Direct Local North Bristol May 2023

This Month..

4. A coronation celebration

6. Housing in Lockeaze

8. How to avoid getting hooked by scams

10. Exposure

15. May the 4th be with you

20. Reflex, empower, grow

24. Bristol’s buoyant economy

26. 1 million boost to fix potholes

30. Hoteliers give a helping hand

32. Port of Bristol Bowls Club

36. Horoscopes

38. Your garden in May

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Editor

Michael Davies

Journalist

Lisa Davies

10 High Street

Shirehampton

Bristol BS11 0DP

Email: info@directlocalonline.com

Website: www.directlocalbristol.co.uk

Regular editorials By:

Andrea Sexton, Martin Powell

Daren Bane

Kayleigh Penny

kierstan Lowe

Corinna Ingram

David Hinksman

Structual

A CORONATION CELEBRATION ON BRUNEL’S SS GREAT BRITAIN

Toast His Majesty with a royal afternoon tea experience on board the ship

Enjoy high tea like a royal, with a delicious selection of savouries and desserts served on the world’s first great ocean liner.

Step back in time and experience the glamour of the SS Great Britain’s stunning First Class Dining Saloon.

Mark a historic weekend by enjoying afternoon tea on board a Great British institution.

On Sunday 7 May, Brunel’s SS Great Britain will celebrate the coronation of King Charles III with a right-royal afternoon tea experience.

Visitors can step on board the ship and tuck into a delicious selection of treats in the ship’s luxurious First Class Dining Saloon. Guests can choose either a 1pm or a 3pm sitting, and will be able to indulge in finger sandwiches, mini savouries, scrumptious scones, and elegant macaroons.

The ship’s First Class Dining Saloon would have hosted first-class passengers during voyages, and has been lovingly restored by the SS Great Britain Trust’s Interpretation team.

Known as the world’s first great ocean liner, SS Great Britain now rests in the very dock where Brunel built her – the Great Western Dockyard in Bristol’s Floating Harbour.

The SS Great Britain’s afternoon tea experience will run on selected Sundays across the summer. In addition to the Coronation weekend, guests can experience tea in the most opulent of settings on the following dates:

June 25th

July 23rd

August 20th

September 24th

The Coronation afternoon tea experience costs £39.95 per adult (£25 per child) and includes full access to the ship, the historic dockyard, dry dock and museums – from midday until close.

The ship’s royal connections

Over the years, the ship has played host to a series of royal visitors, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who stepped aboard on 26 July 1985 to explore the ship and open the museum’s maritime heritage centre.

Her consort, HRH Prince Philip also had a special connection with the SS Great Britain, having been on deck as Brunel’s great ship returned to Bristol in 1970. HRH Prince Philip became the SS Great Britain Trust’s first patron, a position now taken on by HRH The Princess Royal.

The SS Great Britain’s links with royalty began in 1843 when Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria, was invited to attend its launch in Bristol. Queen Victoria also visited the ship on 22 April 1845, during the SS Great Britain’s five-month stay on the Thames for her final fitting out. Brunel himself showed the Queen and Prince Albert a model of the engines and screw propeller.

The visit definitely left an impression on Queen Victoria, who wrote in her journal later that day; ‘All the fittings & decorations are very fine, & everything made as comfortable as possible, but I should not much care to go to sea, with such a quantity of passengers, or in such a long, narrow ship.’

Book your experience today at https:// www.ssgreatbritain.org/things-to-do/afternoon-tea/

Key facts about Brunel’s SS Great Britain

Brunel’s SS Great Britain is the top-rated visitor attraction in Bristol and top 10 museum in the UK (TripAdvisor 2022). The museum was awarded ‘Europe’s most welcoming museum’ in the European Museum of the Year Awards (2019).

The SS Great Britain now rests in the very dock where Brunel built her – the Great Western Dockyard in Bristol’s Floating Harbour.

Known as ‘the world’s first great ocean liner’, the ship sailed around the world 32 times, travelling more than 1,000,000 miles at sea.

Voted the second Greatest Briton of all time, (after Winston Churchill), Isambard Kingdom Brunel was one of the 19th century engineering heroes.

At the SS Great Britain’s launch in 1843 she was by far the largest ship in the world; and the first ever to combine a metal hull and screw propulsion.

