Bristol’s Weekly Magazine
3rd - 10th December 2020
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This week..
Mikes letter
Welcome to another week and this time it’s a good one!
4.People Spending Xmas at home 6. Sovereign Launches 8. Bristol Hoteliers 10. Bristols new drug, Alcohol Strategies 12. Small Steps 14. Potato Christmas Trees 16. Westerliegh Crematorium 24. Air Ambulance service 30. Bristol Changing 38. Bristol Cooks to bring festive Cheer 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
So a vaccine is on its way over from Europe as I type this letter to you. And it cannot come fast enough I say, I think the government and the scientist have done a stellar job getting this approved in under 12 months. Well done. Now just get the logistics of distributing the vaccine out to the public right. I totally agree with the NHS Staff and over 80s getting it first as they are the hardest hit by Covid-19 but I can also see the skeptic’s point of view because never have we seen such a push to get this miracle drug thorough the tough testing program. It almost seems untrue, and what could the long-term side affect be, as we have never tested it for long periods of time or on such a mass role out to the population. Fare play though as we are the first in Europe to get it. Or are we just the guinea pigs. Either way put me down for a dose. Also as we see the shops reopen this week lets not dart for the shopping Malls all at once and cause more spreading of the virus. Take care friends and stay safe.
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Leading housebuilder fills hampers for people spending Christmas alone in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Leading housebuilders Barratt and David Wilson Homes have asked their suppliers and contractors not to give them Christmas presents this year, but instead to support their work to donate and deliver 200 hampers to people spending Christmas alone in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. This year the team is working with its charity of the year, Marmalade Trust, to make a broader contribution to the communities it is building in. Staff have been collecting gifts and donations for the hampers and are calling on their network of suppliers and sub-contractors to join them. On 16 December, more than a dozen members of David Wilson Homes staff will fill the specially ordered hampers with gifts collected, donated and purchased by the company which has so far raised ÂŁ2,000. One member of staff is using her annual leave to shop for gifts locally after the lockdown, in order to make the hampers as individual and unique as possible. Each year Marmalade Trust runs events for people in the South West who would otherwise be spending Christmas day alone. This year due to coronavirus, they have planned alternative activities which includes a visit from a volunteer on Christmas day to deliver a hamper and stay for a socially distanced chat. Amy Perrin, founder and CEO of Marmalade Trust said:
"At Marmalade Trust we understand that Christmas is one of the hardest times of the year for those struggling with loneliness, and this year we feel that it is more important than ever to provide support, social contact and fun for those who will be spending Christmas alone. We're delighted to have the support of the team at Barratt David Wilson Homes South West. Their generous donations and the time and care they are taking to create these unique hampers will help our members feel connected to their wider community and enjoy some well-deserved Christmas treats." Louise Ware, sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes South West added: "Seeing the incredible work of food banks in our communities earlier this year had a real impact on our team so we wanted to do something more to help the communities we are working in this Christmas. We're asking our loyal and generous colleagues in the building trade to support the work of Marmalade Trust. Instead of giving gifts to our team, we hope they'll offer gifts and donations to help us fill 200 hampers to share with people who may be on their own this Christmas." Barratt David Wilson Homes South West donates ÂŁ1,000 a month to local causes through its community fund. Earlier this year Barratt David Wilson Homes donated ÂŁ9,000 to food banks across the South West. To donate to Marmalade Trust visit https:// www.marmaladetrust.org/support-our-work
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Sovereign launches £40k ‘Your Community Your Choice’ fund
Sovereign Housing Association has teamed up with digital communications experts, VocalEyes, to provide a platform for local residents to decide how £40,000 is spent in their own communities in Bristol. This first year’s cycle of participatory budgeting - a process in which local residents decide how to allocate a portion of the £40k budget towards residents’ proposals - will operate from December to March 2021, with the limitations on in-person events being overcome by using a digital platform. Residents will decide how to spend the budget of up to £20k per idea. Giving communities a say in how money is spent on the things they want to see it spent on is seen as a vital way of working together to make great places to live. Any current Bristol Sovereign resident over 18 can submit an idea. Young people over the age of 11 are also encouraged to get involved and vote on the projects that are important to them where they live. By working with VocalEyes, people can submit their ideas using the digital platform. This will then be whittled down by an independent committee, based on feasibility and cost. Projects will then be made live, and communities are encouraged to rally together and vote for the projects they like most. 6
