The Bristol Eight - September 2013 by Andy Fraser

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Sept 2013 No 55

Inside this issue - flora on the Downs - wartime reminiscences - prize wordsearch - The Farm - the Jessie May Trust - fused glass - the Bristol Pound - events and activities - general knowledge quiz

4 The Editor’s small piece Hi there, hope all is as well as can be in your world and that summer has been kind to those of you’ who’ve managed some time oﬀ, September always feels like the start of a new year ‐ a sort of warm January if you like. With the new academic year and people heading back to work after their summer break it is always a busy month. Let’s hope that the size of the magazine is reflective of a bit of a feel‐good factor returning to the economy, and daily life in general. Do please get in touch if you have any interesting stories you’d like to share or if you are interested in joining the many great local businesses choosing to take up some great value advertising in these here pages. Have a great month and remember, it is Bristol Doors Open Day on Saturday 14th September ‐ I’m planning to visit Clifton Rocks Railway and the Wills Memorial Building.

Andy T: 0117 968 7787 M: 07845 986650 P: 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY E: andy@bcmagazines.co.uk Tw: @BS9Andy W: www.bcmagazines.co.uk October Magazine Deadline ‐ 18th September

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

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6 Useful Information & Contacts Gas Emergencies Electricity Emergencies Water Emergencies Avon & Somerset Police Non‐Emergencies Crimestoppers Southmead Hospital Frenchay Hospital BRI / Children’s Hospital NHS non emergencies 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 no.) 0800 555 111 0117 950 5050 0117 970 1212 0117 923 0000 111 (new no.) 0117 988 2040 08457 90 90 90 08457 69 75 55 0800 11 11 08457 48 49 50 0845 070 0707 0845 703 4599

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

0117 922 2500

Avon Counselling and Psychotherapy Service in Bristol including Redland, Cotham, Cli on and City Centre

Psychotherapy helps if you are: • Anxious and depressed • Uncertain and confused about your path in life • Experiencing diﬃcul es in a key rela onship • Trying to cope with a significant loss • Feeling lonely, isolated or overly self cri cal • Trying to find some deeper meaning in your life Our charitable organisa on was founded 25 years ago. We are a group of experienced professional counsellors and psychotherapists who work in Bristol and Bath. We oﬀer individual sessions, as well as supervision and couples counselling. We can also provide short‐term low cost therapy if you are on certain benefits.

We can usually provide an ini al mee ng within a week of your phone call. For further informa on, please phone our administrator on 0117 930 4447

• www.acps‐bristol.org.uk • ACPS was established in 1988

• 11 Orchard Street, Bristol BS1 5EH • Registered charity no: 1032339

A DATE TO BREAK! Katie Hughes, Solicitor with AMD Solicitors considers the tricky area of break clauses and the importance of getting it right. A break clause entitles the benefitting party to terminate the lease term early without penalty and can provide welcome relief to the tenant who wants out of their premises early or the landlord who wants to develop. As a consequence of the economic climate over the past few years, break clauses have become increasingly vital for the tenant looking to rent their first commercial premises or expand into bigger premises or, the tenant who took on a lease when the rental market was at its peak and now cannot afford to pay the costly rent. With the commercial rental market not as buoyant and tenants harder to find, landlords have been reluctant to let good tenants walk away from the lease early. A break date can either be a specific date within the term or at any time during the term on a rolling basis. Break clauses are generally conditional but beware some conditions are more complicated than they first seem. For the party with the benefit of the break clause, it does not pay to be complacent, as the consequence for not strictly complying with the break clause conditions is lost opportunity and the associated financial implications. A recent High Court case highlighted the need to be vigilant when exercising a break

Advice Making a Difference

clause. In that case the lease entitled the tenant to terminate its lease on 11 October 2010 upon giving 6 month’s notice, vacant possession and paying “the rents reserved and demanded by this lease up to the termination date”. The annual rent was payable by the tenant in four equal instalments. The tenant served a break notice on the Landlord and paid the rent up to 12 October 2010. The Landlord argued that the break notice was ineffective as the full quarter’s rent should have been paid and not just to the break date. The High Court ruled in favour of the Landlord and held that the tenant had failed to comply with the conditions of its break clause! Where a break clause is exercised successfully, the lease will come to an end and any future liabilities will cease. The parties to the lease will generally not be released from liability for any breaches of covenant which occurred prior to the break date and in these circumstances damages can be claimed. For more information about break clauses, please contact Katie or one of her colleagues in the Commercial Team. The Commercial Team offer advice and information upon legal issues for businesses (including a free first a half hour consultation).Email info@amdsolicitors.com or telephone 0117 973 3989. AMD have offices at Henleaze, Shirehampton and Clifton. For a full list of our services, visit www.amdsolicitors.com

Recipe Corner Blackberry & Apple Turnovers It seems as if this year is a perfect one for apple crops, and many hedgerows are carrying a bumper supply of blackberries right now, so this is a perfect recipe for those early autumn fruits. Ingredients (Makes 6 turnovers) 100g cream cheese, at room temperature 50g caster sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 375g pack chilled ready rolled puﬀ pastry 300g fresh blackberries 3 eating apples, cored, peeled, and diced. 2 ‐3 tablespoons milk, for sealing and glazing pastry 2 ‐3 tablespoons brown sugar, for sprinkling Directions 1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees C (gas mark 6). Lightly grease a baking tray. 2. Place your diced apple in a saucepan, add 3 tbsp of water and simmer gently for a couple of minutes until the apple just starts to soften. Remove from the heat and strain. 3. Mix the cream cheese, sugar and cinnamon

together in a bowl until thoroughly blended. Set aside. 4. To make the turnovers; Lightly flour your work surface and unroll the puﬀ pastry. Cut into 6 equal squares. Place 1 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture onto one side of each square. Top with 6 to 8 blackberries, a portion of the apple, brush the edges with milk, then fold over to make a triangular turnover. Press the edges together firmly to seal, or crimp them with a fork. 5. Arrange the turnovers on the prepared baking tray. Brush each one with milk and sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake in preheated oven for 10 ‐15 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool slightly before serving, then serve with a spoonful of clotted cream or crème fraîche. Lush

12 The Downs Recorder - Richard Bland Aliens on the Downs A recent survey has revealed around 320 species of trees and plants on the Downs, and this does not include grasses. But quite a lot of these are not native species. Some have arrived because they have been planted, and this applies especially to the trees. Indeed very many of the trees on the main avenues round the Downs are not native; they include Horse Chestnuts that came from Albania, Black Pines from Austria, the Black Walnut, Silver Maple, Red Oak and False Acacia from North America, the Tree of Heaven from China, The Turkey Oak and Holm Oak from the Mediterranean and hybrid Cherries from Japan. Three species are man‐made hybrids, the Common Lime the London Plane, and the Huntingdon Elm. A large number of Red Hawthorns were planted some 40 years ago, but they are not doing well as the rootstock of native Hawthorn has tended to take over. There are also one or two specimens of thorns from North America. But some are plants that people have illegally dumped from their gardens. These include Day Lilies near the Sea Walls, Red Hot Poker and Pampas Grass in the Gully. Japanese Knotweed has been dumped at two sites. Spanish Bluebells, a common garden species are hyrbidising with the native Bluebell.