NEXT STEPS TAKEN TOWARDS DELIVERING MORE COUNCIL HOUSING IN LOCKLEAZE

A development of much needed new council homes in Lockleaze has taken another step closer as the council look to secure ownership of a former pub that needs to be demolished to allow work to begin.

In 2021/22, Bristol built 2,563 new homes – exceeding the Mayor’s ambitious mani festo target. As the city continues tackling the housing crisis, the council is looking to build 47 homes on disused land at Branwhite Close in Lockleaze.

In order to get the development site ready, the council has been working hard to acquire two buildings: the former pub on Gains borough Square and a privately owned home on Branwhite Close. The site previously had council homes on the land which were demolished some years ago as part of a redevelopment project.

Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) have been secured for both sites, and barring any further legal challenges, it is hoped work can start onsite later this year.

Councillor Tom Renhard, Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes, said: “We are committed to doing everything we can to tackle the housing shortage in the city, and making sure that this affordable council-owned housing scheme, which will provide homes to 47 families, can be delivered. These will add to the 474 affordable homes built in Bristol in 2021/22.

“It is not just about the number of new homes we build; we are committed to developing mixed and balanced communities, working hard to make sure any new homes are suitable for the surrounding local area. Lockleaze is going through a big transformation at the moment, and we are working hard to make sure all the developments complement each other, as well as bringing forward additional amenities for community members to use.

“As well as enabling the housing development, the demolition of the pub will come as a relief to local people, as it has become an eye sore, and a target for fly tipping and graffiti in recent years.

“I look forward to finally being able to break ground on this site, hopefully later this year.”

The pub on Gainsborough Square has been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair for many years. The owner of the property was recently fined after failing to take care of the site, along with two other buildings in the city that they also own or manage.

Several approaches were made to buy the property at full market value. However, the owners were unwilling to sell, so in order to progress, the council made a CPO to acquire the property.

The owner objected to the CPO and an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State was asked to consider the objection and decided that the CPO should go ahead.

If there are no further legal challenges, the council will be the legal owners of the pub in late August.

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.

EXPOSURE – THE MAIN ELEMENT OF PHOTOGRAPHY

The photography basics are fundamental for anyone who is beginning to work in photography.

You may be wondering, "How can I improve my photography? " It all comes down to building a strong foundation.

Knowing the basics of photography is key to capturing better images and keeping your skills sharp. Although it can be tough when you're just starting out, there are resources out there that can give you a leg up. In this guide, we cover all the important topics of digital photography in an easy-to-understand way with plenty of examples and helpful cheat sheets. We've broken down everything you need to know about the basics so you don't have to spend hours sifting through articles or trying make sense of conflicting information – this is your one-stop breakdown!

1. EXPOSURE – THE MAIN ELEMENT OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Exposure is the most important photography basic and the first photography concept that you need to understand.

You’ve probably heard before the expression “photography is painting with light”, and it’s completely true!

Photography is about capturing light, and exposure is so important because it’s the amount of light collected by your camera.

The photography exposure basics are composed of different elements that we’ll discuss below like the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. The fundamental thing to understand is the effect of exposure, which is to capture the image with a determined brightness (this is also called “Exposure Value”).

Ideally, the image should be correctly exposed, that is, with the perfect amount of brightness where you can see all the detail in the highlights and the shadows. However, in photography exposure there’s no right or wrong, and the artistic choice of many photographers is to capture an underexposed or overexposed image. For now, we’ll focus on the elements to capture a correct exposure.

Exposure basics also has other effects on the final look of the image like the depth of field, the motion, and the digital noise. We’ll also get into this throughout this photography basics tutorial.

On the next page you can see an image showing the basics with the main effect of exposure.

Welcome to Bristol Saver Mondays

Reduced price tickets, all day!

THE LITTLE MERMAID

The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. With mermaids forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown –in jeopardy.

Out 26 May

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3

Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

Out 3 May

BOOK CLUB NEXT CHAPTER

Four lifelong friends have their lives forever changed after reading Fifty Shades of Grey in their monthly book club.

Out 12 May

As you might have guessed, Star Wars Day is a commercial celebration of the Star Wars media franchise. It is held on the 4th of May every year, because it sounds similar to the well-known Star Wars catchphrase “May the Force be with you.” (May the 4th be with you).

Let’s look at the history of Star Wars Day

The first documented use of the phrase “May the 4th be with you” was in 1979 when Margaret Thatcher was elected the Prime Minister of the UK. This was 2 years after the first film in the saga, A New Hope, was released.

