The Bristol Six - March 2017 by Andy Fraser

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

The Editor’s Small Piece Hello there, I hope you are in good form - warm and happy. March is a funny old month isn’t it? It can be a bit of a tease. It offers you glimpses of a brighter future, with things popping up in the garden like inquisitive meerkats. Then just when you think winter is over and done with, and your fronts are warming up nicely, it hits you with a big chilly stick in the form of high pressure blowing in from the east. I used to equate March with the start of the speedway season (you’ll have to wait until 31st March for your local shale fix with the Somerset Rebels) but nowadays I look forward to it more for the return of activity in the garden - courting birds, bursting buds, mowing lawns. I had hoped to unveil a bit of a new look to the magazine this month after a longish break since the last issue, but as usual the spare time I had created for myself to “do stuff with the magazine” disappeared before I even noticed it - a bit like this winter’s snow fall. So fingers crossed April 1st will

The Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Small Piece see a new(ish) look to the BS6 - and who knows, by then we might have even seen scenes like this 2010 view of Canford Cem & Crem. The child in me remains ever optimistic!

AASP Domestics Repairs and servicing: Washing machines, cookers, hobs, ovens, dishwashers, fridges, tumble dryers and all other appliances

Call Steve Pinnell

Whatever mother nature throws at us I hope you enjoy March (and also that you like the front cover shot looking towards BS6 from the roof of the Wills Memorial Building). Cheers, Andy ps - there arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t actually meerkats in our garden.

T. 0117 259 1964 M. 07845 986650 E: andy@bcmagazines.co.uk W: www.bcmagazines.co.uk

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Useful Information Contact Numbers

Recycling and Household Waste

Gas Emergencies 0800 111 999 Electricity Emergencies 0800 365 900 Water Emergencies 0845 600 4600 Avon & Somerset Police Non-Emergencies 101 (new no.) Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 Southmead Hospital 0117 950 5050 Bristol Royal Infirmary 0117 923 0000 Bristol Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital 0117 342 8460 NHS non-emergency 111 Bristol Blood Donation 0117 988 2040 The Samaritans 08457 909090 Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 76975 55 ChildLine 0800 11 11 National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Telephone Pref Service 0845 070 0707 Mailing Pref Service 0845 703 4599 West of England Care & Repair - help, advice and information 0300 323 0700

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

Postal Services Cotham Pharmacy & Post Office 9 - 6 Monday to Friday 9 - 1 Saturday Whiteladies Rd Post Office 9 - 5.30 Monday to Friday, 9 - 13.00 Saturday

The Council website offers residents information 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. Trains to / From Temple Meads Trains depart from Redland Station to Temple Meads at the following times Mon-Fri 0628, 0645, 0744, 0819, 0852, 0932, 1019, 1052, 1133, 1219, 1251, 1333, 1419, 1451, 1534, 1619, 1650, 1732, 1819, 1914, 1948, 2019, 2154, 2235, 2319 Sat 0650, 0733, 0819, 0850, 0932, 1019, 1051, 1134, 1219, 1250, 1334, 1419, 1451, 1534, 1619, 1650, 1734, 1819, 1931, 2012, 2154, 2234, 2319

Gloucester Rd Post Office 9 - 5.30 Monday to Saturday

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

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

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

Local Libraries Cheltenham Road - tel. 903 8562 Mon 1-7, Tues closed, Weds - Sat 11-5 Redland - tel. 903 8549 Mon closed, Tues 11-5, Weds 11-7, Thurs-Sat 11-5 Henleaze - tel 0117 903 8541 Mon-Tues 11-5, Weds 11-7, Thurs 11-5, Fri 1-7, Sat 10-5

Mon-Fri 0514, 0548, 0630, 0703, 0803, 0836, 0916, 1003, 1034, 1116, 1203, 1234, 1316, 1403, 1434, 1516, 1603, 1635, 1713, 1803, 1847, 1933, 2034, 2137, 2216 Sat 0603, 0634, 0716, 0803, 0834, 0916, 1003, 1034, 1116, 1203, 1234, 1316, 1403, 1434, 1516, 1603, 1634, 1716, 1803, 1903, 2034, 2140, 2216 Sun 0908, 1023, 1123, 1223, 1323, 1423, 1523, 1623, 1652, 1753

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 735182

Talking Pets with the Animal Health Centre The benefits of pets for children For a long time now we have known that pet ownership is beneficial to our well being. Owning a pet can help to lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, improve social contact and promote physical exercise. Pets can act as â&#x20AC;&#x2122;social catalystsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and lead to greater interaction between people, alleviating feelings of loneliness especially among the elderly and those with physical disabilities. A recent study from Cambridge University has now revealed that pets have a positive effect on childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social skills and emotional well being. In a study of 77 12 year olds it was found that the children developed more satisfactory relationships with their pets than with their siblings. The children turned to their animal companions for companionship and disclosure as much or even more than to their siblings. The children reported more satisfaction and less conflict with their pet than with their siblings. Dog owners reported more satisfaction and companionship with their pet than owners of other species of pet.

who reported more intimate disclosure, companionship and conflict with their pets suggesting that the girls interact in more subtle ways. It is thought that the social support that the pets give adolescents may well support psychological well being later in life and more research is needed in this area of child development. Perhaps none of this is news to those of us lucky enough to have had a pet as a close friend in our childhood and we can see it in our own children as they relate to the family pets. Those pets unwittingly helped our development and that of our children and we should spread the word to the many families that have never had the wonder of a pet in the family. A full write up of the paper quoted here can be found in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology March - April 2017

The fact that the animals could not talk back did not stop the children confiding in them and that Nicky Bromhall may also be a positive factor in that the animals were non judgemental. Boys and girls were found to Veterinary Surgeon Animal Health Centre be equally satisfied with their pets, but it was girls

Prize Wordsearch This month your Prize Wordsearch has as its theme, for no logical reason whatsoever, fish. Listed below are twenty one well known fishy friends. Twenty of them have also hidden themselves in the wordsearch grid, meaning that one fish has escaped. Your job is to discover which fish has gone missing (clue - it isn’t Nemo). The fish can be found swimming forwards, backwards, up, down or on a diagonal. Once you have discovered the missing fish get in touch and let me know which one it is. All correct entries received by 31st March will go into a net and one entry will be pulled out and will win the sender a fish supper for 4 at their favourite local fish and chip shop. Entries please by post to 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY, email andy@bcmagazines, text to 07845 986650 or phone to 0117 259 1964.

Right, here are your fish for finding HAKE MACKEREL BARBEL MONKFISH PLAICE ANGELFISH JOHN DORY

HERRING HADDOCK DOVER SOLE RED SNAPPER LUMPSUCKER WHITEBAIT FLOUNDER

TUNA EEL SEA BASS GROUPER DOGFISH PIKE CARP

Prize Winners! Congratulations to the winners of the November competition (Things in the sky - moon), December (County towns - Ipswich) and January / February (80’s bands - Blancmange). Michael Coveslant, Sarah & Roland Kitchen, and Ida Miller - your prizes are on their way. Thanks to everyone who entered.

Mrs PC - friendly computer training Some of you may have noticed that I have had a bit of a break from my monthly articles and from teaching. I have been on a few adventures, enjoying a sabbatical, mainly away from Wi-Fi and phone signal in some remote and beautiful places, but I am now back and my tech team are also available to assist.

Virtual reality goggles can also be tethered to a game like Playstation, so that you are totally immersed in the experience. These are much more expensiveanywhere from £500-£1000, and include the sound as well. I can’t help wondering how you avoid bumping into walls, but I expect you use them whilst seated.

This month I fancied looking into some technologies that are new and exciting. It’s fun to stay up to date with what is out there.

Home Robots

Virtual Reality Goggles

Isn’t technology great?

This is much more appealing to me. I could definitely get excited about a robot hoover and have a few friends who use them. Homevac Electrics on North Playful technology View sell them and demonstrated one for me. They work on a programme and get on with the job and go Drones back to their base station to recharge. Not sure what Whilst away some of my adventures were recorded by our dogs would make of it though. a friend who had a drone. This is certainly a Amazon are selling something called Amazon Echo a wonderful toy to play with. He had the Phantom 4 Plus which has a range of about 7km. The top of the small box that can do big things. Here is what it can do: range ones are not cheap. Jessops sell them for • Plays all your music from Amazon Music, Spotify, £1800! The quality of the filming and stills that can TuneIn and more using just your voice. be captured by them are simply superb. Learning to fly one is a very good option and could save a lot of • Fills the room with immersive, 360º omnidamage in the long run. There are courses in Bristol. directional audio. There are even Quadcopter Holidays for the real • Allows hands-free convenience with voice control. drone geeks out there. • Hears you from across the room with far-field voice recognition, even in noisy environments or while Before you get too carried away with a drone, it is playing music. worth noting that current rules state that you cannot • Answers questions, reads audiobooks, reports news, fly one within 150 m of a built up area, within 50 m of traffic and weather, provides sports scores and a person, vessel or vehicle. You must fly it where you schedules, and more using the Alexa Voice Service. can see it. Not above 120m in height or 500 m • Controls lights, switches, thermostats and more horizontally. There is a whole minefield of with compatible connected devices from WeMo, legislation being considered after near misses with Philips Hue, Hive, Netatmo, Nest, tado° and others aircraft, bridges and people as well as worries over privacy. They are also very noisy. Drones are amazing • Always getting smarter - Alexa updates through the cloud automatically and is continually learning, adding playthings and allow you to see areas you know well new features and skills from a totally new perspective.