Michelle Smith, Sovereign’s Head of Communities said: “Participatory budgeting is a vital community-building tool that directly involves putting residents at the heart of making the decisions on what they’d like to see funded most in their community. “Even with the current economic uncertainty, this is a great way for the community to come together virtually and engage at a time when face to face communication is really difficult.” Sovereign continue to adapt to the evolving impact COVID-19 is having on communities by finding different ways to engage with residents. Partnering with VocalEyes with its built in functionality - in combination with Sovereign’s community development team - helps to deliver great impact from locally adopted ideas. Peter Anderson, VocalEyes Founding Director & CEO, said: “We’re delighted to working in partnership with Sovereign Housing, and focusing our digital skills to provide innovative solutions for local democracy, decision making and turning great ideas in to reality.” Find out more about how to get involved and vote by visiting: https://www.sovereign.org. uk/your-community-your-choice
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Bristol hoteliers heartbroken at Tier 3 decision Hoteliers in Bristol say they are heartbroken at news that the city was placed in Tier 3 at the end of the current Coronavirus lockdown.
“We had been hoping we would be able to open again in December and start on the road to recovery.
The Bristol Hotels Association (BHA), which represents around 40 businesses in and around the city, say this decision could have a catastrophic impact on their businesses.
“Now, we’re not likely to be able to begin that process until 2021, so we would urge the government to help kick-start this 2021 recovery by giving us some extra support.”
Hotels had been hoping they would be able to re-open their doors again from December 2 but the Tier 3 decision means they must remain closed aside from some very limited exceptions.
Prior to the Tier 3 decision, Mr Herzog had written to West of England Mayor Tim Bowles and Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees, as well as speaking to Local MPs, outlining a wish-list for 2021 to help the hospitality sector.
The BHA says it is bitterly disappointed by Now, there is an even greater need to fulfil the result and is calling on the Government to that wish list. pledge additional support to help secure the survival of their businesses. Mr Herzog said: “We would urge the Government to help kick-start the 2021 Raphael Herzog, chair of the BHA, said: “We recovery by maintaining the reduced VAT rate, appreciate the support the Government has which was introduced in July, to the whole of provided so far, especially the extended fur2021, and to also introduce a business rates lough scheme and a temporary drop in VAT, holiday for 2021/22. but has a wish-list of what it would like to see in order to help the industry recover in 2021. “Our businesses have already been closed for so much of the year. “Many Bristol hotels have been operating at a loss since April, yet many of the have invested “September to December are historically thousands of pounds in making our premises very strong months for hotels, and revenue safe for staff and guests, yet we were one of generated in this period offsets the lower the first sectors to be shut down. levels of business we traditionally experience in January and February. “Due to all the investment and safe practices we have introduced, it is safer to visit a hotel “However, because of the pandemic and the than go to a large grocery store. lockdown, this has not been able to happen this year, which is why we desperately need more support.
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“That need is even more desperate for us because, while some hotels will be able to start generating revenue again in December, we will not.
“As the third biggest employer in the UK the hospital sector, which contributes more than £73bn to the UK economy, should have a dedicated minister, a dedicated voice.”
“We want to see furlough for all staff, even those working in closed hotels. Businesses have to pay 100% for those staffing – operating the phone lines and so on – and providing security for hotels yet the businesses have not been able to trade and therefore have no revenue.
Occupancy levels for October 2020 in BHA hotels was around 45% - compared to 85% in October 2019. In September 2020, the rate was 60% compared to 87% in 2019. In July 2020, the rate was just 31%, compared to 88% in 2019.
“We need a more sustainable round of grants, too. In France, businesses can get a grant of 20 percent of their turnover if they are forced to close their businesses, and this is in addition to the furlough.
Bristol being placed into Tier 3 ruins any chances of hotels being able to boost their business before the end of the year.
