The Bristol Six Magazine - December 2017

BS6

The Bristol Six Magazine - Issue no. 37 Dec 2017

9,000 copies delivered free each month across Redland, Cotham, Kingsdown and Westbury Park

Between the covers this month - Quiz Time (p8), Being Brunel (p14), thatching (p18), gifts for youngsters (p29), the return of vinyl (p37), Prize Wordsearch (p45), toilet twinning (p61) and the usual stuff

Sarah Partridge

Sarah Partridge Tel: 07939 961 707

Email: Sarahsdecserv@gmail.com SARAH’S DECORATING SERVICES

The Editor's Small Piece

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Hello there, thanks for reading, I hope this finds you well.

A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate enough to see Midge Ure, he of Ultravox fame, in concert in Nottingham, the city where I spent my student years back in the 80's. It was meant to be a nostalgia trip for me, visiting old haunts, tracking down old addresses and rekindling old memories. It turned into something different.

Midge was talking about his musical career, saying that while he still loved to perform his back catalogue it was a new project he was working on was more important to him. As he said, what matters to him now is "what's left, not what's been" - even though the latter outnumbers the former by maybe two to one. Quite by chance, reacquainting myself with the city I loved growing up in had got me thinking along similar lines as Mr Ure. I went to the old places, drove down roads I used to walk, visited places of student mis-behaviour. The city had changed. My old digs had been gentrified, the polytechnic buildings had been knocked down and rebuilt, the students in the union weren't born until a decade after Ieft the city. Nottingham had moved on - and in a funny way it was telling me to do so as well.

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With all the rubbish going on in the world I find it too easy to reminisce, thinking the past was better, and look the future with a large helping of pessimism (my default setting). Midge Ure told me he was excited for the future, whatever and however much of it there was going to be for him. I came away knowing I need to do the same.

I need to tell myself to look back with fondness, not yearning - after all, the past wasn't better, it was just different - and look forward with optimism and purpose. Crack on and create great new memories to go alongside great old ones.

This should be my mantra for 2018 and beyond.

Please remind me if ever you find me down.

And on that note I wish you all a very happy Christmas, a positive New Year and hope that you enjoy whatever festive break you get as much as you can. And my thanks as ever to my brilliant team of deliverers who perform the most important part of the whole Bristol Nine thing.

Until 2018, all the best. Andy Fraser (the Editor) Do get in touch - it makes me feel wanted! Email andy@bcmagazines.co.uk, write to 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY or call 07845 986650 / 0117 259 1964.

(This Small Piece is dedicated to Simon Spalding 4

£7.50 £15.00 £35.00 £35.00

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Useful Information Contact Numbers

Bristol City Council

Gas Emergencies 0800 111 999 Electricity Emergencies 0800 365 900 Water Emergencies 0845 702 3797 Avon & Somerset Police Non-Emergencies 101 (new no.)

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 Southmead Hospital 0117 950 5050 Bristol Royal Infirmary 0117 923 0000 Bristol Children’s Hospital 0117 342 8460 NHS non-emergency 111 Bristol Blood Donation 0117 988 2040 The Samaritans 08457 909090 Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 76975 55 ChildLine 0800 11 11 National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Telephone Pref Service 0845 070 0707 Mailing Pref Service 0845 703 4599 West of England Care & Repair - help, advice & info 0300 323 0700

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

Trains to / From Temple Meads Trains depart from Redland Station to Temple Meads at the following times Monday -Friday 0628, 0645, 0744, 0819, 0852, 0932, 1019, 1052, 1133, 1219, 1251, 1333, 1419, 1451, 1534, 1619, 1650, 1732, 1819, 1914, 1948, 2019, 2154, 2235, 2319 Saturday

Postal Services Cotham Pharmacy & Post Office 9 - 6 Monday to Friday 9 - 1 Saturday

0650, 0733, 0819, 0850, 0932, 1019, 1051, 1134, 1219, 1250, 1334, 1419, 1451, 1534, 1619, 1650, 1734, 1819, 1931, 2012, 2154, 2234, 2319

Whiteladies Rd Post Office 9 - 5.30 Monday to Friday, 9 - 13.00 Saturday

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

Gloucester Rd Post Office 9 - 5.30 Monday to Saturday

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

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.

Monday - Friday

Local Libraries

0514, 0548, 0630, 0703, 0803, 0836, 0916, 1003, 1034, 1116, 1203, 1234, 1316, 1403, 1434, 1516, 1603, 1635, 1713, 1803, 1847, 1933, 2034, 2137, 2216

Redland - tel. 903 8549 Mon closed, Tues 11-5, Weds 11-7, Thurs-Sat 11-5

Saturday

Henleaze - tel 0117 903 8541 Mon-Tues 11-5, Weds 11-7, Thurs 11-5, Fri 1-7, Sat 10-5

0603, 0634, 0716, 0803, 0834, 0916, 1003, 1034, 1116, 1203, 1234, 1316, 1403, 1434, 1516, 1603, 1634, 1716, 1803, 1903, 2034, 2140, 2216

Recycling and Household Waste The Household Waste and Recycling Centres at Avonmouth and St Phillips on Kingsweston Lane, Avonmouth are currently open summer hours, from 8.00am to 6.45pm, 7 days a week until 24th October when they revert to winter hours open daily from 8.00am to 4.15pm.

Sunday 0908, 1023, 1123, 1223, 1323, 1423, 1523, 1623, 1652, 1753

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Geoff & Sandra and the team would like to thank all of their customers, past and present, for their support during 2017 and wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a decorative New Year.

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Quiz Time General Knowledge 1. Which London tube line runs from Harrow & Wealdstone to Elephant & Castle?

2. Name the garden birds shown below (t-b).

3. What type of fruit or vegetable are the following - a) Desiree, b) Victoria, c) Savoy?

4. In what year were the following Bristol landmarks / attractions opened - a) We The Curious (formerly @Bristol); b) Cabot Tower, c) the old "temporary" Redcliffe flyover?

5. Name the four former Blue Peter presenters shown below.

6. What links the middle line pictures below?

7. By area, which are the three largest countries on the African continent?

8. By population, which are the three biggest countries of the former Soviet Union?

9. In what decade were modern Royal Mail postcodes introduced?

10. There are 31 areas in the Met Office Shipping Forecast - which are the two that take their names from towns?

Music 1. In what years were these number 1 hit albums - "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" (Elton John), "...Baby One More Time" (Britney Spears), and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (Simon & Garfunkel)?

2. Three artists needed - who had hits with "Lily the Pink" (1968), "The Last Film" (1983), and "So What" (2008)?

3. Who narrated / sang as the Artilleryman in the original Jeff Wayne "War of the Worlds" concept album, and who took on the role for the 2012 version of the musical?

4. In which UK cities would you find these famous music venues - The Barrowlands, Rock City and The Leadmill?

5. Who provides the musical soundtrack to the 2017 John Lewis Christmas advert?

6. Put these events in order, earliest first Mick Jagger's 65th birthday, Ed Sheeran did his GCSE's, Amy Winehouse died.

7. Name the albums from the covers shown below.

Answers on page 64 8

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Talking Pets with the Animal Health Centre Christmas toxicities Once again time to remind all pet owners of the particular dangers about at this time of year, Christmas always brings an increased number of toxicity cases to the practice, and very sadly not always with a happy ending.

Top of the Christmas list is always Chocolate! At Christmas we often leave wrapped chocolate under the tree or used as decorations on the tree. Chocolate is toxic to both cats and dogs, it is the higher cocoa solids that are most dangerous, either in dark chocolate, unsweetened cooking chocolate or cocoa powder. Ingestion can cause heart problems and at high doses can be fatal.

Contact your vet immediately if you think your pet has eaten chocolate, keep the wrapper so we can see the cocoa concentration and calculate if the dose eaten is toxic and treatment is needed.

Dried fruit is also a particular problem at this time of year, fruit cake contains sultanas and raisins and can cause kidney failure in dogs. Keep all mince pies, Christmas cakes and puddings well out of reach of dogs. Grapes are toxic too so please don’t feed these to your dog either!

Alcohol can be a problem when half drunk glasses are left on the floor after Christmas parties, particularly creamy liqueurs can be attractive.

Ingestion of alcohol can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure and body temperature. Intoxicated animals can experience seizures and respiratory failure and do need to be seen by your vet.

The turkey carcass must be kept out of reach as if eaten the bones can cause a blockage in the gastrointestinal tract or an upset tummy and having a dog with diarrhoea over the festive period is not ideal! And while on the subject of foods, any foods containing onions, garlic, leeks,

shallots and chives should not be fed to cats and dogs as they can cause vomiting and diarrhoea and more seriously can cause an anaemia. This may take several days to become apparent.

Mouldy food (including yoghurt, bread, cheese and blue cheeses) can contain toxins produced by the mold that cause rapid onset convulsions in dogs so avoid feeding Christmas left overs.

Some plants are toxic, holly, mistletoe and ivy are mildly toxic if eaten. Lilies however are extremely toxic to cats and even brushing against the flowers can cause an acute kidney failure which may be fatal so they must be kept out of reach of cats.

And finally at this time of year many of us are topping up our cars with antifreeze. Antifreeze is extremely toxic and rapidly fatal to cats and dogs.

Cats particularly like the sweet taste and as little as half a teaspoon licked up off the road can be fatal. please do be careful not to spill any when using and keep your antifreeze safely out of reach in the garage. In case of any potential poisoning or toxicity do contact your vet for advice or alternatively The Animal Poison Line, a service run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service for pet owners to contact directly. There is a charge for this service but it may give you peace of mind ortell you when you need to act and see your vet. Their 24 hour phone number is 01202 509 000.

Wishing you a safe and Happy Christmas from the team at Animal Health Centre Nicky Bromhall MRCVS

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Senio r Snippe ts

Tips to communicate with people living with dementia

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

In this edition, we will be sharing some tips and ideas about how to communicate with people living with dementia.

When communicating with someone with dementia, there are many things to consider, and remember that talking isn’t always the most effective method.

Acknowledge what the person has said - Even if they don’t answer your question, express that you’ve heard them and encourage them to say more about their answer.

Use gestures, movement and facial expressions - Physical signs and body language can all convey meaning and help get messages across, especially when speaking becomes more difficult.

Use Humour - Laughing can help to bring you closer together, and may relieve the pressure.

Become an active listener - Listening is a very important aspect of engaging with someone with dementia. Look for non-verbal cues such as facial expressions and body language to try and understand what they are trying to tell you.

Let the person express their feelings - If the person is feeling sad, don’t try and persuade them away from that feeling. Showing you care by just listening is sometimes the best method of communicating.

Use physical contact to provide reassurance - Holding or patting the person’s hand or putting your arm around them might be all that is needed to let them know you are there for them.

Communication difficulties can be frustrating and upsetting for people with dementia as well as their carers and loved ones. The above methods are just a few ways to help alleviate some of the tensions you may experience.

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

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

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Being Brunel NEW BRUNEL MUSEUM NEEDS VOLUNTEERS Being Brunel, an exciting new national museum, will be opening alongside the SS Great Britain in Bristol at the end of March 2018. The museum will provide a fascinating new experience to visitors to Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Bristol’s number one thing to do (TripAdvisor), and around eighty local volunteers are needed to inspire, inform and educate visitors.

Brunel was a great engineer, entrepreneur, designer and showman. The new museum will tell the hero’s extraordinary story through never-before-seen personal possessions, as well as interactive exhibits and audio-visual experiences.

Being Brunel also recreates the interiors of his London office and the Great Western Steamship Company’s Bristol office set within the Grade II* listed Dock Office building, which has been structurally restored as part of the project.

From talking to visitors about Brunel’s life to showing original objects from the Brunel collection, local volunteers are needed to help bring history to life and will play a key role in the new museum.

Volunteers will also be able to go behind the scenes, get involved in exciting events leading up to the new museum and be part of a lively team.

Annmarie, a Bristol local and volunteer, commented: “Working as a volunteer is interesting and lots of fun. There is a real team spirit. I have really enjoyed learning about Brunel and the SS Great Britain, as well as the people who worked and travelled on her.

I have had the opportunity to develop skills and meet new people, as well as hear about and see fascinating stories and objects not always open to the public. Overall, it’s a very supportive and sociable place to volunteer.”

The SS Great Britain are looking for people who will enjoy engaging with our visitors and would enjoy being part of a vibrant, dynamic team.

Volunteers do not need to have any existing knowledge of Brunel, the SS Great Britain or Victorian history. Ideally, volunteers will be able to commit to a minimum of one morning or afternoon each week.

