16th March
4. Sarah Millican
5. Happy St Patrick’s Day
6. A Mothers Day treat
8. What’s on
16. A Failand Foray
18. Lifestyle changes
24. Achieving excellence together
30. Deal signed for dozens of homes in Bristol
36. 5 tips to help get your gardening tools ready
38. Bristol named as one of the worst
42. leasehold reform needed
44. A record breaking month for Share Bristol
48. Everything you need to know speed cameras
12
Published by
. 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
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BRISTOL WEEKLY MAGAZINE
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Disclaimer
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14 Huge mars installation
At the heart of the city of Bristol, the Bristol Beacon has hosted the biggest names in comedy. Sarah Millican is set to return to the much-loved stage alongside a host of industry highlights: John Robins, Ross Noble and Romesh Ranganathan. Buy tickets here from Friday the 17th of March.
As one of Britain’s most endearing comics, Sarah Millican has become a sought-after name in the industry. The award-winning star has today announced dates at the Bristol Beacon: 4th and 5th of July, 2024.
Sarah joins a long list of familiar faces that will grace the brand-new stage after a staggering five-year transformation. Joining Sarah at the prominent venue will be the Edinburgh Comedy award-winning comedian and ARIA award-winning broadcaster John Robins. John is set to explore rage, anxiety and everything in between.
Ross Noble will embark upon his 21st solo stand-up tour whilst Romesh Ranganathan explores the human experience after an incredible sell-out show last year.
The news comes after the historic Bristol Beacon announces the date of the decade: their highly anticipated reopening. The extensive renovation includes the 2000+ capacity Beacon Hall, the 500 capacity Lantern Hall and the brand new 200 capacity Weston Cellar. The full reopening programme will be revealed later this year.
To keep up to date with more news and reopening announcements, including ticket details for the reopening shows, sign up to the Bristol Beacon newsletter at bristolbeacon.org.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Unless you’ve been living under the Blarney Stone you already know that March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. Also affectionately known as St. Paddy’s Day, it’s the one day each year that everyone and anyone can call themselves Irish – if not by birthright, then in spirit. If you have been living under the Blarney Stone, lucky you! We bet you can share a thing or two about how a religious feast day commemorating the famed Irish patron saint who brought Christianity to Ireland ended up being a day celebrated almost globally, usually involving copious amounts of green beer and whisky shooters.
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in more countries around the world than any other single-day.
The first actual St. Patrick’s Day parade also took place in America, in 1737, although it was pretty much just a stroll down the middle of a street in Boston by a few Irish Protestants to honor the patron saint of their motherland.
1. ST. PATRICK WASN’T IRISH
St. Patrick was born to wealthy parents in Britain, not Ireland He only came to Ireland at age 16, when he was captured by Irish raiders and taken back to the country against his will. St. Patrick began to turn to religion during his six years as a prisoner.
2. ST. PATRICK DIED ON MARCH 17
St. Patrick’s Day, which takes place on March 17 each year, is a celebratory time marked by parties and festivals. But it’s actually observed to mark St. Patrick’s death — he is believed to have died on this day around 460 A.D.
ST.
Although St. Patrick has quite the reputation — he’s often credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland, and his feast day is celebrated far beyond the country’s borders — he built it only on two short works, a spiritual autobiography, Confessio, and Letter to Coroticus, which speaks out against British mistreatment of Irish Christians
As legend has it, St. Patrick chased all of Ireland’s snakes into the sea in the fifth century A.D. But while Ireland really is snake-free to this day, St. Patrick probably isn’t to thank. It’s far more likely that the creatures never made it to the island nation in the first place.
Shamrocks are ubiquitous on St. Patrick’s Day — but they have a much richer history than you might know. St. Patrick first used them to illustrate the Holy Trinity, according to Brittanica, with the three-pronged plant meant to represent the idea of three aspects in one God.
Kitchen by KASK set to host sea-riously good Mother’s Day lunch with fish-fanatics King Fin
Forget the traditional roast and afternoon tea on Mothering Sundayand hook, line and sinker mum with a slap-up seafood lunch from sustainable fish and seafood street food royalty, King Fin, at Bedminster’s rotating dining hall, Kitchen by KASK.
The highlight of a two week King Fin residency at the North Street restaurant, kicking off this Thursday 16th March, treat the leading ladies in your lifewhether that be your mother, grandmother or primary care-giver - on Sunday 19th March in the best way possible: with food.
Organic wine aficionados, KASK, will carefully curate a drinks list to accompany the ocean-filled menu with glasses of chilled whites and fish-perfect fizz. A wine pairing option will be available, with a glass set to pair with each course of King Fin’s culinary creations.
The tempting menu will be made up of starter, main and dessert - with two courses for £30 and three courses for £35 - and each dish will be as tempting as the next.
A starter of Crab Bon Bons with Katsu curry sauce and pickled apples will be followed by perfectly Pan Fried Hake with a chive neuter bland, leeks, crispy capers and hand-cut double-cooked rosemary fries; with a mouth watering Lemon Tart with rhubarb ice cream to finish.
Charlie Taylor, owner of Kitchen by KASK said: “When you think of Mother’s Day you usually think of going to the pub for a roast or afternoon tea so we’re looking forward to bringing something a bit different to Bristol. When it comes to family, so much is said through food; the kitchen is the heart of the home and we’re opening up our Kitchen for you to celebrate. We always love the challenge of pairing drinks to menus and it’s been great to get stuck into King Fin’s dishes and we’ve got some great pours ready for the special occasion.”