Her political party, the Conservatives, posted a message in the London Evening News saying “May the 4th be with you, Maggie. Congratulations.” It has subsequently also been used in TV shows and books referencing the film franchise.

In the years since this first use, “May the 4th be with you” has grown rapidly in popularity and use. In 2008, the first Facebook groups appeared to celebrate ‘Luke Skywalker Day’ (Luke Skywalker being the main protagonist in the original trilogy of Star Wars films.)

In 2011, the first official celebration of Star Wars Day took place in Ontario, Canada. Sean Ward and Alice Quinn produced the event with festivities including an original trilogy quiz, costume competitions, screenings of the films, mash-ups, and parodies. The next official celebration took place a year later on the 4th of May 2012.

WHY SHOULD YOU CELEBRATE STAR WARS DAY?

It’s a fair question, after all it can often seem like there are a lot of causes and celebrations that are a lot more worthy and laudable than celebrating people waving their hands and swinging florescent swords about.

But that’s missing the point of what the films, and in fact the celebration itself, are all about. The message behind Star Wars is to stand up for what’s right, that people who come from humble back- grounds can do incredible things, and a belief in the power of friendship and loyalty. It also teaches us to stand up against corruption, persecution and bul- lies, in whatever form they take.

CORONATION CHICKEN SKEWERS

INGREDIENTS

200g 0% fat Greek style natural yogurt

Juice of 1/2 lemon

2 tbsp mild curry powder

1 tbsp chopped coriander, plus extra to garnish

600g pack chicken breast fillets, cut into

1cm strips

3 tbsp lighter than light mayonnaise

2 tbsp mango chutney

100g mixed leaf salad

1/4 cucumber, chopped

1/2 red pepper, diced

2 spring onions, thinly sliced

You will also need 8 wooden skewers, soaked in cold water

METHOD

In a large bowl, mix 100g of the yogurt, the lemon juice, 1 1/2 tbsp of the curry powder and the chopped coriander

Season, then add the chicken and toss to coat

Leave to marinate for at least 20 mins

Preheat the grill to high

Stir together the remaining yogurt and curry powder, the mayo and mango chutney to make a dip, then spoon into a jar and chill until needed

Thread the chicken onto the skewers and spread out on a grill pan

Cook for 6-8 mins, turning halfway, or until cooked through

Toss together the mixed leaves, cucumber and red pepper

Serve the skewers scattered with the spring onion and extra coriander, with the salad and dip on the side

RED, WHITE & BLUEBERRIES TRIFLES

INGREDIENTS

135g Pack raspberry jelly, torn into cubes

100ml Summer cup

100g Blueberries

125g Raspberries

5g mint, shredded, plus extra leaves to garnish

100ml Double cream

100ml 0% fat Greek style natural yogurt

150g madeira cake, cut into cubes

1 Meringue nest, crumbled

METHOD

Make up the jelly according to the pack instructions, replacing 50ml of the cold water with 50ml of the summer cup

Divide between four clean jars or serving glasses and chill in the fridge for 4 hours, or until set

Put the berries, mint and remaining summer cup in a bowl and leave to marinate, stirring occasionally

Whip the cream to stiff peaks, then stir in the yogurt until smooth

To assemble the trifles, put a few cubes of cake on top of each jelly, then spoon over the marinated berries and juices

Top with a couple of spoonfuls of the cream If serving immediately, crumble over the meringue and garnish with the extra mint

If packing for a picnic, put the meringue and mint in a separate container and top the trifles just before serving

I P P L E S W E L L B E I N G

R I P P L E S W E L L B E I N G

FFORDABLE OUNSELLING

u need support for your mental health but st puts you off?

AFFORDABLE COUNSELLING

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AFFORDABLE COUNSELLING

Do you need support for your mental health but the cost puts you off?

AFFORDABLE COUNSELLING

Face-to-fa

AFFORDABLE COUNSELLING

Do you need support for your mental health but the cost puts you off?

Take a look at Ripples Wellbeing for our new affordable counselling where we can offer sessions at a rate of £25 per session.

Do you need support for your mental health but the cost puts you off?

Do you need support for your mental health but the cost puts you off?

Do you need support for your mental health but the cost puts you off?

Take a look at Ripples Wel affordable counselling whe a rate of £25 per session.

Take a look at Ripples Wel affordable counselling whe a rate of £25 per session

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ortunity for you to cleanse and ner self.

r e T R

24th September 2023

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An opportunity f your inner self.

