Bristol’s Weekly Magazine
17th - 24th December 2020
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This week..
4. Westerliegh Group Gifts Charity 6. History Of The Mince Pie 8. Gas Boiler Ban after 2033 11. Virtual Carol Concert 12. Family Christmas Trail 16. Dino Brain Rebuilt digitally 24. Charity Brings Xmas Cheer 26. Jupiter and Saturn Conjunction 42. British Law Firm Back Foodstock 46. Hoteliers Welcome tier 2 Decision 48. Festive Fun At Fairfield School The team EDITOR Michael Davies WEB DESIGNER Matthew Clarke
JOURNALIST
Lisa Davies PROOF READER Elisabeth Davies Advertising sales Tel: 0117 325 8029 MOB: 07500 017 236 Email: info@directlocalonline.com Regular editoials By: Andrea Sexton, Martin Powell Daren Bane Kayleigh Penny Peter Abraham Andrew Varney Online Weekly Distribution: Direct Local Online now reaches over 19,500 people across Bristol via their inboxes and social media each week. Facebook.com/directlocal Twitter.com/directlocalmag
Mikes letter
Welcome to the final weekly edition of 2020!
So today (17th December) Saw Bristol and North Somerset go in to tier 2, and for a change a relaxation of restrictions. Now this brings a whole new issue I think, which is thousands of Bristolians rushing to the pubs. Well the ones that serves food anyway. Now if we go by Gloucester recently this can only result in an increase of coronavirus cases as only today I did a pole on Facebook and the general consensus was ring up as many friends as possible and book up the restaurants quick. Now hang on folks wont this just send the R rate rocketing? We should really follow Europe on this and lockdown more and protect the NHS and Vulnerable people shouldn’t we? Not flock like lunatics to the local drinking whole and get bladder-ed. However its great news for the hotels cinemas and other venues and that can now reopen their doors using social distancing guidelines. On a more festive note I would like to wish all our readers a very merry little Christmas and a more prosperous new year. Lets hope 2021 brings more happiness as we head in to a new era of vaccines and a return to normality.
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Take care friends and I look forward to getting our first weekly edition of Direct Local 2021 out to you on the 7th January. Not to worry though if you cannot wait, as our popular monthly printed editions will be on the streets from the 2nd January. Thank you for all your support this year its most appreciated.
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Westerleigh Group gifts charities with much-needed funds Hospices, charities which provide bereavement counselling and support, and organisations which specialise in helping people with mental health difficulties are among the charities to benefit from the donations this year.
Around £500,000 in total is being donated to more than 100 charities and worthy organisations nationwide by the country’s largest independent owner and operator of crematoria and cemeteries.
Air ambulances, local branches of national charities, foodbanks and small local charities are also among the recipients.
Westerleigh Group, which runs 34 sites in the UK, has been donating money since 2010 through its metal recycling scheme.
Roger Mclaughlan, Chief Executive Officer of the Westerleigh Group, said: “All the organisations we have donated money to do some incredible work trying to enhance and make a positive difference to the lives of people in our communities.
With the consent of families, metals recovered during the cremation process are recycled and sold, and the money raised is used to support charities which work in the communities local to each of Westerleigh’s facilities.
“It’s an honour to be able to give something back to our local communities and provide these organisations with some financial support, especially in this particularly challenging year.
In some cases, crematorium colleagues nominate and then decide on the organisations to support; in other cases, they donate to charities which they know have a personal connection to some of the families who have lost loved ones during the course of the past year.
“Charities which rely on income from their shops have experienced a huge drop in their income this year because they’ve not been able to open their shops during lockdown. “Other organisations which rely so heavily on donations from people have seen their incomes drop as people have been worried about their own finances because of the pandemic, so may have not been able to donate as much as they might normally. “Some of the recipients of this money are organisations which we’ve had long-standing relationships with and others are ones we have never donated to before. “But they all do incredible work in the communities in and around our sites, providing vital support to local people when they need it most, and it’s an honour to be able to help them by making these donations.”
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History of the mince pie
By Peter Abraham Christmas, food is the best food. I think that goes beyond my humble opinion and is in fact, FACT! It’s full of stodgy, warm, sugary, cosy goodness that’s incredibly bad for your body but tremendously good for your soul. My favourite Yuletide morsel has to be the humble mince pie. I never used to like them I’ll be honest. I did find them a bit too rich. But now I can’t get enough of them. (I blame the butcher in Marshfield). But where did it all begin for this sweet and savoury snack? During Stuart and Georgian times, in the UK mince pies where a status symbol. Rich aristocrats gorged on the delights and liked to show off their wealth by having an assortment of differently shaped pies to impress their noble friends. Having different pies meant that you where mdisgustingly rich and you could afford the best pastry cooks in the land.
Well, mince pies like Christmas puddings where originally filled with meat! Lamb, was the main contender rather than dried fruit, nuts and spices that you find in them today. Their shape comes from what bakers thought the manger looked like that Jesus slept in. (Don’t worry this isn’t a sermon I promise you!). The tops of the pies represented the swaddling clothing that he was wrapped in. Sometimes the more adventurous and skilled baker fashioned an edible effigy of the infant Christ to complete the design. 6
A custom from the Middle Ages says, that if you eat a mince pie every day from Christmas to Twelfth Night you will have happiness for the next year. I beg to differ. I argue that you will either end up with diabetes, incredibly fat or even dead! As always dear reader, everything in moderation. However, that rule usually goes out the window in my house during Christmas time. I think it’s the one time of year when we can dispense with the dietary platitudes and throw caution to the wind and enjoy ourselves. It’s only once a year so why not make it a good one?