King Fin x Kitchen by KASK bookings, including for Mother’s Day lunch, are open on the Kitchen by KASK website at www.kitchenbykask.co.uk
MARCH 17
MARCH 18
Bristol Comic Con and Gaming Festival
Description: Bristol Comic Con and Gaming Festival returns to Ashton Gate Stadium across all 3 concourses with the best of props, vendors, gaming , activities, cosplay and more. Adult/Age 14 and over £12.50
Child 6-13 years £7.50
Family ticket options £35 Under 6 go free
Venue: Ashton Gate
Ashton Rd
MARCH 19
Britney’s Peers
Description: The ultimate IBSEN X SPEARS collab - new comedy company, Ding For Disco, revives A Doll’s House with a noughties teen movie makeover.Britney’s Peers probes the global conservatorship that is female presenting existence. Watch as the Pavlov Dolls exist under the watchful eye of… everyone?
Prepare to laugh and gasp at 40 minutes of music, dance and silliness
Venue: The Wardrobe Theatre
25 West St
Bristol BS2 0DF
Bristol BS3 2EJ
Laugh Out Loud Comedy
Description: Charity Comedy Night hosted by *Mr Cee *King and Queen of Comedy from London and Birmingham
- *Maureen Younger * Miss Monreal*Gloucester Local Singer Mica Williams * Music supplied by Gloucester’s Local Dj Fredlocks Supporting Charity Increase the Peace Tickets are available from Promoters Sharon on 07505353396
Venue: Gordon League Rugby Club
WISE New Road
Stoke Gifford
Bristol BS34 8LP
Simon Brodkin. Screwed Up
Description: Fresh from his sold-out, critically-acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe run and becoming the most viewed British comedian of all time on TikTok, world-famous prankster and Lee Nelson creator Simon Brodkin is back with an outrageous new stand-up show. In ‘Screwed Up’ Simon rips into celebrity culture, social media, the police, Putin, Prince Andrew and Jesus. Nothing is off limits in this hilarious show.
Venue: Redgrave Theatre, Percival Rd
Clifton Bristol BS8 3LE
Hartcliffe Funday
Description: Brazilian theatre company Nos Three bring a visually funny story about how clowns make friends. Please don’t worry, they aren’t the scary type of clown!
Venue: Hartcliffe Com Cen Hareclive Rd, Bristol BS13 0JW
Beginners Weight lifting
Description: 6 week beginners weight lifting block. If you fancy getting your pump on then join us for our course.
Venue: The Hideout
Unit 2
White Street
St Judes
Bristol BS5 0TS
Beginners Kickboxing
Description: Our kickboxing programme is a high energy class, with a focus on quick movements and strong combos, with plenty of cardio-based drills and fitness circuits using the specialised equipment in the dojo.
Venue: Victory Martial Arts
46 High Street
Shirehampton
Bristol BS11 0DJ
Porto Quiz!
Description: Get your thinking caps on and join us every Monday 7pm for our quiz! Here’s everything you need to know: Entry to the quiz is £1 per person There will be prizes for first, second and third place
Venue: Porto Lounge
784 &, 782A
Fishponds Rd
Bristol BS16 3TT
Postnatal Pilates & Cake
Description: Do you have a new baby? Do you like cake? Then “Postnatal Pilates & Cake” sessions could be perfect for you. This class is suitable from 8 weeks pp until baby is crawling. These 1 hr 15 min sessions * Cake, fruit & chat after your workout
This is running as a 6 week term. £50 for the full term or £9 for individual (pre-booked) sessions. There are just 9 spaces available so message me now to book your slot
Venue: Portishead Youth Centre
Harbour Rd
Portishead
Bristol BS20 7DD
March 2023 learning circle
Description: We are being joined by Companion Voices’ founder, Judith Silver, this month! Do you like to sing? Are you interested in end of life issues? We learn gentle songs and build listening skills as we prepare to sing at the bedsides of people at the end of life. Email Valerie on bristol@ companiovoices.org for info.
Venue: Bristol Progressive Synagogue
43 Bannerman Road
Bristol
Beginners Workshop
Clifton Down
Description: Are you looking to tone & strengthen your body, feel more energetic and meet new people? Join one of the biggest clubs in the UK, Bristol Nordic Walking, for one of our fun Beginner Workshops!
Venue: The Downs Cafe
Stoke Road
Bristol
Speed Dating
Description: This is our classic Speed Dating event, where you will have up to 20 dates each lasting 4-5 minutes. Book now and enjoy a great night out! MySpeedDate offers high quality professional speed dating events to customers throughout the UK. Ages 30 -42
Venue: Slug & LettuceHarbourside
Explore Ln
Bristol BS1 5TY
MARCH 23
MamaFit Post Natal Fitness
Description: A friendly, fun way to meet other mums and get a bit of post-natal safe exercise in! Whether you had your baby 3 months or 3 years ago, you are so welcome to come along. No body shaming, no “get your body back” goals - we are here to celebrate our bodies, sweat, support each other and feel like ourselves again. ALL abilities welcome.
Venue: Hanham
Community Centre
118-124 High St
Hanham
Bristol
BS15 3EJ
Pattern Cutting
Description: Bristol textiles quarter - pattern cutting for beginners (6-week course)
Venue: Bristol Textile Quarter
1A Barton Road
Bristol
Portishead Camera Club will hold meetings every Thursday at 7:00pm to approx 9:45pm
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
Following the latest Ghostface killings, the four survivors leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter in New York City.
ALLELUJAH is a warm and deeply moving story about old age. When the geriatric ward in a small Yorkshire hospital is threatened with closure, the hospital decides to fight back by galvanizing the local community: they invite a news crew to film their preparations for a concert in honour of the hospital’s most distinguished nurse. What could go wrong?
ALLELUJAH celebrates the spirit of the elderly patients whilst paying tribute to the deep humanity of the medical staff battling with limited resources and ever-growing demand.
Billy Batson and his foster siblings, who transform into superheroes by saying Shazam!, are forced to get back into action and fight the Daughters of Atlas, who they must stop from using a weapon that could destroy the world.
