The Bristol Nine - March 2013

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Mar 2013

No 84

In this issue: College Green puzzle walk ‐ Computer updates ‐ Pilates ‐ the Pet Shop Man ‐ Downs & Blaise ‐ Prize Wordsearch ‐ Domestic violence ‐ Constituency Matters ‐ What’s On

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5 The Editor’s small piece Birds, birds, everywhere birds. It must be Spring as all our ornithological friends seem to be pairing up in the garden ready for some serious mating.

Today we’ve had a pair of chaffinches chasing round, a pair of herons wafting over, and more goldfinches than you can shake a stick at. We’ve also noticed a buzzard become a regular feature in Canford Cemetery over the last few weeks, which is a nice sight first thing in the morning.

Anyway, enough waffle, although the signs of spring do make me chirpy as well as the birds.

Plenty instore for you this month including a new puzzle walk around the city waterfront and all the usual mullarkey. I remember a speedway rider called Kelvin Mullarkey a few years back. Must be the start of the season soon, so I might treat myself to a meeting this month ‐ expect a report next time out. Before then though I need to finish the major revamp of the website which I hope will be more accessible and well‐stocked than the current version, including access to all the back issues.

Until then have a great Easter, don’t go too mad with the cocoa based products and enjoy the magazine. Andy

Acupuncture can be used for both physical and emo onal condi ons, to bring an improved sense of wellbeing. For more informa on, please contact Elizabeth Greswell.

Tel: 07766 838878; E‐mail: info@elizabethgreswell.co.uk Website: www.elizabethgreswell.co.uk

6 Useful Numbers and Information Gas Emergencies

0800 111 999 Electricity Emergencies 0800 365 900 Water Emergencies 0845 600 4 600 Avon & Somerset Police Non‐Emergencies

101 (new number) Crimestoppers

0800 555 111 Southmead Hospital 0117 950 5050 Frenchay Hospital

0117 970 1212 BRI / Children’s Hospital 0117 923 0000 NHS Direct

0845 46 47 Bristol Blood Donation 0117 988 2040 The Samaritans

08457 90 90 90 Alcoholics Anonymous 08457 69 75 55 ChildLine

0800 11 11 National Rail Enquiries 08457 48 49 50 Telephone Pref Service 0845 070 0707 Mailing Pref Service 0845 703 4599 Bristol Care & Repair ‐ home safety checks & handyman 0117 95 4 2222

Postal Services Westbury on Trym Post Office 9 ‐ 5.30 Mon to Fri, 9 ‐ 4 Sat Henleaze Post Office 9 ‐ 1 , 2 ‐ 5.30 Mon to Fri, 9 ‐ 12.30 Sat Westbury on Trym Parcel Collection 7 ‐ 1 Mon to Fri, 9 ‐ 12 Sat

Late Post ‐ there is a late post box at the main Post Office sorting depot on the A38 at Filton.

Currently the late post is at 7pm,

Local Libraries Henleaze ‐ tel. 903 8541 Mon 9.30 ‐ 7.00, Tues 9.30 ‐ 5.00 Wed 9.30 ‐ 5.00, Thur 9.30 ‐ 5.00 Fri 9.30 ‐ 7.00, Sat 9.30 ‐ 5.00 Westbury on Trym ‐ tel. 903 8552 Mon 9.30 ‐ 5.00, Tues 9.30 ‐ 5.00 Wed 9.30 ‐ 5.00, Thur ‐ closed Fri 9.30 ‐ 7.00, Sat 9.30 ‐ 5.00 Sea Mills ‐ tel. 903 8555 Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat 9.30 ‐ 1.00 , 2.00 ‐ 5.00 Wed ‐ closed, Thur 9.30 ‐ 1.00 , 2.00 ‐ 7.00

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

Recycling and Household Waste The Household Waste and Recycling Centre on Kingsweston Lane, Avonmouth for pretty much everything. The Avonmouth centre is now open winter hours from 8.00am to 4.15pm, 7 days a week.

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11 Constituency Matters

Former swimming champion MP Charlotte Leslie says council ruling could destroy Bristol clubs. “For much of my growing up years, I was passionate about swimming. I was one of those children who would be up at dawn, ploughing up and down the pool day after day – and I loved it. Over the years I became quite dedicated and I swam competitively for Bristol and I occasionally entertained ideas that one day I might reach the Olympics. Sadly, that didn’t happen but what a marvellous experience it all was. I learned about teamwork, dedication and the value of good instruction and coaching. In later life I worked as a lifeguard (not in Baywatch, but Cornwall!) and, of course, swimming is one of those ‘must have’ life skills, even if you never take part in a single race. It hardly needs saying it could save your life.

So it was with utter dismay that I spoke with parents from north Bristol who told me that a new dictat from the city council means that lessons for younger swimmers will be taken out of the jurisdiction of fine clubs like Portway from April, giving a virtual monopoly for the organisations running our leisure centres. This means that although the clubs, in theory, could continue to offer the lessons, they cannot do it in council‐run pools, making it prohibitive for all sorts of reasons.

In the period when we are supposed to have an Olympic legacy, this centralisation seems utterly ridiculous, not to mention disgraceful. Parents have told me that when their children are forced to have lessons with the sports centre management organisations, there are frequent cases of cancellations. Significantly, the parents tell me that the whole experience of lessons through the clubs is much more positive with better attention to training methods and a general sense of progress.

We are now in the situation where parents who are

dissatisfied with the teaching from the Learn‐to‐ Swim sessions run by the leisure centre contractors will approach clubs like Portway only to be told: “We’d love to teach your child but the council won’t let us.”

I am deeply concerned that this is a misguided policy set up to simply make money for the leisure centres.

Of course, swimming lessons pull in revenue. And there is no reason why the centres should not offer lessons. But this should not be at the expense of the clubs. Over the past couple of years, the fallout from this has led to other successful Bristol clubs – including Henleaze, Penguins and Bristol north ‐ no longer having sessions at council pools. The Portway club is already looking at ways of moving the younger learners to private pools or pools in neighbouring authorities but this is not ideal and destroys the idea of there being a local club for local children.

I am deeply worried that the end result of all of this is going to be fewer children swimming and clubs being forced to close. What an Olympic legacy that would be! And this isn’t just about nurturing top class competitive swimmers. It’s about teaching children a vital life skill. Action is needed and I am already making strong representations to the city council as well as working with the clubs. Can I urge all readers to sign two petitions – one protesting against the overall city council policy and another specifically supporting the Portway club. We must not allow these fine clubs to be treated in such a ludicrous way.”

Please sign the petitions at: http:// www.change.org/petitions/bristol‐city‐council‐sos ‐save‐our‐swimming and also http:// keepclubswimming.bristolpetitions.com/ Charlotte Leslie ‐ MP for Bristol North West Office: 184 Henleaze Road, Bristol, BS9 4NE 0117 962 9427 E: charlotte.leslie.mp@parliament.uk www.charlotteleslie.com

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Household Contents ‐ are you under–insured?

There’s Gold in them there houses – and the chances are it’s under‐insured.

If there’s been one sure fire investment during the past 5 years in one of the deepest and longest‐ running recessions in recent history… it’s been Gold & Silver. Gold has increased in value by more than 500% in the past decade as investors see it as a safe haven in a world of economic uncertainty, while the value of Silver has increased by around nine mes in the last 10 years.

But while the number of Gold & Silver items being insured on home insurance policies has doubled over the last two years, an es mated six‐million UK households could well be under‐insured due to the rapid rise in the value of precious metals and gems.

And with a reported increase of 22% in the number of jewellery items stolen in house the s in the past two years, the danger is that many householders who become vic ms of the could well miss out on full insurance pay‐outs because values of insured items are simply out of date.

Jelf Private Client Execu ve, Ma hew Shearing, said.

“We are experiencing a rise in the number of stolen jewellery claims as the value of Gold and Silver has increased. We would urge homeowners to have the

current value of their jewellery checked on a regular basis and to update their home contents insurance cover accordingly to prevent under‐ insurance issues in the event of a claim”.

As well as providing you with expert advice on poten al under‐insurance issues, we can arrange a comprehensive and flexible policy that meets with your current circumstances. We have access to a wide‐range of niche High Value household insurers which can accommodate a number of different assets under one unique policy, including cover for your; Main Residence, Second/Holiday Home, Valuables & Fine Art, Vintage Cars, Family Motor Fleet, Small Cra / Yachts and Annual Travel etc

If you would like to receive a confiden al review of your private insurances from a well‐respected local Broker, we would be delighted to arrange a visit from one of our Private Clients team, where we would be able to carefully select cover to meet with your individual needs. For a review or for further informa on, please do not hesitate to contact our Private Client Execu ve, Ma hew Shearing, by email or telephone.

Ma hew Shearing Private Client Execu ve Tel: 0117 2402084 ‐ Mob: 07866 202692 Email: ma hew.shearing@jelfgroup.com

Jelf Insurance Brokers Ltd Edgecumbe Hall, Richmond Hill, Cli on, Bristol, BS8 1AT

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Execu ve Coach Travel

To Book: contact Merryn Gillam Tel. 01275 543721 Mobile: 07966 486 251. Email: ggtravelinfo@gmail.com

Pick up Points Clevedon Six Ways, Water Tower on the Downs / Henleaze Rd layby by the Eas ield / Westbury Village opp. Co‐op Canford Lane. Trips with Asterisk * are coach only. (Flat 7 Averill Ct, 37a Hill Road, Clevedon, BS21 7NE) Wed Apr 10th Old Royal Naval College Greenwich Includes lunch and tour and me to see Greenwich

£52

Tue Apr 30th

Chipping Campden as its the start of its Literature Fes val and a browse around

£27.50 £18.50*

Yeo Valley Gardens Tour Blagdon Private tour with light lunch included

£30.50

Wed May 8th

Na onal Trust Hidcote near Chipping Campden Before we go home we will stop

Tue May 14th Savill Gardens Windsor Great Park & River Trip. Lunch at Savill Gardens and Tea on our

£52

River Trip Wed May 29th Hay on Wye Book Fes val. This 10 day fes val is a popular day out so book early to avoid

£18.50

disappointment Tue June 4th

Lichfield and Na onal Memorial Arboretum. See Lichfield with its beau ful cathedral then onto the Arboretum for a land train tour and tradi onal a ernoon tea.

£35

Thu June 20th Dewstow Gardens & Gro oes. This is magical garden in Monmouthshire is a delight to

£38

see, includes a buffet lunch at Dewstow Golf Club Thu July 4th

Powderham Castle the ancestral home of the Earl of Devon, with a guided tour of the

£32

castle, then sail along the Exe Estuary looking out for grey seals and rare birds, to Topsham.

Wed July 17th Winterbourne House & Gardens (University of Birmingham). Guided tour of the

£35

garden & unguided tour of the house, soup and sandwich lunch.

Tue Aug 6th

Clarence House Guided Tour. This is a short morning tour allowing you to spend the

£35

a ernoon with a show/ museum or shop.

Wed Aug 21st Na onal Trust Tredegar House & Gardens. An architectural wonder one of Wales 17th century houses set in 90 acres of beau ful gardens.

Tue Sept 3rd

WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre. Home of the largest collec on of swans, flamingos, geese and ducks.

Thu Sept 19th The Royal Collec on Buckingham Palace Tour. Includes tours of Queen’s Gallery/Royal Mews/State Rooms with a Corona on Exhibi on.