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Gas boilers should be banned from sale after 2033 Gas boilers should not be sold after 2033 and all electricity production should be zero carbon by 2035 if the United Kingdom is to reach the target of net zero emissions by 2050. That is the warning from the climate change committee, which advises the government on how the country can reach the milestone.
This is the right carbon budget for the UK at the right time. "We deliver our recommendations to government with genuine enthusiasm, knowing that Britain's decisive zero-carbon transition brings real benefits to our people and our businesses while making the fundamental changes necessary to protect our planet."
The committee said the government should The steps will require £50bn a year by 2030, make sure the UK's emissions are cut by 78% most of which will have to come from the compared to 1990 levels by 2035. private sector, the committee said. It follows the government's announcement last week that it aims to reduce emissions by 68% compared to 1990 levels by 2030.
The Treasury is also likely to have to double funding for green measures to between £9bn and 12bn a year in 2030. But the committee said making homes greener could be done The government has also already said sales without large increases to energy bills and of new petrol and diesel cars will end in 2030. motorists could see the costs of driving fall after they shift to electric cars. Other advice from the committee includes: Dr Jonathan Marshall, head of analysis at the • People should be encouraged to reduce Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said: their meat and dairy consumption by 20% "Calling time on gas boilers will represent by 2030, with meat eating reduced by a major step on the UK's path to a carbon 35% by 2050, meaning more peatland to neutral nation and is a way for families up absorb carbon and to plant trees and down the country to take action on their carbon footprints." • Other carbon intensive activities should also be cut, with a slower growth in flights, reductions in car travel, cutting waste and boosting recycling
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More action on energy efficiency, especially insulating buildings
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Electricity will be zero carbon by 2035, with a phase out of gas power that does not have technology to capture and store its carbon emissions, and renewables - in particular offshore wind - generating 70% of power
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By 2035, 460,000 hectares of new mixed woodland should be planted to remove carbon dioxide, increasing woodland should be planted to remove carbon dioxide, increasing woodland cover from
But some climate campaigners say that the Climate Change Committee’s target of 78% emissions reduction does not go far enough. Mike Childs, head of science at Friends of the Earth, said: “This is too conservative given the havoc and misery extreme weather is already causing, particularly to the poorest people in the world who have contributed least to climate breakdown. “We should be aiming to phase out the installation of new gas boilers well before 2030 and fitting approximately 10 million heat pumps by the same date.
“It’s what government does right now that will Climate change committee chairman Lord determine if we meet our carbon pollution Deben said the committee's sixth climate reduction goals. And what the government is budget was "ambitious, realistic and doing is ploughing £27bn into climate-wreckaffordable". ing roads as well as funding damaging fossil-fuel projects overseas.” 8
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Mick O’Neill-Duff joins your local Lib Dem team
Mick O’Neill-Duff joins your local Lib Dem team We are delighted to introduce the newest member of the Greater Brislington Lib Dem team. Here’s Mick in his own words: “Hello! May I introduce myself as your candidate for next year’s local elections? I am Mick O’Neill-Duff and I have lived in Bristol for 21 years. I have been happily married for 17 years (my second marriage) and I am very much a family man with 8 grown up children between us, 7 Grandkids and 2 Great Grandkids! Before moving to Bristol, I was a local councillor for 10 years in Milton Keynes. I worked hard for local residents, regularly badgering the council for better funding for my ward. As a councillor I was especially keen on mental health issues and working with disabled people, the elderly and the young. My proudest achievement was obtaining funds to turn a burnt-out building into a thriving youth club, local hairdressers and Snoezelen (a controlled multi-sensory room for people with autism and other developmental disabilities, dementia or brain injuries). I’m pleased to say this centre is still going strong to this day. I was a School Governor for two schools in Milton Keynes and I am also a School Governor for two schools here in Bristol. Another achievement was working with local schoolchildren to paint giant murals on an under pass by their schools. It certainly brightened up their daily commute to and from school!
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I was involved in the formation of lunch clubs for elderly residents and supported various other clubs that helped disabled people. I also worked closely with our local community police officer, and during my time as a councillor we managed to cut crime dramatically in the ward. I will use my skills and experience to serve the residents of Brislington East to the very best of my ability. I take councillor work very seriously and as your Lib Dem councillor, I promise to fight hard for the issues that affect you. As an experienced local councillor, I know how to get things done.” Mick will be working alongside our two councillors, Cllr. Tony Carey (Brislington East), Cllr. Jos Clark (Brislington West) and councillor candidate, Andrew Varney (Brislington West). Cllr. Tony Carey said, “I am delighted to welcome Mick to join our team in Brislington East. His experience as a Councillor and School Governor combined with his local knowledge will be invaluable as we strive to improve conditions for our residents”. Cllr. Jos Clark said, “As the councillor for the neighbouring ward, I am delighted to be working with such a worthy candidate”. Andrew Varney added, “I’m really looking forward to working with Mick on cross-Brislington issues”. By Jos Clark, Liberal Democrat Councillor (Brislington West) Email: cllr.jos.clark@bristol.gov.uk Mobile: 07584 370429 Tony Carey, Liberal Democrat Councillor (Brislington East) Email: cllr.tony.carey@ bristol.gov.uk Mobile: 0758 4370428 Andrew Varney, Liberal Democrat Councillor Candidate (Brislington West) Email: andyvarney@hotmail.com Mobile: 07544 667968 Mick O’Neill-Duff, Liberal Democrat Councillor Candidate (Brislington East) Email: yewtreemick@gmail.com Mobile: 07730 343333
Virtual carol concert to raise money for Lord Mayor’s Children Appeal People can enjoy the short carol concert A virtual Christmas carol concert being held at 6.30pm on Friday (18 December), is hoping to raise money to support the Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children’s Appeal
online this year. It is free to watch but we are asking people to give a donation via the virtual bucket collection if they can.