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An opportunity for you to your inner self.

Stress free and quick to access

Our Service:

Individual Counselling

Take a look at Ripples Wellbeing for our new affordable counselling where we can offer sessions at a rate of £25 per session.

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Individual Counselling

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An opportunity for you to cleanse and re-energise your inner self.

22nd - 24th Sep

22nd - 24th Sep

22nd - 24th September 2023, Bristol location.

How well do we know ourselves and are we being authentic?

I’m sure that many of us reflect on a regular basis. We often use societies view to ask ourselves questions and compare: What do I need to change about myself? How much weight did I put on over the last 6 months? How much cash did I spend? What are my goals for this year?

Normally we take this time to reflect in Jan uary when we are probably feeling overwhelmed, miserable, tired and skint. Why wait until January to ask ourselves these questions, wouldn’t it be easier to regularly check-in with ourselves?

We are very quick to book in holidays, trips, social events and much more but how many of us book a check-in day? Most people have a phone with a calendar function on it, why not set yourself a regular check-in appointment (once a month for example) - a chance to be honest, self-critical, and vulnerable.

The allocated time then provides an opportunity to be authentic and look both physically and metaphorically in the mirror.

For those that like to be philosophical or look deeper - A chance to explore our own soul.

REFLECT, EMPOWER, GROW James

There are many resources available that we can use to take a holistic view of ourselves. We have created a very simple one for you to be able to use in the middle of this article.

This simple example can be used to take a snapshot view of yourself at any given time.

Here is a list of instructions of how to complete this:

Number (1 to 10 with 1 being most important and 10 least) the areas in order of importance to you (there is right and wrong here)

To complete the pie, simply trust your gut feeling and shade in each slice of the pie. The more shaded, the more content or fulfilled you are within that area. The less shaded, the less content or fulfilled you are within that area.

The chart allows a visual awareness guide to be able to put things in place to increase those other areas of our lives that aren’t so complete.

I’d love to see some of these. Keep an eye out for the next one to see how we can self-invest!

Take care and look after number 1!

Warm regards

Do you want to find out more about how counselling can be an integral part of a new world for you? visit https://www.rippleswellbeing.co.uk/affordablecounselling to see if Ripples Wellbeing can help.

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 BUOYANT ECONOMY

One of the questions that we get asked a lot, is why Bristol is such a buoyant market, rarely affected by events (political or otherwise) going on in the rest of the country. One of the many reasons (and a short trip to the city will highlight lots of the others), is Bristol’s thriving economy and the many employers who choose to base themselves here. Let’s take a brief look at a handful of them.

Bristol is home to a diverse range of industries and businesses. From cutting-edge technology firms to traditional manufacturing companies, the city has a lot to offer those looking for employment opportunities. One of the biggest employers in Bristol is Airbus. This international aerospace company has a major presence in the city, with over 4,000 employees working at its Filton site. Airbus designs, manufactures, and supplies aircraft, and is one of the world’s leading aerospace companies. With a reputation for innovation and quality, Airbus is a great place to work for those with an interest in aviation and engineering.

Another major employer is the University of Bristol itself. This prestigious institution is one of the top universities in the UK, with students coming from across the world to study here and it’s also home to around 6,000 staff members. With a range of faculties and departments, the University of Bristol offers a diverse range of employment opportunities. Whether you’re an academic, researcher, or support staff member, there’s sure to be a role for you at this world-class institution.

If you’re looking for a career in healthcare, then the NHS is a major employer in Bristol. With several hospitals and healthcare centres, many with acclaimed specialisms, the NHS provides a wide range of healthcare services. From doctors and nurses to administrative staff and support workers, there are a variety of roles and opportunities available within the NHS in Bristol.

The financial services sector is also well-represented in Bristol, with several major employers in the city. One of the largest is Hargreaves Lansdown, a financial services company that provides investment management and advice to clients across the UK. With over 1,500 employees in Bristol, Hargreaves Lansdown is a great place to work for those interested in finance and investment.

In addition to these big employers, Bristol is also home to a thriving creative and digital sector. Companies such as Aardman Animations, the creators of Wallace and Gromit, and the BBC’s Natural History Unit have offices in the city, along with a range of digital and tech startups. With a vibrant arts and culture scene, Bristol is a great place to work for those with a creative flair and an interest in this sector.