For individuals interested in volunteering, please go online and complete an enquiry form. Alternatively, please email volunteer@ssgreatbritain.org or ring 0117 926 0680.

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History Notes - Julian Lea-Jones No. 121- Rouncot, 166 Henleaze Road Number 166 Henleaze Road is a listed local landmark and although most won’t recognise it by its street number or L2543 or even ‘My Giddy Aunt’ they certainly will if you say ‘The Thatched Cottage’. Currently the home of Duncan Ogilvie the cottage is viewed by passers-by as a pleasingly quirky but anachronistic oddity. Nevertheless it engenders a sense of local pride – a memory of the grand mansions that once graced the hills of Henleaze.

The cottage on the corner of Henleaze Road and Wanscow Walk was originally, in the early years of the nineteenth century, a lodge house for Henleaze Park House, which became St Margaret’s School, and even later replaced by the bungalows of St Margaret’s Drive.

Mounted horse riders entering the Lodge gateway

Thatched roofs, although picturesque, need periodic renewal.

Number 166 was last renewed in 1994/5 and, as many will have already noticed, number 166 is currently being re roofed by Somerset Master Thatcher John Harman from Sparkford. Reroofing - removing the old thatch and making and fitting the new - on a building of this size, weather depending, usually takes about 4 – 5 weeks. By mid-November John and his assistants Atilla and Richard, starting from the eaves had replaced the lower layers and had reached as far as the upper windows. Until the new blond thatch is trimmed it gave the bedroom windows the appearance of a Boris Johnson haircut. When talking to John I quickly realised that thatching is an intricate and labour intensive process using tools and Master thatcher John Harman & techniques which team, Richard & Atilla 18

have remained largely unchanged down the centuries. John very kindly took time to explain the elements, tools and processes that go to make up a thatched roof.

Thatch is usually long straw or reeds, long straw is also known confusingly as Devon Reed. This thatch is using Combed Wheat Straw. The term long straw is a post-industrial term. The introduction of combine harvesters resulted in the straw being cut short, which means thatchers now have to buy or grow and cut their own. Also unlike farmers they need wheat straws with small heads Modern straw - large head, and old -this is achieved by straw - small head growing in nitrogen deficient soil.

Before describing the tools I will explain the structure and process involved. Similar to most conventional roofs the rafters have battens placed horizontally across them. The thatch straw made into bundles each weighing about 10 pounds (5Kg) are then laid on the battens layer at a time up to about four bundles thick, gradually working from the eaves to the ridge. When a horizontal section, a layer, is in place the constituent bundles are held down by horizontal poles, so that the thatch is gripped between the roof battens and Preparing the bundles the pole. Traditionally the poles are about one inch (25mm) diameter hazel wands. Nowadays the hazel wands, known as ‘sways’, are often interspersed with galvanised steel rods while the sways themselves are held to the thatch by split hazel staples shaped like large hairpins driven into the straw layers. These hazel ‘staples’ are historically called spars, or by the Norfolk term broaches. Because of the demise of many country crafts and thatched houses John, as well as growing his own straw, coppices his own hazel. Once the layers of bundles have

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History Notes - Julian Lea-Jones reached the ridge with the uppermost ones protruding over the top, smaller bundles dressed round are laid lengthwise along the ridge and the protruding straws are folded over each side and held down tightly by further cross members and hazel spars to waterproof the ridge. The top tie downs are called ligetts. Having built the thatch it is anchored to the roof rafters by galvanised iron hooks like large tent pegs. The hooked upper end traps the hazel or iron sways with the spike end driven through the thatch into the rafters.

that Nash borrowed from George Repton. Also, when Nash designed the cottages at Blaise to be arranged around the small green he ensured that for the tenants’ privacy none of the front doors directly faced one another. Similarly, or coincidentally the front door of the Henleaze cottage is on the side that would have faced the drive to the house and not facing Henleaze Lane where one would have expected the door to be where gatekeeper could watch for his master’s arrivals.

Whether or not John Nash directly designed the lodge cottage for Henleaze Park House we will probably never know, however the owner of the cottage was almost certainly influenced by Harford’s Blaise Hamlet.

The Reverend Eric McNeill's sisters Jessie & Julie at the Wanscow Walk gate

Now the lodge cottage has a nice bright and waterproof new roof what about its history? The present owner Duncan kindly gave me sight of the various deeds and house documentation in order to compile an outline chronology. Edward Bright had Henleaze Park House built in 1769.

Ownership or part interest by members of the Protheroe family is a bit confusing however it is likely that in 1779 Edward Bright sold it to Philip Protheroe but by January 1815 the house again changed hands, this time the 4th & 5th part ownership of the Henleaze Park estate passed to Sir Henry and Edward Protheroe and subsequently to John Savage, the sugar refiner of Wilder Street. Thus if Veronica Bowerman’s research and surmise is correct, and the cottage was built in about 1810 as a lodge at the Henleaze Lane end of the drive to Henleaze Park House, it would have probably been commissioned by Philip Protheroe. John Scandrett Harford had John Nash design the picturesque hamlet of ten cottages at Blaise for his staff and pensioners and the visual similarities between Blaise Hamlet and the 166 Henleaze Road cottage leads one to consider a common guiding hand. A common but unusual feature of both are the massive brick chimneys, almost as tall as the cottages; a design

In 1804 Philip Protheroe was Bristol’s Sheriff and by 1810 he held the office of Mayor. What better way to announce his new social status than by copying or commissioning a lodge for his own grand house?

Since those days, The Thatched Cottage has had an interesting succession of owners:• 1870, September, the cottage was still part of the Henleaze Park Estate, part owners of which included Messrs Budget, Wedd & Derham.

•Early 1900s Duncan added; “Rose Clery (nee George) wrote in 1992 that her father and Uncle Harry (who lived in the thatched cottage) rented the farm and field of Henleaze Park and ran it as Henleaze Park Dairy until 1921. The kitchen/living room of the lodge was papered in plain red. On the walls hung a set of humorous hunting prints, the red coats of the hunting characters matching the walls behind. The sitting room always seemed to be full of potted ferns and there was a pond nearby where watercress grew”.

• 1913 “The main entrance to Henleaze Park was here and one of the last carriages to use this front may have been that of Mrs Fry of Goldney House (Chocolates and Quakerism) whose daughter was married to Percy Rogers. She was driven over from Clifton in a carriage and pair to visit her family”.

• 1915 Cottage still identified as the main entrance lodge to Henleaze Park House.

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History Notes - Julian Lea-Jones • From 1920 to 1926 the thatched cottage, now named ‘Rouncot’, was rented to Reverend Eric McNeill's wedding group in the Eric McNeill cottage garden as Minister of the United Reform Church in Waterford Road who lived at the cottage and thus it was also the Manse for the URC.

• 1995 Mrs Elise Beauchamp won a Bristol Civic Society Environmental Award, one of only ten in the city, for the beautiful new thatch.

• 2000 Sold to Duncan Ogilvie which except for the mystery surrounding L2543 almost brings the story of the cottage up to date. Duncan received a gift of a Lilliput lane miniature thatched cottage serial L2543 named the ‘Giddy Aunt Tea Rooms’.

Duncan was amazed when he realised it was an actual replica of his home – the Thatched cottage, ‘Rouncot’ at 166 Henleaze Road.

• 1923 Abstract of title deed of Mr Sidney Curtis to the Henleaze Park Estate but in August he sold to Mr Henry Winboldt Jenkins.

Lilliput Lane miniature serial L2543 "the Giddy Aunt Tea Rooms"

• 1927 May, was sold by Mr H.W. Jenkins to Mr Joseph Bank Derrick.

• 1934 October, Estate of Mr J. B. Derrick (deceased) to Mrs Lizzie Derrick.

• 1938 August, Estate of Mrs L. Derrick, (deceased) sold to Mr Edward Albert Anderson.

• 1948 February, Messrs E.A. & Vernon Anderson’s tenant Mr Bryan Morton-Roach.

• 1948 April, Trustees of estate of Mr E.A. Anderson’s tenant Huw Morris Bowen for 1 year.

• 1955 July, Trustees of estate of Mr E.A. & V. Anderson sold to Elizabeth Caroline Beatrice Chapman.

• 1955 October, E.C.B. Chapman sold to Mr Geoffrey Frederick Carey.

• 1957 Mr G. F. Carey sold to Mrs Helen Marian McLachlan, (teacher of Drama & Elocution).

• 1977 The Department of Environment listed the property (number 1282261) for its architectural and historical interest.

• 1984 Mrs H. M. McLachlan sold to Mrs Jacqueline Elise Beauchamp.

• 1994 Thatch roof renewed by a Wiltshire firm in the traditional nineteenth-century way.

Acknowledgements.

My thanks to: Duncan Ogilvie, Veronica Bowerman - Author & Local Historian, The Reverend Eric McNeill’s family, The Reverend Tracy Lewis - Minister of Henleaze URC, Peter Miller - contributor to the book The Centenary History of Henleaze URC. All who provided information or memories about the history of the Church and the lodge house. Not forgetting John Harman Master Thatcher who took the time to explain the intricacies of thatching.

Sources: • 100 years of life in our church, Henleaze URC 1907, 2007.

• Veronica Bowerman, The Henleaze Book, 2 editions and Henleaze Connections.

• A popular retreat, Blaise Castle house & estate., City of Bristol Museum & Art gallery.

• John Seymour’s ‘Forgotten Arts – traditional skills’, Published by DK for the National Trust.

• http://www.historyofparliamentonline. org/volume/1790-1820/member/protheroeedward-1774-1856 © 2017, Julian Lea-Jones FRAeS 22

Wishing everyone a cosy & festive Christmas from all at Ocean…

Christmas isn’t Christmas without somewhere warm and cosy to call home – Ocean supports the Julian Trust Night Shelter, giving a warm welcome, a hot meal, and a little Christmas cheer to Bristol’s homeless and rough sleepers.

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juliantrust.org.uk

Mutual Wills, Mirror Wills & Crystal Balls

Mutual Wills are different. They create an agreement between a couple which cannot easily be undone, once made.

We are often asked by married couples, civil partners and cohabiting couples to prepare ‘Mirror’ or ‘Mutual Wills’ for them. These have been in the spotlight recently following the case of Legg v Burton and you might suppose that Mirror and Mutual Wills mean practically the same thing.

Legally they do not and the differences between them can have far-reaching consequences for your estate.

What are the consequences of entering into a Mutual Will?

The main consequence is that the survivor of the couple will be bound by the agreement they made with their partner or spouse following their death. Whilst on the face of it, this may seem fine, your wishes may change, particularly if your partner or spouse dies unexpectedly early or if you enter into a new relationship.

What’s the difference between a Mutual and a Mirror Will?

Does this mean it is not possible to make a new Will after my partner’s death?

Mirror Wills apply where a couple make, broadly speaking, the same provisions. Typically this may be to leave their estate to the survivor and then to their children on the second death.

Mirror Wills can be revised or re-made at any later date so they are capable of being what is legally termed, revoked.

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Whilst it is technically possible, you will still be legally required to include the provisions of your former Mutual Will within your new Will. You will therefore still be held to the agreement made within the Mutual Will.

Why do you need professional and specialist advice?

of children or grandchildren, and changes in your finances or other circumstances.

At VWV, we have seen several examples of disputed estates where a couple have created Mutual Wills without appearing to fully understand the nature of the binding agreement they had entered into.

Whilst in particular circumstances a Mutual Will may prove the appropriate choice, the full extent of the agreement that you are making should be very carefully explored and explained.

It is vital to seek specialist expert advice when preparing your Will, and to regularly review your wishes with the aid of professional advice. This will give you peace of mind that you remain able to cater for potential changes longterm.

For legal advice on making or updating a Will, please contact Michelle Rose on 0117 314 5246 or at mrose@vwv.co.uk

Regular reviews Without a crystal ball, we are unable to predict how events will unfold in the future.You should keep your Will under regular review and this is particularly relevant for key stagesof your life, such as house purchases, the birth

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25

Music - now and then Album of the Month Infinite Worlds by Vagabon (House Anxiety/ Marathon Artists) There’s a point towards the end of each year when music’s big guns decide to drop their latest offerings. This year has seen heavyweights such as Sam Smith, Taylor Swift and Noel Gallagher make a late dash for chart domination and has also welcomed re-releases of seminal albums by the likes of Metallica and The Doors. Those acts aren’t in need of further promotion here, so instead we’re delving a little deeper and focussing on the reissued debut album by Laetitia Tamko, better known as Vagabon.