Some people have planted Crocus, Daffodil and Snowdrops, sometimes as a memorial, which are pretty in the spring, but don’t really belong in the wild area that the Downs should be. Autumn Cyclamens are common on the Stoke Bishop side of the Downs. There are three famous species of garlic from the Mediterranean that were deliberately thrown over the cliff because the person who did this a century ago thought they would improve the Gorge. One of them, Honey Garlic, is restricted to one tiny triangle of cliff, one, Rosy Garlic, is indeed very pretty on the cliff by the Observatory in Spring, and one, Keeled Garlic, has spread mightily all over the surface of the Downs and in spring looks like Chives. There are two examples of Christmas Trees that have clearly been planted. Many are garden plants that have jumped over the garden wall on their own. They include Rosemary near Ivywell Road, Bay trees have sown some themselves in at least two places, as have Laurel. There are apple and pear trees derived from picnics in the past, and the Winter Heliotrope, an aggressive ground cover plant that flowers in the winter, is spreading at the bottom of Bridge Valley Road. Leycesteria and Laurestinus are not uncommon, and Holm Oak has become a major menace on the Gorge cliff face. There are three or four species of Cotoneaster, one of which can turn the cliffs of the Gorge red when it ripens in the autumn. Snowberry occasionally forms dense patches of scrub especially near Upper Belgrave Road. Buddleia is less frequent than might be expected. Danish Scurvy Grass has spread along the Portway, Canadian Fleabane can occur anywhere, as can Opium Poppy, Oxford Ragwort and Columbine. Despite the threat sometimes posed by these plants, a wonderful and precious assemblage of rare Limestone grassland species continue to flourish.

If you enjoy the Downs why not become a Friend? Membership is just £10. Contact Robin Haward at robinhaward@blueyonder.co.uk or ring 0117 974 3385

Bug Busters!

Summer is now well and truly upon us ‐ that nice weather. However we are not alone in liking the warmer weather. We are seeing flea problems in our surgeries on a daily basis at the moment ‐ with both pets and their owners suffering! So at Animal House Vets we have put together some information to help pet owners understand the problem, along with our “Bug Busting Pack” to help keep things under control There are many misconceptions about fleas and the ease with which we can get rid of them. The problem is that every single adult flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day for every day it is alive ‐ and in a nutshell that is the problem. These eggs fall off your pet and into your home and eventually emerge as new adult fleas. So over the course of just one month one flea can produce over 1,000 eggs, and unfortunately fleas are rarely found on their own. With this in mind it is no surprise that the problem can rapidly multiply and become unmanageable. Routine treatment will help prevent flea infestations from occurring. Whilst there are a wide range of flea treatments available today not all of them are equally effective. Our recommended flea treatment works by killing fleas on your pet and any eggs they may lay. In addition it also helps to eliminate developing flea stages in your pet’s environment, namely your home ‐ offering a more effective long term solution.

BUG BUSTING OFFER ! Most people think that fleas are a summer problem only ‐ but we see fleas all year around ‐ and in fact our “peak flea season” runs from NOW until Christmas.

Our Bug Busting Pack includes

2 Tape and Lungworm treatments with Milbemax Optional household flea spray to treat your home.

Free Bug Busting Check at your local surgery 12 monthly individual flea treatments with Stronghold

All at 20% oﬀ their normal price

NB Oﬀer only available to pets registered at Animal House Vets. Free bug busting checks are available for newly registered pets and for those pets not seen recently.

Animal House Vets 11 North View, Westbury Park, BS6 7PT Tel: 0117 33 55 999 info@animalhousevets.com www.animalhousevets.com Chalks Road Surgery Chalks Road

Downend Surgery 11 Cleeve Wood Road Downend BS16 2SF

Chipping Sodbury Surgery 61 Horse Street Chipping Sodbury BS37 6DA

Westbury Park Surgery 11 North View Westbury Park BS6 7PT

14 A space for all??? It all happened so quickly. One minute they’re just a glint in your eye, and before you know it they’re rampaging through the house, trying to hide in the dishwasher and climb out of the windows! It feels like we’ve experienced (a beautiful) deluge of children at Blackberry Gardens, with more already on their way, and as such many of us have turned our thoughts to not only child‐proofing the kitchen cupboards but also our gardens.

We increasingly get asked to transform gardens from purely ornamental spaces to incorporating areas where the children can play and explore. From climbing to nature habitats there is a lot that can be achieved to give years of fun for all the family. I will never forget childhood memories of me and my brothers climbing and swinging around in our family garden. We would spend our time creating games with friends or digging and looking for wildlife. Specific plants have stuck with me, weather it was the taste of a Loganberry, picking up hazelnuts for us to eat or better still use as ammo in a homemade catapult or the apple tree which never failed in giving us a good crop of cookers. An abundance of space is not always necessary. A well thought out garden design will work to get the most interactive experience for the children and at the same time be mindful of

keeping the aesthetic and natural aspect of the ornamental garden you may want it to be. Planting or introducing trellis screens are key to blending in large play equipment. This allows the garden to grow around the play areas and in some cases through them. Incorporating trees into the structures can be a great way to help create a sense of escapism for all users. From a simple bit of raised decking into the canopy of an apple tree, tunnels through hedges, a swing tucked away, to a usable Hobbit’s House . These can all aid children’s mental and physical development, and don’t have to be the obligatory large piece of colourful plastic. We have used reclaimed railway sleepers vertically in the ground to simultaneously provide a secure climbing apparatus as well as a standing sculpture for example. Child friendly gardens can look eﬀortless and beautiful with a bit of forward planning, and don’t necessarily just have to look like a playing field. To get the most out of your space, please give us a call and we can guide you through the process, from design to build. Robin Muscat ‐ Blackberry Gardens