Thu Oct 3rd

£21.50 £15.00* £23.90 £21.60 £58.25 £55.25

HHA Kelmsco Manor & Gardens near Lechlade (summer home of William Morris) £25.50 Used by William Morris from 1871‐1896 and has a simple well‐made 'Old English' garden..

A er our tour, we will visit Lechlade before returning home.

Tue Oct 29th

Westonbirt Autumn Show! Op on1 for 10am to 1.30pm at Arboretum and then onto Westonbirt School Christmas Fair leaving at 4.00pm, Op on 2 to stay at Westonbirt for day?

Sun Nov 24th

Ludlow Medieval Christmas Market. This is a very popular yearly event within the

1. £27 2. £20 £27.50

grounds of Ludlow Castle.

Sat Dec 7th

Dunster by Candlelight visit this remarkably preserved medieval village light up the streets with candles and visit the castle.

£18.50

There will be at least two dates for Highgrove ‐ if you would like to be added to these tours please contact Merryn.

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17 City Centre Puzzle Walk It’s a while since I ran one of the seemingly popular puzzle walks, so thanks for your patience everyone who has asked for a new one. So here we are ‐ a gentle, looping meander around the College Green and Watershed area of the city centre. The aim of the walk, as ever, is to encourage you to have more of a look around as you explore an area you may think you know well, but perhaps not that well. I discovered plenty on this walk, a stroll that should take you about an hour and which, as it is generally pretty level and only contains one flight of downward steps (which can be avoided) is generally suitable for all. It is a busy area traffic wise so please hold onto little hands and wait for the green men.

Of course the walk will take longer if you explore, loiter, browse or refresh, of which there are plenty of excellent opportunities for all. As you walk around you will follow a series of clues to points of interest ‐just a bit of fun. Answers on page 88. The starting point for the walk is “the Centre” by the fountains and across from the Hippodrome, so catching a bus down is a great start to the adventure.

From the centre head east towards the cenotaph beyond the statue of Colston. Before you get there though look out for a statuesque drinking fountain (sadly redundant).

Q1. How much did each Bristol medical charity receive as a result of the Industrial & Fine Art exhibition of 1893?

Using the pedestrian crossings, cross Colston Ave and head over to Small St, by‐passing the end of St Stephen’s St. Walk up Small Street past the Guildhall and courts.

Q2. What happened to Guilbert’s chocolate factory in WWII?

As you continue up towards Corn Street you will see Small Street Espresso on your left. If you like coffee do not pass without going in A small thing of beauty and experiencing the best coffee in Bristol! At the top of Small St turn right into Corn Street.

Q3. How many faces can you see on the old NatWest bank façade?

Now turn right into St Stephen’s St and then immediately left into the alleyway running alongside the churchyard.

Q4. What feature can you find built into the wall of the church grounds?

At the end of the alley turn right into St Stephen’s Ave and (assuming it is open) enter the church. If it is of interest have a good look round ‐ the Reconciliation Reredos at the altar is both striking and interesting. While in the church ‐ Q5. what might you find under the old stone font on your left as you enter the church?

Leave the building, turning right and passing the front of the church.

Q6. Who erected the wrought iron gateway leading to the back of the church?

Now turn left onto Colston Avenue back at “the centre” and head towards the waterfront area.

Q7. What did 2 Clare St used to be the home of?

Cross at the busy crossing and continue along Broad Quay, past the big hotel and the very excellent AngelBerry frozen yoghurt emporium (great for small and big kids alike, and owned by BS9’s very own James the Greengrocer) then cross again by Broad Quay House so that arrive on the cobbled waterside opposite the Watershed.

Head towards Pero’s Bridge, but before you get there, two more questions.

Q8. What is the name of the twin‐masted cream and burgundy boat moored here?

Fixed to the harbourside railings is a noticeboard telling part of the 200 year history of the Floating Harbour. (continued overleaf)

18 City Centre Puzzle Walk Q9. Which Gloucestershire village gives it’s name to the freight tug in the old photo?

Now walk to Pero’s bridge, cross the docks to the busy Watershed side, and turn immediately right to head along the covered walkway leading back to the centre. Here you will find the always‐ interesting Tourist Info Centre, and this is also where the terrific market is held at weekends (see p19).

Somewhere along the covered walk near the TIC you will find a small but striking piece of urban art (graffiti?) on the wall of a building.

Q.10. What quotation accompanies this picture?

Head back out onto the centre and then turn sharp left and follow the path up to College Green, crossing Canons Road. Look for the big stature of royalty.

Q11. When did Queen Victoria ascend the throne?

Now head towards the bottom of Park Street, crossing the road so that the buildings are on your right as you look up towards the Wills Building.

Q12. What time is it at The Bristol Music Shop? (careful!), and Q13. What unusual feature can be found on the wall at the front of the Lord Mayor’s Chapel and adjoining St Mark’s Church?

If it is open it is well worth a look into the chapel ‐ entry is free and all the historic features are well labelled and documented. And you get a bonus question ‐ Q14. What animal is depicted on the second diamond plaque on the left wall, seven pews in?

Leaving the chapel cross back over to County Hall using the pedestrian crossing at the bottom of Park Street ‐ and look out for a genuine Banksy.

Now you will walk up and down the ramp that forms the front aspect of County Hall.

Q15. What animals adorn the two towers at either end of the curved ramp you walk along?

As you emerge at the west end of the ramp cross over towards the Cathedral ‐ it is well worth going in although there are no questions to be found inside! However, from the outside ‐ Q16. What did Bristol Cathedral used to be called?

Passing the front of the Cathedral now turn right down the suitably traffic‐free Trinity Street.

Q17. Which national transport organisation has its headquarters in Trinity Street?

Now head down the steps towards the chimney on the Explore@Bristol site (if you want to avoid the steps retrace your path and walk around the front of the Marriot Hotel and round the back via Anchor Road to meet rejoin the end of the walk outside Explore by the aquarium. On the red brick walls are a number of blue plaques, erected by the Retired Professional Engineers Club (Bristol) and forming part of another walk ‐ www.engineerswalk.co.uk.

Q18. Which giant of the Industrial Revolution, who died aged just 39, is among those

19 commemorated?

Now head back to the centre and walk through the fountains (not literally) to find your final question.

Q19. The much‐travelled statue of Neptune was originally erected in what year?

And that’s it. I hope, you enjoy / enjoyed the walk ‐ and your journey home.

The Harbourside Market If you get the chance, try and do the puzzle walk at a weekend ‐ it is a good one for kids, there will be more atmosphere and you may combine it with a trip to Explore or the Aquarium, You will get the chance to enjoy the excellent but little‐ known Harbourside Market which takes place outside the Watershed every Sat and Sun, 11am‐ 4pm. You’ll find a great array of stalls offering exotic food, local cheese, cracking biscuits, cakes,

chocolates and brownies. There are also plenty of traders selling quality handmade jewellery, textiles and crafts, as well as toys, new and second‐hand books and records. I particularly enjoyed the illustrations done by local student Karl Whitely www.who587.com and the soft toys and puppets at Sue Lowney’s “Toys for All” www.multicultutaltoysforall.co.uk, examples of which will feature as prizes in the next couple of issues of The Bristol Nine.

There is a real buzz around this area and it rewards a good mooch around on a lazy weekend at home. Have fun.

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26 Computer Corner - with Mrs PC

Updates and why they are important!

There is nothing so scary as a little window that appears on your screen asking you something like this: “Do you want to allow this programme to make changes to your computer?”

Anyone who is concerned with online security knows that you shouldn’t download anything you are not sure about. It is a real dilemma. On the one hand you don’t want to let in viruses but on the other hand, if you don’t say “yes” to the updates that are needed by so many programmes, you will be missing out on valuable new information that is needed to run them!

My lessons often start with this query, as there will be a flashing icon or a window asking a question and a worried student, who is relieved to get some answers. Here is Mrs PC’s list of safe updates:

1. Adobe. Sometimes called Adobe Reader. Adobe is a programme that helps you to open PDFs. Many people don’t know what these are, even though they have probably received them by email and opened them. PDF stands for Portable Document Format.

Confused? I call them Protected Documents‐ that makes more sense to me. Basically you can’t make changes to them. You can only read them (unless you have some other smart software, but most people don’t!)

Without the latest version of the software, you may not be able to open the types of files with the extension .pdf and with the same symbol in red and white. Incidentally, although you need this programme to open the PDFs, you don’t actually need a shortcut icon on your desktop, unless it helps you to remember that it is safe!

2. Adobe Flashplayer.

This is needed to make videos work. You will need this to make iPlayer work on your computer.

3. Java is mysterious to most, although there are lots of applications and websites that won't work unless you have Java installed. From phones to the Internet, Java is everywhere, you just didn’t know that 3 billion devices use it! I call it the “Coffee Cup, but actually it could be tea!” You need it BUT tread with care as this company tries to install other software along with the update. Be careful and do not install the Ask toolbar or make Ask your default search provider. All you need to do is take the tick out of the box shown below:

Other updates that are important are as follows:

Anything to do with your own Antivirus software.

Make a point of knowing what this is and that it is up to date and running frequently.

Anything to do with Windows or Microsoft.

These updates are often installed automatically, when you turn off your computer and you don’t need to do anything.

Your printer software needs to be updated from time to time.

If you use an iPhone or iPad or Mac, these need to be updated too. You will usually get a prompt to remind you in Settings on your device. There will be a red number one over the symbol for

(continued on page 28)

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28 Computer Corner - continued Settings. When you plug in your device to a computer and link to iTunes, you will also get a reminder.

Your Apps also need updating every so often. If you see the icon and a red number‐ that is how many updates you need to do. Just click update and put in your Apple ID and password.

iTunes seems to need constant updates, and it is recommended to keep it up to date. The latest version is 11, and it looks totally different from any other version that has preceded it.

Lastly, your Browser, for example Internet Explorer, Firefox or Google Chrome, work best if

you are using the latest version.

So many people aren’t and they are missing out.

Some updates require you to restart your computer.

Hope this helps to demystify the terror of updates. Now you know which ones you can safely say YES to. Update the safe ones each time you are asked and keep your computer and it’s software up to date!

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31 Apps of the Month Two more apps for your phones and tablets this month ‐ both fun and useful in their own way.

The first, and pretty much the first app I loaded to my phone a couple of years ago, is Ringtone Designer. Bored with the range of standard phone ringtones, or not sure if it is your phone going off in the queue at the bank? Problem solved. This little gem lets you choose a track from the music library on your phone, pick your favourite part of the tune via a simple editing screen, then set it as your ringtone. Free for the iPhone, and similarly available free apps for Android phones, it is easy to use and allows you to change whenever you get bored (or embarrassed) by your phone’s ring. (Currently appearing on

the BS9 phone is the jangly siren intro from “Chorus” by Erasure).

Second up, and noting that we are heading into the season when we might want to be getting out and about a bit more, is the official Destination Bristol “Visit Bristol” app for the iPhone. This freebie provides advise, details and links to websites in areas such as “Food and Drink”, “What’s On”, “Things to Do”, “Shopping”, and “Where to Stay”. Providing you with opening times, contacts, directions and a whole host of other useful info this is a really great app, not just for people visiting Bristol but those of us who are expecting visitors from out of town, or indeed who live here and want to find out a little more about this great city of ours.

More apps next month…...

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Find out more The first step is to contact Bluebird care to arrange an ini al visit. This is nothing more than an opportunity to ask all your ques ons face to face.

