The Bristol Nine magazine - February 2018

BS9

The Bristol Nine Magazine - Issue no. 140 Feb 2018

12,500 copies delivered free each month across Sea Mills, Henleaze, Stoke Bishop, Sneyd Park, Coombe Dingle & Westbury on Trym

Between the covers this month - Quiz Time p10, Bishop’s Knoll Mansion p15, Sunday Roasts p31, The Downs in Winter p38, Acronyms & Initialisms p42, Temple Meads Puzzle Walk p48, Prize Wordsearch p58, Glass Blowing in Henbury 59, plus all the usuals

The Editor's Small Piece Hello there and welcome to the February issue. As usual it is very late as I type this - 2.30am, there is a howling gale outside and what appears to be a gritting lorry heading along the main road. I wonder if it has one of those comical names.

The front cover, whilst not of BS9, seemed too nice not to share and is a view you can enjoy if you have a go at the puzzle walk that features this month. The walk around Temple Meads and Castle Park gives you the opportunity to take in some of the lovely views, cracking architecture and exciting activity that typifies our great city. All stuff that it is so easy to miss if we travel around by any mode of transport other than on foot. I was once recommended by an elderly architect "relative" not to look at the shops, but to look above the shops. Wise words indeed, and advice that pays dividends when walking around Bristol.

Of course many of the "the younger" generation will miss the lot as they wander arouund in their own little wi-fi bubble of digital communication, looking down not up. I had a young lad walk right out in front of me as I drove down Redland Road last week. Thankfully I sensed he was going to, and stopped before he could do any damage to my bodywork, but he clearly didn't see me, his headphones and smartphone cutting him off from "the real world". The first word that came into my mind was moron, but after we went our separate ways, shaking our respective heads, I reflected on the incident and concluded that if I were his age now, a child of the nineties, I'm certain I'd be no different to him, enjoying the loud music and inane conversations of youth. In fact back in the eighties I was doing just the same - it's just that my music was analog, my stereo was barely portable and my phone was, well, in a big red box at the end of the road.

I hope you enjoy the magazine - it's been fun putting it together, Now I'm off to bed - for a week. Cheers, Andy

andy@bcmagazines.co.uk 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY 07845 986650 / 0117 259 1964 4

73 High Street, Westbury on Trym, BS9 3ED

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Useful Information Emergencies, Support & Informa�on

Local Trains

Gas Emergencies 0800 111 999 Electricity Emergencies 0800 365 900 Water Emergencies 0845 702 3797 (or your gas, water or electricity supplier) Avon & Somerset Police Non-Emergencies 101 (new no.)

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 Southmead Hospital 0117 950 5050 BRI / Children’s Hospital 0117 923 0000 NHS non-emergency 111 Council Dog Warden 0117 922 2500 Bristol Blood Dona�on 0117 988 2040 The Samaritans 08457 90 90 90 Alcoholics Anonymous 08457 69 75 55 ChildLine 0800 11 11 Na�onal Rail Enquiries 08457 48 49 50 Telephone Pref Service 0845 070 0707 Mailing Preference Service 0845 703 4599 Bristol Care & Repair - home safety checks & handyman 0117 954 2222

Trains run from Sea Mills sta�on to Temple Meads (via Cli�on Down, Redland, Montpelier, Stapleton Road and Lawrence Hill) regularly throughout the day and at weekends. Cheap, fun, quick and scenic. Visit www.gwr.com for more details or pick up a �metable from your local library.

Local Churches Sea Mills Methodist Church, Shirehampton Rd, 0117 962 1200 St Mary Magdalene, Stoke Bishop www.stmarysb.org.uk 0117 968 7449 WoT Methodist Church www.westburyontrymmethodistchurch .org.uk 0117 962 2930 WoT Bap�st Church, Reedley Rd, www.westburybap�st.org.uk 0117 962 9990 WoT Holy Trinity Parish Church, 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 Highgrove Church, Sea Mills www.highgrove.church 07966 028 046 Trinity URC, Henleaze www.trinityhenleazeurc.org.uk 0117 962 9713 The Community Church, WoT www.the-community-church.net 0117 946 6807 St Edyth’s Church, Sea Mills www.stedyths.org.uk, 0117 968 6965

Postal Services Westbury on Trym Post Office 9am - 5.30pm Mon to Fri, 9am - 4pm Sat Henleaze Post Office 8.30am - 6pm Mon to Sat Sea Mills Post Office 9am - 5.30pm Mon to Fri, 9am to 12.30pm Sat Stoke Bishop Post Office (in Spar) 7.00am to 8.00pm Mon to Sat, 7.00am to 5.00pm Sun Westbury on Trym Parcel Collec�on 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 sor�ng depot on the A38 at Filton. Currently the late post is at 7pm.

The Silver Line The Silver Line is the new and only free confiden�al helpline providing informa�on, friendship and advice to older people - open 24 hours a day every day of the year. Call any�me on 0800 4 70 80 90.

Waste & Recycling The Household Waste and Recycling Centre on Kingsweston Lane, Avonmouth for pre�y much everything. The Avonmouth centre is now open Winter hours, 8.00am to 4.15pm, 7 days a week.

Bristol City Council

Bin day collec�on calendars, not this year issued in hard copy, can be accessed via the Bristol Waste website - www.bristolwastecompany.co.uk/binsand-recycling-collec�on-days. You can also order a hard copy calendar from this web-page.

The Council website offers residents informa�on about BCC services including council tax, bins & recycling, schools, leisure, business, streets and parking. Visit www.bristol.gov.uk or contact the General Enquiries switchboard on 0117 922 2000.

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Quiz Time (answers on page 88) General Knowledge

Music

1. Name the three native UK mammals that hibernate.

2. Which town in Kent would you associate with oysters, which condiment would you associate with Norwich, and which dry biscuit would you associate with the Dorset town of Morcombelake?

3. Who was William Shakespeare’s wife, who is “Only Connect” host Victoria Coren’s husband, and who was film director Tim Burton’s long term partner until 2014?

4. Where are the 2018 Winter Olympics taking place?

5. Name the actors or actresses who played or play the role of third, ninth and thirteenth Doctor Who? 6. Put these events in chronological order, earliest first – the Great Plague of London, the death of Henry VIII and the construction of the Taj Mahal.

7. According to the Holy Bible a) which disciple betrayed Jesus, b) who were Noah’s three sons, and c) where did Moses receive the Ten Commandments?

8. In which musicals would you encounter the following characters – a) captain of the palace guard Potiphar, b) dentist Orin Scrivello, and c) schoolgirl Tracy Turnblad?

9. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Prime Minister from 1905 to 1908, holds what unfortunate political distinction?

10. What was significant about the very public death of Emily Davison in Surrey in 1913?

1. “Second Coming” was the follow up to which eponymous album released in 1989 and subsequently voted in a 1997 Channel 4 poll as the second greatest album of all time?

2. Name the three female lead singers shown below.

3. Who had hits with the following albums – a) “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” (1967), b) “Songs in the Key of Life” (1976) , and c) “Too-Rye-Ay” (1982)?

4. In what year was Little China Girl a hit for David Bowie, who had a hit in 1983 with “Wishful Thinking”, and “Princess of China” was a 2012 hit for which duet?

5. Name the four original band members of Queen, and the three original band members of The Police.

6. Who sang the opening line “It’s Christmas time….” on the original 1984 recording of Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas”, and who reprised the line in the 20th anniversary version in 2004?

7. When Abba won Eurovision in 1974 with “Waterloo” in which UK town did the competition take place?

8. Which work of art links singer Don Maclean to Vincent Van Gogh?

9 Who won the Best British Female Solo Artist and Best British Male Solo Artist awards at the 2017 Brit Awards?

10. Coventry is associated with which UK musical genre?

Q1

Q1

Q1

Q2

Q2

Q2

Q8

Q9

Q10

Q5

Q5

Q5

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The Building of the Bishop's Knoll Mansion In the first of a series of articles that will chart the history and development of Bishop's Knoll Mansion, and the surrounding grounds that make up Bishop's Knoll Wood, local historian Chris Stephens takes a look at the history of the site from the Middle Ages through to the 19th century.

Towards the end of the 8th century, King Offa, the Christian King of Mercia, conquered the Hwicce who occupied much of what is now Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. Having done so he put its administration in the hands of his Ealdorman (literally “elder man”) Æthelmund. In 796 Offa's son Ecgfrith, now King of Mercia, granted land to Æthelmund, who was now styled princeps. This land included large estates in Uuestburg (Westbury-onTrym). Sometime between then and his death Æthelmund established a monastery there. In 824 the cathedral church of Worcester obtained possession of the church and lands of Westbury.

At the time of the Norman conquest the Bishop of Worcester was St Wulfstan (1008-1095).

Although he was the only Anglo Saxon to retain his bishopric much of his lands were gifted by William I to Geoffrey de Montbray, the Bishop of Coustances in France, for his services. These included the lands north of Bristol. Geoffrey was described as being “more knight than prelate” and had been at the battle of Hastings where he exhorted the Normans to victory. Two months later at William's coronation in Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066 Geoffrey was one of two bishops present. The Anglo Saxon Archbishop of York, Aldred, performed the ceremony and presented the new king to the people speaking in English while Bishop Geoffrey spoke the words in French to the Normans in the congregation.

Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, who outlived de Montbray was able to recover some of these lands for the see of Worcester and so the religious house at Westbury on Trym became under the rule of the cathedral monastery of Worcester. Two hundred years later in 1271, Bishop of Worcester Godfrey Giffard created a

deer park within part of this holding in northwest of Bristol known as the “wood of Snede” Seemingly this was without the permission of the King. However there seems to have been no royal retribution for this, perhaps because Henry III was engaged in the baronial wars at this time and died the following year.

In 1535 the College of Westbury (pictured above) consisted of a dean, five prebendaries, a sub-dean, the Bishop’s chaplain, a schoolmaster, eight fellows, four clerks, six aged priests, and twelve choristers. The possessions of the college included the manors of Westbury, Clifton, Goodringhill, Wormington, Turkdean, Foxcote, Dowdeswell, and Elmstree in Gloucestershire; Astley, Shelve, Monehills, Greveley and Longborough in Worcestershire; Bereford in Warwickshire; Aston Tirrold and North Morton in Berkshire; rents in Bristol, Worcester, and elsewhere, the hospital of St. Lawrence, Bristol, and the rectories of Westbury and Kempsey.

At the time of the Dissolution the College of Westbury was surrendered into the King's hands (10 February, 1544). These were purchased the following year by Ralph Sadleir for 1000 marks (equivalent to about £331,800 today). Ralph Sir Ralph Sadleir 1507 - 1587 was a former secretary to Thomas Cromwell, who, when Cromwell fell from grace in July 1540, was knighted and made 15

The Building of the Bishop's Knoll Mansion principal secretary to the King. He remained in high favour until Henry VIII’s death in January 1547 and, in accordance with the King’s Will, was then one of the councillors to whom was entrusted the government of the kingdom and the guardianship of the young king Edward VI .

In September 1547 at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh at Musselburgh in Scotland, Sadleir showed great bravery in assisting the Earl of Somerset in repelling the Scots and was made knight banneret on the field, a position above a knight and next to a baron. Shortly afterwards he was granted the Manor of Stoke Bishop and the Blaise Castle estates for his services by the young Edward VI. Sadleir later served Elizabeth as the custodian of Mary Queen of Scots at Fotheringay Castle. By the time he died in 1587, the year of Marys’s execution, he was known as the richest commoner in England.

“long since turned into farms”. Bristol was now a fast-growing city and James Martin, who was by then living in Weymouth, wished to realise the estate’s potential as prime development land. However legal restrictions in the Jackson Will prevented the break up of the Sneyd Park Estate and it required a private member’s bill to set these aside – the Martin’s Estate Act – passed in 1853. In April 1855 William Baker, a builder of Canon’s Marsh Bristol who had been a powerful influence in promoting the Act, purchased part of the Sneyd Park Estate from James Martin in order to build “superior residences” on this picturesque site.

Baker (1789-1872), the son of a Bristol fishmonger, was clearly a remarkable man.

In 1851 his two addresses are given as 31 Trenchard St and Canons Marsh Bristol. By 1861 he was employing 160 men. Clash, in The history of the George Inn Chepstow. (Gwent Local History) records: In 1866, the carpenters and joiners employed

by Mr. William Baker of Canon's Marsh, Bristol, arrived by the 'Packet' at about 11 o'clock and, after satisfying the "inner man" with "a capital spread" at the George, proceeded in brakes to Wyndcliff, Tintern Abbey and other places of interest in the neighbourhood.

The Tomb of Sir Ralph Sadlier St, Marys, Standon, Hertfordshire. At one time a flag captured by Ralph at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh lay across the tomb (l).

Sadlier’s vast estates included the manors of Westebury Bryans (Westbury-on-Trym), Stoke Bishop, Henbury, Olverston, and Twynings.

These passed on his death to his son Thomas Sadleir. In 1659 Thomas sold the lands north of Bristol to Joseph Jackson, a wealthy merchant, who had been both Sheriff and Mayor of Bristol as well as Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers. When the last of the Jacksons died in 1811 the Sneyd Park estate passed through marriage, to the Martin family. By this time Rudder (A new history of Gloucestershire, 1779) describes what had been Sneyd parkland as

Whether this trip was educational or a reward for loyal service is unclear, but by this time Baker was very much involved in the development of Sneyd Park and the building of Bishop’s Knoll. © Chris Stephens 2018 Chris Stephens is Honorary Secretary of the Friends of Bishop's Knoll Wood, a volunteer group that has recently won the Woodland Trusts Willow Award for Volunteer Group of the Year.

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The couple were married for 23 years and had 2 children. In 2006 the marriage broke down, by which time their assets totalled £9.4 million.

Due to the complexity of the process, it is often inevitable that divorcing couples have to seek advice from solicitors and sometimes end up in court when dividing resources.

What Does the Law Say? The court has to consider a number of factors when dividing the assets.

These include the sharing principle, fairness, the parties' needs, the ages of the parties and the length of the marriage. Contributions to the marriage are also considered, including finances, but also factors such as raising children.

'What's yours is mine' neatly outlines the legal starting point, that there should be equality between spouses and settlements should be 'fair'.

This makes sense for assets accumulated during marriage, but what about those owned before the marriage? In the absence of a prior agreement, previously owned assets will be thrown in the matrimonial pot to be divided on divorce.

The Court's Initial Decision Mrs Hart argued that she made a full contribution to the marriage and therefore she deserved half of what her husband, Mr Hart, owned.

However, a recent case indicates that things may be changing, a move away from the 'sharing principle' that family lawyers have become accustomed to.

The judge, however, departed from the principle of equality and decided that Mrs Hart should not in fact receive half, concluding that "an equal division of the assets would be unfair". Of the £9.4 million accumulated, the judge decided that Mrs Hart would receive £3.4 million.

Hart v Hart At the start of the marriage, Mr Hart was 48 years old and a wealthy business owner. In the words of his wife, he was "a man of substance".

Mrs Hart, an airhostess, was 27 when they married with no assets of her own except for a Porsche.

Mrs Hart appealed the decision on the basis that: • she had been responsible for raising the children and so had made a full contribution to the marriage • due to the length of the marriage (23 years) the pre-marital wealth should form part of the matrimonial pot The Court of Appeal dismissed her appeal, agreeing with the initial decision that less than half was fair.

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What Will This Mean if You Are Divorcing?

former spouse too much .

Predicting what each spouse will receive on divorce is very difficult as each case is decided on an individual basis.

If you are in the hands of an experienced practitioner, sensible settlements can usually be achieved, avoiding both the expense and uncertainty of having to go to court.

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Good Reads - recommendations from Bruce Fellows Boots on the Ground is the story of the British Army since the end of the Second World War. Malaya, Korea, Aden, the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan, they’re all here and only in 1968 and 2016 did no British soldier die on active service. There have been 29 different deployments but not all to wars; in 1999, 200 Ghurkhas helped Australians restore law and order in East Timor. Richard Dannatt also demonstrates that support for our soldiers has greatly outstripped support for the wars they fought.

This is a thorough, informative and thought-provoking survey of our soldiers and the work they’ve undertaken on our behalf.

1938 and Neville Chamberlain returns from Germany with the infamous piece of paper that sold Czechoslovakia down the river. In his clever and entertaining new thriller Munich, Robert Harris offers his version of those frantic and climactic few days when the fate of nations was sealed. Harris’s invented characters, Legat and Hartmann, minor British and German diplomats, provide insights into the story as well as into their own former connection.

