilt for not having served. In John Wayne: The Life and Legend, Scott Eyman’s enthralling biography of the actor, we learn of Wayne’s impoverished upbringing, his college days, and his slow rise to stardom. As an actor, he knew his limitations; ‘Talk low and slow,’ he advised Michael Caine. He always wanted to work with Doris Day but never did. Movie buffs, and many others, will love this book. Hidden Knowledge is the title and the subject of Bernadine Bishop’s fine new novel. When novelist Hereward Tree faces a routine operation, he leaves his latest manuscript with his sister Romola, just in case. Dogged by his past, Hereward’s brother Roger is about to go to gaol but Roger keeps a further secret, too. Julia Winterborne has something she can’t tell her mother Betty and Betty herself has discoveries to make about her son Mark’s death. And then there’s Carina. As the secrets unravel each one bears upon the others to produce an intelligent, gripping but harrowing and ultimately heartbreaking story. James Sallis writes highly literate thrillers like the excellent Drive, but his recent The Killer is Dying is a thriller with a difference. We’re in Phoenix, Arizona. Christian is a hired killer whose victim is attacked by someone else. He should walk away from the job but he chooses instead to

track down the wounded victim and the attacker. Meanwhile a cop with a dying wife is on Christian’s trail, and Jimmie, a boy living on his wits, begins to experience Christian’s dreams. These characters never meet but all are linked and so are the Moscow dogs that get around by metro. Brilliant! The Last British Dambuster by George ‘Johnny’ Johnson tells the fascinating tale of a farm labourer’s son who made his way from the fields of Lincolnshire to the nose of a Lancaster in 1943 and dropped a bouncing bomb on one of those dams. It’s a revealing and moving story of normal people, whom we now call heroes. Guy Gibson is there though Johnny had little contact because Gibson didn’t talk to sergeants. Typically, after the medal presentation at the Palace there was a party for the officers while the sergeants were left to celebrate on the train home! Screenwriter Nora Ephron’s husband left her for the wife of the British Ambassador. Nora’s writer mother had often told her, ‘everything is copy’, so she wrote Heartburn, a novel that lampooned her husband and the ambassador’s wife. The Most of Nora Ephron is a smorgasbord of her other writing, including a description of the genesis of her film When Harry Met Sally, with that famous scene in the diner. This very funny collection of Ephron’s best work is guaranteed to raise a smile and cheer your day.

Bruce Fellows

Gardening with Cathy Lewis

Useful plants for shade Many shade-tolerant plants originate from woodland areas where they must flower and set seed before deciduous trees cast them into shade. Because they burst into life early, this makes them ideal for brightening up dark corners of our gardens in spring. Plants with beautiful foliage are particularly useful because they continue to look good even after the flowers have faded. Pulmonaria (right) is one such gem, with polka dot leaves and delicate pink, white or blue flowers. Similarly, Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ has dainty blue flowers and striking silvery leaves strongly veined with green. Both provide attractive groundcover, fending off pesky weeds. Another popular shade-tolerant evergreen is Epimedium, or bishop’s hat. Epimedium x rubrum for example, has attractive bronze-tinted leaves in spring and autumn plus the added bonus of dainty crimson and cream flowers. Snip away the leaves in early spring to display the flowers at their best. Liriope muscari (left) is a useful autumn plant for shade. It has strappy

leaves and attractive spikes of violet flowers from late summer into winter. Plant it under trees and shrubs, or even in a sunny border, where it will provide evergreen interest through autumn and winter but disappear under the shade of other flowering plants during the summer months. Dainty but hard-as-nails Cyclamen hederifolium (right) is too sweet to resist. It puts on a cheerful display of pink flowers in autumn and then carpets the ground with attractive marbled leaves through winter. It will spread happily around the base of trees where most other plants wouldn’t dip their toes. If you want plants with more height and stature, there are some wonderful evergreen ferns to choose from, including the featheryfronded Polystichum setiferum (above) and, brace yourself, Asplenium scolopendrium Crispum Cristatum Group, or hart’s tongue fern to you and I. Planted en masse they form a vibrant tapestry of green. Who said shade is boring! Cathy Lewis Dip. PSGD Cathy Lewis Gardens & Design Professional garden design, consultancy & maintenance. Tel. 07985 008 585 www.cathylewisgardens.co.uk

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Life and Business Coaching

with Anne Miller

In the first of an occasional series local life and business coach looks at the power of words. Some of our smaller common words have surprising power: So casually and frequently used that we just don’t stop to notice. TRY is a favourite. “I’ll try to get that back to you by Friday”; I’m going to try to get a new job this year”. Nothing wrong with that you might think, I will try. Notice the ‘get out clause’, particularly in the first example: what we’re holding in reserve here is the option to carry out the action after Friday and not feel too bad about it or have the other person feel ‘rightfully’ let down. In our minds there is less pressure (always nice!) and also less commitment. When we say we will do something as opposed to try to do something we mentally check that it is realistic and possibly even allocate time to it. If we don’t we will have just put ourselves under pressure to deliver! Having made the commitment it is then far more likely to happen.

year”. The goal of finding a new job is the same and the commitment to looking is now set and likely to stimulate action. BUT is another well used word and extremely useful. Sometimes we use it in such a way that we inadvertently reduce the importance of the preceding words. Notice the difference in the impact of these statements: ‘The service was great but the food was average’ and ‘the food was average but the service was great.’ The more impactful information is what is said after but. If we want the first piece of information to be given equal status we can simply replace but with and. ‘I worked really hard last year but recently I am missing deadlines.’ The focus is on the problem of missing deadlines. Replace but with and so that the ‘really hard work’ of last year now gets recognition: ‘I worked really hard last year and recently I’m missing deadlines’. Now we are a little curious, we have something positive to build on and we’re working towards a solution. The words we use so casually send subtle messages to our brain and impact on our assumptions, feelings and behaviour. As a coach I am listening out for those words that may not be serving my client well. This creates the opportunity to notice and change our words so that our thoughts become constructive and our motivation to make positive change increases. Small changes in our vocabulary can make big changes in our perception!

