The Bristol Eight - May 2014

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May 2014 No 62

A free community magazine for the residents and businesses of Clifton, Hotwells, Cliftonwood, Failand and Abbots Leigh. 8,000 copies delivered each month.

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The Editor’s Small Piece Pot pourri. Smorgasbord. Dogs breakfast.

Whatever you want to call it welcome to the May issue of The Bristol Eight magazine.

When I put it together there seems to be little snippets and bits and pieces all over the place, so you might find the magazine a bit wobbly this month. That said there is plenty to read, and in a month when it seems as if the event season is kicking off there are loads of activities to read about or support.

The hidden backstreets of Hotwells and Cliftonwood come under the spotlight with a review of two splendid new walk books that will help you discover this lovely area.

I must say I had fun, although it didn’t seem it at times, personally delivering about 1,000 magazines last month around the extended catchment area of Berkeley Square, Baltic Wharf and Tyndall’s Park. If you received a copy for the first time I hope it will become a regular pleasure for you.

Cheers for now, Andy Fraser 0117 9687787 / 07845 986650 andy@bcmagazines.co.uk www.bcmagazines.co.uk @BS9Andy on Twitter

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6 Useful Numbers and Information Gas Emergencies Electricity Emergencies Water Emergencies Avon & Somerset Police Non‐Emergencies number) Crimestoppers

Southmead Hospital Frenchay Hospital BRI / Children’s Hospital NHS Direct

Bristol Blood Donation The Samaritans

Alcoholics Anonymous ChildLine

National Rail Enquiries Telephone Pref Service Mailing Pref Service Bristol Dog Warden

0800 111 999 0800 365 900 0845 600 4 600 101

(new

0800 555 111 0117 950 5050 0117 970 1212 0117 923 0000 0845 46 47 0117 988 2040 08457 90 90 90 08457 69 75 55 0800 11 11 08457 48 49 50 0845 070 0707 0845 703 4599 0117 922 2500

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

Local Libraries Clifton ‐ tel. 903 8572 Redland ‐ tel.

903 8549

Public Transport Visit the excellent Bristol City Council website www.travelbristolorg to plan out your routes in, around or out of the city ‐ whether you are planning to go by bus, train, ferry, air, bike, car or foot.

Recycling and Household Waste The Household Waste and Recycling Centre on Kingsweston Lane, Avonmouth for pretty much everything. The Avonmouth centre is now open Summer hours from 8.00am to 6.45pm, 7 days.

Hi, I’m Rachel Clare and I make beautiful and original cakes to order for any occasion. I use quality and Fairtrade ingredients, love making bespoke cakes (particularly modelling figures to look like the cake recipient) and am always happy to have a challenge!

And I’m local, living here in BS9. Please visit my website to see more of my work - www.cakesbyrachelclare.org.uk or find me on Facebook To have a chat about your requirements please give me a ring on 0117 968 7822 or 07905 639 136 or email rachel_roberts155@hotmail.com

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Mrs PC - Friendly Computer Training Choosing a digital camera If you haven’t yet switched from film to digital photography or if you are in need of replacing an old or broken digital camera, here is a handy guide to help you choose. I have now worn out my trusty Canon Powershot S95 – a much loved compact camera, which took very professional photos, and I am looking to replace it.

Choosing a new one is rather overwhelming, and I thought I would share with you what the options are.

The choice is a digital compact camera, or one with a much more powerful zoom, known as a super zoom compact camera, a bridge camera - basically a hybrid between a compact and a digital SLR, or DSLR as they are now known, (Single lens reflex, or professional type camera which allows the use of interchangeable lenses). There are compact cameras with interchangeable zoom lenses and then there are of course phones and tablets!

The things to look out for are: How does the camera feel in your hand? Is it comfortable?

Is there a deal including a memory card or case?

Will you stick it in your pocket? If so the smaller the better! You may find it more comfortable around your neck on a strap, and this will allow you to have just as quick access to it but not all cameras can be put on a strap.

Megapixels. The more you have, the better the resolution, but the more space each image will take up on your hard drive.

Anything above 10MP is great quality.

Wide Angle. This is useful for taking photos of large groups or rooms. Go for 24mm.

Zoom. How much will you need? Optical zoom is best. Some cameras only have 3 or 4 x zoom, and others will have massive zooms which are handy for activities such as birdwatching. 24x Zoom would allow you to get in very close.

Lens. A high quality lens is worth paying for. Many cameras come with Zeiss lenses.

You get what you pay for.

Image stabilization is a good idea, as it’s easy to wobble when you take a photo, especially if you have zoomed in a long way. It will eliminate blurred photos.