It is amazing how cheap these are nowadays! I tried one last month which used a phone as the screen and it was £45 for the experience. It used an app and allowed me to ride on a rollercoaster, and look up, down and from side to side. I felt very motion sick almost immediately! Roller coasters are really not my thing, but it was very realistic. I wondered if I could train myself to like them, or not to feel sick by using one regularly. Comments would be most welcome on this subject!

This Cotham Life - Duncan Haskell After 29 articles covering two and a half of our six years in Cotham, this is my farewell transmission. The observant among you would have probably suspected as much, having read about our move last month. Even though we’ve only ventured a total distance of 2.8 miles it does indeed mean that my time as a resident of BS6 is over. Hopefully you’ll indulge me a short leaving speech… A quick glance back through my pieces for the magazine paints an accurate picture of This Cotham Life; roadworks, roof repairs, 20mph speed zones, students, bin nights, Record Store Day, local elections, family visits, giant fibreglass sheep, bust tyres, broken boilers, giant floodlights, summer festivities and more roadworks. From the cycle of the seasons to the seemingly mundane events that take on such an importance in everyday life, it’s nice to have these little reminders of how much the area has meant to me. It really is the most convenient place to live in the whole of Bristol, with Gloucester Road, The Triangle and town centre all just a short walk away. Perhaps that’s why clever local developers seem keener than ever to find seemingly impossible spaces in which to squeeze in new homes , Poppy Lane anyone!? There’s no drive, garage or garden which can’t now be turned into an exorbitantly expensive six-bedroom/ no bathroom crash pad.

I’ll miss staring out across Bristol from my kitchen window or watching my favourite neighbourhood canine lazing about in his garden, always happy to have a sleep in the most uncomfortable-looking bush that he can find. The tricky task of trying to find chips as tasty as those from Kingsdown Fried Fish or shopkeepers as helpful as the team at Monica’s has already begun, as has trying to work out the different pricing structures of both First and Wessex Bus. So, it’s goodbye from me and a huge thank you to everyone who has read even one of my articles, and my eternal gratitude to those of you who taken the time to write to me. With a garden all of our own and a puppy on the way, a new chapter begins - and you will be able to read all about it in BS9 magazine from next month. Duncan Haskell

The perils of dying too rich The new 'residence nil rate band' (RNRB), reducing inheritance tax for some estates, comes into effect from 5 April 2017. That's great news for those with estates under £2 million but less so, for those with estates over £2 million. I can explain this best by looking at two different families, the Bennets and the Darcys, to see the differences. The Bennets Mr & Mrs Bennet's house is valued at £500,000 and they have savings of £300,000. Their Wills leave their estates to their children, after they have both died. Before 5 April 2017, there would have been an inheritance tax bill of £60,000 to pay on the second death. This is because individuals have an automatic £325,000 tax-free allowance (nil rate band), and for married couples or civil partners, this means a combined £650,000. Any assets over that amount (pre 5 April 2017) were taxed at 40%.

estates when they die because of the additional £100,000 RNRB, (£200,000 together) tax-free allowance. However, there are pitfalls and caveats to beware of. The RNRB will rise incrementally each tax year until 2020 - peaking at an additional £175,000 per person or £350,000 per married couple or civil partnership. This sounds good but means complex calculations to determine how much relief is available depending on the size of the estate. Secondly, there are strict eligibility criteria for estates to qualify for the new allowance, including that a couple must have lived at some stage in the property and the property must pass to their children. So, if the Bennets' property had been an investment property (and not their own home) the new RNRB tax-relief is denied.

Another major issue is that for those families leaving estates to their children valued at over £2 million, the RNRB will be subject to tapering off rules and lost altogether for However, after 5 April 2017, there will be no estates in excess of £2.7million. inheritance tax to pay on the Bennets'

The Darcys Mr & Mrs Darcy have combined estates of £3 million. The inheritance tax bill on the second death will be £940,000 as a result of the tapering off rules - zero relief after £2.7million.

away, a capital gains tax bill could be triggered and it is vital to ensure that sufficient assets are retained for the parents' own needs.

To ensure that your estates are making all the tax-savings they can So what can be done for people like the correctly qualify for, it Darcys? If, for example, they had made is vital to seek lifetime gifts to their children, reducing their professional advice estate to £2 million, both Mr and Mrs when preparing your Darcy's estates would benefit from their Wills and to regularly combined RNRB tax reliefs, reducing the tax review the position due by £140,000. with your advisor. However, again beware. Making lifetime For specialist advice in this area, please gifts is not necessarily as straightforward as contact Mary McCrorie at it might seem. If the wrong assets are given mmccrorie@vwv.co.uk or 0117 314 5368.

Film Review with Chris Worthington Trainspotting 2 Directed by Danny Boyle

hour journey to work (there is a longer list) ……..choose life!

Danny Boyle first expressed an interest in making T2 in 2009 but was reportedly waiting for the ravages of time to take their toll on the characters. T2 has the same characters played by the same actors twenty years on and time has certainly done the job well. In the opening scenes Begbie is back in prison for a long stretch without parole, Spud is still a heroin addict, Renton is in Amsterdam and on the run from the others for making off with the cash from the drug deal in T1 and Sick Boy is wasting his life running a semi derelict pub in Leith that he inherited from his aunt. Plus ca change plus c’est la meme chose.

All is well until Begbie escapes from the prison and seeks murderous revenge on Renton for the stolen drug money leading to a denouement featuring the main characters and a toilet bowl, but not as you might remember from T1. I loved T2, the dark humour and the twisted logic of some of the dialogue is hilariously funny and the storyline is stronger and more varied than T1. As in life the characters are the victims of their own faults and limitations. But they are not victims of society, which is refreshing, they are entirely to blame for making a complete mess of things. However it’s not all doom and gloom. Gail from T1 has grown up to be smart and business like criminal lawyer who is taken on by Renton and Sick Boy to get them of a cocaine possession charge (when will they ever learn?) and Spud discovers a talent for writing in the style of a Trainspotting novel. The last words belong to him “ first there is an opportunity then there is a betrayal”.

When Renton’s luck runs out in Amsterdam he returns to Edinburgh where he teams up with Veronica, a Bulgarian escort girl. He saves Spud from an attempted suicide and after a bar room fight makes it up with Sick Boy. They team up in two glorious new scams. Scam number one is visit to a party at an Orange lodge where they steal credit cards. The doorman is suspicious but they get away with by making up an anti Catholic song to the delight of the assembled protestant crowd. Scam number 2 is funding from the European Union to develop Sick Boy’s pub as a heritage centre, in reality it will be a brothel. Renton’s cynical take on contemporary life is spot on “choose Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, reality TV, revenge porn, zero hours contracts, a two

I am already looking forward to T3 but in another twenty years time surely the characters will have reformed. Won’t they? In the words of the Roman poet Juvenal “no - one ever suddenly became depraved”. The last part of the soundtrack is “Lust For Life” by Iggy Pop, I’ll second that. Chris Worthington

Coaching with Anne Miller Is it Sustainable?

are both positive and sustainable. If there was one thing you could have different (about yourself or your situation) what would it be? What would be great about that? What impact would this have? These are just a few of the questions that can help to get us started on making change for the better. When we allow ourselves to think in this way we open up new possibilities. We can choose the specifics of these changes and how quickly we want to pursue them. Knowing what we want is the first step. Getting clear about why creates the pulling power.

‘Sustainable’ is a much used word, to the point we may have stopped thinking about what it really means. Mostly we hear it used in reference to our use and disposal of our planet’s finite resources and we may associate it with guilt or restraint. Applying this question to ourselves and the way we are living our lives has a different impact. Thinking about sustainability in the context of ourselves; our bodies; our relationships; our work; our inner attitudes, can give us a more positive wake-up call. We have the potential to make changes If we get a negative answer to the question ‘is that will have an immediate impact on the it sustainable?’ our next question needs to be quality of our lives. ‘what needs to change?’ When we don’t know what to do or we fear we don’t have the inner resources to make the required change it can be tempting to ignore our needs. But in the words of Henry Ford “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” And if it’s not sustainable, it needs to change. And the great thing is that even a small Making sustainable choices requires attention change puts us in a different place and from here we have a new perspective and new and appreciation. How we function in life possibilities appear. What’s one small step matters to ourselves and others. We are important. And we’re already doing a load of you could take? good things! Recognising our assets and Visit www.annemillercoaching.co.uk for more previous achievements and building on what information and to book a free consultation we already have empowers us to make Tel: 07722 110 228 positive changes. Small changes are usually easier and more likely to last. Change requires a degree of effort so it makes sense to make ones which

Bruce Fellows’ Good Reads Back in 1913, journalist EC Bentley, famous for inventing that rival to limericks, the clerihew, had had enough of detective stories where the sleuth was humourless and insufferably clever, so he decided to write one of his own. The result was Trent’s Last Case, a highly entertaining mystery still in print and still a favourite with writers of the genre. When a top financier is found dead, endearingly light-hearted amateur detective Philip Trent is sent for. He quickly wraps the case up. But in a story full of twists and turns and laughs, Bentley shows Trent to be anything but infallible. A great read.

observations from her diary. This is an evocative and moving study of a woman who contributed so much to British life, not least by helping to preserve the Lake District for the nation.