Visit www.annemillercoaching.co.uk for more information and to book a free consultation Tel: 07722110228

If you recognise that you don’t get as much done on time as you would like, notice when you are using TRY. Excluding it from your vocabulary will sharpen your intentions! In the second example it may seem quite reasonable to use the try word; after all you can’t guarantee that you will get a new job. If you want to get a clearer intention in your mind this could be changed to “I am looking for a new job this

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

Westbury Chiropractic Clinic, established in 1987, is well known in the city of Bristol and is recognised by all major healthcare providers and most health insurance companies. The clinic is run by David Aberdeen, an experienced chiropractor who has practised in Westbury on Trym for the past 25 years. He has a particular interest in problems involving the feet and the jaw and his work has been featured on television. For more information, and to read what people have said who have received treatment, please see our website. The clinic is situated at the top of Westbury Hill where there is ample parking.

Spring at the Botanic Garden “The word ‘spring’ implies a sudden change, a rebound at high pace, bound up energy suddenly exploding upwards. So it sometimes seems with the Spring season, a long cold spell broken by an explosion of colour and warmth. I’ve been a gardener at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden for fourteen years, and, rather than a sudden change, growth and flower seems more of a slow movement, starting after Christmas with snowdrops, witch hazel and such like, before gathering momentum. Spring is the quickening of this movement as blossom and bulbs signal the leaves to unfurl, and garden growth continues at an ever increasing speed on route to mid summer. Being able to work in an environment that changes week by week, responding to the tilting of the earth, has given me an appreciation of the delicate adaptations that plants make to growing in their habitats. All the spring flower that you see around you is responding to a slight warming of the soil and change in light levels in this environment here in BS9. We have over 5000 species at the Garden from every continent conveying how important plants are to the planet, each needing to feel at home in order to grow as well as they can. That is the challenge at the

Botanic Garden, to make a South African bulb feel like it is sitting in the eastern cape province around about rainy season, or a tree fern to feel as comfortable as it possibly can out of the damp forests of Tasmania.

Spring is a time when our native plants look as good as they’re going to look anywhere because this is where they’re meant to be. I will never forget a visitor to the Garden from South Africa one spring, from a region with some of the most diverse and interesting flora on the planet saying to me, “you’re so lucky to have daffodils here, I’ve tried everything to make them work at home”. Our spring is a wonderful time, a point when the garden year is gathering speed, winter is behind us and we can enjoy the ride to summer.” Andy Winfield The University of Bristol Botanic Garden, Stoke Park Road, Stoke Bishop, BS9 1JG is open in March from 10 - 4:30 5 days a week Monday to Friday but closed on weekends. From April we are open Saturdays and from June to September every day of the week. We charge £4.50 entrance, under 16’s free. You can follow us on Twitter (@BrisBotanicGdn) or like us on Facebook.

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Rosie Greenwood talks Underfloor Heating Underfloor Heating – a luxury too far, or modern essential? I recently had the opportunity to go on a mindfulness weekend run at a Tibetan monastery in the lowlands of Scotland. Snow lay in the fields around and the daytime temperature was below freezing. Who’d want to sit around meditating in those conditions? Brrr! Well, I did – the room was fitted with underfloor heating, making it pleasantly warm and very conducive to relaxing and a bit of mindfulness. This got me thinking about the different qualities of different types of heating systems – the pleasure of an open fire for instance – and considering underfloor heating in a new light. It’s been a favourite element of new-build homes, particularly at the higher specification end of building, for some years, but it’s been seen as harder to retrofit in older homes, and is often regarded as a bit of an expensive luxury. Yet it’s

common in Germany and also Scandinavia. So why bother? Well, it makes a cold tiled floor a pleasure to stand on, so it’s particularly good in kitchens and bathrooms, and in wet rooms, it will help the floor dry quickly. But underfloor heating can work with most floor coverings, including engineered wood and carpet. Manufacturers refer to the quality of the heat in the room with underfloor heating as ‘ambient’; it’s a very pleasant, comfortable heat. The use of underfloor heating can mean you need fewer or no radiators too, so it gives you design freedom in a room with less wall space taken up. One common complaint is that the room takes longer to heat up compared to other forms of heating; but conversely, the room also takes longer to cool down. There are two ways to achieve underfloor heating; either ‘wet’ systems, which as the name suggests use warm water laid in pipes in the floor, or electrical systems, which are a fiberglass mesh mat with wires, or foil systems, which act as a heater. Both wet and electrical systems are controlled by thermostats within the room, which control the output to keep the room at an even temperature. A layer of insulation below the heating elements means the heat is directed upwards into the room, rather than heating the floor below. Wet systems have been seen as tricky to retrofit into existing houses because of the bulk of the system, leaving a noticeable ‘step up’, and so were most popular in new build situations where the depth of the floor could be easily adjusted. However, manufacturers have developed systems that are thinner. I don’t often mention particular brands but I will give a mention to Nu-heat’s LoProMax which has a thinner pipes than normal (10mm compared with 15 mm normally) covered in a thin layer of highly conductive self-leveling floor screed. It’s also space saving in that the panels the pipes fit into are insulated, so no extra insulation is required. Electrical systems are slimmer (so more popular in period homes) and can even be fitted by a keen DIY enthusiast, but don’t forget to get a qualified electrician to ensure the system is safe and (Con nued on page 71)

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correctly installed and meets the building regulations. So what about the cost to run these systems? Well, there’s not room here to do this in detail,

but typically electrical systems are much cheaper than wet systems to install, perhaps half the price. One of my builders recently bought the kit to install 100 sq m of electrical underfloor heating for £1200 plus VAT. However, with electricity a much more expensive fuel than gas or oil, running costs will be likely to be cheaper with a wet system. It’s suggested that a good wet system might save around 5 per cent on your energy costs compared to a radiator system because the water is cooler than that needed to supply radiators, so pay back will not be a quick affair. As a final consideration, if you install underfloor heating your pets will thank you – you can throw away the dog basket as they will be sprawled across your new heated floor!