The eagle-eyed among you will remember that we recommended Vagabon’s show at Thekla as our gig of the month for October and our love for this immense talent shows no sign of abating. Born in Cameroon, before moving to New York, she has emerged from the Brooklyn DIY scene with the perfect album for these confusing times.

Her voice, reminiscent of a steelier Regina Spektor, tackles issues of identity and belonging.

Lyrics such as “I’ve been hiding in the smallest space/ I am dying to go/ this is not my home” (Fear & Force) and “What about them scares you so much?/ My standing there threatens your standing too” (Cleaning House) reveal the record’s central themes.

In less dextrous hands, Infinite Worlds could become an overly sombre affair, but through her spiky music and resolution to overcome these differences and carve out something better, it ends up an uplifting affair which deserves to find a larger audience second time around.

Next (Christmas) Steps…

A Very She & Him Christmas by She & Him (Merge) A Charlie Brown Christmas – Original Soundtrack (Fantasy) A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector (Philles Records)

month and embracing the festive season to highlight three of our favourite Christmas albums.

Hopefully you’ll find something a little different to enjoy, before Mariah and Slade have caused you to throw your speakers out the window.

First up is a 2011 album from the duo of Zooey Deshcanel and M.Ward (collectively known as She & Him). Deschanel’s voice has just the right amount of nostalgic yearning and is perfectly complimented by Ward’s gentle instrumentation.

The pair tackle seasonal favourites and some lesser known gems on this invitingly magical album.

Our second pick is the soundtrack to the 1965 animated television special, A Charlie Brown Christmas. There’s something truly evocative in the jazz music of the Vince Guaraldi Trio which elevates compositions such as Skating and Christmas Is Coming out of their cartoon setting and into the December sky. If that’s not enough, it also contains Linus And Lucy, one of the catchiest piano ditties ever committed to record.

Our final choice is this 1963 compilation album produced by Phil Spector. Led by artists such as The Crystals and The Ronettes, this record has gone on to become one of the definitive Christmas albums, and rightly so. Spector’s Wall of Sound is ideally suited to songs like Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, highlighting that these are worthy pop songs in their own right.

Gig of the Month Christmas Spectacular @ St George’s (Wednesday 20th December) We’re keeping with the Yule theme and recommending that you all head to St George’s for this extravaganza, performed by professional orchestra the Bristol Ensemble (with added help from 100 voices of the City of Bristol Choir). The evening promises orchestral pieces, carols and sing-alongs. If you can’t make it on the 20th then the following evening will see the Exultate Singers join the Bristol Ensemble for further festive fun.

Duncan Haskell

We’re breaking from the norm a bit this 26

page 36

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membership welcome

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28

Christmas gift ideas for the younger generation My parents tell me it’s always tricky, knowing what to get young people for Christmas, and I'm told it becomes increasingly difficult the older the child gets. It’s typically said that all kids ask for these days are the latest smartphones, which seem to cost the price of a house, or some other form of gadget with which to be glued to 24/7. Technology obviously changes things and presents have become more and more hi-tec especially, I'm told, in my lifetime.

Having now done some research and asking some of my family members "slightly older" than myself, I have discovered some of the most popular presents for children from the past. Most are pretty lo-tech and some of which I have never heard of.

1958 was the year the Hula Hoop was invented, a simple yet highly entertaining toy that has gone on to be not only used for fun but as a piece of fitness equipment. Although similar toys had been created in the past for children to run with, the 40 inch circular tube was officially released in the late 50’s.

In the 60’s, toy dolls were exceedingly popular with girls and boys, being some of the most wanted presents for two decades in a row and still available today. Girls all over the world fell in love with Barbie, a doll released in 1959 that had an hour glass figure and long blonde hair. For the boys there was Action Man, released in 1966 - a moveable fighting model complete with army uniforms and equipment. Also introduced in the latew 60's was my dad's favourite - Hot Wheels toy racing cars. I suspect that they are still up in our attic.

In the 1970's action figures continued to be popular with big sellers including "Stretch Armstrong", with an elastic boidy that could be stretched and knotted, the Evil Knievel stunt cycle based on a famous motorbike daredevil, and a whole range of Star Ways figures and models.

The 1980's started with the Rubik's Cube, invenmted by a Hungarian professor. The three by three puzzle took nothing but concentration, memory, skill and a little luck to complete. Even to this day the Rubik's Cube is still hugely popular in the game industry with various different versions being released each year. 1985 was the year Care Bears were released. A soft multi coloured teddy, each having a individual symbol on its tummy that represented a different personality. Care bears were initially found in cartoons but were later developed into children’s toys, books, TV and films. In 1987 one of my favourites when I was younger came out. Sylvania Families, little animal figures with outfits, accessories, houses and vehicles were and still are a huge success.

The 90’s was the real start of gadgets and technology for children. Despite being considerably basic in comparison to today’s technology, games like the Tamagotchi (1997) and the Nintendo Game Boy (1991) were both huge hits for kids all over the world, being the first major screen based toys. Since then, electrical and technologybased presents have been one of the most loved presents for any age, and continues to be so to this day.

And since the turn of the century - who can forget Furbies, Beyblades, Transformers and Nerf Guns?

All of the above are probably collectors items by now, but if you are looking for Christmas present ideas for todays youngsters then here are a few ideas for you, sorted by age and price. All of this stuff can be bought online but don't forget there are some great toy and gift shops around locally when you can get some great present ideas. (continued overleaf) 29

(more) Christmas Gift Ideas Primary School age Under a Tenner Bathroom darts game - £6 from Flying Tiger (The Mall and Cabot Circus) Penelope Penguin cross stitch bauble kit - £8.95 from www.notonthehighstreet. com £10 to £30 Mermaid tail blanket / Shark blanket - various under £20 at www.amazon. co.uk Personalised Disney Princesses / Finding Dory books - £14.00 from www. gettingpersonal.co.uk £30+ Zoomy handheld digital microscope (PC / Mac compatible) £49.95 from www.wickeduncle.co.uk Q-BA-Maze Big Box - colourful interlocking cube marble run £34.99 from www.brightminds.co.uk Secondary Schoool age Under a tenner Peg string lights - £8.99 from www.iwantoneofthose.com £10 to £30 Smartphone projector - £18.99 from www.findmeagift.co.uk World Map Doodle Pillowcase - £15.95 from www.wickeduncle. co.uk £30+ Meet the Meerkats Experience - £35 from Wild Place (part of Bristol Zoo) www.wildplace.org.uk Young Driver Experience at Cribbs Causeway - £34.95 from www. youngdriver.eu Sixth Form / College Under a Tenner Insta-Photo Booth - £5.99 from www. iwantoneofthose.com Cake Splat Game - £8.56 from www. prezzybox.com £10 to £30 Indoor skydiving experience - £29 from www.buyagift.com Make Your Own Neon Sign - £14.99 from www. thepresentfinder.co.uk £30+ Clocky - the alarm clock that runs away - £35 from www.wickeduncle.co.uk CoLiDo 3D pen - £70 from www.prezzybox.com "Back in the day" I'm told it was really exciting to receive a box of coloured pencils with your name printed on them in gold. Nowadays you can get your name, photo or pretty much anything printed on to - pretty much anything. You really go wrong with a personalised Pug Mug. Happy shopping. Heidi Fraser 30

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31

At the Movies - Chris Worthington The Party Directed by Sally Potter

without his wife who may arrive later “in time for coffee.” The dinner party is doomed to fail and for the rest of the evening the guests engage in angry political and moral arguments without any sense of conviviality and are uncertain about how to deal with the crises in their lives while showing concern for the other guests. Celebration is most definitely off the agenda.

The Party has an ensemble cast of seven plus one other character who never appears on screen but has a central part to play. The host of the celebratory dinner party is Janet (Kristin Scott Thomas) who has just been promoted to shadow health secretary. The film introduces the liberal left characters complete with lifestyle choices and their barely concealed dislike of each other as they arrive for pre - dinner drinks at a suburban house.

First up are April, a sharp tongued American (Patricia Clarkson) and her new age boyfriend Gottfried (Bruno Ganz). From the off April makes it know that Gottfried is a waste of space and is about to be dumped.

Next to arrive are Martha (Cherry Jones) and Jinny (Emily Mortimer), a lesbian couple.

Jinny has just found out that she is pregnant with triplets and that revelation rather overshadows the news of Janet’s promotion.

But there is worse to come. Janet’s husband Bill (Timothy Spall), a distinguished academic, is getting mournfully drunk on red wine and playing records from his vinyl collection to console himself, but from what?

The first impression is early onset Alzheimers but in fact he has just found out that he is terminally ill.

This is not a good start to the evening and things don’t get any better when Tom (Cillian Murphy) arrives in an agitated state and

Things go from bad to worse when Tom goes to the bathroom to snort cocaine and produces a gun that he hides underneath his jacket. In search of some fresh air he goes into the back garden, dumps the gun in the dustbin in a panic and has a twitchy conversation with Jinny when she sees him trying to retrieve the gun from the bin.

Meanwhile Gottfried is trying to cheer Bill up with some new age twaddle about curing cancer by mind over matter and Janet is flapping around attempting to bring things back to normal. From the corner of the room April carps at everything and everyone and then impulsively informs Jinny that their relationship is over. Bill recovers sufficiently well to let Tom know that he's nothing but a “wanker banker.” In view of what follows that probably was not the right thing to say and for reasons that I will not reveal the party has a violent end.

The Party has a stellar cast on top form and an excellent script written by the director. It was shot in in black and white in two weeks in a house in West London, the perfect setting to expose the immorality and uselessness of the political class and the Westminster village.

Chris Worthington chrisworthington32@yahoo.com

32

0117 946 6690

Redland

Guide £975,000

An attractive & spacious 5 double bedroom Victorian semi-detached family home situated in a lovely leafy Redland location within just 600m of Redland Green School and further benefiting from a 55ft south westerly facing level rear garden, off street parking, integral garage and exciting scope for gentle cosmetic updating. Nearby the green open spaces of Cotham Gardens Park and Redland Green Park. EPC: F

Westbury Park

Guide £550,000

A well-located 3 bedroom, 2 reception room Victorian period terraced house situated in a peaceful cul-desac which leads onto Durdham Downs. Has a modern fitted kitchen with access out onto a level courtyard rear garden. Within circa 300m of Westbury Park School and 1km of Redland Green School. A charming period home in an enviable location. EPC: E

Cotham

Guide £915,000

A most attractive and engaging, 4 bedroom semidetached Georgian style villa (circa 1860) arranged over two levels with front and rear garden plus offstreet driveway parking. A fine period residence with a civilised atmosphere and generously proportioned accommodation throughout, of circa 1,848 sq.ft.

Enjoys an elevated position with views, close to Cotham Gardens Park and Redland train station. EPC: E

Redland

Guide £375,000

A well-proportioned, spacious and light 2 double bedroomed (1 en-suite) first floor Victorian period apartment of circa 930 sq.,ft. Set in a very popular location on the leafy fringes of the Downs. Bright and airy accommodation with high ceilings and sash windows. Also benefiting from a private garage. NO ONWARD CHAIN. EPC: D

33 www.richardharding.co.uk

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We were delighted to be named ‘Law Firm of the Year for 2017’ (up to 15 partners) at the Bristol Law Society’s Annual Awards Dinner on 19th October.

The Bristol Law Society Annual Awards recognise the best of the Bristol legal profession so we are extremely proud to receive this award from the independent judging panel. This award recognises excellence in the provision of legal services and a firm that has seen significant development during the year.

From left to right: Katie Hughes, Grant McCall, Alison Dukes, Marian Davies Duncan Edler (Lloyds Bank), Tony Moore and Becky Moyce, President of Bristol Law Society

This honour coincides with our celebrating 20 years as AMD Solicitors (from 1st September 2017) so, this has become an extra special birthday for AMD! We are positioned today between a small high street practice and a medium sized commercial law firm with 4 offices and over 45 staff. This balance enables us to comprehensively meet our clients’ needs which could range from meeting a client’s first need for a solicitor for legal support, such as a will or first house purchase, right

through to acting for the commercially sophisticated client looking to appoint a legal team competent to handle a larger company and commercial transaction, such as an acquisition or merger.

Our structure also means that we are able to ensure that almost all of our services are provided one to one by a solicitor or fee earner (or by a small team of solicitors for commercial services).

In October 2016 we were pleased to be able to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire and develop easily accessible and prominent premises at 139 Whiteladies Road. Our new office replaces Thomas Cook on the corner of Imperial Road in the heart of the Bristol restaurant / new cinema quarter. We are proud to remain active and provide work opportunities in the more traditional heart and residential parts of the city.