Andrew Gimson’s Boris, appropriately subtitled ‘The Adventures of Boris Johnson’, is impossible to put down. Written in 2006 but recently updated to include all last year’s Brexit and Tory leadership shenanigans, it paints a portrait of a super-bright outsider who took the establishment by storm via an Eton scholarship and the Oxford Union. A philanderer who loves his Victor Gregg came home from World family, he offends people easily but War Two all messed up mentally, makes charming apologies. He seems hardly surprising when you learn that reckless and feckless but given a his war career involved parachuting in political job is quickly on top of his at Arnhem and surviving the firestorm subject. His apparent bumbling can at Dresden as a POW. In Soldier, Spy, morph into what many see as charisma. he tells us of his post-war life. It’s National treasure? You’ll have your hardly less incident free than his war. own opinion after this book. He takes job after job to support his family and gets heavily into cycling as a Don’t have plans to do anything else release from the things going on his once you’ve started Sebastian Barry’s head that make sleep a constant battle new novel Days Without End because against nightmares. The book grips the book won’t let you. Thomas and moves you from page one and McNulty, escaped from famine in reads like a novel, especially when he’s Ireland, meets Handsome John Cole recruited by British Intelligence. under a hedge in a rainstorm in Missouri. They proceed to dance and The Story of Beatrix Potter by Sarah soldier their way together through two Gristwood does what it says on the decades of America’s turbulent cover. And it’s a fascinating and nineteenth century; the vicious Civil inspiring tale that emerges of a talented War follows equally vicious Indian and financially hard-headed Victorian wars. McNulty narrates in a direct, woman’s struggle to escape from idiosyncratic and poetic voice. He convention and the restrictions of conjures up landscape and weather in a overbearing though loving parents – by few words. His story is brutal but drawing rabbits and writing the tender, savage but beautiful and love unsentimental stories for children that and dignity survive through it all. generations have loved. There are Wonderful! numerous illustrations from her life and works and funny and precise Bruce Fellows - March 2017

The Downs Observer - Richard Bland A history of the Downs in ten objects No. 10. A parking information post, 2016

suburbs, from which commuters would be banned, and where parking would be metred, began to be discussed in Clifton and Redland. Throughout this series Kingsdown was the first area in Bristol to adopt I have tried to use one, but in Clifton in particular the notion of everyday objects to paying for what you had had for free for fifty illustrate 1200 years of years offended many. It took the vigour of an the history of the independent mayor elected in 2012 to cut Downs, object that through the political shilly-shallying and drive a you wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t programme through, and it was at once normally glance at, predictable that the poor commuters, driven out objects that were once of Clifton, would use the Downs. In 2015 they commonplace, did, and for a year the major and minor roads ordinary, utilitarian were frequently rendered impassable. and necessary, but have become symbols Creating a new parking scheme is a hugely of the remote times in complex process, closely controlled by law, and which they were the committee of the Friends of the Downs created. Few objects were involved with officials from the Highways can be more ordinary, more essential, more Department from the start. Plans were made, redolent of the age in which we now live, than a consultations held, objections to details outlined, parking information sign. Yet the origins of this compromises suggested, changes made, notices simple sign go back at least a decade. posted, and then on November 25th 2015 surveyors began trundling around the downs The first record of a sheep being killed by a car measuring, and then the painters put yellow lines was in 1909, and the two former toll roads on corners, and defined parking areas with white crossing the Downs, to Westbury and the ferry lines, and the whole beautiful, complex, subtle, across the Severn at Aust, and to the burgeoning scheme began to unroll before our eyes. port of Avonmouth, (the Portway was not built until 1922), were already being covered in tar, It is not perfect, but it is not ugly, it enables the and, in the thirties, roundabouts and traffic traffic to flow freely, it provides free parking for lights began to be used. Cats-eyes came in 1943, some 1500 vehicles, it is flexible between and white central lines in about 1950. Yellow weekdays and weekends, and the posts ensure lines were the first limit to parking, and appeared that people know where they can park. And in 1960, and were painted on the Westbury perhaps our descendants will be amazed when Road, partly because in places it was narrow, they find a rotting piece of wood buried deep in partly that it was now more important than the scrub with a rusty panel on which faint words Stoke Bishop Road, though both roads were may yet be discerned that there actually was a given high kerbs, unlike most of the roads on time when parking was free. the Downs which remain without kerbstones, The Downs are for people, and the and without storm drains- the drains they have management of a vast number of competing are soakaways. interests is sophisticated and subtle. If you enjoy the Downs, or use if for your sport, why Parking pressure in the centre of Bristol had not become a Friend? Membership is just ÂŁ10. long ensured that parking on all roads was Contact Robin Haward at controlled, but in the 1990s the idea of robinhaward@blueyonder.co.uk 0117 974 3385 establishing residents parking zones in the

Duties of a Personal Representative of an estate When you lose someone close to you, you may be surprised by the volume of paperwork that needs to be completed to deal with that person’s estate. The person responsible for dealing with the estate is the next of kin under the intestacy rules or an executor under the terms of a Will. Increasingly more people are appointing family members rather than legal professionals to administer their estates and this can be quite daunting for the family member left to deal with everything. Personal representative duties If you find yourself having to administer an estate, you will need to consider your personal representative duties which are set out in statute. Among them are dealing with the estate assets efficiently and keeping a detailed account of the assets and liabilities of the estate to show how the estate funds are being dealt with. Most estates in England and Wales require a Grant of Representation which is the general term given to the court order providing the authority for the personal representative to deal with the person’s assets. How to apply for a Grant of Representation You can apply for the Grant personally or you can instruct a solicitor to act on your behalf. Before deciding whether or not to act you should consider: • The amount of time you have available per week. Most estates take between 6-9 months to administer and that includes writing letters and making phone calls on a regular basis to obtain information. • How comfortable you feel with completing forms and understanding the process. You will need to declare all the assets and liabilities of the estate to HM Revenue and Customs on the relevant tax form, self-assessments may be required to finalise the deceased’s income tax and claim forms will need to be completed to close down all of the bank accounts. • The level of accountability you feel comfortable with If the estate is relatively straight-forward you may feel happy signing all the paperwork required to obtain the Grant and later on making sure that the estate is distributed correctly in accordance with either the Will or intestacy rules. Some people prefer to instruct legal professionals on their behalf because it gives them peace of mind that things are being done properly and the responsibility of administering the estate shifts to the legal advisor. The Probate Team at AMD Solicitors has extensive experience of all aspects of probate and intestacy whilst providing a personal and supportive service to all those involved. For advice on administration of estates and all other private client issues please contact Sarah Burgess or another member of our probate team on 0117 962 1205, email probate@amdsolicitors.com or call into one of our four Bristol offices. 100 Henleaze Road, Henleaze BS9 4JZ 15 The Mall, Clifton BS8 4DS 139 Whiteladies Road, Clifton BS8 2PL 2 Station Road, Shirehampton BS11 9TT AMD Solicitors are please to announce that our ever popular seminars will return in late spring watch this space for more details.

Gardening Top Tips from Hilary Barber 1. If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mulched with compost, or well rotted manure, this is the last month to do it before everything starts growing. 2. Lawns will need some attention this month. . Scarify with a spring tine rake to remove moss and thatch, spike with a fork (to improve drainage) and top dress with 3 parts sand mixed with 4 parts loam. Brush the top dressing in with a soft brush, and if reseeding is necessary then either mix the seed with the top dressing or sow afterwards. 3. Prune any shrub and bush roses, to an outward facing bud. You want to end up with a goblet shape with no crossed or congested stems, to allow good air movement all around. This prevents disease and promotes good flowering. Give your roses a good feed after pruning (this applies to all shrubs after pruning).

be divided to maintain healthy, vigorous plants, but be sure they do not dry out when re-establishing. 10. Deadhead daffodils as they fade, but allow the foliage to die down naturally, allowing the nutrients to be drawn back down into the bulb 11. Firm in any newly planted shrubs or trees which have been lifted by the wind over the winter. Also make sure that climber and tree supports are still providing good support. 12. Split and divide congested clumps of snowdrops to spread around the garden and to encourage better flowering. 13. Herbaceous perennials are starting to emerge, so protect new growth from slugs and snails. Also hoe and mulch early weeds to stop them establishing.