Do you prefer a viewfinder? Not many cameras have them nowadays but some do.

Can you easily open the battery compartment to change the battery or remove the memory card?

Do you like the styling or colour?

Does the camera come with any extras such as a strap or other useful items. (continued on page 10)

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Mrs PC - continued from page 8 GPS. This will imprint the location of the photograph automatically so that you will always know where it has been taken.

Manual settings. If you are a keen photographer you will want to be able to over ride the automatic settings. You may also want to shoot in RAW, rather than JPEG as you will get better results when you edit your photos.

WiFi. Some cameras now come with built in WiFi so that you don’t need to connect your camera to your computer in order to transfer the photos.

If you are keen on sport you may want to consider buying a camera that allows you to take a fast series of shots or continuous

shots.

Most cameras come with a movie mode. I find it best when this can’t be accidentally pressed. Lots of cameras have a separate button for movies- I think this is a good idea. Is the movie mode HD (High Definition)?

Lastly, consider taking out insurance on your camera. You can sometimes get cover for 3 years for any eventuality.

Look up reviews online for the cameras you are considering to help you make up your mind. I am still doing this and am quite tempted by a bridge camera, but not totally decided yet!

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MOLESWORTHS ‐ FOR A TRADITIONAL FAMILY EASTER

Only serve your family and friends the best!

• Free range Local Turkeys, Geese & Ducks • Local Lamb • Ribs of Beef • Large Chicken • Wild Boar & Venison

101 Henleaze Road, Henleaze ‐ 0117 962 1095 ‐ www.henleazebutchers.co.uk

12 her kind invite I turned up at Ashton Court on a glorious morning to be met by Jackie, friends and co-leaders Jerome and Sophie, and Call me a sentimental old fool but I can’t help 10 youngsters - some first timers, others experienced Ray Mears fans. And off we went thinking to myself what a shame it is when into the woods, after a good brisk walk across you see young children passing their free the golf course, taking time to hear and watch, waking time with a phone to their ear and a from a careful distance, the beautiful skylarks console in their hands. Ears that could be listening to the world around them and hands nesting in the grass. Once in the woods we set about a range of great fun, free, simple that could be getting grubby getting to grips activities - making dens, playing coo-eee hide with the planet. and seek, collecting kindling for the fire that the children set and started, watching bugs, Thankfully I’m not alone with this whimsy, birds and wild things. To be honest it and there are an increasing number of reminded me of being eight again, and made opportunities being created for youngsters to get acquainted safely with life outside the front me wish I still was. door. One such opportunity I encountered last “Whatever the week is the “Go Wild Holiday Forest School” weather, we get the where children aged between 8 and 12 have children to the opportunity to go wild, in a forest, while experience fire on holiday from school. Naturally. Actually craft, creative the “school” part of the title refers, I guess, to activities, den the fact that the big outdoors becomes the building, whittling classroom for the day. The idea comes from young local wildlife lover Jackie Roby who set and lots of exciting woodland games the venture up as a social enterprise in 2010, and bug hunts. and whose love and enthusiasm for the There will also be educational benefits of the big wide world marshmallows echoes that of the National Trust, RSPB and cooked over the Project Wild Thing who have been calling on campfire, popcorn parents to allow their children to spend more (made using the time in green shoogling stick we spaces. Based carry with us) and warm drinks.” completely outdoors, this Sadly I couldn’t stay beyond lunch but I know forest school that the kids were exhausted by the end of the course invites day, full of fresh air and stories of adventure. children to leave their laptops, TVs Now isn’t that better than a day with an electronic babysitter? and tablets and connect with The course costs £30 per child per day and is nature, while learning new skills based in Ashton Court Estate. Spaces are and making new limited. For more information or to book, friends. please contact hello@gowildeducation.co.uk

The call of the wild

Gladly accepting

or visit www.gowildeducation.co.uk.

Jackie’s next courses are 27th-30th May

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Prize Wordsearch Competition time and this month the popular wordsearch puzzle is aimed at the children in BS8 - of all ages. The list contains 20 popular cartoon characters from the last 50 years. 19 of them are also hidden in the wordsearch grid, either forwards, backwards, up, down or on a diagonal. Just track down the missing cartoon character and send me his or her name.

All correct entries received by the 30th May will be entered into the computer for one to be selected at random - and that person will win something large, soft, cuddly and very Bristolian!

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Entries please by post (8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY), telephone (0117 968 7787), email (andy@bcmagazines.co.uk), text (07845 9866540) or tweet (@BS9Andy).

Here are the characters you are looking for: Bagpuss Chippy Minton Emily Hector Mr Ben Orinoco Parsley Pootle Roobarb Willo The Wisp Best of luck!