Harris’s Chamberlain is hardworking and desperate to avoid war, especially a war before rearmament (more Spitfires) is complete. Was Chamberlain just an abject appeaser or a statesman fighting for his nation’s survival? Read and decide.

Which is best, The Wild Bunch or Dances with Wolves? Barry Stone has decided and tells us in his admirable review of all things cowboy on the silver screen: The 50 Greatest Westerns. If you like a good western, you’ll have your own favourites and they’re bound to be here. John Ford

is prominent, so too is Sergio Leone and, of course, John Wayne, James Stewart and Clint Eastwood. Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid and Jesse James are frequent heroes, James alone in 170 films. Stone writes four or five fascinating fact-filled pages on each film; read a film a day or binge straight through.

Peter Guillam is summoned to Secret Service HQ. The past has returned to haunt him. Yes, John Le Carre is back with his excellent and intricate novel A Legacy of Spies, weaving the past and the present together to produce another gripping tale of British derring-do (and total incompetence).

What really happened when Alec Leamas and his girlfriend were killed in Le Carre’s masterpiece The Spy Who Came in from the Cold? That’s what Guillam’s younger generation interrogators, ignorant of the Cold War, must find out to avoid damaging publicity and compensation claims as the dead pair’s children seek the truth. It’s a terrific read.

In Go, Went, Gone, Jenny Erpenbeck’s brilliant and disturbing new novel, retired German academic and widower Richard becomes aware that hundreds of African refugees are camping out in a Berlin square. A visit to them transforms his life. He learns their names and about their lives and how they came to Germany from Libya, Niger, Ghana and so on via foundering boats across the Mediterranean. They exist separated from the Germans around them as Richard once was in the old East Germany. Helping his new friends gives meaning to Richard’s previously futile life while giving us an insight into the desperate plight of the refugee.

Bruce Fellows - February 2018 20

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Senio r Snippe ts

Keeping well in Winter

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

In this edition of Senior Snippets we are going to share some very important tips on how to keep well in cold weather. NHS England is worried about rising flu rates, which are twice as high as they were this time last year.

See your pharmacist if you aren’t feeling well. Even if you have just a cough or a cold, your pharmacist might be able to help you prevent it from becoming more serious. If you can’t physically get to a pharmacy, make sure to call them to discuss your symptoms. If you need more urgent advice, ring the NHS helpline on 111.

Get a flu jab. Everyone over the age of 65, living in the UK is eligible for a flu jab and is encouraged to take up this free NHS service to protect themselves from the flu virus, which can be unpredictable and serious.

Keep warm. During the cold winter months, it is advisable to wear several layers of clothing, rather than one thick layer. Clothes that are made from cotton, wool or fleecy fibres help to maintain body heat, and are better than silky and thin materials that don’t insulate well.

Keep mobile. Try not to sit still for more than an hour at a time. Even simply standing up to stretch your legs for a few moments can help to increase your body temperature. If you have good mobility, moderate exercise is a great way of keeping warm when temperatures are low.

Drink warm beverages. When you get up to stretch, why not make yourself a hot drink to help keep you warm? Also try to eat at least one hot meal a day.

Keep your medicine cabinet stocked. If you treat early-onset symptoms of illness they are less likely to develop into anything more serious. By keeping your medicine cabinet stocked, you could avoid having to go out in the cold, if unwell.

It has been really cold lately, so it’s important to think about what you can do to protect more vulnerable friends and family from the ill-effects of the cold.

If you would like to speak to someone at Home Instead, please do get in touch.

Similarly, if you have any ideas for a future topic, please call 0117 989 8210 or email John.Moore@HomeInstead.co.uk - we’d love to hear from you!

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Music now and then - with Duncan Haskell Album of the Month Songs of Praise by Shame (Dead Ocean) It’s too early in the year to know what musical trends will take hold in 2018, so for now we can only speculate on whether the Latin vibes of the next Camila Cabello will sway their way into our collective consciousness or country music will keep edging towards the mainstream.

If this debut album from south-east London’s Shame is anything to go by, it might even be time for attitude-heavy guitar music to reclaim its place on the throne.

Shame make the type of post-punk which will have journalists reaching for words like ‘angular’ and ‘visceral’. Fans of The Fall will instantly gravitate towards songs like the spiky (another one of those words) opening trio of Dust On Trial, Concrete and One Rizla. Frontman Charlie Steen’s delivery is sneering and full of scorn.

It’s a compelling weapon, on the spoken The Lick he takes aim at those who sit in the corner of their room and “download the next greatest track to your MP3 device / so sincerely recommended to you by the New Musical Exress”’ It’s when music and lyrical mood merge that Songs Of Praise is at its most powerful. Gold Hole marries a Stooges riff with a story of a dirty old man and a young lover who likes the finer things in life. It’s a sordid tale of abuse of power, regret and sweat stained wrinkles (and, sadly, still entirely appropriate for these times).

By the time that the more meditative and propulsive Angie closes the album, Shame have announced themselves as a band to be watched closely. This is a debut with plenty to say.

Will this be the year that guitar music fights back? Unlikely! Have Shame created one of the albums of the year already? Without question!

Next Step 50,000 Fall Fans Can’t Be Wrong by The Fall (Sanctuary) We might be committing professional suicide by recommending a best-of as this month’s next step, but the back catalogue of The Fall is such a sprawling beast that this collection from 2004 is an ideal entry point for those unfamiliar with Mark E. Smith’s post-punk heroes.

The fact that enough band members have taking the trip through Smith’s revolving door for an entire book to be written about them (Dave Simpson’s excellent The Fallen) doesn’t diminish the standard of The Fall’s work. The line-up might be ever-changing but the music has been as consistent as it is snarling. Anthems of their time like Totally Wired, Touch Sensitive and Hip Priest showcase this caustic talent and there’s even room for the band’s 1988 cover of The Kinks’ Victoria - though sadly, for football fans in particular, Theme From Sparta F.C. is an odd omission. If this compilation tickles your fancy then we can only implore you to dig a little deeper. From their debut studio album, 1979’s Live at the Witch Trials to latter-period highlights such as Fall Heads Roll, there is a plethora of naughty delights to sink your teeth into.

Gig of the Month - The Wandering Hearts @ The Louisiana Sunday 18th February The Wandering Hearts are another new band that we think are worthy of your attention this month. Their beautiful harmonies and classic song craft couldn’t be further from Shame’s angry post-punk, but they’re an equally absorbing proposition. The quartet of AJ, Chess, Tim and Tara combine the pop sensibilities of Fleetwood Mac with a love for folk and country music. We’re backing them to follow in the footsteps of The Shires and Ward Thomas, so catch them in a venue this cosy while you still can.

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Annual Budget discussions have commenced. Early days, but it appears that the Mayor will impose an inflation busting Council tax increase of 6% on council tax payers. Ouch!

Bus reliability is huge problem in the Sea Mills and Stoke Bishop areas. Residents are being let down far too often. We regularly take up issues with First. We welcome your feedback.

Winter is the season of pot holes and blocked drains. The Council will respond, but they need to be reported. Either go onto "fix my street"or contact us. The postcode or address close to the problem is required.

As we go to print, we still await the court's decision re Stoke Lodge.

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In the Garden - with Cathy Lewis Designing small gardens Small gardens are often the hardest to design.

Because space is at a premium everything needs to work that little bit harder and have a purpose. Courtyard gardens can be particularly challenging with high walls that obscure the sun and make the space feel claustrophobic.

However there are plenty of design tricks to turn courtyards and small city gardens into attractive and rewarding areas.

To make the space feel bigger one simple trick is to use diagonal paving or a path to take your eye to the far corner rather than the opposite wall. Create a focal point in the corner to add interest, such as a large planter, statue or arbour. If space allows, break up the view so that an area of the garden is hidden – this makes a garden more intriguing and, bizarrely, makes it feel bigger.

Take a look beyond your garden boundary and see if there is an attractive tree, structure or view in the line of sight. By repeating some aspect of it in your garden or leading the eye towards it, it can appear to be a part of your garden.

This principle is called borrowed landscape and is a valuable tool for garden designers.

Pots of Agapanthus add drama to a sunny courtyard

interest. Evergreen shrubs and groundcover such as ferns are invaluable, particularly for areas in shade. Soften the edges of courtyards with raised beds and pots to break up the boundary walls and make the area feel bigger. In small gardens a limited range of plants Small water features look and sound good and in generous quantities attract wildlife often works best. Plant them in groups or repeat them around the space.

Climbers are a must for courtyards – they take up very little ground area but turn stark walls and fences into living gardens. Choose climbers appropriate for the conditions and space, as some climbers can be very vigorous.

A real favourite for sunny courtyards is Trachelospermum jasminoides – it’s evergreen, well behaved and has lovely scented flowers.

Make clever use of furniture. For example choose benches with built in storage and use fold up tables and chairs. Finally, don’t forget lighting, which can make even the plainest of courtyards look magical after dark.

Cathy Lewis, Dip. PGSF Professional garden design, consultancy & maintenance Tel. 07985 008 585 www.cathylewisgardens.co.uk

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Seven of the Best - Sunday Roasts Local student and part-time chef Ed Rogers puts the case forward for his favourite pub Sunday roasts. The idea behind the article came from when Ed moved to Bristol to study from his native Plymouth - and was given a "You're new to Bristol, you might find this useful" guide by a fellow student who was born and bred in Bristol and knew stuff. After much painstaking (so he says) research Ed has created his own up-to-date version of the guide and come up with his current destinations of choice for a Sunday cullinary feast. Interestingly none of Ed's favourites are here in BS9 - which begs the question where are the best BS9 Sunday roasts hiding? If you know - and even better if you'd like to invite me or Ed to come along and do a taste test - do let us know and we'll report back to readers.

The Royal Oak 385 Gloucester Road These guys serve, almost easily, the best roast in Bristol I’ve eaten so far. Parsnips dripping in honey, a gorgeous braised red cabbage and a choice of some fantastic cuts of meat (or a really good nut roast apparently). Generous servings, a massive beer garden and completely family friendly. Everything on the menu (down to the ice creams and the sauces) are made, fresh, in house. The lamb shifts between a rolled shoulder and being cooked down to the point where it literally melts on the plate, let alone your mouth.

Recommended.

The Grace 197 Gloucester Road Proud title holders of a “Best in the Southwest” accolade and previously listed as being the third best roast in the country, it would be completely remiss to exclude The Grace from this list. The size, and the crispness, of their roast potatoes, as well as the level they manage to get their crackling to, could both be weaponised. It is easy to see how these guys are consistently fully booked every Sunday; they utterly deserve to be. Probably the most sophisticated roast dinner on this list.

The Victoria Park 66 Raymend Road, Bedminster The winners on this list in terms of presentation, The Victoria Park, is situated immediately next to, unbelievably, the Victoria Park. Admittedly this is a further afield roast but very much worth it. The beef was rolled beautifully upon the plate, a divine shade of pink in all the right places and every roast that I could see was accompanied with its own gravy boat. Boasting a lovely garden with beautiful views over Bristol and an interesting take upon the Bloody Mary (or an interesting barman with his own views on the Bloody Mary) this is well worth the extra travel time from BS9. (continued overleaf) 31

Seven of the Best - Sunday Roasts The Hope and Anchor 38 Jacob Wells Road, Cliftonwood I could literally leave this review at “pigs in blankets”. Pigs in blankets. Every Sunday if you so wish. With a choice of a “lighter” roast (wherein the quotation marks are completely necessary) or a “traditional” Sunday roast that includes an incredible stuffing, the Hope and Anchor boasts an assault course of a Sunday afternoon. It also boasts a fantastic beer garden, a large selection of great beers and ales on tap and an amazing menu choice on a Sunday evening - where the Bubble and Squeak ensures that none of the left-overs from the earlier roast are wasted. Well done.

The Gallimaufry 26-28 Gloucester Road

If you are vegetarian, or vegan, the choice of one possible roast out of an entire menu is, no doubt, by now wearing thin. So welcome to the Gallimaufry; the utter mirror image of any other pub on this list. Here, carnivores (well…omnivores) are treated to the same experience with the vast majority of their Sunday menu dedicated to lifestyle choices that begin with a “v”. Their nut roast comes quite close to a religious experience and their small plates and desserts are reason enough to visit (especially the crème brulee). As well as their seemingly endless, selections of incredible beers. And the music.

And the décor. This place is great.

Christmas Steps 2 Christmas Steps, The Centre The most central roast on this list (and therefore the most convenient for entertaining friends and family who are not familiar with this city) The Christmas Steps has an incredible ethos with their Sunday menu; simplicity. There are four options on this menu, and they are all, from what I sampled, equally great. Having both a melt-in-your-mouth brisket and a deceptively, fiery falafel with sweet chilli on the starter menu doesn’t hurt either. Nor does the pub’s relationship with Crack Magazine, ensuring the music is always fantastic. Home to one of the best pub quizzes in this city.

The Royal Navy Volunteer 17-18 King’s Street / The Centre

“The Volley Triple” contains more meat than is probably ethical to consume in one sitting. And it’s utterly worth it. When this dish was served to the table (crowned with one of the largest Yorkshire puddings ever seen) there was certainly a note of overwhelmingness mingled with the excitement and hunger. The steamed Cornish mussels, available as a starter, are amazing, and their steady rotation of fantastic, local, beer and ale selections ensure a very well spent, whiled away afternoon on King’s Street.

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Finance Matters Where there's a Will - there's a document that needs to be kept up to date As a financial planner, I am used to helping my clients plan for their future – events such as job changes, retirement, education, inheritances, buying a house etc. Time flies for all of us as we know and day to day, it might seem that not much has changed – but usually it has and that’s why it’s important every now and then to revisit the content of your Will to make sure it still reflects your current wishes. Sometimes a major event like a death might prompt you to do this, however more often the need for a review will go unrecognised over the passage of time.

In thinking about your circumstances you need to consider whether you have: • Remarried – If so any marriage will cancel any existing Will as if you had not made one in the first instance. This is also true with a same sex marriage or civil partnership. If you were to die after remarrying but before making a new Will, the rules of Intestacy will apply – (i.e. the State will determine how your assets are distributed) and this may not reflect your wishes.

• Children – This is an obvious trigger to revisit your Will. What will happen to them if both parents died? Who will look after them and how will financial provision be made for them?

It might be that a remarriage means you have step-children for the first time. This might be in addition to your own children from a first marriage and you need to ask yourself where your priorities are, in terms of distribution of assets on your death.

• Grandchildren – When Grandchildren appear, you may want to start making provision for them. This can have implications if they are on one side of a family but not the other perhaps where you have more than one Son or

Daughter? Imagine if you had two children – one had children of their own (your Grandchildren), while the other did not have children but has just remarried someone who has. All I am saying is, think of your wider family’s circumstances, not just your own.

• Bequeathed Assets – Obviously you may have made specific provision of an asset, so it’s as well to ask yourself if you still own it!

Administrative Issues You need to make sure that any executors, trustees or beneficiaries are still alive. This can create complications if they are stated in a Will, but have predeceased you.

Deed of Variation This is where a modification can be made to an existing Will after death sometimes with Inheritance Tax Mitigation in mind. If there has been a death in the family recently, maybe the implications of where the assets have ended up could be considered if a more appropriate distribution is possible.

So finally who does this article apply to? Well the reality is only 40% of the UK population have a Will according to The Law Society so it’s directed at those people. However it does beg the question what about the other 60%. Maybe 2018 is the year to put your affairs in order?

Phil James Grosvenor Consultancy Ltd. There are advantages and disadvantages to using all of these strategies and they depend on individual circumstances so don’t take action without seeking competent advice. Tax rules, rates and allowances are all subject to change.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax advice and some forms of offshore investments. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount you invested.

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The Downs In Winter Having guided us around The Downs over the last few months Richard Bland will now be writing a seasonal article looking at some of the issues facing the Downs and activities they are playing host to. Richard starts off with winter.

Snow. On Sunday December 10th enough snow fell to build one or two snowmen on the Downs and this is the first time this has happened since March 2014. Snow fell again on Boxing Day night, and on the following day there was a joyous outburst of snowmen, and even a half-built igloo. Since 1948 there have been 12 winters with no snow. The average number of days with snow lying has been eight but there were two periods, 1963 to 1970 and 1978 to 1982, when there was above average snow every winter.