4. Hard-prune summer or late summer flowering shrubs such as buddleia, caryopteris, hardy fuchsia, 14.. Plant asparagus crowns, Jerusalem artichokes, lavatera, leycesteria and perovskia. You can also prune early potatoes, garlic, onion sets, shallots and rosemary and lavender but just lightly as it will not re- strawberry plants. grow from the old wood. Happy Spring gardening! 5. Coppicing (hard pruning to the ground) willow and dogwood (cornus) will produce new colourful stems for next winter. You can also coppice or pollard hazel as they do in woodlands which keeps it to a more manageable size. The same applies to eucalyptus, catalpa and paulownia 6. Renovate overgrown honeysuckle or jasmine and prune summer-flowering clematis to shoots about 1ft from the ground, even if new fat buds are sprouting on old stems. 7. When you are pruning, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget the dead diseased or damaged wood (DDD) A final note on pruning. Make a clean cut to remove the damaged (and dead wood) to prevent disease and further damage 8. Remove one or two inches of compost from containers with permanent planting and top- dress with fresh compost, and feed with Growmore or Vitax. I use organic fertilisers in the garden because they promote the development of mycorrhizal fungi, but it is OK to use inorganic fertilisers in pots. 9. Summer-flowering herbaceous perennials can

History Notes no. 111 with Julian Lea-Jones - be a Bristol explorer and follow in John Cabot’s footsteps With springtime here, now is the time to get out and Garibaldi and where a wall plaque still marks our family explore our city - Be a Bristol Explorer & Follow in home”. John Cabot's footsteps. Having thanked Giovani, we will turn back down Route: St Nicholas Street, Narrow Quay, Broad Narrow Quay as far as Perot Bridge, cross and make Quay & Brandon Hill. our way to College Green, continue up Park Street as far as Great George Street and head up towards the Warning – remember any history walk in the centre tower that crowns the summit of Brandon Hill. The of the city means crossing roads, always use the Cabot Tower itself was erected on the site of a crossings and wait for the lights. Don't try and read chapel dedicated to St. Brandon for seafarers in 1897 this leaflet when you are crossing the road. Read to commemorate the fourth centenary of the about history – don’t become it! discovery of North America on 24th June 1497 by John Cabot. If you make the 105 foot climb to the John Cabot, explorer. Here in Bristol, although his viewing platform you will be rewarded with an house no longer exists, a plaque on the wall of St. unrivalled view over Bristol and the surrounding Nicholas church in the street of the same name countryside. To the south your horizon view will be marks both the locality his former house and depicts of the northern escarpment of the Mendip hills, to a stylised replica of his ship the "Matthew". the east, the sweep of the Lansdown Hills above Now make your way back to the Centre cross to Bath, to the north the slopes of Redland & Cotham Narrow Quay and continue along the water’s edge to while to the west a glimpse of the 275 feet deep the Arnolfini Art Gallery, rounding the corner and gorge of the tidal river Avon, Bristol's gateway to there sat on a piece of ships timber looking down Western lands. Turning again to the South and river is the very man we are seeking. What better looking down to the river Avon - since Cabot's day person to answer our questions! by means of dams this section has been made into non‑tidal floating harbour, through which John Cabot himself set off to America - you can see Brunel's masterpiece, the propeller driven Steam Ship "Great Britain" being restored in the very dock where it was built. If you are lucky you may even see the seaworthy replica of John Cabot’s ship the Matthew, believed to be named after his wife Mattea. To the east you are looking down over what would have been the medieval town, the large crescent shaped building surmounted by the horse sized gold unicorns at each end is the Council House, Bristol's civic headquarters. There are four toposcope plaques, one on each of the four facing parapets of Cabot Tower to indicate directions and distances to local, national and international landmarks. One of the plaques, the north‑eastern one, had been missing for some years. The civic authorities were unable to replace and our “Good day Sir, are you the famous Bristolian who discovered society, Temple Local History Group offered a America?” replacement. Due to both the lack of information and the changes in landmarks since their erection in "Yes and No. Yes, I discovered the land of America in 1497, 1897, a complete redesign was necessary. It was but No I am neither from your City of Bristol or an agreed that the redesign would be faithful to the Englishman. Although in your country I am known as John original whilst researching a suitable selection of new Cabot I was born Giovani Caboto and came here with my landmarks for inclusion on the replacement plaque. Father from Venice where we lived at Numero Uno, Via The selection process itself is of interest, and worth

History Notes no. 111 with Julian Lea-Jones - be a Bristol explorer and follow in John Cabotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s footsteps putting on record. The tower was visited and a note the landmark information also needed revising. made of visible landmarks. Twenty five individual letters were sent to each of the "custodians" of the landmarks in question asking for their agreement and suggested wording. The responses together with a selection of Bristol connected international landmarks were then used to form the prototype layout & design submitted to the City Council for approval. The opportunity was also taken to provide more local information on the small, but hitherto unused, "apron" part of each plaque that folded over the edge of the parapet at a 45degree angle. Our history groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s President the late Sir Bob Wall arranged for Airbus to donate and manufacture the material for the new plaque(s) and the new designs were engraved by John Gardiner of Paramount When completed and installed, the then Lord Mayor, Engraving. Claude Draper did the official unveiling. One of the unexpected problems that arose during the redesign TLHG received an unexpected response to its was due to the change in the position of the submission to the Council. They were so pleased magnetic north pole since the original plaque designs with the new design that they asked us to also update of 1897; because of this the compass rose feature on the plaques for the other three faces. This was each plaque had to be corrected by some four and a because although present they were badly worn, and half degrees. ÂŠ Julian Lea-Jones FRAeS 2017

Senior Snippets - How to help combat loneliness in your community

house much, they might be a good person to reach out to and will most likely appreciate your effort.

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 of Home Instead Senior Care, Bristol North.

Share a meal: Older people often need a hand cooking for themselves, so why not share your time with a neighbour by bringing them an extra serving of a hot, home cooked meal, or even a frozen portion they can heat up or microwave. Either way, your kind gesture would be appreciated!

There are lots of ways you can help lonely or socially isolated elderly people in your community. Through advice from the NHS and AGE UK, we have listed some ways in which you can help combat elderly loneliness during the winter months.

Share your time: A rewarding way to help combat loneliness is to volunteer for organisations that support older people. These often offer "befriending" schemes for isolated elderly people, and rely on volunteers for one-to-one contact as a telephone "buddy", visitor or driver, or hosting Start a conversation: If you see an elderly neighbour on the street, stop and have a chat with social events for groups. them. Ask if they need any help with their It's the thought that counts: Something as simple shopping, posting letters or moving their wheelie as sending a card or posting one through the bin. letterbox, dropping off a little present, or calling in for a cup of tea can go a long way to making an Get to know your neighbour: If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know elderly neighbour feel loved. your neighbours, take the opportunity to introduce yourself when you see them next, and ask if you can help in any way. If you know someone who lives alone or doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t leave their

To make a suggestion for a future topic, please write to John.Moore@Home-Instead.co.uk or call 0117 989 8210.

Music with Duncan Haskell Album of the Month March Near to the Wild Heart of Life by Japandroids (Anti-)

Next Step Elephant by The White Stripes (XL) If you’re looking for serious departures then Elephant is the album for you. The White Stripes remain the template for rocking duos everywhere and it was on their fourth album that they shook off the self-imposed shackles which had informed their prior work, beefedup their sound and delivered one of the greatest records in the history of modern music.