While the concert is free, viewers will be asked to donate money, if they can, to support the city’s children and young people if they can while watching the concert, which will feature Bold Brass, Blackbird Children’s Choir and the Bristol Show Choir.
“We have been fortunate to receive some very generous donations from individuals, companies and organisations but we are still short on our totals for next year. That’s why I am appealing to the people of Bristol to consider the Children’s Appeal if they are able to give something, however small, or to support our carol concert.
Each year money raised by the appeal provides more than 1,600 children and young people in the city with £40 of vouchers for food, clothes and gifts at Christmas. The charity raises £66,000 each year in order to fulfil this commitment, with the vouchers being distributed by the city’s council’s Children and Young People’s Services department.
“The money we raise makes a huge difference to some families at Christmas time and we are usually over-subscribed with requests for vouchers. It is more important this year than ever before because many families have been hit hard financially because of the impact of COVID-19.”
Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Jos Clark said: “It’s been a challenging year for all charities, but we’re adapting the way we do things.
The Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal carol concert can be watched on the Lord Mayor’s YouTube channel Bristol-LMCA at 6.30-6.45pm on Friday (18 December). To make a donation to the appeal, visit lordmayorpfbristolappeal.com
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Ashton Court Estate
FAMILY CHRISTMAS TRAIL
Footpath unsuitable for buggies and strollers
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Ashton Court Estate
FAMILY CHRISTMAS TRAIL
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Swedish Kladdkaka
This sticky chocolate cake has minimal ingredients and takes less than an hour to make – plus it's delicious
Ingredients
Method
115g Unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan160°C/ Gas 4
100g Unsalted butter, plus extra for
Grease and line a 20cm loose-bottomed cake tin. Melt the butter and set to one side
greasing 2 large free range eggs
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, caster sugar and vanilla extract for 3-4 mins, until pale and fluffy
200g Caster sugar
Sift the flour and cocoa together, then gently fold into the egg mixture until smooth and fully incorporated
1 tsp vanilla extract
Fold in the melted butter, then pour into the prepared tin
125g Plain flour
Bake for 18-20 mins, checking occasionally to make sure it doesn’t burn
25g Cocoa powder Icing sugar, to dust
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To test it’s done, lightly press the centre of the cake and the crust should crack Vegetarian
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Dinosaur's brain digitally rebuilt by scientists
A dinosaur's brain has been digitally rebuilt revealing what scientists called a "surprising" insight into the creature's agility and eating habits. Bristol University Scientists used advanced imaging and 3-D modelling techniques to igitally rebuild the brain of The Codontosaurus. They found the creature, better known as the Bristol dinosaur due to it being discovered in the city, may have eaten meat unlike its plant-eating relatives. It also may have walked on only two legs rather than all four. Paleontologist Antonio Ballell said: "Our analysis of The Codontosaurus' brain uncovered many fascinating features, some of which were quite surprising. "Whereas its later relatives moved around ponderously on all fours, our findings suggest this species may have walked on two legs and been occasionally carnivorous." The Codontosaurus lived in the late Triassic age about 205 million years ago and was the size of a large dog.
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‘Beautifully preserved' Although its fossils were discovered near what is now Bristol Zoo in 1834, scientists have only recently been able to deploy imaging software to extract new information without destroying them. Three-dimensional models were generated from CT scans by digitally extracting the bone from the rock, identifying anatomical details about its brain and inner ear previously unseen in the fossil. "Even though the actual brain is long gone, the software allows us to recreate brain and inner ear shape via the dimensions of the cavities left behind," Mr Ballell explained. "The brain case of The codontosaurus is beautifully preserved so we compared it to other dinosaurs, identifying common features and some that are specific to The Codontosaurus. "Its brain cast even showed the detail of the floccular lobes, located at the back of the brain, which are important for balance. "Their large size indicate it was bipedal. This structure is also associated with the control of balance and eye and neck movements, suggesting The Codontosaurus was relatively agile and could keep a stable gaze while moving fast."
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CHANCE FOR BABIES TO JOIN POPULAR HANHAM HALL NURSERY “We have a team of qualified nursery staff and the dedicated baby team are fantastic at helping children to settle in our lovely homefrom-home environment. We take pride in our caring approach to sleep, weaning, teething and everything else that comes with looking The Mama Bear’s Day Nursery and PreSchool at Hanham Hall caters for babies from after babies and we will always take the parthree-months old and currently has a handful ents’ lead on meeting their child’s individual of spaces available for children in its age-spe- needs.” cific Baby Room. The nursery has recently made a virtual tour video so parents are able to meet the team Nursery manager Hannah Lark said a big and view the facilities remotely but there intake of children recently ‘graduated’ to the are also covid-safe opportunities to visit the setting’s Tweeny Room for ages 14-months – 2-years, meaning there is extra capacity for nursery too. local babies. Based just off Whittucks Road in Hanham, the nursery is situated in a beautiful building Hannah said: “It’s been really lovely to see surrounded by two gardens. With two parks, a lot of our babies move up to the Tweeny a nearby secret garden and local allotments Room recently and it does mean that we all close by there are lots of opportunities for have availability for our Baby Room, which outdoor exploration. isn’t always the case! Spaces for babies at a sought-after Hanham day nursery have been made available for parents thinking about childcare options for the new year.