33 Fran Sawtell is our Care Manager. She has several years experience working within the Health and Social Care environment, par cularly suppor ng young people within their own homes, and is NVQ4 qualified in Health and Social Care. She has worked her way up from Personal Assistant to Registered Care Manager and believes that this has developed her knowledge in seeing the bigger picture in providing an individual, personalised, high quality service in care and support.

As the Care Manager it is Fran’s responsibility to ensure the safe and legal delivery of service to our customers within Bristol. We feel able to achieve this through recrui ng staff who are passionate about their work, training and developing staff to be able to fulfil their roles and responsibili es and by building open professional rela onships with the team, customers and in a mul agency working environment. Fran aims to provide a flexible service offering the customer the care they need in the home they love.

34 Editor’s Test Drive - Pilates

The lady of the house has been to Pilates classes and suggested it was about time I tried it. So when a friend of ours, Julie Waters, invited me along to one of her classes I felt I had to accept and give it a go. So I trundled up the hill to WoT Primary School on a chilly Tuesday night to receive my Pilates baptism.

Forearmed is forewarned and I thought I’d better check to see what I was letting myself in for, so I visited the Pilates Foundation website, the governing body Julie is accredited by. I won’t bore

you with the guff about Joseph Pilates himself ‐ this is a fitness article not a history lesson after all ‐ but I quote:‐

“Pilates is an invigorating form of exercise for your mind and body that can improve your strength, flexibility and overall mobility. It helps restore your body to balance. As a result, your posture will change and you will move more efficiently. You'll achieve a strong core, develop longer, leaner muscles and improve your overall sense of well‐ being. And, if you are a sports enthusiast, Pilates can help improve your game. Pilates is a safe and effective exercise method that will enable you to look ‐ and feel ‐ your very best”

Pilates Classes in Westbury on Trym Book Your Place Now! Tuesday 16th April to Tuesday 21th May 2013 inclusive (6 weeks) Newman Hall, Grange Court Rd 8.45 am to 9.45 am – Improvers Westbury on Trym C of E Academy School, Channells Hill 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm - Improvers 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm – Beginners The Studio, Penny Porter Physiotherapy, 18a Dragons Well Road, Henbury 7.00 am to 8.00 am - Beginners Thursday 11th April to Thursday 23rd May (7 weeks) The Studio, Penny Porter Physiotherapy, 18a Dragons Well Road, Henbury 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm - Beginners Coming soon The Studio, Penny Porter Physiotherapy, 18a Dragons Well Road, Henbury Monday at 7.00am to 8.00 am - Beginners Booking essential, call Julie Waters on 07817 809734 or email info@fit4lifetraining.co.uk

35 Editor’s Test Drive - Pilates Right, so that’s the marketing description but what, I hear you ask, is it really like? Well to be

honest it was surprisingly invigorating in a non‐ energetic kind of way, if that makes any sense. I like to do a bit of exercise that is done largely lying down ‐ in this case on a cushioned mat on the floor ‐ and, joking aside, this must be one of the strengths of Pilates. It is a low impact, slow and methodical fitness regime, with no sudden movements, jarring of joints or significant raising of the old heartbeat. So less about the cardiological benefits of raising the heartbeat, more about improving your muscle tone and overall body suppleness by exercising your body’s core in a controlled manner.

Julie took our small group of eight, which was encouragingly a real mix of people ‐ male and female, young and less‐young, trim, and in my case, less trim ‐ through a series of “moves” that require you to hold your posture in different ways. It was clear to me that this aimed to put different muscle groups gently, but firmly, through their paces, holding your position or posture for a specific time count ‐ and then just a

bit longer. So it might be easy on the heart and the joints but it gives your core muscles a real workout, and with regular sessions I can imagine Pilates having a terrifically positive effect on your level of body tone and core muscle strength.

Pilates sessions with Julie are also pretty sociable and relaxed. There’s no expensive kit to buy ‐ Julie will provide you with mats, and the squidgy balls used to get you to clench certain muscles in certain ways ‐ and dress code can be whatever you feel comfortable in ‐ “shabby gym chic” or, in my case, just shabby. And it is fun, as you lie on the mat looking around, watching the other group members trying to adopt the next posture or position and realising what shape you should be in! You don’t need to worry if you’re not sure what you are up to ‐ Julie wanders around the group offering gentle guidance and positive encouragement to all, regardless of your ability.

All in all then I found Julie Waters’ Pilates session a decidedly enjoyable experience which, if repeated regularly, would have a really beneficial impact on your general body strength, tone and suppleness and, in doing so, engender a really positive feel‐good factor. Think I might just go along again.

36 The leaves have fallen, the grass is too wet to even walk on, there is no colour in the borders, there’s no ge ng away from it – winter is no me to be in the garden. That is where you are wrong!!!!! Now is the perfect me to be busy in the garden. Clearing up leaves, turning them into usable compost for next year, pruning shrubs and trees that have got out of hand (especially this year), aera ng and scarifying the lawn, so that come summer you’ve got a lush green carpet to sunbathe on (hopefully), and repairing or replacing ro en fence panels.

It’s also a brilliant me to transplant shrubs, plant new trees and add nutrients to the soil, mushroom compost is a great supply of nutrients and acts as a mulch come spring, keeping those pesky weeds at bay.

These jobs can seem like a pain, especially at this me of year. Alongside our long standing Landscaping and Tree Surgery departments, we have just added a Landscape Maintenance department, or Johnny, as he’s known to us! Johnny is specialising in planned garden maintenance, everything from lawn care – aera on, scarifying, feeding and mowing ‐ to pa o cleaning, weeding and shrub trimming.

building an imagina ve garden, pruning a veteran oak tree or simply mowing your lawn and weeding your flower beds once a week.

A quick note on Ash die‐back – Chalara Fraxinea

There has been a lot of coverage in the media about this disease, which shows in infected trees with the dying back of the leaves at the ps of the canopy and lesions on stems, with the tree eventually dying. Li le is s ll known about the likely speed of spread past recognised sites at the moment. It is known that it is a wind blown fungal infec on spread via spores produced by infected dead leaves. As such it is a good idea to collect any ash leaves and burn them in a controlled manner ASAP. The disease is known to infect as many as 95% of all ash trees, with some small percentages remaining gene cally resistant.

At the me of wri ng (late November) there are no confirmed cases further west than Reading, except for newly planted specimens. However, if you do have any concerns that you may have an infected tree, please do no hesitate to contact us and one of our tree surgeons can iden fy the problem and let you know the correct procedure.

For more informa on please contact us:‐ We can offer either a one off or seasonal “make over” to give your garden that much needed boost or a regular visit once or twice a week/month. With the ability to do all this and with the back up of the rest of the Blackberry Gardens specialist teams, we can now take care of everything in your garden, be it designing, plan ng and

Visit: www.blackberrygardens.co.uk Call: 0117 904 8780 Email: blackberrygardens@yahoo.co.uk

37 Breaking News ‐ the Tenovus shop in Henleaze is now open! It was closed for three and a half months for refurbishment but is open for business again. Nina and Shelli would like to thank all the customers who have supported them in the past with donations of clothing, books and records, and would like to welcome them to their colourfully revamped shop.

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39 Historic pet shop lives on For almost 40 years, Mike Taylor has been keeping the pets of Clifton happy. From his pet shop, ‘Pets and Poultry’, he’s been dispensing live crickets, dog food and lots of advice. But the tradition of selling animal foods from the little store goes back even further, to the 1850s, when it supplied fodder for the draft horses of Clifton.

Mike’s shop is on Worrall Road, which runs between the Downs and Black Boy Hill. It’s a quiet spot, in contrast to the nearby hustle and bustle of White Ladies Road. Opposite Mike’s shop are old stone steps that rise up to Highland Square and the Coach and Horses pub, once a staging post for horse drawn coaches on the Bristol to Gloucester service. Back then, in the mid 1800s, Mikes store was a corn merchant named Redland Forage Stores selling mainly horse and poultry grains.

When I arrive to interview Mike I am struck by how well stocked the shop is. There are stands of wild bird seed and dog leads and shelves stacked with hamster cages and cat beds. Propped up against the walls are plastic sacks of cat and dog food. But the real heart of the store is at the back: the home of guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, mice and small birds.

Mike is closing up business shortly because he wants to retire. At 72 no one could blame him, even if, upright and trim, he looks 10 years younger. When we start the interview I look round hopefully for chairs – there are none. So I perch on a plastic stool and set up my recording equipment on a large sack of IAMS dog food while Mike stands nearby. “I prefer to stand” he says. As we talk Mike faces the front of the shop, watching for the next customer.

Mike comes across as a thoughtful, modest man so when he tells me that his business is doing really well, I’m inclined to believe him. And after 30 minutes in the shop, I’m convinced. Our discussion has been interrupted by a steady flow of customers, many of whom greet Mike by name. One woman tells me that she first visited the shop to buy a hamster with her mother when she was 6 years old. Her own children are now regular visitors too.

Mike shows me a Redland Forage Stores invoice for the 1919 June/July account of ‘Messers Gillbey Co.’ the wine merchants. A long, hand written list, it includes everything a hard working draft horse could ever want: sacks of bran, chaff, oats and of course hay and straw. It’s thought that the Gilbey horses were stabled a few hundred yards away on Sutherland Place.

(continued overleaf)

40 Historic pet shop - continued When I ask Mike if things have changed a lot over the 40 years, he hesitates before answering.

“Well, my biggest seller has always been cat and dog food but back in the 1970s that meant raw meat with additives, like calcium, sold separately.

We were almost like butchers” he laughs. “Meat was delivered daily and I had to cut it up and trim it, ready for my customers.” Now a days the little shop is stacked with over 40 varieties of ‘complete’ dog and cat food; sacks of dried pellets with the additives included.

Forty years is a long time so I ask Mike about any memorable events. As he thinks back a smile lights up his face. “Well of course there was the man who came in asking if I could look after his pet alligator. He said it just needed to be kept in a warm bath. I told him to try the zoo”

There was an even stranger episode about 20 years ago when an African Great Parrot, named Echo, was stolen from the shop. Echo was a Polish speaking parrot, an unusual fact which propelled news of the theft into both OK Magazine and the News of the World. Bristol’s police force must have been inspired by all the media coverage because, says Mike “they collected up suspect parrots and then invited me down to Redland Police Station to check them out”. Echo was not amongst the line up of birds unfortunately, but was eventually returned to Mike by someone who had innocently bought the parrot, unaware of its recent history.

Mike is clearly looking forward to retirement.

With his wife, daughters, grand children and a keen interest in bowls he will still be busy.

However in the last few months he’s clearly been worried by the absence of a buyer to take over the

business; he badly wants to hand the reins over to someone who can continue to look after his customers. Happily, as we go to print with this article there is new hope. In the last week a buyer has emerged who wants to continue the business as a pet store. One thing is for sure, there will be a collective sigh of relief from Clifton’s pets and their owners when the deal is finally sealed.

Mike Taylor and one of his customers (Article kindly written and submitted

by Jacquetta Edmonds)

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42 The Downs Recorder The Downs was once famous for its Hawthorns.