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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 with Andy Fraser by telephoning 0117 968 7787 or 07845 986650, post details in to 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY or emailing andy@bcmagazines.co.uk (in email or Word format - no PDF’s please). All notices must be received by the 12th of the preceding month to guarantee consideration for inclusion. Welsh National Opera Friends next meeting is at 7.15 pm Wednesday 18th March 2015. Few opera conductors have achieved their ambition of performing Wagner’s complete Ring Cycle. One who has is Anthony Negus, who led the production at Longborough in 2013. He will tell us about the years of careful preparation leading up to the production and of the very successful performances that followed. All are welcome at, The Performing Arts Centre, Red Maids’ School, Westbury Road, BS9 3AW. Further details: 0117 974 3615 or pkieran@tiscali.co.uk Stoke Bishop Townswomen's Guild will meet as usual in the Hulbert Room at St Mary Magdalene Church, Mariner's Drive, Stoke Bishop at 2pm on Thursday, 5th March. This room is reached via a path on the left of the steps to the hall just past the church, and you will be very welcome to join us we are a small and friendly Guild so come and check us out! Bristol Cabot Choir will be performing Puccini’s Messa di Gloria and Vivaldi’s Gloria and other wonderful Italian pieces at Clifton Cathedral on 25 April 2015 at 7.30pm. Conducted by Rebecca Holdeman and accompanied by orchestra, superb up and coming young soloists, and the talented Joachim Schwander on continuo organ, Tickets: £15 and £10 (under 18s) from Opus 13, 14 St Michael’s Hill, Bristol BS2 8DT – on 0117 9230154; or on line at www.bristolcabotchoir.org (+10% Booking Fee). Retiring collection for the Julian Trust Night Shelter. The Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society: On Monday 25th March at 7.45 pm in the Apostle Room in the basement of Clifton Cathedral, Pembroke Road, Clifton, Martin Palmer will talk on “Walking Our Sacred Landscape”.

using Bristol and archaeological sites around Bristol we will explore not only how burial mounds, stone circles, and city churches were created but why. Just beneath the surface of our modern world lie myths, legends, sacred directions, mountains and entrances to the holy world which our forebears knew and built their worlds around. Learn a health maintenance routine – BodyTalk Access. This course gives you a simple set of techniques based on the BodyTalk System to help enhance and maintain your well-being. Sat 28 March, The Natural Health Clinic, Cotham, £100, early bird £80. For more details: email or phone Helena Kangai 07817651006 helena@bodytalkbristol.co.uk Brahms: Requiem at St George’s Bristol, Saturday 21 March 2015, 7.30pm. Join Bristol Bach Choir for a musical voyage of discovery as you listen anew to Brahms’ iconic Requiem in this intimate performance, and be spellbound by the drama of Jonathan Dove’s distinctive and powerful work, The Passing of the Year. Tickets: £10, £15, £20; students and under 18s, £5 from www.bristolbach.org.uk or tel. 0117 214 0721. Bristol Women's Voice are partnering with Fairplay South West and Bristol Fawcett for a series of Women's Question Time across the city in the lead up to the General Elections in May. We are organising four events for each of the constituencies in the city of Bristol and we have invited all candidates to take part. We are inviting women from within each constituency to attend our events, to find out about each party, the policies they represent and the opportunity to ask their candidates a question. Free to attend, no need to book! Doors will open at 7 to start at 7:30pm. Bristol North West will be on 12th March at The Greenway Centre, Doncaster Rd, Bristol, BS10 5PY. For help with transport or for more information, please contact Bristol Women's Voice on 07972 673782 or via email to info@bristolwomensvoice.org.uk Bristol Concert Orchestra's concert at St George's Bristol on 14th March at 7.30pm features Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, which opens with perhaps the most famous notes in all classical music; Debussy’s Ibéria with its vivid depiction of the sights, sounds and scents of Spain, and Liszt’s (Con nued on page 74)

Celebrating 50 years of law Unbelievably, John Todd of AMD Solicitors has now been working in law for over 50 years! John began work as an “articled clerk” on 27 November 1964 and so celebrated his golden anniversary of legal work at the end of 2014. Matters have improved somewhat since John’s first employment contract which was both unpaid and somewhat less stimulating than his work in later years! In the course of his career John has worked in divorce, family disputes, criminal law (including murder trials!) and civil litigation. For the last 40 years he has practised in Bristol, including sitting as a Deputy District Judge at local courts for over 10 years. John started his legal career working largely in conveyancing and debt-collection, which was not the work of his legal dreams. While John grew up his father worked, initially as a barrister and latterly as a High Court judge in Kenya, so John knew very well that a more exciting legal world existed beyond the walls of his office, and at the first opportunity he left conveyancing behind and started work in litigation. This was clearly the right move for him. The aspect of legal life John has most enjoyed throughout his career is presenting cases at court. Nerve-wracking while

preparing certainly, but full of challenge and adrenalin on the day, and a great sense of achievement afterwards. Being a glass-full person John can’t remember many low points to his career. However he did think that being ‘on call’ for long periods over the weekend as a duty solicitor (in criminal law) was not always a lifestyle choice. John recalls answering a call late at night and hearing a perhaps worse for wear client shouting “I am an innocent man repeatedly down the phone”. Being a duty solicitor was clearly not the recipe for a good nights sleep. Working in family law inevitably exposes you to some of the worst aspects of family life. John recalls advising a client whose family home had been stripped by his wife whilst he unsuspectingly continued his day at work. Practising as a Deputy District Judge enabled John to see litigation from the ‘other side’, the judge’s perspective. He feels this experience was invaluable in helping him to approach Court proceedings in a balanced and reasonable way, in the light of his understanding of the judge’s likely point of view. Despite his work commitments, John enjoys a busy social life, including singing in two local choirs. Clearly the work-life balance is another lesson John has learned over the course of his long career. John is based at AMD Solicitors’ Henleaze Road office, and is a much-valued member of the team of specialist litigation solicitors who provide advice and assistance in civil, family and commercial disputes. You can contact John and the AMD litigation team on 0117 9621205, email info@amdsolicitors.com or call into one of our Bristol offices. Copyright AMD Solicitors