Calling all space lovers! Mars is back in town! Luke Jerram’s awesome art sculpture of the Red Planet has made its way to Bristol in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Europe’s first mission. What a rad way to mark the occasion, right? Don’t worry if you’ve missed his other spacey works like ‘Museum of the Moon’ and ‘Gaia’, he’s got one more exhibit that you can check out: ‘Floating Earth’. Get down there while it lasts!
Aerospace Bristol will host the artwork as part of its new Journey to Mars exhibition. From Friday, May 4 to Monday, June 5, displayed alongside the last Concorde to ever take flight. The beautiful installation - which measures around 7m in diameter and features detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface - is a piece that has toured all over the world and was last exhibited in Bristol back in 2021.
Artist Luke Jerram said: “It’s great to be able to present Mars as part of this important anniversary. Public interest in Mars is growing each year as there are more and more space missions there.
I hope the public enjoys finding out about Mars and through my artwork feels transported to the surface of this extraordinary planet."
‘Mars’ will also include models of the Mars Express Orbiter and the Beagle 2 lander, the UK-built, Mars lander, that was successfully deployed from Mars Express in 2003. Led by Bristol-born scientist, Colin Pillinger, the Beagle 2 was intended to carry out an astrobiology mission that would have looked for evidence of life on Mars.
Amy Seadon, head of collections, learning and interpretation at Aerospace Bristol, said: “Aerospace Bristol can’t wait to mark the 20th anniversary of Mars Express and highlight Bristol’s important contribution to the European Space Agency’s first ever planetary mission. It’s a fascinating story, the Mars artwork is going to look incredible alongside Concorde, and I think visitors will love exploring the surface of Mars as if they were looking down at the planet from the Mars Express Orbiter!”
Visitors will have the chance to view Mars from the air, as though they are a satellite, mapping and studying the surface in perfect detail, with every valley, crater, volcano and mountain laid bare to inspect. The Bristol exhibition is from May 4 t o June 5.
Adult tickets are £19.50, £12 for children between ages 4-17 and £18 for seniors and students. Note that tickets to Aerospace Bristol are valid for free return visits for 12 months after they are first used. Family bundles are also available.
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
Distance: 4 miles
Duration: allow 2 hours This walk passes through the Downs School playing fields where dogs are not allowed
Park at cricket club car park off Horse Race Lane, Lower Failand, just off B3128 Clevedon Road.
From the small car park turn right onto the lane and then right onto th path along the left-hand edge of the cricket pitch passing through three wooden gates. Cross the stile, keeping to the left-hand edge of the field, and then over another stile, turning leftonto a lane.
Immediately turn left over a stile set in a metal gate into a field and walk straight across. Continue in the same direction over another stile and then after the next field turn left back onto Horse Race Lane.
Walk a short distance and then go first right into the lane at Marahfield House
Pass through two metal farm gates and follow the left-hand edge of the field looking out for the Second Severn Crossing and docks on the horizon. In the third field head for the finger post at the bottom of the field and turn left along the downhill track, then immediately right following the Gordano Round waymarker.
Go straight over the road onto the uphill track passing the derelict house on the right. Cross the stile and follow the waymarkers straight across the field, crossing the stile in the right-hand corner.
Enter the Downs School playing fields and head for the gate in the right-hand corner beyond the pavilion. Follow the vehicle track past the school buildings on your left. At the crossroads in the drive, turn left. Keep your eyes peeled for the stile in the fence on the right between two large trees. Cross the stile and carry on towards the yellow house.
Cross the stile behind the house along a narrow fenced path and onto the track uphill. Cross another stile into an open field and go straight on through a small copse of trees, continuing the other side. In the next field turn left keeping the hedge on your left. Follow the signs and arrows through three wooden gates. Look out for alpacas, goats and a donkey as you pass behind the house to your left.
Turn left onto the Downs School driveway. At Charlton Nursery go right over a stile into woodsand follow the track past converted farm buildings.
On reaching the road go straight across into woodland at Old Warren Farm. Follow the yellow waymarker and continue along the fenced grass track. At the end cross the stile, go through the gap in the wall ahead, and then left onto the lane back to the start.
When considering changes to our lifestyles for health reasons, it can be all too easy to attempt to implement drastic alterations to habits. If you can maintain these habits, you can significantly improve your overall health, but sustainably implementing wholesale changes is easier said than done. However, there are some small steps that you can take which can substantially improve your overall health.
If you are worried that you might not have enough time to meet the 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise suggested by the government, or you are afraid that your current fitness levels would make this difficult, then fear not.
Scientific studies have suggested that a slight increase in your activity levels can have surprising health benefits. For example, one study found that just by walking around 4,400 steps every day (equivalent to about 2 miles), the likelihood of death in the follow-up period decreased significantly. This shows that you don’t need to immediately push into top gear to become healthier or build fitness levels.
Simply starting off with a 10 or 15-minute walk each day and building from there can boost your body’s response to insulin, decrease stress and help lay the foundations for a healthier lifestyle.
We were undoubtedly informed of the benefits of eating a healthy and balanced diet while growing up, but even minor tweaks to your food intake may bring some health benefits. For example, some studies have suggested that eating just a single serving of leafy greens like kale or spinach could have a protective effect on your memory.
Additionally, leafy greens are a valuable source of the nutrient vitamin K. Some research suggests this nutrient could play a role in fitness levels. For example, one study found that those with lower levels of the vitamin had more trouble walking a quarter-mile than those with the recommended amount.
This might seem like an obvious suggestion if you are struggling with the symptoms of illness or injury, but you’d be surprised at how many people fail to visit a doctor when they need to. It is all too common for people to go to the doctor, leading to complications further down the line. Additionally, it is essential to get regular check-ups with a medical professional to ensure that you are as healthy as possible. If you do not see a doctor routinely, consider booking a private health assessment with Echelon Health.
