Bristol Magazine (weekly) 20th April 2023

C ontents

4. Somerset start up, Maiden Mill

6. Transform a dull room in five easy steps

11. Bristol born composer

16. All about the Caribbean

18. Shutter speed is key

24. City And Port Of Bristol Bowling Club

26. Sparks Bristol

28. Garden landscaping ideas

30. Bristol’s unsung heroes

36. Bristol the university

46. Emergency alert test

48. Two new lounges

Editor

Michael Davies

Journalist

Lisa Davies

Contributing Writers

Andrea Sexton

Martin Powell

Daren Bane

Kayleigh Penny

Andrew Varney

Jos Clark

Corinna Ingram

Kathryn Chatfield

Angie Nicholls

Bristol Weekly Magazine is delivered to people across Bristol and South West via email and social media every week to over 20,0000 people.

www.bristolweeklymagazine.co.uk

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed in Bristol Weekly Magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publisher or their agents. Whilst every reasonable care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information included within this publication, the publisher takes no responsibility for errors or omissions in Bristol Weekly Magazine.

12

THE THREE MUSKETEERS: D’ARTAGNAN

38

EAST BRISTOL BECOMES CAR FREE

SOMERSET START UP, MAIDEN MILL, BURSTS ONTO DRINKS SCENE WITH LAUNCH OF TWO NEW GENERATION, ALCOHOL-FREE CIDERS

Somerset-based Maiden Mill is the world’s first brand dedicated to producing alcohol-free cider and has unveiled two original presses to offer quality and choice within the category.

Somerset-based Maiden Mill is the world’s first brand dedicated to producing alcohol-free cider and has unveiled two original presses to offer quality and choice within the category.

Using traditional cider pressing methods in the heart of Somerset, Maiden Mill has recreated the full-bodied flavour of fullstrength ciders in two 0.5%ABV options. Maiden Mill Voyage is a golden medium cider with sweet green apple notes that refresh the taste buds whilst Maiden Mill Flyer is a crisp cloudy medium dry cider, with a smooth and satisfying sweet taste.

Ed Reed, co-founder of Maiden Mill commented “The mindful drinking movement is going from strength to strength and over a quarter (29%) of UK drinkers say that they are ‘semi-regular’ drinkers of low and no alcohol products.

At Maiden Mill, our vision is to focus resource exclusively on production of exceptional, refreshing ciders with full body and satisfying taste but which, at 0.5%ABV, enable non-drinkers to enjoy the unmistakeable aroma and flavours of an authentic Somerset cider. Voyage and Flyer will form the core range of Maiden Mill with specials produced throughout the year to appeal to a wide range of cider drinkers and ensure that everyone can enjoy the refreshing, flavoursome taste of Somerset apples they crave.”

Maiden Mill takes its name from the pioneers who achieved momentous firsts – the maiden voyages and flights - and has now created a maiden range of alcohol-free craft ciders. “Maiden Mill Voyage is named in honour of the trailblazers and their maiden voyages” added Ed Reed. “Like the 102 settlers who boarded the Mayflower in Plymouth in 1620 for their maiden voyage to America, with 30 million Americans able to trace their ancestry back to those 102 pioneers.

Similarly, Maiden Mill Flyer pays homage to all of the maiden flights in the world, from the Wright brothers who designed, built and flew the first successful airplane and Amelia Earhart who was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic. With a bottle of our own trailblazer Maiden Mill Voyage or Flyer in hand, we raise a toast to the creation of those memorable and historically significant achievements.”

Tasting the Maiden Mill ciders Jane Peyton, founder of the School of Booze and the UK’s first Cider Pommelier commented “Until now I have been disappointed with the Low/No ciders I’ve tried but I’m not with this one. Both Maiden Mill ciders are very moreishfruity, tangy with pleasing acidity, soft tannins, with ripe green apple flavour, and both have body.”

Maiden Mill Voyage and Flyer are available in 330ml glass bottle, are gluten & vegan free and the 0.5%ABV ciders are only 25Kcal per 100ml. The brand is minimising its carbon footprint with ingredients and packaging sourced in Somerset, with the whole process from growing the apples to warehousing taking place within a 25 mile radius. The first two Maiden Mill ciders have been launched through Wise Bartender and Club Soda.

TRANSFORM A DULL ROOM IN FIVE EASY STEPS

Everyone wants a home that oozes personality and character, but if your house isn’t naturally designed with an architectural f lair, it can sometimes feel like a bit of a challenge.

If you live in a terrace house or an apartment, you may find that your home lacks any focal points, which could give it that wow factor. A home needs a good balance of interior design, furnishings, and features to make it stand out and feel like your own - sometimes it just takes a few changes here and there to get the balance right.

Luckily, a dull room will usually present you with a blank canvas, meaning there are lots of different ways in which it can be transformed. Here is 5 easy steps to help you bring a dull room back to life:

USE COLOUR

One of the most obvious ways to transform a dull room is with the use of colour. If you don’t want anything too bright, then just using a mixture of complementary colours on the walls and throughout the furnishings will help to make your room look more interesting.

If you are feeling brave, then bold colours are a great way to transform any room. Either paint one wall a different colour to the others, or use the colour in your furnishings. A bright red sofa will completely transform a dull room, as would canary yellow curtains on a sky blue carpet.

MAKE THE MOST OF THE WALLS

Your walls are your best opportunity to transform a room if you want to leave the furniture where it is. As mentioned above, you can paint the rooms or put up new wallpaper, but there is an easier way to make the most of them.

Mirrors and artwork can be used to completely change a room and make it feel totally new. Use mirrors of different sizes to reflect light around the room and hang pictures and art in various places on each wall to create character and reflect your personality.

BRING THE OUTSIDE IN

There is nothing better than flowers and fresh green plants and foliage to add texture and colour to a dull, boring room.

There are lots of different types of house plants to choose from, ranging from big corner plants to smaller potted plants, or you could just use artificial plants and flowers if you don’t want to look after real ones.

Make sure you keep your plants happy and healthy, so they continue to thrive in your room, and if you use artificial plants be sure to regularly clean them, so they don’t accumulate dust and make the room appear untidy.