What’s On & Community News (Con nued from page 72)

dazzling 1st Piano Concerto with renowned soloist Ashley Wass. There will be a retiring collection in aid of Bristol Child Contact Centre. Tickets are available online at www.bristolconcertorchestra.org.uk or from St George's Bristol in person, online or by phone: 0845 40 24 001. Ukelele Funhouse Orchestra. Just ukes, bass and percussion. 30 odd songs, some odder than others. Loads of new stuff for 2015. Come and Walk on the Wild Side and on Sunshine. There’ll be Dancing in the Street when we celebrate new speed limits. Everything from Sting to The Village People, from battery hens to operatic aria. Guaranteed to raise a smile. Tickets £10 at the door or from the Tobacco Factory 01170 020 344. Contact: Steve Pearson (musical Director) at themightyzarg@gmail.com or on 01275 390152. Website: www.ukulelefunhouseorchestra.co.uk. We are on Facebook too. Come and join us for a series of Lent Lunches in St Paul's Room in the Parish Church. We shall be serving home-made soup followed by a short talk with coffee and home-made biscuits, every Tuesday from Feb. 24th to March 31st inclusive, 12 -15 for 12-30pm. Donations of £3 (or more!) for the East/West Appeal. All very welcome. Drop In Healing Sessions held at The Friends Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, Redland BS6 6JE on Thursdays from 5.00 pm to 6.30 pm. Run by NFSH The Healing Trust trained volunteers on a donation basis. Healing can help whether you're feeling stressed or in need of support or just want time for yourself. Everyone welcome, no need to book. For more information phone 07748 358206. 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 come to Browns Restaurant by the Museum on the third Wednesday or the fourth Thursday every month at 10.15am - phone Jenny 0117 9043697. Details: www.bristolu3a.org.uk. Don’t stay at home, come and join the Bristol U3A! 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. We have meetings monthly throughout the year, and also excursions to places of Elgarian interest. Our next meeting is on Saturday 28 March 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 in March will be John Drysdale who will talk about Elgar’s financial life. More information is available on the Elgar Society website. http://elgar.org/elgarsoc/branches/ south-western/ The Stoke Bishop Ladies Choir Spring Concert is on Monday 30th March at 2.30pm at Stoke Bishop Village Hall. This is a free concert with a free tea but donations are requested to our chosen charity, which this time is Dementia Now. All welcome. Redland Green School Car Boot Sale- Get ready, FORGS Car Boot Sales will be back on Saturday 18th April, 16th May, 20th June and 18th July, 1pm4pm. In the school car park, (indoors if wet), at Redland Court Road, BS6 7EH. Sellers £8 per pitch, book via forgscarbootsale@hotmail.com or 07968 493013. Buyer admission 50p. Kids go free. Sat. March 21st at WOT Parish Church “Organ Elevenses”. Our guest organist for March is Peter Robertson from Fillongley, near Coventry. Peter is actively involved in the local music scene both as a singer and keyboard player. From 10-30 we serve real coffee and lovely cakes and then the 40-minute recital begins at 11am. A warm welcome awaits you and we suggest a minimum donation of £5 towards the church music fund. Antique, Vintage & Collectables Fair. Sunday 29th March - 10am-4pm. Ashton Court Mansion, Nr Bristol, BS41 9JN. Step inside this beautiful and historic mansion house and you will find 40 quality (Con nued on page 76)

What’s On & Community News (Con nued from page 74)

stalls selling antiques, collectables, vintage fashion vintage and retro items, antique furniture, fine china and jewellery plus more. Café open all day for light bites. Teas, coffee, homemade cakes. £2.00 entry (under 16s free). Note: Car Park access to Mansion House via Kennel Lodge Entrance on A369. The Eastfield Market, Eastfield Inn, Henleaze Road. Sat 14th March – 9.00-1.00pm (and every 2nd Sat of the month thereafter). A variety of quality stalls selling local produce, meat, veg, bread, cheese, homemade cakes, pies, preserves and artisan crafts. Pub serving beverages and food. Contact: anniehawksley@blueyonder.co.uk 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 nonjudgmentally 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 46 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. Henbury Singers - Spring Concert. On Saturday March 14th at 7:30pm in support of Motivation providing wheelchairs for disabled people in developing countries. Choral music by Faure, Brahms, Mozart concluding with Pergolesi’s vibrantly attractive setting of the ‘Magnificat.’ Soloists, orchestra and choir will be directed and conducted by Richard Jones at Trinity-Henleaze United Reformed Church, Waterford Road, BS9 4BT. Tickets £10 in advance from choir members or £11 on the door. For more details contact: secretary@henburysingers.org. Henbury Singers

welcome new members. Contact Maggie Cavanna 0117 973 4794 or secretary@henburysingers.org or visit our website at www.henburysingers.org Bristol West Diabetes Group invites you to attend our meeting on Thursday 19 March 2015 at 2 pm. Our Speaker will be Anne Williams, speaking on the topic 'Diabetes and your feet''. We meet at the Primary Care Centre in Westbury on Trym, Westbury Hill, BS9 3AA. Please ring Anne on 9621311 for further information. 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 tea/coffee/biscuits). The next meeting will be held on Sunday 15 March 2015 at 3pm. The speaker will be Steve Judd and the title of his talk is “How Astrology Can Improve Your Life.” Also, he will advise us of important dates in 2015 and explain how Astrology works – in simple English! Come and meet new likeminded friends. For further information, please telephone 01749 678 834 or write to: leasurs@tiscali.co.uk The Bristol Dowsers meet monthly at The Theosophical Society, 14 Tyndalls Park Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1PY. We hold talks and demonstrations and field trips in the summer. Come along and learn the ancient art of dowsing! Our next meeting will be held on Friday20 March 2015 at 7.30 pm. Our speaker will be Tony Hathway and the title of his talk is “Water Dowsing Experiences and Tips for Beginners.” Tony will share with us some of his extensive and successful experiences in dowsing for water in the local area around Bristol. He will also give us helpful tips on the best way to dowse. Admission: £5 (including tea/coffee/biscuits). For further information, please telephone: 01749 678 834 or write to leasurs@tiscali.co.uk Senior Circle - meets at Westbury Baptist Church, Reedley Rd. every Thursday 2-4pm during term time. Friendly chat, scrabble, dominos, tea & cake... a warm welcome for all retired folk guaranteed! Call Pam Henderson : 9624329. Redland Wind Band Spring Concert 2015, Saturday 18 April 7.30pm at Westbury-on-Trym Baptist (Con nued on page 78)

What’s On & Community News (Con nued from page 76)