The Star Party. The Downs has mercifully no street lights, so in 2013 the area on the football pitches, near Seawalls was designated as a Dark Sky Discovery Site. Over 150 such sites now exist in the UK. Every year Every year since a ‘star party’ has been organised by the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project, the Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge, the Bristol Astronomical Society and Explorer Dome. Through the events we aim to encourage members of the public to visit the Dark Sky Discovery Site on Durdham Down and learn about the night sky. December 11 was a bright cold day with a Northerly wind, and the Bristol Astronomical Society was confident that the stars would show. They set up their amazing telescopes and fixed them on different stars.

The half-moon was invisible as it did not rise till much later. By 7.30 it was dark enough to spot the major constellations. Some 58 well clad participants including 11 children were taken out to the Discovery Site, and just managed with the help of a green laser, to find the Pole Star and Orion’s belt, the Pleiades, Casiopaea and spot at least 1 Geminid meteor before the growing band of low cloud blotted the skies.

There was hot chocolate, and singing, and starshaped cookies to give the evening a festive twist!

Conservation Sunday is organised by the Friends of the Downs and Gorge on the second Sunday of winter months, and carries out minor

clearance of scrub areas agreed by the Downs Ranger. The first, in October, cleared Ivy from a few specimen trees, the second cleaned up the entrance to a quiet secluded glade that is used regularly from spring – autumn, by school groups visiting the Downs for education sessions run by the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project. In December and January we cleared back brambles and nettles from the trees that are part of the Downs Lichen Trail. In February we will be doing maintenance on the Victorian Steps at the top of the Gully and in March we will probably be involved in renewing the Dead Hedges on Circular Road, and controlling Ivy growth.

The New Years Day flower count is in its 18th year. The count is made on a standard 2000 metre transect across the Downs covering the edge of the Gorge and Clifton Green. Over the years over fifty species have been found in flower, but only two have been in flower every year. The number varies from year to year depending on the December temperature. The minimum was in 2010, which had the coldest December since 1976, and there were only Daisy, Gorse, which have been in flower every winter, and Ivy. This year a record 31 species were found in flower, including Snapdragon for the first time. Almost all the species are survivors rather than new spring species.

Photo courtesy of Sam Hobson The Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project events programme begins in February and includes a series of walks, talks, course and children’s events. The first event is a talk called ‘Wild Bristol’ on 6th February. It’s being given by local award-winning photographer Sam Hobson who has taken stunning photos of the Avon Gorge peregrines and foxes by the Clifton 38

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The Downs In Winter

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Suspension Bridge. On 10th February you can discover how our small herd of Kashmir goats are helping to protect rare wildflowers on the ‘Meet the Goatkeeper’ walk. The following week, February 11 – 17, is National Nest Box Week and there is an all-day session for children to find out about British birds and make a nest box to take home on 15th February. On 3rd March there is a guided walk exploring the lichens that clothe the trees of the Downs, and on 8th April a scramble around the gorge looking for spring plants with botanist Libby Houston. For further details of the events visit www.avongorge.org.uk or www.facebook.com/ avongorge - alternatively call 0117 903 0609 or email mleivers@bristolzoo.org.uk and we’ll send you a copy of the full spring – summer 2018 events programme.

Branches cut from tree maintenance sites all over the Downs are assembled by the Ranger, and woven in and out of uprights hammered into the Downs surface. The protection has enabled the wild orchids to increase considerably over time.

Deep Litter collections are made by the Friends on the last Saturday of the winter months. Some 20 volunteers fan out across the Downs surface with plastic sacks and litter-pickers and diving into the clumps of scrub where people have dumped their BBQs, bottles, tents and all sorts of other rubbish.

Football. Winter on the Downs is often busier than summer. Every week on Wednesdays and Saturdays much of the surface of the Downs is covered in football players, involved in the complex operations of the Downs Football League. It is the oldest soccer league in the county founded in1905 and has four divisions, and 50 different teams. The whole operation of laying out the 26 pitches, rigging up the posts and nets in the early morning, come rain or shine, and then in the gloom of late afternoon, picking them all up and clearing them away, is done with great efficiency and precision, and is too easily taken for granted. We owe a lot to those who do it.

Scrub Control The main winter work for the Ranger is to follow the ten-year scrub programme. This is a scheme designed to control the scrub clumps that have appeared in many areas over the past fifty years. Scrub is an important habitat which adds to the Downs biodiversity and it is especially important for nesting birds, and a wide variety of insects and plants that obviously don’t exist on the mown areas of the Downs. But over time there has been a considerable loss of green space and a ten-year scrub control plan was drawn up five years ago to ensure that some scrub remained, but other areas were cleared so that they could become limestone grassland. The Friends of the Downs are monitoring the changes in the vegetation on these sites. This winter a large area in the Westbury Park section of the Downs has been cleared.

The Downs are for people, and the management of a vast number of competing interests is sophisticated and subtle. If you enjoy the Downs, or use if for your sport, why not become a Friend? Membership is just £10. Contact Robin Haward at robinhaward@blueyonder.co.uk 0117 974 3385

Dead Hedges. A big job in February is renewing the Dead Hedges, which run along the edge of parts of Circular Road. Their purpose is to guide the runners away from the wild flower meadows that have become such a magnificent feature of the Downs in the past few years. This is a job that the Friends of the Downs have been doing for several years.

The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project is working to secure the outstanding wildlife interest of the Bristol side of the Avon Gorge and Clifton and Durdham Downs and to raise awareness and understanding of this unique location and its importance for people and wildlife. The role of the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project education programme is to raise awareness of the importance of the Avon Gorge and Downs and to create opportunities to enable people of all ages and backgrounds to discover, learn more about and enjoy the wildlife and landscape of the site. www.avongorge.org.uk

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Yeah, of course I know what it means . . . .

“One man’s perfectionist is another man's pedant” - anon OK, lets get this out of the way. An acronym is an abbreviation formed from initial letters and which is then pronounced as a word. An initialism is an abbreviation formed from initial letters and then pronounced as those initial letters. So Scuba is an acronym, and BBC is an initialism. For the purposes of this little quiz I’m using the term acronym to cover all.

So, what do the following acronyms stand for?

All are in pretty common useage in day to day language and the media, so much so I wonder if you ever question what they ever stand for?

Each one has been assigned a points value of 1, 2 or 3. Score yourself and see how you fare in our end of test assessment. There are some hints that might you to the right answer, especially if there is more than one possible answer.

Answers are on page 88.

1. DIY 2. WHO 3. COBRA 4. SORN 5. DVLA 6. UNHCR 7. OMG 8. ATM 9. BBC 10. Scuba 11. POW 12. AWOL 13. RSVP 14. AKA 15. FAQ

- think B&Q (1 point) - global welfare (2 points) - meeting chaired by the Prime Minister (3 points) - motor transport (2 points) - ditto (1 point) - global movement of people (3 point) - a teenager's wow (1 point) - hole in the wall (1 point) - not ITV (1 point) - think wetsuit (3 points) - captive (1 point) - unapproved holiday (2 points) - I'd love to come (1 point) - my other name (2 points) - common query (1 point)

25 points up for grabs. The verdict?

Less than 12 LMAO 13-18 MOR 19 and over OMG OMG OMG

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Coaching with Anne Miller Oxygen Mask If you’ve ever travelled on an aeroplane with children you will be familiar with the safety message instructing you to put your own oxygen mask on before attending to your children. I remember clearly the first time I heard this and instantly thought the flight attendant had made a mistake- any parent would surely attend to their child before themselves!

But when I thought about it, I realised it made sense: If I can’t function effectively, I can’t look after my child! This experience and message has been a powerful reminder for me, both personally and for my work with clients- and it doesn’t just apply to parents!!

I know that some of my business owner clients feel they are letting their clients down if they don’t agree to all their clients’ requests and fear they may upset a client if they have to ask for an outstanding invoice to be paid. If we want to run a successful business that we enjoy, we need to find a balance between the attention we give to the needs of our business and the needs of our clients. We need to deliver a service that is both manageable and sustainable to our business going forward, a service that also addresses and satisfies our clients’ demands. To do this we need to have clear expectations of ourselves and business and clear terms with our clients.

I know that many of the parents that I have coached around returning to work and career choices battle with guilt around giving their career any attention over their children. If we want to be the best parent we can be we need to find a balance of attention that nurtures ourselves, our needs and motivations, as well as our children.

Working, as I do, with many small business owners, I often come across the difficulty they have with: saying ‘no’ to clients / customers; overcommitting on timescales and briefs; and allowing unpaid invoices to be ignored, for example. In many instances they are concentrating solely on the demands of their clients at the expense of their business.

It is neither selfish nor unreasonable to look after our own needs as we make our choices in life and work. In fact to ignore them is to neglect what motivates and energises us and this can only deny others the benefit of ourselves at our best.

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

These may sound like two very different situations but there is a clear link: if we don’t look after ourselves (or our business) we cannot give our best to others!

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Puzzle Walk - Temple Meads and Castle Park Keep along the waterside, enjoying the varying skyline and especially the beautiful (in some eyes) Lead Shot Tower opposite, on Cheese Street.

The boardwalk will gently slope up (keep left) as you approach the next road bridge.

When you join the road at the top (Counterslip Passage) you will be facing a terrific building with four columns on its facade (may be covered by protective seethrough mesh).

It seems ages since our last puzzle walk, but as winter (hopefully) turns to spring it feels like a good time to get out and explore what is new, and what is very old, in and around the area between Temple Meads and Castle Park. The idea of the walk is to get a bit of exercise, look up from your phones, and discover some of the history and architecture of this fascinating area at the heart of our city.

The walk itself should be self explanatory, starts and ends at Temple Meads station (so hop on the train at Sea Mills and make an adventure of it) and will take about an hour. The walk is pretty flat and there are no steps, so it is also suitable (if a little bouncy over the cobbles) for buggies and mobility devices. Some of the roads are busy, especially as you return towards the station, so do be careful if you have little ones with you. Right here we go - you've just got off the train....

Q5 - what was this building used for in its heyday?

Turn right, cross over Counterslip Passage and cross the bridge (on the road, over the water) until you come in 50 yards to Queen Street.

If you come off the platform and into the ticket hall go straight ahead and out the side door under the giant poppy - don't head out the front of the station.

Q6 Which pop icon is depicted on the wall of The Bridge Inn on the corner of Queen Street?

Q1 - who made the green wrought iron gates you can see - and when?

Head down the ramp past the carpark and out into the open. Before you head towards the new silver bridge across the floating harbour Q2 - how far is it from Bristol Temple Meads to the SS Great Britain?

Admire the new bridge which crosses the cut (with the harbour ferry landing stage beneath) but don't cross it. Carry straight along Rope Walk with the floating harbour on your right.

You will walk alongside a row of pollarded trees.

Turn down Queen Street. In 50 yards on your left turn into Kings Orchard, go under the brick arch and you will be out onto the waters edge again. Turn right and follow the path up into Castle Park where you bear left. The path splits (left takes you down to the steps up onto the very lovely new Finzels bridge, right takes you to the top of the same steps. Take the right path.

Q7 On the approach to Finzels Bridge how many birdboxes can you see?

Q3 - How many trees are in the row?

Continue alongside the waters edge on the wooden boardwalk, and under the road bridge that carries Temple Way towards St Mary Redcliffe and Temple Meads.

Q4 - what is the fruity connection to the first boat you pass when emerging from the Temple Way road bridge?

48

(continued overleaf)

49

Puzzle Walk - Temple Meads and Castle Park (continued) You do not need to cross Finzels Bridge other than for interest, because at the birdboxes you need to retrace your steps and head up the slope into Castle Path itself. Follow the footpath along the edge of Castle Park with the water and Finzels Bridge to your left - beware speeding cyclists here. You are now approaching Bristol Bridge.

Q8 What was the name of the footpath you are on when once, before WW2, it was a road?

Q9. When did the Germans bomb this part of Bristol?

At Bristol Bridge turn left and, keeping to the pavement, cross the river.

Q10. Name the second brewery you can see on this walk.

You are now on Victoria Street, heading roughly back towards Temple Meads. On the corner of Bath Street and Victoria Street is a distinctive wedge shaped building.

Q11. What creature sits atop the weather vane?

Crossing safely to the far side of Victoria Street the road splits, with the smaller St Thomas Street heading gently off to the right. On this street you will find the Church of St Thomas The Martyr, which should be open to the public.

Enter the church.

Q12 Which native African said of his enslavement ".. we were put into the ship; we were chained and put into holes; death was more preferable than life."

Feel free to explore the church and check out also the fascinating plaque on the wall of the Seven Stars pub in the alley next door. Now head back out onto Victoria Street and cross back over towards the church that is on the junction with Temple Street, next to the Kings Head pub.

Q13. Which King is depicted on the pub sign? (general knowledge needed here).

very interesting history. You cannot enter the derelict site itself but you can walk the perimeter.

Q14. What shape was the original church on this site?

Come back out onto Victoria Street and head away from the city centre, towards Temple Meads, crossing back again to the right hand side of the road. In 100 yards you will pass the Unison (TGWU)trade union building.

Q15. Which famous Labour politician is the building named after?

You will now approach the major roadworks at Temple Circus. Keep to the right along the diversionary footpath that bears right onto Redcliffe Way. Cross this road and head back "into" the roadworks and follow the footpath that cuts across to Temple Meads past the infamous old "BnB" hotel and where, you may remember, the old Redcliffe flyover passed overhead. If you can find it, attached to the site railings, look for the cartoon poster depicting safety hazards at work (entitled "Goodsite Construction".

Q16. Name the health and safety hazard no. 8.

Nearly home now. Follow the pavement around towards Temple Meads then turn up left into the concourse towards the station, noting the beautiful architecture of the Engine Shed to your left and the old rails sunk into the terrace in front. Continue walking up to the front of Temple Meads.

Q17. Who was "The Railwaymen's Friend"?

Assuming you are now back where you started then that's it, walk over. I hope you enjoyed the walk and the discoveries you've made.

Puzzle answers on p.88

Behind the pub is Temple Church which has a 50

0117 946 6690

Sneyd Park

Guide £875,000

A very charming and surprisingly spacious (circa 2013 sq. ft.) 3 double bedroom, 2 bathroom detached lodge house over two floors and dating from circa 1850 with later additions, in a coveted location near St Mary’s Church and standing within its own lovely gardens with parking space and double garage. Very comfortable and civilised accommodation, interesting with character and a rather special atmosphere. EPC: E

Stoke Bishop

Guide £575,000

A spacious (circa 1,730 sq. ft) & well presented, 3/4 bedroom, 2/3 reception room, 2 bath/shower room, 1930s semi-detached two storey family home, situated in an immensely desirable location just a short stroll of local shops and schools, with impressive extended ground floor living accommodation, off street parking for 2 cars, workshop and private 58ft x 28ft rear garden. EPC: D

Sneyd Park

Guide £875,000

Sold for the first time since the 1960’s. Set within just under 0.25 acres. This 4 bedroom detached family house with 60ft front garden, 80ft rear garden, off street parking & garage has exciting potential to renovate, adapt &/or extend (subject to necessary consents). Offered with no onward chain making a prompt and convenient move possible. EPC: D

Sneyd Park

Guide £349,950

A spacious (over 1,200 sq. ft) and welcoming 2 double bedroom (both en suite), 2 reception room garden maisonette with its own private entrance and a 35ft x 25ft rear garden occupying the entire hall and basement floors of this well located (near the Downs) period building. A roomy and individual property offered with no onward chain. EPC: D

51 www.richardharding.co.uk

This BS9 Life - Duncan Haskell Early morning walks are often an opportunity to see the remnants of the previous night’s mischief - November and January had their own corpses left strewn on the fields, those of deceased fireworks. Yet the only unlawful incident that we’ve had to act upon was to report a minor act of arson in one of the bins behind the café on Canford Park. I say ‘we’, the dog is of course oblivious to any of these human concern as she plans her own massacre of the city’s squirrel population (luckily her success rate is still at 0%)

If you watch the news or read the papers, it seems as though dead bodies are only ever found by people out walking their dogs. A perfect example is the unfortunate resident of Barking (no pun intended) who discovered two separate corpses in the town’s St Margaret’s Church within a matter of weeks back in 2014.

Whether or not the statistics back up the supposed truism, this is often in the back of my mind when if I’m out for a stroll with the pooch especially when walking somewhere secluded or during an antisocial time of day.

On a recent trip to The Royals, a particularly squawky commotion caught my attention.

Following the sound I was met by the sight of a vast murder of crows - some circling, some perching in the trees and the rest stalking an item on their ground. Thankfully, they hadn’t lived up to the name of their collective noun, but were instead just picking apart the last remnants of someone’s leftover lunch.