Our new office marks our 4th office at ground floor level providing convenience for our clients together with ease of roadside parking or access from Clifton Down train station just opposite.

We would like to thank all of our clients, associates and friends for your continued support and for the kind feedback we have received since receiving the award.

AMD Solicitors have offices 100 Henleaze Road, Henleaze (0117 962 1205), 15 The Mall, Clifton (0117 974 4100), 139 Whiteladies Road (0117 973 5647) and 2 Station Road, Shirehampton (0117923 5562) www.amdsolicitors.com 36

The Return of Vinyl?

Last month I was chatting to my mate's son on his 16th birthday and I asked him what presents he'd received. Top of his list of excitement was a record player. A record player? Really? Yep, really, and now he has started buying LP's (Google LP if you are under 25). I just hope his music taste is better that his dads. Coincidentally this stereophonic news arrived at the same time as Jamie Reid-Sinclair decided to run his "Record collections wanted" advert here in the magazine (and repeated again this month on page 9). Who better a person then to ask about this ridiculous outbreak of nostalgia than from someone whose hobby is buying and selling slices of hi-fi history?

So I did.

edition run - and I sold it for over £200!

But the most valuable record I found in a collection was “Zoot Suit” / "I’m The Face” by The High Numbers (who later became better known as The Who). I got about £800 for that and was extremely excited when I dug it out of the bottom of a random pile of singles that had no sleeves!

I’d love to find a copy of “Growers of Mushroom” by Leaf Hound. I might be able to retire! Or a collection of Northern Soul singles

Is there really a revival in people buying vinyl and if so why, or is it just middle aged people getting all nostalgic?

What records are selling well or are you asked to try and track down?

Prog rock always sells well. Indie and punk too. Although there are records in every genre that are cheap as chips as well as the rare and valuable ones. At the moment classic 70's albums like "Rumours" by Fleetwood Mac get requested a lot. It’s not valuable as it sold millions, but due to the vinyl revival people are looking for excellent condition original copies of classic albums from their youth.

There is a revival but, to put it in context, vinyl sales in the last couple of years are still only comparable with sales from the early 1990s. That was a period when vinyl was being phased out and CDs were coming in. It’s never going be like the 70's and 80's again when vinyl ruled the roost!

Vinyl sales currently account for about 5 – 10% of the overall album market, which is considerably higher than it was when I first started selling vintage vinyl in 2005, but still a small niche market overall. Vinyl buyers are very passionate, and whilst I think it is largely men over 50 that drive the revival, I have seen signs that younger people in their teens and twenties are abandoning the faceless download in favour of a more tangible, tactile and, frankly, more beautiful format that looks and sounds better than a compressed digital file

What record would you happily never see again (in terms of its commonness or that you specifically dislike)?

Great question! I really like Simon & Garfunkel but I’d be glad if I never saw a copy of their greatest hits again! I’ve also got about a dozen copies of Tubular Bells – no more please!!

What is the most exciting record you have ever come across (ditto most valuable) and what record would you most like to find in a collection you were buying?

I was very excited when I found a copy of "Led Zeppelin 1" in a charity shop for £8. I noticed that the sleeve had turquoise text instead of orange, which got my dealer antenna working. This was a very limited

What is the jewel in your record collection?

My own personal vinyl collection is quite small (about 200 LPs and about 200 singles). I would have to say that the jewel is my signed copy of “All Mod Cons” by The Jam

37

The Return of Vinyl? (side B) Do you also sell as well as buy records and if so how do people find out what you have for sale?

Incredibly important! I have turned down rare collections because the records are so trashed! Vinyl covered in scratches, water damaged stained, torn, rubbed and written on sleeves. It breaks my heart! Rare records are worth virtually nothing if the condition is bad and common records are sadly only fit for the dump

Yes, I am a record dealer by trade, so all the records I buy from private collections go up for sale in my eBay and Discogs shops.

People can find me easily if they go to my website: www.jamesboyrecords.co.uk and click on the ‘Contact’ tab where you will find all my contact details plus links to my on-line sales and Facebook page.

My website also gives details of the kind of collections I am looking to buy

On a personal note, if you command one current band / artist and one from the past to come and perform for you on your desert island who would you choose?

Do you think there is any point in buying any new releases on vinyl?

Personally I am on a tight budget so I am more inclined to buy a new release on CD as it will usually be between £7-£10 whereas new releases on vinyl are £20-£25. I love vinyl but ultimately it is the music that matters and CD audio quality is much better now than it used to be. I am happy to have a mix of my old vinyl originals from my youth and CDs from the present. Having said that I did recently buy The Who’s "My Generation" LP on a vinyl re-issue rather than the cheaper CD because the front cover picture is so great I wanted it in all its 12” glory!

How important is the condition of the record / sleeve in terms of desirability / value?

I recently got into a band called Eels. They are still going but I’ve never seen them live. So it would be them and The Jam. If I could get in a time machine (instead of being on a desert Island) I would go back to Liverpool 1962 and walks down the steps to The Cavern one lunchtime and see a little band called The Beatles playing. I do actually fantasize about that happening!

Do you see cassettes making a comeback?

They are back! Morrissey’s new album is available on cassette! All formats now coexist together it seems. However, I have rarely come across a valuable cassette. Most are worthless and most current artists have no interest in releasing their work on tape.

If vinyl is, in reality, still a niche product then cassettes are micro-niche!

Many thanks Jamie. Do give Jamie a call if you are clearing out your attic and come across a box of old LP's - there may be gold in there.

38

Funerals from £1,895

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203 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2XT

It’s too cold, it’s too wet, the house doesn’t look it’s best’. There are all sorts of reasons why people put off selling in winter, but did you know that almost four million people were searching for property on Rightmove during Christmas and Boxing Day last year? And there are all sorts of solid reasons why you can successfully sell before spring. If a house is ever to feel welcoming and warm, surely, it’s winter?

There’s no need to wait for the most competitive time of the year when buyers have traditionally more choice, we can definitely help you sell or let in December. Besides - what’s not to like about a twinkling tree in Clifton Village, ice on the grass tips of Durdham Downs and the steamy windows of cosy city bars after a stroll down our famous Christmas steps?

Realistically? Bristol sells whatever the season.

Best wishes Howard Davis MD, C J Hole Clifton

£1350.00 pcm + fees - Redland A very grand first floor apartment offering: Large sitting room, separate dining hall, kitchen with space for table and chairs, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. This apartment would be perfect for either professional sharers or a couple. Available on 12th December 2017.

£1200 pcm + fees - Redland This maisonette is just off Whiteladies Road and has its own private entrance, large kitchen with appliances including a dishwasher, living room, two double bedrooms both with built in storage and a modern bathroom suite. Available now on an unfurnished basis

www.cjhole.co.uk Clifton Lettings 0117 946 6588 40

clifton@cjhole.co.uk

Guide Price £599,950 Clifton - EPC D

£320,000 Redland – EPC D

A well-presented modern semi-detached house in an attractive Clifton mews. The house offers: Lounge, kitchen/breakfast room with doors leading to enclosed patio area, three bedrooms, bathroom and detached garage. We strongly recommend an early appointment to view this superior Clifton mews house.

An individual and beautifully presented Grade II listed cottage with the convenience of local shops just a short walk away. This lovely home has been sympathetically modernised over the years and has managed to retain much of the character you would expect to find in a listed cottage.

£1,050,000 Redland – SOLD -

£950,000 Redland – SOLD

VENDORS FEEDBACK Vince exceeded our expectations. We could not have asked for better from an estate agent. We felt we could completely trust Vince’s advice and rely on his expertise. Our sale was quick as he had said it would be, indicating the price and marketing were spot on.

More like this required. Buyers waiting – If you are thinking about moving and would like an up to date appraisal of your property please contact the Sales Team at C J Hole Clifton on 01179 238238.

Clifton Sales 0117 923 8238 www.cjhole.co.uk 41

Graham Cook Gardener and Handyman

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

Please call for a no-obligation chat

Call 0117 377 0644 or 07415 658 205 42

Computer Corner with Mrs PC Technology gifts for Christmas.

If you are needing inspiration for Christmas gifts, look no further. There are plenty of technology items on sale to suit all budgets.

You can also make things for loved ones online.

Photobooks, calendars, mugs, jigsaw puzzles, mouse mats, phone cases and cushions are some of the things you can be creative with, using your own photographs. Jessops at The Mall is a good place to start.

It just takes a little time and planning, and these types of presents always go down well.

Some items are small, such as the “Tile” a device used for tracking your lost car keys or wallet via Bluetooth with a smartphone. They cost from £30. A new mouse will not break the bank, and nor will a mouse mat. Several clients struggle with their cheap and lightweight mice, which are hard to control – so it’s worth looking into alternatives. Look for mice that fit well in the hand and don’t jiggle about. A mat will make the mouse glide better.

Though expensive, I wouldn’t be without my Apple Track pad for using with my Mac, which works like a laptop track pad and can be controlled by using your index finger whilst the trackpad is static. It can be helpful if you struggle to keep a mouse still. They do however cost £120 or so.

Consider printers. It’s helpful to have one that works with Wi-Fi and that you can print directly from your smartphone or tablet.

A Kindle Paperwhite costs approximately £110 and is a lovely bit of technology. Though I adore proper books, there are times when travelling that I use a Kindle because I can read in the dark with it, and store lots of books without worrying about weight. There are of course lots of lovely cases and covers for Kindles, smartphones and tablets as well as laptop bags to choose from.

Take a look at fitness trackers. They are now very affordable and definitely encourage a healthier lifestyle. Fitbit are the market leaders and give you information on how many steps you have done during the day, resting heartrate, and length of time asleep and much more. Cost approx. £100.

Portable speakers, like this JAM Replay from PC World, are very useful, and can be used with a smartphone when travelling, to listen to music or the radio.

A new pair of headphones is always a useful present.

Earbud type, sports ones, noise cancelling and wireless are all possibilities. Top of the range Bose noise cancelling are however about £350. The new Apple AirPods are £150.

Digital cameras have come down a lot in price and are easy to use. Maybe a Go-Pro is what is required. Digital (DAB) radios come in all shapes and sizes as well as colours and give wonderful sound quality for radio aficionados.

If you want more than a speaker or a radio, consider an Amazon Echo dot, a snip at around £40, which allows you to play music and perform tasks by voice. You can search the net and ask it to play music without ever touching it.

One of our family favourites is the Chromecast.

A tiny device that plugs into the TV- one of the many dongles you can plug into the HDMI socket to connect your smartphone or tablet wirelessly to the TV. This is really useful for watching slideshows of photos and also content from iPlayer that you have downloaded.

With so many different devices, it’s hard to stay abreast of technology, however I do my best and would be happy to help you if you are struggling with any of your Christmas presents this year.

MRS PC FRIENDLY COMPUTER TRAINING Word processing, email, internet and safe surfing, digital photography, ipods / music, Facebook, eBay, Skype, spreadsheets, help & advice on anything computer related.

Just bought a computer?

Want to learn something new?

Call 07920 578 194 Based in Redland, Bristol email mrspcbristol@googlemail.com website www.mrspc.co.uk

Battery life on most mobile phones is not very long, so it’s always handy to have one or even 2 power packs to recharge them with. You can buy power packs of varying sizes and weights, but most will recharge a phone at least 2 or 3 times per charge. When travelling we have a large one and can recharge all our devices using a usb wire.

“Patience is my speciality”

43

Badminton School

Christmas Bazaar Saturday 9th December 2017 10.30am – 1.30pm

Free entry e: schooloffice@badmintonschool.co.uk e: schooloffice@badmintonschool.co.uk t: 0117 905 5200 t: 0117 905 5200 Badminton School, Westbury Road, Badminton School, Westbury Road, 44 Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3BA Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3BA

Prize Wordsearch

A seasonal theme to the Prize Wordsearch this month as we look for things commonly associated with the Christmas holiday.

Twenty festive items are listed below.

Nineteen of them are hidden in the wordsearch grid, listed forwards, backwards, up, down or on a diagonal. Which leaves one Christmas favourite that didn't make it into the puzzle. Just discover the missing item from the list and let me know which it is - answers please by post to 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY, email to andy@bcmagazines. co.uk, phone to 0117 259 1964 or text to 07845 98660. Get your answers in by 1st January 2018 and the first correct answer pulled at random from the hat will win Sunday Roast for two people at the Eastfield Inn on Henleaze Road or the Gloucester Old __________________________________ Spot on Kellaway Avenue.

Best of luck.