Combine Lighting

Many rooms just have a boring overhead ceiling light that turns on and off using a switch on the wall. It’s best to avoid this when trying to jazz up a dull room and instead use a combination of lighting.

Lamps of various heights at different points around the room will give the space a better atmosphere, and make it feel more welcoming. You can also add a dimmer switch onto your ceiling light so the lighting can be changed at any time of the day.

Add Accessories

If you have given your room a theme, add a range of accessories to enhance that theme and give the room a purpose. This could include cushions, candles or artwork. If you have a collection of old cameras or photos, for example, you could line then up along the mantelpiece.

If the room has a fireplace, even if it is not in use, you could add a fireguard and a set of poker sticks to give it an authentic feel. You can usually find a range of unique accessories on a budget at car boot sales, and these can easily be adapted to work with the space you have.

WHATS ON

Re-Release Band

Description: With a diverse repertoire of music from the 60’s to the present day, Re-Release are back for 2023 with 2 nights of non stop party hits!

Venue: Claverham Village Hall

Bishops Rd

Cleeve

Claverham

BS49 4NF

Poetry of the Beyond

Description: Join us for a night of poetry of exploring the space beyond borders. We are delighted to have Sarah Fletcher in the Haus for the Launch of her debut collection.

Venue: Bookhaus

Unit 4 Rope Walk

Hope Quay

Bristol

Kettle Of Fish

Description: The Kettle Of Fish take to the 1532 stage for the first time and they’re bringing MUSICIANS who play instruments with them (for certain numbers)

Venue: Kettle Of Fish

Elton Rd

Bristol BS8 1SJ

Sing-a-Long-a Encanto

Description: Gather la Familia! It’s time to celebrate something truly Magical.From the producers of Sing-a-Long-a Frozen, the brand new smash hit film musical of 2021 with lyrics on screen that everyone can’t stop singing.

Venue: The Playhouse

26-130 High St

Weston-super-Mare

BS23 1HP

Shakespear in love

Description: We’re at the Observatory on St. George’s Day this year for films inspired by great English writers; our final film of the evening is Shakespeare In Love.

Venue: Clifton Observatory

Litfield Rd

Clifton

Bristol BS8 3LT

All A’Board

Description: We love playing board games and meeting new people, so a couple of years ago we set up a fortnightly board gaming meetup at Bristol Independent Gaming the group has grown and friendships have flourished across the gaming table.

Venue Bristol Independent Gaming

16 Cater Rd

Bishopsworth

Bristol BS13 7TW

Thunder World

Description: With flowers blossoming, spring lambs and warmer weather on the horizon it’s time to think of the thrills and spills of a theme park….and let us transport you to a world of high-octane fun!

Venue: Durdham Downs, Bristol, BS9 1FG

Joke & Mirrors

Description: In the Smoke & Mirrors Theatre we host the very best rising and established comedy talent testing out new material and shows in our Bunch of Japes Stand Up Comedy New Material Nights.

Venue: Smoke and Mirrors

Comedy & Magic Theatre Pub

8 Denmark St

Bristol BS1 5DQ

District Showdown

Description: A platform curated to involve and encourage people from all walks of life to showcase their talents, connect with industry professionals and ultimately, give rise to the incredible talent within our community here in Bristol.

Venue: JTE Hub

The Methodist Church

Penpole Avenue

Shirehampton

Bristol

Oppo Comedy

Description: Oppo is Bristol’s most legendary comedy night! Started by Mark Olver and then run by subsequent generations of Bristol comics, including Russell Howard, Jon Richardson, John Robins, Fin Taylor and Mat Ewins.

Venue: Barrelhouse

33 Gordon Rd

Clifton

Bristol BS8 1AW

Pub Quiz

Description: We are holding the inaugural Space Program quiz night raising money for the fantastic charity that is Gympanzees

Venue: The Lamb Inn

Worle

Weston Super Mare

BS22 6JA

Free Craft Sessions

Description: Come along to The Stable on a Wednesday morning and relax for a couple of hours with a cup of coffee, a bit of crafting, some friendly chat and hopefully a little laughter!

Venue The Stable

Creative Hub

3-6 Wadham St

Weston-super-Mare BS23 1JY

APRIL 27

Walk Right Back

Description: After phenomenal sell out tours, Walk Right Back is...BACK!

From the Producers of That’ll Be The Day, the show tells the story of the most successful duo of all time - The Everly Brothers.

Venue: The Playhouse

26-130 High St

Weston-super-Mare

BS23 1HP

Bristol Careers Fair

Description: The Bristol Careers Fair will offer candidates from all backgrounds, experience and education levels the opportunity to speak to representatives from an abundance of local employers, all in one place.

Venue: Bristol Beacon

Trenchard St

Bristol

BS1 5AR

Combichrist live

Description: Alternative metal band Combichrist will be coming live to Bristol, performing at Thekla in the city’s harbour.

Venue: Thekla Bristol

The Grove, East Mud Dock

Bristol

BS1 4RB

UPCOMING EVENTS

THE BRISTOL BORN COMPOSER IS WRITING MUSIC FOR KING CHARLES CORONATION

Bristol-based composer Sarah Class has been commissioned to write music for the upcoming coronation of King Charles. Class, an Emmy and Brit Award-nominated artist, is most renowned for her work on Sir David Attenborough's nature programs and National Geographic documentaries. She was personally invited by His Royal Highness to compose music for the historic event.

She spoke of her pride at attending the coronation and that in Charles the country has a monarch who is just as passionate about the environment as she is. “I feel very honored and privileged and excited to be a part of it,” she said.

“I think for me it’s not just a contribution, I’m just so happy to be giving my support through my music and that’s the ultimate for me. I love that we have someone in this position who has these values for the planet and who cares about the environment and our biodiversity.

“It’s something that’s very important to me and it’s vital right now that all of these issues are explored and to have someone in this position is so special and valuable,” she added.

The artistic virtuoso Sarah Class was recently graced with the honor of reflecting her creative genius on behalf of King Charles III and his coronation. Initially, she gained recognition from the then-Prince of Wales for her accomplishments in music and environmental advocacy.

As a result, he subsequently requested that she compose a work for COP26’s Climate Summit. Her piece, titled “Rhythm Of The Earth – Terra Carta Theme,” did not fail to impress.