“We know that a lot of mums plan for their maternity leave to end at Christmas so now is a great time to begin introducing children to the nursery ahead of our January term.
The nursery is divided into age-specific rooms filled with the best educational resources and hot meals are prepared on site by the nursery chef. Ideally located to serve families commuting to Bristol from Bath, Keynsham and surrounding areas, as well as children living in the local community, the Hanham Hall nursery has been popular since it first opened in 2015. Hannah continued: “We’d really like to encourage parents to have a look at our virtual tour and get in touch if they’d like to come and look around. “Attending nursery offers such great benefits for children including social, emotional, physical and educational development and for babies, who have unfortunately been growing up in lockdown, being amongst peers is a really important and lovely experience.” To view the virtual tour please visit https://mamabear.co.uk/nurseries/bristol/hanham-hall To find out more and book a covid-safe tour call Hannah on 0117 428 1354.
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This weeks lucky winner is!
Congratulations to this weeks winner is Scott from Nailsea Thank you for supporting us! We will be in touch later today to transfer £100 cash straight to your account just for subscribing Every week one lucky person will win £100 just for hitting the subscribe button on our website and entering Bristol’s Quality Advertising Magazinestheir Email and Name. Good luck! 22
Sudoku Puzzles
Mega Maze & Word search RUDOLPH SANTA SNOW
FRANKINCENSE CHRISTMAS JINGLE ELF FROSTY MERRY FESTIVE REINDEER GIFTS
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HARD Here are this weeks 3 puzzles to test your number crunching skills ranging from easy to medium and hard.
Start
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Charity brings Christmas cheer to 17 historic churches! In this difficult year for churches, GHCT is delighted to help another seventeen projects and pledged to keep total annual donations at £150,000 through in 2021 despite reduced investment returns. The charity, which is entering its 40th birthday year in 2021, helps historic churches in Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and North Bristol. The grants help the buildings stay alive as active centres of community life and landmarks of the wonderful architectural heritage of the area. Grants Secretary, Jonathan MacKechnie-Jarvis, said: “I am happy to bring good cheer to the churches who were successful in our second grant round this year. It has been exciting to see the range of projects submitted from churches of all denominations. This shows the resilience of the ordinary people who look after these buildings despite all the challenges of 2020.” 24
GHCT is an independent non-profit organisation raising funds and providing grants to help over 620 historic churches, chapels and meeting houses in the area. The Trust aims to assist those responsible for the care of places used for public worship which belong to a Christian religious body. It does this by making funds available to help places of Christian worship of all denominations with repairs and improvements to the fabric of the buildings and their contents, as well as their surrounding churchyards. Colin Senior, Chair of GHCT added “I am incredibly pleased our trustees have voted to maintain grants at current levels this year and next. This gives a positive message to the many volunteers who look after churches that we are there to support them to look after their buildings, whatever life brings.”
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Jupiter and Saturn conjunction 2020 ‘As reported by Devon Live, Mr Macleon said: “This month’s conjunction will be at 1.30pm and the planets will be just 0.06 degrees apart in the South West, so during daylight hours.”
A rare 'Christmas Star' will appear over Bristol in a few days time.
‘’The planets will become clearly visible, weather permitting after sunset in Devon at 10 degrees above the horizon in the SouthSouth West.
The two planets will look so close together they will appear as ‘one object’ in the sky.
‘’While the two planets will appear very close together, Saturn will actually be twice as far from Earth as Jupiter. ‘’December, 21st is also the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. ‘’So, the ‘Christmas Star’ - not quite, but very special.’’
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The phenomenon will occur at the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on Monday, December 21st.
Exeter Observatory’s John Maclean said: ‘’This conjunction has not happened since December 1623 although that one was not visible due to being so close to the Sun at that time. ‘’The last time a visible ‘Great Conjunction’ took place was in 1226 hence this year’s event being the ‘first’ for 800 years.
He added: “You’d have to go all the way back to just before dawn on March 4, 1226, to see a closer alignment between these objects visible in the night sky.”
Jupiter and Saturn are the two largest planets in our solar system and they will appear to be venturing close to each other, giving the impression of a 'double planet'.
When will it be visible?
In reality though, they'll actually be hundreds of millions of miles apart, as explained recently by NASA.
The ‘Christmas Star’ is set to be visible to stargazers on the evening of December 21st. It’s been reported that stargazers should expect the celestrial event to present itself just after sunset. According to Forbes, it can be observed from anywhere on Earth where skies are clear. It means that those in the UK should look for the phenomenon from 3:53pm onwards - the sunset time. The ‘star’ will appear very low on the horizon just after sunset, with binoculars or a telescope necessary.
Yet the gas giants will be closer in the night sky over Christmas than they have been for centuries. The next time the Christmas Star will be visible from Earth is expected to be 2080. Speaking to Forbes magazine, astronomers have said that such an alignment is "rather rare" to observe. Patrick Hartigan, astronomer at Rice University in Texas, said: "Alignments between these two planets are rather rare, occurring once every 20 years or so. This conjunction is exceptionally rare because of how close the planets will appear to be to one another.”