It’s worth clarifying that I have no wish to stumble upon a dead body, but I do wonder whether it might become something of a selffulfilling prophecy - a nagging feeling that makes me more likely, on a subconscious level, to venture a little deeper into those hard-to-reach areas and look more diligently at any strange mounds. Hopefully it means that my chances of discovering (not quite) buried treasure are also increased… the search continues.

That’s not to say that we haven’t come across the occasional oddity or petty crime during our strolls. Logically, it makes sense that the more hidden areas (which are also the more picturesque and less populated) are where you’re likely to find abandoned mopeds, discarded adult reading material and other dubious items (including several arrows I found that had been fired into the base of some oak trees).

Duncan Haskell

Friendly mobile bicycle repair.

All bikes fixed in BS9.

Call 0117 3620212 or get in touch via our website www.boingbicycles.co.uk/contact 52

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Kemps Jewellers Est. 1881

There's so much to love in February • our fabulous range of jewellery, watches & gifts for him & her • our great value prices to suit all budgets & occasions • our knowledgeable and friendly staff ••• oh, and it's St Valentine's Day as well Kemps Jewellers, 9 Carlton Court, Westbury on Trym 0117 950 50 90 - www.kempsjewellers.com 54

Computer Corner with Mrs PC Addiction If my article last month about New Year’s resolutions struck a chord, I thought I might offer some solutions to the problem of Internet addiction, which is widespread in today’s society.

In case you missed the last article, the first thing I suggested was that you leave your phone behind when you are going out with family and friends. Or if you can’t leave it, certainly turn it onto silent and keep it in your pocket or handbag- not on the table where it might distract you. The further you put it away from you, the less likely you are to look at it.

When you are face to face and could be interacting with people or in a meeting, put away your phone or tablet, shut down the screen of your laptop and talk to them. Whilst it’s polite to reply to messages and emails, it’s not essential to do so immediately.

You could try checking devices less frequently.

Apple research suggests that iPhones are unlocked 80 times a day, and people spend over 3 hours interacting with them every day. Try and train yourself to check less frequently and try and limit your screen time. You could even set the phone’s timer.

There is good news for road safety. The new IOS for iPhones will go into “Do not disturb” mode when driving and connected by Bluetooth to the car. This stops you from receiving messages, and tempting you to look. It also sends an automatic message to anyone who is trying to get in touch to tell them that you are driving.

If you use another type of phone, do consider turning it off or putting it on silent in the glove box to protect yourself and other road users.

You may not realise, but you get a buzz from interacting with your phone/tablet. So there is actually a psychological reason why we all have a compulsive urge to check our screens.

Our brains are wired in such a way that seeking out “likes” on social media, texts, messages, or notifications give us a dose of the naturally occurring dopamine. This is the drug that gives you an injection of happiness, so it’s not surprising that we want to reward ourselves frequently and it’s addictive.

The opposite can also be true. It’s easy to feel isolated and alone, depressed or anxious if no one responds to your text or Facebook post and everything is quiet. Anticipating interaction and phone/tablet is learned behaviour and we can and must unlearn it. What we miss is our dose of dopamine and the pleasure associated with it. We are hard wired to seek pleasure, but we should be trying to re educate ourselves about seeking it from a phone.

Addiction to anything can lead to problems and I will write more about social media and mental health another time.

Constant interruptions from your phone can make you lose your focus at work, and in everyday tasks. Lack of concentration can also lead to injuries such as walking into lamp posts when texting, or getting run over. You could turn notifications off permanently or delete Apps that you find addictive. Studies have found that activating black and white view is less appealing, but if this is a step too far, then consider using “night shift”, an automatic setting which subtly softens the display and apparently assists in getting a good night’s sleep.

There is evidence that people would rather give up food, sleep and sex than throw away their phone. This is a serious state of affairs.

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“Patience is my speciality”

55

203 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2XT

Negotiation is not an easy business.

I was at a conference recently in which a hostage negotiator outlined the finer points of his (much more perilous) negotiation strategy, and much of it resonated for me. He maintained that active listening and clear communication are key. You only have to look at the business of Brexit to know that skill and experience matter when reaching an agreement with serious implications.

REDLAND – £1350.00 PCM + FEES – EPC E A spacious three bedroom first and second floor maisonette situated near Whiteladies Rd, Redland Park, Gloucester Rd and the City Centre. The property offers: Living room, kitchen/breakfast room, bathroom and three double bedrooms with views. Available Now on a furnished basis.

While selling or letting a home is a different beast, it’s not that different, and the financial consequences are huge for most of us. There is an art to reaching an agreement between buyer and seller, landlord and tenant, and a deal that everyone can agree on.

Property negotiation is not a game and not for the fainthearted. You could do it yourself? Or you could hire seasoned, respected experts whose job it is not to be influenced or undermined by the tactics of others.

It pays to instruct a good agent.

Best wishes Howard Davis MD, C J Hole Clifton

REDLAND - £1250.00 PCM + FEES – EPC D A very grand first floor apartment in a prime location comprising: Large sitting, dining hall, kitchen, master bedroom with ensuite bathroom, second double bedroom plus family bathroom.

The property also benefits from gas central heating and residents parking. Available now on an unfurnished basis.

www.cjhole.co.uk Clifton Lettings 0117 946 6588 56

clifton@cjhole.co.uk

REDLAND – GUIDE PRICE £1,200,000 EPC D

CLIFTON – GUIDE PRICE £945,000 – EPC 2 xC&1xD

A substantial refurbished four storey Victorian family house built in 1868 (2979 sq ft). This well presented house offers: Generous kitchen/dining room with direct access to the rear garden, four reception rooms, five double bedrooms, three bathrooms, front and rear gardens with side access to the property.

A Victorian house enjoying a central Clifton location, currently arranged as three separate flats but with the necessary planning permissions there is potential to convert back to a single dwelling. Should you consider buying for investment then we can advise on current rents achieved.

HARBOUR AREA – GUIDE PRICE £350,000 EPC C

CLIFTON - £139,950 EPC C Avon Court is a beautifully maintained over 60s development in central Clifton having the benefit of Whiteladies Rd, Clifton Village and Durdham Downs just a short walk away. The apartment comprises: Lounge/diner, kitchen, double bedroom plus shower room and is offered with no onward chain.

A beautifully presented and modernised apartment located central to the Harbourside/ Clifton.Spacious lounge opening on to a kitchen/diner with access to a private balcony, two double bedrooms, bathroom plus a garage and a car port parking space. The development falls within the ‘CH’ parking zone where permits are available from the council.

Clifton Sales 0117 923 8238 www.cjhole.co.uk 57

Prize Wordsearch with Bristol Blue Glass (Henbury) is correct and the first one drawn at random after the closing date of 28th February, you will be going glass blowing at Bristol Blue Glass in Henbury. Entries please by email to andy@ bcmagazines.co.uk, post to 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY, text to 07845 986650 or phone call to 0117 259 1964

Our prize puzzle this month draws its inspiration from the kind sponsors, Bristol Blue Glass at Henbury. They have very generously put up a glass blowing experience as the prize - an opportunity to go along, learn about Bristol Blue glass with one of their master craftsmen and, under their supervision, have a go at blowing glass yourself - either a vase or a glass tumbler.

Taking the colour / place name theme a little further, you are looking for UK towns or cities, and colours that alliteratively go with them - like Bristol and Blue.

Right - here are your locations and colours ALTRINCHAM AZURE ROCHDALE RED LINCOLN LEMON MALVERN MAUVE BURNLEY BURGUNDY TELFORD TANGERINE PORTSMOUTH PINK OXFORD ORANGE COVENTRY CRIMSON ABERDEEN APRICOT Date: ___________________ GRIMSBY GREEN IPSWICH INDIGO BRISTOL BLUE

So listed below are twenty six words - thirteen towns or cities and thirteen colours. Twelve of each are hidden in the wordsearch grid (forwards, backwards, up, down or on a diagonal), meaning that one colour and one location are not in the grid. They are not necessarily an alliterative pair - so Bristol might ___________________________________ be missing but Blue might not. Just discover the one town / city and one colour that are missing, let me know which they are and, if your entry

ure

Bristol Blue

K J F K C E Q H C I W S P I K K Z

O K B N X P C I Z C C R I M S O N

G L U I M S G R E E N D M G H I A

I L O P M E A Y G B U R G U N D Y

D I A C U N C L C W G O W N B Y A

N N P L P A E B T V Q F W O U U B

I C R N E O L U G R Z X B M R J E

J O I I C U R R E D I O G E N E R

M L C E E N N T L D R N R L L U D

A N O G T B H C S V L A C A E W E

altrincham

U Q T N V M L Y N M X O D H Y I E

V C J A A U M R E F O H T P A S N

E O C R G U E R F P C U V S U M L

58

X M P O D V U J C O H E T H I F Z

B I E J L Z U F R L N C U H L R A

H M N A A I M G R I M S B Y K M B

W J M I N K O C O V E N T R Y S P

Thank you to everybody who entered the November competition, where the correct answer was Mousetrap. First two correct entries out of the hat were emailed entries from Catherine Paget and Nigel Birkett. Both win a 1,000 jigsaw puzzle.

And thanks also to those of you who took the time to enter the December competition where the correct answer was Donkey and the prize winner was an emailed entry from Karine Day. Karine, you've won yourself Sunday dinner for two at the Eastfield Inn or the Gloucester Old Spot.

red

Blowing Glass in Henbury Back in "the old days" grown up people just got on with their lives - they went to work, did stuff and came home again. You did your job, others did their jobs and what each other did was just a big unknown - unless you happened to want to buy the thing that they made in their job or use the skills that their job provided.

Even then how they made stuff or did things was a mystery - unless you happened to see an obscure documentary that told you how peas were harvested and frozen, how old men climbed old chimneys and knocked them down brick by brick, or how policemen drove around in Morris Minor's at breakneck speeds, jumping out occasionally to shout "you're nicked" to a youth on a Chopper bike riding on a pavement.

No, other peoples professions were other peoples secrets.

Not now though. Oh no, today you can see what other people do, understand what other people do - do what other people do. In short you can "have an experience". And how much fun is that - you can try out things, feel what it is like to do something different, you can have a go too.

Which is just what my daughter and I did just before Christmas. Every time over the last year or so when I'd driven past Beaufort Motor Company on the Cribbs Causeway, the one on the opposite side of the carriageway as you head up to The Mall, just past the Old Crow roundabout, I'd looked across and been intrigued by the sign saying "Bristol Blue Glass (Henbury) Limited" above an adjoining workshop. "Strange place to put a showroom for iconic glassware" I thought. Finally I remembered to pull in on the way home from Cribbs and find out what's going on - and it is indeed a showroom full of Bristol Blue glass. And not only do they display a plethora of beautiful cobalt blue items but they also produce them on site. And you can indeed have a go.

Without a moments hesitation I booked us in on one of their bauble blowing taster sessions - after all who could resist having a go at someone else's job, especially when that

job creates things of beauty by magic from a combination of just sand and puff?

Our experience was booked for two weeks before Christmas and as we turned up the snow was falling magically onto the Christmas trees that the garage was selling on the forecourt, next to the open-fronted workshop.

Brrrrrr - well not really as we were soon stood next to the open door of a furnace which was glowing hot. Very hot. Our guide for the glass masterclass was Marcin, congenial, quietly spoken and hugely enthusiastic - a man who had cut his glassblowing teeth in the factories of his native Poland (where fine glass production has over centuries developed a worldwide reputation) before moving here more than a decade ago and then joining Bristol Blue Glass Henbury.

Marcin talked us though the inevitable but perfectly understandable safety aspects of his work, a world where temperatures of 1,000 degrees centigrade are necessary. A quick squint into the furnace, where blobs of glass on pipes were warming nicely, demonstrated perfectly just how hot the conditions to create molten glass need to be. Then it was down to business, with Marcin talking us though the series of steps we would be going through to turn the "blob" of glass (I believe this is called a gather) into a perfectly formed sphere. In trying to come up with an analogy for the glassblowing process the best I can come up with is to imagine putting a ball of soft chewing gum onto the end of a long straw and blowing through the straw until you manage to get the gum to inflate. Of course when you are an expert at something you manage to make it look easy, even when 59

Will you be able to pass on your home Inheritance Tax-free?

The current nil rate band for Inheritance Tax (IHT) is £325,000 and has been for almost a decade. In the mean�me, house prices in BS9 have risen by 34% on average. The increase in the value of their homes has brought many more people within the scope of IHT. In April 2017 a residence nil rate band was introduced to help cover the value of the family home when passed to direct descendants (i.e. children, grandchildren etc.) on death. This is currently £100,000 and will increase to £175,000 by April 2020.

Married couples and civil partners can pass any unused nil rate band to their surviving partner.

On the second death the nil rate band can therefore be up to £650,000 and the residence nil rate band can be up to £200,000 currently, rising to up to £350,000 by April 2020.

This means it will soon be possible to pass on an estate of up to £1,000,000 without paying IHT. The family home may be exempt from IHT as a result in some cases. However, there are some key points to bear in mind: • •

The residence nil rate band can only be claimed if the home is passed to direct descendants. This is therefore not an op�on for those without children or who want to pass the home to someone else.

Estates worth more than £2,000,000 do not benefit from the residence nil rate band in full. It is reduced by £1 for every £2 by which the value of the estate exceeds £2m.

Previous estate planning may need to be revised to take full advantage of the new residence nil rate band, e.g. poten�ally changing the distribu�on of assets so that the home passes to a direct descendant and/or making gi�s on or a�er the first death to keep the value of the estate under £2m on the second death. IHT planning is a complex area where we suggest seeking personalised financial and legal advice.

Richard Higgs, Chartered Financial Planner at Wealth West Ltd, provides friendly financial advice in BS9 on a face-to-face basis in the comfort of clients’ own homes. He specialises in advising re�red clients on savings, investments, Inheritance Tax and long-term care planning. He can be reached on 0117 9665699, richard.higgs@ wealthwest.co.uk, or alterna�vely through www.wealthwest.co.uk.

Trym Lodge, 1 Henbury Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3HQ, Tel. 0117 966 5699 www.wealthwest.co.uk richard.higgs@wealthwest.co.uk 60

Blowing Glass in Henbury it might be fiendishly difficult. So as well as blowing down the pipe you have to gently rotate the pipe to get a consistent inflation, judge when the temperature of the glass has fallen sufficiently to necessitate popping it back in the furnace for a reheat, spin the formed bauble within a water soaked wooden mould to ensure a uniform shape, all whilst emembering that you are dealing with something so hot that it would create a not insignificant scorch mark if you dropped it.

The good news, especially if multi-tasking is not your thing, is that the master craftsman is with you all the way, allowing you to be involved whilst relaxing and enjoying the expereince which is akin to blowing up a balloon - you know, the bit when you first blow into the empty balloon and hope that it bursts into shape before your eardrums pop.

finished bauble that has turned from fiery red into, well, Bristol blue. The iconic blue colour is formed, so we were told, by the addition of cobalt oxide to the basic silicone dioxide (aka sand). At this point the glass is still at some 700oC and to prevent it from cracking it needs to cool at a very slow rate - so your bauble will be popped into a kiln which is switched off and cools overnight, resulting in a solid glass bauble the following morning. (A bit like leaving the spare meatball in the pan, popping it in the oven to keep warm, forgetting it and discovering the following day it has turned into a crusty missile). 24 hours later you return to collect your masterpiece, all beautifully wrapped and boxed.

It is an incredibly satisfying process, almost magical as you see your bauble emerge, take shape and start to change colour as it begins to cool. Once it has reached the correct size (a few puffs are necessary) it is a case of cutting the bauble from the end of the blowpipe, leaving an inch of sprue which is then reheated with an industrial blowtorch to re-soften it, allowing you with dextrous plier skills to form it into the loop with which to hang your bauble.

Hey presto - a

And why wait to Christmas to blow your own piece of Bristol Blue Glass? Their experiences go on throughout the year, and you can have a go at producing a bauble like we did, a paperweight, a vase or a drinking tumbler. And for your Valentine or Mother’s day gift why not come and visit the shop, to treat the special person in your life.

And there you have it, one delightful handmade Bristol Blue glass bauble - a beautiful and lasting memento resulting from a fascinating and enjoyable experience.

For full details please contact us on 0117 3048007 or visit www.bristolblueglass.co.uk Thanks to Marcin for sharing his time and enthusiasm with us. I'm off now to find myself a friendly steeplejack to see if he or she wants a job swap. And in the meantime check out this months Prize Wordsearch back on page 58 there is a glass blowing experience to be won.

61

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History Notes - Julian Lea-Jones No. 122 - The Pickwick, The Owl and the what?