Church, Reedley Road, BS9 3TD. Tickets £8: email redlandwindband@gmail.com or on the door. 14 and under free. An exciting and varied evening of wind band music will include pieces from the stage, screen and the classical repertoire. FFI visit www.redlandwindband.co.uk Saturday 28th March 2015 at Trinity-Henleaze United Reformed Church. Bristol Cathedral Choir School Choral Society present: Mozart – Coronation Mass in C Major; Brahms – How Lovely are Thy Dwellings; Beethoven – Hallelujah Chorus. Tickets £12 from Box Office (01225 873262) or on the door. On Friday 6 March at 7pm, best-selling travel writer, Sara Wheeler, will visit Redland High School (BS6 7EF) to talk about her career including her time as writer-in-residence at the South Pole. Tickets, which include a drink and canapés, cost £12.50 for adults and £8 for those in full-time education and are available from the Development Office of Redland High School. Please ring Linda or Emily on 0117 916 6711 / email development@redlandhigh.com. Sara has been described by The Independent as producing ‘Some of the greatest travel books of our time’ and this should be a truly inspirational evening. 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. We put on 2 or 3 concerts a year, including a main concert with orchestra and ‘pudding’ concert in the summer (the choir provides music and dessert!). There is no audition and no requirement for musical expertise – the only thing needed is an urge to sing! Contact Matthew Smith mattmsmith@virginmedia.com if you are interested. Ship and Castle Theatre Company are pleased to

invite you to our next production “The Ladykillers” at the Newman Hall, Grange Court Rd, Henleaze, Bristol starting at 19:30 on Monday 2nd – Friday 6th March. This black comedy, which is a joy from start to finish tells the story of a sweet old lady Mrs Wilberforce, alone in her rickety house with her pet parrot, pitted against a gang of criminal misfits who will stop at nothing. Box Office Tel: 07745 208639. Email: shipandcastletickets@yahoo.co.uk. Unreserved seating. All Tickets - £10 Bristol Vintage Market is a new market for Bristol on Sat 14th March selling all things vintage, inc. clothing, homeware, furniture and vinyl. Our first market is being held at The Elmgrove Centre (BS6 6AH) in Redland, just off the Gloucester Road. 10am -3.30pm. FB www.facebook.com/ BristolVintageMarket Twitter @bristol_vintage The Friendly Club meets every Thursday from 2 to 4pm ( except August and Christmas ) in the Methodist Church Hall, Westbury on Trym. We are a lively group of Senior Citizens who meet to chat , play Scrabble and card games. Regular trips out and entertainments are arranged plus we have delicious tea and biscuits for only £1 ! Do come and make some new friends. Transport can be arranged if needed. Contact Carita de Lancey 0117 9629409. 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 our website www.bbivc.org.uk Knit and Natter. We invite you to "knit and natter" every Thursday between 10am and 12 at the Methodist Church in Westbury on Trym. It is a sociable and informal time when you can chat while pursuing your choice of crafts. If you prefer we can provide patterns for knitting for charity. Tea and coffee will be available. Men at St. Peters (MASP) is a bi-monthly group which meets Saturday mornings at St Peter’s Hall, Henleaze. The meetings start at 8.30am with a full (Con nued on page 80)

Yoga Classes in BS9 at Stoke Bishop Village Hall BS9 1EX (upstairs) Wednesdays 2.00pm to 3.15pm General Yoga Class 3.30pm to 4.45pm Gentle Yoga with back care 6.00pm to 7.00pm Beginners Yoga with back care 7.30pm to 8.45pm General Yoga Class Thursdays 6.15pm to 7.15pm Beginners Yoga 1‐2‐1's | Indian Head combined with Faceli Massage 60 mins Workshops in January, April, July and October These workshops are a lovely way of looking at our lifestyles and encouraging health using a variety of levels in Yoga and combining them with discussions which are s mula ng fun and inspiring for everyone. Please contact Sara‐Jo for further details: 07789 552 052 | sjcamer@icloud.com

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What’s On & Community News (Con nued from page 78)

English breakfast. This is then followed by entertaining and interesting talks by a guest speaker. New members are always welcome. In conjunction we also provide well directed “Keep Fit” sessions for men every Tuesday morning. Further information may be obtained from Chris McCarthy tel 962 3545. Bristol Cabot Probus Club is for retired and semiretired professional and business men to maintain contact and fellowship with people of similar interests. Meets third Wednesday each month in BAWA Club Southmead Rd, for lunch followed by a speaker on a wide range of interesting subjects. Extensive programme of social events including holidays, day trips, Sunday lunches and skittles to which ladies and friends are welcomed. Contact John Howard-Cairns on 968 3134 for more details. Westbury on Trym Women’s Institute meets on the 3rd Monday of the month in the Methodist Church Hall, WOT (next to the car park) at 2.00pm. We have a programme of varied speakers, outings, discussions etc. New members and visitors always welcome. For more information please contact: Sue Murphy – Tel: 950 2826. Do join us for Parish lunch at St Mary’s Church Stoke Bishop, every Thursday from 12.15. 3 course buffet lunch Civil Service Retirement Fellowship. The Westbury-on-Trym group welcomes all retired Civil Servants and their spouses to their meetings held on the first Thursday of the month at Studland Court, Henleaze Road at 2.00pm, Those people without a civil service background are welcome to join our group as Friends of the Fellowship. For more info phone Beryl Webb on 01454 614 451. Instep Club for Widows and Widowers meet weekly on Wednesday evenings 8.00 - 10.30 at Stoke Bishop Village Hall, Stoke Hill. New members welcome. Ballroom and Sequence dancing (If you haven’t danced for a long time don’t worry, we will help you). Refreshments, social activities. Please telephone Mary on 968

3170 or Wilma on 962 8895 for further information. Stoke Bishop Townswomen's Guild are now (GWAAC4) meeting in the Hulbert Room, St Mary's Church, Mariner's Drive, Stoke Bishop. The Hulbert Room is reached via a path to the left of the steps just past the church; our meeting are on the 1st Thursday of the month at 2.00pm. Further details from Maureen at 9685638 or Sheila at 9147159. Westbury-on-Trym Probus Club provide a meeting point for retired and semi-retired professional and business men, to promote social well being through friendship, companionship & discussion. The club meets on the third Thursday of every month at BAWA, Southmead Road, from 12 midday. If you are interested in joining contact the secretary on 968 4270 or email graham.horne5@btinternet.com. The Probus Club of Bristol for semi or retired Professional Business men, meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month at BAWA Southmead Road. At these meetings we have a three course lunch with a speaker. In addition there is a substantial programme of social events to which our Ladies are invited to participate. If you are interested in joining our club, please contact our Membership Secretary Martin Harker on 01275 857324, email probusbristol@hotmail.co.uk or visit www.bristolprobus.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. (Con nued on page 82)