15 the Farm Those who know me will be aware that I’m not one to shy away from a new coffee shop, or at least one that is independent and clearly lacks (thankfully) any corporate big‐chain blandness. So when tipped off by the nice people in Little White Space on Clifton Down Road that there were new occupants of what used to be Lahloo Pantry, just behind them in King’s Road, I decided it ought to be investigated. A couple of “coffee and cake” emporia I know have been opened by people well into their fifth decade on this planet, the result of a “long held dream to open a little café” and both are more nightmare than dream. Well the same certainly can’t be said of the team behind, and indeed at the front of, the Farm. Sisters Kate and Sarah Farmer may well have had a similar dream, but not for many years as both are fresh‐faced youngsters not long out of university. Kate studying law and Sarah anthropology, and both have pressed the stop button on their fledgling office‐based careers to focus on their new venture. And what they lack in years they more than make up for in terms of enthusiasm, ideas and a joie de vivre that makes a visit to the Farm a wholly pleasant experience. The layout of the place is intriguing and makes best use of a compact location, with a mezzanine area offset above the

main part of the shop, and then with a further downstairs parlour and courtyard for more secluded dining. Crisply decorated in cream and teal the place, very simply, has a nice feel about it. I didn’t eat in on my visit (ok, I confess, I did have a piece of home‐made coﬀee walnut cake with an excellent latte) but I will do so on my next visit, whether it be early enough to justify “Sarah’s Breakfast ‐ free range poached eggs topped with smoked tomato compote and crème fraîche on toast ‐ or later in the day to have what sounds like an interesting mackerel salad Nicoise or the warm falafel, hummus, pepper, rocket and tsatziki wrap. The focus is very clearly on fresh, local, simple food accompanied by excellent teas and coﬀees. People I’ve spoken to since, and twitter correspondents, testify to the fact that Sarah and Kate have definitely hit the ground running and are already serving up great food and drink. Both are very welcome new faces to the Clifton café scene and I wish them well. The Farm, 12 Kings Road Clifton Village, BS8 4AB 0117 973 8684.

CQC Assessed

Accredited by Bristol City Council

UK Home Care Association member

“Please convey my thanks to all who helped my husband - they are wonderful people” Mrs D ‐ Redland “The ladies from Bluebird have all been patient, kind and very willing to be of help” Mrs S ‐ Cli on

Bluebird Care Bristol West Redland House 157 Redland Road Bristol BS6 6YE Tel 0117 950 5855 bristolwest@bluebirdcare.co.uk

18 General Knowledge Quiz

This month you are tasked with discovering the name of the Bri sh ins tu on that is made up from the ini al le ers of the answers to the following general knowledge ques ons. To make it a li le harder the ques ons are not in the order needed to complete the puzzle, so you need to solve the anagram as well as the ques ons. However you are given the number of le ers in each answer. Best of luck. The sixth furthest planet away from the sun (6) The former capital and largest city in Kazakhstan (6) 1990’s indie band from Oldham, xxxxxxxx Carpets (8) Trendy green edible coastal plant ‐ marsh, golden and rock varie es (8) French made missile that sank HMS Sheﬃeld in the Falklands War (6) Mayonnaise‐based sauce o en served with fish (7) Resort in N Yorkshire that houses a top horse racecourse (6) Thin material made from hide used in early manuscripts (9) Major US based film and TV studios (9) Lake formed from erosion occurring in a

meandering river (5) Theatrical US rock singer born Marvin Lee Aday (8) Arc c‐dwelling toothed whale (7) Generic name for a young bird just leaving the nest (9) Home for diplomats in a foreign country (7) Clay flute origina ng from the Aztecs (7) Aircra flown by 617 Squadron during the Dambuster raids in WWII (9)

Bri sh / UK Royal house that provided 6 monarchs from George I to Victoria (7) Adept at using both the right and le hand (12) _ _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Answers on page 52

20 You really will become more efficient, which in simple terms means you will free up more time to relax and therefore more “me‐time”. This is the purpose of September – Time to Get Your Ducks in efficiency. Who could argue with that? a Row As an example, one thing I do every To me, September always evokes a sense weekend is menu‐plan. I look in my diary of ‘Back to School’ and memories of the and work out how many lunches and anticipation (and sometimes dread!) of a evening meals I need to prepare for the new term; the first page of a brand new week ahead. This includes whether I’ll be exercise book, new shoes and a back‐to‐ out and about at lunch time (in which case school haircut. This month, why not I need easy to eat sandwiches), and if embrace the Back to School ‐ aka Get your friends are coming over for supper I will Ducks in a Row ‐ feeling by employing a usually cook something a bit special. I few simple strategies to make your life then take out the recipe books and decide what I’d like to eat this week. Having easier? checked what is in the cupboards and Perhaps it’s time to establish a ‘school freezer, I write the shopping list, and by night’ routine (whether you have school‐ the end of the weekend, or Monday at the aged children or not) – laying out latest, I have enough food in for the week. tomorrow’s clothes and gym kit, and maybe preparing a packed lunch to speed However you decide to embrace it, a few up your mornings? If you have children, minutes spent planning can really improve encourage them to get involved too. your efficiency and enable you to spend Booking a regular online shop or veg box more time doing the things you enjoy, delivery is good for the budget and the especially in these last days of summer. waistline, and it can ensure you avoid BBQs, sunshine and a glass of rosé those mornings when the fridge is empty anyone? See you next month. of everything but a lump of cheese and half a lemon. Or September could be the Louise England is a month for you to get your desk in order; to Lifestyle and Home file and shred your paperwork and Assistant and her service reinstate a sense of order and aims to free‐up your free time. Her passion is to productivity. make a positive difference to people’s lives by helping Organising a weekly schedule for them sort things out and domestic chores can be a real time‐saver complete jobs in their homes quickly and too. As humans we are creatures of habit, efficiently. so although to start with it might seem a bit much to keep to such a timetable, it Website: www.louiseengland.co.uk will become the norm. Taking this one Mobile: 07780 474256 step further, how about planning and Email: louise@louiseengland.co.uk budgeting everything a week in advance? Twitter: @L_England

Louise’s tips for an easier life

22 Help for busy families …. A real life ‘Mrs Doub ire’ LIKEMYMUM was started by 2 working mums and as working mums we recognised the need for support at home whilst we were at work. We found that the best support came from those who had brought up their own families especially those where their children had flown the nest and they wanted to help other families with their childcare needs In todays, busy working society, LIKEMYMUM is a childcare agency based in and around Bristol who has recognised that a lot of families with children at school age need help with the school pick up, taking children to clubs and socie es, making the tea and helping children with homework in the comfort of the families own home LIKEMYMUM are looking to provide families with a so ‐called ‘Mrs Doub ire’ or ‘Mary Poppins’ which means someone who already has experience of bringing up their own children and can help other families by working flexible hours and providing necessary childcare support. So for children at school that want to come back home at the end of a long school day, LIKEMYMUM can find someone to help make that happen.