Ultimately, the lifestyle tweaks listed above are simple changes that can significantly improve your health. Overall, you do not need to make drastic changes to your habits to begin your journey to a healthier lifestyle. While the tips above may not get you running a marathon or a rock-hard body, they can provide the building blocks needed to build a healthier, more active lifestyle. These changes are easy to implement, but research suggests that they could disproportionately improve your overall wellbeing.
2 tbsp flavourless oil such as sunflower or vegetable
2 tbsp honey
80g Oats
20g puffed rice
1tbsp Linseed/ flax seed
1tbsp desiccated coconut
1tbsp pumpkin seeds
1tbsp Chopped mixed nuts
½ tbsp sesame seeds
2 tbsp raisins
METHOD
Pre-heat oven to 220C/ Fan 200C
Heat a frying pan on a medium heat with the oil and honey until hot.
Add the oats, nuts and seeds and stir to coat.
Transfer to a lined oven tray and bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden and nuts are toasted.
Removing off heat and transferring to a piece of greaseproof paper.
Leave to cool, then add the raisins and puffed rice. Transfer to an airtight container if storing.
Best consumed within 2 weeks. If a little soft after storing, preheat the oven to 190/ fan170C, place on a baking tray and bake for 4-5 minutes to get the crispness back.
Delicious on yogurt!
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
250g strong flour
155ml warm milk / Dairy-free alternative
25g unsalted butter, melted/ Vitalite, softened
15g caster sugar
1 tsp Doves Farm Quick Yeast
1 tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp mixed spice
½ tsp cinnamon
80g sultanas
For finishing:
40g plain flour, mixed to a thick paste with 30ml warm water1 tbsp golden syrup, warmed
1. Sift together flour, sugar, salt yeast and spice mix, then pour in the milk and melted butter/ softened vitalite and mix to combine.
2. Turn dough out onto your surface and knead into soft, smooth dough.
3. Shape into a round and place back into bowl, lightly floured. Leave for around an hour in warm place until doubled in size.
4. Turn the dough out and flatten on your surface, sprinkle with the sultanas and knead to evenly distribute and to knock back the dough.
5. Split the dough into 6 equal size pieces. Shape into rounds and place on a baking tray, evenly spaced out, with a cm gap between them. Leave to prove for around 30 minutes until almost doubled in size.
6. Pre heat the oven to 210C/ Fan 190C, adjust shelf to top 1/3.
7. Spoon the flour paste into a piping bag, snip a ¼ cm hole and pipe continuous crosses over the buns.
8. Bake in the oven on the middle shelf for around 18 minutes, until golden brown.
As landlords who have always self-managed, there are not many things that we haven’t seen or turned our hands to. We’re quite used to issuing eviction notices, are extremely familiar with the vagaries of compliance and experienced with selecting and managing good quality tenants.
However, one of the promises that we make all the landlords that we act for, is that we will look after their property, as though it were our own. Like our lofty strapline “lettings without compromise,” this is a statement that we all (and by this, I mean the whole team) take very seriously.
For us, one of the things this means is that when something “feels” like it could escalate or is out of the ordinary, then we speak with our landlord, explain our thoughts, and recommend that we consult a professional with direct expertise in the relevant area. We do this because it’s more important to have a good outcome for our landlords, than it is for us to charge a fee, for something that we are not 100% sure about.
We have seen so many bad outcomes and unnecessary court hearings, which incur time and money, that could have been easily avoided, if the correct professional had been consulted and procedure followed, in a timely manner. For us (and this filters down to the whole team) the mantra is, if you’re confident proceed, if not, then stop, consult, and take action! We wouldn’t want someone “cobbling something together,” on a matter that they were not 100% sure ab ut or had “sensed” potential red flags with, on one of our properties and we know that our landlords would feel the same.
Just recently, we had a situation where we didn’t like what we’d seen during a drive by of a particular property and, this triggered an inspection. During a closer look, we found that the property was not being looked after and, there were people living there, that shouldn’t have been! We immediately notified the landlord. Without going into too much detail, this case was not straight forward, and we had reason to believe that things could escalate quickly. We discussed our concerns with the landlord, and together decided to instruct an eviction specialist.
The eviction specialist concerned is one we use often, and things went very smoothly, and a great outcome was achieved for our landlord. This had potential to go badly but, we acted quickly, recognised that we are not lawyers and stopped, consulted, and took timely action.
This ethos goes further, because we always strive to achieve a culture of excellence across the whole team.
We firmly believe in working without ego and that we all bring something different and unique to the workplace. In our view, we can all do most things, but when we truly understand, value, and appreciate each other’s skill sets and abilities and foster an environment where everyone is working in their excellence, then we have a happy, winning team and amazing things happen!
Communicate your vision. It’s not enough to simply state your vision and ethos. After all, what does “lettings without compromise” mean and what does it specifically mean to us and why is it important? For your vision to be meaningful, the whole team must understand its purpose and know their own roles and the part they play in it and the responsibilities they have and any specific actions they need to take in order to achieve it.
Practice resilience to changes and challenges. Nurture and encourage the flexibility and resilience to welcome and deal with change. In a culture of excellence, where all team members are valued and understand the reason for change, the motivation to achieve the company’s goals should be greater than the urge to avoid discomfort.
Be clear on your company’s purpose and meaning. Just because something might be common sense and very clear to you, it doesn’t naturally follow that it will be to others. Ensure that your team knows that what they are working on is meaningful and why. Ensure that everyone concerned is highly inspired by the common sense purpose, which in turn becomes the driving force behind everything that they do. When they do well, tell them – conversely, when mistakes happen, discuss them and treat them as learning outcomes.