Now Christmas is over and we are all sitting down writing our thank you letters – I thought it might be worth having a look at the time when the art and etiquette of letter writing featured more in people’s lives. I wonder how many of the associated items I am about to describe still exist tucked away in our desk drawers and cupboards?

century rules of grammar and the correct form of address were considered to be very important. Those not so sure of the correct etiquette relied upon a wide range of published ‘Letter Writers’. These contained specimen letters for Ladies & Gentlemen, Companions, Lovers and even job seekers. Perhaps you have one of these guides published by Frederick Warne & Co of London still tucked away on a bookshelf.

(Note to self: yet to discover if the London publisher was linked to Bristol’s own publisher also named Frederick Warne whose guide books were sold by H C Ackland of Union Street.)

Will our descendants treasure family emails in the same way as we may treasure our great grandparents’ bunch of letters discovered in a box in the attic? The discovery by our great grandchildren of a floppy disc tied up with a pink ribbon may not provide the same frisson of excitement even if they can still access the old media. The once ubiquitous floppy disc is already obsolete, and the data on normal CD ROMS also has finite shelf life. Of course there may be yet another problem if our descendants’ discoveries are readable but are in the Pidgin English known as texting? Compare these potential problems with family letters that I recently came across, from my Great Great Grandmother in Bermuda to my Great Great Grandfather in New Orleans. The letters, using steel-nibed dip-pens, written on cloth paper in black ink, probably based on oak bark, are perfectly readable even today after 165 years in the humid sub-tropics.

Now let us consider other letters from that earlier and more graceful age, when grammatical composition, choice of paper, pen and even the ink were all carefully made to enhance the message, and not merely to provide a linguistic challenge. In the nineteenth

More importantly, do you have any family letters that could have been based upon the specimens? If so I hope they don’t reveal the awful situation two lovers found themselves in. The guide’s specimen letters also included model replies, which led to this tragic situation.

Here William, possibly a Bristol sailor on HMS Centaurus, wrote to his intended, Miss Fanny - but being painfully aware of his literary shortcomings used a copy of the letter guide to pen his loving epistle, which read:“My dear Fanny You are never out of my mind.

If you only think of me half as much, I shall be satisfied. Sleeping or waking it is all the same, Fanny, you are my only thought…..never have I ceased thinking of you. ….

Your devoted lover, William”.

As fate would have it Fanny, overwhelmed by Williams loving letter, turned to her own copy for help in penning a reply, and was about to reply along the lines:“William, Dearest love, such I must and will, with your permission, always call you. …”, only to discover in the same book the master copy of William’s love letter to her! I wonder what her reply would have been? I doubt if it would have the one recommended by the Guide.

Nevertheless it would be nice to think that in spite of the setback they were reconciled.

63

History Notes - Julian Lea-Jones But what of the writing implements that they used? The most famous advertising slogan for writing equipment must be that of Macniven & Cameron Ltd. of Edinburgh who initially supplied steel nibs for dip pens. Their memorable slogan was: "They come as a boon and blessing to men, the Pickwick, the Owl and the Waverley Pen" (the latter presumably in honour of Edinburgh's famous son, Sir Walter Scott, author of the Waverley novels).

Although the invention of metal pens was first mentioned in the Times in 1792 they didn’t come into general use until the 1820s. Almost certainly quill pens would have been used in writing the deeds for Henleaze Park House estate, (see my December 2017 Thatched Cottage article). The quill pen required conditioning and skill in cutting and sharpening, using a pocket knife with a specially shaped blade. Although obsolete the term pen-knife is still with us.

silver, deskilled making the nib. This elegant and beautifully made tool would have been the ‘must have’ invention of its day, especially for the gentleman or lady of letters. To use the cutter the lever was raised and quills blunt end pushed in, the lever closed and, ‘Hey Presto’ the nib was cut. This particularly fine example even has an integral cutter to form the ink slot.

Lastly, a bit about the quill pens themselves.

They were preferably from the primary flight feathers of a large bird, often a goose, whilst swan feathers were of a premium grade being scarcer and more expensive. Crow feathers were used for drawing fine lines. The strongest feathers were the five outer left wing ones from a living bird collected during the spring moult.

The left wing was favoured because its feathers conveniently curved outward and away when used by a right-handed writer.

Unlike our family letters are the entries recorded in Lloyds of London’s ‘Doom’ or LossBook which, even to this day, are entered using a quill pen on parchment. Interested in learning more about Bristol’s true but sad link with Lloyds Doom Book? Read ‘A fateful decision’ in Chapter 7 of my book ‘Bristol Curiosities’.

My thanks to Dave Wheeler and Steve Groves of the Abbotsbury Swannery, who kindly supplied both quills and information about their use. For more information contact them at Swannery@ gotadsl.co.uk ; and to: www.dippennibs.co.uk/proddetail. php?prod=WaverleyPen © Julian Lea-Jones FRAeS, 2018

However the small utilitarian object above, made of ebony, carbon steel and German 64

Westbury-On-Trym Men's Club

• Private members Club in the heart of Westbury-On-Trym Village • Fully licensed bar • Two Widescreen HD TV's with separate Sky, BT, Eurosport etc.

• Fantastic events, away days and competitions • Snooker, Darts, Cribbage & Chess competitions • Great Live sports atmosphere • Diverse and friendly membership • Two full sized snooker tables

Applications for Membership welcome Contact Us Westbury-On-Trym Men's Club 2 Stoke Lane Westbury-On-Trym Bristol BS9 3DL

Tel. 0117 950 0290 Email: steward@motmc.org.uk honsec@wotmc.org.uk 65

66

• The next Henleaze and Westbury Park Forum is on Thursday 22nd February 2018 at Henleaze Library at 7pm. This is the chance to meet with all your local councillors and discuss local issues of concern. Please email or phone if you want to know more.

• The Mayor presents his budget to Full Council on 20th February which will recommend massive service reductions.

• The Arena has been delayed again. Please let us know your thoughts on whether it should go ahead and, if so, where it should be located.

• The Mayor is proposing to spend £4.5billion on an underground for Bristol! Please tell us what you think about this remarkable idea.

67

H & P Aerials

Specialist in Digital Technology High quality service and finish

TV, FM And DAB Radio Aerials Freesat & European Satellite works Supply and Fit TV Mounts and Extra Aerial Points OAP Concessions* Fully Guaranteed Prompt And Efficient Service No Job Too Small

Fitted wardrobes Bespoke fitted furniture Alcove units Kitchen fitting Wooden flooring All general Carpentry

For A Free Quote Call 0117 908 7232 or 07815 029 775

Email : info@hathawayscarpentry.com Web : hathawayscarpentry.com

*Please ask for details

Call for a quote on: 07748151682

LOCKSMITHS SERVICES Lock Changes and Repairs Gaining Entry Alarms & CCTV UPVC Door Specialist Burgulary Repairs DBS Checked No Call Out Fee Work Guaranteed Home & Business

Tel: 0117 3390019 Mob: 07591 955 992 jon-challen@hotmail.co.uk www.lockrite.org/Bristol

68

At the Cinema with Chris Worthington Darkest Hour Directed by Joe Wright, Certificate PG

However as the days go by Churchill becomes increasingly worried and uncertain. He begins to drink even more than usual, questions his own ability and competence and comes close to accepting peace negotiations but somehow “keeps buggering on.” Meanwhile behind the scenes Chamberlain and Halifax are plotting a vote of no confidence in the House of Commons believing that the military situation is hopeless.

At last in a flash of inspiration Churchill secretly instructs the admiralty to requisition every serviceable civilian boat to evacuate the army at Dunkirk.

The historical context for Darkest Hour is the invasion of France in May 1940 by Nazi Germany. However the film centres on the political situation in Britain at the time and the eloquence, leadership and vision of Winston Churchill (Garry Oldman).

The film opens with the first of several scenes in the House of Commons where the leader of the opposition, Clement Atlee (David Schofield) is demanding the resignation of the British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain (Ronald Pickup) for failing to protect the nation from the Nazi threat.

Churchill described Atlee as “a sheep in sheep’s clothing” but on the evidence of that speech he was quite wrong. Many other political speeches feature in the film most notably from Lord Halifax (Stephen Dillanne) the Foreign Secretary and Sir Antony Eden (Samuel West) the Secretary of State for War.

Churchill finally defeats his political opponents in the “We shall fight on the beaches” speech at the House of Commons. By the end of the speech a vote of confidence is unthinkable and Halifax can only concede that “he mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.”

As the horror on the invasion of France begins to unfold Churchill is invited to form a government by King George V1. In the war cabinet he keeps his enemies close with the inclusion of both Chamberlain and Halifax. He resists quite justifiable exhortations from the war cabinet to sue for peace and orders the small British army contingent at Calais to mount a suicidal diversionary attack that will slow the nazi advance. However the situation becomes ever more desperate, time is running out and there is danger that the entire British army at Dunkirk will be wiped out. Churchill’s response is to address the nation in a morale boosting radio broadcast that gives the impression that the invasion of France will be defeated. In reality the French army was close to capitulation.

The breadth of the talent of the actors in Darkest Hour is exceptional. Gary Oldman played George Smiley in Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy and Sid Vicious in Sid and Nancy. Kristin Scott Thomas appeared in The English Patient and more recently in The Party. Ronald Pickup was in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and played the forger in Day of the Jackal. Most of the main actors have also worked in television including parts in Game of Thrones, Doc Martin, New Tricks, Wycliffe and Inspector Morse. The director, Joe Wright, is dyslexic and left school without O - levels. His previous films include Pride and Prejudice (2005), Atonement (2007) and Anna Karenina (2012). He has described film making as “An expression of the soul. It is who we are the most fundamental. It is the closest thing to my essence that there is. That’s where I allow myself to be revealed.”

After a shaky start in their relationship Churchill finds an unlikely ally in the king who advises that he must “trust the people”. Support also comes from his wife Clemmie (Kristin Scott Thomas) and the newly appointed secretary Elizabeth Layton who typed the famous speeches.

A review of the film in the Bristol Evening Post gave the verdict that the film is a “timely lesson for the political guard of every hue as we face a very different showdown with European neighbours.”

Clement Attlee dismissed one of his ministers by bluntly saying that he was “not up to it.” We need more of that now.

Chris Worthington

69

What's On & Community News Lis�ngs for community events, not-for-profit clubs and charitable ac�vi�es are free of charge. If you have something of this nature that you would like listed please get in touch by calling 0117 259 1964 or 07845 986650, email andy@bcmagazines.co.uk, or post details in to 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY. Details shown are accurate to the best of my knowledge, but dates, �mes & loca�ons may change without no�fica�on. So if you are unsure, and to avoid disappointment, please contact the organiser listed to double check.

Theatre, Concerts and Music Melody Makers Choir. A fun, friendly, mixed non audi�on choir singing upli�ing pop and rock music. Book a free taster with our Pop Choir on Wednesday's 7:30-9:00pm in St. Peter's Church, Henleaze, or our Baby Friendly Choir on Tuesday's 10:30-11:30am in The Eas�ield Inn, Henleaze. www.melodymakerschoir.co.uk A Come and Sing Workshop of Faure's Requiem will be held at Redland Hall, Redmaids' High School on Saturday 3rd March. The Workshop will be followed by an informal performance with a collec�on for charity at the end. For details on how to par�cipate please contact Sarah Hunter by email sarah@theyews.net or call 07870 208789.

Friday 16th Feb 18, Motown & Soul Music Concert Evening at Westbury-on-Trym Village Hall with great local band 'Soul in Mo�on'.

Please just take yourselves back in �me, dance and enjoy the music. Bar & Doors open 7pm un�l 11.30pm - All welcome - By Ticket only £15 - For your �ckets please either email enquiries@ wotvillagehall.org or Tel No. (0117) 9623399.

Horfield Theatre Company presents The Actress

by Peter Quilter A touching and hilarious comedy about an actress making her farewell performance.‘The Actress’ drama�ses the events backstage as a colourful, complicated actress makes her emo�onal farewell performance.

14th-17th Feb at Horfield Parish Church Hall, Wellington Hill, Horfield BS7 8ST. Tickets £9.

Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm. Ticketline: 0117 9695716 or go to www.horfieldtheatre.co.uk.

Sound of Music - Saturday 3rd February, at St Alban's Church, 7.30pm. Do you yodel like Julie Andrews? Is your singing voice posi�vely Von Trapp? Either way, why not come to the St Albans Church pop -up cinema on Saturday 3rd

February for a showing of The Sound of Music where singing along is posi�vely encouraged.

Who knows, it could become one of your favourite things! Prosecco, popcorn and lots of other yummy stuff available on the night!

Dressing up is also posi�vely encouraged. Tickets £10 and available from Eventbrite from Thursday 18th January (search for The Church in Westbury Park and Sound of Music) Westbury Park Orchestra is a friendly nonaudi�oned, orchestra with a repertoire of classical and modern pieces with an emphasis on having fun. You will ideally be of a good standard (string and brass players par�cularly welcome). We meet at Westbury-on-Trym Methodist Church, Westbury Hill on Monday evenings between 8.00 and 9.30 pm (term-�me only). Free taster session for newcomers. Come and give us a try. For further details visit www. westburyparkorchestra.com.

Henbury Singers is a friendly choir and welcome new members. We meet at Stoke Bishop Primary School (BS9 1BW) in Cedar Park on Thursday evenings - 7:45 to 9:15 pm. There is no audi�on. We sing mainly choral music from a classical tradi�on, but we also sing carols, songs from musicals, gospel and folk songs. For membership contact Maggie Cavanna 0117 973 4794 or secretary@henburysingers.org On Saturday 3 February 2018, 8.00pm at St James Priory, Bristol BS1 3NZ Bristol Bach Choir present Rachmaninov: All-Night Vigil.

Rachmaninov’s All-Night Vigil - usually known as his Vespers - has been lauded as his ‘greatest achievement’ and as ‘the greatest musical achievement of the Russian Orthodox Church’.

This extraordinarily inspira�onal work is surely amongst the best a cappella choral works of any era. Composed over just two weeks in 1915, and thus set against the backdrop of the Great War, it is an immensely spiritual work of profound depth and beauty. Tickets cost £15 (restricted side view) or £20 (£5 for students and under 25s subject to availability) and are available online at bristolbach.org.uk or by phoning 0117 214 0721 or emailing �ckets@bristolbach.org.uk.

NOVA, Bristol’s specialist early music vocal ensemble, invite you to a St Valen�ne-�de evening of Love. ‘Cupid’s Arrow’ features love songs from Medieval and Renaissance Europe.

Ecsta�c young love from ‘The Song of Songs’

by Victoria, Senfl and de Goes. Rus�c love from the 13th Century Carmina Burana. Heartbroken longing from Monteverdi. David’s lament for 70

Bristol Child Contact Centre in Henleaze is recruiting new volunteers!

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. Many of the ‘contact parents’ are fathers, so we would especially welcome more men to join us.

The volunteer role involves: • meeting and welcoming parents and children • preparing the hall and toys, assisting with cleaning up at the end of the session • serving refreshments • listen non-judgmentally and with empathy whilst remaining impartial • using good communicating skills If this appeals to you, and you’d be free to join our Saturday volunteer rota every 4-6 weeks for a few hours, do get in touch for further details. We are open on every 2nd and 4th Saturday a month, from 10am-1pm and from 2pm-5pm.

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 Monika on 07511 290505 for informal chat or email: info@bristolchildcontactcentre.org.uk

71

What's On & Community News his beloved Jonathan by Josquin. What the butler did to the chamber maid by Manchicourt.

And more. All Saints, Pembroke Road, Cli�on on Sunday February 18th at 7.30pm. Entry by programme (£8 - £5 for students) at the door.

On Saturday 10th February 2018 10.00 am to 4.00 pm at Tyndale Bap�st Church, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2QG Bristol Choral Society presents Come&Sing - Will Todd’s Mass in Blue.

Tickets £15 (under 18s £7.50) including score hire. Full details at www.bristolchoral.co.uk.

Book by email to comeandsing@bristolchoral. co.uk or call Sarah on 0117 962 3223 Bristol Male Voice Choir will be singing in and around Bristol in the coming year. You don’t have to read music to join the choir as a tenor, baritone or bass, but you will enjoy learning our repertoire, (re-)discovering the voice you may have forgo�en about , and being welcomed into the choir’s friendly social atmosphere.

We rehearse every Thursday from 7.00pm �ll 9.15 pm at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (formerly Filton College) Come along to a rehearsal, or visit bristolmvc.org.uk - to find out more.