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What’s On & Community News (Con nued from page 80)

The Fielder Club is an association for local women - though friends and family are welcome at all events. Membership is £5 p.a. to cover delivery of quarterly programmes of events such as lunches, theatre, visits, talks and walks. Weekly/monthly sub-clubs of Badminton, Book Group, Bridge, Discussion Group, Scrabble, Skittles and Whist plus coffee Thursday mornings at Cafe Mundo and twice-monthly pub lunches. Come along and meet new friends! Details from Gloria on 0117 239 3376 or Anne on 0117 907 7425.

Stoke Lodge History and Archaeology Group from 2015 we meet on the second Thursday of every month (instead of the first Thursday) at the Friends Meeting House in Hampton Road, Redland, BS6 6JE at 7.30. We host a rich diversity of lectures. New members are always made very welcome. For further details please contact Annette Martin on 0117 979 3209

Henleaze Townswomen's Guild meet on the first Wednesday of the month (except Aug) at St Peter's Church Hall, The Drive, Henleaze. Lady visitors are always most welcome to attend. Further details can be obtained by ringing Shirley Phillips on 0117 962 2243.

Twytford Art Club. We are a small group of artists of mixed ability, we meet at the Public hall, Station Rd., Shirehampton, 10am to 12am Mondays and Wednesdays, chose your day or days. New members are warmly welcome, help and advice given. For more information visit www.shirepubhall.org.uk then click hall users, contact John Case: Tel: 01179507916, email jcase@blueyonder.co.uk

Westbury on Trym Townswomen's Guild has moved. We still meet on the second Monday of each month as usual, but our venue is the WoT Methodist church in the Portland Lounge and starting time is 2.00pm. We have speakers, whist, coffee mornings and social events. New members and visitors always welcome. If interested please contact Angela Morris, Chairman, on 968 6473 or Margaret Smith, Secretary, 924 1728.

Local winemaking and social club are looking for new members to join us. Meeting the second Wednesday of every month at the Common Room, Studland Court elderly peoples residence on Henleaze Road, from 8pm to 10pm. Small friendly group now in our 37th year, with a varied programme of wine making, tastings and social events. For further information please contact the club secretary Liz Johnson on 0117 950 8370.

Henleaze (Morning) Townswomen's Guild. This is a recently formed Guild and we meet from 10.00am – 12.00 noon on the third Thursday of every month at The Eastfield Inn, Henleaze Road. New members and visitors are most welcome. Further information can be obtained by ringing Elaine Anderson on 907 5279.

The Lawrence Weston Badminton Club play at the Greenaway Centre Greystoke Ave in Southmead on a Monday night from 7.00pm until 8.30pm. Our players are of a good standard, both male and female, and we are a very friendly club. We would welcome new players – please contact Marilyn on 0117 239 1005 for more details.

Clifton Rotary Club welcomes new members. All we ask is that people give their time, are interested in making new friends, building business contacts and using their skills to help others. We meet Wednesday lunchtimes at Redland Lawn Tennis and Squash Club. Please find out more about us by visiting www.cliftonrotary.org or emailing secretary@cliftonrotary.org

The Bristol Branch of the English Speaking Union welcomes guests to their meetings which are held in the Apostle Room of Clifton Cathedral at 7.15 p.m. for 7.45 p.m. There is ample parking and entrance is £5. The aim of the English Speaking Union is to encourage friendship and global understanding through English. Our forthcoming meetings include on March 3rd “the Family Court”

Bristol Brunel Probus Club for retired professional

and businessmen meet at BAWA Southmead Rd, once a month to enjoy lunch and a mix of social events, regular speakers, visits and outings, to which wives and friends are warmly welcomed. For more details please ring Fred Martin on 968 3875.

(Con nued on page 84)

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What’s On & Community News (Con nued from page 82)

with Judge Richard Bromilow, and on March 26th "The New Southmead Hospital" Tricia Down, Project Director for the Brunel Building. Do come along to any of our meetings, preferably by telephoning the Chairman, Tony Williams on 2393187 or the Secretary, Jenny Haines, on 9628075. 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. Social Bridge for Improvers Stoke Bishop Village Hall Thursday afternoon 2 - 4 p.m. Further details about Robert can be found at BridgeTuition.co.uk. FFI stokebishophallbookings@yahoo.co.uk Do you like reading? Our Book Group meets on the last Thursday of the month at Westbury Library, from 2.30pm til 4pm. We would love you to come and join our lively group. For more information call Sue on 959 4365. 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. 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. Excel Bridge Club has been based right in the centre of “Bristol Nine” for over 20 years. It meets in Stoke Bishop Village Hall on Stoke Hill every Monday, beginning promptly at 7.15pm. There is a very cheerful & relaxed atmosphere and as we just play 24 boards we are always finished by 10.15pm. For more info ring Ralph Smith on 01275 840006.

Stoke Bishop & Sneyd Park Local History Group New members and visitors (£2 charge) always welcome. Please ring Jenny Weeks for more information - 0117 968 6010. Like making Airfix models? Avon Branch of the International Plastic Modellers Society meets on the third Wednesday of every month at the BAWA on Southmead Road at 8.00pm. New members are very welcome. For more information contact Andy White on 0117 3732798 or visit www.ipmsavon.org.uk 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 Ray Bridge Club meet every Tuesday 6.30pm to 9pm at the Sea Mills Methodist Church, Shirehampton Road (new venue) for social rubber bridge. New members welcome. Please ring 942 7760 or 968 2652 for further details. 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. Social Bridge, every Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. at Stoke Bishop Village Hall. New members welcome. Tel Chris on 968 5640. Westbury Art Club meet every Thursday evening from 7pm to 9pm at The Greenway Centre, Doncaster Rd, Southmead. We are a mixed ability group of artists For more details visit www.westburyartclub.org.uk, e-mail us at westburyart@blueyonder.co.uk or phone our club secretary on Bristol 962 9799. Westbury Walkers is a group of walkers who assemble at Lloyds Chemist Canford Lane Westbury on Trym. We meet usually at 9.30am on (Con nued on page 86)