Captain Pugwash Clifford Ermintrude Ivor Mungo Paddington Peppa Postman Pat Shaun The Sheep Windy Miller

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CALL: 0117 949 0147 or 07909 937 229 or 07970 596 260 dannymccall2323@hotmail.co.uk

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The Downs Recorder - Richard Bland The Oaks of the Downs

There is a path that leads from there up through Fairyland to the very edge of the Gorge, with a fine view of the Suspension Bridge, and just where that path turns north along the edge of the Gorge that is a fine oak tree that looks to be about a century old, growing right on the lip of the vertical cliff. It is a Sessile Oak, the species that is common to the north and west of Britain, but fairly unusual here. It has rather different leaves, and its acorns don’t grow on stems.

There are a number of fine old Oaks on the Downs, and several very unusual species too. On the triangle of land by the Lord Mayor’s house there are two different species of North American oak, the Red Oak, which is part of the Gorge and Downs Tree Trail and labelled 12b. It has grown very fast since it was planted sixty years ago, and There are two other species that are spreading turns a brilliant colour in the autumn. themselves very rapidly across the Downs and the face of the Gorge. The first is the Turkey Oak, a fast growing tree that holds its leaves very late in the year, has very sharply toothed leaves, hairy buds, and a big acorn in a cup that is covered in little spikes. There are a number of old trees on the Zoo Bank, some of them multi-trunked, and it looks as if one or two were planted a century ago, and since then many others have self-sown from them. They are fine trees, grow faster than native Oaks, and these days produce far more acorns, and saplings.

Close by is a smaller tree, with similar spiky leaves which is the Scarlet oak, though in our climate it does not live up to its name. Closer to the Lord Mayor’s House there is an odd little oak with very distorted leaves. This is the rarest tree in Bristol, it is called the Cluster Oak and came from a tree found growing wild in Savernake forest in the 1940s The tree grows very slowly compared with a normal oak, and there are very few in existence.

On the other side of the Promenade there is a grand old Common Oak tree that was planted, as the plaque says, 110 years ago to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII. Not far from it is the Duke of Gloucester’s Accession oak planted in 2003 to celebrate fifty years since the accession of Queen Elizabeth. It is doing very swell. And just on the other side of Bridge Valley Road, rather hidden from view by ivy, is a really grand old specimen with a girth of four metres, and hence an age of at least 200 years. It is probably the oldest oak on the Downs.

The other species is the Holm Oak, which comes from the Mediterranean and is evergreen. It grows very fast, sprouts very readily when cut back, casts a deep dense shade under which nothing can grow, and produced large numbers of small acorns rather late in the season- a bonanza for Jays and Squirrels. There are hundreds of baby trees, and they create real problems on the Gorge face where they are threatening the native flora. They are very common on the Zoo banks, and again it looks as if some were planted a hundred years ago. Many of they are multi-trunked, some fantastically so, indication that desperate efforts have been made in the past, mostly probably in the 1930s, to cut them back. However neglect during the war years enabled them to become massive, and they pose problems today.

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.

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Kemps Jewellers Est. 1881 A local family business offering you professional friendly advice.

Rings and jewellery, new and old - and a great range of modern secondhand jewellery to complement our existing selection of beautiful traditional second-hand pieces.

Beautiful gift ideas for ladies and for gents, as well as watches & watch repairs.

Do you have any secondhand or scrap gold? Gold prices remain attractive so why not bring it in for a free valuation?

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

Our terrific Spring Watch Promotion continues with big discounts on a wide range of gents and ladies watches.

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D & L Ford Carpet, Vinyl & Laminate Specialists - Mobile Showroom. We have an expert measuring & fitting service with a full range of carpet, vinyl & laminate samples for you to choose in the comfort of your own home. If you would like us to call and give you a free estimate please call on

0117 9663917 or 07944 147485

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Book Review

Regular readers of the magazine will know I am partial to a little puzzle walk, and am always happy to share any discoveries with readers. My walks tend to originate from me wandering around with a notebook and a camera and hopefully ending up where I set off from about an hour before.

Local authors Julia Killingback and Michael Pascoe however are much more knowledgeable and proficient at devising interesting local walks than I am, so I’m really pleased they have just released the third and fourth volumes of their Explore Bristol books. A few months ago I did a short review of volumes one and two covering Clifton and Victorian Clifton and very good they are too. The new walks however cover parts of our local area that I have a particular fondness for - Cliftonwood and Hotwells.