Friends if Welsh Na�onal Opera and all visitors are warmly welcomed at Redmaids High School on Wednesday 21st February at 7.15pm to a talk

by Andrew Borkowski who will explore the compelling music & drama of La Forza Del Des�no, one of Verdi's longest and finest operas, last performed by WNO in 1982. Tickets at the door: Friends £5 Guests £7.

Bristol Cabot Choir is delighted to welcome new members for all voice parts. Why not come and sing with us for 2/3 ‘taster’ rehearsals before a simple audi�on? We meet at Redland URC on Mondays at 7.30 pm. FFI email admin@bristolcabotchoir.org, visit www. bristolcabotchoir.org or find us on Facebook.

‘Babbers’ Radio Show every Monday from midday to 2pm on Ujima Radio - 98FM. The show is organised and presented by older people for older people with the aim of helping to reduce loneliness and social isola�on, however the topics we cover are interes�ng and relevant to all. For more details - info@ ujimaradio.com.

Saturday February 17th. Organ Elevenses at Westbury Parish Church. Local organist and musician Alison Howell, who makes a welcome return, has been organist at St. John's Keynsham

for a long �me. Some�me conductor of the Avon and Somerset MVC, she is now their chief accompanist. Come at !0-30 to enjoy real coffee, lovely cakes and a chat. Recital begins at 11 am.

Suggested dona�on £5 to include refreshments.

All welcome.

The Bristol Good A�ernoon Choir meets every Monday a�ernoon from 2pm-4pm, at TrinityHenleaze United Reformed Church, Waterford Road, BS9 4BT. Rehearsals are from 2pm to 4pm, there are no audi�ons and everyone is welcome. We enjoy all sorts of music – from folk songs to choral favourites. For more details about the choir please contact Nikki on 01761 472468 or email gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk – or just come along to a rehearsal. No cost for your first rehearsal.

Henleaze Singing for the Brain Group meets in the Bradbury Hall on Waterford Road, on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday a�ernoons each month from 2.00pm to 3.45pm We start the session with tea, coffee and biscuits, and general socializing before singing. We have song books, and sing all sorts of songs including songs from the musicals, well-known golden oldies, and folk songs, and are accompanied on the piano. If you would like to a�end a session, please contact Alzheimer’s Society local office in Bristol at bristol@alzheimers.org.uk or 0117 961 0693.

Sing with Bristol Chamber Choir. Come and join Bristol’s oldest choir (founded in 1837) and visit parts of the repertoire that larger choirs can’t reach! The music we have sung recently ranges from Ockeghem and Palestrina, through Schütz to Bruckner and Rachmaninov and many others.

We invite experienced singers who enjoy a capella singing to join us at the start of 2018.

Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings at Redland Park United Reformed Church at 7.30pm. Further details can be found at www. bristolchamberchoir.org.uk. If you are interested please contact our Secretary, Rae Ford, on 0117 939 1685 or Rod Coomber on 01275 843900 or rodcoomber@aol.co.uk The Mosaic Singers is a compact group but would like to grow our line-up with an addi�onal soprano, alto, tenor and bass. We rehearse in Stoke Bishop on Tuesday evenings, where a warm and friendly welcome is assured. This need not be as heavy a commitment as with some choirs. If you would like to find out more, please phone David Vicary on 0797 346 0994.

Henleaze Ladies Choir is a friendly welcoming 72

RASCALS HOLIDAY CHILDCARE

NORTHCOTE GREAT BROCKERIDGE WESTBURY ON TRYM BRISTOL BS9 3TY

OFSTED REGISTERED FOR CHILDREN OVER 3

www.cip-rascals.co.uk Friendly & Experienced Staff Regular offsite trips Creative arts, crafts, drama, sports & outdoor activities CIP Rascals

WASC – Westbury After School Club – is looking for a playworker to join their team.

WASC is a well-established up to 50 place club for 4 – 11 year olds run from Westbury-on –Trym Primary Academy School. Hours of work are: Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs, Fri 2.45pm to 6.15pm, Term Time only. Pay: Dependent on Qualifications NVQ 2 £8.65 ph and Below NVQ 2 £8.08 ph. The post is to start as soon as possible, and all posts are subject to a DBS check and references. Email the WASC Administrator, Kate Plessier for more information and an application form at wasc400@gmail.com

Graham Cook Gardener and Handyman

Grass cutting, hedge and shrub trimming, weeding, planting, felling small trees, clearing, small painting jobs including garden fences and other maintenance work.

Qualified sports massage therapist based in the BS9 area.

Please call for a no-obligation chat

Call 0117 377 0644 or 07415 658 205

Massages available include full body relaxation and injury rehabilitation.

Prices: £25 - half an hour massage £40 - hour massage Please get in touch for enquiries: Phone- 07717 743 598 Email- heather.sportsmassage@gmail.com

Facebook- Heather’s Sports Massage

73

What's On & Community News group which meets in St Peters Church Hall, Henleaze, on Thurs between September and May from 1.45 to 3.45 pm (with a short break for tea). We give 2 charity concerts a year in December and May and from �me to �me we are invited to entertain community groups around the city. There are also occasional social events organised. We are always pleased to see new members but would par�cularly welcome first sopranos at the moment. Please come and try a rehearsal without obliga�on. To find out more please contact either Jane English (0117 9511430 or 07752 332278) or Jean Wickham (0117 962 4466).

Stoke Bishop Ladies Choir meets at Stoke Bishop Village Hall, new members welcome and no audi�ons are necessary. We are a friendly group that sings for pleasure, and we hold a concert at the end of each term to raise money for charity. Please call Maureen on 9567894 or Carolyn on 2791409 for more informa�on.

Exhibi�ons, Markets and Mee�ngs Country Market. Every Friday from 10.30 to 11.30 in Westbury on Trym Methodist Church Hall. Homemade cakes, arts, cra�s, plants, vegetables, jams and chutneys. Refreshments are also available in a relaxed and friendly environment. For more details contact Sue Sills on 962 8306.

Fitness, Health and Wellbeing Folk/Country Dancing on Tuesday's 1 - 3 pm at The College, College Road, WoT. This is a sociable group mee�ng to have fun, get some exercise and, of course, stop for a cup of tea. No experience is necessary as all dances are called first. For further informa�on, call Chris�ne on 0117 962 2223.

Friday morning Ladies Badminton at Westbury Village Hall, 10 – 12 noon. Come and see our friendly group in ac�on. All we ask is that you can play and would like to meet new people.

For further details, phone Elizabeth on 9681759.

Henleaze St Peters Keep Fit Class, Wednesdays 10-11am at St Peters Henleaze is £5 per session.

Come and join us! A gentle exercise class for everybody! Improve your health and wellbeing with a class designed for people who enjoy low impact, low intensity exercise. With music from the 60s to todays pop for a fun filled work out!

Strengthening muscles, improving suppleness, balance, mobility and stability whilst enjoying

the benefits of general wellness and posi�vity.

Call Louisa for more info on 0772 509 1429.

St Peter’s Badminton & Social Club is a small friendly badminton club and we meet every Monday and most Wednesdays from 7.30pm un�l about 9.30pm in St Peter’s Church Hall, Henleaze, BS9 4LD. Membersip Fees are £50.00 from September to May. Visitor Fees are £3.00 per night. £1.00 for Juniors who are very welcome. Contact Ann: tel:0117 9694882 or email: martannmitch@outlook.com.

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

Ladies Badminton. We meet every Tuesday a�ernoon, 2pm to 4pm, at Stoke Bishop Village Hall. We are looking for players to join our friendly group. Interested? Please call Pat on 0117 914 9511 for more details.

Morris Dancing - Bristol Morris Men welcome anyone who wants to try morris dancing. We prac�se on Thursday evenings in the Sports Hall at QEH School at Berkeley Place, Cli�on from 8pm to 10pm(ish). For more informa�on please visit www.bristolmorrismen.co.uk or call Grant on (0117) 9442165.

Pilates Classes running in the local area on Tuesday’s 9:30am (improver) / 10:30am (beginner) /12:10pm (mixed ability) / 13:30pm (Postnatal) and on Wednesday 18:15pm (intermediate). For bookings please call Leanne on 07817 189 474 / leanne@mindbodypilates. org, or visit www.mindbodypilates.org.

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

Tel. Cheryl on 0117 4012416. Every Tues 7.30 74

Care at Home Do you, or a relative, need a home care service?

Our friendly service is easy to set up and we tailor so it is just right for you.

• Fast assessment • Flexible hours • Simple prices • Quality care service

Let’s talk.

Call 0117 912 4270 or drop into our office at 47 Henleaze Road.

www.stmonicatrust.org.uk/what-we-do/care-home careathome@stmonicatrust.org.uk Registered Charity 202151

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What's On & Community News 9.30pm. See www.wscbristol.co.uk for details.

Men at St Peter’s Keep Fit meetevery Tuesday from 9.30 to 10.30 am. This is a men only group of 60 + year olds who enjoy regular exercise rou�nes taken by fitness professional Natasha Johnson for only £4 per session payable on a�endance. Please contact Keith Bonham on 0117 968 4972 or just turn up.

Hydrotherapy Exercise Sessions - group exercise in Southmead Hospital’s purpose built pool.

Benefits include relaxa�on, relief of pain & swelling, improved movement, balance & fitness. All ages & abili�es welcome. We are a friendly local team of Chartered Physiotherapists with exper�se in a variety of disabili�es & medical condi�ons. For more details please contact Chris & Ali Cowley on 07971 086 628, email healthyhydrotherapy@gmail.com or visit www.healthyhydrotherapy.co.uk.

Ladies Keep Fit, Thursdays 10:00 - 11:00 am, at St Peter's Church Hall, Henleaze. This friendly session, which has a dance element to it, is suitable for ladies of all ages, levels, and abili�es, who want to maintain their general fitness, mobility, range of movement, and well being. £6:00 per class, pay as you go which includes refreshments. Ring 01454 618488, email laili@�scali.co.uk, or visit www. exercisewithlailibrooks.com or just turn up.

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.

Fancy a ramble? How about joining us for enjoyable 8-10 mile walks on two Sundays per month ? Our usual group size is 12-15 walkers. If you are interested please come and give Stoke Lodge Ramblers a try. For more details please visit www.stokelodgeramblers.wordpress.com or phone Secretary 0117 9684140.

Gardening and Hor�culture Sea Mills Garden Club has regular monthly mee�ngs, every 3rd Wednesday, held at Sea Mills Methodist Rooms, Sea Mills Square at 7.30 pm. Our forthcoming programme of talks in 2018 is - 21st February - Jackie Hamblen, "Summer Bedding"; 21st March - Julie Henderson, "Pruning Made Easy". Subscrip�ons due January 2017 Single - £14, Double - £26.

Visitors always welcome at £3 per mee�ng.

Hope to see you there. FFI contact Gail Mitchell 0117 9685350 or Pat Prior 07779 203626.

University of Bristol Botanic Garden - Herald the spring with a special tour with the Curator on Sunday 4th February, 10.30am-12pm.

Curator, Nick Wray, will be leading his first tour of the year to show some of the secret surprises in the garden in winter. Delight in the fragrant plum blossom of Prunus mume, look out for hellebores, winter box, snowdrops, winter aconites and crocus through the Garden. Nick will then guide you into the glasshouses where you will find flowering orchids, bromeliads and South African bulbs. Admission: Free to Friends, children, university staff and students. Visitors £7.00. Please meet at Welcome Lodge University of Bristol Botanic Garden, The Holmes, Stoke Park Road, Bristol, BS9 1 JG. 0117 4282041. www.bristol.ac.uk/botanic-garden Friends of Old Sneed Park Nature Reserve. It only costs £5 a year to become a friend of the nature reserve, a wonderful area for wildlife in Stoke Bishop. The land is owned by the council and run with the help of volunteers & Friends.

There are regular newsle�ers, and regular events on the reserve. Fore more details please check www.spnaturereserve.com.

The Alpine Garden Society meets on the 3rd Friday of the month at Westbury Methodist Church, Westbury Hill, at 7.30pm. We have speakers on various topics, plant sales and social events. Visitors are very welcome at £2 a visit.

For more details please call 967 3160.

Henleaze & District Flower Club meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at Bradbury Hall, Waterford Road in Henleaze.

Flower demonstra�ons are held on the second Thursday, prac�ce classes on the fourth Thursday. New members always welcome. For more details please ring 0117 907 5724.

Henleaze Garden Club meets 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 newsle�er, and great Christmas event. Annual membership is £20 plus £1 per visit, visitors are most welcome at £5 per visit. Contact Brian Dury 962 1227 / www. henleazegardenclub.co.uk for more info.

Volunteering and Chari�es Volunteers to teach adults to read with Read 76

Challenging a Will for lack of financial provision.

In the remaining categories “reasonable financial provision” is limited to maintenance of the individual concerned for instance:

In our modern society with a wider spectrum of social structures than in the past there is an increasing potential for Wills to be challenged for failure to make reasonable financial provision.

Under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 the law identifies a range of people who may challenge a Will for lack of financial provision.

So a spouse, civil partner, former spouse/former civil partner, cohabitee, a child or any person being maintained by the deceased at the time of death may challenge the Will if it fails to make reasonable financial provision for them. “Reasonable financial provision” for a spouse/civil partner means such provision as would be reasonable for the individual to receive whether or not it was required for his or her maintenance. In any other case it is such provision as would be reasonable for the person concerned to receive for his or her maintenance.

So as far as spouses/civil partners are concerned the court is more likely to adapt the approach it would have done in considering a split of the assets in divorce/dissolution proceedings. In that event the longer the relationship the more a court would be inclined to adopt equality of division of the assets.

• A voluntary carer (not necessarily a cohabitee) who was looking after the deceased up until the time of death and who had become financially dependent upon the deceased.

• An adult child, whether or not still living at home, who was still financially dependent upon the deceased.

• A cohabitee living with the deceased for at least two years immediately prior to the time of death.

In considering these “dependency” claims court will have regard to all the circumstances including the size of the estate, any other competing claims, any obligations and responsibilities which the deceased had towards any applicant or any beneficiary of the estate and any other matter including the conduct of the applicant or any other person which in the circumstances the court may consider relevant.

If a claim is to be pursued court proceedings need to be started within six months of the date on which representation of the estate is taken out.

Anyone thinking about making a claim would be sensible to take independent legal advice.

Edward Lyons

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

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

An established and progressive law firm providing a personal and cost-effec�ve legal service for commercial and individual clients.

• Family & Divorce Law • Co-habita�on disputes • Inheritance disputes • Wills and Living Wills • Powers of A�orney • Administra�on of Trusts • Property - sales and purchases 77

What's On & Community News Easy. This Na�onal Charity is looking for people to become reading coaches. We use a scheme that has been specially designed to be delivered by people who are not trained teachers. A�er an ini�al day of training our Coordinator will pair you with an adult reader and ask you to deliver two half hour sessions for most weeks of the year. The �mings for the sessions and the venue will be decided by you and the reader to be mutually convenient. For more infor visit www. readeasy.org.uk or contact our Coordinator by email: bristol@readeasy.org.uk or ring 07941 078332 REMAP is a registered charity that designs and makes custom aids for the disabled. We are on the lookout for volunteers (engineers, cra�smen, DIY enthusiasts etc) who are willing give up a li�le of their �me to enable a disabled person to enjoy a be�er quality of life. We design, make or modify equipment to suit their specific needs. Please contact us if you can help please contact Colin on 01275 460288, colin305@gmail.com, or Ray on 0117 9628729, rwestco�@blueyonder.co.uk or visit www. bristol.remap.org.uk If you’d like to get more ac�ve or involved in your community why not give an hour a week or a day a month and help Marie Curie. as we con�nue to provide care to pa�ents and their families. There are plenty of opportuni�es to volunteer for us. If you enjoy mee�ng new people and raising money for a great cause, we would love to hear from you. FFI please contact Helen Isbell on 0117 9247275 or email Helen.

Isbell@mariecurie.org.uk RSVP (Re�red & Senior Volunteer Programme).

Do you like reading? Do you like helping children? If yes to both, you are just the sort of person we are looking for! If you can spare a minimum of an hour a week to hear children read in a local school you could make a huge difference. Volunteering is a great way to stay ac�ve and to feel useful, so if you are interested in joining us please get in touch. Contact Mina on 07860 669953, or visit RSVP-west.org.uk Volunteers needed to support carers. Could you please help us develop and increase our support to carers, people looking a�er an unwell, disabled or elderly family member or friend in Bristol and South Glos? If you are outgoing and could offer two mornings a month to meet, greet and give informa�on to carers when they visit their GP surgery, I would very glad to hear from you. Full training and support

provided. Please contact Mike Hatch, GP Carer Link Volunteer on 07503 577830 or email mikeh@carerssupportcentre.org.uk. If you look a�er someone who couldn’t manage without you, and would like some informa�on about our services for carers or would just like someone to talk to about caring for the person you look a�er, please call our Carersline on 0117 965 2200 or visit www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk.