Born and raised in Bristol, Sarah is highly regarded for creating lush soundscapes accompanied by deeply emotional lyrical content. She grew up on the Isle of Wight where her interests in nature and music took root and eventually converged into an exciting professional career.

ALSO SHOWING IN CINEMAS

From award-winning director Ben Affleck, AIR reveals the unbelievable game-changing partnership between a then rookie Michael Jordan and Nike’s fledgling basketball division which revolutionized the world of sports and contemporary culture with the Air Jordan brand.

THE THREE MUSKETEERS: D’ARTAGNAN

IN CINEMAS 21 APRIL

D’Artagnan, a spirited young Gascon, is left for dead after trying to save a noblewoman from being kidnapped. Once in Paris, he tries by all means to find his attackers, unaware that his quest will lead him to the very heart of a war where the future of France is at stake. Aided by King’s Musketeers Athos, Porthos and Aramis, he faces the machinations of villainous Cardinal Richelieu and Milady de Winter, while falling in love with Constance, the Queen’s confidante.

In this modern monster tale of Dracula’s loyal servant, Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road, X-Men franchise) stars as Renfield, the tortured aide to history’s most narcissistic boss, Dracula (Oscar® winner Nicolas Cage). Renfield is forced to procure his master’s prey and do his every bidding, no matter how debased. .

RENFIELD

EDUCATION FOALS BEGIN TO ARRIVE IN SCHOOLS

The Unicornfest is making history as small baby unicorns are being sent to schools in the Bristol area and beyond. It's amazing that these schools get to enjoy the magical sight of foals from our festival.

Another milestone for The Unicornfest as small foals begin to be delivered to schools across Bristol and the wider South West areas.

The small unicorns will be decorated by pupils from the respective schools and will go on display as part of the wider Unicornfest this summer, beginning 1st July.

From there, they will be taken to the Farewell Festival in September before being returned home to their schools and colleges to keep forever as a memento of the event.

As well as the foals, education packs have been created in conjunction with Bridging Histories to help students to explore family histories and their local histories too.

Education packs are free to download from The Unicornfest website here and a limited number of physical copies can be collected from The Galleries shopping centre - please email: Shana@theunicornfest.co.uk to reserve yours.

PORTISHEAD CAMERA CLUB

Portishead Camera Club will hold meetings every Thursday at 7:00pm to approx 9:45pm

AT REDCLIFFE BAY HALL, PORTISHEAD

Please visit our website for the meeting dates. The first 2 meetings will be free to non-members.

Come along to make new friends, discover how to take better pictures and appreciate the company of like-minded people.

The club seeks to help its members enjoy their photography, explore new techniques and invites expert speakers to share their camera skills.

So, whatever you use to take your family or holiday pictures, the Camera Club can help you.

Regular competitions, outings, guest speakers and much more provide great learning opportunities.

www.portisheadcamerclub.co.uk

ALL ABOUT THE CARIBBEAN: BRISTOL HOME-COOK TO SERVE UP JAMAICAN FEAST AT KITCHEN BY KASK

Colourful, bold and fresh Caribbean food will be on the menu as All About The Cooks returns to Kitchen by KASK on Friday 28 April

Bristol-born online marketplace, All About The Cooks will return to Kitchen by KASK on Friday 28 April for more home-cooked goodness following the sell-out success of last month’s home-cook takeover. A one night only offering, the Friday night Supper Club will bring mouth-watering Jamaican flavour from passionate Bristol home-cook Esther to Bedminster.

North Street's dining hall will welcome Esther’s Caribbean Club, serving up spicy Caribbean food based on traditional Jamaican recipes, to treat food lovers to her sensational home-cooked meals. Combined with unbeatable and appetising flavours, diners will experience authentic family dishes - inspired by Esther’s mother’s traditional Jamaican recipes.

Bristol-born online marketplace, All About The Cooks will return to Kitchen by KASK on Friday 28 April for more home-cooked goodness following the sell-out success of last month’s homecook takeover. A one night only offering, the Friday night Supper Club will bring mouth-watering Jamaican flavour from passionate Bristol home-cook Esther to Bedminster.

North Street's dining hall will welcome Esther’s Caribbean Club, serving up spicy Caribbean food based on traditional Jamaican recipes, to treat food lovers to her sensational home-cooked meals. Combined with unbeatable and appetising flavours, diners will experience authentic family dishes - inspired by Esther’s mother’s traditional Jamaican recipes.

Using her mother’s long tried and tested Jamaican recipes to create colourful, diverse and fresh meals, Bristol based home-cook Esther will be sharing her specialty dishes with guests on Friday 28 April at Kitchen by KASK. Tickets are on sale now for the next All About the Cooks takeover at Kitchen and can be purchased over on the website.

Two courses will be available for £27 and three courses for £30. To find out more about the home-cooks, please visit the All About The Cooks website at https:// allaboutthecooks.co.uk/our-cooks/. For more information on All About the Cooks, follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. website.

SHUTTER SPEED – A KEY ELEMENT FOR BEGINNER PHOTOGRAPHY

Welcome to part 3 in our photography for beginners section. This week we cover shutter speed.

When it comes to taking better photos, don't focus too much on the technical stuff - just let your creativity run wild! And even though shutter speed might seem like a technical aspect of photography, you can use it for lots of different effects. Here's what shutter speed is all about and how you can use it to your advantage.

Shutter speed is 1 of 3 things (aperture, ISO speed being the other two) that'll determine how exposed your photo is. But get this - you can also use it to control sharpness in the image and introduce some fun effects into the mix. Pretty cool stuff, huh? Let's dive in and take a look!

WHAT IS SHUTTER SPEED?

So you’ve got your camera, and there’s this little flap inside it in front of the sensor. That’s the shutter! It pops open when you take a photo to let in light that forms the image. How long the shutter stays open is called your shutter speed -- if it opens and closes quickly, that’s a fast shutter speed; if it takes a while for it to close again, that’s slow. Get it?

HOW IS SHUTTER SPEED MEASURED?