Focus on high performance and developing a mastery of roles. Ensure that every team member is working in the area that they should be. Recruit the right person for the role, not just to fill the role. With everyone working in their excellence you will have a winning team. Ensure that every team member is supported and encouraged to become a master in their role and area of expertise and that high performers are nurtured, noticed, and awarded and that those not performing to the best of their abilities are mentored and coached into a higher performance category.
Create highly collaborative teams. In a culture of excellence, where all team members appreciate and value each other’s unique skillsets and work together without ego, and where collaboration is nurtured and encouraged, from the top down, there will be no need or reason for self-protection and the team can work together, towards a common goal.
Instill a pioneering mentality. Organisations and companies that achieve a culture of excellence do not settle for average. They are focused on creating something very special and achieving unprecedented results. The resulting energy and drive create a positive tension and message that echoes throughout the whole company and teams are encouraged to explore, create, nurture and achieve common goals.
Nestled between Easton and Cabot Circus, the community of St. Jude’s has existed for some time, though it can often be overlooked. The people who live here face a number of challenges, including poor housing conditions and a rise in food prices. These issues have taken their toll on the aging public housing within this area.
While social housing residents at St Matthias House have an optimal view of Cabot Circus and the increasing number of new housing developments in the area, the simple task of doing laundry means taking the laundry to a separate block and then lugging the clothes up a flight of stairs because the building has no elevator. And like many high-rise dwellers, they only have an hour a week to enjoy the privilege of a washing machine.
Residents say problems with damp, mold and overcrowding are not uncommon, and while complaints aren’t always addressed, sometimes they go unreported. Many of the women on the St. Jude’s properties come from refugee backgrounds and are too proud to ask for help or just don’t know how, explains Fadumo Galib, a worker at a local CIC. Bristol Horn Youth Concern (BHYC), which operates the only welcoming women-only space in Bristol.
Like most small grassroots organizations, BHYC is short of funding and eventually has to rent buildings for its youth work in Lawrence Hill, Easton and St. Pauls. The women’s welcome room at St. Jude’s is no different – they have to borrow a room from the Quakers, who have a building in the area.
Fadumo ran the free community meal project, which comes with food packages for the participating women. What struck her most was how little the neighbors knew about each other before they started regular meetings.
“Some of these people are neighbors and they’ve never had a conversation with each other, which is one of the most fascinating things I’ve seen. There’s a couple of them four doors apart, some of them on top of each other and they’ve never spoken,” explained Fadumo, who said the sessions are just as important for tackling social isolation as for supporting the community people rising bills.
The staff and volunteers cook a free community meal every Friday morning in the welcoming women-only space.
BHYC receives funding from the Merchant Venturers for 30 grocery packages per week, but has to offer this on a first-come, first-served basis as they regularly turn up more than 30 people per week and they may soon run out because of funding is due to come to an end.
Residents of St Mattias House get a panoramic view of a newer student residence that has been built in the area. (Image: Yvonne Deeney)
St Matthias House does not have a lift and residents currently have to take their laundry to an adjacent block to have their clothes washed. Typically, those in public housing are allotted one hour per week to do laundry.
The delivery of dozens of affordable homes at Berwick Green is a step closer, thanks to a deal between Sovereign Housing Association and Bellway.
Celebrating the exchange of contracts, this deal for phase one of the development will see 64 affordable properties provided for social rent or shared ownership.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues, most of the homes in this deal will be provided for social rent to help meet the growing demand for affordable housing.
When completed, 46 homes will be provided for social rent and 18 for shared ownership. The development will include a mix of one to four-bedroom homes with plenty of parking and green space.
With energy use and energy efficiency at the forefront of everyone’s minds, homes at the development are set to benefit from a higher sustainability specification too.
These upgrades, which include photovoltaic panels and flue gas heat exchangers, are underpinned by Sovereign’s commitment to create sustainable futures through its Homes and Place Standard. When installed, they will make the homes even more affordable to run for its future customers.
Berwick Green is one of many developments Sovereign is delivering in the wider Bristol region. The 61,000-home housing association has bold and ambitious plans for the entire region, with approximately 3,500 new homes already in the pipeline.
James Gibson, Regional Development Director at Sovereign said: “With many new social homes being built either for affordable rent or shared ownership, it’s hugely encouraging to be able to celebrate the exchange of contracts on a development which is primarily for social rent.
“Exchanging contracts is a milestone step forward for us and we’re looking forward to working with Bellway to provide these much-needed homes. Projects like this really showcase our commitment to deliver the type of housing we know is needed, even when faced with rising costs and inflationary pressures.”
Tim Lund, Sales Director for Bellway South West, said: “There is a considerable need for affordable housing in Bristol so exchanging contracts with Sovereign is a significant moment for the Berwick Green development and for the wider area.
“This deal will put the possibility of living in a high-quality new-build home within the reach of more people and we are looking forward to working with Sovereign to deliver these affordable properties.
“Berwick Green is a major development for Bellway and construction is progressing well. The project is helping to meet the demand for both private and affordable housing and we are proud of the impact it is having on the area.
“This includes the almost £8 million that Bellway is contributing to local services and infrastructure as part of the planning agreement for the developmen t.”
The 64 affordable homes are due to be handed over to residents between 2025 and 2028.
We have organised a public meeting regarding the new WESTlink bus service coming to Brislington from the beginning of April. Unfortunately, our recent budget amendment to save some of our local bus services was not supported by Labour or Green councillors. We have invited the WECA officer leading on the new WESTlink service to explain to local residents how it will work and to answer your questions. If you can’t make the meeting, but have a question, please contact us and we will ask on your behalf. Meeting details: Thursday 30 March at 7pm at Hungerford Community Centre. Hope to see you there. More details here: https://m.facebook.com/ events/726857512568249
WESTlink is a Demand Responsive Transport system. In short, many parts of the region will be divided into zones in which a fleet of minibuses will provide a flexible bus service. Passengers will be able to use an ‘Uber-style’ app and book journeys up to 24 hours in advance, or on demand. The minibuses will mostly pick up and drop off at current bus stops but will not follow set routes, rather the routes will be determined by where and when passengers are boarding and alighting. Bookings can also be made by phone for those who don’t have the app, and disabled passengers can be collected from their homes. Minibuses will be able to travel between different zones but they won’t be able to travel outside the zones. Bristol City Centre, for example is outside the zone so passengers would need to use regular buses.