These childcare helpers are called ‘MUMs’ and they do not necessarily have childcare qualifica ons but will be qualified in bringing up their own children and will be asked to obtain an Enhanced CRB when they join the LIKEMYMUM team, they will work flexible hours to suit what the family needs and most of them will have their own car.

Find out more on www.likemymum.com or call 07908 339740

The Soil Association and the Better Food Company keep Bristol buzzing! In response to the near catastrophic decline in bees and other pollinators in the UK, the Better Food Company has teamed up with Bristol‐based organic campaigning charity, the Soil Association, to get Bristol buzzing! The Soil Association’s campaign to get bee harming pesticides banned saw a victory for the bees recently when the EU voted to suspend the use of three neonicotinoid pesticides in agriculture – believed to be one of the main reasons for the decline in bees. As part of the campaign, the Soil Association is oﬀering a pack of bee‐friendly free phacelia seeds to anyone who joins or donates (see leaflet enclosed); packs of seeds are also available for a minimum donation of £1 from the Better Food Company’s stores on Whiteladies Road and in St Werburghs. If planted in September, the seeds should come up

next Spring, providing a vital source of food for bees emerging from their hives as the weather gets warmer. Stephen Last from the Soil Association says “Bees love phacelia and the more bee‐friendly spaces we create, the better for the bees. We want to see Bristol buzzing and the people of Bristol leading the way in helping to rebuild the bee populations of Britain” Better Food Company’s Phil Haugton agrees. “I’ve seen very few honey bees this year, which highlights their plight. But the good news is that we can all contribute towards bringing bees back to our fields, farms and gardens.”

Boiler / Central Hea ng Installa ons Landlord Gas Safety Inspec ons Power Flushing Boiler Breakdown Repairs

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25 The Jessie May Trust You may not realise it, but the Jessie May Trust began right here in north Bristol. So who was Jessie May? Jessica May was the daughter of Chris and Philippa Purrington. She died in 1994 from a genetic condition known as severe Spinal Muscular Atrophy – she was just 4 ½ months old. The Purringtons were from High Wycombe but her grandparents lived in Westbury on Trym. Whilst the family were visiting Bristol, Jessica was admitted to Southmead Hospital. The family learnt that the support they had received back at home in High Wycombe was not available to families caring for similar children at home in the Bristol. Jessica was cared for by her family at home throughout her illness. She died peacefully at home in her father’s arms, in privacy, with dignity and surrounded by all those who loved her. Jessica’s parents and her Bristolian family were determined to do what they could to enable other children with conditions like Jessica’s and their families to have support in their own homes and the choice to die at home when that time comes. After a lot of hard work and perseverance Jessie May was oﬃcially launched in 1996. They started in a small oﬃce in Southmead Hospital, with the first Jessie May nurse and a fundraiser / administrator. Within a short time a further two part time nurses were recruited. At the start 6 children were referred to Jessie May and within a year that number had grown to 27. Since then Jessie May Nurses have been providing a Children’s Hospice at Home Service and have so far provided care for over 200 children throughout Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

All the children they care for have life limiting conditions and are not expected to reach adulthood. Today, demand is sadly as strong as ever with over 70 children being cared for and a further 25 families receiving bereavement support. The service given by Jessie May Nurses is unique in that it is family led, flexible and provides true respite for parents as well as a welcome change in routine for a child. Jessie May Nurses build a strong trusting relationship with the whole family so parents know their child is in safe hands when they visit. They also provide practical and emotional support, end of life care and bereavement support for up to five years after a child’s death. Their work has been recognised nationally with some children and nurses being featured on BBC’s Children in need and ITV’s X‐factor last Christmas. As so often more could be done if the money was available. Last year 250 home visits had to be cancelled or delayed as family emergencies were responded to. Recently a Parent said “Without help from Jessie May Nurses we wouldn’t be able to go anywhere or do anything by ourselves. I don’t know how we’d manage without them; it’s just a godsend.”

To maintain the current level of care Jessie May needs to raise over £800,000. Whilst some government support is received most comes from voluntary contributions. If you would like to know more, volunteer or give financial support please visit www.jessiemay.org.uk or call 0117 9616840.

27 There is something bewitching about glass as an art medium ‐ whether it is the aged, almost nostalgic air given oﬀ by stained glass or the cheery, boiled‐sweet appearance of fused glass. Both are magical ‐ which explains my slightly jealous admiration of local artist Bridget Birse. Bridget has recently moved into Clifton Arcade and opened an emporium of eye catching art that ranges from the little buy‐now trinkets to commissioned screen prints and unique pieces in glass. While I chatted to Bridget in her shop a mum and two daughters browsed ‐ the girls clearly excited by the bright, colourful jewellery ‐ rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and hair clips in every colour of a tube of Smarties ‐ while mum was captivated (understandably) by the more ornamental pieces and beautiful stained‐ glass panels. None left empty handed. What caught my eye more though (oh, apart from the Bristol‐themed fused glass pieces) were the individual and very atmospheric

screen prints. Bridget will take your favourite photo or child’s drawing and recreate it, by hand, into a unique piece of art ‐ which would make a special gift for a loved one or indeed for your own wall at home. As well as the glass on display in the shop, Bridget will make commissioned pieces of artwork for domestic and commercial settings, and is also qualified at restoring stained glass. As autumn arrives it’s not too early to think about festive gifts, and the creation of unique nativity sets, glass tree decorations and wall hangings is something Bridget loves. Bridget also showcases the paintings, prints and cards of her friend Ruth Molloy, whose love of nature is clear in her beautiful artwork. Clifton Arcade is the perfect setting for this eye‐catching new artistic venture and the shop will be open from 10 until 5 Tuesday to Saturday. Why not pop in and have a browse and a chat ‐ and be enchanted.

130 Westbury Road, Westbury on Trym,

For all your complementary healthcare needs

0117 962 0008

Massage therapy Massage has been around for thousands of years. It has been said that Antony and Cleopatra used to massage each other’s feet for relaxation! While Hippocrates felt that it was important for a “physician,” to be “assuredly in rubbing!” Our language may have changed a bit since those days, but the message is still clear.