Mr Herzog added: “I would urge everyone to abide by all the Covid-19 restrictions, so that hopefully Bristol’s situation can be reviewed “We also want to see extensive Government and we can come out of Tier 3 at the earliest promotion of tourism and hospitality and more opportunity. clarity on who owns the responsibility for the “I would call on everyone in the UK to serihospitality industry at a ministerial level. ously considering taking their next holidays or short breaks in this country, to go to their local “At present this is shared by Ministers in the hotels, restaurants and pubs. We need support Departments for Business, Energy & Indusfrom the public to help us recover from this trial Strategy, and Digital, Culture, Media & crisis as soon as possible.” Sport.
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Bristol’s new Drug and Alcohol Strategy 2020-24
Have your say A new strategy is being developed to support people with drug and alcohol dependency in Bristol and limit the impact of addiction on lives and communities across the city. Bristol City Council is asking for feedback on the strategy which is being developed on behalf of the Keeping Communities Safe Group, with key partners Avon and Somerset Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and Bristol North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) Clinical Commissioning Group. Councillor Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor with responsibility for Communities, Equalities and Public Health, said: “We want Bristol to be a place where everyone can live safe from the harms caused by drug and alcohol misuse. The effects of addiction don’t just ruin the lives of the people who need support, but also their families, loved ones, wider communities, services and businesses. “This draft strategy describes how we can tackle drug and alcohol misuse in Bristol, offering the right support at the right time for those who need it. It also looks at preventing addiction, how we can support healthy behaviours, and how we can reduce drug and alcohol related crime.
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“The pressures and strains of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are having a detrimental impact on people’s lives, with many causes of addictions exasperated by the situation. Therefore the development of this strategy comes at a really vital time, and we hope the people of Bristol, particularly those who have been affected by addiction, will take time to share their views on it.” The strategy is informed by the ambitions and challenges set out in Bristol’s One City Plan and Bristol’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The vision and priorities for the strategy have been developed through a series of engagement events with key stakeholders across the city. Any comments received from the consultation will be considered before a final strategy is published. The consultation closes on 8 January 2021. To find out more and comment on the draft Bristol’s Drug and Alcohol Strategy 2020-24 visit: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/DAStrategy and complete the online survey. If you would like a paper copy or the information in an alternative format please email ph.commissioning@bristol.gov.uk or call 0117 922 2848.
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SMALL STEPS TO BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY I’m not what you would call a ‘career politician’ – in fact I wasn’t even been a member of a political party until 2015. I joined up because I felt I wanted to make a difference, and when the opportunity to stand to be a Councillor came up, it took a lot of soul searching before I decided to go for it. Once I did, it felt like one of the longest job-interviews in history! I don't really like doing self-publicity either, which makes it a hard job to do because if you don’t tell people what you are doing, everyone assumes you are doing nothing. That’s why I started to write regular updates for people when I became a Councillor, and I’ve tried to keep them up through thick and thin because I think it’s an important part of what we do, to communicate with people and let them know that we are asking questions, we are representing, even if at times it can seem like no progress is being made.
On top of the news of the St Anne’s bid, we do now seem to be making some real progress with re-opening Jubilee Pool and hopefully there will be some news to announce on that before long. In my ward, getting community use for St Anne’s House instead of letting it stand idle is also something I’m hoping we will hear about soon. And then there are the really small things like the re-painting of the road markings at the bottom of Newbridge Hill, so that people coming down Arlington Road can actually see that they need to look for the traffic lights rather than just pulling out.