For all the talk of Japandroids’ third album being a massive departure, the opening title track has all the hallmarks we’d expect from the Canadian duo of guitarist-vocalist Brian King and drummer David Prowse. A guitar collides with a thunderous drumbeat, The opening riff to Seven Nation Army may now be “I used to be good but now I’m bad,” King proclaims ubiquitous, but at the time it was a thrilling way to as he delivers his latest call to arms. announce the arrival of Jack and Meg White’s bulkier sound. Things didn’t stop there, the swampy blues of Once again eight tracks long and with cover art that’s Ball and Biscuit and the scuzzy anger of The Hardest a clear continuation of the striking monochrome of Button to Button revealed the full extent of Jack’s both Post-Nothing and Celebration Rock, the genius as a guitarist. By expanding their palette on changes are more subtle than many had been Elephant the pair opened the door for the increasingly expecting. That’s not to say this is a mere replica experimental follow ups Get Behind Me Satan and either. At the centre of Near to the Wild Heart of Life Icky Thump The album’s closing track, Well It's True is Arc of Bar, seven and a half minutes of swirling That We Love One Another, addressed the confusing synth with an eminently danceable beat that can’t be relationship between the ‘siblings’ with a knowing ignored. Midnight to Morning teases the listener with wink and showed that, for all their increased a bouncy acoustic opening before eventually confidence and proficiency, they still weren’t taking alternating with a more familiar dose of distortion and things too seriously. 14 years after its release, this is a yearning lyric, “the yellow line of the I-5/ bring me still the level that all other bands are striving for. back home to you.” Gig Of The Month Some will baulk at the band doubling down on their Cloud Nothings @ Thekla (Thursday 16th corniness, and they really have pushed things to the March) brink, but more often than not you can’t help but be swept along with the sentiment. And ‘sentiment’ is the It’s clearly a month for correct way to describe much of the lyrical content. noisy guitar bands, and North East South West finds Brian King “hungry for they don’t come too a hand to hold,” and I’m Sorry (For Not Finding You much noisier than Sooner) brings out the confession “I was looking for Cleveland’s Cloud you all my life.” Nothings. On tour to promote their latest Japandroids true greatness shines brightest when album Life Without they’re at their most anthemic, with those fist-aloft Sound, Dylan Baldi and moments of shout-along euphoria. They’re still here his band will be bringing their sonic jams to in abundance from the title-track right through to everyone’s favourite boat/ venue . Again, there’s talk penultimate track No Known Drink or Drug. Yes, of a slightly more nuanced direction, but don’t let that they’ve made slight shifts here and there, but fool you, this is going to be loud! essentially this is still the band we know and love. Duncan Haskell

Putting the NEIGH in neighbourhood Local charity, Avon Riding Centre for the Disabled is desperately seeking £20,000 to buy more horses so they can help Bristol's disabled people to have the therapy, achievement and fun of horse riding every week. At the Avon Riding Centre for the Disabled, they have pretty special horses. Take Daymo, the bay pony, seen in this picture, with one of his young riders, Huxley. Huxley, who has autism, says “Daymo’s like a superhero. He has a forcefield against stress.” He's wonderful, and without him and other horses like him, The Centre couldn't help the 300 riders who come to the Centre every year. Every week, each of the Centre’s horses works with 12 people with disabilities. They help them to get out in the woods, enjoy being outdoors and to have the challenge of learning to ride. They give the unique physiotherapy that only horse-riding can offer. Sadly, the Centre doesn't have enough horses like Daymo. They urgently need 5 more, just to keep helping their existing clients, but there’s an 18 month waiting list for the Centre’s service. With more horses, they could help more people. The kind of horses that the charity need are hard to find – and expensive. They need to be "bomb-proof"

enough to support riders who have difficulty with communication, and responsive enough to help them to learn the skills they need to control a horse. It can take up to 18 months to train a horse to be ready to take on a full workload with disabled riders. The average cost of the right kind of horse is £4,500. The charity are reaching out to local people to help them raise the money they need to get more fantastic horses like Daymo, and to keep them until they can be fully-trained to be work with their riders. There are lots of ways you can help. You could have a party, give up a bad habit or do something sporty. You could even check out the Avon Riding Centre’s website, www.avonridingcentre.org.uk for some fun horsey ideas. You can give through JustGiving.com (search for ARCforthedisabled) or by contacting the Centre directly. If you would prefer, you can sponsor one of our existing horses, like superhero Daymo. Contact the Centre on 0117 959 0266 for more details. Email fundraising@avonridingcentre.org.uk, “like” Avon Riding Centre on Facebook and you can even follow Daymo on Twitter @avon_riding.

Kemps Jewellers Est. 1881

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

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

Who is the current US Vice President, and who is the current UK Deputy Prime Minister?

Who presents the following television programmes - a) Fifteen-to-One, b) Countdown, and c) Question Time?

Name the three signs of the zodiac traditionally categorised as water signs.

10.

Name the cheeses hidden in the following anagrams

In a traditional choir what are the two voice types next up the range from the bass voice?

In what century were each of the following people born - a) Beethoven, b) William Wordsworth, and c) W G Grace?

BREEALJRSG BLEEEAPS LICEHAIRPYL 11.

In which countries would you find the following cities - a) Mecca, b) Dacca, c) Accra?

12.

In what decades did the following UK events take place - a) introduction of the compulsory driving test, b) the construction of the Post Office Tower, c) the launch of the Penny Black postage stamp?

Which of these towns is closest to Bristol if travelling by car (according to AA Route Planner) - Cambridge, Burnley or 13. Lincoln?

Which country is the world’s largest producer of cocoa beans?

Name these four “classic” British cars.

BACTEMEMR

Which countries will be hosting the next summer and winter Olympic Games?

Which Apollo space mission was the last one to land a man on the moon, and in what year?

14.

Which artists had hit records with a) What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? (1966), b) Leader of the Pack (1964), c) There’s a Ghost in My House (1974)?

15.

What is the currency of Hungary?

What’s On & Community News Listings for community events, not-forprofit clubs and charitable activities are free of charge. If you have something of this nature that you would like listed please get in touch by calling 0117 259 1964 or 07845 986650, email andy@bcmagazines.co.uk, or post details in to 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY. Details shown are accurate to the best of my knowledge, but dates, times & locations may change without notification. So if you are unsure, and to avoid disappointment, please contact the organiser listed to double check.

Bristol Cabot Choir Easter Concert – Haydn’s Nelson Mass, and works by Bruckner and Mendelssohn - 29 April 2017 at 7.45 pm at Clifton Cathedral, Clifton Park, BS8 3BX. Tickets - Adult £15 (on the door), Early Bird Advanced £12, Student/NUS Card £10. From Opus 13, 14 St Michael’s Hill, BS2 8DT, www.opus13.co.uk or call 0117 9230164/ 0117 9626521. bristolcabotchoir.org

The Multi-Award Winning St. Alban’s Players present ‘The Sweet Melodies of Spring’, a Classical Concert of song and the spoken word, featuring young professionals from The Royal Academy of Music and The Royal Scottish Conservatoire along with local soloists to Theatre, Concerts and Music support fundraising efforts for vital improvements to the church hall’s stage. Melody Makers Baby Friendly Choir. We Saturday 18th March 2017, 7:30pm, Bar are a daytime ladies choir. Feel free to bring available from 6:45pm. St. Alban’s Church, your baby/toddler too. Escape the real world and spend a fun packed hour singing uplifting Bayswater Ave, Bristol, BS6 7NU. Ticket Price: popular songs and classic choral favourites. We £15. Box Office: 07425 198 859. www.stalbansplayers.co.uk are open to all levels, so no auditions and no previous experience necessary. No nursery rhymes or backing tracks - strictly a choir full of Bristol Phoenix Choir and Orchestra, with Bristol Cathedral Consort, present grown up music. Come along on Tuesday's Mendelssohn’s oratorio “Elijah”. Saturday 10:30 - 11:30am (term time only) to our new 18th March, 7.45pm at Clifton Cathedral. venue at The Eastfield Inn (skittle alley), Tickets cost £15 and are available from Henleaze Rd. tickets@bristolphoenixchoir.org.uk. Ticket www.melodymakerschoir.wordpress.com office 07931 812625 or from Opus 13, St Michael’s Hill, Bristol, tel. 0117 9230164. Bristol Cabot Choir is delighted to welcome new members for all voice parts. Why not Fauré’s Requiem: The Redland Green Choir’s come and sing with us for 2/3 ‘taster’ spring concert will take place at 7.30pm on 1st rehearsals before a simple audition? We meet April, at St Matthew’s Church, Kingsdown. The at Redland URC on Mondays at 7.30 pm. FFI principal work on the programme will be email admin@bristolcabotchoir.org, visit Gabriel Fauré’s beautiful Requiem, performed www.bristolcabotchoir.org; or find us on with a chamber orchestra. The programme will Facebook. also include songs by Gibbons and Finzi, and a medley from West Side Story. Tickets will be ‘Babbers’ Radio Show every Monday from £10 (concessions £8): midday to 2pm on Ujima Radio - 98FM. The see www.redlandgreenchoir.org.uk for further show is organised and presented by older people for older people with the aim of helping details. to reduce loneliness and social isolation, however the topics we cover are interesting and The Elgar Society is dedicated to promoting the works of Sir Edward Elgar, our greatest relevant to all. Tune in, let us know what you English composer. Our next meeting is on think - info@ujimaradio.com. Saturday 25th March at 2.15pm at the Bristol Music Club, 76 St Paul’s Road, BS8 1LP.

What’s On & Community News Limited free parking is available at 1 Pembroke Road. Admission for visitors costs £3.00 including refreshments. Our speaker will be Richard Westwood-Brookes who will be talking about Elgar’s life and music during his Brinkwells period. This is the period shortly before his wife Alice died during which he wrote his chamber music and the cello concerto. He wrote little more of significance after this time.

Fees are £40 per term. There is no audition. We sing mainly choral music from a classical tradition, but we also sing carols, songs from musicals, gospel and folk songs. For membership or concert tickets contact Maggie Cavanna 0117 973 4794 or email secretary@henburysingers.org. Tickets can also be bought on the door.