The body, soul and mind take on stresses and strains through life. There are many physical and psychological benefits of this age old therapy. It is great for improving posture, stimulating nerve endings, decreasing stress levels, helping sleep patterns, improving concentration, relieving back ache, and dispersing tension in the mind. These are only but a few positive aspects of massage.

It is great to carry on relaxing between massages. Take a lovely hot bath with soothing aromatherapy oils. Keeping a good posture is also important, as is taking time to sit down and pay attention to your breathing.

Massage is so much more than just a relaxing treat; it can really help you cope with life’s daily stresses. Please do give it a go, you deserve it. Just get in touch with one of our practitioners.

Charlotte Perry

Sam Cleverly

Jonathan Watkins

Our website www.chironcentre.co.uk gives full information about each therapy we offer, so please do look us up, give us a call on 0117 962 0008 or email us on info@chironcentre.co.uk

concerns you may have relating to the property market, getting both a second opinion, and a diﬀerent perspective on the matter.

On the 3rd of October we will be holding an advice evening at our Clifton oﬃce on Whiteladies Road. The event will provide an opportunity to discuss the property market, talk to the experts and gain a better understanding of the buying and selling minefield. At Ocean we have in house services for the whole buying and selling process and representatives from all parts of the business will be available to talk to in a light heart, low pressure environment. Talking to our friendly staﬀ will be a perfect opportunity to get some first‐ hand advice or have any questions answered promptly by a local expert. Whether you are a First Time Buyer, Landlord, Seller, Purchaser, Developer, or Buy to Let Investor you will definitely gain some valuable insights from attending this event. It is also going to be a great way of mingling with others and discussing any views, queries, or

The event will be held from 5:30 – 7:30pm and there will be a nice glass of bubbly to greet you on arrival, as well as nibbles throughout the evening. There is also going to be an opportunity to win £150 worth of John Lewis vouchers.

If you would like to attend this event then please confirm this by emailing invite@oceanhome.co.uk quoting the code NETWORK03 so we can make a record of your name and email you further information about the event, along with how you will also have the opportunity to win £150 worth of John Lewis vouchers. We look forward to hearing from you. Ocean Home 187 ‐ 189 Whiteladies Rd Clifton Bristol BS8 2RY 0117 946 6007 www.oceanhome.co.uk

32 Computer Corner with Mrs PC I wonder if like me, you became involved with the wonderful summer activity of searching for Gromits in and around Bristol? I found it a really fun pastime and strangely addictive. As you might imagine, I downloaded the “Detect‐ o‐Gromit” App on my iPhone and joined thousands of others in the pursuit of the cunningly hidden, and beautifully decorated statues of the famous cartoon dog. The App is reasonably priced at £0.69 and all profits all go to the Grand Appeal for the Children’s hospital. The App allows you to see photos of the Gromits and get information about the artists, inspiration, sponsors and it’s location. As you walk along, you can click “locate” and a map appears with the nearest Gromit marked on it. It shows you your location so you can track it down. This is made harder when the statue is hidden on the first floor of a building, however it works really well. If you have not used maps on your phone, you should try it. Google maps will show a little blue dot, which is your location and you can use it to find places or put in a postcode‐ really helpful when you are lost. The place you are looking for will be marked with a red arrow. It can also tell you how long it takes to get to your destination by car, public transport or on foot. Back to the Detect‐o‐Gromit App, the other thing it can do, is to record which Gromits you have found and encourage you to find more, by a system of achievement awards. The App gets full marks from me for being very user friendly and fun. You can also watch exclusive 'making of' films from the Gromit Unleashed artists, and listen to exclusive audio content about some of Bristol's most famous landmarks and find top tips on things to do in Bristol. Walking, running and cycling around the city in search of Gromits made me really appreciate

how wonderful our city of Bristol is. I saw places I had never been to and rediscovered others that I hadn’t visited lately, such as Arnos Vale Cemetery. The view from the top of M‐ Shed on a sunny day takes some beating, and wandering around the Harbourside with purpose was very enjoyable. I never tire of seeing the coloured houses of Clifton Wood from there. The website was also very good indeed and allowed you to print oﬀ maps and gain much of the same information as the App. If for some reason you have not managed to see many Gromits, you have until 8th Sept, so you better get looking! I will miss them when they are moved. In October they will be auctioned, so if you fancy having your very own Gromit, sign up for the Auction online. The trouble is choosing a favourite one! They are all so diﬀerent and so beautifully decorated. I am sure you all have your favourites. One of mine is “Blossom” which is near the Water Tower. If you haven’t downloaded the App or seen the website www.gromitunleashed.org.uk A friend of mine cycled and ran around all the Gromits in 24 hours for the Grand Appeal, as his son’s life was saved by the Children’s hospital. He raised approximately £9000, you can sponsor him too. http://www.justgiving.com/ grahamunleashed Whilst this article is a departure from my normal ones, I wanted to illustrate how the Internet and technology can help us get more from experiences, and raise money for a really good cause as well.

35 Wartime Reminiscences I received a lovely letter recently from a local lady, Mrs Hillman, in which she shared some of her childhood memories of growing up and playing in the Westbury Park area during the war. With her permission I thought it would be nice to share it with readers, and hope it might stir up other similar memories or generate conversation with younger readers for whom the Second World War was something that happened only in history books. “I was born and grew up in Westbury Park, in a road oﬀ the first patch by the White Tree. We called them the first, second, third patch, Seven Sisters and Seawalls. My father worked for the Air Ministry in Sneyd Park during the war and my sister and I would often walk and meet him at the end of the day. Our first sight of the barbed wire made us quite frightened, but we soon got used to it, and also to the sight of the soldiers beyond. The Barrage Balloon site was by the Water Tower. One day the neighbours were all excited as one balloon had got loose and was heading towards the White Tree. Before it could be collected by the soldiers half was torn away ‐ many local ladies made blouses and underwear from it!