Bus operator First West of England has announced an increase in the number of buses operating in the region from Sunday 2nd April following the temporary suspension of some journeys in November due to driver shortages. The package includes additional buses into Bristol City Centre from Whitchurch and Keynsham. Forthcoming timetables are currently available on the timetable page. Print-at-home PDF timetables and route maps for each service will be made available soon: https://www.firstbus. co.uk/bristol-bath-and-west/plan-journey/ timetables?date=2023-04-02
Services 1, 2 & 2a Cribbs Causeway – Bristol City Centre – Broomhill/Stockwood – journeys reinstated and revised timetables across the routes to improve punctuality. At Cribbs Causeway Bus Station, Services 1 and 2 will now use bus stop H, to provide a common bus stop for buses running via Henbury.
Service 39/X39 Bristol – Bath – revised timetable. The frequency of this service will be increased, with buses on Monday-Friday running every 15 minutes all through the daytime, and with more buses at weekends too. Combined with Service 349 and new Service 522, there will be up to eight buses an hour between Hicks Gate, Brislington and Bristol City Centre.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our community litter pick last Saturday. We managed to collect several bags of litter in a short space of time around the Brislington Park and Ride area.
We also reported fly-tipping in the car park, a situation which is sadly likely to get worse as charging for DIY waste is introduced at our household recycling centres. Our next community litter pick will be in the Repton Road/Sand Hill area on 22 April. Meet in Repton Road Car Park at 11am. All equipment will be provided.
Construction work on Gilton House in Brislington Village is creating an enormous amount of polystyrene litter that is blowing all over Brislington Hill. We contacted the council about the issue last week, but the problem persists. We have written to the council again insisting that they get the problem sorted.
COVID-19 continues to infect thousands of people every week and those at highest risk of severe illness should top up their immunity ahead of the planned autumn booster programme. For this reason, over-75s and those with weakened immune systems will be offered a further dose of the vaccine this spring. The vaccine offers the best protection against the virus and helps to reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill or hospitalised. But immunity wanes over time, so it is important to top it up by getting a booster if you are eligible. The NHS will plan to begin offering spring boosters to eligible members of the public from 17 April 2023 with vaccination in care homes beginning slightly earlier on 3 April 2023. The last date for the public to book spring boosters will be 30 June 2023. The NHS will let those eligible know when they can be offered the vaccine. Please wait to be contacted by the NHS if you believe you are eligible.
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
The long-awaited Banwell bypass has been given the green light today by the Planning and Regulatory Committee.
Now that planning permission has been granted, the scheme can progress into a final stage of detailed design before the start of construction.
Councillor Steve Bridger, Leader of North Somerset Council and Executive Member for Major Projects, said: “Residents have told us about the need for a Banwell bypass for decades, so I am delighted that planning permission has been granted bringing the scheme a step closer to reality.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to once more thank everyone who has worked alongside us to reach this key milestone, particularly those who helped shape the design through our public consultations. This collaborative effort has been vital and we look forward to continuing our work with you.”
Funded through Homes England’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, the Banwell bypass would provide a key to unlocking opportunities for growth and new and affordable homes east of Weston-super-Mare. It will also deliver miles of new walking, cycling and equestrian routes for more sustainable travel and create new woodland and wetland habitat.
The Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) that allows acquisition of land needed to build the bypass is due to be considered by the Secretary of State at a public inquiry expected to take place in the summer. It is not unusual for the CPO on a large project like the Banwell bypass to go to inquiry and this has long been factored into project timelines.
To read more about the scheme and follow the next steps, visit n-somerset. gov.uk/banwellbypass
As the warmer months come around, it’s important to take a few steps to ensure that your power tools are functioning as intended. Maintenance can not only maximize the lifespan of your equipment and save you from unpleasant surprises down the road, but also improve performance quality in the long run.
We’ve put together a collection of essential tips on how to give your gardening efforts a boost this spring.
It’s important to correctly store your gardening equipment over the winter. If your tools are sitting in your garage or shed for months on end, they could have rust, corrosion or other unwanted damage. This is why it’s important to perform a thorough inspection of everything you own.
On electric tools, check that the power cable isn’t damaged. And also look for any rusty, loose, broken or damaged parts. Some of these issues are fairly easy to fix or replace at home.
Pressure washers in particular can suffer from leaks if they’re kept somewhere that isn’t frost-free, as water in the tubes expands when it freezes and can cause holes.
After inspecting a power tool, start it and run it to test for any irregular noise and to make sure it’s still in good working condition. If you detect issues, assess if the damage is minimal and can be fixed at home.
If you’re the owner of an expensive petrol power tool, you should consider taking it for an annual service at an authorised dealer, so you can be sure it’s in top condition.
Once you know your garden machine is still in working condition, you’ll want to perform some general maintenance such as wiping down the chassis and the exterior with a damp cloth to remove dirt. Also tighten any loose screws or bolts and make sure all the external wires are secure. Also clean off any old grass clippings from lawn mowers and grass trimmers.
It’s also good practice to oil and lubricate chains and blades on machines such as chainsaws and hedge trimmers. You can rub hedge trimmer blades with wire wool to help remove any build-up of plant sap.
Regular maintenance can prolong the life of your garden power tools significantly.
If your power tools are cordless, you’ll want to makes sure their batteries still work.
Charge the batteries and test them, and replace any that are no longer working. Power tool manufacturer Stihl suggests you should leave batteries at a charge level of 40–60% when in storage.