Wanted - Volunteer Drivers for transport, once or twice a week, of local elderly pa�ents to the Westbury doctors’ surgery or to a hospital. We operate within the Charity RSVP-West, who provide us with liability insurance for these drives and with prac�cal help and advice. And of course we work closely with the Westbury-onTrym prac�ce. For informa�on please contact Wendy Clark (0117 962 0733) or Zina Wilson (0117 431 3671)or by e-mail on Bernzina@ blueyonder.co.uk or ask at Westbury Prac�ce Recep�on or your local GP on tel. 9623406.

Do you love Weddings? Westbury-on-Trym Village hall is a very popular wedding venue and has a busy ongoing wedding schedule. We’re looking for more volunteers to help these events run smoothly. If you’re interested please email us at enquiries@wotvillagehall.org or leave a message on 0117 9623399.

Friendship, Social and Support Coffee Morning, every 3rd Saturday, at Westbury Park Methodist Church, North View, BS6 7QB. All welcome. 10.30am-12.30pm.

February 17th and March 24th (NB different date due to prior booking). We are currently fundraising for several capital projects - the new kitchen in the Methodist Church, 2 new boilers at the Methodist Church, works at the back of St Alban's Church to improve the layout and install a kitchen, improved toilets at St Alban's Church, renewed ligh�ng at St Alban's and decora�ons at the Methodist Church.

Westbury Park WI is the local WI for Westbury Park, Henleaze and Bishopston. We meet on the first Wednesday of the month from 7.30pm in Redland Church Hall, Redland Green Road, BS6 7HE. Guest fees are £4 per mee�ng (up to 3 visits allowed. Refreshment op�ons available, biscuits/cake free. Email westburyparkwi@ gmail.com or visit www.westburyparkwi.org. uk for more details. Upcoming mee�ngs are: 7th February "My life as a Foster Carer" - Jackie Franklin will be talking about being a foster carer and being a lay person on Bristol Adop�on 78

SARAH’S DECORATING SERVICES • Pa i n ti n g & Dec o r at i n g • A n y s i z e w o r k u n d e r t a k en • F re e q u o t a t i on s

Sarah Partridge 07939 961 707 Sarahsdecserv@gmail.com

QUALITY WORK AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

Local Ironing Service

£15 / medium sack (46cm x 60cm) £25 / large sack (60cm x 76cm)

Free Collec�on & Return*

Call Jenny on 07768 310 157 or email jvhart2008@aol.co.uk (*within 1 mile radius BS9)

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What's On & Community News Panel; 7th March "FODAG - Friends of the Downs" telling us more about the amazing open space on our doorstep.

Bristol Brunel Lions Club meets at Shirehampton Golf Club on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 for 7.30. On the 3rd Tuesday of each month we have a social gathering normally with food. We raise money for charity both locally and beyond through a variety of indoor and outdoor ac�vi�es. For more details of how to apply for assistance with charitable ac�vi�es in Bristol or to become involved see Bristol Brunel Lions Club on line or contact Secretary Bill O’Neill at lion.bill@virginmedia.com

“Simply Social” Ac�vity and Social Club.

Whether you are single or in a rela�onship, enhance your social life by joining our friendly social club. We are run by members for the members and enjoy a packed programme of ac�vi�es including walking, live music, dancing, dining out, badminton, a reading group, weekends away and foreign holidays. There are no age limits although most of our members are 40+. Check out www.simplysocial.org.uk or phone us on 07971 427766, and come along to one of our Thursday Clubnights.

Senior Film Club, every third Monday in the month, at 2pm in St Peter’s Hall, The Drive, Henleaze, BS9 4LD. Monday 19th February at 2pm - Slumdog Millionaire. The 2008 film that won 8 Academy Awards and 7 BAFTAs. A rags-toriches story directed by Danny Boyle and starring Dev Patel… “The feel good film of the decade!”

Easy access, carers welcome. Refreshments £3. Please spread the word and bring a friend.

Supported by Home Instead Senior Care 0117 9898210.

Friday Lunch- first Friday of every month - at Westbury on Trym Methodist Church from 12 noon - 1.30 pm. You are warmly invited to join us for our regular lunch, to meet with others and enjoy a light lunch. For further informa�on call Rachel (330 8503) or Alison (962 9715).

Henleaze (evening) Townswomen’s Guild meets at 7.15 pm on the first Wednesday of the month in St Peter’s Church Hall, The Drive, Henleaze, BS9 4LD. Interes�ng speakers present a variety of topics. Visitors are welcome. Groups that meet between our monthly mee�ngs include: arts and cra�s group, music club, book club, discussion group, gardening club, bridge club, lunch Club. We have twice yearly ou�ngs and a holiday group. Contact Shirley on 0117 9622243 for further informa�on.

Soroptomists Interna�onal Bristol is part of a global organisa�on founded in Bristol for women from a wide range of professional and business backgrounds who have joined together to give Service, Friendship and have Fun. We meet on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at Long Ashton Golf Club where we enjoy a two course meal with a speaker. For more details please contact our membership officer on 973 9894 or email gillbea@aol.com for more details.

Pat-a-Cake Toddlers meet at Westbury on Trym Methodist Church every Tuesday during term �me 1.15 - 2.45pm. We are a small friendly group who play, do cra� and sing. Mums / Dads / Grandparents / Carers have a chance to meet over a cup of tea and biscuits. For further informa�on please contact Alison on 9629715.

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

On the first Tuesday of the month the North Bristol Alzheimer Café opens at St Monica Trust, Oatley House, Westbury-on-Trym, BS9 3TN from 3.30pm – 5.30pm. We provide a relaxed, informal and safe space in which issues surrounding demen�a can be aired. Our café is staffed by trained, caring and experienced volunteers. Refreshments are served and most weeks live music is played. There is no charge to a�end, free on-site parking is usually available and the number 1 bus stops right outside. FFI or to register your a�endance contact Jacqui Ramus - tel 07854 185093 or email jacqui. ramus@stmonicatrust.org.uk.

Henleaze (Morning) Townswomen’s Guild meets from 10.00am – 12.00 noon on the third Thursday of every month at The Eas�ield Inn, Henleaze Road. New members and visitors are most welcome. Further informa�on can be obtained from Elaine Anderson on 907 5279.

Cli�on Rotary Club welcomes new members willing to give their �me, interested in making new friends, building business contacts and

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The AMD Solicitors Private Client department presents a Spring workshop on

The Snakes and Ladders of Life AMD Solicitors invite you to join us for a practical afternoon workshop on The Snakes and Ladders of Life. This workshop will cover: • • • •

Who pays? - Care Fees and Inheritance Tax Bank of Mum and Dad – The Lenient Lender Where there’s a will there’s a way Incapacity – who’s in charge?

We will be holding the workshop in both Redland and Henleaze as follows:Redland – Wednesday 28TH February 2018 – 3pm to 4pm Tyndale Baptist Church, Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2QG Henleaze – Thursday 1st March 2018 – 3pm to 4pm Leonard Hall, Trinity-Henleaze United Reformed Church, Waterford Road, Henleaze, BS9 4BT The workshop will begin with talks by two of our Solicitors, Florence Pearce and Andrew Jack, and will be followed by a question and answer session. Florence and Andrew are experienced specialist private client solicitors. Florence is also a full member of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), the leading professional association in this field.

Refreshments will be provided. There is no charge but a donation to our charity of the year, Guide Dogs For the Blind, would be appreciated.

To book a place at one of our workshops please telephone: 0117 9621205, email probate@amdsolicitors.com or call in to one of our four Bristol offices: 100 Henleaze Road, Henleaze BS9 4JZ 139 Whiteladies Road, Clifton BS8 2PL

15 The Mall, Clifton BS8 4DS 2 Station Road, Shirehampton BS11 9TT

www.amdsolicitors.com

81

What's On & Community News using their skills to help others. We meet Weds lunch�mes at The Redland Green Club (Redland Lawn Tennis & Squash Club). www.cli�onrotary. org or email secretary@cli�onrotary.org

Hall, Waterford Road. Good varied programme of speakers followed by tea and coffee. All are welcome. For further informa�on contact Jenny on 9620108.

Bristol Grandparents Support Group gives support to grandparents who are estranged from their grandchildren due to family breakdown. We give support over the phone, via email, Skype and at our regular mee�ngs held at 9, Park Grove, Bristol. BS6 7XB. Tel 07773 258270 more informa�on or visit www.bgsg. co.uk.

St Peter’s Ladies Guild meets at 2.00 on the third Wednesday of the month at St Peter’s Church Hall, The Drive, Henleaze. Varied programme. All welcome. Further details from Wilma on 0117 9628895.

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

Rotary Club of Bristol meets at the Bristol Hotel, Prince Street, BS1 4QF at 7.00pm for 7.30 pm on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Mondays and at 12.30pm for 1.00 pm on the 2nd and 4th Mondays.

Mee�ngs start with a meal and are followed by a speaker. New members are very welcome – for more details see www.bristolrotary. org or contact Mar�na Pea�e at mpea�e@ btopenworld.com Westbury Art Club meets every Thursday evening from 7pm to 9pm at The Greenway Centre, Doncaster Rd, Southmead. We are a mixed ability group of ar�sts 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.

Henbury ‘Blaise’ Womens’ Ins�tute meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm in Henbury Village Hall next to the church. Visitors and new members are always welcome. Contact 962 9400 for more details or just come along!

St Mary’s Church is open to visitors each morning from 10.00am to 12.00 noon, with a Coffee morning every Tuesday. All welcome (especially those with young children – toddler toys and books available). Our Bright Sparks Carer and Toddler group meets each Monday in term �me at 1.30pm at St Marys, Stoke Bishop.

9687449 for more details.

Trinity Henleaze Ladies Guild meets fortnightly on Monday evenings at 7.30pm in the Leonard

The Friendly Club meets every Thursday from 2 to 4pm (except August and major holidays) in the Methodist Church Hall, Westbury on Trym.

We are a lively group of older people 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 some�mes be arranged if needed. Contact 0117 950 8644 for more details.

Knit and Na�er. We invite you to “knit and na�er” every Thursday between 10am and 12 at the Methodist Church in Westbury on Trym.

It is a sociable and informal �me when you can chat while pursuing your choice of cra�s. If you prefer we can provide pa�erns for kni�ng for charity. Tea and coffee will be available.

Men at St. Peters (MASP) is a group which meets Saturday mornings at St Peter’s Hall, Henleaze. The mee�ngs start at 8.30am with a full English breakfast. This is then followed by entertaining and interes�ng talks by a guest speaker. New members are always welcome.

Further informa�on may be obtained from Keith Bonham tel 968 4972.

Westbury on Trym Women’s Ins�tute meets on the 3rd Monday of the month in the WoT Methodist Church Hall, next to the car park, at 2.00pm. We have a programme of varied speakers, ou�ngs, discussions etc. New members and visitors always welcome. For more info contact: Sue Murphy – Tel: 950 2826.

Bristol U3A - a unique organisa�on offering friendship, fun and learning. If you have re�red from full-�me work and would like to learn a new skill, explore a new hobby, or just socialise - we have a wide range of groups and ac�vi�es, including art, compu�ng, languages, gardens, music, books, walking, science and current affairs. Come to Browns Restaurant, by the Museum, at 10.15am on the 3rd Wednesday & 4th Thursday of every month, details: Jenny 0117 9043697. Or our coffee morning and talk 82

83

What's On & Community News in the Broadmead Bap�st Church on the 3rd Tuesday at 10.00am. Please visit our website: www.bristolu3a.org.uk.

Do join us for Parish lunch at St Mary’s Church Stoke Bishop, every Thursday from 12.15. Three course buffet lunch.

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

Westbury-on-Trym Probus Club provides a mee�ng point for re�red and semi-re�red professional / business men and women, to promote social well being through friendship, discussion and companionship. The club meets for lunch with a speaker on the third Thursday of every month at BAWA, Southmead Road, from midday. If you are interested contact Peter Wright on 9624196 or email susanandpeterwright@blueyonder.co.uk 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 informa�on please call Monica Rudston 942 6095.

Instep Club for Widows and Widowers. Weds evenings 8.00 -10.00 at Stoke Bishop Village Hall. Dancing - Ballroom and Sequence (If you haven’t danced for a long �me, don’t worry, we will help you learn). Social ac�vi�es Annual membership £8. Members: £3 per session.

Visitors welcome: £4 per session. Come in to see us or telephone Donna on 01275 832676 or Wilma on 9628895 for informa�on.

The Fielder Club is an associa�on 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, discussions, Scrabble, ski�les and whist. Thursday mornings 10.30 at The White Lion in WoT and twice-monthly pub lunches.

Details from Gloria on 0117 239 3376.

Henleaze Townswomen’s Guild meets 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 a�end.

Further details can be obtained by ringing Shirley Phillips on 0117 962 2243.

General Interests Clevedon Lions Club Annual Charity Classic Vehicle Event in support of the Children's Hospice takes place on Sunday 22 April star�ng at Wyevale Cadbury Garden Centre, Congresbury at 10.00, followed by a country drive from 12 noon to the Seafront at Clevedon for the public display of cars, vans & bikes in the a�ernoon. All vehicles must over 25 years old to join in. 160 vehicles took part last year, so it's a great day out to see some excep�onally well renovated old cars. Owners must pre book their vehicles and should contact clevedonlions@ gmail.com for a booking form - also see the website lionsbrimar.org.uk for more informa�on.

The Arts Society Bristol is for those who enjoy the arts. Lectures are given monthly on a wide range of subjects by specialists in their field.

On 19 February the subject is "The Horse, Modernity & Modern Art, from Stubbs to Wallinger". On 19 March it is "Faber & Faber - 90 Years of excellence in cover design". Lectures are held at 8pm in the University of Bristol School of Chemistry, Cantocks Close, BS8 1TS. For more informa�on on lectures, study days and trips, visit www.theartssociety-bristol.org.uk Bristol French Circle. The Cercle français de Bristol is for all those who enjoy speaking and listening to French. We meet at BAWA on alternate Thursdays from October to May each year. Our programme is very varied and we have French speakers on a wide range of subjects. We also organise dinners in local restaurants and trips to see French films. Whether you use your French frequently or studied it at school years ago and would like to dust it down, you will find a really warm welcome with us.For more details visit www.c�ristol.org.uk or email or call me if you have any ques�ons: charlo�ejanetaylor@ �scali.co.uk / 07976 922636.

The Bristol Astronomical Society hosts a series of astronomical talks, events and ac�vi�es each week. We provide free Saturday observing at our observatory in Failand and o�en stage Star Par�es in and around Bristol. Friday evening talks are held at 7pm at Bristol Photographic Society, Montpelier, BS6 5EE. Details of all 84

Talking Pets with Viking Vets Caring for people as well as pets We recently won a Wellbeing award. This was a competition for veterinary practices in the UK, looking at how they look after the team working in the practice. We won the medium size category. You may ask what this has got to do with looking after pets, but I firmly believe that you have to look after your team, then they will look after the practice for you. Giving excellent service to pets and people, requires that people like the environment they work in.

The nature of veterinary work means that we are continually working with uncertainty, often owners are not able to afford to do all the tests we need to be certain in a diagnosis. We often have to compromise our treatment plan, and second guess what might be wrong with the pet. Our training puts a lot of pressure on us to be scientific and use evidence based medicine, which often just is not feasible in first opinion practice. In addition to this we are constantly working to tight timescales. This mix of urgency and uncertainty is a recipe for stress, and stress related illness.

Vets are often of a perfectionist type personality, very good at passing exams, hardly failing at anything until they come into practice - and suddenly are faced with their patients

dying. Mistakes happen in every part of life, but there is a lot less acceptance that this can happen in medicine. It is easy to feel useless, and depressed when this happen, however this is not helpful for either the individual or the practice. When mistakes happen, we do not look for blame, but aim to analyse what has happened and how it can be prevented in the future. It is also very important to be able to talk about the issues within a supportive team, and not have to take the burden home to offload on partners that can't truly understand the pressure we are under.

Social bonds are important to build resilience, we have a social committee which organises events where we can enjoy new experiences outside work. We have done anything from go karting to cocktail making.