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New research shows people in Gloucestershire more likely to make life-changing decisions as result of pandemic More than two thirds of people (71%) in Gloucestershire say the Covid pandemic has made them more likely to make big decisions in their lives in order to take back control, according to new research carried out by leading housebuilders Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes.[i]
This is backed up by the new research which found that 31% of people in Gloucestershire said the pandemic has made them more likely to move house in the next year or more. Louise Ware, sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes South West says:
"The Covid pandemic restrictions seem to have made many people in Gloucestershire more likely to make life-changing decisions, such as moving house or getting married, in an effort to take back some control. This is also borne out by what we're seeing in our sales offices, with enquiries for new homes Conducted in counties across the South West dramatically up on last year, even during times which are traditionally quieter for including Gloucester, the research sought to housebuilders." establish people's greatest concerns about life and home planning as a result of the pandemic. Added to this, 43% of respondents said time spent with life ‘on hold' in 2020 has actually accelerated big life decisions such as moving house, getting married or divorced, starting a family or having more children, or starting a business.
53% of people in Gloucestershire said not knowing when it would all be over was one of the greatest challenges and 44% of respondents across the county found not being able to make long term plans one of the hardest things. 89% of people who said they struggled with not being able to make plans admitted to feeling frustrated and 1 in 12 said it made them angry. Despite the challenges, over two thirds (68%) of people in Gloucestershire said they had enjoyed more time at home this year, with 17% saying they intended to continue spending more time there once the pandemic is over. Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes are currently building new communities across Gloucestershire and the South West including Great Oldbury, Stonehouse and Rosewood Grange, Hardwick. The five star housebuilders say the surge in interest in buying a new home following the first lockdown this summer has continued even into the usually quieter pre-Christmas period. Barratt and David Wilson Homes have seen 51% more people across the South West registering their interest in a development this year (July to November) than in the same period last
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Andrea Pilgrim, sales director at Barratt Homes Bristol added: "2020 has been such a challenging year and it's understandable that people in Gloucestershire are keen to be able to look forward to something more positive in their future. Our research shows that home has never felt so important, with the majority of people admitting they enjoyed more time at home this year, despite the restrictions. Our sales teams are here to help people take those first steps to exploring the possibility of a brand new home and we offer a range of support from the new Help to Buy scheme to part exchange to help make the process as easy as possible".
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Support Independents or Risk No Diversity in Our City’s Food Businesses
The Real Habesha is an Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurant based in Easton and is run by Freselam and her father. The restaurant has been in operation for over three years but closed during the first lockdown and once again finds its doors shut, with only takeaway on offer, due to Tier 3 restrictions. Says Freselam Temesgen of The Real Habesha: “This year has been a very difficult one. As a family who rely on our restaurant for our income, the pandemic has presented real challenges. Prior to the pandemic The Real Habesha wasn’t just a restaurant but a place in our community where people got to learn more about each other and about the different cultures that exist in our city. My father and I have really missed being at the centre of that. We’ve really missed the connection with our regulars and those who try us for the first time. Whilst my father and I are hopeful we will return to some form of normality and get back to serving again in 2021, my concern for Bristol is that if independent family run restaurants like ours can’t survive then the diversity of our city’s food scene will vanish. Already, the Bristol’s food scene does not truly represent the diversity of the city and instead of this improving in the years to come, 30
I am worried this will go backwards. In my opinion diverse restaurants provide a great platform for people to learn about, appreciate and understand others and I don’t want to live in a city where this isn’t the case. Further to that, independently run food businesses are much more likely to support the economy of the local area. For example, my father and I use two local shops, Bristol Sweet Mart and Istanbul Supermarket to buy fresh produce daily for the restaurant. This keeps the money in the community, helping it circulate locally for longer and therefore benefitting the area and people within it. We’re set to lose a lot if we can’t find ways to support independent food businesses. So I’m calling on the people of Bristol, who are able, to order takeaways, to buy gift vouchers or to call on their MPs to do more to support independent hospitality businesses so that they exist when we come out the other side.” Freselam’s comments were made as part of her engagement with a Bristol wide campaign called Bristol Bites Back Better, which aims to empower Bristolians to build a better and more sustainable food system – and one that ensures everyone has a say on the future of food in our city. To find out more about Bristol Bites Back Better, visit: www.bristolbitesbackbetter.co.uk,
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MW FUNERAL DIRECTORS GO THE EXTRA MILE
“One solution is webcasting of the service, which is now very common, but even that can feel lonely and remote to someone who was very close to an individual.
A Bristol funeral directors is going the extra mile to enable people to pay their respects while there are restrictions on attending funeral services due to Covid-19.
“One solution we have found is to put some more time into the journey to the service and work with families so that there is a timed route, often with pauses and stopping places where people can stand at the roadside or in a special place – such as a sports club – and pay their respects.
Routes to cemeteries and crematoriums are being planned by MW Funeral Directors so that those prevented from attending a service or self-isolating can pay their respects. Hearses are able to stop at significant points where family members live, social clubs or sports grounds with mourners able to socially distance while paying their respects, and often applauding. MW Funeral Directors cover the whole of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and further afield, planning and directing burials and cremations to the individual requirements of families.
“It is proving very comforting for families and makes more of an event before then they go to their laptop or computer to watch the service.” MW Funeral Directors say it is important to work alongside families and friends of the deceased to put together a memorial that will live on in the hearts of guests for many years and this should not be curbed by the current restrictions.
Ella Abbott, funeral director, said: “It seems certain that sadly the restriction of a maximum of 30 people at a funeral is going to be with us well into 2021. We have always arranged funerals in a truly bespoke way, to allow for personalisation and to meet the needs of the family and friends of the person who has died.
The team have organised funerals themed for special interest groups, such as bikers, environmentalists or animal lovers and for those of all faiths and of none.