It is a truism that nothing happens quickly in the Council. I’ve been asking for months now about new trees to replace the ones taken down in Nightingale Valley by the Environment Agency. I’ve been pushing for a report to be finalised on traffic calming measures for Newbridge Road since practically the day I was sworn in. Ideas like Liveable Neighbourhoods could take years to come to full fruition – but the point is, I guess, that unless you take these first steps, get conversations off the ground, ask your questions in Council and push officers behind the scenes to meet with Often you end up asking yourself whether it is you and discuss your ideas, nothing would all worth it? – whether you are making any dif- ever happen. ference whatsoever. Which is why it’s a really good feeling when something major comes off, like our recent bid to the Restoring Your Railways fund for St Anne’s station, which we heard on Thursday had been successful. People have talked about re-opening the station for many years, but it just so happened that the opportunity to achieve some concrete progress came around just months after I was elected. Deadlines were tight, and local MP Kerry McCarthy and myself had to persuade the Council that it was worth putting resources in to work up a bid, and then get the full application sorted in just over a month. Having done that, we were told to expect an So, when a victory comes along, no matter answer in July – and it finally came at the end how small, I think it’s fair to take a minute to of November! appreciate it for what it is, before moving on to the next intractable problem. Right now I’m This is only a first step on a journey to try dreaming of the day when I can just walk up to get St Anne’s re-opened – but it is a vital the road and jump onto a train which whisks first step and without it, there would be no me off to my destination instead of lugging progress whatsoever. It’s hard to explain that it down to the bus stop to wait in the rain or you are doing something now that might not taking out the car. benefit people for 5-10 years – and it’s hard to explain that to yourself sometimes, given you Article by Tim Rippington Labour Councillor may not be around to see the final results! for Brislington 12
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Rosemary and thyme potato Christmas trees
Ingredients
Method
900g Maris Piper potatoes, sliced into 4mm rounds
Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/ Gas 6
5 thyme sprigs, leaves picked
Put the potatoes in a bowl with the thyme, garlic and oil and toss to coat in the oil
2 garlic cloves, bashed 1 tbsp Olive oil
Arrange the potatoes on a baking tray in 6 stacks, starting with the biggest slices and building up to the smallest to create
6 Rosemary sprigs 60g Stilton, crumbled 300g Red cabbage with butter, to serve
Christmas tree shapes Push a cocktail stick down the centre of each. Roast for 40-45 mins or until golden brown and crisp Replace the cocktail sticks from the stacks with a single sprig of rosemary to complete the Christmas tree effect
Feeds 6
Ready 55 mins
Crumble a little Stilton over the stacks, then pop back in the oven for 3 mins, or until the cheese melts Serve with the red cabbage
Vegetarian
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Vegan
Gluten Free
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Westerleigh Crematorium to broadcast Covid-safe Christmas service
Westerleigh Crematorium, near Bristol, is making sure local people can still enjoy some traditional seasonal activities - even if they are in lockdown - by webcasting a Christmas service next month. Meanwhile, the crematorium’s parent company, Westerleigh Group, is helping to support local people who are struggling by donating £2,000 to a foodbank close to the crematorium. Westerleigh Group is the UK’s largest independent operator of cemeteries and crematoria and usually hosts Christmas Carol and Remembrance services at all its 34 sites nationwide, including Westerleigh Crematorium, which people can attend in person. Covid-19 restrictions mean that, like many other live events, this is not going to be possible this year, so the Westerleigh Group has come up with an alternative so ensure that people don’t miss out altogether. Earlier this year, the group announced it had invested in new webcasting services because of restrictions on the number of people allowed to attend funeral services. Now, that technology is going to be used to ensure everyone can view a virtual Christmas Carol and Remembrance Service, which will feature a mixture of traditional carols and readings. Westerleigh Crematorium will be webcasting the one-hour service on Wednesday, December 9, at 6pm. Roger Mclaughlan, Chief Executive Officer of Westerleigh Group, said: “We wanted to make sure we could provide something this year that would definitely be able to take place, regardless of whatever lockdown restrictions may, or may not, be in place.
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“We know that it won’t be quite the same as our popular live services, which we very much hope to be able to return to hosting again next year. “But Christmas is likely to be different for most people this year. And with so many other seasonal events being cancelled, such as live concerts and Christmas markets, we wanted to ensure we could still offer a way for people to join in a festive activity and to remember their loved ones at this time of year. “In some ways, the fact that it is going to be so different this year may make these webcast services even more memorable. “We also felt it was appropriate to choose a very worthy local charity to make a donation to, in the spirit of the season. “North Bristol Foodbank provides people in crisis with vital nutritionally-balanced emergency food and support.” Matt Dobson from North Bristol Foodbank said: “We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry at any time, especially Christmas. We have seen a huge increase of 109% in foodbank use since the first lockdown compared to the same period last year. So this donation is more helpful than ever. “We are very grateful to the Westerleigh Group for this generous donation, which will help us provide an estimated 500 meals for people in crisis.” A link to the service will be put onto the Westerleigh Crematorium website so that people will be able to view it on December 9. It will then be available on-demand. There is no need to register in advance in order to view the services, and no tickets are required; people just need to visit www.westerleighcrem.co.uk and click on the link.