Picture postcards were made of them, crowds flocked to visit the Downs when they were in flower in May, and even fifty years ago their scent was intoxicating. Today there are just a few still standing proudly on their own, but most have apparently vanished. Actually they are all still there, but they are now at the centre of clumps of vegetation, with Holly and Elder and young ash trees growing up around them. They are often almost totally clothed in Ivy, and often swathed by clematis, and Dog Rose, surrounded by brambles and protected by nettles. This process has been gathering pace steadily since sheep grazing ended in 1926, and the clumps are now a significant wildlife feature of the Downs, providing nesting sites for many bird species, and a lots of berries in winter. Children love the clumps, and play hide and seek around them or make dens inside them. Deep litter collection by the Friends of the Downs has revealed that some are drinking dens, and some may be used for anti‐ social activities. Every year the scrub expands, and clumps start to link arms, and the gang mowers have less and less grass to cut.

This is a natural process, and the time and money to check it no longer exists. But the Hawthorns at the centre of these clumps are ancient.

Hawthorns behave more like shrubs than trees ‐ when they get old they will produce new shoots from the base of their trunks, and become multi‐ trunked. Often the original trunk rots and dies, but the young trunks continue to grow.

Hawthorns naturally grow at about a quarter the rate of trees, and a single trunk that is a metre in circumference, which in a tree would be a mere forty years old, in a hawthorn would be 160 years old. There are Hawthorns with three, four and five stems the Downs with a circumference of three metres or more, which may be c. to 400 years old.

This is interesting because the Downs in the past were grazed by hundreds of sheep and cattle and horses for centuries, and that should have ensured that any tree seedlings that managed to grow would have been eaten at once. The great hawthorns that were photographed in 1900 must have originated at a time when temporarily there was no grazing pressure on the Downs, and the only occasion when that might have been the case was during the English Civil War 1642‐1649, when Bristol was twice besieged, and the Downs would have been a military encampment, as they were in the Second World War. This was a time of temporary economic collapse, and I believe that the oldest hawthorns were established then. They deserve to be cherished and preserved in the same way that we cherish the Llandoger Trow which is of the same date.

The Friends of the Downs have, with the agreement of the Downs Ranger, established a small “Adopt a Hawthorn” group, and we are working to remove Ivy and check Nettles. Anyone interested please contact me at richard.bland123@btinternet.com. And if you enjoy the Downs, why not become a Friend?

Membership is just £10. Contact Robin Haward at robinhaward@blueyonder.co.uk 0117 974 338.

Richard Bland

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49 Our facilities are available to EVERYONE Following the superb article in last months magazine about our opening, we have been inundated with enquiries. However a number of people have said that they thought that we only catered for elite athletes. We would like to make it clear that this is not the case. Although our team are all fully accredited Sports Physiotherapists, and Penny is an Interdisciplinary Sports Scientist, our facilities and expertise are available to everyone. It doesn't matter whether you are an Olympian, or whether your exercise levels extend to pressing the buttons on the TV remote, if you have a problem, we want to help you.

We offer

* Physiotherapy *

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* Swimming Analysis * * Pre and Post Natal Classes *

* Massage *

* Parent and Baby Classes * * Nordic Walking Classes *

* Pilates *

Our rates are highly competitive, and we are registered with all the major private health companies From April, Penny will be writing an article for the magazine, covering a different topic each month. We hope you look out for her articles and enjoy them. If you would like her to cover a particular topic, please send an email, and she will see what she can do.

The Penny Porter Physiotherapy Centre is at; 18A Dragons Well Road, Henbury, Bristol, BS10 7BU.

www.pennyporter.co.uk Email: info@pennyporter.co.uk Tel: 0117 3302448 or 07957 871605

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50 The Orpheus Prize Wordsearch Following on from the article last month the good people at the Orpheus Cinema in Henleaze have kindly agreed to sponsor the wordsearch puzzle.

With a classic film star theme, all you have to do is work out which of the following movie stars is missing from the wordsearch grid. All the names can be found running forwards, backwards, up, down and on diagonals ‐ except one. Let me know which name is missing and you’ll be in with a chance of winning a family ticket (two adults, two children) to a screening of your choice at the Orpheus. Entries need to be in by 2nd April, by one of the following methods ‐ post (8

Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY), telephone (0117 968 7787), email (andy@thebristolnine.co.uk), text (07845 986650) or tweet (@BS9Andy). Best of luck. Right, here are your movie stars.

Audrey Hepburn Grace Kelly

Tony Curtis Roger Moore

Marlon Brando Marilyn Monroe

Yul Brynner Brigitte Bardot

Sean Connery John Wayne

Sophia Loren Rita Hayworth

Richard Burton Omar Sharif

Greta Garbo Sidney Poitier

Gregory Peck Gary Cooper

Paul Newman Vivien Leigh

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53

Improving Standards if you now require Financial Advice?

January 2013 saw major changes in the financial services world as the impact of new rules resul ng from the FSA’ s Retail Distribu on Review took effect. There are many implica ons, all with the inten on of driving up standards in the industry.

Whether higher level of qualifica on for advisers, the removal of commission (for investment and pension contracts) or greater protec on for clients, the effect is far reaching and should be welcomed by clients and the industry alike.

Why is this welcomed by most of the industry?

Probably because many have been working with the principles of the Retail Distribu on Review for many years and those that are unable to, will move on to pastures new.

In the past, too many advisers have been ‘product pushers’; “what you need is one of these”. The client then collects all kinds of plans that are o en not reviewed, some mes become inappropriate or no longer offer good value. O en the real damage was where companies co oned on to a winning formula for them and then marketed products to all and sundry who happened to walk into a branch that month.

Then there was the issue of commission with comments like, “the good news is that we are paid

by XYZ company for arranging this, so you do not have to”. This may have been the case but it

ignored the fact charges on the plan were higher because of the existence of commission. It was never a free lunch and indirectly it was cos ng you. What’s more some of those products paid significant commission which led to product bias.

Why Product A was selected over Product B was always going to be tricky if ‘A’ paid twice as much commission as ‘B’!

So where are we now? The impact of RDR has meant that some banks, building socie es and advisers no longer provide individual advice. Some say they will only deal with clients with a minimum asset value o en running in to several hundred thousand pounds. Some advisers have re red and the Government have backed the Money Advice Service website to help those that have more basic requirements.

For some this approach will be the most cost effec ve op on. At Grosvenor Consultancy Ltd, our approach is very simple, detailing at outset our 3 levels of service and associated costs for financial planning. If a product is required, we use a uniform approach so there is no product bias.

We offer a no cost, no obliga on ini al mee ng which helps both par es iden fy if there are areas that need addressing and the most appropriate and cost effec ve way forward. Some mes simply poin ng someone in the right direc on is all that is required and we are happy to do this.

So if you are feeling a li le unloved and miss the days when you were an individual and not a name on a list, maybe now is the me to consider speaking to someone new. Maybe the following will help. www.unbiased.co.uk

Phil James Independent Financial Adviser

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59 Friends of Blaise After last month’s Gorge Walk our two tree gazing friends decide to try the Rhododendron Walk. They read that the route difficulty is described as “Hard”, using both surfaced paths and woodland trails, covering a mixture of terrains, including steep ascents. Approximately 3.5 miles long and estimated to take one and a quarter hours. They hope that there will be a bonus when they reach Rhododendron Walk and that the trees will be in bloom.

First they collect a leaflet from the Estate Office adjacent to the Café, walk past the play area toward Blaise House, turn right at the first junction to follow the path into the gorge and follow the initial part of their previous walk. This takes them past Stratford Mill, across Mill Bridge and continues on alongside the Hazel Brook. On arrival at Tarn Lake they are again impressed by the beauty of the area, where the cliff towers above the lake for 200 feet. The walk continues along the main path up a slight slope reaching the Beech Cathedral on the left.

This is a stand of Beech ascending the steep valley slope. Planted in the 18th Century, it is now past its’ best, but still an impressive section of the woods.

The next point of interest along the path is the Lily Pond, created during the mid‐nineteenth century and surrounded by exotic tree species.

The two walkers admire the magnificent Wellingtonia and Caucasian wingnut trees. They walk over an old stone bridge and are now entering the Coombe Dingle area of the Estate. It is here that they must leave the main drive. Near the brow of a small rise in the path they turn left down some steps leading to the Hazel Brook and cross a concrete sluice and small waterfall. Here they can see to their right where the Hazel Brook joins the river Trym at Waters Meet and then continues on its journey to join the River Avon, at Sea Mills Harbour.

They are now faced with the most difficult part of their walk. When they leave the bridge they see on their left, a long steep slope and a flight of steps flanked by a stone wall. This is Jacobs Ladder. The fields on their right are part of Cherry Orchards and frequently contain sheep and cattle managed by the Community. Cherry Orchards are a part of the Camphill Community specialising in mental health problems for men and women between the ages of 18 and 64. Toward the top of the hill they turn left into the woods and follow a winding path uphill. This will join another path which emerges from the right and leads to Potters Point. This area has to be approached with caution as the sheer sided cliffs are

60 dangerous. Potters Point offers fine views of the Gorge and across to Kingsweston. The two walkers decide not to do this, and continue uphill along the path keeping the wall of Henbury Golf Club to their right. After their steep climb they decide to sit on the wall and admire the view of the Beech Cathedral, which now stretches below them toward the Hazel Brook. They consult the leaflet and continue to walk alongside the wall and re enter the wood. The path now takes them past the rocky outcrops of Goram’s Chair. To venture out onto the outcrops is dangerous, but they provide fine views of the Castle and Lover’s Leap.

Our walkers decide to avoid the rocks and continue into Rhododendron Walk. Planted in 1830 the main variety is Rhododendron Ponticum.

Yes, the flowers are out, and it has been worth the climb and looks beautiful. The path now descends and the Rustic Lodge comes into view. This was

built around 1840. It is cross shaped, single storied, with attic, stone built and then covered with bark and roots and originally with a heavy thatched roof. It is sad that in recent years the roof has been set alight and vandalised on several occasions, so that the building currently has a metal roof. This small, rather lonely cottage was occupied for over 56 years by Mr Arthur Pearce and his wife Mary. One room up and one room down with the addition of a lean to as a kitchen.

Oil lighting, an old style range for cooking and heating and sanitation across the other side of the main drive. Our two walkers now turn left and follow the main drive through the gorge and back up to the Blaise House and the café. Tired, but pleased with their walk.

Friends of Blaise will welcome any enquiries about their activities and membership. Our e mail address is www.friendsofblaise.co.uk

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Footsteps for the Soul with Samantha Cross

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Are you even aware that that’s how you’ve been living your life?

One of the main things of living a life of joy and enlightenment is being aware of what feels right for you. Not what feels right for someone else or their circumstance, but what feels right for you.

Ask yourself this.....what do I want from my life? Why take the rough terrain and not the smooth wonderful path? Life will throw things in the way that we will have to deal with, however, when you are on a smooth path those rocks are simple to walk with.

So start manifes ng your smooth path and really get clear in what you want to achieve, see, hear, sense, feel and experience...come alive and really work with your true gi s in manifes ng what you want. Remember...how can your Universe provide you with want you want, if you’re not clear about what you want?

It’s me to stop bobbing and really create the life you want, you deserve it..

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64 Domestic Abuse The atmosphere was claustrophobic and tense. I was wishing it would come to an end and yet I was fascinated. It did, of course, come to an end because I was attending a scheduled performance of Our Glass House. It ended with the audience and actors discussing the issue of domestic abuse.

This unusual piece of theatre took place in an empty council house in Lawrence Weston. It had been lent to the Commonwealth Theatre group for one week for the purpose of raising awareness of a problem which affects women, children and men from every background.