Replacing the oil in your power tools is essential if you want to ensure they run smoothly and efficiently when spring comes around. This is also a good opportunity to detect any leaks or issues you may have missed previously.
Manufacturers of garden tools also recommend stocking up on the correct grade of oil before the season starts. This way you can get on with the gardening jobs straight away and top it up in small amounts when you need to.
Petrol tools that were drained of fuel before winter storage can be refilled. Also don’t forget to clean the spark plug on petrol tools.
If you’ve done all all you can and realised it might be time to replace your old power tools then we sigest to buy brand new from a reputable seller or if you can’t stretch to brand new go refurbished with a guarantee.
March 17th is National Sleep Day, but data reveals we may not all be resting as peacefully as we'd hoped. Named Britain's kindest city, Bristol is home to the nicest residents in the UK. But many are left feeling unrested, with Bristol being named the third worst city for a nights sleep. Antioxi have conducted a study which analyses light pollution, air quality and anxiety scores from the ONS to look at which cities have the most issues with sleep.
They have analysed the UK’s sleep habits and explained the importance of sleep; highlighting the effects poor sleep can have on the body.
Manchester is ranked the worst place to sleep in the UK, with the high scores for poor air quality, anxiety and extreme light pollution.
Leicester holds the second place for the worst area for sleep, anxiety scoring incredibly highly at 39 and light pollution not far behind Manchester at 31.
6. Liverpool
7 .Salford
8. Nottingham
9. Carlisle
10. Birmingham
All of these factors are causing residents to have poor sleep, which can contribute to later health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure and depression . Wellness expert and owner of Antioxi, Daniela Vogl has provided her top 3 tips to getting the best night's sleep.
“Living in a big city often means that noise pollution is more likely, and whilst this is to be expected; there are ways to minimise this in your home.
In third spot is sunny Bristol, with the poorest air quality out of every UK city. With a population of almost half a million people, and is one of the largest cities in the South West.
Preston is the fourth worst city to sleep in, with residents having staggeringly high levels of anxiety and poor air quality, therefore contributing to a bad night's sleep.
Stoke on Trent is the fifth worst city in the country, with air quality being named the main reason for citizens not sleeping well. The Staffordshire city is home to almost a quarter of a million people, but still being crowned the fifth city for the worst nights sleep.
Soundproof curtains and earplugs are a great way to reduce noise from roads or other external sources, which could disturb you and cause you to wake during the night. Constant interruptions can contribute to serious health issues, so reducing the noise outside is incredibly beneficial.
Being aware of what triggers you to wake will mean you are able to understand what causes you to be awoken and to put a stop to it. Many smartphones now have apps that allow you to track and record your sleeping habits,but if this isn’t an option journaling can be a great way to monitor your sleep.
If you find that you don’t have a proper routine before bed, this could leave you feeling unsettled before trying to sleep. Creating a bedtime routine allows you to properly wind down for the evening and it lets your body know it’s time to rest, helping to settle your mind.”
Here are this months puzzles designed to test your mental skills during your lunch break or after tea.
Good luck!
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9 differences between these two pictures. Are your eyes good enough to see them all?
A promised reform of leasehold property by the Government would be a boost to the property market around Bristol and needs to be fast-tracked, according to RICS Surveyor Andrew Simmonds.
Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, has said that some leaseholders are being “held to ransom” by freeholders saying: “We need to end this feudal form of tenure and ensure individuals have the right to enjoy their own property fully.”
Andrew Simmonds said today: “The Minister needs to get on with it as consultation over this matter started over a year ago and it is clear what legislation is needed. The West Country has a high proportion of leasehold properties with ground rents and it can be confusing for purchasers.”
Mr Simmonds, who has in excess of 18 years leasehold management experience in the City, and now runs Parkers Estate Agents in North Somerset and Country Properties in South Gloucestershire, welcomed such changes. A new law, introduced in June 2022, banning ground rent on all new leases was imposed but he says ground rent laws for current leasehold homeowners need to now be finalised and promised Government reforms in lease extension and collective freeholds introduced.
“The issue is important in this part of the country in particular because there are a growing number of leasehold properties where the lease has less than 100 years left to run. I would advise anyone looking at a leasehold property to be very cautious on anything under that period. They are at risk of losing value of their property if they live in it for 10 to 20 years. Very few lenders will offer a mortgage on a leasehold property with 80 years or less left on it.
“If you are looking to buy a house or apartment then you need to check if it is freehold or leasehold. If it is freehold then you have total control over the property and there is no time limit on your ownership. If it is leasehold there may be limitations on what you can do and you may be required to pay ground rent and service charges.
“Of course, for many people living in apartments it is preferable for them to be leasehold, so that common areas shared with others in the block are dealt with by the freeholder or an agent acting for the freeholder.
“But for many houses the old Ground Rent system was simply a way that developers made a little bit of extra money. It is now very outdated and reforms need to be fast-tracked. It is wrong that 21st century house owners and potential buyers have this complication in this region.
“If the Government go through with their plans then buying and selling a leasehold property in the region will be much easier.”
According to figures in 2021, Some 20% of housing stock in England is leasehold with a high concentration of those in the West Country.
The news that Share Bristol are planning to bring a Library of Things to Bedminster certainly caused a stir last month, with interest in borrowing instead of buying prompting attention from all corners of the city!
Anna Perry, one of the volunteer directors at Share Bristol said: ‘It’s been amazing to see the reaction to the news - not only from the people of Bedminster who reached out to offer their support, but also to the people who have come to see us in Kingswood, and the many people asking if we can open a library in their area. The answer is - we would love to, and plan to, but we’re taking it one library at a time!’
February saw a record 129 people pop in to see the team to find out what it’s all about, and 35 new members signing upsmashing the previous record of 26 back in July 2021, shortly after the library opened.
members, still small but growing every month, who borrowed more items last month than ever before.