Shutter speeds are measured in seconds, or fractions of a second; 1/100 means 0.01 seconds, and that’s how long the sensor is exposed to light (kinda like giving it an exposure time). Most cameras offer a big range of shutter speeds, going from just a few thousandths of a second up to several seconds - there’s even the Bulb mode for people who want longer expositions.

CHOOSING THE BEST SHUTTER SPEED

In automatic mode, your camera will try to guess the best shutter speed to capture your scene. Unfortunately it doesn’t always get it right, and your photo can end up poorly exposed or blurred.

A better option is to switch to manual mode and take control of shutter speed yourself. When doing so, you need to consider the following:

CAMERA SHAKE

Camera shake occurs when hand-holding your camera. No matter how steady you think you are, you can never stand perfectly still, and this slight movement shows up in your photos as a blurriness or lack of sharpness.

You can avoid camera shake by using a faster shutter speed. It’s more noticeable when using lenses with a long focal length, so the longer the lens, the more you’ll need to increase your shutter speed to avoid camera shake.

As a rule of thumb, you should use a minimum shutter speed of 1/focal length. So for a 200mm lens, use a shutter speed of at least 1/200th. When calculating this, use your lens’s effective focal length, which is found by multiplying the focal length by your camera’s crop factor.

MOTION BLUR

Motion blurring happens when you’re photographing a moving subject, let’s say a runner. If you use a slow shutter speed, the runner will move across the frame while the shutter is open, causing them to appear as a blurry streak in the final image.

You can avoid motion blur by using a faster shutter speed. Doing so means that the subject will move less while the shutter is open, reducing the blurring effect. With a fast enough shutter speed, this blurring becomes unnoticeable, and the action appears "frozen".

But before you go cranking your shutter speed as high as you can, you should consider whether you actually want to eliminate motion blur. It's an excellent way to convey speed or movement in a scene. You can also pan your camera to keep the subject sharp and blur the background.

You also need to make sure that your scene is properly exposed. A slower shutter speed lets in more light, while a faster shutter speed lets in less. You need to choose a shutter speed that lets in just the right amount of light, to give a photo which isn’t too bright (overexposed) or dark (underexposed), and which has a good level of detail in the most important areas.

HOW DOES SHUTTER SPEED WORK?

NAAN BACON BUTTY WITH SPICY CHUTNEY

INGREDIENTS

6 smoked streaky bacon rashers

3 tbsp brown sauce

½ small red onion, finely chopped

1 tbsp finely chopped coriander, plus leaves to garnish

½ green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped, plus extra to serve

2 plain naan breads

50g light soft cheese

Handful rocket or baby leaves

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 220°C/fan 200°C/ gas 7, then arrange the bacon in a single layer on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper and cook for 12-15 mins, until crisp

Mix together the brown sauce, red onion, chopped coriander and chilli in a small bowl, then set aside

Just before the bacon is ready, toast the naans in a toaster or griddle pan, until golden

To assemble, cut each naan in half and spread over the soft cheese

Top with the salad leaves, bacon, a spoonful of the brown sauce mixture, plus the extra coriander and chilli

Sandwich together with the rest of the naan and serve

A happyplace to live

We pride ourselves on having happy homes, where residents and their families can enjoy spending quality time with each other and develop new friendships along the way.

Our homes in Bristol are located close to local shops and amenities, and benefit from strong connections with community groups. We offer a busy and varied activities programme that includes something for everyone and ensures residents get the most out of every day.

We care for individuals with a variety of care needs including Residential, Nursing and Dementia Care.

Our homes in Bristol: Osborne Court Care Home, 0117 321 9289 Bishopsmead Lodge Care Home, 0117 321 9269

Call our friendly team today, or visit: www.fshc.co.uk

BROCCOLI MACARONI CHEESE

INGREDIENTS

300g macaroni

1 broccoli head, cut into florets

30g unsalted butter

1 heaped tbsp Co-op plain white flour

400ml semi-skimmed milk (or

300ml milk and 100ml cooking water)

120g grated mature Cheddar

Method

Heat the oil in a deep, nonstick frying pan, 20cm across, over a medium heat

Add the potato, onion and chorizo, then fry for 15 mins, stirring occasionally, until softened

Meanwhile, mix the mayonnaise and garlic together and set aside

Increase the heat to high and pour the egg into the pan, swirling until it starts to set around the edges

Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for a further 20-25 mins, until light golden at the sides but not quite set in the middle

Place a board or large plate over the pan, carefully flip the tortilla onto it, then slide back into the pan

Cook for 3-5 mins more, until the egg has just set in the middle

Sprinkle with the parsley, then serve with the garlic mayo

CITY AND PORT OF BRISTOL BOWLING CLUB

Through the dark days of winter when the green is closed and the prospect of bowling is just a distant memory all bowlers look forward to the magic day when the gate opens once again and its possible to go bowling on the green once again.

This year’s opening day was Monday April 10th and woods did roll that day and on the days that lead up to the first game of the season against Bristol St. Andrews on Saturday April 15th.

But --- before the season could start there was work to be done and it was done by volunteering club members who carried out an amazing number of jobs that made first day bowling possible.

From cleaning and tidying to replacing ditch mats, repairing ditch protection, putting out benches and coat hangers, making safe the entrance to the green, jet washing the green surround and much more it was all done so that bowling could start on the day that had been declared. Ken Davies --- a stalwart of the club for many years ---set the green up.

It was great to welcome the first visitors of the season ---Bristol St.Andrews and new weekend Captain Lynn Burand did just that. It was her first game as captain and she did well in the roll.

The result --- not important in friendly games was a win for the visitors --- well done to them and it was a pleasant afternoon.

Friendly games – about 40 in all will continue until the end of September – some home and some away.

These games are played for the pleasure of bowling --- no big prize at the end of the afternoon but a pleasant experience and a meeting with like minded people --- maybe a drink and a chat about bowling – thats how it is.

Bowling is a unique sport in that it can be played at the level that suits the individual and it can be learned and played by people of all ages. Last year at the green in Shirehampton were Primary School Age children and people well over 80 years old bowling as evidence that bowling on a green is for people of all ages and all abilities.

The City and Port of Bristol Club is still offering free and without obligation sessions for anybody who would like to roll their first wood on a green. People of all ages can come and try --- maybe this really is the game for you. All equipment is supplies and advice given.