The statistics are quite compelling:‐ ▪ 2 women a week are killed by partners / ex

partners in England and Wales; ▪ domestic abuse accounts for 25% of all

violent crime; ▪ 1 in 4 women experience domestic abuse

at some point in their lives; ▪ on average, a woman is assaulted 35 times

before she seeks help; ▪ on average, it takes a woman 7 attempts

to leave an abusive partner before she

does so successfully in Bristol it is recognised as one of the most significant issues affecting vulnerable children needing support

Domestic abuse puts a huge strain on a family; police, health and council budgets are put under pressure; it blights the lives of the victim and distorts their judgement of what is right and normal and it destroys their sense of worth. With

so much consequence for the individual and for society it can no longer be regarded as a ‘private matter’ but it is ‘everybody’s business’ to reduce its prevalence and effect.

The performances were attended by police officers, social workers, housing officers, school staff, residents and a small group of young people from a local school. The audience wandered from room to room around the house dropping in on the different scenarios. In the kitchen was a housewife anxious about getting everything ‘right’ ‐ whatever ‘right’ might be that day, in the dining room was a Asian woman, trapped both by her partner and her lack of language, in the lounge was a middle class woman physically harmed and mentally cowed by her husband, in the back bedroom was a young girl of 16 or 17 (this is an age group which has a growing problem with controlling behaviour by young men), in the front bedroom was a man in his 20s or 30s experiencing abuse from his partner and in the small bedroom was a boy of about 10. The boy kept mainly to his room but when he moved around the house he did so surreptitiously and with eyes cast down. There was no physical violence but the clever use of language and music built up the tension until there was a sudden eruption in one of the rooms.

The discussion afterwards helped with understanding and we discovered the many different forms that violent, manipulative and controlling behaviour can take within a relationship. The stereotype of domestic abuse is Andy Capp returning from the pub and giving Flo a black eye. This is only one aspect ‐ domestic abuse manifests itself in many ways and in all parts of society. As one of the school students said afterwards ‘I was surprised about the posh lady’.

(continued on page 65)

65 Domestic Abuse - continued Help is available. The Bristol Domestic Abuse Forum works to raise awareness and to signpost people needing help and support to the right service. They can be contacted via the web or on 0117 914 2232. There is a new web‐site called Bristol Against Violence and Abuse http://

www.bava.org.uk/

We could all help by checking that information about domestic abuse is easily visible in GP surgeries, libraries, church halls, cafes etc and contacting BDAF if not.

(Article kindly submitted by Clare Campion‐Smith, Councillor for Henleaze)

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MONDI ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR FOR ALL YOUR DOMESTIC ELECTRICS FROM TESTING SOCKETS AND LIGHTS TO COMPLETE REWIRING CALL FOR A NO OBLIGATION QUOTE

Based in Westbury-On-Trym.

Call Mondi on 07976160025 or 0117

9043555

66 Tips for an easier life "Spring is the time of plans and projects." (Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina)

The third month of the year is here already. Resolutions written and started?

Check. 'Frog eaten'? Check (if you missed the February edition and you think I'm into eating tailless amphibians, you can read about 'eating your frog' on my blog: www.louiseengland.co.uk/ blog).

So now it's time to start tackling the bigger tasks in the house. Spring cleaning is a well known and not particularly well loved activity at this time of year but does make a positive difference to the appearance and feel of your home.

So how about contacting your local carpet cleaner and asking for a quote? Or pick a room where the curtains are looking a little in need of freshening up and take them to the dry cleaners? Perhaps it's time your wool blankets are washed. Most decisions don't require extensive research ‐ so make your decision and make it happen. These are jobs that are practical and not impossible ‐ they simply require some dedication from you!

If you don't have time to make that call or wait in for the carpet cleaner to pop by to do the quote or wait in for him to do the job itself, why not give me a call? I also offer a pick up and return service for dry cleaning.

Another ideal job this month is to turn out your kitchen cupboards and give them a scrub. This will also give you the opportunity to check your stocks of pots and pans, containers and bowls, baking tins and trays and so on. You may well find a few tired, slightly rusty and older items that

you no longer use....and you may just find the strength to recycle them. And what about kitchen gadgets that you were sure would change your life but haven't? Let go, clear the space and the clean slate will make it feel that spring is really in your home.

Thinking a bit more about space ‐ do you have a collection of items that you've been meaning to ebay / sort out / give to your friends / take to charity for the last six months or more? Now is the time to just do it. This will not only clear some much needed space in your home / garage / shed but you will be able to walk around your home freely knowing that stuff that is no use to you anymore is out of your house.

Whatever task(s) you choose to tackle this month, I can guarantee that you will feel much better when it ‐ or even they ‐ are completed.

Louise England is a Lifestyle and Home Assistant and her service aims to free‐up your free time.

Her passion is to make a positive difference to people’s lives by helping them sort things out and complete jobs in their homes quickly and efficiently.

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

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68 Ask the Family Welcome to the page where you can share your dilemmas with our family to get their unique view on your situation.

Dear Family ‐ Our eight year old daughter is obsessed by vampires. She has heard about them from the films that her older cousins have watched and seen the adverts about them on buses etc.

Despite our best efforts she really believes that vampires are real and won’t go out in the dark without a lot of persuasion. She thinks that she could be bitten by a vampire and then turn into one.

Have you any ideas as to how can we move her on from this worry. I can’t stand talking about the pesky things –but don’t want to dismiss her fears.

Any suggestions?

Son: I think that the poor vampires have rather harshly got a bad reputation. I personally would love to be bitten by a Vampire so that I too can become one. (‘Surely not!’….Mum) Vampires can run very quickly and you would live for ever, what could be better than that! My sister also says that they tend to have lovely shiny hair – but I am not sure if that is relevant. Also when you become a vampire everything becomes better – your eyesight, you don’t age ‐ sell the positives to her, if she was lucky or unlucky enough being a vampire is really not so bad.

Daughter: I am glad that you are taking this so seriously, we children are sensitive souls. I had nightmares for years when one of the Teletubbies fell over in Teletubbie land. I was sure La La had snuffed it. Anyway brother you’ve forgotten to mention that you can only become bitten by a vampire when you are eighteen years old – so problem solved. She has nothing to fear for at least ten years, and by then surely scientists will have discovered a ‘anti vampire injection’. If not they should get working on it right now!

Dad: Aren’t we just a group of vampire experts! –I am a bit worried that you both seem to know so much – do I need to add we are not actually vampires ourselves? The only fact that I know about these creatures is that they apparently don’t mix well with sunshine and as spring and summer are around the corner – this should ward them off. Well, actually now I come to think of it – maybe not. Ever considered moving to Spain?

Mum: Can I just clarify…? VAMPIRES DON’T EXIST! If they did, surely we would have seen them in Tescos, or maybe in Coffee Number 1 in Westbury wouldn’t we? Or at least advertising in the Bristol Nine – otherwise what are they doing for a living? Get your daughter in a room with her older cousins who started all this off, ask them to explain the truth and don’t let them come out until they have reassured her!

Dog: I must say that if I were her I would be more concerned about Werewolves – but maybe this isn’t a helpful suggestion?

Dear Family ‐ Please help. I have a very dull problem but could do with your advice. I am the mother of three children with growing appetites and am running out of ideas of things to feed them – told you it was dull. It’s not that I don’t like cooking; it’s just that I lack inspiration. I find myself wandering around the supermarket and then thinking – I can’t be bothered with this and come home with enough food for about two meals.

Either that or we have spag bol and sausage and mash every week which they complain that they are fed up with. Have you any suggestions?

Dad: Simple, give them corned beef hash (watch out that it isn’t corned horse hash) every day for a week. Surely after this they will appreciate any food that you then serve up.

69 Ask the Family - continued Son: How can you get fed up with sausage and mash? I think that you can add interest to any meal by serving it up with different sauces. So when the children ask what is for tea, don’t worry about the main food content, focus on the accompaniment. ‘Ketchup served with…’ or ‘mayonnaise served with…’. If this fails, serve up the same old thing but make up different exotic names for it. In our house we have ‘Mishti Mashti’ which is basically leftovers, but doesn’t it sound a lot better! PS Can I come round for tea next time that sausages are on the menu.

Dog: Me too please. By the way, I have always found tinned dog food nutritious and delicious.

Surely this could be used to make a nice pie or as a basis for a casserole? That would certainly be providing them with a unique meal and may have

the added advantage of making their noses shiny.

Daughter: Give the kids a challenge to get themselves invited out for tea at a friends at least once a week otherwise they have to fend for themselves. Then you could just buy two meals at the supermarket, plus a ‘Mishti Mashti’ day – that’s nearly a week sorted, as I am assuming that you have fish and chips on a Friday as is the great British custom.

Mum: Ask your children for their top ten home cooked meals. Write them down so you can take them to the supermarket and base your menu around them plus a few other things (maybe from the BS9 recipe corner). I also like to be a bit nosey. When my children’s friends come round for tea, I ask them what they have for tea at home to give me some ideas. Even better would be to teach each child how to cook a meal and that could be their specialty. Good luck!

70 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 andy@thebristolnine.co.uk.

The deadline for listings in the April magazine is 18th March ‐ any received after that date will be held over until the May 2013 issue.

Listings are now separated into categories for ease of reference.

One‐Off Dated Events

Friday Night at the Cinema ‐ Citizens of Bristol at War ‐ rare colour footage of Bristol during 2WW ‐ to be shown at Westbury‐on‐Trym Methodist Church on Friday 22 March at 7 for 7.30pm ‐ tickets £7.50, to include refreshments, available from Just so Balloons, 158 Henleaze Road (9501511), Barbara (9685821) or Alison (9629715). All proceeds to go to Children's Hospice South West.

‘Calendar Girls’ This wonderfully moving and humorous play is being performed by Failand Drama Circle in the Failand Village Hall on March 13th – 16th at 7.30 pm.

Tickets £10 ( which includes 10% cancer charity donation and free programme) can be booked on 01275 393302 or 01275 219363. Don’t delay, tickets for this very popular show are sure to sell out quickly.

Following the success of last years Art Exhibition & Sale, Stoke Bishop Village Hall, Stoke Hill, will be holding this years event on 2 March 2013 from 10.30 am to 4pm. The aim is to promote the talent of local artists.

As before, there will be lots of affordable art in a variety of media ‐ paintings, drawings, ceramics, textiles & enamels. Admission free, refreshments available all day.

FFI Contact ‐ stokebishophallbookings@yahoo.co.uk

Veteran Tree Walk. A walk around Leigh Woods’ ancient woodland, discovering our magnificent veteran oak pollards and other wonderful old trees, with the National Trust’s ancient tree specialist Brian Muelaner.

Sunday 14th April, 10am till 12pm. Price: £4 per person, £2 for LMO supporters. Location: Leigh Woods, Bristol, BS8 3PZ. Meet at the North Road entrance to Leigh Woods. Booking is essential. Please book on line via our website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leigh‐woods or call our booking line on 08442 491 895.

R. N. L. I. Stoke Bishop branch are holding a Quiz Night on Friday 15th March at Stoke Bishop Village Hall. 7pm start. Tickets are £8.50 to include fish 'n' chip supper and first drink, and are available from Gay Huggins on 9685813.