Both areas are real warrens of little streets, alleyways and hidden squares and terraces, and played a key role in the development of Bristol in the seventeenth and eighteenth century. At the time the wealthy were seeking to relocate up the hill away from the smell and bustle of the docks below, while the unhealthy were beginning to flock to the area to take in the “beneficial” waters of the

Hotwells. Add in the industrial and scientific revolutions that Bristol was at the heart of and you get an area that attracted more than its fair share of influential, colourful and innovative characters, benefactors and entrepreneurs.

These terrific little books take you on a real backstreets tour of this fascinating little corner of Bristol and will open your eyes to facts, sights and stories that range from the intriguing to the unexpected to the downright bizarre.

My favourite story from the Hotwells book is the very odd but true story of Dr Thomas Beddoes and his attempts to discover a cure for tuberculosis which led to a bovine invasion of Dowry Square, while his apprentice (Sir) Humphry Davy was having fun discovering the effects of laughing gas.

Less surreal, and certainly more beautiful is the fabulous, and little known vista of Bristol you will discover if you follow the Cliftonwood trail.

I can’t recommend these two books highly enough. Carefully researched and beautifully presented (unlike my own efforts) each one includes a children’s quiz to keep them entertained en-route.

The books are £7.99 each (from which a donation will be made to the Wallace & Gromit Grand Appeal) and available from www.explorewalks.co.uk

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Gardener’s Corner with Cathy Lewis In April I was fortunate enough to spend two weeks working in Tresco Abbey Garden on the Isles of Scilly, and just had to share this gem of a garden with you. The Scillies is a small archipelago 25 miles off Land’s End. The islands are blessed with white sandy beaches, spectacular views and a wonderful feeling of tranquility. Add a beautiful Mediterranean garden into the mix, and this is my idea of heaven!

Tresco Abbey Garden has an amazing array of exotic plants usually only found in glasshouses in the UK. These thrive on the island thanks to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream which means temperatures rarely fall below freezing. The soil is sandy and free-draining, and there is an abundance of sunshine, all of which enable plants from Mediterranean climates (Chile, California, South Africa and Australia as well as southern Europe) to be grown successfully. Huge Monterey pines and oak hedges help protect plants from strong south westerly winds, as well as adding height and drama to the garden.

Walking around the garden you could be

forgiven for thinking you were a million miles away. Canary Island palms tower above you, huge Mexican Agaves as tall as double-decker buses reach out from terraced beds, while succulent Aeoniums poke out of every nook and cranny like exotic cabbages.

The garden is arranged in terraces on a south -facing slope, each level suiting different types of plant and offering different views of the garden. You can see King Protea, the national flower of South Africa, Strelitzia (or Bird of Paradise), Australian Bottlebrush plants and swathes of brilliant blue Agapanthus.

Further down the slope the garden takes on a more woodland feel, with New Zealand tree ferns, a huge collection of Camellias, and gigantic Eucalyptus trees.

Unfortunately most of these exotic plants wouldn’t survive outside in Bristol’s damp, clay soil and frost-prone climate but, with a little nurturing, I’m hoping the few seeds and cuttings I brought back will give me a lasting reminder of this magical place. If I’ve sparked your interest in Tresco Abbey Garden you can find out more at www.tresco.co.uk

Cathy Lewis Dip. PSGD Cathy Lewis Gardens & Design Professional garden design, consultancy

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General Knowledge Quiz

1.

What is the name of the French na onal anthem?

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Who is the lead singer of the band Elbow?

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The character Katniss Everdeen appears in which series of novels / films?

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Name this common garden bu erfly.

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What country are doughnuts thought to originate from?

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Name the missing elements in this series:‐

Hydrogen, Helium, xxxxxxx, Beryllium, xxxxx, Carbon.

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In what year did the 1/2 pence piece cease to be legal tender?

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Which country has borders with Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia, Croa a, Serbia, Romania and Ukraine?

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Who is the Secretary of State for Health in the current coali on government?

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Which actor has played Charlie Fairhead in Casualty since 1986?

11.

The Great Western Railway from Paddington to Bristol opened to the public in which decade?

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If you travelled from Lords to The Oval on the London Underground what is the minimum number of changes you would have to make?

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The George Cross is awarded for what, and was ins tuted by which monarch?

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What is a “munro”?

15.

The Jodrell Bank Observatory can be found in which English county?

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Veridian is a shade of which colour?

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Which Uruguayan town gives it name to the famous meat product that used to be packaged there?

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If you drove from Bristol Temple Meads at the same constant speed which of the following would you get to first ‐ Sizewell B Power Sta on, Hull Coach Sta on or Lake Windemere?

Answers on page 36!

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What can hypnotherapy help with?