“It is proving very difficult for some families to decide who should come to the service and how it will be organised and we have been working with them to find ways to ensure that the whole funeral and service honours the person who has passed away.
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Said Ella Abbott: “There is a lot of flexibility around funerals. Sometimes cost can be an issue for a family so we keep our basic packages for a funeral early in the day when crematorium fees are low at £1,995 and there are even options for unattended funerals. “But in these difficult days it seems to be more important than ever for families to mark the event in a memorable way and we work with them to ensure that happens despite all the restrictions we all now face.”
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Mobile Speed Camera Sites Bristol
With reports of mobile speed cameras back in operation never get caught speeding again with this list of sites to expect a mobile speed camera at anytime.
A3029 Winterstoke Road (30mph)
Hazelbury Road, Whitchurch (20mph)
A37 Wells Road, Hengrove (30mph)
Hengrove Avenue, Hengrove, Bristol (20mph)
A370 Coronation Road, Southville (30mph)
Hengrove Lane, Hengrove, Bristol (20mph)
A38 Rupert Street/Bridewell Highbury Road, Bedminster Street/The Haymarket, Bristol (20mph) (20mph) Highridge Green, Bristol A4 Totterdown Bridge (30mph) (30mph) Hollister’s Drive, Hartcliffe A4174 Callington Road, (20mph) Brislington, Bristol (30mph) Hollway Road, Stockwood A4174 King Georges Road, (20mph) Bristol (30mph) Hungerford Road, Bristol Allison Road, Bristol (30mph) (20mph)
Stockwood Lane, nr the sports ground, Stockwood (20mph) Stockwood Lane, nr Whitchurch Village sign, Stockwood (30mph) Stockwood Lane, Stockwood (30mph) Sturminster Road, Stockwood (30mph) Talbot Road, Bristol (20mph) Whitchurch Lane, nr Halfacre Lane (20mph) Whitchurch Lane, nr Hawkfield Road (20mph) Whitland Road, Bristol (30mph)
B3119 West Town Lane (20mph)
Ladies Mile, Durdham Down (20mph)
B3122 Redcatch Road, Knowle (20mph)
Ladman Road, Stockwood (20mph)
Wingfield Road, Bristol (20mph)
B4466 Jacobs Wells Road, Bristol (20mph)
Marksbury Road, Bedminster (20mph)
Furber Road, Bristol (20mph)
Bamfield, Hengrove (30mph)
Newbridge Road, Bristol (20mph)
Barnstaple Road, Knowle (20mph) Bishport Avenue, Hartcliffe (30mph) Broadwalk, Knowle West (20mph)
Novers Hill, Bristol (20mph) Novers Lane, Bristol (20mph) Petherton Road, Hengrove (20mph)
Broomhill Road (30mph)
Queen’s Road, Bishopsworth (30mph)
Calcott Road, Knowle (20mph)
Ridgeway Lane, Bristol (30mph)
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Wick Road (20mph)
Glyn Vale, Knowle (20mph) Hareclive Road, Hartcliffe (30mph) Smyth Road, Ashton (20mph) Somerdale Avenue, Knowle (20mph) South Liberty Lane, Ashton Vale (20mph) Duckmoor Road, Ashton Gate, Bristol (20mph)
A4 Portway Nr Barrow Hill Road (30mph)
B4052 Ashley Down Road, Bristol (20mph)
A4 Portway Nr Hung Road (40mph)
B4054 Avonmouth Road, Shirehampton (30mph)
Bonnington Walk, nr Wordsworth Road, Lockleaze (20mph) Concorde Drive, Southmead (20mph)
A4 Portway Nr Portview Road B4054 Cranbrook Road, Redland (20mph) Constable Road, nr Crome (30mph) Road, Lockleaze (20mph) B4054 Shirehampton Road, A4 Portway Nr Roman Way Sea Mills (30mph) Coombe Lane, Stoke Bishop (40mph) (20mph) B4054 Shirehampton Road, A4 Portway Nr Sylvan Way/ Shirehampton Park (30mph) Eastfield Road, Westbury on Riverleaze (40mph) Trym (20mph) B4055 Station Road, Henbury A4018 Falcondale Road, (20mph) Furber Road, Bristol (20mph) Westbury on Trym (30mph) A403 St Andrews Road, Avonmouth (40mph)
B4057 Knole Lane, Brentry (30mph)
Glenfrome Road, Eastville (20mph)
A4162 Sylvan Way/Dingle Road/Canford Lane (30mph)
B4469 Muller Road, Horfield (30mph)
Gordon Avenue, Bristol (20mph)
A4174 Ring Road, nr Hicks Gate roundabout (70mph)
Bell Barn Road, Stoke Bishop (20mph)
Highbury Road, Horfield (20mph)
A432 Downend Road, Fishponds (20mph)
Bonnington Walk, nr Branwhite Close, Lockleaze (20mph)
Ladies Mile, Durdham Down (20mph)
A432 Fishponds Road, Easton (20mph) Ashley Hill, Montpelier (20mph) Avonmouth Way, Avonmouth (30mph) Highbury Road, Horfield (20mph) Hill View, Henleaze (20mph) Kings Weston Lane, Lawrence Weston (30mph)
Julian Road, Sneyd Park (20mph) Keys Avenue, Horfield (20mph) Hill View, Henleaze (20mph) Romney Avenue, nr Stoke Park Primary School, Lockleaze (20mph) Stoke Hill, Sneyd Park (30mph) Wellington Hill West, Horfield (30mph)
Long Cross, Lawrence Weston (30mph) Merebank Road, Avonmouth (30mph) Portview Road, Shirehampton (20mph) Roman Way, Bristol (20mph) Station Road, Shirehampton (20mph) Wellington Hill West, Horfield (30mph) Wessex Ave, Horfield (20mph)
Please visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk for exact days and placement of a mobile camera site and remember to give yourself plenty of time to plan your journey to avoid rushing to get to a destination thus (Speeding) 39
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Bristol’s Biggest Legal Firms Back FoodStock 2020
Hargreaves Lansdowne, Osborne Clarke, Womble Bond Dickenson, Smith & Williamson and Burges Salmon have all signed up to support food redistribution charity FareShare South West’s latest campaign. The campaign, FoodStock 2020, aims to build a stockpile of emergency food with the infrastructure to deliver it across the region throughout this difficult winter.