We are a one site practice, therefore it is easy for us to communicate, we do not use email, but direct communication - we actually talk to each other! Daily huddle to run through the day, and plan the next day. Monthly practice meetings, with a home cooked lunch.

The overall reason for making work an enjoyable place to be is to have a happy team, that stay for a long time, thereby creating continuity for you and your pet. Having moved from Norway, I look upon the team as my extended family, and love the challenges that comes with any family!

Maria Lowe Veterinary Surgeon Viking Vets

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What's On & Community News events are on our website: www.bristolastrosoc. org.uk - All welcome.

Bristol University of the Third Age (U3A) scrabble group would welcome new members.

We play very friendly and informal games every Friday at the Beehive, Wellington Hill West, BS9 4QY from 2 to 4pm. For further info please contact Heddy Sara on 0117 9241318 and indicate when asked to give your name that you are phoning about scrabble in order not to be blocked. Or email : nigel.d.sara@b�nternet.com The Bus Pass Poets is a small, informal group of Bristol pensioners who write poetry. We meet once a month at branch libraries on local buys routes. Come along and read and share your own poetry to the group, whether it is a limerick, ballad, sonnet, humour or rap. There are no enrolment fees or subscrip�ons. Our next mee�ngs are Wednesday February 14th at Henbury Library on Crow Lane (buses 1, 3 and 4), Friday March 16th at Westbury library on the corner of Falcondale Road and Canford Lane (buses 1, 11, 11a), and Friday April 20th at Bedminster library on Bedminster Parade (buses 75 and 76 from ther Centre). All mee�ngs are 2.30 to 3.30.

If you would love the chance to get on the water here in Bristol, make new friends, grow in confidence and gain qualifica�ons and are aged between 10 and 18, Bristol Adventure Sea Cadets are recrui�ng now. We are open Tuesday and Friday evenings. Visit: www.sea-cadets.org/ bristoladventure to find out more.

The Raleigh Club is a small and welcoming, informal speaking and literary club. We meet in Westbury Village Hall at 7.30pm on the 2nd Friday of each month from October un�l April, with a dinner in May and an annual summer ou�ng. It is a great opportunity to prac�ce public speaking in a friendly and suppor�ve environment. New members always welcome.

For more details please contact smigie2@yahoo. co.uk or lorna.watson@b�nternet.com.

Stoke Bishop & Sneyd Park Local History Group welcomes all to a series of talks at the Stoke Bishop Village Hall, 42 Stoke Hill, BS9 1EX. Talks start at 7.30pm and anyone interested in local history is welcome. Membership is just £6 p/a and visitors pay just £3 a mee�ng. For more details please visit www.stokebishop.org.uk/ local_history_group, call 0117 968 6010 or email sblocalhistory@gmail.com. Please do also contact us if you are clearing out documents and

pictures of Stoke Bishop!

Friendly Bridge SW is a welcoming Bridge Club that meets in Stoke Bishop Village Hall every Monday evening at 7:15. New players welcome, and you can come without a partner. Also available are bridge lessons for complete beginners or more experienced players. Contact Gareth on 07921-788605, email friendlybridgesw@gmail.com or visit friendlybridgesw.org.uk The Bristol Humanists is a local group for those who make sense of the world using reason & shared human values, who seek to live ethical lives on the basis of reason, humanity and respect for others, and who find meaning, beauty, and joy in the one life we have. We meet every month on the first Monday at 7.30pm in Kingsdown. Contact Margaret Dearnaley on 07986 555817 (evenings and weekends only) or email bristolhumanists@gmail.com for more informa�on.

Do you love to find out about our local history?

The West Bristol History Group hold monthly talks on the 2nd Thursday of each month by excellent speakers – upstairs at the Friends’ Mee�ng House, Hampton Road, BS6 6JE star�ng at 7.30pm. February 8th - "Clevedon’s community champion, a 148 year resilience" (Clevedon Pier) by Abbie Edbrooke. March 8th "The causes and consequences of the Bristol Riots of 1831" by Garry A�erton. Membership of our group is only £10 a year. Visitors pay £2 a mee�ng. For further informa�on please contact Anne�e Mar�n on 0117 9793209 or Pat Walker on 07790 172451.

Henbury Art Club is looking for new members for our Wednesday morning club. We meet at 11.15 am �ll 1pm in Southmead Library. We are a very friendly mixed ability group, and have our annual show in the Henbury Village Hall every May Day. Please contact Gill Dix by email. gill@ dix.org.uk for more details.

The Bristol Philatelic Society meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month in the mee�ng room of the United Reform Church at the bo�om of Blackboy Hill (Whiteladies Road) star�ng at 7.30 p.m. Contact 0117 956 7853.

North West Bristol Camera Club is an enthusias�c 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 86

87

What's On & Community News Shop of Horrors, c)Hairspray; 9. the only Prime Minister to die in 10 Downing Street; 10. she was the suffragette who died after walking in front of the Kings hourse at the Derby at Epsom

Pete on 07870 589555.

Got a speech to make? Bristol Speakers offers a relaxed environment to prac�se your public speaking. Learn how to construct and present a speech, gain knowledge from experienced speakers, conquer your public speaking anxiety.

Most of all, prac�se in a stress-free environment where members give helpful feedback. It’s a well structured evening, fun and relaxed with a nice mix of people. Mee�ng 7.30pm alternate Mondays @ BAWA Southmead Rd. Contact Ben@Bristolspeakers.co.uk

Music 1. The Stone Roses; 2. Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac), Kate Pierson (The B52's), Annie Lennox (The Tourists, Eurythmics); 3.a) Pink Floyd, b) Stevie Wonder, c) Dexy's Midnight Runners; 4.a) 1983, b) China Crisis, c) Coldplay & Rihanna; 5.

Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon, and Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers; 6. Paul Young and Chris Martin; 7. Brighton; 8. The Starry Night; 9. David Bowie, Emeli Sande; 10. 2 Tone (Ska).

Philosophy Discussion Group. We are a friendly and welcoming group who enjoy taking a turn to bring a topic to share. We meet at 7 – 9pm every fourth Thursday evening of the month at Eas�ield Inn, Henleaze, BS9 4NQ, and 10 - 12 every second Friday morning of the month, also at Eas�ield Inn, Henleaze. If you would like to be involved please contact Lorna Tarr on 0770 245 3827.

Acronyms Puzzle from p42 1. Do It Yourself; 2, World Health Organisation.

3. Cabinet Office Briefing Room A; 4. Statutory Off Road Notification; 5. Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency; 6. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; 7. On My God; 8. Automated Teller Machine; 9. British Broadcasting Corporation; 10. Self contained underwater breathing aparatus; 11. Prisoner of War; 12. Absent Without Leave; 13.

Repondez S'il Vous Plait; 14. Also Known As ; 15.

Frequently Asked Question(s).

Disclaimer 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 adver�sers in The Bristol Nine are not necessarily those held by Bristol Community Magazines Ltd. The inclusion of any business or organisa�on in this magazine does not imply a recommenda�on of it, its aims or its methods.

Bristol Community Magazines Ltd cannot be held responsible for informa�on disclosed by adver�sers, all of which are accepted in good faith. Reasonable efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of the informa�on 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 wri�en consent of Bristol Community Magazines.

Puzzle Walk answers from p48.

1. Kerslake Engineers, Exeter in 1876; 2. 1 "Brunel Mile"; 3. 20 trees; 4. It's called Rhubarb; 5. the Courage brewery Accounting Centre; 6. Jimi Hendrix; 7. eleven birdboxes; 8. The Shambles; 8. 24th November 1940; 10. Georges & Co. Ltd; 11. a cockerel; 12. Ottabah Cugoano in 1787; 13. Charles II; 14. it was round; 15. Tony Benn; 16. playing with cables; 17. Miss Emma Saunders.

Quiz Answers from page 10 General Knowledge 1. Hedgehog, bat, dormouse; 2. Whitstable, mustard, Dorset Knobs; 3. Anne Hathaway, comedian David Mitchell, Helena Bohnam Carter; 4. PyeongChang, South Korea; 5.

John Pertwee, Christopher Ecclestone, Jodie Whittaker; 6. Henry VIII (1547), Taj Mahal (1643), Plague (1665); 7.a) Judas Iscariot, b) Ham Shem, Japheth, c) Mount Sinai; 8.a) Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, b) Little

88

Deadline for inclusion in the March issue - 10th February Do Get In Touch E: andy@bcmagazines.co.uk T: 0117 259 1964 M: 07845 986650 P: 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY

JAMES FOX PAINTING & DECORATING No Job Too Small References Provided BS9 based Ex-Serviceman Reliable, trustworthy, punctual, attention to detail General DIY jobs also considered

Tel 07835 735 182 89

1

Index of Advertisers Around the Garden Fencing

AM Fencing

Co�pu�ng, A�� & �T 66 Computer Repairs F.A.B. IT Rescue

Fencing

E C Fencing

29

Garden Design

Cathy Lewis

28

Garden Services

Declan McManus

Garden Services

Graham Cook

Garden Machinery Lawncare

North Somerset Garden Machinery Green Thumb

21 53

67

Walbrook Services

92

William Price & Co

83

Anne Miller

44 Estate & Le�ng Agents Bradley & Sadler

Aerials

H & P Aerials

68

14 Finance, Legal & Business 21 Accountancy 29 Accountancy 4 Coaching 73

Blossom Gardening

R Davies & Son

Property & Acco��oda�on 83 Estate & Le�ng Agents Maggs & Allen

55

Garden Design & Mtce Meadow Landscapes

Garden Maintenance

85

Mrs PC

87

36, 37

33

Corfields

2,3 Property Management

Hillcrest Estate Management

62

29 Solicitors

AMD Solicitors

81

34 Solicitors

Devereux & Co

5

Tree Surgeons

Neville Tree Services

8 Solicitors

Lyons Solicitors

77

Solicitors

Carmens Cleaning Services

Cleaning Services

Bonne Fresh Clean

29 Social Clubs

WoT Men’s Club

65

Cleaning Services

Oven Cleaning Bristol

79 Cycle Servicing

Boing Bicycles

52

BS9 Fitness

35

Oven Gleamers

25 53

Ironing Services

The Iron Lady

79

Stairli�s

Thornbury Stairli�s

43

Handyman Services

Mar�n the Maintenance Man Tony Anderson

29

Handyman Services Domes�c Appliance Repairs Locksmiths

AASP Domes�cs LockRite

Upholstery / So� Furn CAP Upholstery / So� Furn Nice Things �or Nice Homes Window Cleaning

AquaTec

Hairdressing & Salons Classic Cuts

79

Up & Over Doors

68

Daley Electrical Services

14

Electrical Services

MB Electrical

42

Electrical Services

Lek Trix

25

Pain�ng & Decora�ng

Top Notch

Pain�ng & Decora�ng

Daren the Decorator

11

Sarah’s Decora�ng Services James Fox

79 89

A & P Plastering

21 8 42

21 Plumbing & Gas

J Presland

68

49 Plumbing & Gas

Peter Harris

30

S & P Plumbing Services Appliance Services

14

66

Plumbing

A & D Plumbing Services Threesixty Services

Chimney Sweeps

Shaun Doughton

21

Chimney Sweeps

Bristle Chimney Sweeping

79

Man & Van

21

Autotec

41

54

Plastering

Plumbing & Gas Plumbing & Gas

St Monica Trust

46, 47 75

26 Home Care Services

Home Instead

23

Property Maintenance HAL Maintenance

39 Dental Care

The SmileSuite

13

Property Maintenance A & S Property Services

27

Property Maintenance Ace Preserva�on

89

Property Maintenance MSP Maintenance

14

Windows & Doors

Avonmouth Windows

43

Windows & Doors

Crystal Clear

17 Massage Therapists

Plumbing

Footcare

Bristol Foot Clinic

30

Footcare

Kathleen Nicholas

22 Rubbish Clearance

Sports Massage

Heather’s Sports Massage

73

Keon Williams

4

McCall Plastering

73

Kemps

Premier Homecare

7

Ar�orm Plastering

Jewellery and Gi�s

Garage Doors

Hathaways Carpentry

60 Plastering

12

66 Home Care Services

73

9 Plastering

Soggy Rabbit

Building & Construc�on L & P Brails�ord

Rascals Holiday Childcare

5 Pain�ng & Decora�ng

Gi�s

Building & Construc�on Garcia Building Services

Badminton School

Childcare

Pain�ng & Decora�ng Olivia Hooper

Bristol Blue Gkass Henbury 68 Trophies & Engraving KP Badges & Trophies 4 Record Collec�ng James Boy Records 9 Auc�ons & Sales Clevedon Salerooms

45 Healthcare Services Home Care Services 34

Schools & �duca�on

91 Electrical Services

43

Hairdressing & Salons Hair In Trym

51

Schools

Carpentry

Hairdressing & Salons Evans Hair Design

Gi�s, Arts, Food & 71 Retail Bridal Studios 29 Glass Blowing

8

Building Services Building & Construc�on BS7 Driveways

Fitness Training

Richard Harding

Trades

Cleaning Services

Home Gleamers

Estate Agents

Veale Wasbrough Vizards 18, 19

66 Fitness, Beauty, Sport & Leisure 71 Sports Centres Cli�on College

Cleaning Services

11

Ocean

Crest Tree Services

Cleaning Services

56, 57

60 Estate Agents

Mr Manure Man

Bathrooms & Wetrooms Paul Whi�aker

Estate & Le�ng Agents C J Hole

Wealth West

Tree Surgeons

87

Funeral Directors

Financial Advice

Manure & Compost

UK Blinds Direct

Funeral Services

Grosvenor Consultancy

79 Solicitors

Around the House

Veterinary Care

Financial Advice

Plants & Garden Supplies Garden Trappings

Blinds & Shu�ers

Pet Care and Pet Services Viking Vets

Computer Training

Garden Design & Mtce Robin’s Garden

Garden Design & Mtce Red Oak Landscaping

5

5

8

Waste & Rubbish

Cars & Motoring

9 Garage Services

Get In Touch ‐ email: andy@bcmagazines.co.uk; tel: 07845 986650 / 0117 259 1964; write: 8 Sandyleaze, Westbury on Trym, BS9 3PY

Contact The Bristol Nine - 07845 986650 / 0117 259 1964 / andy@bcmagazines.co.uk

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£41 A MONTH

FABULOUS 10% OFF NEW ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS IN FEBRUARY FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS FANTASTIC OFFER PLEASE CONTACT:

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WWW.CCSL-CLIFTONCOLLEGE.COM 91

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THINKING OF MOVING? If you’re looking to sell or rent, this is your personal invitation to receive a free, honest and informal valuation of your property with our local experienced sales teams.

All of our staff have a wealth of knowledge of the local area and would be delighted to

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spend time discussing a marketing package best suited to you. Call us now!

Don’t just take our word for it…

Here are some comments from recent customers!

“T he team at Maggs & Allen have been great from start to finish. T hank you for making the process so smooth and trouble free”

it ive t h e mo st pos “Be st y e t wit h e we ’ve ha d nc rie e exp s elli ng mit te d com ry Ve . g ent a n es t a te a na l te a m, a nd a nd pro fes sio ts in ou r int e res t h e y a cte d t rus t t h eir uld wo (I ut t hro u gho ” fut u re sa l es) ju dg e m ent on Mr P Ban crof t

Mr P Dav ison

Excellent ser vice, keeping you informed at each stage and going further than you would expect with customer ser vice. The staff were very pleasant particula rly Fiona who bent over backwards to keep the purchaser happy with visits.

Mr White

“Exc e ll e nt s e r vic e, ve ry h e lpfu l, e f fici e nt a nd a pl e a su re t o d e a l wit h” Mrs Wardrop

“M ag gs & All en so ld my pr op ert y wi th in 6 we ek s of pu t tin g it on th e ma rk et an d go t th e as kin g pr ice ag ree d.

Kept th e bu yer s on -s ide un til we ma na ged to get so me wh ere to bu y ab ou t tw o mo nt hs lat er”

“S t a f f w e re p ro f e s a ll t im s io n a l e s, y e at t m a in p e rs o n t a in e d a l t ou a ch – W w e re li e f e lt w sten e e d t o”

M rs M W ri gh t

kie, “D ear Ja mes , Vic an k Ma x & Ker ri, Th ha rd you all for you r our g kin ma d an rk wo !” mo ve fin all y hap pen Mr & Mrs Bye tt

Mr Pu zey

Maggs + Allen | 60 Northumbria Drive | Henleaze | Bristol | BS9 4HW t: 0117 949 9000 | e: agency@maggsandallen.co.uk | www.maggsandallen.co.uk