Photo courtesy of the Royal Air Force Museum

I well remember the two static water tanks that were situated at the corner of Clay Pit Road and Westbury Park. We played many games around them during the war. Almost facing them was a school which was bombed. This left a large hole in the front and a lovely tree grew out of it and we could climb in and pick the blossom. Further down the front of the Westbury Park, coming up from North View, the first or second house was bombed but the family sheltered under the staircase which was left standing and the family were saved. The house was rebuilt in about 1948. Across the road from this house, just above the small round house where on Sunday evenings the neighbours, all dressed up, would meet and watch the world go by and discuss the latest gossip, was the Air Raid Shelter. This was a great place to play when it was wet, although the smell was not very nice. The second patch, from the White Tree up to Clay Pit Road, had many dips it and for us children it was somewhere to play wonderful games. We often tied branches together and gave concerts, charging a sweet or a halfpenny to see the show. We also had Grandfather Grandmother and Shipwreck Trees which we would climb and have great adventures in. One night the Germans dropped a lot of incendiary bombs and shrapnel on the Down. Next day we took our helmets with us and filled them up with the scrap, selling the shrapnel to the rag and bone man for a few pennies. I could fill many pages with wonderful memories of my childhood in Westbury Park Village, as it was then known, and playing on the Downs. Even though the war was on we never felt afraid there, but our parents always knew where we were and we knew what time we had to be home.” Mrs Hillman’s letter has made me wonder if there are other readers who might like to share their memories. If so, do please get in touch ‐ contact details on page 4 ‐ and I’ll have a go at collating and publishing them. Many thanks.

at the Newman Hall, Henleaze on 21st September at 7.30pm

16 ukes, bass and drums rollicking through a musical landscape where anything might happen. Its all here - opera, classical, Beatles, Snow Patrol - and delivered with a sense of humour and a big grin. U F O provide an evening of fun and entertainment second to none, and you will go home with your own big grin as a souvenir. Don’t miss it. Tickets £10 from Henleaze Post Office, Super Saver, Canford Lane, W-O-T, or from the Tobacco Factory (online or by phone at 01170 020344)

38 Prize Wordsearch In the puzzle this month you can win yourself your very own cuddly Minion from the latest Despicable Me 2 film (ask the kids) as well as a pair of tickets to the Orpheus Cinema in Henleaze to see a film of your choice. The theme of the wordsearch is pop bands, and specifically ones beginning with the word “The”. Listed below are the name of 21 bands from the last 6 decades. All but one of them can be found in the wordsearch grid (listed in

any direction) so you just need to find the odd‐ band‐out. Let me know who the missing band is by 30th September and if correct you’ll be in with the chance of winning the prize. Please send your entries by post (8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY), email (andy@bcmagazines.co.uk), text (07845 986650) or phone (0117 968 7787). Here are your bands:‐ Shangrilas Specials Beat Las Clash Charlatans Real Thing Stone Roses Sundays Sex Pistols The Monkees New Seekers Yardbirds Spizzles Drifters Style Council Who Cure Bangles Commodores Best of luck!

41 The Bristol Pound At the tail end of 2012 I went along to an interesting presentation given by one of the members of the Bristol Pound Project. It was very informative and it was, we were told, very much a “long term project”. I wasn’t alone in leaving the meeting thinking that, on the balance of probability, rather than a long term initiative £B would be a short lived project ‐ one that would blaze in a fire of enthusiasm then gently fizzle away. After all, the question on most of the audience’s lips was “why?” In October 2013 The Bristol Eight magazine will start to accept Bristol Pounds and the first thing I ought to buy is a large slice of bristol‐ baked humble pie. This month sees the first birthday of the launch of the currency (the project itself has been going a while longer) and to celebrate the Bristol Pound team have a series of events lined up including hosting a Local Currency Week from 16‐22 September.

With this in mind we set out to track down the £B team and talk to them about the history of the project, of local currencies in general, and where Bristol Pound goes from here. Our chat with them was very interesting and we’ll feed it back to you in the October issue (we only met yesterday and haven’t had chance to write things up yet). If in the meantime you want to find out more about the basics of the project do go to their very good website www.bristolpound.org where you can find out amongst other things how to get involved. You can register as an individual online to open a £B account or order the forms and guidance necessary to apply for

a business account. If you want to get your hands on some of the lovely colourful paper Bristol Pounds (hard currency! ) then you can do so at any of the following Access Points.

Bristol Credit Union 112‐114 Cheltenham Road, BS6 5RW Opening times: 10am ‐ 2.30pm, Mon ‐ Fri The Rummer Hotel All Saints Lane, Old City, BS1 1JH 10am ‐ 1pm and 2pm ‐ 6pm Mon ‐ Fri 11am ‐ 6pm Saturday The Gallimaufry 26‐28 The Promenade, Gloucester Rd, BS7 8AL 10am ‐ 5pm Mon ‐ Sat, 11am ‐ 5pm Sunday The Health Park Cafe 5 Knowle West Health Park, Downton Road, Knowle West, Bristol, BS4 1WH 8am ‐ 4pm Monday ‐ Friday The Tobacco Factory Cafe Bar Raleigh Rd, BS3 1TF 12 noon ‐ 5pm Monday ‐ Saturday The White Bear 133 St Michael's Hill, BS2 8BS 12 noon ‐ 12 midnight daily The Tourist Information Centre E Shed, 1 Canons Road,BS1 5TX 11am ‐ 4pm daily

44 Crossword Time Here’s our latest general knowledge crossword kindly supplied by local app developers Teazel Ltd. No prizes ‐ answers are on page 52. If you like the puzzle why not check out Teazel in your app store?

Wellbeing, what is it? And how you can have more! I’ve been recently made aware that in reading these monthly musings some aren't sure what I’m on about. Is this an advertisement? Well, I use this space to speak about wellbeing because that is what I want for everyone. Men included. That said, Westbury Trym and Tone is a ladies only gym. I suppose here I can include men. So, I hope my words contribute something towards your wellbeing and if you ladies find yourselves in need of a fun workout that strengthens your metabolism, come check us out with a free trial workout. It might help you get into that smashing Christmas dress and the following might help you feel smashing in it. In looking for some scientific studies, I’ve recently discovered positive psychology. Yeah! And no, it’s not positive thinking. It is a branch of psychology which focuses on the empirical study of such things as positive emotions, strengths-based character, and healthy institutions. And they’ve come up with some great stuff. At the following website you can take tests to measure these and other wellbeing influencers and see how you compare with the rest of the population. www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu There are also practical exercises that you can do to improve elements of your overall wellbeing. One example of an exercise is ‘What Went Well’. This exercise is useful because research has discovered that people who hove more joy in their lives show more gratitude. Why not give it a go? For a week write down 3 things that went well each day. They don’t have to be big things. Yeah, there’s milk in the fridge for my coffee! Give it a try, what you might gain could change your outlook on life. Of course they believe that exercise and meditation are useful activities in the pursuit of wellbeing so maybe I’m biased. ;-) Whatever you choose to do in your pursuit of wellbeing, be it change your diet, exercise or a combination of the two, do it consistently. Think about ‘What Went Well’ today. And why not give meditation a go? Remember your weight and fitness level is only a symptom of your lifestyle. Yours in fun and fitness, Joline Dunn