In late October, FareShare South West announced FoodStock 2020 and called on Bristol’s businesses to provide support in whatever way they could. The law firms responded to this call, with a number having supported FareShare South West in the past, and are now actively fundraising, or providing funding to support vital elements of the infrastructure to this project, and/or facilitating staff teams to volunteer. Says, Phoebe Ruxton, Head of Development at FareShare South West: “Bristol is home to some really powerful organisations, and we are delighted to see not just one of the big legal companies in Bristol come on board and support us, but 5 of them! We have always had positive relationships with the legal sector in our city, so it’s great they’ve stepped up when it really matters. Need for food support is rising all the time and we need to be there to support people – many of whom may never have had to seek food support before. Our frontline partners, who will receive this emergency food, are doing an amazing job of supporting the most vulnerable, particularly during these challenging times.”
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Peter Clough, Head of Osborne Clarke's Bristol office says: "Through our longstanding association with FareShare South West we’ve learnt about the huge impact food poverty has in the South West. At a time when many people are facing a very difficult winter, the work it and its partners do to meet this urgent need is more crucial than ever. It’s always a privilege to work with the outstanding team at FareShare South West and we're very proud to get behind the FoodStock 2020 campaign." Jamie Cameron, Head of Community Engagement at Burges Salmon said “Quite simply, FareShare South West’s response to the pandemic was incredible and enabled community organisations all across the city to support those in need. We are proud to work with the fantastic team at FareShare South West and are really pleased to continue our support for their FoodStock 2020 campaign which we know will be critical in meeting the increasing need for emergency food this Winter.” FoodStock 2020 will run throughout the winter months and those wanting to donate or volunteer, can visit: www.faresharesouthwest. org.uk/foodstock-2020
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Restrictions on landlords extended as the Government moves to provide further protection to struggling business tenants
Expert lawyers say relationships between landlords and tenants are now more important than ever following the announcement that the Government is to further extend the restrictions on landlord action for non-payment of rent by business tenants. Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced that the restrictions will be extended until the end of March 2021, having already extended the period twice previously since the introduction of restrictions in March 2020. Jenrick repeated the mantra that businesses which can pay rent should do so, while also announcing support for the businesses worst affected by the pandemic. Nicola Seager, partner in the property litigation team at Clarke Willmott LLP, said: “The announcement makes co-operation and communication between landlords and tenants ever more important as we all look to emerge from the pandemic with viable businesses.
“It remains to be seen whether this extension will stop the rush to CVAs as a means to force landlords to accept changes to lease terms and rents. The announcement made no mention of that increasingly popular practice.” The announcement did confirm: •
Landlords will not be permitted to forfeit business leases for non-payment of rent until the end of March 2021.
•
CRAR will not be permitted until the end of March 2021.
•
It will not be possible to petition to wind up a company based on a statutory demand served on or after 1 March 2020 until the end of March 2021.
•
It will not be possible to wind up a company for any reason other than failure to comply with a statutory demand without a reasonable belief that the company has not been affected by the pandemic or that the relevant basis for the petition would have occurred anyway.
“No doubt we will see more discussions about Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with ofpayment plans and rent holidays as tensions fices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, rise among landlords who increasingly feel Manchester, Southampton and Taunton. they are being unfairly treated.
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20/20 Challenge As a Bristol business you will know how important it is to be involved in the community. By answering our 20/20 Challenge your business will help drive our projects this year and beyond. Community of Purpose is seeking 20 local businesses to donate ÂŁ1,000 each towards the cost of a new vehicle which would be used for our Break Free school holidays scheme and Bristol Together Championships. Break Free
Bristol Together Championships
In partnership with Youth Moves, based in one of the most deprived areas in Bristol, we run a programme that delivers a range of accessible activities at the same time as alleviating holiday hunger.
Bristol Together Championships is about crossing boundaries. Using the universal language of football to help community cohesion by getting boys and girls crossing the race, class, geographical and faith boundaries that characterise life in the city.
Our team take a mobile sports village into the poorest neighbourhoods of South Bristol to deliver free activities during school holiday periods.
Primary schools are twinned with other schools from totally different communities to their own. Together they form a joint team and compete at an annual tournament.
Our trained staff will also provide the young people with breakfast & lunch so that they get at least two meals throughout the day.