H B M V W S R S R D F A M I L Y P advent

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ADVENT PAPER CHAINS QUEENS SPEECH MINCE PIES REINDEER CRACKERS TINSEL GOODWILL FAMILY BABY JESUS

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Thank you to everybody who took the trouble to enter the October competition.

The missing chocolate bar was ROLO and Date: ___ the first correct entry out of the hat, and the winner of a diet-busting amount of chocolate, was from Shirley Hume.

Christmas K J I S P R O U T S W E M D N M H

S H N U M G H X C I C I E N N V F

I Y S S L I C D S U A N N S J Y C

H A E O T V N E I P R D I N A W R

V D L T Q O M C R P O E T I Y U A

B G Y Y R E C E E B L E C A T R C

A N I C N A S K O P S R T H I G K 45

B I T R Q E D D I T I U Z C V O E

Y X O S N P K V V N R E L R I O R

J O O T V I U O E K G S S E T D S

wisemen

E B S Q O O T D E N V S I P A W N

S M U T N O J Y D T T P R A N I C

U J A S B R W B X I A N R P W L K

S E V H C E E P S S N E E U Q L E

I F W E Q R Z P M C G G E U F F H

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The Downs Observer - Richard Bland A journey round the Downs No 10 Stoke Road to Sea Walls Last month we reached the top of Stoke Hill. Cross the road to look at the fine War Memorial to those in Stoke Bishop who died in two world wars. Cross the minor road which joins Stoke Hill at this point, and you wonder why this road exists. It is in fact an ancient toll road, which ran from Bristol, up through Clifton, up Fountains Hill in an 18c cutting, and then straight across the Downs to this point. It was a road created by the 1727 Bristol Turnpike Act, with the turnpike gate at the bottom of Fountains Hill. It was then, and still is today, lined with a fine avenue of trees, but ceased to be used as a road at some point after 1750, when it was replaced by Ladies Mile. It is wonderful that the avenue, long since redundant, continues to be maintained by each generation.

At the top there is the Old Halt, a listed former coaching inn, probably pre-dating the Turnpike Act, as anyone coming from the north west would need a break and change of horses after getting up Stoke Hill. Originally the building would have been completely isolated but a Victorian entrepreneur named William Baker decided to create a development on the far side of the Downs, which he called Downleaze and Rockleaze.

The magnificent line of Victorian semidetached villas facing the Downs, with stables and coach house behind, is one of the finest of all 19c Bristol developments.

Right at the end, at the junction of Ivywell Road, there is a path stretching east, and this was a private road created by Baker in 1862. It runs across to Ladies Mile and then to Upper Belgrave Road, where there is a low cutting. Its creation led to public outcry and he was forced to return it to open grassland, though in 1882 the present footpath was created on the line of the road. At its junction with Circular Road, created, incidentally, in 1877, there are the battered remains of a water trough for the sheep. It is made from a solid block of pennant sandstone from the quarries in the Frome Valley.

We turn right down Ivywell Road, to Ivywell House, originally a farmhouse, at the bottom,

and then left along the boundary wall. This section of the Downs is called the Ash Wood, because there is a large wood of veteran ash trees, with a few old oaks, which are certainly 150 years old. Quite why the grazing pressure was so low that a wood was able to develop on this site is unclear. The woodland is now almost impenetrable. The wall has a series of garden gates for the owners of the very large villas built in the late 19c, which themselves have been subject to infill in recent times. The last of these is the eccentric Towerhirst built in 1861.

Just before you reach the cliff edge there is a toilet block. This was created in 1945 from the temporary mess hall created for the American First Army whose tanks covered the Down’s surface and played a key role in D-Day. There were a series of large temporary buildings on Circular Road. Just below you at this point is Turner’s Cave, now part of the gardens of Seawalls flats. Here the 17 yearold artist painted a view of the Avon Gorge in 1791, which is now in the city art museum. He was later to paint other views based on this spot.

And finally we are back where we began at Sea Walls, nine kilometres and almost a year ago. We have covered the events of some 2250 years, seen ghost roads, explored wildlife. In case you were wondering, five times round the Downs is a marathon.

The Downs are for people, and the management of a vast number of competing interests is sophisticated and subtle. If you enjoy the Downs, or use if for your sport, why not become a Friend? Membership is just £10. Contact Robin Haward at robinhaward@blueyonder.co.uk 0117 974 3385 46

MEMBERSHIP FROM AS LITTLE AS

£41 A MONTH

FINDYOUR INNER

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS FANTASTIC OFFER PLEASE CONTACT:

0117 315 7678

MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES

STRENGTH FREE WEIGHTS & RESISTANCE ROOMS

25M INDOOR POOL

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WWW.CCSL-CLIFTONCOLLEGE.COM 47

Good Reads - recommendations from Bruce Fellows The US Presidential election and one of the candidates is ‘vulgar, almost illiterate, a public liar’, ‘his “ideas” almost idiotic’, and yet the people elect him. Ring any bells?

But this is Buzz Windrip, Sinclair Lewis’s creation in It Can’t Happen Here, his novel first published in 1935 as a warning against the danger of fascism snuffing out American democracy. But Lewis has people like Doremus Jessup, too, a small town newspaper editor who resists as the country falls into chaos and the terror begins. Now re-published, this is a strange and disturbing foretelling of what might have been but let’s hope will never be.

Whitney Terrell’s gripping, fascinating and moving novel The Good Lieutenant is the story of Emma Fowler, nicknamed ‘Family Values’, as she grapples with keeping her platoon safe and always up to the mark. They’re in Iraq, they carry guns, but they’re a support unit. They rescue vehicles, build roadblocks and so on but they’re still in danger; Sgt Beale disappears and must be found. Emma’s hero is the boring General Eisenhower, who always put others first. When her soldiers suffer, Fowler suffers. This is a vivid portrait of the US Army and what it means to be an officer and have soldiers to care for.

From the Farm to the Front is Adrian Harris’s new play about the Somme written for schools but with a message for everyone.

As the Powell family becomes embroiled in the First World War, their contributions and sufferings are revealed in a series of quick fire scenes on the farm and at the Front, with judicious use of letters, even one in a box of grenades.

There are nurses, munitions workers, soldiers, pilots, miners.

It’s a great read, as gripping as a good novel, and drama teachers, check it out, there are many great speaking and non-speaking parts and a truly moving children’s battle scene.

It’s a film now but thirty years ago it was a quirky memoir relating an episode in actor Peter Turner’s life.

Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool relates how an ex-girlfriend rang up begging for rescue from hospital. He brought her to stay at his mother’s house in Liverpool.

She was Gloria Grahame, sultry film noir star whom he’d met while both were living in a London boarding house. We learn of their time together in London and New York and get a warm and amusing picture of Turner’s family and the way they all rallied round. It’s a heart-warming though ultimately very sad story.

A gruesome murder, a detective who doesn’t jump to conclusions, goes home for lunch and stops for an aperitif. Yes, it’s Inspector Maigret, and Georges Simenon has him prowling the streets of Paris again in The Shadow Puppet, recently re-published in a new translation. Couchet has been shot dead in front of his wide open safe; armed robbery gone wrong, surely. Well. The apartment house where the shooting occurred provides a host of suspects but was it an outside job, and what of the mad woman and her sinister sister? Maigret finds the murderer of course. This is a great read, Simenon at his best.

Bruce Fellows - December 2017 48

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Coaching - Anne Miller Dreams and Goals Is it ok to dream? Or are dreams just an inferior version of goals?

There have been some big dreamers throughout history who have contributed significantly to the society we have today: Martin Luther King, Walt Disney and John Lennon, to name a few. These and many others found ways to share their dreams and inspire others, bringing cultural and economic benefits to our world.

When Martin Luther King shared his dream, he shared his vision and his vision engaged people. They saw an alternative society that was worth fighting for. He galvanised people and people worked together to achieve something previously thought fanciful.

The people who took action will have set goals, no doubt: specific goals around action and engagement. But they didn’t need specific goals about justice and freedom: the concept and the vision was enough!

We are familiar with the need for goals to be specific and realistic in order for them to be achievable. I will often work with clients to help them be specific so that they can plan their actions and measure their progress towards their goals. When progress has previously been disappointing, this often helps to provide the necessary motivation.

But when there is a higher purpose and the vision is compelling, maybe it’s ok to dream, maybe its ok not to be precise‌

When we talk about dreams, we think of them as ideas, lacking clear intention or specific action. They are an idea of something we would like to have or see in the future without an associated plan of how we will go about achieving them.

Visit www.annemillercoaching.co.uk for more information and to book a free consultation Tel: 07722 110 228

If we are not someone who likes to dream, we may easily dismiss the dreams of others, disregarding them as unrealistic, fanciful, a waste of time, and a distraction. But as the examples above demonstrate, dreaming may not be such a bad thing!

Not all dreams disappear into the winds of time. On the contrary, they have often been the inspiration for action on a massive scale that has shaped history!

fresh thinking - positive change 50

Cotham Parish Church warmly invites you to our

Christmas Events and Services Sunday 3rd December – Bristol Old Vic Theatre School present ‘A Starry Night – A Nativity Tale’ A joyous play for young and old. Performances at 3:30 and 6:00pm Sunday 24th December – Christingle Service – a service for children of all ages in aid of The Children’s Society – 4pm Sunday 24th December – Midnight Service - through midnight and into Christmas Day – 11:30pm Christmas Day – Christmas Morning Service – 10am

Dear Friends and Neighbours – Have a very Happy Christmas Our website: https://cotham.bristol.anglican.org 51

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

If you have something of this nature that you would like listed please get in touch by calling 0117 259 1964 or 07845 986650, email andy@ bcmagazines.co.uk, or post details in to 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY. Details shown are accurate to the best of my knowledge, but dates, times & locations may change without notification. So if you are unsure, and to avoid disappointment, please contact the organiser listed to double check.

Theatre, Concerts and Music On Saturday 16th December 2017 7.30 pm Bristol Choral Society, conducted by Hilary Campbell will be performing at the Colston Hall. Featuring Gerald Finzi : In Terra Pax, Ralph Vaughan Williams : Fantasia on Christmas Carols, Gustav Holst : Christmas Day & Psalm 148, and Benjamin Britten : A Ceremony of Carols. Tickets from £10.75 to £31.18. (under 25s £5.38, Seniors 10% discount).

Full details at www.bristolchoral.co.uk. Book online via www.bristolchoral.co.uk. or by phone on 0117 203 4040.

Carols by Candlelight in the Lord Mayor’s Chapel.

You are warmly invited to join the Quartet Ambassadors for carols by candlelight and songs by local community organisation Mind Your Music, followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the historic setting of The Lord Mayor’s Chapel.Wednesday 6 December 7pm-9pm The Lord Mayor’s Chapel, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TB. Tickets £15* per person *Price includes a suggested charitable donation of £7 per ticket. For more booking document below.Come and witness the beauty of music and song by candlelight in the historic setting of St Mark’s, the Lord Mayor’s Chapel, now the only municipally-owned church in Britain. For bookings and more details please call Sabita Ravi on 0117 989 7704 email sabita. ravi@quartetcf.org.uk The Redland Green Choir’s Christmas Concert will take place at St Matthew’s, Kingsdown, at 7.30pm on Saturday 9th December. The programme wil range from the sixteenth century (William Byrd’s O Magnum Mysterium) to the twenty-first century (Ave Maris Stella by James MacMillan), with some carols for everyone to sing. Tickets are £8 (concessions £6). For more details, see redlandgreenchoir.org.uk.

Bristol Cabot Choir Christmas Concert – Monday.

11 December 2017, 7.30 pm in Bristol Cathedral.

A performance of the Messe pour la Nuit de Noël by Marc-Antoine Charpentier and other

lovely Christmas music for choir and audience.

Conducted by Rebecca Holdeman, with Andrew Kirk, Organ, Charity No. 116260. Tickets: Reserved £15 , Unreserved £10/£5 (NUS card/ under 18s). On line: www.opus13.co.uk - Ticket Line: 0117 923 0164/0117 9626521. www. bristolcabotchoir.org. Supporting Bristol Off the Record Charity.

Bristol Chamber Choir - Music for Christmas.

Settings of the Ave Maria by Biebl, Bruckner, Despres, Liszt, Parsons, Rachmaninov and Victoria with carols from each composer’s country. The Lord Mayor’s Chapel, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TB on Saturday 16 December at 2.15pm. Tickets £10.00 (students and children free) from: www.eventbrite.com/e/music-for-christmastickets-38473316726, Opus 13, 14 St Michael’s Hill, BS2 8DT 01179 230164 or at the door For further information visit www. bristolchamberchoir.org.uk Friends of Welsh National Opera and all our visitors are very welcome at Redmaids High School performing arts centre on Wednesday 13th December at 7.15pm to enjoy WNO's Orchestra Manager, Matthew Downes giving us a flavour of his role with the company & his involvement in maintaining the very high standards of the WNO Orchestra. He has many interesting stories to tell and will play some of his favourite recordings.