Difficul es sleeping Lack of confidence & self esteem Is a fear of flying stopping you booking your dream Achieving your goals ▪ Public speaking holiday? Are you thinking about booking your anxiety summer holidays yet? For most of us this is Exam / interview nerves something to look forward to however for some the Anxiety, stress & tension levels thought of ge ng away is but a distant dream. I see Fears and phobias ▪ Weight management many people who suffer from phobias, recent brain Unwanted pa erns of behaviour research tells us that about 1 in 10 people in the UK Nega ve thought pa erns ▪ Stopping F have some kind of phobia at some stage in their lives REE

smoking one of the most common being a fear of flying. If this relaxa on C Pregnancy and childbirth D

fear is stopping you or affec ng how and where you include d w and much more travel hypnotherapy may be the answer you are hypnoth ith your erapAll sessions are completely tailored y

looking for to help you overcome your phobia. according

to your individual needs.

If you have not considered hypnotherapy before why

not come along for a free ini al consulta on and I will explain how the brain works and how we may be able to help you to achieve the results you want in your life. Book your free ini al consulta on during May quo ng “Bristol 8/9” and you will receive a £10 discount off each session. (Offer applies to all sessions, not just for help with phobias and weight loss.)

FREE relaxa on CD included with your

hypnotherapy sessions

Alison Jones Solu on Focused Clinical Hypnotherapist & Psychotherapist DHP ▪ HPD ▪ MNCH (Reg) ▪ LNCP ▪ CBT (Hyp) ‐ SFBT (Hyp) ▪ SFBT Sup (Hyp)

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Jayne Connell Psychological Therapy

Specialist areas include ‐

My name is Jayne Connell (MClin Psyc and HCPC Registered) and I'm a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, with a long and excellent record of innova ve and highly effec ve pa ent care in the NHS. I'm now delighted to be offering private clinical psychology sessions in Westbury on Trym, Bristol.

• Chronic Pain Management, Trauma • Anxiety and depression • Stress and relaxa on • Loss and end of life work • Family and rela onship ma ers • General adult mental health & wellbeing.

I can be contacted by email to nestles55@hotmail.com or by phone on 07812 987778 to arrange a consulta on.

Louise’s tips for an easier life Do you love it? If not, chuck it!

Do you find it hard to discard items? I recently read about a book called ‘The lifechanging magic of tidying’ by Marie Kondo.

The title sounds extreme and perhaps you think unlikely - but it includes a detailed step by step method, and here are just a few ideas that I’d like to share with you: Storage is not the solution.

The easy option is to store items to make your home tidy and convince yourself there is no clutter. But storage units will overflow and you are back to square one.

Tidying must start with discarding.

How to choose what to chuck. Ask yourself ‘Do I love this thing? Does it spark joy?’. It is does, keep it; if not, chuck it!

And if you can’t throw something out?

It is human nature to resist throwing things away – ‘it might come in useful one day’, ‘I spent quite a bit of money buying that’ – and we don’t want to be wasteful. A couple of good questions to ask are ‘Why did I buy it?

When did I buy it? Does it owe me anything?’ If I didn’t own this, how much would I pay to get it?’. It may be the item has completed its role in your life, so you can let it go. If you no longer need something, it is neither wasteful nor shameful to discard.

Remember, the whole point in discarding and keeping things is to be happy. There is medical evidence that clutter equals stress – and that experiences provide more joy than stuff. So if you know there are too many things in your home and want to have a sort out, give me a call and you too can enjoy the feeling that less really is more – more space, more clarity and ultimate simplicity.

Louise England is a Lifestyle and Home Assistant and her service aims to freeup your free time. Her passion is to make a positive difference to people’s lives by helping them sort things out and complete jobs in their homes quickly and efficiently.

Website: www.louiseengland.co.uk Mobile: 07780 474256 Email: louise@louiseengland.co.uk Twitter: @L_England

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What’s On & Community News Listings for community events, not-for-profit clubs and charitable activities are free of charge.

If you have something of this nature that you would like listed please get in touch with Andy Fraser by telephoning 0117 968 7787 or 07845 986650, or by emailing in your notice (in email or Word format - no PDF’s please) to andy@bcmagazines.co.uk. Or you can post them to 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PF. All notices must be received by the 12th of the preceding month to guarantee consideration for inclusion.

Clubs and Companionship Bristol Cabot Probus Club is for retired and semi-retired professional and business men to maintain contact and fellowship with people of similar interests. Meets third Wednesday each month in BAWA Club Southmead Rd, for lunch followed by a speaker on a wide range of interesting subjects. Extensive programme of social events including holidays, day trips, Sunday lunches and skittles to which ladies and friends are welcomed. Contact John HowardCairns on 968 3134 for more details.