Another major employer in Bristol is the Ministry of Defence. The MOD employs over 5,000 people in Bristol. From engineers and scientists to administrative staff and support workers, the MOD offers a range of career opportunities for those interested in defence and security.

For those seeking a career in retail, there are some pretty major household names, some very well-known brands and lots of wonderful independent retail outlets all across the city.

Last but definitely not least, Bristol’s food game is very strong, and the food and drink sector is well-represented. Companies such as Thatchers Cider, Pieminister, and The Bristol Beer Factory all have a presence in the city, along with a range of restaurants and cafes, with an eclectic mix of cuisine from every inch of the globe. With a growing food and drink scene, Bristol is a great place to work for those interested in the hospitality industry.

Bristol is a city with a diverse range of industries and businesses, providing a wealth of employment opportunities. Whether you’re interested in aerospace, healthcare, finance, creative industries, defence, retail, or food and drink, there’s sure to be something that appeals to you. There’s a good reason that students come to Bristol, to study at one of the wonderful seats of learning and stay; it’s a vibrant, culture rich city with a whole wealth of opportunities, why not come and have a look for yourself – just be prepared, it gets under your skin and into your heart quickly and you may not want to leave!

BRISTOL GETS £1M BOOST TO FIX POTHOLE

Bristol's roads received a much needed £1million boost from the Government to fix potholes. It couldn't come at a better time - just weeks after an insurance survey found Bristol to be the Pothole Capital of England! This additional money is part of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's £200million national Potholes Fund, and its focus on essential repairs to junctions and roundabouts will go a long way in improving Bristol's road network. City council opposition Conservative group leader Cllr Mark Weston added: “This extra funding is greatly appreciated given the poor state our roads are in." We're hopeful this money will provide much needed relief for our decaying road network!

The Government has invested £1million to help restore Bristol’s roads! We’ve been working hard to make sure our infrastructure is in peak condition, and this generous addition from Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Potholes Fund will be a great help. Insurance findings have recently deemed Bristol as the ‘Pothole Capital of England’, and we’re hopeful that this money will boost our efforts in restoring nearby junctions and roundabouts. Cllr Mark Weston, Conservative group leader of the city council said: “This extra funding is greatly appreciated given the poor state our roads are in.”

A report to the Labour cabinet, which meets on Tuesday, May 2, seeking approval for the work said Bristol’s share of £990,000 was from a regional award of £2.8million made to the West of England Combined Authority, which also includes South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset councils. It said potential roads in the city had been identified and would be prioritised based on their condition, volume of traffic and the number of defect repairs and complaints.

The report said Bristol City Council fixed more than 2,500 potholes a year. “The work will be targeted at sites where there is significant potholing and where we are frequently having to carry out response repairs,” it said.

“That should significantly improve the condition of those sites, impacting the local environment and reducing the number of response repairs, so that resource can be better allocated in the future.” The report said preventative maintenance was already funded for this financial year.

UNOFFICIAL NATIONAL TRIAL’ IN MAY OF FOUR-DAY WEEK

The future of the working week could be changing as more British workers desire flexibility and a better work-life balance. According to new research from Reed. co.uk, 19% of those looking for a change in 2023 would stay with their current employer if they offered them a shorter working week.

This is compared to those who prioritise location (15%) or benefits (13%). Additionally, over half of Brits said they'd prioritize a company with good work-life balance when deciding between job offers. Come May, the UK will have its first unofficial trial of the four-day working week due to an extended bank holiday period. It will be interesting to observe how these changes may affect Britain's work culture going forward.

Simon Wingate, Managing Director at Reed.co.uk, said online: “At Reed.co.uk, we’ve seen the number of job advertisements offering a four-day working week rise since the start of 2023. However, we know that this is not something that will work for all roles or companies.”

He also added: “With the research revealing flexible hours to be the top priority for job applicants, we’re glad to see that the job offerings on our site reflect this, which we hope will lead to more people finding jobs that they’ll love.”

What are your thoughts on a four-day working week? Is this a viable option for you and your organisation?

OVER

DANCE PARTY at the superb BAWA Club, Filton on the FIRST Friday of EVERY MONTH (except No Dance in JAN or AUG and the APRIL DANCE is on FRI 14th) It’s The Ideal Night Out For The 30 * 40 * 50 * 60 Age Range.