Dawn Chorus Walk. Take in the early morning air and discover the sounds of spring, with local bird expert Ed Drewitt. You’ll have to be an early bird to take part though!. Sunday 14th April, at 6am ‐ 7.30am Price: £6.50 per person, £4 for LMO supporters Location: Leigh Woods, Bristol, BS8 3PZ. Meet at the North Road entrance to Leigh Woods.. Booking is essential.

Book online via our website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leigh‐woods or call our booking line on 0844 2491895

Social Clubs & Groups

The Henleaze Carers' Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday morning each month throughout the year in The Coffee Bar, Bradbury Hall, Waterford Road, Henleaze from 10 ‐ 12 noon. It is an informal support group, and offers friendship, information, and social events to anyone caring for a relative (old or young) or friend on a regular basis. For more details please get in touch with Monica Rudston on 0117 9426095.

Westbury‐on‐ Trym WI will be holding their next meeting on Monday 18th March at 2pm in W‐o‐T Methodist Church Hall. The speaker will be Frederick Parsons telling us about 'Working for Ugandan Women's Concerns'. All visitors are welcome. For more information please call Bristol 9243032

The Retired Professional Engineers' Club (Bristol) is a non‐profit making club intended to further the aims and interests of engineers by arranging regular events for retired professional engineers, whatever their background. Such events, principally talks, will have a

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What can hypnotherapy help with?

Difficul es sleeping Lack of confidence & self esteem Achieving your goals ▪ Public speaking anxiety Exam / interview nerves Anxiety, stress & tension levels Fears and phobias ▪ Weight management Unwanted pa erns of behaviour Nega ve thought pa erns ▪ Stopping smoking Pregnancy and childbirth and much more

Is a fear of flying stopping you booking your dream holiday?

Are you thinking about booking your summer holidays yet? With the weather s ll cold here many of us dream about ge ng away to the sunshine later in the year. For most of us this is something to look forward to, however for some the thought of ge ng away is but a distant dream.

I see many people who suffer from phobias, recent brain research tells us that about 1 in 10 people in the UK have some kind of All sessions are completely tailored according phobia at some stage in their lives one of the most common to your individual needs. being a fear of flying. If this fear is stopping you, or affec ng how and where you travel, hypnotherapy may be the answer you are looking for to help you overcome your phobia.

Holidays are also mes when we want to look our best and now may be the me to work towards the “beach ready body” you would really like, with the help of hypnotherapy you can take control of your ea ng habits to lose weight and keep in control of what you eat and when you eat it.

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.

FRE E rela inclu xa on CD ded

w ith y hyp not her our a p sess ions y

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

72 What’s On & Community Events

social aspect so as to encourage members and their partners to attend. Guests will be made most welcome, with a notional charge to cover the cost of tea and biscuits. We also hold Summer and Autumn lunches.

Unless notified otherwise talks start at 14.00 in St Peter's Church Hall, Henleaze, BS9 4LD, on the second Wednesday of the month. Our March talk will be by P Brian Lewis on ‘Clevedon's Maritime Past’ on March 13th, 2013. Further information on membership on our web‐site: www.rpec.co.uk or call Julian on 0117 968 2824.

Westbury‐on‐Trym Probus Club. The Association of Retired Professional and Business Men aims to provide a meeting point for retired and semi‐retired professional and business men, to promote social well being through friendship, companionship and discussion. The club meets on the third Thursday of every month at BAWA, Southmead Road, from 12 midday. A three course luncheon at 12.30 p.m. is followed by a talk followed by any questions. The meeting finishes about 2.45 p.m. A programme of interesting and varied talks has been arranged for the coming year. Ladies are invited to the Christmas and midsummer lunches. Visits and outings are arranged from time to time, such as conducted tours of places of interest, gardens, canal cruises, mid‐week lunches, etc., to which wives and friends are also invited.

If you are interested in joining then please contact the secretary by either telephone 0117 9684270 or by email: graham.horne5@btinternet.com

Henleaze Townswomen’s Guild meet on the first Wednesday of the month at 7.15pm at St Peter’s Church Hall, The Drive, Henleaze. At our next meeting on 6th February we welcome Lucy Saunders from the British Heart Foundation. Lady visitors are always most welcome to these, and all meetings. Further details can be obtained by ringing Gretta McDade on 0117 9500606.

Westbury‐on‐Trym Townswomen's Guild meets at 2.15pm at Westbury Village Hall, 1 Eastfield Road (next to the Mouse pub), Westbury‐on‐Trym on the second Monday in each month. We have speakers, whist, table

tennis, discussion and social events. New members and visitors welcome. Please contact Anne Trathen, Chairman, on 962 4256 or Margaret Smith, Secretary on 924 1728.

Civil Service Retirement Fellowship. The Westbury‐on ‐Trym group welcomes all retired Civil Servants and their spouses to their meetings held on the first Thursday of the month at Studland Court, Henleaze Road at 2.00pm. Those people without a civil service background are welcome to join our group as Friends of the Fellowship. For more info phone Beryl Webb on 01454 614451.

The Bristol Branch of the Association of Wrens meet on the first Friday of every month at Studland Court, Henleaze Road, at 2pm. The Association is open to all serving members of the Royal Navy, as well as retired and ex‐members of the Women’s Royal Naval Service, the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Navy Nursing Service, the Royal Naval Reserve, the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and the Voluntary Aid Detachment. Age is no barrier and all Service personnel are welcome.

The Royal Naval Association meets on the 3rd Monday of the month at 8pm for a social evening for retired and serving members of the forces. New members are always welcome to come along to the evening which is held at the Royal Air Force Association club on Eastfield.

For more details please contact 9681769.

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.

Westbury Friendly Club. This is a social club for senior citizens and meets every Thursday afternoon from 2 to 4 pm at the Westbury on Trym Methodist Church Hall, Westbury Hill. Activities include outings, talks, concerts as well as the normal activities of cards, scrabble, conversation and tea. For more details please contact Trevor Green on 9629862.

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Music, Concerts & Choirs

Bristol Concert Wind Band is holding their Spring concert at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday April 27th at Trinity‐ Henleaze United Reformed Church BS9 4BT. We can promise you an evening of varied and exciting music, most of it written specifically for wind band. Pieces include East Coast Pictures, a suite by Nigel Hess, Illyrian Dances by Guy Woolfenden, Stravinsky's Firebird and O Waly Waly by Jay Bocook . Tickets are £8 and are available on the door, from tickets@bristolconcertwindband.co.uk. or by telephone on 01179503104. Information about BCWB and our learner bands can be found at www.bristolconcertwindband.co.uk.

Redland Wind Band Spring Concert at Red Maids School, Westbury Road, Westbury‐on‐Trym,BS9 3AN. Tickets £7 on the door or email redlandwindband@googlemail.com.. Under 16s free..

Sat 20 April 7.30pm The Spring Concert this year takes place in a new venue and will again present the band’s diverse repertoire performed by this popular local ensemble. The programme will include swing, film and dance music as well as the classics. For more info visit www.redlandwindband.co.uk

Sat. March 9th Organ Elevenses at WoT Parish Church.

A welcome return from organist Oliver Condy FRCO, who among other things, is editor of the BBC Music Magazine. Coffee and cakes from 10‐30 am, short recital at 11. Suggested donation to the Church Music Fund minimum £5. Children free. Next month Nigel Davies will be our guest on April 13th.

Organist Wanted. The Methodist Church in Westbury on Trym is eager to hear from any organists in the area who would be interested in playing for a 10.30am service once or twice a month. Please contact Marian Spivey on 962 6084 or email marianspivey@btinternet.com.

The Mosaic Singers are a small, friendly four‐part local choir who meet to rehearse on a Tuesday evening from

7.30 to 9.30 in Stoke Bishop. We aim to sing a fairly wide range of pieces of music, leaning towards the lighter end rather than the heavier choral works ‐ we sometimes summarise our repertoire as “from Faure to the Beatles”. We are happy to perform in support of local good causes and charities and do not make a charge for our services. Like many small choirs we are always on the lookout for additional members and currently we would like to find one or two more altos and another tenor and bass. If what we are doing appeals to you and you feel you might like to be a part please ring David Richards on 0117 968 2741 who will happily give you further information.

Bristol Cabot Choir are joining with the Brunel Sinfonia and a number of other choirs to perform Mahler's 8th Symphony, also known as the Symphony of a Thousand because it requires so many musicians!! The concert will be at 7.30pm on Sunday 24th March at the Colston Hall and tickets can be bought from the Colston Hall website, and the box office on 0117 922 3686. This massive work isn't performed very often due to the number of singers and soloists needed, so it really is a rarity. For more details visit www.mahler8.com.

Bristol Gilbert & Sullivan Operatic Society present HMS Pinafore ‐ on 16th‐20th April at the Redgrave Theatre, Percival Rd, Clifton. Tickets £14 Full Price, £11 Concessions available from boxoffice@bristolgsos.co.uk Tel 01179079122 or go online at www.bristolgsos.co.uk.

Bristol Chamber Choir present The Music of Dietrich Buxtehude ‐ featuring two of his sacred works, Missa Brevis and Membra Jesu Nostri. Sunday 17th March 2013 at 3 pm in St Stephen’s Church, Bristol (at the bottom of Corn Street). Price £8. Tickets from:‐ Providence Music at 1 St George’s Road, the Choir Secretary on 0782 807 2876, or at the door. Further Details from: Jack Colley on 07860‐364510.or www.bristolchamberchoir.org.uk

Bristol Bach Choir will be performing Bach’s B Minor Mass with the accomplished period ensemble Canzona and a superb collection of vocal soloists who all perform frequently with illustrious ensembles such as The Sixteen, Polyphony and the Monteverdi Choir. The concert forms part of St George’s Bristol Baroque Festival of Music and takes place at St George’s, Bristol

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on Saturday 16 March 2013 at 7.00pm. Tickets cost between £10‐£25 and are available from www.bristolbach.org.uk or on 0117 214 0721.

Henbury Singers is a friendly non‐auditioned choir which meets on Thursday evenings at 7.30p.m. in term time at Stoke Bishop Primary School and gives public performances several times a year. New members are always most welcome. Do come along or phone Malcolm Keppie on 973 6095 for more details.

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.

Viva Italia! Bristol Choral Society performs grand works by two Italian masters on Saturday 23 March at Colston Hall: Verdi's Four Sacred Pieces and Rossini's Stabat Mater, with the English Symphony Orchestra and an outstanding quartet of soloists ‐ Camilla Roberts (soprano), Clare Presland (mezzo‐soprano), Adrian Dwyer (tenor) & David Soar (bass) ‐ all conducted by Adrian Partington. Tickets and more information from www.bristolchoral.co.uk or Colston Hall (0117 922 3686)

Stoke Bishop Ladies Choir are holding their Spring Concert on Monday 25th March at 2.30pm at Stoke Bishop Village Hall. The concert is free and includes tea, but a donation to the chosen local charity is requested.

St Peters Church Choir, The Drive, Henleaze. We are always on the look out for new members and would welcome any new voices soprano, alto, tenor or bass. All are welcome. Please contact Reg Parker ‐ Organist and Choirmaster on 962 1230.

Saturday March 23 at Colston Hall: Bristol Choral Society with the English Symphony Orchestra and a

quartet of fine soloists performing two wonderfully dramatic Italian works ‐ Rossini's Stabat Mater and Verdi's Four Sacred Pieces. Concert tickets (£10‐£23, u25s £5) from Colston Hall (0117 922 3686) or see www.bristolchoral.co.uk for more details / booking.