Friends of Welsh National Opera and visitors are all welcome at Redmaids High Bristol Bach Choir in concert on Saturday 1 School on Wednesday March 15th at 7.15pm to April 2017, 7.30pm, at Bristol Cathedral, enjoy a talk from the artistic Director of College Green, BS1 5TJ. Featuring the works of Admin, Isobel Murphy, about the highs and MacMillan “St Luke Passion”, Barber lows of casting and selection for performances. “Adagio for Strings” and Tallis This with favourite operatic examples. “Lamentations of Jeremiah” this promises to Members £5.0 Visitors £7.0 Students £1.0 Pay be an unforgettable evening of passion, power, at door. precision and poignancy. We are delighted to welcome to perform with us the excellent choir The Voice of the Turtledove. Nova, Bristol’s from Red Maids and Bath's acclaimed chamber specialist early music vocal ensemble, directed choir ‘A Handful of Singers’, alongside the ever by Bruce Saunders, invite you to an evening of brilliant Bristol Ensemble. Ticket Prices: £10 - Renaissance music from the 15th & 16th £22 (Students and under 18s: £5 - subject to Centuries based on The Song of Songs, sensual availability). Online: bristolbach.org.uk/tickets. love-poetry from the Old Testament. Phone: 0117 214 0721 Composers include Dunstable, Power, White, Email: tickets@bristolbach.org.uk Clemens, Palestrina and Praetorius. Sunday March 19th at 7.30pm. All Saints Church, The Bristol Good Afternoon Choir meets Pembroke Road, Clifton. £8 (students £5) at every Monday afternoon from 2pm-4pm, at the door. Trinity-Henleaze United Reformed Church, Waterford Road, BS9 4BT. Rehearsals are Henleaze Singing for the Brain Group meet from 2pm to 4pm, there are no auditions and in the Bradbury Hall on Waterford Road, on everyone is welcome. The Bristol Good the 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday afternoons each Afternoon Choir enjoys all sorts of music – month from 2.00pm to 3.45pm We start the from folk songs to choral favourites. For more session with tea, coffee and biscuits, and info about the Choir please contact Nikki by general socializing before starting the singing calling 01761 472468 or emailing 'bit'. We have song books, and sing all sorts of gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk – or just come along songs including songs from the musicals, wellto a rehearsal with a friend of course. No cost known golden oldies, and folk songs. We are for your first rehearsal. accompanied on the piano, and always celebrate special events like St George's Day, Last Night Henbury Singers’ Spring Concert is at of the Proms, Armistice Day etc. We invite 7.30pm on 25th March 2017 in support of people to come and try it out and see if they BRACE at Trinity-Henleaze United Reform enjoy it. If you would like to attend a session, Church. The programme will include Haydn’s please contact Alzheimer’s Society local office Nelson Mass along with other choral music. in Bristol on: bristol@alzheimers.org.uk or Tickets £10 (£8 conc., £5 students). 0117 961 0693. We look forwards to seeing Henbury Singers welcome new members. We you. meet at Stoke Bishop Primary School in Cedar Park on Thursday evenings - 7:45 to 9:15 pm.

Traditional Chinese Medicine . . . . is a complete system of medicine. It is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest continuously practiced professional medical system with detailed textbooks dated back 2,500 years. The way Chinese medicine understands the human body is unique. It is a truly holistic system that sees the body-mind processes as an integrated whole, and how the life and activity of individual human beings have an intimate relationship with the environment. A Chinese medicine assessment can detect subtle changes in the body's homeostatic balance before it reaches the disease stage and before Western medical test can detect any abnormalities. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are its key components.

Your practitioner Ying Liu went to medical school to train in both Western and Chinese medicine for 8 years and gained a Masters degree in Internal Medicine for her research work in the treatment of autoimmune disorders. She worked at the University Hospital for ten years before coming to the UK in 2004. Ying's holistic approach in the clinic is to marry the best of both Chinese and modern Western medicine and tackle the root of the problem. Ying believes using the twin lenses of the Chinese and Western medical systems makes us more effective doctors and can contribute to improved clinical outcomes. With over 20 years of clinical experience, Ying holds a high level of expertise in many areas including general pain relief and well -being. Her main areas of interest are womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health, infertility, autoimmune disorders and rheumatism. For more information, please visit www.chi-medicine.co.uk

What’s On & Community News Exhibitions, Markets and Meetings

Keep fit with dance moves – at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, BS34 7PS, Subud Hall, 29 Wesley Place, Clifton BS8 Tuesday afternoon, from 2pm – 3pm. Improve 2YD has two large spaces for hire, 29x27ft, your mobility and general wellbeing, have fun, (8.8x8.2). Suitable for Art exhibitions, challenge yourself and feel more confident, workshops, classes etc. For more information keeping fit to music. The class also includes please contact Imilia via email on some body conditioning. Working at your own Subudbristolbookings@gmail.com or telephone pace, the class is suitable for everyone. Pay as 07790 519 683 you go at £4 per session. Wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear. For further Antique Vintage & Collectables Fair, information contact Eileen Scott, (qualified Ashton Court Mansion, Long Ashton, BS41 instructor), on 07969929733, or visit 9JN. Sunday 9th April - 10am-3.30pm. 40 stalls www.keepfit.org.uk for more info about our inside Georgian lounges and grand music hall. organisation. Fine jewellery, china, furniture, memorabilia, pictures, retro items, vintage, clothing plus lots Hydrotherapy Exercise Sessions - group more. Café with afternoon cream teas - £2.00 exercise in lovely warm water at Southmead entry under 16s free. Car park Kennel Lodge Hospital's purpose built pool. Benefits include Entrance via Portishead Rd (A369). relaxation, relief of pain & swelling, improved movement, balance & fitness. All ages & Craft Show. Bath & West Showground, abilities welcome. We are a friendly local team Shepton Mallet. Thursday 6th-Saturday 8th of Chartered Physiotherapists with expertise in April 10am-5pm. 100 leading craft supply a variety of disabilities & medical conditions. businesses, groups & guilds, 75 workshops, We have a regular group of local members but demonstrations and Make & Takes. new people are always welcome. For more Restaurants, cafes and free car parking. £8 details please contact Chris & Ali Cowley on adult, £7 concession, under 16s free. Advance 07971 086 628, email tickets: 0345 3040222. healthyhydrotherapy@gmail.com or visit www.healthyhydrotherapy.co.uk. Fitness, Health and Wellbeing Fancy a ramble? How about joining us for Bristol Shambhala Meditation Group offers enjoyable 8-10 mile walks on two Sundays per free meditation instruction from a qualified month ? Our usual group size is 12-15 walkers. instructor at the Open House evening each Interested ? If so, please come and give Stoke Wednesday from 7.30 - 9.30 pm at 17 Lower Lodge Ramblers a try. Visit Redland Road, Redland, BS6 6TB and the www.stokelodgeramblers.wordpress.com for opportunity for a longer period of practice on more details or phone Secretary 0117 9684140. the second Sunday of each month. For further information please see our website: Tai Chi Classes for beginners - Join us after www.bristol.shambhala.info Easter and put a spring in your step. The Bristol School of Tai Chi has lots of daytime Morris Dancing - Bristol Morris Men and evening classes in Henleaze and welcome anyone who wants to try morris dancing. We practise on Thursday evenings in Bishopston starting from the 24 April. Any questions contact Ben Milton on 0117 9493955 the Sports Hall at (QEH) Queen Elizabeth’s taichi@bristoltaichi.com www.bristoltaichi.com Hospital (School) at Berkeley Place, Clifton from 20:00 to 22:00 (ish). For more Gardening and Horticulture information please visit www.bristolmorrismen.co.uk or call Grant on Curator’s Tour of the University of Bristol (0117) 9442165 . Botanic Garden on Sunday 19 March 2017

Bristol Croquet Club Open Day on Sunday 9th April at Cedar Park BS9 1BW. Come along and try out this most fascinating game with a coach. Refreshments will be available in the clubhouse. There will be two sessions: morning from 10 to 12.30 and afternoon from 2 to 5. Please wear flat soled shoes to protect the lawns. See bristolcroquet.org or email: bob.whiffen@virgin.net for more info or ring 0117 940 1201 on the day.