Would you would like to try then please call David Hinksman on 07932 387217 to arrange a session. This can be at a time to suit you and --- its completely free and with all equipment supplies.

SPARKS BRISTOL

Global Goals Centre and Artspace

Lifespace are very excited to collaborate on Sparks Bristol, an innovative arts and sustainability hub in the centre of Broadmead. In this dynamic and colourful space, shoppers can find a wide range of recycled and sustainable items for sale. It's also a great place to appreciate art installations, learn more about green initiatives, and explore ideas for a brighter future ahead of us. We're working together with local partners like The Natural History Consortium, Better Events, Sustainable Fashion Week, and soon many others to bring you food, fashion, home products, garden supplies, travel resources – even vertical farming! Above all else is the "secret garden," offering a zen oasis of calmness amidst the bustling city.

The Invisible Circus are helping us design a space that is playful and impactful, with a wayfinding walkway and a mannequin trail, one for each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We will have a workshop and events space to run schools workshops and offer free or low cost public events from skills and repair workshops to film nights, talks and more. Artspace Lifespace will offer affordable artist studios and rehearsal space to enable wide participation.

A spokes person said. “The site will aim to open to the public in late April 2023 with the ambition of running this pilot initiative for at least seven months. We are actively seeking partners and sponsors for this project and welcome public support from all parts of the community. A huge thanks to those who have already submitted an expression of interest and offered help (over 280 of you!).

We aim to use all donated and recycled materials in creating Sparks, and have already recovered a huge amount of items that were destined for the skip, from office closures and old theatre sets, reducing waste and saving carbon.

As you can imagine it will take a lot of people power! We value any donation and offer of help towards creating this new space; every donation demonstrates buy-in and support for the project to other potential funders, so no donation is too small! Or do get in touch if you can offer other help not yet identified in our survey”

GARDEN LANDSCAPING IDEAS

Re-designing your garden is an exciting prospect. Do you wish you had somewhere to sit, relax, entertain or let the children play? Maybe you are just a little bored and want a garden design that is more colourful, varied or maintenance friendly. Garden landscaping is the ideal way to craft an attractive space to grow plants that give you a beautiful environment and design a practical layout that allows you to use your garden how you want.

But where do you start? Take a look at our answers to common garden landscaping questions; whether its planning and budgeting, resourcing and building or aesthetic planting, our guide holds the key to the garden landscaping design of your dreams.

HOW DO I START MY GARDEN DESIGN?

Landscaping ideas start with good research. Take inspiration by visiting garden centres, public gardens, annual garden shows, even other people’s houses to get a feel of what is to your taste. Take into account your garden size and think about what you need your garden to do for you. Then, take to the drawing board to sketch your ideas and make mood boards from magazines and Pinterest of your dream garden landscape.

ELEMENTS TO CONSIDER WHEN FIRST PLANNING GARDEN LANDSCAPING IDEAS

• Walls and boundaries

• Hedges and fences

• Paths and patios

• Lawns

• Water features

• Zoning areas (dining, playing, shading)

• Planting: trees, shrubs, pots

• Lighting Out-buildings

Next consider your plot. Look at the size and shape and take into consideration the direction if faces, the style of your house it will be framing and the surrounding area. Achieving balance is a strong aspect of good garden design; pay equal attention to all areas and remember that plants and shrubs will change size and shape throughout the seasons.

Do you prefer formal or informal gardens? Formal gardens tend to be tidy and geometric with lots of straight lines and clipped hedges, whereas informal gardens are made up of organic curves and planting is much more relaxed.

SOFTEN A SLOPING GARDEN WITH GRASS STEPS

If your garden is on different levels but you’re not keen on hard landscaping severely breaking things up take inspiration from this garden we saw in North Bristol. Instead of incorporating stone steps, They used grass treads, integrating them into the existing lawn to connect the lower patio to the small sun terrace above. Creating a softer approach to the flow, seamlessly journeying from one space to the other.

PAVE THE WAY

The trend for creating garden zones is hugely popular, meaning the need for having a garden path is great. A link that unites the different areas is not only highly practical, it can also be visually appealing as this example demonstrates. Without a pathway you’ll soon find that you tread an unsightly channel into the lawn – which will ruin all your hard work with the overall garden aesthetic.

While the best time to redesign your space is in winter when plants are dormant, looking at it in spring gives you the chance to really understand how you use the space. Or if you just want to add new surfaces, you can do so now and reap the rewards this summer.

BRISTOL’S UNSUNG HEROES

On the 40th anniversary of the Lord Mayor’s Medals, 19 Bristol residents and one local organisation were honoured yesterday at the annual awards ceremony.

The Lord Mayor’s Medal awards celebrate the achievements and charitable efforts of those who have gone above and beyond for their communities during the past year. This year’s Lord Mayor Medals have been awarded to those who have shown true dedication to improving the lives of their local communities.

The medal recipients were presented with their medals by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Paula O’Rourke, at the Mansion House in Clifton. Councillor Ellie King, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, attended, along with friends and family of the recipients.

Lord Mayor, Councillor Paula O’Rourke, said: “It has truly been an honour to learn about, and meet, this year’s recipients. Their dedication to their local communities and the people of Bristol is incredible. They have all made a huge difference to their communities and have been rightly recognised this year because of their selflessness.

“These awards remind us of the fantastic community spirit we have here in Bristol. I am incredibly proud of the selflessness and community spirit here in Bristol and I am proud to have awarded each recipient with a Lord Mayor’s Medal. I am sure everyone in Bristol will join me in thanking them for the amazing commitment they have to making Bristol an even better place.”

THIS YEAR’S ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE:

Landon Maynard, who at the age of 10, is the youngest volunteer at the Hartcliffe and Withywood Community Partnership and this year’s youngest medal recipient. In 2022 Landon started a Lego group for families in BS13. Within a week of a call out for Lego donations there was enough to start the group. Landon arranged Lego and Duplo, puzzles, books and board games. He was also successful in receiving funding from Bristol Rotary Club to take the group to Legoland, and they have since been on trips to the Seamonster in Weston Super Mare and to a performance of the Nutcracker at the Bristol Old Vic.