46 What’s On & Community Events Listings for community events, not for profit clubs and charitable activities are free. If you have something that you would like listed please get in touch with Andy by telephoning on 0117 9687787 or 07845986650 or emailing me on andy@bcmagazines.co.uk. The deadline for listings in the October magazine is 18th September ‐ any received after that date will be held over until the November 2013 issue. Are you supporting D.A.D. Dementia Awareness Day ? Saturday 14th September 2013 at Westbury Baptist Church, Reedley Rd. BS9 3TQ from 10.00. – 12.30.At the event will be stall‐holders oﬀering services to folk with dementia and their carers . Teas, coﬀees and refreshments will be served Children's Hospice South West ‐ Archive Films of Bristol Afternoon ‐ Saturday 5 October at 2.30pm to be held in Westbury on Trym Methodist Church ‐ tickets £7.50, to include refreshments, available from Kate at Just so Balloons, 158 Henleaze Road or from Alison 9629715 ‐ also available on the door. Heartfelt Art Exhibition ‐ 1‐6 October at Philadelphia Street Gallery, Quakers Friars. Work from scores of local artists with all A5 pieces priced at £40 and sealed bid auction of larger works. Opening night 1 October 6‐8pm. All proceeds to Cruse Bereavement Care Bristol. Celebration Concert at Westbury on Trym Methodist Church. The UWE Chamber Choir and the Wallscourt Brass Ensemble will perform a selection of music to suit all tastes on Saturday October 26th at 7.30pm. Tickets £6 (£5 concessions) from Margaret Hilton (01454 776 503) or at the door. All proceeds towards the church organ refurbishment project. Clifton Rotary Club is expanding. New members of all ages and backgrounds are welcome, 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 about us by emailing secretary@cliftonrotary.org. Instep Club for Widows and Widowers weekly on Wednesday evenings 8.00‐10.30pm 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. Bristol Concert Wind Band invites you to learn a woodwind/brass/percussion instrument this September even if you've never picked one up and can't read music. All you need is a strong desire to play and to learn with other musicians of the same standard in a friendly, supportive environment at a weekly, inexpensive class. We can even lend you an instrument. Our classes/bands cover complete beginners, improving, intermediate and experienced musicians. Much more information on BCWB, its bands and activities can be found on our website www.bristolconcertwindband.co.uk. West Bristol Orchestra. A Chamber Orchestra, playing a wide range of Classical Music arranged for the smaller orchestra, meets at the United Reformed Church, Muller Road on Thursdays 7.15pm.to 9.15pm. Additional String players of Grade5+ standard welcomed. Previous experience of orchestral playing is not essential. For more information, please contact the Secretary on (0117) 968 3998. The 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. We invite expert speakers, produce a quarterly newsletter, have an annual plant sale and great Christmas event. Annual individual membership is £20 plus a £1 per visit, visitors are most welcome at £5 per visit, both to include refreshments and raﬄe. Please see www.henleazegardenclub.co.uk or contact Jane Voke 9622440 for more info. Renewal of membership will commence in September. Back to Netball at Coombe Dingle! Ladies ‐ enjoyed playing Netball at school? Stopped playing and would love to start again? Looking for a new, fun activity? Come and join us every Friday 9:30‐10am at the University Sports Centre, Coombe Dingle. Only £2 a session. For more info visit www.englandnetball.co.uk/Back‐to‐Netball or contact Sue Anderson on 0787 2407216. Henleaze Tennis Club has vacancies for players of all standards and ages. Whether you are an established player looking for a club, someone who is rusty or a student come along and try us out. For further

47Â Pilates and Body Balance the ultimate workouts for strength, flexibility and relaxation Beginners Pilates Course, starting Monday 14th October at 8pm (8 weeks) Pilates for New Mums (babies welcome) starting Thurs 17th Oct at 9.30am (8 weeks) Body Balance, a blend of Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates set to calming and inspiring music For the perfect start to your day, Tuesday 7am to 8 am or the ideal end to a hard week, Friday 6pm to 7 pm Classes held at Spin City - The Workshop, Hampton Lane, Clifton Down, BS6 6LE All classes and courses need to be booked in advanced.

Please call Julie on 07817 809734 or email info@fit4lifetraining.co.uk

48 What’s On & Community Events information take a look at our web site www.henleazeltc.com and contact the secretary Pat Thomson 0117 950 5862. Zumba Gold Class @ Horfield Parish Church Hall every Weds 2pm‐2.45pm (Gold Class) £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 625089. Dinosaur Egg and Spoon! Shark Tennis! Bucket Shapes! Do you have an active pre‐school child who would like to have some fun and do something different? 'Little Sports' is an exciting class for 2‐3 year olds and 3‐4 year olds, held in Henleaze. New term starting in September ‐ limited spaces available in each class so book your FREE trial session early! Simply contact Bryony on 0117 9499688 or email littlesportshenleaze@yahoo.com . Visit our website www.little‐sports.com for more information. Jack in a Box Pre‐School Gymnastics for 0 ‐ 4 yr olds. We are a friendly, well established Henleaze group which runs 3 different fun and physical programmes for young children aged 0‐2yrs, 2‐3yrs and 3‐4yrs. We hold classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Bradbury Hall, Waterford Road, BS9 4BT. For more details look at our website: www.jackinabox.info, or contact Kate on 0117 9623758, e‐mail:kate@jackinabox.info Diabetes UK. Volunteers are needed for the launch of a new group to provide support and advice for people affected by diabetes in west Bristol. Committee members are being sought for the Diabetes UK West Bristol Voluntary Group which will help people affected by diabetes look after their health. There are more than 23,000 people affected by diabetes in Bristol. Diabetes is a major cause of lower limb amputation, blindness, kidney failure and stroke if the condition is not well managed. Diabetes UK has a network of voluntary groups across the country which, as well as providing support and information, also get involved in fundraising, campaigning to improve local diabetes services and planning social events. The group’s next meeting is in Westbury on Trym on September 12. Call the Diabetes UK South West office on 01823 448260 or email south.west@diabetes.org.uk for more information.