Community of Purpose #EmpoweringPeople
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Bristol hoteliers welcome Tier 2 decision Hoteliers in Bristol can open their doors once again on Saturday after the Government’s Covid-19 review today (16 Dec) saw the city moved from Tier 3 to Tier 2 this week. But while they welcome the decision, hoteliers say it has come too late to enable them to cash in on Christmas and secure any meaningful income. Raphael Herzog, chair of The Bristol Hoteliers Association (BHA), which represents around 40 businesses in and around the city, said: “Even though we can now re-open, we have lost all December trade. “Many hoteliers had been keen to show off their Christmas decorations to customers. These were put up in November, but this effort – and investment – was wasted because we have not been able to open. “Although today’s review means that we can re-open, because we’ve had no prior notice, it would be very difficult to re-open for the last weekend before Christmas, as we’ve had no time to get food or other supplies or build a booking base. “Christmas trade will be non-existent because people can’t mix outside a house during the five-day relaxation of restrictions. “With other parts of the UK going into Tier 3, this will affect the ability of people to travel to Bristol for the festive break. “We are, however, disappointed that South Gloucestershire remains in Tier 3, which we were only really put into in the first place because we were so close to Bristol, and the infection levels there were high. "Now Bristol is going into Tier 2, but businesses in South Gloucestershire remain in Tier 3, which seems particularly unfair." He added: “Nothing has been said yet about New Year’s Eve, but as that will come after the five-day relaxation the Government is allowing for Christmas, I don’t imagine we’ll be able to do much on 31 December. As things stand, we will have to call last orders at 10pm and close at 11pm. 46
“Hotels have invested thousands to make our premises Covid secure for our guests and staff but we were the first sector to be shut down. Yet it is safer, due to all good practices, to visit a hotel than to go to a large grocery store. “September to December are historically very strong months for us, which helps with traditional low level of business months, like January and February. “But we’ve not been able to do anything like the usual level of business in the final quarter of this year, so I fear that the worst is to happen in hospitality should we not have more support. “We’ve had no response to our calls for an extended VAT reduction and for more support, in addition to the furlough scheme, while we are closed. A £1,000 payment for a wet pub, even if not for a hotel, is an insult.” He said he would like to see further support from local MPs for a sector which makes a significant contribution to the local, regional and national economy. The office of West of England Combined Authority Mayor, Tim Bowles, has told the BHA he recognises the ‘scale of the challenge facing hotels and the hospitality industry across the region’, and is writing to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government outlining some key asks of Government to support the regional hospitality sector. Mr Herzog said: “Mayor Bowles’ office said he has incorporated some of our key asks within his letter, particularly around additional grants, a reduction of VAT and a business rates holiday. “Mayor Bowles said he will also seek clarity on Ministerial responsibilities for the hospitality sector, which we are grateful for.
“We need a dedicated minister for the hospitality. An on-line petition saw the number of supporters soar from 40,000 to 64,000 in just three days, and now has 150,000 signatures, so we are waiting for tis to be discussed in Parliament.
Social distancing restrictions meant less sleepers, fewer covers in the restaurant, limited numbers of people who could attend weddings, meetings and events, curfews, table service only, limits of up to six people only being able to mix, and others.
“The recent news about vaccinations beginning is a positive step in the overall fight against the virus, and since the hospitality sector has been targeted and shut down so early and quickly, as it’s considered to be ‘risky’, then perhaps hospitality staff should be prioritised for a vaccine. “We need to see a much stronger show of support from Government to our sector if we are going to be able to make any kind of meaningful recovery in 2021.” Another reason for needing more support, he said, is that most hotels have been operating at loss since April. Even when they were able to re-open after the first lockdown, they could not operate to the same levels as they usually would.
Mr Herzog reiterated his calls for a more sustainable round of grants, a reduced rate of VAT for hospitality through the whole of 2021, a business rates holiday for 2021/22 and extensive government promotion of the UK’s tourism and hospitality sector, in addition to a sector-specific minister. UK hospitality contributes more than £73bn to the UK economy each year, generates around £40bn in taxes and employs some 3.2 million people
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FESTIVE FUN AT FAIRFIELD SCHOOL School children at Fairfield School in Backwell have been getting into the festive spirit with a series of Christmas activities. The festivities were enhanced by a special visit from Father Christmas who arrived at the school on his horse and cart and made a circuit of the car park and school drive so all the children were able to see him. Organised by teachers at the North Somerset independent school, the visit also saw Santa leave chocolate treats for the pupils. The annual Christingle Service looked a little different this year due to coronavirus restrictions but Fairfield School Headmistress Lesley Barton, said: “We pre-recorded our Christingle Service in our separate bubbles this year and then put the separate recordings together to make the service. We had readings, a song and an explanation of the meaning behind the Christingle by our Year 6 children. “The children also made Christingles and then watched the service with their lit Christingles in their class bubbles. We missed being all together but we were still able to enjoy the magic of the service!” The Key Stage 1 Nativity Concert was also adapted this year in keeping with restrictions. The Nativity was filmed outdoors and the finished recording was then sent out to parents. 48
Children in Early Years also recorded their Nativity concerts and the final service of term was a pre-recorded Carol Service which told the Christmas story through Bible readings, poems, songs and carols. Children from all year groups were able to contribute to the recorded service and several delivered beautiful solos or instrumental pieces. Lesley continued: “We were so glad we were able to find a way for parents to watch the lovely Nativity plays, Christingle and the Carol Service remotely. Although unable to celebrate together this year, we still shared the magic of Christmas and maintained our sense of community and mutual support.” Fairfield School is an independent co-educational school for children aged 2 to 11. Class sizes are limited to a maximum of 20 at Fairfield School, with many much smaller and there is a very wide range of clubs and activities, sport, music and drama to excite the interest of pupils. Fairfield is historically a PNEU School, which means it is affiliated to the Parents’ National Education Union. There are PNEU schools throughout the UK and the world. visit: www.fairfield.school
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