Retired Professional Engineers' Club Bristol is a non-profit making club that arranges regular events for retired professional engineers, whatever their background. Guests will be made most welcome, with a notional charge to cover the cost of tea and biscuits. Talks normally start at 14.00 in St Peter's Church Hall, Henleaze, BS9 4LD, on the second Wednesday of the month.

Further information on membership on our website: www.rpec.co.uk or call Julian on 968 2824.

Clifton Rotary Club welcomes new members of all ages and backgrounds - all we ask is that people give their time, are interested in making new friends, building business contacts, using skills to help others and try new things you would never normally have thought of doing. Please find out more by emailing secretary@cliftonrotary.org.

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

Interest Groups

Instep Club for Widows and Widowers meet weekly on Wednesday evenings 8.00 - 10.30 at Stoke Bishop Village Hall, Stoke Hill. New members welcome. Ballroom and Sequence dancing (If you haven’t danced for a long time, don’t worry, we will help you).

Refreshments, social activities. Please telephone Mary on 968 3170 or Wilma on 962 8895 for further information.

The Probus Club of Bristol for semi or retired Professional Business men, meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month at BAWA Southmead Road. At these meetings we have a three course lunch with a speaker. In addition there is a substantial programme of social events to which our Ladies are invited to participate. If you are interested in joining our club, please contact our Membership Secretary Martin Harker on 01275 857324, email probusbristol@hotmail.co.uk or visit www.bristolprobus.org.uk

West Bristol Diabetes Group invites you to attend our meeting where the President of Diabetes UK, Dr Richard Lane OBE will be speaking. We meet on Thursday 15 May at 2 pm at the Greenway Centre, Southmead. Please ring Anne on 9621311.

North West Bristol Camera Club (NWBCC). 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.

Like making Airfix models? Avon Branch of the International Plastic Modellers Society meets on the third Wednesday of every month at the BAWA on Southmead Road at 8.00pm. New members are very welcome. For more information contact Andy White on 0117 330

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What’s On & Community News 0288 or visit www.ipmsavon.org.uk The Bristol Society for the Arts of Asia was founded in 1972 to provide Bristolians with access to the cultural achievements of the peoples of Asia through lectures by experts in the field and practitioners, and visits and social events. On Weds 14th May we’re meeting at 6.30 p.m. in the University of Bristol’s Dept of Theology & Religious Studies, 3/5 Woodland Rd, to hear Helen Persson, Curator of Chinese Textiles and Dress at the Victoria & Albert Museum, tell us about the collection of ancient woven and embroidered cloths brought back from the Central Asian desert by Sir Aurel Stein in the early 1900s. Non-members are welcome but are asked to donate at least £5 towards the cost of the Programme; undergraduate students are admitted free of charge on sight of their student card.

Music and Concerts Clifton Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS) presents a rare outdoor production of Larry Blamire’s distinct comedic take on the famous Robin Hood legend. 21st to 24th May. Set in the stunning woods of the Ashton Court Gardens, the world of Sherwood Forest will be brought to life. This guarantees to be an exhilarating swashbuckler with thrilling sword fights, cracking comedy and romping romance. We are a colourful and big cast with Robin Hood and his band of outlaws including the feisty, Maid Marion battling with the nefarious Sheriff of Nottingham, the impish Bishop and the deceptive King John. There will be a cash only bar and food available. Please bring a chair and wear appropriate clothing, so you can sit back and enjoy this great show. Tickets are £12.50p each or £40 for 4.www.bristolcads.org.uk Bristol Concert Wind Band, conducted by Rainer Dolz, present their Spring Concert on Saturday May 17th at 7.30 pm. The programme includes Danceries by Kenneth Hesketh, the jazzy Suite of Old American Dances by Robert

Russell Bennett, and Ronde for Isolde by David Bedford. These are all written specially for wind orchestra. Our principal clarinettist Nicola Ware (GWAAC4) will play the lively Tico Tico written in 1907 by the Brazilian composer de Abreu. Tickets are £8 on the door, or £6 in advance (950 3104 or 07925 967 549) with under-12s free.

West Bristol Orchestra. A Chamber Orchestra, playing a wide range of Classical Music arranged for the smaller orchestra, meets at the United Reformed Church, Muller Road on Thursdays 7.15pm.to 9.15pm. Additional String players of Grade5+ standard welcomed. Previous experience of orchestral playing is not essential. For more information, please contact the Secretary on 968 3998.