Come and Dance Amongst A Friendly Lively Crowd. Enjoy A Good Mix of Music, Dancing Thru’ the Decades including some Motown and Soul Favourites. Club times are 9 ‘til 1 (last entry 11pm) –Very Smart Casual NO Tee Shirts or Trainers & Gents are Required To Wear Collared Shirts. Dance adm £8

For more Info call 07860578708 or go to www.mingles.co.uk Facebook: Luv2mingle

HOTELIERS GIVE A HELPING HAND TO BRISTOL AUTISM CHARITY

Hoteliers give a helping hand to Bristol autism charity

Hoteliers in Bristol have given a huge helping hand to a charity which supports thousands of people in the city who are affected by autism.

At its recent AGM, the Bristol Hoteliers Association (BHA) presented a cheque for more than £3,500 to the Bristol Autism Support (BAS) organisation.

Most of the money was raised through a raffle at the recent BHA ‘Night of the Stars’ event, a glittering gala which recognises the city’s hospitality heroes.

Imran Ali, the BHA’s Head of Charity, said: “Our decision to partner with Bristol Autism Support was driven by a unanimous desire to encourage change and support for our local communities.

“We were delighted with the amount raised at the 2023 Night of the Stars event in March and we know it will make a positive difference to many, many, families throughout the city.

“We aim to provide further help for the BAS through a range of other, smaller, fund-raising events throughout 2023.”

Louise Mills, Operations Manager for Bristol Autism Support, said: “We had the honour of attending the Night of the Stars gala as the charity partner of Bristol Hoteliers Association (BHA).

“It was inspiring to see so many individuals and teams from hotels across the city being celebrated and receiving awards for outstanding contributions in their work.

“The amount raised over the course of the evening will make an enormous difference to the support BAS can give to parents and carers of autistic children in Bristol and the surrounding areas.

“We are so grateful for the opportunity to work with the Bristol Hoteliers Association, in particular Raphael and Imran, whose encouragement during the Night of the Stars helped us raise such a huge amount for Bristol Autism Support.”

BAS began as a small pub group in 2012 but has grown into a respected charity with more than 3,000 local families in its network.

It is a peer-to-peer support charity for parents and carers of autistic children, either diagnosed or undiagnosed, in Bristol.

Its goal is to improve outcomes for autistic children by providing their parents/carers with information and timely support while connecting them with other parents and carers, to share experiences, knowledge and provide mutual support with like-minded people.

To find out more about Bristol Autism Support, visit, www.bristolautismsupport.org

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.

Take a break and try to solve theses puzzles

Here are this months puzzles designed to test your mental skills during your lunch break or after tea.

Good luck!

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Did you spot the differences last week?

Here is the answers.

5 differences between these two pictures. We will print the answers next month.

HOROSCOPES

Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18

With things going on at present, you may be feeling quite down. Remember you are not the only one feeling this way. This could be a good time to reflect and try new hobbies, maybe read a book you have never picked up. When communicating with others, they may be feeling similar so bring your sensitive side with you. Use some of this time for yourself, and remember not to be too hard on yourself or others.

Keywords new things and sensitivity

Taurus Apr 20 - May 20

Someone new may need your help and support, but you may have a few things of your own to deal with right now, if so try and just be flexible and sensitive in regard to speaking to this person. This could be a good time to have a reflect on those practical things as well as some of those inner turmoils we sometimes have, and see what things would help to sort them out, to ring back your balance.

Keywords for stop sensitivity and balance

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20

Through the challenges we have at the moment, you may be finding it hard to keep calm and in balance. Maybe take time to give yourself a breather, and try and see things in another light. It may be an idea to start thinking of new ideas and projects to begin at this time, that you could continue when things begin to ease.

Keywords. Re-view and re-new

Aries Mar 21 - Apr 19

We are all facing obstacles at the moment, and staying in touch with your loved ones and friends is important, but remember there are many ways now through ordinary phones and modern technologies. Remember to use your intuition at this time, as it seems to be very important to follow your inner guidance.

Keywords intuition and communication

Gemini May 21 - June 20

Although it may seem a struggle at times, there will be some new changes for you, and a sudden realisation will dawn on you. This realisation maybe something you need to explain to someone and this should clear the air if there were some difficulties. Remember also to be kind to yourself, and stay calm, Maybe read that book you’ve been putting off, I try a new recipe, find something new.