Friends £5, visitors £7. Further details from 01275 848526 or borkmail@gmail.com Melody Makers Choir. A fun, friendly, mixed non audition choir singing uplifting pop and rock music. Book a free taster with our Pop Choir on Wednesday's 7:30-9:00pm in St. Peter's Church, Henleaze, or our Baby Friendly Choir on Tuesday's 10:30-11:30am in The Eastfield Inn, Henleaze. www.melodymakerschoir.co.uk Henbury Singers are a friendly choir and welcome new members. We meet at Stoke Bishop Primary School (BS9 1BW) in Cedar Park on Thursday evenings - 7:45 to 9:15 pm. There is ample free parking. Fees are currently £125 per year. There is no audition. We sing mainly choral music from a classical tradition, but we also sing carols, songs from musicals, gospel and folk songs. For membership contact Maggie Cavanna 0117 973 4794 or secretary@henburysingers.org On Sat 9th December, 5pm come and enjoy Amahl and the Night Visitors at St Alban’s Church, BS6 7NU. A magical Christmas Opera in one act

by Gian Carlo Menotti. Semi-staged with soloists, dances and St Alban’s Church choir and orchestra.

Hot drinks, cakes and mince pies to follow.

Children welcome. Profits to be shared between

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What’s On & Community News The Church in Westbury Park and MIND. Tickets £10 adults £5 child, £20 family (2+2).

A Gurt Lush Christmas at St Alban's Church BS6 7NU on Sat 16th December, 7.30 pm. A Christmas concert like no other as Bristol’s popular community choir, directed by the inimitable Sam Burns, visit Westbury Park to present a a diverse ‘Christmas platter’ including songs from all over the world, in Gurt Lush multi-part harmonies!

Bristol Male Voice Choir will be singing in and around Bristol in the coming year in concerts appealing to a wide range of audiences, performing not just male voice favourites, but songs from musicals, pop classics, spirituals, and classical favourites. You don’t have to read music to join the choir as a tenor, baritone or bass, but you will enjoy learning our repertoire, (re-) discovering the voice you may have forgotten about , and being welcomed into the choir’s friendly social atmosphere. We rehearse every Thursday from 7.00pm till 9.15 pm at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (formerly Filton College) Come along to a rehearsal, or go to our website – bristolmvc.org.uk - to find out more.

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

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

Gasworks Choir is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an evening gala concert at St George’s on Sunday 17th December at 7.30pm. Bristol’s 150-strong community choir will sing favourite songs alongside fresh musical surprises.

Renowned for powerful acappella performances, rich harmonies and original arrangements that span an exhilarating mix of genres – from pop and folk to jazz and classical – the choir will create an uplifting concert that promises to be a night to remember. There will also be a matinee concert that welcomes children of all ages.

Both concerts will feature a performance by Gasworks leaders past and present. Tickets from St George’s: Evening concert (7.30pm): £10 / £8 conc. Family Matinee (2.30pm): £8 / £7 conc. / £1

under 18s. NB: £1 administration fee charged per transaction, plus £1 card transaction fee. All seats are unreserved.

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

We invite experienced singers who enjoy a capella singing to join us at the start of 2018. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings at Redland Park United Reformed Church at 7.30pm. Further details can be found at www.bristolchamberchoir. org.uk. If you are interested please contact: our Secretary, Rae Ford, on 0117 939 1685 or Rod Coomber on 01275 843900 or rodcoomber@aol.co.uk Bristol Concert Wind Band offers you the opportunity to learn a wind or percussion instrument in a friendly atmosphere with others in the same position. Every year we start a class for absolute beginners. This year we are particularly interested in those wanting to play brass, oboe, bassoon and percussion instruments, however all are welcome! 3 year course. Weekly tuition from our excellent course leaders.

Performance opportunities in the year. We’ll lend you an instrument and age is no barrier!

Contact Tina Bartlett to register your interest. tinabartlett@bcwb.co.uk / 0117 405 7369 / www. bcwb.co.uk/learners.

Exhibitions, Markets and Meetings Christmas Family Lecture on an iconic toy: the Airfix kit. Hear one of Airfix's Lead Researchers on the history of Airfix, how it grew to become Britain's most prolific toy manufacturer, and how they research and produce model kits today.

Thurs 7 Dec at UWE, free festive refreshments from 18:00, lecture at 18:30. More info and register for a place at http://tinyurl.com/ IETBS17Xmas. Brought to you by local branches of engineering institutions IET, RAeS, IMechE, ICE, NI, RSC and WEMMA. Fitness, Health and Wellbeing Folk/Country Dancing on Tuesday's 1 - 3 pm at The College in College Road, Westbury on Trym, starting on 16th January 2018. This is a sociable group meeting to have fun, get some exercise and, of course, stop for a cup of tea. No experience is necessary as all dances are called first. For further information, call Christine on 0117 962 2223.

North Bristol Ultimate Frisbee Club. The best 54

DON’T LOSE YOUR VOTE Your annual canvass form has arrived and you must respond in one of three ways:

Click it

To make changes or confirm no changes it’s quicker and easier online www.householdresponse.com/bristol

Ring it

To confirm no changes call 0800 197 9871 (this is a freephone number)

Text it

To confirm no changes text NOCHANGE and your security codes to 80212 (texts will be charged at user’s standard rate)

For further information visit www.bristol.gov.uk/voting-elections/register-to-vote or you can contact us by calling 0117 922 3400 or by email at electoral.services@bristol.gov.uk Residents without a computer or phone can return the form by post using the pre-paid envelope provided.

By law you must respond to the household enquiry form. You can choose to respond online, by text, phone or post. Your response ensures that existing voters appear in the 2018 electoral register and new eligible residents are identified. Any new eligible residents must register to vote individually either online www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or by filling in an individual invitation to register form.

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What’s On & Community News sport you’ve never played! We turn frisbee from a beach and dog pastime into a fast-paced, mixed-gender team sport. Our beginner-focused club wants newbies of all ages to come and try it out! We play every Wednesday from 6pm on the Downs, over the road from the water tower. Just wear sporty clothes and trainers and bring some water. Find us on Facebook (search “North Bristol Ultimate”) or email jake.f.waller@gmail.com for more details, or just turn up - it’s free!

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

Morris Dancing - Bristol Morris Men welcome anyone who wants to try morris dancing. We practise on Thursday evenings in the Sports Hall at (QEH) Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital (School) at Berkeley Place, Clifton from 8pm to 10pm(ish).

For more information please visit www. bristolmorrismen.co.uk or call Grant on (0117) 9442165.

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

Tel. Cheryl on 0117 4012416. Every Tues 7.30 9.30pm. See www.wscbristol.co.uk for details.

Hydrotherapy Exercise Sessions - group exercise in lovely warm water at Southmead Hospital’s purpose built pool. Benefits include relaxation, relief of pain & swelling, improved movement, balance & fitness. All ages & abilities welcome.

We are a friendly local team of Chartered Physiotherapists with expertise in a variety of disabilities & medical conditions. For more details please contact Chris & Ali Cowley on 07971 086 628, email healthyhydrotherapy@gmail.com or visit www.healthyhydrotherapy.co.uk.

Fancy a ramble? How about joining us for enjoyable 8-10 mile walks on two Sundays per month ? Our usual group size is 12-15 walkers. If

you are interested please come and give Stoke Lodge Ramblers a try. For more details please visit www.stokelodgeramblers.wordpress.com or phone Secretary 0117 9684140.

Tai Chi Classes for beginners - Join us in the New Year and fit the Chinese way. Always wanted to try Tai Chi? For centuries the Chinese have practised Tai Chi as simple but powerful form of exercise for strength, balance and mindfulness. The Bristol School of Tai Chi has lots of daytime and evening classes in Henleaze and Bishopston starting from the 8 January. Any questions contact Ben Milton 0117 9493955 taichi@bristoltaichi.com www. bristoltaichi.com Gardening and Horticulture The Clifton Garden Society invite you to come and join is as a new member. Monthly coach visits are arranged to great houses and gardens. There is a quarterly newsletter, an annual holiday and a Christmas party. If you would like to join this friendly group please contact 0117 973 7296 for further details .

The Alpine Garden Society meet on the 3rd Friday of the month at Westbury Methodist Church, Westbury Hill, at 7.30pm. We have speakers on various topics, plant sales and social events.

Visitors are very welcome at £2 a visit. For more details please call 967 3160.

Volunteering and Charities Next year's Redland May Fair takes place on Bank Holiday Monday 7th May 2018, 1-5pm on Redland Green. If you are interested in having a stall at the fair and would like to be added to our mailing list please email mayfairstalls@rcas.org.uk for more information. We like to keep it really affordable and so fees per pitch vary depending on the type of stall. The May Fair is a not-for-profit, free community event and is organised by a small group of volunteers on behalf of RCAS. Volunteers to teach adults to read with Read Easy. This National Charity is now expanding into North and West Bristol and is looking for people to become reading coaches. We use a scheme that has been specially designed to be delivered by people who are not trained teachers. After an initial day of training our Coordinator will pair you with an adult reader and ask you to deliver two half hour sessions for most weeks of the year. The timings for the sessions and the venue (chosen from a list provided by Read Easy) will be decided by you and the reader to be mutually convenient.

More information can be found at www.readeasy. org.uk and if you are interested please contact 56

Philosophy for living Free course starts January 2018 The aim of philosophy is to set people free; free from pressure and free from worry; free to grow, free to be themselves. So it seems fitting that a philosophy course should be free (apart from a ÂŁ10 registration fee). This ten session short course, called Philosophy for Living, looks at life and its meaning, the world and its causes and applying mindfulness to every moment.

Based on the classic philosophies of East and West, it invites us to see life as a place to test the words of the wise.

Feel free to join us.

BATH: Tuesdays at 7.15pm starting 16th Jan 2018 at 30 Milsom St Bath BA1 1DG

BRISTOL: Thursdays at 7.15pm starting 18th Jan 2018 at Charnwood House, 30 Cotham Park, Bristol, BS6 6BU

If you would like to know more or to register please contact: Email: bathandbristolphilosophy@gmail.com Or call: 07873 230651

Bath and Bristol School of Philosophy: branch of The Fellowship of the School of Economic Science.

Registered Educational Charity 313115

www.bathandbristolphilosophy.org 57

What’s On & Community News our Coordinator by email: bristol@readeasy.org. uk or ring 07941 078332 At Bristol Child Contact Centre in Henleaze children of all ages spend time with the parent they no longer live with, in a session supported by our volunteers. Many of the ‘contact parents’ are fathers, so we would especially welcome more men to join us. The volunteer role involves: meeting and welcoming parents and children; preparing the hall and toys; assisting with cleaning up at the end of the session; serving refreshments; listen non-judgmentally and with empathy whilst remaining impartial; using good communicating skills. If this appeals to you, and you’d be free to join our Saturday volunteer rota every 4-6 weeks for a few hours, do get in touch for further details. We are open on every 2nd and 4th Saturday a month, from 10am-1pm and from 2pm-5pm. You will get an enhanced DBS check, training and support, plus the satisfaction of maintaining a much-valued service which helps families stay in touch after separation. See our website at www.bristolchildcontactcentre.org.uk. and/or ring Monika on 07511 290505 for informal chat or email: info@bristolchildcontactcentre.org. uk.

REMAP is a registered charity that designs and makes custom aids for the disabled. We are on the lookout for volunteers (engineers, craftsmen, DIY enthusiasts etc) who are willing give up a little of their time to enable a disabled person to enjoy a better quality of life. We design, make or modify equipment to suit their specific needs. Please contact us if you can help please contact Colin on 01275 460288, colin305@gmail.com, or Ray on 0117 9628729, rwestcott@blueyonder.co.uk or visit www.bristol.remap.org.uk If you’d like to get more active or involved in your community why not give an hour a week or a day a month and help Marie Curie. We depend on contributions of time and skills so that we can continue to provide care to patients and their families. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer for us, from helping at a collection to placing collection tins in your local community or by joining your local fundraising group. If you enjoy meeting new people and raising money for a great cause, we would love to hear from you.