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What’s On & Community News (Con nued from page 84)

a Tuesday morning. New walkers always welcome. If you would like details of any of our forthcoming walks please contact Jean Maish 0117 3301194 / 07789 741892, email jmaish@blueyonder.co.uk, or Pam Henderson 0117 9624329 / 07837 857033. Stoke Lodge Ramblers provide a varied range of walks that will suit all levels of walking ability. Walks are scheduled for the first and third Thursdays & Sundays of every month. A number of social events are also held. www.stokelodgeramblers.wordpress.com or ring our Secretary on 968 4140 for more information. Henbury Singers welcome new members. We are a mixed choir and we meet at Stoke Bishop Primary School in Cedar Park on Thursday evenings - 7:45 to 9:15 pm. Fees are currently £40 per term. There is no audition. We sing mainly choral music from a classical tradition, but we also sing carols, songs from musicals, gospel and folk songs. Contact Maggie Cavanna secretary@henburysingers.org, ring 0117 973 4794 or visit www.henburysingers.org Westbury on Trym Methodist Church Orchestra are a group of instrumentalists of all ages who play for morning worship once a month. Our rehearsal time is before the service from 10am. If you play any orchestral instrument, but particularly violin, you would be very welcome to join us. Experience of orchestral playing is not essential, but you will need to be able to read music. We are a friendly and helpful group, who enjoy playing together. Parts are always provided for personal practice. To find out more, telephone 9686589. 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. Sea Mills Garden Club have regular monthly

meetings, every 3rd Wednesday, held at Sea Mills Methodist Rooms, Sea Mills Square at 7.30 pm. 18 March - Mary Payne “Minimum Effort for Maximum Effect”. Subscriptions single - £12, double - £22. Visitors always welcome at £2 per meeting. Hope to see you there. FFI contact Gail Mitchell 0117 9685350 or Esme James 0117 9682571 Henleaze Garden Club is a thriving club for anyone interested in anything to do with gardening! With a healthy membership of 200 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, both to include refreshments and raffle. www.henleazegardenclub.co.uk or contact Brian Dury 9621227 for more info. 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. 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 - Colin 01275 460288 colin305@gmail.com or Ray 0117 9628729 rwestcott@blueyonder.co.uk Web site www.remapbristol.org.uk Do you love weddings? Westbury on Trym Village Hall is a very popular wedding venue and has another busy wedding schedule set for 2015. Would you like to put your skills into action? If so, why not become a wedding volunteer and help organise these happy events. If you are interested, please contact Alison on 0117 9493766. 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 (Con nued on page 88)

Train Times from Sea Mills to BTM Regular readers will have seen a few mentions of the very splendid Severn Beach railway in recent issues of the magazine, and in many respects it is a great way of getting into the city centre if you can cope without the car. It is also a really interesting journey, whether you head north to Severn Beach or south to Temple Meads. I’m conscious though that there are many people who have never used the line and some who aren’t even aware of its existence. Encouragingly though I have had a number pf readers who ask if it is possible to print the train times, especially between BS9 and Temple Meads. So with the permission of First Great Western I’m

pleased to print the latest timetable, as a source of information for those who do, or might wish, to let the train take the strain. The latest times below are for all the scheduled departures from Sea Mills and the arrival times at Temple Meads. The average journey time is about 20 mins. Along the route the trains also stop at Clifton Down, Redland, Montpelier, Stapleton Road and Lawrence Hill.

Train times in Blue are for Monday to Friday Train times in Red are for Saturday Train times in Green are for Sundays

d. Sea Mills

0620 0637 0734 0810 0844 0923 1011 1042 1123 1211 1242 1323 1411 1442

a. T Meads

0641 0701 0758 0832 0910 0948 1032 1110 1149 1232 1310 1350 1432 1510

d. Sea Mills

1523 1611 1642 1723 1811 1904 1940 2011 2146 2223 2311

a. T Meads

1551 1632 1708 1750 1836 1928 2004 2034 2207 2253 2332

d. Sea Mills

0642 0722 0811 0842 0923 1011 1042 1123 1211 1242 1323 1411 1442 1523

a. T Meads

0706 0749 0832 0906 0948 1032 1110 1153 1232 1603 1350 1432 1510 1550

d. Sea Mills

1611 1642 1723 1811 1911 2004 2147 2223 2311

a. T Meads

1632 1707 1750 1832 1944 2026 2209 2250 2332

d. Sea Mills

1003 1059 1159 1259 1359 1459 1559 1659 1800 1829

a. T Meads

1021 1120 1220 1320 1420 1520 1620 1722 1822 1847

d. T Meads

0514 0548 0630 0803 0836 0916 1003 1034 1116 1203 1234 1316 1403 1434

a. Sea Mills

0532 0604 0649 0821 0855 0933 1022 1053 1133 1222 1253 1333 1422 1453

d. T Meads

1516 1603 1635 1713 1803 1847 1933 2034 2137 2216

a. Sea Mills

1533 1622 1653 1733 1822 1914 1951 2054 2156 2333

d. T Meads

0603 0634 0716 0803 0834 0916 1003 1034 1116 1203 1234 1316 1403 1434

a. Sea Mills

0621 0652 0733 0821 0852 0933 1021 1052 1133 1221 1252 1333 1421 1452

d. T Meads

1516 1603 1634 1716 1803 1903 2034 2140 2216

a. Sea Mills

1533 1621 1652 1733 1821 1921 2052 2156 2233

d. T Meads

0908 1023 1123 1223 1323 1423 1523 1623 1652 1753

a. Sea Mills

0925 1040 1140 1240 1340 1440 1540 1640 1710 1810

What’s On & Community News (Con nued from page 86)