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This Is What Your Dog’s Behaviors Really Mean Dogs do not see the world in the same way that we do. While this is the case, they do rely on their body language for communication. Read on to see the way they exhibit their feelings and emotions through their actions and demeanor! Some of these will definitely shock you. On Hind Legs There are several possible meanings when a dog stands up on its hind legs. It is likely to show affection. Just like humans, they want to hug sometimes. However, it can show playfulness when they are around other dogs. As long as they are not acting aggressively or growly, they are probably only playing.
Furniture Chewing Pups also like to chew on various objects when they are teething. However, it could mean something else when they are no longer puppies. This does not mean they are bad dogs, however. There is a good chance that they are just not getting the physical activity they need. A good way to treat this is to take them out for a walk. If your dog ever starts chewing at the furniture, it is time to give them exercise. How They Bark There are several reasons dogs bark. If it is loud and frequent, it might be something urgent. Perhaps they sense danger and want to let you know. Shorter and softer barks, meanwhile, mean that they want to play. Loud barking can also mean that they are in pain. Make sure to pay attention to figure it out! 18
Bringing You Toys Do not assume that your dog wants to play just because they have a toy in their mouth. One theory says that they want to please you this way. They consider you the alpha and want your respect. Another theory claims that this is their way of showing that they trust you. He has so much trust in you that he brings you such a valuable object. Of course, it might also mean that he loves you so much that he wants you to enjoy his prized possession. You might hurt his feelings if you throw the ball away after this! When Dogs Yawn Humans tend to yawn when they are bored or tired. However, dogs do this when they feel safe and secure. For them, it is a sign of submission. If you see a dog yawning 15 times, it means they feel relaxed. However, it can also be a sign of stress or anticipation. When a dog is in the vet’s office, numerous yawns might reflect their nervousness. When they do this before a walk, it can be a way to keep their enthusiasm in check as well. Like humans, they also do it to show how tired they are. Exposing Their Belly When your dog shows you their belly, it means that he respects you and feels submissive. Perhaps they also want to play with you. The only way to respond here is to rub their belly! They will want it to happen again and again, so they will keep doing it. However, they also display this behavior when they are getting attacked by some other animal.
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Bristolians urged to protect Bristol A new campaign urges people to follow the guidance.
Watch the film on the We Are Bristol website.
Following the announcement that the government has placed Bristol in Tier 3 restrictions from 2nd December, Bristolians are being urged to follow the guidance so we can get back to normal sooner.
Bristol has been placed in Tier 3 by the government which will come into force on 2, December at 00.01hrs. Bristol’s Mayor, Marvin Rees has warned that for every moment the city is in Tier 3, the hospitality sector will be damaged.
A new campaign, launched by Bristol City Council, sees local hospital doctors, a GP, a pharmacist, a police officer, a teacher, Bristol’s Bishop and the Chair of the Council of Bristol’s Mosques, all share messages urging people to follow the guidance. “Many of you will recover in your own homes fully from COVID-19 but some of you will have to come into hospital. It’s important that you keep your family, friends and all around you safe,” said Dr Huzaifa Adamali who works as a respiratory consultant at Southmead Hospital. “Meeting up with lots of people you don’t live with is a risk. The guidelines are in place to protect you and me. Remember, hands, face, space,” said Lucy Mckenzie, a nurse who works at the Old School Surgery in Fishponds. “Cases of COVID-19 in Bristol are high. We all need to play our part to protect people from getting very ill. Remember to keep space from others, and wash your hands,” said Jonathan Hardwick-Smith, a South Western Ambulance Service paramedic. “If you have any new continuous cough, or temperature or a change or loss or your sense of smell of taste, stay home and book a test,” said Baljinder Singh from Bhogal’s Chemist on St Mark’s Road. 20
Mayor Rees said: “We can all help move to a tier with fewer restrictions if we work together and follow the guidance. Until we get the numbers down people will continue getting very ill, hospitals will be under pressure, and people’s jobs and businesses will be impacted. We must protect people’s lives and protect people’s livelihoods. Please do all you can to protect Bristol.” Bristol’s Director of Public Health, Christina Gray, said: “No one wants to be in Tier 3 but we all must understand the importance of driving down infection rates and protecting people from getting very ill. The Protect Bristol campaign asks you to please follow the guidance to protect yourself, protect others around you, and protect the NHS. “You can protect Bristol by staying 2m apart from people you don’t live with, regularly washing your hands and covering your face when you need to. If you are told to self-isolate you must stay at home as you are a risk to others. And if you have symptoms then please book a test.” For more information on the restrictions for Tier 3, please visit the government website.