FFI please contact Community Fundraiser Helen Isbell on 0117 9247275 or email Helen.Isbell@ mariecurie.org.uk Friendship, Social and Support Do you, or someone you know, need support following a relationship breakdown? Over the past 20 years Aquila has helped many people

learn to cope and rebuild their lives following separation or divorce. Our next 7-week selfhelp course starts on Wednesday 24th January in Southmead/ Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. The course is facilitated by a group of men and women who have all experienced broken relationships or divorce. If you would like to know more call Gill on 07807 058479, email bristol@hopeafter-heartbreak.co.uk or visit www.hope-afterheartbreak.co.uk or our Facebook page www. facebook.com/hopeafterheartbreak Prospect is a support group for Bristol and district prostate cancer patients, partners and carers. The next meeting will be at BAWA, Filton BS34 7RF, on January 15, with a speaker (7pm).

Coffee mornings are held at the Macmillan Centre, Southmead Hospital, on the first Thursday of each month (10am-noon), to help new patients. The group’s webmaster, Bernard Smyth, has been a member for five years and said: “I have found it a great help. Meeting other patients and swapping stories helps to lighten the load of dealing with this condition. Every member’s story is different but all agree that Prospect is very useful."www.prostatecancerbristol.org.uk and the Tackle helpline, 0800 035 5302, will put callers in touch with Prospect.

Coffee Morning, every 3rd Saturday, at Westbury Park Methodist Church, North View, BS6 7QB All welcome. 10.30am-12.30pm. This is raising funds for the Church and for our Quarterly charity.

January 20th, February 17th and March 24th (NB different date due to prior booking). We are currently fundraising for several capital projects - the new kitchen in the Methodist Church, 2 new boilers at the Methodist Church, works at the back of St Alban's Church to improve the layout and install a kitchen, improved toilets at St Alban's Church, renewed lighting at St Alban's and decorations at the Methodist Church. As part of our Fundraising campaign we are holding a Beetle Drive on Saturday January 13th in St Alban's Church Hall, Bayswater Avenue, with Hot Dogs and bar. Doors open 6.30pm. Adult £6, Child £4.

All welcome. Contact the church office to reserve tickets.

Westbury Park WI is the local WI for Westbury Park, Henleaze and Bishopston. We meet on the first Wednesday of the month from 7.30pm in Redland Church Hall, Redland Green Road, BS6 7HE.Guest fees are £4 per meeting – Glass of wine £2, tea, coffee, soft drinks 50p, other refreshment options available, biscuits/cake free. December 6th - Christmas Meeting - bring alsong a sample of your favourite Christmas recipe for people to taste. There will also be mulled wine, mince pies and carol singing. Fun for all ages. Our January meeting will be looking at this year's resolutions 58

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What’s On & Community News short list plus there will be a quiz. We meet on January 3rd. Our February meeting has Jackie Franklin coming to speak on being a Foster Carer for over 30 years, fostering over 100 children plus was on the Adoption Panel. All welcome. For more details email westburyparkwi@gmail.com or visit www.westburyparkwi.org.uk.

“Simply Social” Activity and Social Club. Whether you are single or in a relationship, enhance your social life by joining our friendly social club. We are in Bristol, Bath and the surrounding areas and are run by members for the members. We enjoy a packed programme of activities including walking, live music, dancing, dining out, badminton, a reading group, weekends away and foreign holidays. Simply Social is a member of a non-profit making, nationwide organisation ( the Association of Intervarsity Clubs). There are no age limits although most of our members are 40+. Check out our website www.simplysocial.org.uk or phone us on 07971 427766,and come along to one of our Thursday Clubnights.

Senior Film Club, every third Monday in the month, at 2pm in St Peter’s Hall, The Drive, Henleaze, BS9 4LD. On Monday 18th December at 2pm we will hold our Christmas Party including a short film - A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens) followed by fun with local performers Tim Lewis and Sheila Furneaux. Easy access, carers welcome.

Refreshments £3. Please spread the word and bring a friend. Supported by Home Instead Senior Care 0117 9898210.

Soroptomists International Bristol are part of a global organisation founded in Bristol for women from a wide range of professional and business backgrounds who have joined together to give Service, Friendship and have Fun. We meet on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at Long Ashton Golf Club where we enjoy a two course meal with a speaker. For more details please contact our membership officer on 0117 9739894 or email gillbea@aol.com for more details.

Oatley House Atrium restaurant, Westburyon-Trym, BS9 3TN from 3.30pm – 5.30pm. We provide a relaxed, informal and safe space in which issues surrounding dementia can be aired. Our café is staffed by trained, caring and experienced volunteers. Refreshments are served and most weeks live music is played. There is no charge to attend, free on-site parking is usually available and the number 1 bus stops right outside. FFI or to register your attendance contact Jacqui Ramus - tel 07854 185093 or email jacqui. ramus@stmonicatrust.org.uk.

Clifton Rotary Club welcomes new members willing to give their time, interested in making new friends, building business contacts and using their skills to help others. We meet Weds lunchtimes at The Redland Green Club (Redland Lawn Tennis & Squash Club). www.cliftonrotary. org or email secretary@cliftonrotary.org Bristol Grandparents Support Group gives support to grandparents who are estranged from their grandchildren due to family breakdown.

Family breakdown can be as a result of separation / divorce, alcohol / drug dependency, domestic violence within the home, bereavement or family feud. We give support over the phone, via email, Skype and at our regular meetings held at 9, Park Grove, Bristol. BS6 7XB. Tel 07773 258270 more information or visit www.bgsg.co.uk.

Rotary Club of Bristol meet at the Bristol Hotel, Prince Street, BS1 4QF at 7.00pm for 7.30 pm on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Mondays and at 12.30pm for 1.00 pm on the 2nd and 4th Mondays. Meetings start with a meal and are followed by a speaker.

New members are very welcome – for more details see www.bristolrotary.org or contact Martina Peattie at mpeattie@btopenworld.com

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

Bristol U3A - a unique organisation offering friendship, fun and learning. If you have retired from full-time work and would like to learn a new skill, explore a new hobby, or just socialise - we have a wide range of groups and activities, including art, computing, languages, gardens, music, books, walking, science and current affairs. Drop-in to one of our many social groups.

Come to Browns Restaurant, by the Museum, at 10.15am on the 3rd Wednesday & 4th Thursday of every month, details: Jenny 0117 9043697. Or our coffee morning and talk in the Broadmead Baptist Church on the 3rd Tuesday at 10.00am. Please visit our website: www.bristolu3a.org.uk. If we’re going to live longer, make the most of it - don’t let life pass you by

On the first Tuesday of the month the North Bristol Alzheimer Café opens at St Monica Trust,

Civil Service Retirement Fellowship. The Westbury-on-Trym group welcomes all retired 60

Bishopston, Cotham and Redland Community Partnership invites members.

BCR CP is inviting local community groups to become founder members of the Community Partnership. Founder members will sign up to the aims of the Community Partnership and will be integral to bringing forward the purpose of the CP. This is an open invitation to any individuals and groups who would like to be part of the new organisation; you are invited to have a look at our new website and how you can join at bcrcp.org.uk/join The BCR CP has been set up to carry on the best practice of the former Bishopston, Cotham and Redland Neighbourhood Partnership following the withdrawal of funding and officer support for the Neighbourhood Partnerships in Bristol.

BCR CP area will cover the neighbourhoods within and around the wards of Bishopston & Ashley Down, Cotham and Redland BCR CP aims to • encourage and promote community spirit and cohesion, and the involvement of local people in community affairs; • seek to safeguard and improve the social, physical and cultural character of our area; • help people in our area to have a greater influence on decisions affecting their lives; • support local community groups, institutions and businesses to contribute positively to the quality of life in our area.

The steering group has been meeting since April 2017 to draw up the Constitution and Aims of the proposed BCR CP organisation (see website) and is planning a first Annual General Meeting in early 2018 where the first full committee and officers will be chosen and the constitution proposed for adoption.

Find us on Facebook @BCR.Community

Toilet Twinning Here's a nice story that caught the eye recently. Local bathroom and plumbing company Threesixty Services (see p 19) joined forces with charity Toilet Twinning to mark World Toilet Day and help provide toilets in poor communities abroad.

Threesixty Services have 'twinned' their own toilet in their showroom on Zetland Road with a latrine overseas through the charity and will now be encouraging customers to do the same in their new bathrooms.

By donating £60 to twin their toilet, Threesixty customers will be helping those in desperate poverty to have access to a proper latrine, clean water and the information they need to be healthy. In return, customers will receive a certificate of their toilet's twin (such as this one in South Sudan), containing a photo, the latrine's location and its GPS coordinates, to proudly display in their new bathroom. Those who donate to the initiative will be able to choose a country to twin their toilet with.

Threesixty will also be inspiring customers who have received plumbing services, to make a donation towards twinning a toilet, through its match funding scheme.

They aim to raise enough in partnership with their

customers to provide 12 new toilets in the coming year.

Toilet Twinning CEO Lorraine Kingsley said: "A loo of even the most basic design can literally save lives in the poor communities where we work. So, we are extremely grateful to Threesixty Services for their support in helping us help communities which lack even the most basic services that we tend to take for granted." Eden Warren, Operations Director at Threesixty, said: "We are thrilled to be working with Toilet Twinning and contribute to such a worthwhile cause. Having just twinned our showroom’s toilet with a latrine in Lupaya in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we now want to help spread the word to others in Bristol. As World Toilet Day highlights, many people overseas don’t have access to decent, healthy sanitation - something that many of us here take for granted. Our aim, going forward, is to work with our customers, to provide this basic but critical facility, to as many communities as possible."

World Toilet Day is an United Nations initiative to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.

Today, 2.3 billion people do not have somewhere safe to go the toilet. The Sustainable Development Goals, launched in 2015, include a target to ensure everyone has access to a safely-managed household toilet by 2030. This makes sanitation central to eradicating extreme poverty.

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What’s On & Community News Civil Servants and their spouses to their meetings held on the first Thursday of the month at Studland Court, Henleaze Road at 2.00pm, Those people without a civil service background are welcome to join our group as Friends of the Fellowship. For more info phone Beryl Webb on 01454 614 451.

Do come along - you will find the programme and more details at www.cfbristol.org.uk and you are very welcome to email or call me if you have any questions: charlottejanetaylor@tiscali.co.uk / 07976 922636. Venez partager avec nous notre amour de cette belle langue!

Calling all Carers. Would you like the opportunity to share your experiences, relax and make new friends? Then come and join the Henleaze Carers’ Group. We meet on the second and fourth Thursday morning of each month, 10am to 12, in Bradbury Hall, Waterford Road, Henleaze. For more information please call Mrs M Rudston 942 6095.

The Bristol Astronomical Society host a series of astronomical talks, events and activities each week. We provide free Saturday observing at our observatory in Failand and often stage Star Parties in and around Bristol. Friday evening talks are held at 7pm at Bristol Photographic Society, Montpelier, BS6 5EE. Details of all events are on our website: www.bristolastrosoc.org.uk - All welcome.

Instep Club for Widows and Widowers. Weds evenings 8.00 pm-10.00 pm at Stoke Bishop Village Hall, Stoke Hill. Dancing - Ballroom and Sequence (If you haven’t danced for a long time, don’t worry, we will help you learn). Social activities Annual membership £8. Members: £2 per session. Visitors welcome: £3 per session.

Come in to see us or telephone Donna on 01275 832676 or Wilma on 9628895 for information.

Bristol University of the Third Age (U3A) scrabble group would welcome new members. We play very friendly and informal games every Friday at the Beehive, Wellington Hill West, BS9 4QY from 2 to 4pm. For further info please contact Heddy Sara on 0117 9241318 and indicate when asked to give your name that you are phoning about scrabble in order not to be blocked. Also email : nigel.d.sara@btinternet.com

General Interests

On Thursday, January 11th in Henleaze Library at 7pm Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol University will talk about, “The Life and Times of King Charles II”. Tickets £5 to include refreshments

The Bus Pass Poets are a small, informal group of Bristol pensioners who write poetry. With the exception of August we meet once a month at branch libraries on local bus routes. Come along and read your own poem to the group whether limerick, ballad, rap, humour or sonnet.

All are welcome. There are no enrolment fees or subscriptions. If you write poetry, please join us to read and share. Our next meetings for 2017/ 2018 are: Friday 8th December at Redland library on Whiteladies Road just up from Clifton Down station, from 2.30 – 3.30 (Buses 1, 2, 3, 4); Friday 12th January at Central Library on College Green from 2.30 – 3.30 (Buses – any that go through the Centre). All types are welcome whether you write sonnet, ballad, limerick, rap, etc. Contacts - Phone Julie 01179.428637 or text Edith 07758.018768

Bristol French Circle. The Cercle français de Bristol is for all those who enjoy speaking and listening to French. We meet at BAWA on alternate Thursdays from October to May each year. Our programme is very varied and we have French speakers on a wide range of subjects, including music, art, culture and geography, informal conversation evenings, a literary discussion and an evening of poetry and music. We also organise dinners in local restaurants and trips to see French films.