Ken and Joyce Wooster have been serving the older residents of Stockwood two course meals weekly at the Triangle Lunch Club, Stockwood Free Church, since 2010. Now aged 90, Ken serves those who are often considerably younger than him. Ken and Joyce ensure this service supports those in need of company, to help reduce social isolation. They source local minibuses and drivers to transport guests who have mobility issues and also check in on those who are not always able to attend. Their annual Christmas lunch consists of numerous courses of food, gifts for all and musical entertainment.

Mohindra Singh Chowdhry has devoted his life to improving cross-community understanding, especially between the Sikh community and the wider Bristol community. He is President of the Punjabi Forum International, Patron of the Indian Community of the West of England, and a member of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum.

Mohindra is recognised for his contribution towards the erection of the Sikh Peace Memorial and Remembrance Garden in Castle Park. Under his leadership, the Punjabi Forum International has become a platform for inter-cultural social harmony and community well-being, encouraging Sikhs across Bristol to take an active role in the communities they live in. His introductions between Sikhs and civic leaders have bridged gulfs between communities by raising awareness of cultural and religious traditions.

The judging criteria for this year’s nomination were:

• Service of the nominee and what is unique, distinctive, or special about it

• How the nominee has enhanced the uality of life for the people and city of Bristol

The Lord Mayor presided over the judging panel, which included councillors from all major parties.

The panel evaluated the anonymous nomination forms and assessed each one based on its contribution to Bristol’s communities, plus the strength of supporting forms.

All nominations put forward were for unpaid work or work unrelated to the person’s career.

OUT AND ABOUT IN BRISLINGTON WEST WITH JOS AND ANDREW

Communities cut off: The full impact of the loss of supported bus services will be felt this week as hundreds of local children attempt to return to school. The Hungerford Road area in Brislington, as well as large parts of neighbouring Stockwood and Whitchurch and Hengrove wards, now have no bus service at all as the new WESTlink bus service doesn’t cover those areas.

Together with other councillors, we are trying to arrange an urgent meeting with West of England Combined Authority transport officers to get WESTlink extended into these ‘bus black hole’ areas. Unfortunately, we have heard that it could be several months before any changes to the area of coverage can be implemented. We will push hard to get this process speeded up. WESTlink is not intended to be a replacement for regular bus services but it’s better than nothing.

Community litter picks:

We want to say a big thank you to Jamie Park, landlord of the Lodekka, who organised a litter pick at Repton Road Car Park recently. Despite our complaint to the council about the appalling state of the car park last month, no action was taken, so we are always very grateful to local residents who take matters into their own hands.

If you want to get involved, we have two more community litter picks this Saturday 22 April. One is in the Sand Hill and Whitby Road area of the ward, meeting in Repton Road Car Park at 11am with all equipment provided. The other is in the Callington Road Nature Reserve, meeting at 10am with all equipment provided. Take your pick!

FOODBANK DONATIONS:

With the price of food continuing to rise, foodbanks are a crucial lifeline for more and more low-income households. Unfortunately, the demand for food is surpassing the number of donations they are receiving. Foodbank reserves are running down and many of them are completely out of some items that make up a foodbank parcel. If you can donate food or other essential items, no matter how much or how little, it really will make a difference. Find out how you can donate and what items they really need. South and East Bristol Foodbank:

https://eastbristol.foodbank.org.uk

• Buy items at supermarkets and place them in the collection areas in the store or at a community collection point. Locally, that includes Sainsburys, Castle Court, or Lidl, Brislington.

• Donate through their online shop: https://www.givetoday.co.uk/sebfoodbanks/

• Make a financial donation: https:// eastbristol.foodbank.org.uk/givehelp/donate-money/

• Download the Bank the Food app and follow South and East Bristol Foodbank to get notifications about what they need and where you can donate: https://www.bankthefood.org

• Follow the foodbank on social media to see what their most needed items are

Donations needed: tinned fruit, tinned fish, tinned meal meals, jam, long life milk, tinned potatoes, toilet roll, instant coffee, shampoo, custard. Thank you.

BLOCKED DRAINS:

We recently reported a blocked drain on Kensington Park Road that had almost completely disappeared under layers of grit and gravel. Unfortunately, when contractors turned up they were unable to access it to cleanse and unblock it due to parked vehicles. Therefore, contractors will be making a repeat visit in order to do the work. Please let us know if your local drain is blocked, preferably with a photo and exact location, and we will report it on your behalf.

POTHOLE SEASON!

We have reported several large potholes on Hampstead Road. We are also pleased to see some potential action at the junction of Hungerford Road and West Town Lane, which we have been battling for several years! If you know any other problem areas, let us know, preferably with a photo and exact location and we will report them for you.

Funding opportunities for local improvement schemes:

We would like to invite local residents, either as individuals or as part of a community group, to submit applications to fund local infrastructure projects using the Community Infrastructure Levy fund (CIL), which is money paid by developers to the council to offset the environmental impact of their developments. You will find an updated webpage with all the information you need to engage in the 2023 CIL process here:

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/people-communities/funding-local-projects

Main points:

Local groups and organisations should be putting forward their ideas for potential projects from 3rd April - 18th May 2023.

Everyone needs to write them up on the Stage 1 Outline Proposal Form, which is available on the webpage above.

Everyone needs to send it to us, as your local councillors, AND to the Area Committee inboxes. We are Area Committee 5.

Greater Brislington Together (GBT) will be holding a public meeting once all the bids are in, so that residents can select their local priorities. We’ll let you know the date of this meeting as soon as we have it.

The council is holding a series of community information sessions to inform people who are considering putting in outline proposals about the CIL and S106 funds, what they are, how to put a good proposal together, etc. A public information session will be held online on Thursday 20 April from 7 to 8pm: Here

By Jos

Clark,

Liberal Democrat Councillor (Brislington West) Email: cllr.jos. clark@bristol.gov.uk Mobile: 07584 370429

& Andrew Varney, Liberal Democrat Councillor (Brislington West) Email: cllr. andrew.varney@bristol.gov.uk Mobile: 07584 183381

CHILDREN SHARING BEDS DUE TO OVERCROWDING

Research has revealed that more than 15,000 children in Bristol and surrounding areas lack the space they need to live and thrive. These young people, teenagers and parents are all suffering due to the critical shortage of affordable housing.