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This weeks lucky winner is!
Congratulations to this weeks winner is Laura from Whitchurch 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
EASY
Start
MEDIUM START SUSPICION TRACE TRAIL
PREFER REPRESENTATIVE SALE SOCIAL
OUTER PEN PLAN POOR
IMPORTANT INTERRUPT LIVER MEDIUM
HARD Here are this weeks 3 puzzles to test your number crunching skills ranging from easy to medium and hard. Click the download symbol below to download our puzzles and competitions to your phone or computer and complete at your own leisure. Print it or write directly on the PDF its up to you.
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Local air ambulance receives heart warming donation for vital lifesaving equipment
Local air ambulance receives heartwarming donation for vital lifesaving equipment The County Air Ambulance HELP Appeal, the only charity in the country that funds NHS hospital helipads, has generously funded £22,000 for five new critical blood-warming machines for Bristol’s local air ambulance charity. Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) provides the critical care and air ambulance services for the people of Bristol. Their crew consists of Critical Care Doctors and Specialist Paramedics who bring the skills of a hospital emergency department direct to those in urgent need. As part of their extensive kit, they carry blood and fresh frozen plasma together with the equipment necessary to give a blood transfusion at the scene of an incident. In 2019 GWAAC’s Critical Care Team gave 37 patients emergency blood and plasma transfusions on scene. To give a safe transfusion, the blood needs to be warmed close to body temperature before being used. Whether the team are attending a patient by helicopter or critical care car, they need the right kit at hand to be able to respond quickly with the right treatment. This includes having reliable and effective blood warming machines, so that they can safely administer blood transfusions.
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The charity’s current blood warming machines were nearing the end of their lives, and so new ones were required, costing £4,400 each. As a charity, GWAAC receives no day-to-day funding from the NHS or Government, and relies on generous grants and donations to raise the money needed to provide their lifesaving service. Since the launch of GWAAC in 2008, the charity has been fortunate to have a strong partnership with the County Air Ambulance, receiving almost £4 million in funding. This has helped to develop the charity’s operations and make significant advances in pre-hospital emergency care for patients in GWAAC’s region. GWAAC’s Chief Executive, Anna Perry, said: “We’re so grateful for grants and donations such as this one that allow us to purchase vital kit for our crew to give patients the best possible chance of a positive outcome. Without support like this, we simply couldn’t make a difference to so many lives and families across the region, so on behalf of all of our communities – thank you.” Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the County Air Ambulance HELP Appeal said: “The charity has a very strong connection with GWAAC having provided funding during its first few years. Through our HELP Appeal we have funded helipads at Bristol Royal Infirmary and Southmead hospital, which have helped to save many lives. We’ll always go where we are needed most and GWAAC urgently needed our support. We are pleased that we can continue helping them to save the lives of critically ill patients.”