Henleaze Ladies Choir. meets every Thursday afternoon from 1.45‐3.45pm in St Peter’s Church Hall, The Drive, Henleaze. We are a friendly group who sing a varied programme of songs and enjoy each other's company. Why not come along and try a couple of rehearsals and see if you like us? Being able to read music is not absolutely essential as we learn the songs very thoroughly.

Just Sing Out! Join our A Cappella Workshop. Women who enjoy singing, or think they would like to try, are invited to join two workshops being run by Avon Harmony, a long established Bristol ladies a cappella chorus. The workshops, which are to be held in Clifton on 9th March and 6th April, will be led by Avon Harmony’s Musical Director, Alex de Bruin, and members of the chorus. Each workshop will introduce a complete song to learn in four part harmony, as well as several shorter pieces. and will also include voice improvement exercises, and visual presentation techniques. The day long events will each culminate in a short concert, so that participants can show off their newly acquired singing skills to families and friends, in company with the rest of the Avon Harmony Chorus.

More information can be found on the chorus website at www.avonharmony.co.uk or by telephoning Michelle on 07766 105562

Horticulture & Gardens

The last Working Party at the Old Sneed Park Nature Reserve this winter will be on Saturday, 9th March and you would be warmly welcomed. We meet at the Reserve off Glenavon Park at 10am for two hours with a break for coffee and biscuits at 11am. Please bring secateurs and strong gloves if you have them. There is also advanced notice of a Bird Walk led by Roger White on Saturday, 4th May at 9am on the Reserve. Don't forget our website at www.spnaturereserve.com .

Stoke Lodge Gardening Club winter/spring

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78 What’s On & Community Events

programme. April 5th Chris Cudlip, Colour in the garden; May 3rd Diana Redfern, Organic gardening for wildlife. Meetings are held at the University Sports Complex, Coombe Dingle, 7.00pm. Non‐members £3.00 per meeting. For annual membership (8 meetings) contact David Etherington tel. 0117 9681777 or email dave@etherington.com.

Sea Mills Garden Club have regular monthly meetings, every 3rd Wednesday, held at Sea Mills Methodist Rooms, Sea Mills Square at 7.30 pm. Our programme for spring is:‐ 20 March, Brian Bailey ‐ The River Severn from Source to Sea; 17 April, Arthur Southern ‐ Butterflies of Europe; and 15 May, talk & demonstration of Forever Living Products followed by the Annual Bring & Buy Plant Sale. Visitors always welcome at £2 per meeting or annual membership is just £10. FFI contact Gail Mitchell 0117 9685350 or Esme James 0117 9682571

University of Bristol Botanic Garden forthcoming events. Thursday 21 March 8.00pm Alan Power, Head Gardener at the renowned 18th century landscape garden and Palladian house at Stourhead, Wiltshire.

Lecture Venue: Room B75, School of Biological Sciences, Woodland Road, BS8 1UG. (AGM 7.00pm).

Admission: Free to Friends (on production of membership card.) Visitors will be asked for a £5 donation. No booking required. Friday 29 March ‐ 1 April 10am‐5pm “Sculpture in the Garden”. Magical driftwood horses with flowing manes, towering Islamic stainless steel sculptures, shimmering silver birds and ceramic water bowls inspired by water lilies in Thailand are just a few of the delights to be seen at the Botanic Garden this Easter. Designs have been created in wood, stone, metalwork, ceramics, steel and stained glass.

Further information: 0117 331 4906. www.bristol.ac.uk/ botanic‐garden

The Bristol Group of the Alpine Garden Society meet once a month in the Methodist Church Hall on Westbury Hill at 7.30pm for talks, plant sales, social occasions and refreshments. Our next meeting is on March 15th when

Duncan Coombs will be looking at Tibet. A friendly society where new members are welcome ‐ annual subscription or £2 for visitors. For more details please ring Marion Monahan on 0117 950 3422 or email marionmonahan@myguide.net.

Henleaze & District Flower Club meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at Bradbury Hall, 1Waterford Road in Henleaze. Flower demonstrations are held on the second Thursday and practice classes on the fourth Thursday. New members are always welcome ‐ just come along and join in.

Westbury on Trym Allotments & Gardens Association welcomes any new members ‐ just visit the trading hut on Saturdays and Sundays from 10.00am to 11.00am (opposite Somerfield / Texaco on Falcondale Road).

Health, Fitness & Exercise

Moves Fitness – exercise to music for all ages and fitness levels at St Peter’s Church Hall, Henleaze from 10am till 11am every Wednesday. Moves Fitness offers an approach to fitness that is fun and effective in a friendly welcoming class. Typical response from someone new to the class “Great fun, great results and a great atmosphere.“ Come and give it a try – £4 per session, you don’t need to be fit , or young, to start. Just turn up or Phone Jane on 0117 681042 for more info.

Eurythmy group for adults at the Helios Medical Centre, 17 Stoke Hill, BS9 1JN. Thursday mornings from 11am to 11.45, £8.75 per session. Drop in class, newcomers welcome, no prior experience necessary. Eurythmy is a gentle and harmonising form of movement inaugurated

by Rudolf Steiner in 1912. Enjoy the balancing and grounding effects of Eurythmy to take you out of the stresses and demands of our modern lives. Get back in touch with yourself and with what is really important to you. For more information please contact Eurythmy Therapist Rebecca Paten on 0117 9733584 or telephone 0117 962 6060.

New Tai Chi for Health class starts Monday 4th February, 9.30 ‐ 10.30am at Westbury on Trym Village Hall. Tai Chi is well known for its gracefully flowing movements. It incorporates the use of qigong (energy

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exercises) which are very gentle but extremely powerful in action. They are simple to learn and most people will immediately see improvements in posture, stress reduction, coordination and overall health. It is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. This is a beginners class and all will be most welcome. Your first session will be free so just come along and give it a try. For further information contact Sue or just drop in. Sessions £5. For more details contact sue.horne29@gmail.com, 07929 030209 or visit www.sueqi.co.uk

Yoga in Stoke Bishop Village Hall. Wednesdays 2 ‐ 3.15 pm General Yoga , 5 ‐ 5.45 pm Teens Yoga (ring first), 6 ‐ 7 pm Beginners Yoga stretch/relax, and 7.30 ‐ 8.45 pm General Yoga. For further details on the above please contact: Sara‐Jo on 07789 552 052 or visit www.yogawithsara‐jo.com

Henleaze Tennis Club has vacancies for players of all standards and ages. Whether you are an established player looking for a club, someone who is rusty or a student come along and try us out. For further information take a look at our web site www.henleazeltc.com and contact the secretary Pat Thomson 0117 950 5862.

Pilates Classes in Henleaze and Westbury on Trym.

Classes held at:‐ Henleaze URC, Monday 9.30‐ 10.30 & 10.30‐ 11.30 am (Beginners New January classes); Keith James Physios, Coldharbour Rd, Monday 7.30pm (Pre Natal Pilates ); Henleaze United Reformed Church, Tuesday 6.15 pm (Beginners) and Wednesday 6.15 pm (Intermediate); Westbury on Trym Methodist Church, Tuesday 9.30 am & 10.30 am (Intermediate/ Beginners).

Bookings: Zoe Rayne BCPA 07747696938, email zoerayne@adaltapilates.co.uk or visit www.adaltapilates.co.uk.

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.

Keep Fit for Ladies class every Thursday between 9:45 am and 10:45am at St. Peter's Church Hall, Henleaze.

An enjoyable class of mixed ages and abilities with an introduction to the use of balls, scarves, ribbons and clubs. To enjoy movement to music is a pleasure, particularly from a well established pianist. Coffee is available to finish the class. New members always welcome ‐ just turn up at the class or for more info contact Margaret Clarke on Bristol 9501967.

Stoke Lodge Ramblers is a friendly walking club. It provides a varied range of walks that will suit all levels of walking ability. Walks are scheduled for the first and third Thursdays and Sundays of every month. Those on Thursdays are either medium walks of 5 ‐ 7 miles or short walks of 4 miles. Sunday walks are approximately 8 ‐ 11 miles. A number of social events are held throughout the year. New members are always welcome. For further details please visit our website www.stokelodgeramblers.wordpress.com or ring our Secretary on 0117 968 4140.

Zumba and Zumba Gold classes every Weds 5 ‐ 6pm and 6.30 – 7.30pm in WOT Village Hall. Appropriate for men and women of most ages and fitness levels. No dance experience or partner required ‐ just a love of music, movement and fun! £5 or £20 for 5 sessions. Cash on door. Booking strongly advised due to limited capacity ‐ visit www.bristoldancezumba.co.uk for more details.

New Zumba Gold (seniors) class has just started on weekly Mondays in Bradbury Hall ‐ Trinity Reform URC in Henleaze and only £4.50 each. The class is from 4 ‐ 4.50pm and should be very popular for local residents looking to keep fit and healthy with a fun yet lighter pace Zumba class. For more details please contact Sam Ellis on 07766 101790, www.dancebristol.co.uk

Redland Green Bowling Club invites both novices and players to come and play at Redland Green where tuition is available with qualified coaches. FFI please ring Jean or Gerry Wickham on 9624466.

Interested in badminton? Come along to our

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82 What’s On & Community Events badminton club at the Greenaway Centre, Westbury on Trym, on Monday evenings from 7pm to 8.30pm.

Reasonable standard of play is required. Please telephone Marilyn on 968 7819 for more details.

Westbury Harriers Running Club meet for a run every Monday and Thursday at 7pm, Coombe Dingle Sports Centre in Stoke Bishop. We are a thriving club consisting of nearly 300 members aged 7 ‐ 70. Training runs cater for all abilities from beginners to advanced. The club has many members who just run for pleasure, but there is also a thriving competitive structure for those who are so inclined! For more information, just turn up on a club night or contact John on professorterry@gmail.com.

Gentle Exercise. We are a small class that meets for an hour on Monday mornings and gently exercise the body, from sitting or standing, to improve posture, balance and flexibility. Everyone, any level of ability, is welcome.

Ring 0117 903 8844 or log on to www.bristol.gov.uk/ adultlearning to book your place. Ring Nen on 0117 9556657 for further info.

Pre‐School Activities

Dinosaur Egg and Spoon! Shark Tennis! Bucket Shapes! Do you have a pre‐school child who would like to have some fun and do something different? Little Sports is a brand new class for 2‐5 year olds, starting in Henleaze! 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.

Westbury‐on‐Trym Toddler Group. New members welcomed to join a fun and lively group Wednesdays in term time 9.30‐11.30am at Westbury Methodist Church Hall. Run by group members we have a baby area, crafts, toys and new ride‐ons. For mums and carers, a termly night out! So if you want to come and make some new friends, please book a taster session or for more info www.westburytoddlergroup.co.uk or email westburytoddlers@gmail.com.

Pat‐a‐Cake Toddlers:‐ We are a small friendly parent/ carer and toddler group for babies to preschool aged children. We meet on a Tuesday 1.15 ‐ 2.45 at Westbury Methodist Church Hall. We have a baby corner, crafts and lots of toys to play with. £1.00 per family per week, each session finishes with a lively singsong. For more information contact Caroline on 968 4894

Mums and Tots. Henleaze URC Leonard Hall, Waterford Road, Henleaze. We are a small friendly group who meet every Wednesday afternoon (during term time) 1.30 pm ‐ 3.30 pm. Grannies and nannies welcomed as well. £1.50 per week to include a cup of tea and biscuits. Do come and join us.