Quarter of these families are unable to sleep in a bedroom, while 48% cannot comfortably do their homework in their home. This overcrowding can have severe impacts on mental and physical well-being.

Often overcrowding is caused when too many individuals - such as two children under 10, two teenagers of different sexes or two adults not in a relationshipoccupy one room. The National Housing Federation reported this issue and called for solutions to give everyone a safe place to call home.

It said 4.2 million people in England are also in need of social housing, including the homeless.

The report said a severe lack of social housing was the main cause of overcrowding, with larger accommodation unavailable and unaffordable for affected families.

The National Housing Federation cited budget cuts to funding for social housing in 2010 as a key reason for the shortage of affordable homes - last year 7,528 social rent homes were built, 81% fewer than in 2010.

Overcrowded families living in privately rented homes, where fees are sometimes double that of social housing, made up a third of those living in unsuitable accommodation.

The National Housing Federation states 90,000 affordable homes would have to be built each year to meet existing demand and house those in need.

Chief executive of The National Housing Federation Kate Henderson said in a online statement

“overcrowded homes can have a devastating impact on a child’s self-esteem, wellbeing, and future life changes, as well as affecting family relationships and making it harder for parents to nurture their child’s growth”.

It’s unacceptable for anyone to be living in an overcrowded home and councils have a duty to find people living in these conditions somewhere fit for purpose.

BRISTOL THE UNIVERSITY

The University of Bristol, has some exciting and ambitious plans to expand its campus and facilities over the next decade. The University has set out a long-term vision to create a world-class campus that will meet the changing needs of students, staff, and the wider community, harnessing strengths, nurturing talent and connecting ideas to facilitate growth.

The University’s plans for expansion have been prompted by the growing demand for higher education, particularly in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Bristol is a city that is home to a growing number of tech start-ups and businesses, and the University’s expansion of its creative, digital and innovation sectors, aims to meet the needs of these industries, in this rapidly changing market, well into the future.

One of the key projects in the University’s expansion plan is the construction of a new £300 million campus in the Temple Quarter. This new Enterprise Campus will be home to the University’s School of Engineering and the School of Mathematics. The campus will also include a new student hub, providing a range of services to some 4600 students, including accommodation, food and drink outlets, and study spaces.

The Temple Quarter campus will be designed to be environmentally sustainable, incorporating green spaces and energy-efficient buildings, with exceptional facilities and extensive communal spaces. The campus will be “car free” and has ambitious plans – it is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and has set a target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. With a refurbished Bristol Temple Meads station, the city will become a world class gateway to the West of England.

In addition to the Temple Quarter campus, the University is also planning to expand its existing campus in Clifton, which is situated in the heart of the city. This expansion will include the development of a new Life Sciences building, which will be home to the University’s research and teaching in the fields of biology, biochemistry, and biomedical sciences. The Life Sciences building will also include a new state-of-the-art research facility for the University’s Centre for Synthetic Biology.

The University is also planning to build a new School of Management, which will be located on its existing campus in Clifton. This new building will be home to the University’s business school, which is currently ranked among the top 5% of business schools in the world.

The School of Management building will include a range of teaching and learning spaces, as well as a business incubation centre for start-up businesses.

The University of Bristol’s expansion plans also include the development of new student accommodation. The University is planning to build a new student village, which will provide accommodation for up to 3,000 students. This new village will be

located on the University’s existing campus in Stoke Bishop, which is situated in the leafy suburbs of Bristol.

The new student village will include a range of accommodation options, including self-contained flats and shared houses. The village will also include a range of communal spaces, such as a gym, a cinema room, and a study centre.

The University of Bristol’s expansion plans have been welcomed by the city’s leaders, who see the University’s growth as a key driver for the local economy. The University is one of the city’s largest employers, and its expansion plans are expected to create new jobs and boost the local economy.

The plans for expansion are ambitious and wide-ranging. The University’s investment in new facilities and infrastructure will not only benefit its students and staff but also the wider community. With its focus on sustainability and innovation, the University’s expansion plans reflect its commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and enterprise and are a testament to the importance of higher education in driving economic growth and social progres.

EAST BRISTOL BECOME 'CAR-FREE

Bristol City Council has proposed a "liveable neighbourhood" trial, which could see parts of east Bristol become "car free" later this year. Aiming to improve safety and reduce rat-running and pollution, the initiative covers many streets in Barton Hill, Redfield and St George. However, access will be kept open for local residents, emergency services and delivery vehicles.

The Council hopes the project will also create a more active environment for locals by eliminating social isolation, planting more trees and greenery, as well as making it easier for children to get to school safely.

The experimental trial is expected to launch towards the end of the year. Results will then be monitored and evaluated, before a permanent scheme is brought in, possibly in early 2025.

East Bristol was chosen as the first area because it is close to major developments like the Temple Quarter regeneration scheme, as well as major walking and cycling routes.

Lyndsey Melling, Chair of St George Active Travel Group said: “We’re excited that this project has been given the go-ahead.

A ‘liveable neighbourhood’ could be a brilliant opportunity to make it easier to move around our streets, which are currently choked with motor traffic.”

“We’ve yet to see the plans for the trial, but from the engagement so far we’re hoping they include things like better crossings, greenery and school streets, as well as filtering out through traffic.”

“Bristol needs to reduce motor journeys by 50% to meet our net-zero target by 2030, so enabling people to make their journeys by active travel is absolutely vital.

“Liveable Neighbourhoods in other parts of the country have been shown to improve air quality and reduce traffic overall, and things like street trees can help mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

If successful, other parts of Bristol could also become liveable neighbourhoods, with local councillors previously calling for a scheme in Bedminster, Ashton and Southville.

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24 hour care Nurse call system Chaplain

Hartcliffe care home provides nursing care in a warm supportive and safe environment.

We believe that you deserve to enjoy quality time with your loved ones, without feeling the added pressures of care giving. At Hartcliffe you can rest easy knowing that help is on hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Get back to being a family, not just a carer.

To book a visit call our team on 01174 562 263

MHA Hartcliffe Care Home

15 Murford Avenue, Hartcliffe, Bristol, BS13 9JS

mha.org.uk/Hartcliffe

We’ll focus on the care. You focus on the catch-ups.