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MAKE 2020 A LESS TAXING YEAR The traditional last-minute dash again saw UK savers rush to beat the tax yearend deadline to invest their ISA allowance. Human nature dictates that we are often only prompted to act when faced with a deadline, particularly when it’s a ‘use it or lose it’ opportunity such as the annual ISA allowance. But there are many reasons why it makes sense to invest in an ISA earlier in the tax year instead. Perhaps most obvious is the peace of mind that comes from getting ahead with your ISA planning and avoiding any end-of-year panic. It also makes things simpler, as you don’t need to worry about any more tax returns for your investments once they’re held inside an ISA. However, what’s most important is to remember that investing is a long-term game; the longer you leave your money invested,
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The sooner you use your ISA allowance, the greater the potential tax benefit because your investment is sheltered from Capital Gains Tax and Income Tax for longer. Similarly, your investment has more chance to benefit from compound interest. Over the long term, the opportunity to make gains on the gains you have already made can make a big difference. Taking steps to minimise the impact of tax on your wealth should be a year-round activity, not something that we only think about in the last few weeks of the tax year. Whether through investing a lump sum or by setting up regular savings, making an early start with your ISA plans is one way to shelter more of your money from HMRC. Contact for more information: Stephanie Beddis, Kilsaran Financial Planning on 01454 440524 or email: stephanie.beddis@sjpp.co.uk
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Bristol’s Changing Landscape
It is National Tree Week this week, Britain’s largest annual tree celebration, marking the start of the winter tree planting season, which continues from November through to March each year. The event began in 1975 in order to support the national replanting of trees following the deadly outbreak of Dutch Elm disease and the loss of around 25 million trees. On this front, we have both some good news and some bad news. First the bad news, which is the disease known as Ash Dieback. We were recently talking to Bristol City Council tree officers about this disease and the impact it might have over the coming years. It is thought that we could lose around 80% of our ash trees nationally and this is going to have a devastating effect on our landscape and the biodiversity of our woodlands. Unfortunately, here in our very own Brislington, there are several ash trees in the beautiful Arnos Court Park which are showing signs of the disease and which will need to be felled at some point due to the significant risk of branches breaking without warning. Ash felling has already started in neighbouring Arnos Vale Cemetery adjacent to the many footpaths crisscrossing this beautiful site. The task is going to be a hugely costly one, both financially and environmentally, and you may wish to support the cemetery, a charitable trust which receives no funding from Bristol City Council: https://uk. virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/ displayCharityCampaignPage.action?charityCampaignUrl=arnosvalechristmasappeal
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Clearly, it is going to be really important to plant new trees which can replace those that will be lost, which brings us to the good news. We recently set up the Friends of Arnos Court Park on Facebook, and following several Zoom meetings with local ecologists and council officers, our first project has been given the green light. The council has agreed to the planting of a new perimeter hedge along the park boundary with the A4 Bath Road. It will consist of a mix of native species including holly, hornbeam and beech and will be allowed to grow to a height of approximately 2 metres. This will provide both a visual and pollution screen from the road and offer a valuable habitat for local wildlife. We are hoping that local schoolchildren may be able to get involved with the planting. Alongside the hedge, we have negotiated the planting of several new trees and over time this will hopefully improve the appearance and air quality of this rather car-dominated, polluted corner of Brislington. As well as the new trees and hedge, there is an existing hedgerow running up the north side of the park adjacent to the Arnos Manor Hotel. We plan to plant it with more native species to fill in the gaps and allow it to thicken out and become a more substantial feature. Even more good news is the fact that we have managed to secure 9 oak saplings from the Bristol Tree Forum and we will be working with council officers to find suitable sites in the park. There are many more projects in the pipeline so if you’d like to get involved, please join the Friends Group: https://www.facebook. com/groups/718708475350789/?ref=share By Jos Clark, Liberal Democrat Councillor (Brislington West) Email: cllr.jos.clark@bristol.gov.uk Mobile: 07584 370429 & Andrew Varney, Liberal Democrat Councillor Candidate (Brislington West) Email: andyvarney@hotmail.com Mobile: 07544 667968
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Cut the cost of your energy bills this winter For many households, energy is an expensive necessity and with more people than ever working from home, those already pricey bills are set to rise. From the 1st of April this year, the government is offering tax relief for additional household costs if you work from home on a regular basis. However, the £6 per week on offer may not go very far especially as the colder weather forces consumers to turn on their heating for longer e.g. during working hours. Here at Hitachi Personal Finance, we’ve put together a practical guide to help you be more energy efficient and save money on your energy bills this winter. Switch supplier and save
Opting for LED bulbs means that you’ll use up to 90% less energy compared with more traditional options and as they are relatively cheap to buy, they pretty much pay for themselves through savings in the first few months. Home improvements Making changes such as upgrading your insultation, opting for double or triple glazing and installing solar panels can save you money and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. Even though, some home improvements require some initial investment, you may be able to take advantage of the Governments ‘Green Homes Grant’ scheme launched back in September.