both them as individuals & the wider class. Can you commit to giving one hour of reading time a week in term-time? We are working with 11 schools in the Southmead, Brentry and Horfield areas. Training is offered, and your enhanced DBS check is paid for by Bristol City Council. You would read with the same children each week. For more information please contact Paul Harrod, at paul.harrod@gmail.com. Zumba Gold / Light 5.30pm/ Zumba Fitness 6.35pm. Westbury -on-Trym Village Hall. Weds. £5 on door. Just drop in with water and a sense of humour! Phone Marie on 963 4104 or visit www.bristoldancezumba.co.uk for more info. Ladies Badminton. A friendly group that meets on Tuesday mornings is looking for some more players. Westbury Village Hall, Eastfield Road, 9.45 am to 12 noon. Please contact Anne on 909 1714 for more details. LinkAge Contemporary Dance (55+). Do you ever get the feeling you just want to dance but don’t get the opportunity? Feel energised in a new way and ignite your creative ideas. Open to all abilities. Every Monday 10am-11am, Bradbury Hall THURC. £4. Contact LinkAge on 0117 3533042 for more information. LinkAge Tai Chi (55+). Are you looking for gentle active activity to keep your body and mind active? This is the class for you. Frank leads this relaxing and healthy session in a fun environment. Beginners welcome. Every Tuesday 10am-11am. Studland Court, Henleaze. £3.50. Contact LinkAge on 0117 3533042 for more information. LinkAge Zumba Gold (55+). Come along to a fun and friendly dance and exercise class inspired y music from around the world. No experience necessary so come and join Cressida for an hour of dance. Every Tuesday 1-2pm. St Peters Church, Henleaze. £3.50. Contact LinkAge on 0117 3533042 for more information. 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, Westbury-on-Trym. Please email bristolnetball@hotmail.co.uk for more information. Moves Fitness - exercise to music for all ages and fitness levels at St Peter’s Church Hall, Henleaze from 10am to 11am every Wednesday morning. The session consists of structured routines which are highly enjoyable and designed to promote overall fitness and mobility. You put as much energy into it as you feel like on the day, and you should leave feeling great. This is a friendly welcoming class - come and give it a try. £5 per session. Phone Jane on 9681042 , visit www.movesfitness.com or just turn up. Pilates Classes at Henleaze URC, Monday 9.3010.30 & 10.30-11.30 (mixed ability), 11:30-12:30 (Postnatal),18:30-19:30 (beginner), Tuesday 9:3010:30 (improver), 10:30-11:30 (beginner), Wednesday 18:15-19:15 (intermediate); Southmead Community Centre 12:10-12:50 (mixed ability). For bookings please call Leanne on 07817189474 or visit www.pilatesdowntime.co.uk Why not try Tai Chi? This Chinese exercise system can improve health, vitality and wellbeing. Friendly local classes with an experienced teacher at The Greenway, Doncaster Rd, BS105PY. 11-12 Tuesday or Friday. New beginners class 2-3 Wednesday. Contact Karen: 0117 9424167 Kyoto Shotokan Karate Club trains at Avonmouth Rugby Club on Thursday evenings. Contact Steve or Tyra on 0117 9688424 for more details or visit the clubs website www.kyoto-skc.co.uk or www.facebook.com/KyotoShotokanKarateClub Pilates classes and well being therapies in Henleaze. Lovely airy studio offering all levels of Pilates, adult ballet fusion and salsa classes. Also we have a fully equipped beauty room to pamper you after your workout. For more info (Con nued on page 90)

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What’s On & Community News (Con nued from page 88)

www.mindbodystudio.co.uk or call Efuah 07881825142. 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 Lip-reading class. An evening lip-reading class to help you cope with your hearing loss runs in Clifton from 6.15pm to 7.45pm every Monday at Redland Park United Reformed Church, Whiteladies Road. Fee is £5 per session. For more details email the tutor, Mary Hall at lipreadingmary@yahoo.com or telephone 07790 283 939. Exercise to music every Tuesday, 2pm - 3pm, at Filton Folk Centre, Elm Park, BS34 7PS. Come along, have some fun whilst getting fit. All abilities welcome. For further information contact Eileen Scott 07969929733 / (email scottyartois@hotmail.com). Also visit www.emdp.org . Tai Chi and Qi Gong is a simple but powerful form of exercise for strength, balance and mindfulness. The Bristol School of Tai Chi has daytime and evening classes in Henleaze and Bishopston. Check out our website for times and locations as well as lots of photos and video. Any questions contact Ben Milton 0117 9493955 www.bristoltaichi.com Zumba Gold Class @ Horfield Parish Church Hall every Weds 2pm-2.45pm (£4.00 per class) for the mature movers aimed at age 55+ (All other ages including Beginners) Zumba Class @ Orchard School every Thurs 7pm-8pm Contact Georgina for further details on www.bristolzumba.com or tel: 07545 625 089. Westbury Baptist Pre-School ‘Learning Through Fun’ . Our Pre-school provides a safe, caring and cheerful environment in which children can learn

and develop through play. We welcome children who are 3 years or will be turning 3 during the term they wish to start. We are open 5 mornings a week during term time from 9.00am – 1.00pm and we take the free funding entitlement for 3-4 year olds. If you are looking for a Pre-School place for your child, please contact Claire on 0117 9622338. For more information please visit our website at www.westburybaptistpreschool.org.uk Get In Touch - it couldn’t be easier:Telephone:

0117 968 7787 / 07845 986 650 Email: andy@bcmagazines.co.uk Post: 8 Sandyleaze, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS9 3PY Twitter: @BS9Andy The Bristol Nine 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 Nine 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 Ltd.

Quiz Answers from page 58 1. Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency; 2. something hairy; 3.a) seven, b) seven, c) eight; 4. Derbyshire (The Peak District); 5. Brooklyn, Queens, Manhatten, the Bronx and Staten Island; 6. 171 (T20, T19, T18); 7. Tom Daley at 35mph (Stephenson’s Rocket 28mph, Challenger II 25mph); 8. Jeremy Clarkson is 54, James May is 52, Richard Hammond is 45; 9. trick question, you would pass north of the USA and travel through Canada; 10. 650; 11. Still Alice; 12. Alan Turing, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Jake LaMotta; 13. Croatia, Malta and Namibia; 14. All have been General Secretaries of the Trades Union Congress; 15. All have been speakers in the House of Commons; 16. 1954; 17. a) makes arrows, b) makes and fits horse shoes, and makes barrels; 18. a) District, b) Victoria, and c) Jubilee; 19. Scoville, Richter and Brix scales; 20. 1966.

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