Playworker Vacancy WASC – Westbury After School Club – is looking for a playworker to join their team. WASC is a well-established 40+ 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 £8.40 ph and Below NVQ 2 £7.85 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

What’s On & Community News 10.30am-12.00pm. Join an inspiring two hour special tour of the Garden with the Curator, Nicholas Wray, at 10.30. With luck the stunning Magnolia campbellii subsp. mollicomata 'Lanarth' will be flowering in all its glory, along with our daffodil collection, early spring blossom and the emerging woodland bulbs. Then, experience the secret treasures of the Amazon rainforest in the exotic glasshouses; enjoy enchanting orchids, bromeliads and a magical world of tropical food and medicinal plants. Come rain or shine there will be plenty to see. Admission: Free to Friends and Students. Visitors £5.50. Please meet outside the Welcome Lodge, The Holmes, Stoke Park Road, BS9 1 JG. Contact 0117 331 4906, email botanic-gardens@bristol.ac.uk or visit www.bristol.ac.uk/botanic-garden for more details. The Clifton Garden Society invite you to come and join is as a new member. Monthly coach visits are arranged to great houses and gardens. There is a quarterly newsletter, an annual holiday and a Christmas party. If you would like to join this friendly group please contact 0117 973 7296 for further details . University of Bristol Botanic Garden Friends Lecture, on Thursday 16 March 2017 (after AGM at 7pm). James Bolton presents “Romans and roses: a personal history of Italian gardens”. The lecture explores the development of Italian gardens from as far back as the Emperor Hadrian’s 2nd century garden at Tivoli, which provided inspiration and building materials for generations of architects and garden makers. Venue: Frank Theatre Wills Physics Laboratory, Tyndall Avenue, BS8 1TL. Lectures are free to Friends on production of their membership card. Visitors will be asked for a donation (suggested £5) Attendees can use any University car park; the nearest are in University Walk and The Hawthorns. Further information: University of Bristol Botanic Garden, The Holmes, Stoke Park Road, BS9 1JG, tel. 0117 331 4906, email botanic-gardens@bristol.ac.uk or visit www.bristol.ac.uk/botanic-garden.

Henleaze & District Flower Club meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at Bradbury Hall, Waterford Road in Henleaze. Flower demonstrations are held on the second Thursday, practice classes on the fourth Thursday. New members always welcome. For more details please contact Debra Ward on 07974 937741 or email Debra at debragailward@hotmail.com Volunteering and Charities Redland May Fair Volunteers. The May Fair takes place on Bank Holiday Monday 1 May, 1-5pm on Redland Green. This hugely popular, not-for-profit, free community event is organised by a small group of volunteers on behalf of RCAS. If you would like to get hands -on and help out for an hour or two on the day please email RedlandMayFairVolunteers@gmail.com. Even helping in a small way makes a big difference! Many thanks from May Fair Committee, Redland & Cotham Amenities Society. www.rcas.org.uk/redland-fair. If your new year’s resolution is to get more active or involved in your community why not give an hour a week or a day a month and help Marie Curie. We depend on contributions of time and skills so that we can continue to provide care to patients and their families. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer for us, from helping at a collection to placing collection tins in your local community or by joining your local fundraising group. If you enjoy meeting new people and raising money for a great cause, we would love to hear from you. FFI please contact Community Fundraiser Helen Isbell on 0117 9247275 or email Helen.Isbell@mariecurie.org.uk Volunteers needed to support carers. Could you please help us develop and increase our support to carers, people looking after an unwell, disabled or elderly family member or friend in Bristol and South Glos? Could you help us develop the support that carers can access through their G.P. surgery and other sources? If you are outgoing and could offer two mornings a month to meet, greet and give

Table Top Sale at Redland Green School BS6 7EH In aid of The Guild of Friends of the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, who raise funds primarily for the social work team so they can help families in need when children are in the hospital. Sunday 19th March 10.30am to 12.15pm (Setting up from 9am).Please bring your own table(s). The cost is ÂŁ15 per table/space up to 8 feet long. If you want a larger space please enquire re. charges. Easy free parking. Plenty of space. All indoors. Refreshments available. For bookings and enquiries please email tillyvacher@hotmail.com

What’s On & Community News information to carers when they visit their GP surgery, I would very glad to hear from you. Full training and support provided. Please contact me, Mike Hatch, GP Carer Link Volunteer on 07503 577830 or email mikeh@carerssupportcentre.org.uk. If you look after someone who couldn’t manage without you, and would like some information about our services for carers or would just like someone to talk to about caring for the person you look after, please telephone our Carersline on 0117 965 2200 or visit www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk .

Please join us. We also meet at The Eastfield Inn, Henleaze, BS9 4NQ every second Friday in the month for an informal coffee morning from 11am.

On the first Tuesday of the month the North Bristol Alzheimer Café opens at St Monica Trust, Oatley House Atrium restaurant, Westbury-on-Trym, BS9 3TN from 3.30pm – 5.30pm. We provide a relaxed, informal and safe space in which issues surrounding dementia can be aired. Our café is staffed by trained, caring and experienced volunteers. Every week refreshments are served and most Friendship, Social and Support weeks live music is played. There is no charge to attend, free on-site parking is usually Westbury Park Women’s Institute have a available and the number 1 bus stops right new home. We meet at 7.30pm on 1st outside. FFI or to register your attendance Wednesday of the month at Redland Church contact Jacqui Ramus (Dementia Lead for St Halls, Redland Green Road, BS6 7HE. We’ve a Monica Trust) email full program for the year to cover a variety of jacqui.ramus@stmonicatrust.org.uk or tel topics including health, fitness, crafts, science, 07854 185093. Authors talks, vintage clothing and many more. We welcome guests and new members are Clifton Rotary Club welcomes new members always welcome - please come and find out willing to give their time, are interested in what we are all about, guests £4, refreshments making new friends, building business contacts including tea, coffee, and wine at all meetings. and using their skills to help others. We meet Our chosen charity for 2017 is One25.org.uk. Wednesday lunchtimes at The Redland Green For more details please contact Club (Redland Lawn Tennis and Squash Club). westburyparkwi@gmail.com. FFI visit www.cliftonrotary.org or email secretary@cliftonrotary.org Soroptomists International Bristol are part of a global organisation founded in Bristol for Bristol Grandparents Support Group gives women from a wide range of professional and support to grandparents who are estranged business backgrounds who have joined together from their grandchildren due to family to give Service, Friendship and have Fun. We breakdown. Family breakdown can be as a meet on the second and fourth Mondays of the result of separation/divorce, alcohol/drug month at Long Ashton Golf Club where we dependency, domestic violence within the enjoy a two course meal with a speaker. For home, bereavement or family feud. We give more details please contact our membership support over the phone, via email, Skype and at officer on 0117 9739894 or email our regular meetings held at 9, Park Grove, gillbea@aol.com for more details. Bristol. BS6 7XB. Tel 07773 258270 more information or visit www.bgsg.co.uk. The Bristol and District branch of Parkinson's UK meet every first Saturday of Rotary Club of Bristol meet at the Bristol the month at St Monica Trust, Cote Lane, BS9 Hotel, Prince Street, Bristol BS1 4QF at 3UN from 10am -12 noon. Carers, relatives, 7.00pm for 7.30 pm on the 1st, 3rd and 5th spouses and people with Parkinson's - all are Mondays and at 12.30pm for 1.00 pm on the welcome for a social and informative get2nd and 4th Mondays. Meetings start with a together, with speakers from a variety of meal and are followed by a speaker. New backgrounds with many diverse interests. members are very welcome – for more details

NEW GRANDPARENTS! Grantenatal Classes are a new service, offering to top up your baby knowledge. Grantental exists because things change. It’s amazing to be a grandparent, but expectations of you can be high and the advice you draw on may have altered a bit since you last needed it! All information is clearly evidence based (on real facts not alternative ones) In the last 30 years, a wealth of research has with the date the new information came out been gathered and shared, and thanks to and why it has changed recommended baby advances in technology, quickly communicated care. out to new parents. A Grantenatal class is followed by plenty of In a Grantenatal class, information gleaned time for discussions and chat over a hot drink, over decades of midwifery/health visiting leaving us scope to explore issues of interest in experience, is collated into an hour-long more detail. update, focussing on the issues that most commonly lead to confusion between parents It’s pitched at grandparents but anyone can and grandparents in the first couple of months. come to a Grantenatal class. It could be for birth partners, supportive friends/family or Whether your children directly ask for help, or anyone who wants an update; all are welcome. just catch the look in your eye, research shows You can even bring the bump owner with you if that new parents look to their parents for you like and revel and reminisce in the changes answers and support. together. Grantenatal is not about regretting or defending what you did when you raised your child; It’s about learning what they are learning as they become parents, so that when your child looks to you for help, you can give up to date, considered support, and be the awesome grandparent you want to be.

Sessions cost £10. The next session is on Tuesday 28th March 7-8pm, in Bradbury Hall, Waterford Road, Henleaze, BS94BT please email grantenatal@outlook.com to book a place or message us on the Grantenatal Facebook page. It could be an interesting Mothers’ Day gift!