Whether you use your French frequently or studied it at school years ago and would like to dust it down, you will find a really warm welcome with us. Most of our meetings are held at BAWA.

The National Trust - Bristol Centre hold a series of talks through the autumn and winter at St Monica’s Trust, Cote Lane, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3UN. There is a charge of £3 for members and visitors for each talk to contribute towards the costs. Tea or coffee and biscuits will be served after the afternoon talks. For more details please contact David Moore on 0117 9658014. On Saturday 16th December 2017 at 2.15 pm we feature “George Bernard Shaw: Playing the clown” by Brian Freeland. As both narrator and player Brian will combine theatrical memories with his light-hearted chronicle of the life of the “best playwright since Shakespeare”.

The Arts Society Bristol (formerly BDFAS) is Bristol's own society for those who enjoy the arts. Lectures are held monthly on a wide range of subjects. On 18 December the subject is "Old Buildings: Fakes and Fallacies". On 15 January it is "Parodies of Victorian Society in Gilbert and Sullivan". Lectures are held in The Lecture Theatre, The School of Chemistry, Cantocks Close, BS8 1TS. For more information on lectures, study days and trips, visit our website www. theartssociety-bristol.org.uk

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In the Garden with Hilary Barber This December don’t forget to rake up the rest of your leaves and mulch the bare soil - and whilst you are in the garden on wintry sunny days, I thought that you might welcome some tips to help winter garden wildlife.

laden shrubs will provide much needed natural food sources; and plant stems, and piles of leaves, rocks or logs make a great place for invertebrates such as ladybirds and lacewings, toads, slow worms and hedgehogs to hibernate. You can also make a bug hotel for the winter http://www. gardenplotters.org.uk/making-a-simple-bug-hotel It’s great fun!

1. Feed the birds! Make sure you consistently top up feeders through the winter, and use seeded fat balls and blocks and other suet based foods to give the birds a real boost in the early mornings.

Other good energy rich foods which will help bring in a good range of birds include peanuts, niger seed, black sunflowers, and mealworms. I often hang Christmas presents for the birds from the trees, including popcorn and sultana ‘tinsel’ , apple halves, pine cones stuffed with lard mixed with seed mix, and homemade bird cakes made of seed, sultanas and lard - they love it!

6. Don’t forget about the bees! There may be solitary bees still in search of food on sunny winter days and so do think about planting some shrubs which bear winter flowers, such as winter flowering jasmine, winter honeysuckle, mahonia varieties and Viburnum bodnantense.

7. If you are planning for next year, start thinking about the kind of plants you might like to plant ready for next winter. Plants and shrubs which bear fruit, nuts or berries are a great way to give something back to wildlife come winter and provides interest and a splash of colour when other vegetation dies back. Also, planting plants with hollow stems such as angelica, fennel and plume poppy, and leaving them to stand through the winter will provide a great home for wildlife to hibernate.

2. Don’t forget water in a bird bath or bowl.

Garden ponds can also be an important water source for wildlife, but not just for drinking. If we have a cold winter, it's important to ensure that pond life is safe too, as the oxygen in a pond can be depleted if it is completely frozen over for long periods of time. To ensure that your pond is healthy and to stop it freezing over, make sure that you have a ball floating on the surface of the pond.

Wishing you all a very Happy Festive Season!

3. Clean out nesting boxes. Don't forget to remove old nesting materials from bird boxes to prevent the build up of parasites and diseases, replace the old with a little fresh material, and don't take them down for long periods as come nightfall many of these boxes will still be in use as birds shelter from the harsh weather. Now is a great time to put up more boxes too, ready for the spring - you might even get some birds roosting in it over the winter.

4. Hedgehogs should be hibernating by now but if it’s still mild and you are lucky enough to see a hedgehog in your garden, provide a shallow bowl of fresh water and some cat or dog food. If you are building a new fence please ensure to leave a little hedgehog ‘door' at the bottom of one section so that hedgehogs can roam widely 5. Don’t be too tidy! It's tempting, when plants begin to die back and trees lose their leaves, to 'have a tidy' and cut back vegetation. However, leaving seed heads on and not pruning berry 63

What’s On & Community News If you would love the chance to get on the water here in Bristol, make new friends, grow in confidence and gain qualifications and are aged between 10 and 18, Bristol Adventure Sea Cadets are recruiting now. We are open Tuesday and Friday evenings. Visit: www.sea-cadets.org/ bristoladventure to find out more.

Do you love to find out about our local history?

The West Bristol History Group hold monthly talks on the 2nd Thursday of each month by excellent speakers – upstairs at the Friends’ Meeting House, Hampton Road, BS6 6JE - starting at 7.30pm. On December 14th our speaker will be Professor Ronald Hutton on "The history of Christmas".Membership of our group is only £10 a year. Visitors pay £2 a meeting. Do please come along. A warm welcome awaits you. For further information please contact Annette Martin on 0117 9793209 or Pat Walker on 07790 172451.

The Bristol Humanists is a local group for those who make sense of the world using reason & shared human values, who seek to live ethical lives on the basis of reason, humanity and respect for others, and who find meaning, beauty, and joy in the one life we have, without the need for an afterlife. We meet every month on the first Monday at 7.30pm in Kingsdown. Contact Margaret Dearnaley on 07986 555817 (evenings and weekends only) or email bristolhumanists@ gmail.com for more information.

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

North West Bristol Camera Club, are an enthusiastic group of amateur photographers who meet each Wednesday at 7:45pm at Westbury Fields. New members of any level of ability are most welcome. For details contact Pete on 07870 589555.

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

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

bring a topic to share. We meet at 7 – 9pm every fourth Thursday evening of the month at Eastfield Inn, Henleaze, BS9 4NQ, and 10 - 12 every second Friday morning of the month, also at Eastfield Inn, Henleaze. If you would like to be involved please contact Lorna Tarr on 0770 245 3827.

Disclaimer The Bristol Six is published by Bristol Community Magazines Ltd (Co. No. 08448649, registered at 8 Sandyleaze, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS9 3PY). The views expressed by contributors or advertisers in The Bristol Six are not necessarily those held by Bristol Community Magazines Ltd. The inclusion of any business or organisation in this magazine does not imply a recommendation of it, its aims or its methods. Bristol Community Magazines Ltd cannot be held responsible for information disclosed by advertisers, all of which are accepted in good faith. Reasonable efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this magazine but no liability can be accepted for any loss or inconvenience caused as a result of inclusion, error or omission. All content is the copyright of Bristol Community Magazines Ltd and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of Bristol Community Magazines.

Quiz Answers from Page 20 General Knowledge 1. Bakerloo line; 2. Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Jackdaw; 3. a) potato; b) plum; c) cabbage; 4. a) 2000, b) 1898, c) 1967; 5. Barney Harwood, Lesley Judd, Diane-Louise Jordan, Peter Duncan; 6. Dundee (Deacon Blue's home city, Dundee Cake, Dundee and Dundee United football grounds); 7. Algeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan; 8. Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine; 9. Full introduction started in 1966 and was complete by 1974; 10. Dover and Plymouth Music 1. 1975, 1999, 1970; 2. The Scaffold, Kissing the Pink, Pink; 3. David Essex, Ricky Wilson; 4.

Glasgow, Nottingham, Sheffield; 5. Elbow; 67.

Ed Sheeran (2007), Mick Jagger (2008), Amy Winehouse (2011) Get In Touch Tel: 0117 259 1964 Txt: 07845 986650 Email: andy@bcmagazines.co.uk Post: 8 Sandyleaze, WoT, BS9 3PY Web: www.bcmagazines.co.uk

January Issue Deadline - 10th December Please note this is very early due to Christmas logistics

Philosophy Discussion Group. We are a friendly and welcoming group who enjoy taking a turn to 64

Peter Wyatt Painter & Decorator Domestic & Commercial No job too large or too small Specialist wallpapering Free estimates & friendly advice Fully insured & reliable BS6 references available Tel 07950 496039 or 01934 625782

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66

Index of Advertisers Funeral Services

Around the Garden Garden Design & Mtce

Hilary Barber

63

Garden Design & Mtce

Blossom Gardening

65

Garden Design & Mtce

Red Oak

12

Garden Services

Declan McManus

4

Garden Services

Graham Cook

42

Fencing

EC Fencing

15

Around the House

MW Funeral Directors

39

Philosophy for Living

57

Retails Centres

The Mall Cribbs Causeway

68

Record Collec�ng

Jamie’s Records

Auc�on Houses

Clevedon Salesrooms

67

KP Badges & Trophies Kemps

9 16, 17

Schools & �duca�on Philosophy Courses Gi�s, Arts, �e�eller� & �etail

Blinds & Shu�ers

�K Blinds Direct

Bathrooms, Wetrooms & Showers Cleaning Services

Paul Whi�aker

Trophies & Engraving 31 Jewellery and Gi�s

OvenGleam

28

Cleaning Services

Home Gleamers

59

Domes�c Appliance Repairs AASP Domes�cs

42

Building Services Building & Construc�on

Garcia Building Services

Bradley & Sadler

Windows & Doors

Crystal Clear

Pro�ert� & Acco��oda�on 31 Estate & Le�ng Agents 11 Estate & Le�ng Agents

Property Maintenance

HAL Maintenance

Design & Pro�ect Mgmt

Oasys Property Solu�ons

21 Estate Agents 65 Estate Agents

Richard Harding Ocean

FAB IT Rescue

Trades 38 Electrical Services

Redland Electrical

Co��u�ng, A�� & �T

Computer Repairs Computer Tui�on

Mrs PC

Aerials & Digital

H & P Aerials

Finance, Legal & Business

28

Funeral Directors

Healthcare Services Home Care Services

Home Instead

13

Home Care Services

St Monica Trust

19

Home Care Services

Premier Homecare

43 Pain�ng & Decora�ng Pain�ng & Decora�ng 15 Pain�ng & Decora�ng Pain�ng & Decora�ng

Accountancy

William Price

Book‐keeping

Walbrook Bureau Services

49 Pain�ng & Decora�ng 49 Plastering

Coaching

Anne Miller Coaching

50 Plastering

Solicitors

Corfield Solicitors

Solicitors

AMD Solicitors

Solicitors

Veale Wasbrough Vizards

Fitness, Beauty, Sport & Leisure Hairdressing Beauty Treatments Colour Analysis Social Clubs Sports Centres & Gyms

Jon Hurst Hairdressing Grace Emmerson Dr. Hauschka Colour me Beau�ful WoT Men’s Club Cli�on College Sports Centre

9

2,3 Plumbing Plumbing 36 Plumbing & Hea�ng 24, 25 Chimney Sweeps Cars & Motoring Garage Services

4 9 Garage Services 59 Pet Care and Pet Services 27 Veterinary Services 47

C J Hole

34, 35 7 40, 41 33 23

9

Stephen Carter

42

James Fox

39

Sarah�s Decora�ng Services Peter Wya�

4 65

G R Kno� A & P Plastering

7 42

McCall Plastering

42

Bathroom Perfec�on

42

Three Sixty Services

15

John Presland

31

Bristle Chimney Sweeping

65

Autotec

5

Arley Garage

15

Animal Health Centre

10

If you use any of the businesses featured in The Bristol Six please let them know that you saw their advertisement in the magazine.

Many thanks for your support.

Deadline for inclusion in the January 2018 issue - 14th Dec Contact The Bristol Six - 07845 986650 / 0117 259 1964 / andy@bcmagazines.co.uk

Antoine Blanchard (French 1910-88) Oil on canvas Sold for £16,000

Clevedon Salerooms would like to wish all past, present and future customers

A Merry Christmas FREE VALUATION DAYS IN DECEMBER 4th, 5th, 6th & 18th, 19th, 20th At the Salerooms 9.30 – 1pm & 2pm – 5pm Alternatively email images to: info@csrauctions.com

Pre-Christmas Antiques, Interiors, Collectors Items & Jewellery Sale at 10am on 14th December Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Clevedon, Bristol, BS21 6TT 67 Tel: 0117 325 6789 www.clevedon-salerooms.com

LARGEST OPEN AIR ICE RINK IN THE SOUTH WEST Book now at mallcribbs.com

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Located in front of The Mall

The Joy of Christmas Shopping 68