Volunteering Volunteers Wanted: Bristol charity African Initiatives is looking for friendly volunteers to be trained up to run fun and engaging stalls at local festivals & events, based around global themes such as diversity and development. Gain skills to interact with the local community about important world issues. Contact Holly for more info: holly@african-initiatives.org.uk Volunteers Wanted - RSVP/CSV Reading in schools. We are looking for volunteers over 50 both male and female to go in to local schools on a regular weekly basis to help children with their reading. We organise your references and a short training course and the school would do any necessary checks. If you think that this is something that you would like to be involved in please email vckitchen1949@gmail.com or ring 909 6858.

Gardening and Horticulture Henleaze Garden Club is a thriving club for anyone interested in anything to do with gardening! With a healthy membership of 200, this friendly 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 newsletter, an annual plant sale and great

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proudly present Shakespeare’s Ukelele Musical

ROMEO AND JULIET 16 ukuleles hacking their way through a love story.

Romance, intrigue, and music supplied by ukulele.

An evening of fun and entertainment that will leave a smile on your face.

Using an Ouija board we sought Shakespeare’s endorsement of this revolu onary approach to works – he wasn’t impressed……

Doors 7.00pm 7 June Newman Hall Henleaze ‐ See You There!

Tickets £8 from Henleaze Post Office or the Tobacco Factory website at www.ukulelefunhouseorchestra.co.uk Facebook at www.facebook.com/ukulelefunhouseorchestra

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What’s On & Community News Christmas event. Annual individual membership is £20 plus a £1 per visit, visitors are most welcome at £5 per visit, both to include refreshments and raffle. Visit www.henleazegardenclub.co.uk or contact Jane Voke 9622440 for more info.

Old Sneed Park Nature Reserve: the 'friends' are holding an extra working party on Saturday 17th may 10am to 12noon. As usual, we meet on the reserve to divide up the jobs and refreshments are served at 'half-time' so it is very sociable. Please wear 'stout footwear' and bring work gloves, secateurs etc. If you are not a member why not come along and sign up to get the newsletter?

Then, on Tuesday 17th June at 10am there will be a morning guided walk. Rod Leslie, retired head of policy at the Forestry Commission, will be leading a guided walk round the Nature Reserve.

His subject will be woodland management. He is a keen ornithologist and his book Birds and Forestry is acclaimed as a step towards forestry planning with management for wildlife. The walk will start at the entrance next to 3 Glenavon Park.

For more information about the reserve and our events please visit our fantastic website www.spnaturereserve.com Markets, Fairs and Exhibitions Westbury on Trym Village Show 2014 Saturday 6th September 2014 WoT Village Hall, Eastfield Road. Make a note in your Diary now to help us celebrate the 35th Show. it is our "Coral" anniversary so look out for "red/orange" as well as "sea/fish" themed classes on our website www.wotvs.co.uk Volunteers to help us now or on the day are needed. Contact the Show Chairman through the website or via Andy at the BS9 magazine.

Westbury Park Art Trail, Friday 6th June 18.00 – 21.00 and Saturday 7th June 11.00 – 17.00.

Easily walkable trail near Waitrose and the Orpheus Cinema. www.westburyparkarttrail.weebly.com

Quiltfest 2014 - an exhibition by Bristol Quilters from 29th – 31st May at Badminton School, Westbury Road BS9 3BA. Thurs 1pm–6 pm; Fri 10am–6pm; Sat 10am–4pm. Admission £4. Refreshments, sales table, traders, and charity tombola in aid of the Great Western Air Ambulance. Disabled access, parking. www.bristolquilters.co.uk or email infoquiltfest14bristol@gmail.com Health & Wellbeing Lip-reading class. An evening lip-reading class to help you cope with your hearing loss runs in Clifton from 6.15pm to 7.45pm every Monday at Redland Park United Reformed Church, Whiteladies Road. Fee is £5 per session. For more details email the tutor, Mary Hall at lipreadingmary@yahoo.com or telephone 07790 283 939.

Yoga Classes in BS9 with Sara-Jo Cameron at Bristol Chiropractic & Pregnancy Clinic, 130 Westbury Rd, WoT,BS9 3AL on Wednesdays (from 9.30 to 10.45 stretch and relax yoga, 11.45 to 12.45 pre- and post-natal yoga) and Thursdays (6.30 to 7.30 pre- and post-natal yoga, 7.40 to 9.00 beginners yoga). Also at Stoke Bishop Village Hall, BS9 1EX on Wednesdays (2.00 to 3.15 General yoga, 6.00 to 7.00 stretch and relax yoga, 7.30 to 8.45 General yoga) and on Fridays (2..00 to 3.00 pre- and post-natal Yoga ). NB Preand Post-Natal Yoga must be booked in advance.