HOW TO AVOID GETTING HOOKED BY SCAMS

The police are urging people to be vigilant when it comes to suspicious messages to protect themselves from scammers.

Phishing, text messages and emails impersonating well-known organisations remains a common tactic used by criminals. Whether it’s a fake email asking for an individual to ‘verify’ bank details or a text message claiming they have been in contact with someone that has Covid-19, the goal is usually the same – to trick an individual into revealing personal and financial information.

The most impersonated organisations in phishing emails reported last year were the NHS, HMRC and Gov.uk.

As of 31 March 2023, the public has made more than 12 million reports to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service, with the removal of approximately 83,000 scams and 153,000 malicious websites.

The Suspicious Email Reporting Service was launched by the National Cyber Security Centre and the City of London Police in April 2020 to enable the public to forward suspicious emails to an automated system that scans them for malicious links.

DS Tom Williams, of the Cyber Crime team said in a statement online: “Many people will recall having received a suspicious link or text, as these phishing scams are among the most common threats we face. It can affect individuals and businesses and have significant consequences on the victim’s financial situation.

“It is important that if you ever receive one of these links that you do not click on it and provide personal or banking information. Instead, forward the message to the text or email reporting system and block the email address or phone number so the fraudsters cannot reach you again.”

People are also being advised to take time to consider what you have received and what the message is asking you.

PCC Mark Shelford, national PCC lead for Economic and Cybercrime, said online: “Phishing scams are another example of fraudsters wanting to financially benefit from both individuals and businesses. Please be vigilant of unexpected messages or calls that ask for your personal or financial information.

“If you do receive call or message that you think might be a scam, do not respond to it. Instead, contact the organisation directly using contact information from the company’s official website and not the links or numbers provided in the message.

“Your bank or any other official source will never ask you to supply personal information via email or text message. The more awareness this is around such scams, the more people we can protect to falling victim to these heartless scammers.”

Virtually all phone providers are part of a scheme that allows you to report suspicious text messages for free by forwarding it to 7726.

When a text is reported to 7726, the provider can investigate the origin of the text and rearrange to block or ban the sender if it’s found to be malicious.

EMERGENCY ALERT UK TEST SUNDAY

The Government has officially released the text to be used for public testing on its national emergency alert system. At 3pm on Sunday, April 23rd mobile devices UK-wide will receive a message for up to 10 seconds that reads: “This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will inform you if there’s an emergency posing a threat to life in your area. If a real emergency does occur, follow the instructions from the alert to stay safe and help keep those around you safe too.” This alert serves as an important tool for improving safety and should not be ignored in cases of potential danger.

For the test, the public does not need to take any action - the sound and vibration will stop automatically after ten seconds. All people need to do is swipe away the message or click ‘OK’ on their phone’s home screen - just like for a ‘low battery’ warning or notification - and continue to use their phone as normal.

Best practice of Emergency Alerts in other countries have shown that they work more effectively when there is a real emergency if people have previously received a test, so they know what an alert looks and sounds like.

Emergency Alerts have already been used successfully in a number of other countries, including the US, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan, where it has been widely credited with saving lives, for example, during severe weather events. In the UK, alerts could be used to tell residents of villages being encroached by wildfires, or of severe flooding.

The Government has worked together with the emergency services and partners, including the Football Association and London Marathon, to make sure the national test has minimum impact on major events taking place on the day.

The Government is dedicated to protecting vulnerable groups from potential negative impacts of the national test, and has thus worked closely with organisations and charities representing them. Women and girls subject to domestic abuse can opt-out of the alert by either turning off Emergency Alerts through phone settings, or by switching their phone off entirely. Transport sector workers such as Highways England have also been consulted so that they are aware of the alert received on phones, following the same protocol as when they receive any other call or message while driving-- to not look at or touch their phone until it is safe to do so.

TWO NEW EXECUTIVE LOUNGES TO TRAVELLERS AT BRISTOL AIRPORT

Passengers departing Bristol Airport now have the opportunity to experience two new executive lounges – the Escape Lounge and 1903 adults only lounge. Thanks to a partnership between Bristol Airport and CAVU, passengers will find well-designed areas equipped with comfortable options for solo travelers, groups, and parents with children. Furthermore, chefs at the lounges offer seasonal menus serving a variety of hot and cold dishes.

There will also be a drinks menu with national brands and local favourites along with high speed wi-fi, mobile charging stations, power sockets and digital access to newspapers and magazines. “We are thrilled to bring these premium lounge experiences to Bristol Airport” said Nolan Hough president of CAVU in EMEA.

“From a curated menu to excellent customer service, this lounge will help travellers unwind and recharge as they await their flight.” Located on the mezzanine floor of the departure terminal, 1903 Lounge is available to pre-book for entry from May 1 and Escape Lounge can be pre-booked for entry from June 1.

The launch of both lounges will be followed by a period of refurbishment in the winter of 2023/24 to bring both lounges in line with the Escape and 1903 brands. The airport has just seen one of its busiest Easter holidays ever with an estimated 400,000 travellers passing through the terminal during the two week break.

Bristol Airport commercial director Rupert Lawrie said: “We are delighted to have partnered with CAVU for the opening of the two new Executive Lounges this summer in the Department Lounge. Both the Escape Lounge and 1903 Lounge will offer a fantastic experience for those going on holiday or away on a business trip. Both lounges will ensure that passengers will start their journey in style with high quality food and drink.”

“The development to the Executive Lounges is part of a major strategy to enhance facilities for passengers using Bristol Airport. We are very confident that the investment and the evolution to the Executive Lounges will provide a greater customer experience as we improve and create new places to eat, drink and relax before you fly.”

Hengrove Community Centre Fortfield Road

BS14 9NX

Tuesday 9.30am

Sarah: 07879 443888

Bridgefarm Primary School

East Dundry Road

BS14 0LL

Wednesday 5.30pm and 7pm

Sarah: 07879 443888

Christ Church Hall Petherton Road

Hengrove

BS14 9BP

Saturday 9:30am

Keesa: 07399 597267

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in partnership with North Somerset Council