Keywords. Realisation and communication

Cancer June 21 - July 22

There could be some new ideas for projects, and this could be a new interest a project or something totally new. Communication is something very valuable in general, but even more so now. Stay in touch with people who are important to you, and also give yourself that time, to read the book you have been putting off, or something you have not finished. Do you line keywords communication, and projects

Leo July 23 - Aug 22

We are in trying times at present, and things can sometimes seem bigger than they actually are. Keep lines of communication open with your friends and family, there are many ways And technologies as well as good old fashioned phones. Maybe take some time to sort a few things out in your home environment, or at least have a think of new ideas and things you can change, refresh, or find new interests.

Keywords. Communication and changes

Virgo Aug 23 - Sept 22

We are well into spring, if you haven’t already done some clearing it could be a good time now to do so. If you have a tendency to overdo things, or take too much on, remember to slow down at times and give yourself a breather and try and bring some calming balance back into your life.

Keywords clearing, balance, and new things.

Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21

If you have things you need to change, it may be a good idea to do so round now. Although actually socialising together with people is not viable at the moment, through different technology it is possible to still have some sort of social life. If all else fails the good old telephone is as good as anything. Relationships mean very much to you more so at the moment but stay in touch with people in the safest ways possible.

Keywords. Relationships and communication.

Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21

There may be things you really don’t want to deal with but it is best if you do it especially at this time. If you can do some clearing, in which ever areas you feel needed most, it would then be an idea to step back metaphorically speaking, and review situations, and things you are thinking of changing.

Keywords deal with things and overview

Libra

Sept 23 - Oct 22

Trying to keep balance in your life at the moment isn’t easy, with all these strange challenges.Relationships are important to you even more now,It is just important to find other ways to stay in touch with people. Try and find new interests, and try to keep calmness and balance in your life.

Keywords communication and balance

Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19

It seems as though balance in fairness are important to you at this time. There does seem to be quite a few things in the way and as well it’s all the challenges we are all facing there may be some personal ones for you. Keep the lines of communication open and try to find ways to change things in your life to make things easier.

Keywords balance and changes

YOUR GARDEN IN MAY

Spring is well under way now. The spring bulbs are fading and the herbaceous border is growing in leaps and bounds. The May days are longer and warmer and the risk of frost should have gone by now. The idea of getting out in the garden during the fine weather and ‘ticking things off the list’ becomes much more appealing. Spring flowering bulbs and plants will need clearing in preparation for summer bedding, and its promise of colour to come. But don’t get overwhelmed by those seemingly endless list of gardening jobs – here are our three most important…

PLANT SUMMER BEDDING

May is the month to get your summer bedding started in borders and containers. If planting borders lift out old plants run a fork through the soil and add a good fertilizer beforereplanting summer plants.

Try to fill pots and containers in the position they are going to stay – they can become heavy when filled! Water retaining crystals will help to reduce the amount of watering and keep the compost moist during warmer periods. Don’t forget to feed with fertiliser during flowering period.

PRUNE HEDGES AND SPRING FLOWERING SHRUBS

There’s no better time to give evergreen hedges a trim to get them looking neat and tidy. Smaller hedges can be tackled with a pair of shears, but you may need a hedge trimmer for larger bushes. Prune any shrubs that flowered in spring as soon as they have finished flowering. Broom, forsythia and ribes all need pruning now.

Remove around a third of the oldest flowering stems – this will make the plant look better and encourage new growth to create a good display next year. Be sure to check large shrubs and hedges for nesting birds before you start chopping!

PLANT OUT YOUNG VEG

Marrow, courgette and sweetcorn are all ready to be sown in the greenhouse. The likes of brussel sprouts, kale, peas and swede should be okay covered outside.

If you have already grown tomatoes, move them outside to harden them off. Keep them outside during the day and bring them back inside at night for two weeks to acclimatize them.

If you have potatoes that are starting to emerge, pull a few inches of earth around the plant with a rake to give the plant more soil to grow.

LOOKING GOOD THIS MONTH...GERANIUM

WHY SHOULD YOU PLANT THEM?

Geraniums make popular bedding plants – either in the garden or in pots and hanging baskets. They thrive outdoors in the summer but are also great for using a houseplant. They look good planted in a group in a flowerbed all by themselves or mixed in with other annuals – the perfect plant for any spot that calls for a splash of colour throughout the season.

HOW SHOULD YOU PLANT THEM?

Geraniums need to be grown in well draining soil or if planting in pots a good quality free draining compost. They should be located in a bright spot in the garden that gets plenty of sunshine. Soil should be allowed to dry between watering to avoid root rot.