If you haven’t switched your energy supplier or compared your current tariff for a while, you could be losing out on potential savings. According to Which?, consumers can save on average £330 a year by switching from a standard or default tariff to one of the cheapest deals available. Comparison sites are a great place start comparing suppliers and scoring the best savings. Use your thermostat efficiently Did you know that by reducing your room temp could cut the cost of your heating bill? Turning down your thermostat by just 1ºC can save up to a whopping £75 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust. If you don’t already have heating controls installed, its well worth making the investment as you can make additional savings of up to £60 a year as well as reducing your home’s carbon footprint to help the environment. Replace old light bulbs Swapping out traditional light bulbs for energy saving ones can help reduce your energy bills due to their low running costs. Not only do energy efficient bulbs last longer but they are also cheaper to run resulting in a potential £180 saving over its lifetime. 32
This scheme offers homeowners in England a helping hand in making their homes' energy-efficient by providing vouchers worth up to £5,000. Full details can be found on the GOV website. Winter Fuel Payment Many people are entitled to help with their energy bills but don't realise it. If you are over 75, you could get £140 off your electricity bill for winter 2020 to 2021 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. While if you were born on or before 5th October 1954, you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills as part of the Winter Fuel Payment. People on certain benefits can also get Cold Weather Payments if the temperature drops below zero degrees seven days in a row so it’s well worth checking just in case you qualify which can be done via the GOV.UK website.
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Bristol Cooks to Bring Festive Cheer to Homes
With a diverse range of cooks on the platform, the dishes and treats available are not just the expected traditional ones either.
Cooks, from the recently launched All About The Cooks platform, have launched a selection of sweet and savoury dishes in the hope of bringing homecooked food and a smile into the homes of the people of Bristol this Christmas. From a delicious whole roasted duck in a cardamon, cinnamon and orange glaze, to the traditional Christmas dinner trimmings (think pigs in blankets, bread sauce and stuffing balls), to a sumptuous chocolate reindeer cake that won’t fail to make you grin – all of these and more will be available to order on the platform from Friday 27th November 2020. Founder of All About The Cooks, Claire Ladkin, says: “At Christmas vast amounts of factory produced food is sold in supermarkets. As an advocate of eating real food made in kitchens not factories, and given it’s the time of year where we want our families to enjoy the best food possible, I urge the people of Bristol to visit our website and see some of the tasty Christmas items on sale from cooks in their neighbourhoods. Many of these, including all the ‘traditional trimmings’ for your Christmas dinner, can – like supermarket food – make life a little bit easier over the festive holidays, but unlike supermarkets, shopping on All About The Cooks means investing money directly into your local community, which seems more important than ever this year. The cooks on the platform cook from the heart and it would feel a disservice not to share this wonderful food with the people of Bristol, particularly in a year where we could all do with a little pick-me-up.” 38
Cook, Indira from Easton, says: “In Cuba it’s Christmas Eve that is the most special day and the traditional meal is a whole suckling pig prepared in the backyard served with a traditional “Congri”, which is black beans, cassava, sweet or green plantains and salad. There is usually plenty of rum involved in the celebrations too!” Cook, Mona from Stoke Bishop says: “Whilst I don’t celebrate Christmas religiously, I do like to cook a festive feast of a whole roasted duck during the December holiday. With the glaze of orange, honey cinnamon and cardamom powder all over the bird, it creates a delicious dish for all occasions – and it’s my daughter’s favourite!” Cook, Giuseppe from Southville says: “The meal I most love to cook over the festive period is the one for the 31st December. It is a traditional plate of lentils with slices of cotechino (an Italian pork sausage). In the Roman Empire, lentils were believed to resemble coins, so it is said to bring luck and prosperity to those who eat it!” Those wanting to treat a friend or loved one can also purchase a gift voucher from the website, allowing their loved one to enjoy discovering a cook near them! The All About The Cooks platform allows for contactless payment (via the website ahead of delivery or collection) and all cooks adhere to strict hygiene and safety policies that keep both them and customers safe. To discover more of the festive food available at All About The Cooks, visit: www. allaboutthecooks.co.uk/
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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) 41
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