What’s On & Community News see www.bristolrotary.org or contact Martina Peattie at mpeattie@btopenworld.com Civil Service Retirement Fellowship. The Westbury-on-Trym group welcomes all retired Civil Servants and their spouses to their meetings held on the first Thursday of the month at Studland Court, Henleaze Road at 2.00pm, Those people without a civil service background are welcome to join our group as Friends of the Fellowship. For more info phone Beryl Webb on 01454 614 451. Instep Club for Widows and Widowers. Weds evenings 8.00 pm-10.00 pm at Stoke Bishop Village Hall, Stoke Hill. Dancing Ballroom and Sequence (If you haven’t danced for a long time, don’t worry, we will help you learn). Social activities Annual membership £8. Members: £2 per session. Visitors welcome: £3 per session. Come in to see us or telephone Donna on 01275 832676 or Wilma on 9628895 for further information. General Interests

sblocalhistory@gmail.com. Please do also contact us if you are clearing out documents and pictures of Stoke Bishop! The Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society's next lecture is on Monday 27th March at 7.45 pm in the Apostle Room of Clifton Cathedral in Pembroke Road when Stuart Andrews will talk about "Bristol Poets and Anglican Englishness, 17911830." Both Coleridge and Southey were Anglicans by christening, but in Bristol of the 1790s were committed Unitarians. Yet by 1830 each poet had written his own passionate defence of the Established church. Meanwhile the near-pantheism of Wordsworth's "Tintern Abbey" gave way to over 100 Ecclesiastical Sonnets and his unlikely boast that he "would give his life-blood for the Church of England". How did this happen? The startdate of 1791 marks the completed rebuilding of both Christ Church, Broad Street and Lewin's Mead Chapel - nominally Presbyterian but actually Unitarian.

The Raleigh Club is a small and welcoming, informal speaking and literary club. Established back in 1865 we meet in Westbury Village Hall at 7.30pm on the 2nd Friday of each month from October until April, with a dinner in May and an annual summer outing. It is a great opportunity to practice public speaking in a friendly and supportive environment. New members always welcome - or why not just come along and see what we do? For more details please contact smigie2@yahoo.co.uk or lorna.watson@btinternet.com.

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

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. Our next speaker, on Friday 10th March, will be John Chaplin from the Bristol Port Company who will be talking to us about “Bristol Port - past, present and future”. Membership is just £6 p/a and visitors pay just £3 a meeting. For more details please visit www.stokebishop.org.uk/ local_history_group, call 0117 9686010 or email

The Bristol Humanists is a local group for those who make sense of the world using reason & shared human values, who seek to live ethical lives on the basis of reason, humanity and respect for others, and who find meaning, beauty, and joy in the one life we have, without the need for an afterlife. We meet every 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 information.

Ukulele Funhouse Orchestra in GRANDAD’S ARMY Saturday 18th March at 7.30pm Newman Hall, Henleaze. Tickets £10 from Henleaze Post

DRAMA TUITION WITH LAMDA TRAINED TEACHER

I am an experienced and dynamic drama teacher who offers drama and vocal training in all aspects of performance including acting, public speaking, poetry, prose and improvisation. Sessions can be 30 minutes or an hour in length and are tailored to suit each individual – from students wishing to develop their self-confidence and self-esteem, to those preparing for LAMDA examinations or drama

What’s On & Community News

Get In Touch

The Bristol Philatelic Society meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month in the meeting room of the United Reform Church at Do please get in touch, whether you are the bottom of Blackboy Hill (Whiteladies Road) interested in advertising, have an item or starting at 7.30 p.m. Contact 0117 956 7853. event that you think would benefit from

a free listing, or if you have any

Stoke Lodge History and Archaeology comments or suggestions about the Group meet on the second Thursday of every magazine - it is always good to receive month at the Friends Meeting House in Hampton Road, Redland, BS6 6JE at 7.30. We any feedback. host a rich diversity of lectures. New members are always made very welcome. For further 0117 259 1964 / 07845 986650 details please contact Annette Martin on 0117 979 3209. North West Bristol Camera Club, are an enthusiastic group of amateur photographers who meet each Wednesday at 7:45pm at Westbury Fields. New members of any level of ability are most welcome. For details contact Pete on 07870 589555. Disclaimer The Bristol Six is published by Bristol Community Magazines Ltd (Co. No. 08448649, registered at 8 Sandyleaze, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS9 3PY). The views expressed by contributors or advertisers in The Bristol Six are not necessarily those held by Bristol Community Magazines Ltd. The inclusion of any business or organisation in this magazine does not imply a recommendation of it, its aims or its methods. Bristol Community Magazines Ltd cannot be held responsible for information disclosed by advertisers, all of which are accepted in good faith. Reasonable efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this magazine but no liability can be accepted for any loss or inconvenience caused as a result of inclusion, error or omission. All content is the copyright of Bristol Community Magazines Ltd and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of Bristol Community Magazines.

8 Sandyleaze, W-o-T, BS9 3PY andy@bcmagazines.co.uk www.bcmagazines.co.uk

Quiz Answers from page 46

Mike Pence, and there is currently nobody in the role of Deputy Prime Minister; 2.Cancer, Pisces, Scorpio; 3. baritone and then tenor; 4. a) 18th (1770), b) 18th (also 1770), c) 19th (1848); 5. Cambridge (171 miles) - Lincoln is 183 miles and Burnley is 204 miles; 6. Ivory Coast; 7. (clockwise from top left) Ford Cortina, Hillman Imp, Triumph Herald, Austin Princess; 8. Pyeongchang (S Korea, 2018 Winter Olympics) and Tokyo (Japan, 2020 Summer Olympics); 9. a) Sandi Toksvig, b) Nick Hewer, c) David Dimbleby; 10. Camembert, Jarlsberg, Bel Paese, Caerphilly; 11.a) Saudi Arabia, b) Bangladesh, c) Ghana; 12.a) 1930’s (1935), b) 1960’s (1965), c) 1840’s (1840); 13. Apollo 17 in 1972; 14. a) Jimmy Ruffin, b) The Shangri-Las, c) R. Dean Taylor; 15. the Forint.

Deadline The last date for inclusion in the April issue of The Bristol Six is Wednesday 15th March.

Index of Advertisers Fitness, Beauty, Sport & Leisure

Around the Garden Garden Design & Mtce

Hilary Barber

Activity Parties

Clifton College Sports Centre

Garden Design & Mtce

Chandler's Lands. & Tree Surgery

Garden Design & Mtce

Blossom Gardening

G G Travel Westbury Trym & Tone

61 39

Garden Design & Mtce

Red Oak

Coach Travel Sports Centres & Gyms Food and Drink

Garden Services

Declan McManus

Butchers

Molesworths of Henleaze

Gifts, Arts, Jewellery & Retail Auction Houses

Clevedon Salesrooms

Record Collecting Retails Outlets Garden Centres

James Boy Records The Mall Riverside Garden Centre

5 64 11

Trophies & Engraving Jewellery and Gifts

KP Badges & Trophies Kemps

4 45

Healthcare Services Complementary Healthcare

Fencing

EC Fencing

Landscaping

Oak Urban Landscaping

8 41

Around the House Blinds & Shutters

UK Blinds Direct

Bathrooms, Wetrooms & Showers

Threesixty Services

Bathrooms, Wetrooms &

Paul Whittaker

Stairlifts

Thornbury Stairlifts

The Chiron Centre

Cleaning Services

OvenGleam

Chiropodist

Kathleen Nicholas

Cleaning Services

Home Gleamers

Home Care Services

Home Instead

Domestic Appliance Repairs AASP Domestics

Home Care Services

St Monica Trust

Furniture

Clifton Storage Solutions

Home Care Services

Premier Homecare

32, 33

Furniture

Gareth Jones Furniture

Cleaning Services

Bonne Fresh Clean

Property & Accommodation Estate & Letting Agents

C J Hole

16, 17

Stoves & Woodburners

Embers Bristol

Estate & Letting Agents

Bristol Property Centre

Upholstery & Soft Furn

Nice Things for Nice Homes

Estate Agents

Richard Harding

Estate Agents

Ocean

Trades Electrical Services

Lek-Trix

Electrical Services

Paul Daley Electrical Services

Painting & Decorating

Stephen Carter

Painting & Decorating

James Fox

Painting & Decorating

Sarah's Decorating Services

Building Services Building & Construction

Garcia Building Services

Property Refurbishment

Ace Property Refurbishment

Windows & Doors

Crystal Clear

Property Maintenance

Prime Maintenance

Design & Project Mgmt

Oasys Property Solutions

Computing, A/V & IT

Computer Repairs

FAB IT Rescue

Computer Tuition

Mrs PC

8 20

Painting & Decorating

Peter Wyatt

Plastering

A & P Plastering

Plastering

McCall Plastering

Plumbing

Bathroom Perfection

Plumbing & Heating

John Presland

Chimney Sweeps

Bristle Chimney Sweeping

Garage Services

Autotec

Garage Services

Arley Garage

Pet Care and Pet Services Veterinary Services

Animal Health Centre

Veterinary Services

Vets4Pets

Finance, Legal & Business Accountancy

William Price

Book-keeping

Walbrook Bureau Services

Coaching

Anne Miller Coaching

Solicitors

Corfield Solicitors

2,3

Solicitors

AMD Solicitors

Solicitors

Veale Wasbrough Vizards

22, 23

Cars & Motoring

Deadline for inclusion in the April 2017 issue - 15th March 2017 If you use any of the businesses featured in The Bristol Six please let them know that you saw their advertisement in the magazine. Many thanks for your support.