Bizarrely, the most popular items borrowed in February were cake stands! One member borrowed all nine of them for a charity cake sale. In second and third place were drills and pressure washers - usually some of the most popular items.
The team behind Share Bristol hopes that interest continues to grow, as they rely almost entirely on membership income to run. But later this month they will be launching a Crowdfunder with the support of Aviva Community Fund, hoping to raise thousands towards opening the BS3 branch. You can sign up to the newsletter and find out more here: https://www.sharebristol.org.uk/ about-us/newsletter/
Charlotte Huxtable has been promoted to the position of Business Development Manager at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre.
The hotel says the move highlights the benefits of investing in people as it works to identify the next generation of talent in the hospitality sector.
Charlotte was previously Conference & Events Sales Office Manager at the DoubleTree by Hilton, which is managed by Focus Hotels Management Ltd.
Through Focus Hotels and the hotel leadership team, she has worked on a very-bespoke eight-month development programme to enhance her skills ready to enter the world of business development, resulting in her promotion.
Imran Ali, General Manager of the hotel, said: “Charlotte showed keen interest in her development and has a keen sense of detail in everything she does.
“She is an excellent communicator and people person, which is best suited to what she will be doing in her new role.
“We identify the next generation of talent through our quarterly and annual reviews with all our team members and Charlotte is a great example of why we invest in our people.”
Charlotte was bitten by the hospitality bug when she did a week’s work experience at a hotel at the age of 15, and then got her first job at the same hotel, as a waitress in its restaurant.
After completing a degree in events management, she worked as events sales co-ordinator for the likes of De Vere, Village Hotels and Holiday Inn.
She said: “I have now worked in Bristol for nine years, where my career has progressed from strength to strength, within several major international brands and now with Hilton Hotels.
“The opportunity for career development brought me to the DoubleTree by Hilton, taking on my first Conference & Events Sales Office Manager role, and now I will be driving business for all areas of the hotel, improving its visibility and links with the community.
“I really enjoy getting to engage with different clients across various industries and am looking forward to the opportunity to nurture existing client relationships at the hotel while having the challenge of seeking new business to develop.”
She added: “My interest and confidence to pursue this new role has grown tremendously during my time at the DoubleTree, where both Imran and Focus Hotels have been valuable mentors and driving forces, encouraging my development.
“Over the years, I have wondered what I would do if I chose to leave hospitality and, honestly, I can’t think of another industry that would provide me with such variety in my work – no two days are the same!
“I personally love the fact that this industry is team-driven; you cannot do the job alone, but the industry provides you with skills that are transferable world-wide.”
Sarah Monk, Commercial Director for Focus Hotels said: “Focus Hotels strives to identify and support all opportunities for career development across all our hotels.
“With Charlotte’s focus and determination to progress, she will no doubt succeed in her new role at DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre.”
There are plenty of things you 'know' about speed cameras and those mobile vans that appear at the side of roads or on overpasses.
You probably think you can get away with speeding at up to 10 per cent over the limit, or that they'll only catch you on one side of the road.
A speed reduction officer for the last seven years that wants to stay anonymous, let’s us inside his van to answer all the key questions and dispel some myths behind the mobile speed cameras.
He said: “The aim of cameras is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.
“We prefer to educate drivers rather than punish them with fines and penalty points.”
He also answered some questions about the mobile vans and speeding:
No. There are no laws about visibility, so there is nothing stopping an officer operating in the dark.
But they don’t often choose to do this, and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right.
He said: “Legally, we don’t have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it’s all about being fair, education and preventing an accident.
“Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people speeding right away.”
No. Any car that passes a van is recorded on the officer’s camera.
So if you’re exceeding the speed limit whether you’re driving in the same or opposite direction to the van, you can expect a speeding ticket.
Yes. You will not get a ticket provided your speed does not exceed the limit by more than 10%, plus 1 mile per hour (mph) on Bristol reads.
So for example, travelling at 35mph or above in a 30mph zone will be recorded as a speeding offence.
However, thresholds vary and can change without notice. Officially, any speeding offence occurs at 1mph above the limit, but most forces will allow a variance.
No. He, explained: “We’re not here to get figures or to make money. We’re just here to catch the people who are speeding.
“If I get a day where I don’t get any drivers speeding, then I know I’ve done my job.
“If I’ve been working an eight hour shift, I just hope at least one person that day has escaped injury or a crash has been avoided.”
The current position with us is that if you are caught twice in 20 minutes, it will be treated as one offence.
In theory, a driver with a previously clean licence could be caught several times on the same day - and as a result be at risk of disqualification under the totting-up system.
If you are caught speeding several times on the same journey and accept a fixed penalty for each, you could be at risk of a penalty points disqualification (totting-up).
“It can happen more easily than you might think, for example where several speed cameras are placed on the same road or motorway”
However, where offences are deemed to have been committed “on the same occasion”, the court has discretion to impose only the one set of points for two or more offences. Whether or not offences will be treated as committed on the same occasion is a matter for the court to decide.
They need not have been committed simultaneously, but they must be linked in some way.
So if for example the offences were committed within a few minutes of each other, it may be possible to persuade the court to impose only one set of points. Every case will depend on its facts.
Yes. Obstructing a van’s field of view during its operational duties is an offence and you can be prosecuted for it.
Yes. Officers are there to make sure you are wearing a seatbelt and are not using your mobile phones behind the wheel. Anyone caught breaking these laws will be prosecuted.
This is the reason why you sometimes see a speed van in an area where there are already permanent speed cameras.
For technical reasons, a speed van will only remain in a certain spot for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
During his average 8 hour shift, he will normally visit 3 different spots across the region where he has been ordered to visit.
We hope this useful Intel will help you see the truth behind the ever increasing amout of cameras on the bristol roads.