Stroke can devastate lives. In a flash it can turn lives upside down. We at the Bristol Area Stroke Foundation understand the many problems people face as a consequence of stroke. We are currently looking for friendly, caring people to help us at our stroke groups in North Bristol. We need drivers with their own cars to transport people to groups and we need people to help at our groups. We pay a mileage allowance for car use. It is rewarding work to help someone who feels isolated at home because of their stroke, to get out for the afternoon and enjoy the stimulation and support of a stroke group. If you can help, please call Kerry or Amy on 0117 964 7657 or email office@basf.uk.com More Reading Buddies Wanted for September! Would you enjoy offering reading and language support to children for whom English is a second language? Can you help them improve their reading ability, benefiting both them as individuals and the wider class? Can you commit to giving one hour of reading time a week in term‐time? We are working with eleven schools in the Southmead, Brentry and Horfield areas. Training is offered, and your advanced CRB check is paid for by Bristol City Council. You would read with the same children each week and be part of a growing group of volunteers. For more information please contact Paul Harrod, at paul.harrod@gmail.com, or on 07576 150706. Calling all Carers. Would you like the opportunity to share your experiences, relax and make new friends? Then come and join the new Henleaze Carers’ Group. The group will meet on the second and fourth Thursday morning of each month, 10am to 12, in the new Bradbury Hall, Waterford Road, Henleaze. For more information please call Mrs M Rudston 942 6095. Volunteers Wanted ‐ RSVP/CSV Reading in schools. We are urgently 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 me on vckitchen1949@gmail.com or ring 0117 9096858. The Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society: The first in this year’s series of Winter Lectures will be given on Monday 30th September at 7.45 pm in the Apostle Room in the basement of Clifton Cathedral Pembroke Road, Clifton, BS8 when June Hannam, Professor Emerita in History at UWE,

50 What’s On & Community Events will give the lecture – “Making the World a better Place? Women, Citizenship. Bristol in the inter‐war years”. Bristol Philatelic Society meet at 7.15p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at the United Reform Church meeting rooms in Whiteladies Road. The first meeting is 12th September with a display and talk on the stamps and postal history of the British Occupation of the Italian Colonies. Thursday, 26th September is a display of Pneumatic Post in Vienna and Prague and Kinderdorf Balloonpost. For further information: John Roe 0145 477 6975 Like making Airfix models? The Avon Branch of the International Plastic Modellers Society meets on the third Wednesday of every month at the BAWA club on Southmead Road at 8.00pm. New members are always very welcome. For more information contact Andy White on 0117 3300288 or visit www.ipmsavon.org.uk . Free electric blanket testing 2013. Bristol City Council and Avon Fire and Rescue Services are again oﬀering free electric blanket safety checks at the following venues. Also on oﬀer will be free safety advice and a chance of a free home safety inspection. Spaces are limited so booking is essential………make that booking now! The Council advises that if your blanket is over 3 years old it should be checked. Get your blanket checked now, minor faults will be repaired free of charge. Weds October 16th at Southmead Fire Station from 0930 to 1600. Other venues may be confirmed in the near future. For further information or to book a check please ring 0117 922 3522 Stoke Bishop & Sneyd Park Local History Group are keen to welcome new members and visitors (£2 per meeting) to their programme of meetings. For more details please contact Jenny Weeks on 968 6010. Bristol Mahjong Club meets every Thursday 2‐5pm at The Eastfield Inn, Henleaze Road . Experienced players and beginners welcome. British Mahjong Rules. Please contact Lee ‐ Mob: 0790 567 2979 or neeliej@hotmail.co.uk. Stoke Lodge History and Archaeology Group meet on the first Thursday of every month at the Friends Meeting House in Hampton Road at 7.30pm. We have

speakers on a varied range of topics, many of which have a strong emphasis on local history. New members are always made very welcome. For further details please contact Annette Martin on 0117 979 3209. Calling all would‐be bridge players. Would you like to learn to play bridge absolutely free. I am re‐running my "Bridge for Complete Beginners" sessions and would like to hear from you. If you are interested, please contact Terry Stygall Tel. 9091714, 07837300073 or by email at tc.stygall@gmail.com . Each month Bristol Ramblers oﬀers a range of walks of varying length. During September there are day walks on Sundays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The walks include Clevedon (14/09), Leckhampton (22/09) and Goblin Combe (29/09). On Sundays we meet at Great George Street BS1 and share lifts in cars to the start of the walk. For details of all our walks see our website. www.bristolramblers.org.uk. Excel Bridge Club meets in Stoke Bishop Village Hall on Stoke Hill every Monday, beginning promptly at 7.15pm. There is a very cheerful & relaxed atmosphere and as we just play 24 boards we are always finished by 10.15pm – in good time for your evening cocoa! For more details ring Ralph Smith on 01275 840006. Do you, or does someone you know, need support following a relationship breakdown? Over the past 20 years Aquila has helped many people learn to cope and rebuild their lives following separation or divorce. Our next 8‐week self‐help course starts on Monday 23rd September in Clifton, Bristol. The course is facilitated by a group of trained men and women who have all experienced broken relationships or divorce. If you would like to know more call Sian on 07807 058479, email bristol@hope‐after‐heartbreak.co.uk or visit www.hope‐after‐heartbreak.co.uk. The Bristol Grandparents' Support Group, for grandparents who are going through the trauma of not being able to have contact with your grandchildren, due to family breakdown. We meet every two months at 9, Park Grove, Westbury Park. Visit our website at www.bristolgrandparentssupportgroup.co.uk for more info or contact Jane Jackson tel. 0117 9246496, mobile 07773 258270, or email jackson.jane@me.com. West of England Bridge Club meets for duplicate bridge on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at The Golden Hill Sports Club, Wimbledon Road from

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52 What’s On & Community Events 7.30pm ‐ 10.30pm. New members and visitors always welcome. £4 per evening for members, £5 for non‐ members, special rates for juniors/unemployed. Licensed bar. For further details of the club or lessons please contact Gareth Evans on 07921 788 605, email enquiries@woebc.co.uk or visit www.woebc.co.uk. 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 contact the tutor, Mary Hall, by email on lipreadingmary@yahoo.com or telephone 07790 283939. 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. Deadline for October ‐ 18th September. Don’t Miss Out! 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 Crossword Puzzle Answers from p44 Quiz Answers from p18 Saturn, Almaty, Inspiral, Samphire, Exocet, Tartare, Redcar, Parchment, Universal, Oxbow, Meatloaf, Narwahl, Fledgling, Embassy, Ocarina, Lancaster, Hanover, Ambidextrous British institution ‐ Houses of Parliament