Voluntary

More Reading Buddies Wanted! Would you enjoy offering reading and language support to children for whom English is a second language? Can you help them improve their reading ability, benefiting both them as individuals and the wider class? Can you commit to giving one hour of reading time a week in termtime? We are working with ten schools in the Southmead, Horfield and Brentry 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.

Volunteer Drivers wanted for the transport of elderly patients to a doctor or nurse once or twice a week at the WoT Primary Care Centre. We operate under the wings of the nationwide Charity RSVP who provide us with liability insurance for these drives and with other practical help. And of course we work closely with the Staff of the Westbury Practice. Please contact Zina Wilson on 0117 907 8744 or bernzina@blueyonder.co.uk

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84 What’s On & Community Events for more info or ask Reception or your doctor on 962 3406.

Volunteers Wanted. Could you help young children with their reading? Do you have a little time to spare each week? Volunteers are required in almost all Bristol's Primary schools usually for half a day a week during term‐time. Some training will be provided. If you are interested in this worthwhile and rewarding activity please contact Vanessa Kitchen of Community Service Volunteers.

Tel: (0117) 9096858 or vckitchen1949@gmail.com.

Do you love weddings? Westbury‐on‐Trym Village Hall is looking for volunteer wedding helpers for our busy 2013/2014 schedule of wedding receptions. If you are interested, please contact Gill Wilmott on 0117 914 4745

Miscellaneous

Stoke Bishop & Sneyd Park Local History Group are keen to welcome new members and visitors (£2 per meeting) to their programme of meetings. Our next meeting is at Stoke Bishop Village Hall at 7.30pm on Friday 19th April when Mike Rowlands will be presenting “Lipstick on a Gorilla”, a look at monuments and statues in Bristol. For more details please contact Jenny Weeks on 968 6010.

The next meeting of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society will be on Monday 25th March at 7.45 pm in The Apostle Room, Clifton Cathedral, Pembroke Road, BS8. 'Radicalism, revolution and reform 1760‐1820, views from the English West' This lecture will be given by Dr. Richard Sheldon, Lecturer in social and economic history at the University of Bristol.

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.

Stoke Bishop & Sneyd Park Local History Group meet regularly in Stoke Bishop Village Hall. New members and visitors are always welcome, and there is a charge of just £2 per meeting for visitors. For more details please call Diana Bourne on 968 6575.

GAPS (Gut and Psychology / Physiology Syndrome) Support Group Bristol meet to learn more about how to improve our gastrointestinal health and restore it back to optimal function and to assist us in coping with many of today’s disorders relating to digestion. Our next meeting is entitled “GAPS Practical Issues” with speaker Dr Jens Rohrbeck, on Thursday 21st March, 6.45pm, at the Helios Medical Centre, 17 Stoke Hill, Stoke Bishop, BS9 1JN. £3 Entrance Fee and spaces are limited so please book a place. Contact: gapsbristol@gmail.com, tel: 07584 719348, or visit www.dr‐rohrbeck.com, for more details

Stand and Deliver Drama School are proud to announce the launch of the Stand and Deliver Theatre Company for 16 to 25 year olds. We look at all aspects of the Industry including television acting and presenting, acting for film and acting for theatre. All students are taught by professionals who work in the industry. Our sessions will be held on Monday evenings at Westbury on Trym Village Hall. If you would like to more information please contact School Director, Julia Mulligan LLAM (dip) on 07771 634060 / www. standanddeliverdramaschools.co.uk.

Now on sale ‐ the great “East meets West” cookbook from the team at the Holy Trinity Church, WoT. £6.50.

Available from The Parish Office Tel: 950 8644 (9.30am ‐12.30pm), and also from Stoke Lane Cards and Gifts, Charlecombe Court, Stoke Lane and Westbury Veg, Carlton Court, Canford Lane, or contact 9502800 for a copy. Payment can be made by cash or a cheque made out to Holy Trinity PCC with the words ‘Cook Book’ on the back to help with processing the money.

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 –

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Picture this: artist sells work for charity One of the UK’s most acclaimed portrait artists is selling hundreds of pieces of work to help secure the future of the studios he founded in 1996. David Cobley is raising money for Bath Artists’ Studios, a charity which provides space to 60 artists in the city of Bath, as well as an art school and gallery. He is selling more than 500 of the paintings and drawings he has created over the last 40 years, and although the sale won’t include his portrait of Ken Dodd on permanent exhibition in London’s National Portrait Gallery, or the 2001 commissioned painting of HRH the Princess Royal, it will include studies for these pictures. The sale takes place at the Studios in Comfortable Place in Bath on June 21st, 22nd and 23rd, although pictures can also be bought from David’s website. Visit www.davidcobley.com for more info.

Bath Artists’ Studios The Old Malthouse Comfortable Place Bath BA1 3AJ

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86 What’s On & Community Events

in good time for your evening cocoa! For more details ring Ralph Smith on 01275 840006.

The Bristol Grandparents' Support Group. If you are a grandparent who is going through the trauma of not being able to have contact with your grandchildren, due to family breakdown, a Bristol support group has been set up. We meet every two months at 9, Park Grove, Westbury Park, Bristol, BS6 7XB. FFI please visit www.bristolgrandparentssupportgroup.co.uk, contact Jane Jackson tel. 0117 9246496, mobile 07773 258270, or email jackson.jane@me.com.

Do you need to borrow a PA System? Martyn at North Bristol PA Hire has kindly offered his services, and those of a whole bunch of public address and lighting gear, for any community or charitable event being held here in BS9. Martyn is happy to be contacted to discuss if he can be of help at any appropriate events e.g. fetes, fun days, musical productions or whatever. He can provide music, commentary or just turn up with a PA (and lighting if needed). If you are interested please ring Martyn on 07977 512436 or 0117 987 0534 or check out his website www.northbristolpahire.co.uk.

WoT’s Local Produce Market is held every fourth Saturday of the month (next on 23rd March) from 9am to 1pm in the Car Park of the Westbury on Trym surgery on Westbury Hill. The market features a great range of produce from local businesses including yummy home‐ made cakes, meats, sausages, bacon, free range eggs, fresh fruit and veg and a variety of interesting breads.

Ray Bridge Club meet on Tuesday 6.30pm to 9pm at the Sea Mills Methodist Church, Shirehampton Road (new venue) for social rubber bridge. New members always welcome. Please ring 942 7760 or 968 2652 for further details.

Country Market. Every Friday morning from 10.30 to 11.30 in Westbury on Trym Methodist Church Hall.

Homemade cakes, arts, crafts, plants, vegetables, jams and chutneys. Refreshments are also available in a

relaxed and friendly environment. For more details contact Sue Sills on 9628306.

West of England Bridge Club meets for duplicate bridge on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at The Golden Hill Sports Club, Wimbledon Road from 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.

Social Bridge, Tuesdays at 7.30 p.m. at Stoke Bishop Village Hall. New members welcome. Tel Chris on 968 5640.

Bristol Film and Video Society exists to bring together those interested in recording and editing video. Do come along to one of our meetings. Held on the first and third Tuesday of each month, meetings are held at the Filton Pavilion, Elm Park, and start at 7:30pm. Have a look at our website for more details: www.bristolvideo.org.uk.

Westbury Art Club meet on Thursday evenings between 7 and 9pm at The Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Southmead. We are a mixed ability group of artists For more details check out www.westburyartclub.org.uk, e‐mail us at westburyart@blueyonder.co.uk or phone our club secretary on Bristol 962 9799.

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.

Interested in Plastic Modelling? 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 .

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88 What’s On & Community Events

Bristol & Clifton Dickens’ Society will meet at Westmoreland Hall, Redland, on Thursday 14th March at 7.30pm where Liz Croucher will be presenting “Danger ‐ Women at Work”. For more details please contact Eveline Fitt on 0755 2939392 or email eve.fitt@btinternet.com.

Quiz Answers from page 24 ‐ 1. Margaret Mitchell; 2.

Spanish sheep's‐milk cheese; 3. 220 yards; 4. 650; 5.

Montevideo; 6. Sir David Attenborough in 1985, (Charlton 1994, Sugar 2000); 7. Harry Belafonte; 8.

Humber; 9. Ceanothus; 10. Speedway; 11.

Nottinghamshire; 12. Borzoi; 13. Julia Gillard; 14.

Phosphorus; 15. Aconcagua in Argentina; 16. a joey; 17. Bassey and Andrews both in 2000, Mirren in 2003; 18. Manchester, 1819; 19. Bjork; 20. He couldn’t buy any cheese at all despite requesting 43 different types; 21. Victoria Line; 22. Sir David Steel; 23. Czech Republic and Dominican Republic; 24. Nikita Khrushchev

Puzzle Walk answers from page 17. Q1. £440; Q2. it was bombed; Q3. eleven; 4. old water pump; Q5.

Fuidges Vault (plaque dated 1823); Q6. The Ancient Society of St Stephen’s Ringers; Q7. Royal Exchange Assurance; Q8. Corinne Marin; Q9. Dursley; Q10. “You can do as you will, but not will as you will”; Q11. 1837; Q12. 7.04 and 11.37; Q13. a sundial; Q14. a stag; Q15. golden unicorns; Q16. The Abbey Church of St Augustine; Q17. Sustrans; Q18. Abraham Darby; Q19.

1723.

The Bristol Nine ‐ The views expressed by contributors or advertisers in The Bristol Nine are not necessarily those held

by The Editor. The inclusion of any business or organisation in this magazine does not imply a recommendation of it, its aims or its methods. The Bristol Nine 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 The Bristol Nine and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of the Editor of The Bristol Nine magazine.

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Blast that belly fat!

So you want to get rid of that spare tyre? There are a number of things you can do about it.

Firstly, exercise! But you knew I was going to say that though, didn’t you? Not just any exercise though, working at moderate to high intensity will do far more for blasting the bulge. Good news is that if you’re not used to exercise it’ll take less effort for you to get your heart rate up.

Second tip, reduce stress! Surprise, exercise helps with this as well! Reducing Cortisol levels in the body is key to sorting out belly fat as this hormone increases storage of fat around your middle. Yoga, meditation and getting out and having fun with friends work wonders, but watch alcohol and caffeine intake or avoid them altogether as these raise Cortisol levels.

Third tip, make it whole grain! The fibre and other nutrients will not only keep things moving, if you know what I mean.

But they also help you to feel full by releasing a hormone glucagon-like peptide.

It also helps make your body more sensitive to insulin, that hormone that regulates your blood sugar.

(Regulating blood sugar is far more successful than willpower!)

Fourth tip, eat!

Skipping meals is bad for blood sugar and Cortisol levels.

It also reduces your

metabolic rate. Don’t do it! Aim to eat every two to three hours and just enough to keep you going until the next meal. If you don’t feel hungry two or three hours later, well you’ve eaten too much!

Fifth tip, reduce or eliminate saturated fat from your diet BUT replace them with unsaturated fats such as those in nuts, seeds, olives, avocado and fish. The body needs fat to function and did you know that the Mediterranean diet receives 30 to 40 % of its calories from fat? Heart healthy stuff!

Whatever you choose to do, be it change your diet, exercise or a combination of the two, do it consistently. Shrug off those excuses and remember your weight and fitness level is only a symptom of your lifestyle. Making it your goal to feel good can also help to keep you on track.

Yours in fun and fitness, Joline Dunn

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