Please ring Sara-Jo on 07789 552 052 or visit www.yogawithsara-jo.com for more details.

Zumba Gold Class @ Horfield Parish Church Hall every Weds 2pm-2.45pm (£4.00 per class) for the mature movers aimed at age 55+ (All other ages including Beginners) Zumba Class @ Orchard School every Thurs 7pm-8pm Contact Georgina for further details on www.bristolzumba.com or tel: 07545 625 089.

Always wanted to try Tai Chi? For centuries the Chinese have practised Tai Chi as simple but powerful form of exercise for strength, balance and mindfulness. Always want to give it a try, now you don't have to go to China. The Bristol School of Tai Chi has lots of daytime and evening

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What’s On & Community News classes in Henleaze and Bishopston starting from the 28 April. Any questions contact Ben Milton 0117 9493955. taichi@bristoltaichi.com www.bristoltaichi.com Playgroups and Pre-School Happy Hands and Twinkly Toes. Music and movement sessions for babies 0-4, running at The Eastfield Inn, Henleaze. Sessions Monday/ Wednesday/Friday at 9.30,10.30 and 11.30am. £4.50 per session, pay as you go. Contact Sharonhappyhandsbristol@yahoo.co.uk 07779797919 Facebook-happyhandsbristol

The Bristol Eight 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 Eight are not necessarily those held by Bristol Community Magazines Ltd. The inclusion of any business or organisation in this magazine does not imply a recommendation of it, its aims or its methods. Bristol Community Magazines Ltd cannot be held responsible for information disclosed by advertisers, all of which are accepted in good faith.

Reasonable efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this magazine but no liability can be accepted for any loss or inconvenience caused as a result of inclusion, error or omission. All content is the copyright of Bristol Community Magazines Ltd and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of Bristol Community Magazines Ltd.

Get In Touch - it couldn’t be easier • • • • •

Telephone - 0117 968 7787 Text / Phone - 07845 986650 Email - andy@bcmagazines.co.uk Post - 8 Sandyleaze, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS9 3PY Twitter - @BS9Andy Deadline for inclusion in the June magazine is Monday 12th May. Don’t be late!

Quiz Answers from page 27 1. La Marseillaise; 2. Guy Garvey; 3. The Hunger Games; 4. Speckled Wood; 5. Holland; 6. Lithium, Boron; 7. 1984; 8. Hungary; 9. Jeremy Hunt; 10. Derek Thompson; 11. 1840’s (1841); 12. One (Jubilee Line from St John’s Wood, change at London Bridge for the Northern Line); 13. Civilian gallantry, George VI; 14. a Scottish mountain over 3,000 feet in height; 15.

Cheshire; 16. Green; 17. Fray Bentos; 18. Hull in 228 miles (Sizewell 237m, Windemere 242m).

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130 Westbury Road, Westbury on Trym, 0117 962 0008

For all your complementary healthcare needs

What causes allergies?

There are many reasons why some of us react to certain foods while others digest them with ease. It is o en a combina on of factors related to lifestyle, diges ve health and the environment. Examples are: lack of variety in the diet, high consump on of preserva ves and ar ficial flavourings, increased chemical pollu on, impaired diges on due to lack of stomach acid or enzymes, an excessively permeable gut wall, parasites, heavy metal toxicity, gene c predisposi on, stress or emo onal upset.

Many common symptoms and signs could suggest the possibility of food intolerance or allergy. For example: nausea, bloa ng and fluid reten on, cons pa on, diarrhoea, dark circles under the eyes, swollen glands, intes nal pain, constant fa gue, racing pulse a er meals, sinusi s, depression, asthma or eczema.

If you have extreme allergies, your GP may refer you to a specialist. At the Chiron Centre we offer allergy tes ng through kinesiology (muscle tes ng) or bio resonance therapy.

Because the tes ng is subtle, we can iden fy foods that have a localised effect on your body, perhaps bloa ng or cons pa on that is unlikely to show up on other forms of tes ng. We can also check the underlying health of your diges ve system, including all the factors men oned earlier. A session would also allow us to iden fy what steps you could take to redress any imbalances found. The good news is that many food and inhalant sensi vi es will ease when the underlying causes are addressed, especially if the offending items have been avoided in the mean me.

For more informa on on allergy tes ng and treatment do give one of our therapists a call or visit our website for more informa on ‐ www.chironcentre.co.uk

(le to right ‐ Ellen Forshaw, Amanda Hassan‐Ally, Andrew Kemp, Claire Kedward)

Taster Day at The Chiron Centre. Saturday 7 June 1‐5 pm Come and a have a taste of complementary therapies www.chironcentre.co.uk

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