North Somerset Direct Local Magazine July 2022

NORTH SOMERSET MAGAZINE

JULY 2022

IMPROVE Selling or renting?

Do you need an EPC? Find out today.

AL &

BUILDING SERVICES

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Call: 0117 203 4329 to book a survey today Offering Domestic and Commercial Energy Assessments

www.jackrey.co.uk

Call In The Experts To Get Your Home Improvments Under Way Today!

Tel: 01173 257790 Or 01275 595790 www.alsbuildingservices.co.uk 1

TRAINING  SERVICE  SALES  HIRE

Bristol's Largest Independent Construction Health & Safety Training Centre

    

IPAF PASMA Forklift Manual Handling Asbestos Awareness

    

CITB Health & Safety Awareness CITB SSSTS and Refreshers CITB SMSTS and Refreshers First Aid Face Fit Testing

    

Abrasive Wheels Working at Height Scaffold Inspection Ladder & Steps and more...

0117 967 0811 info@davisaccess.co.uk | www.davisaccess.co.uk Unit 4, Bakers Park, Cater Road, Bishopsworth, Bristol, BS13 7TT 2

This Month..

4. Bristol Harbour Festival 6. SEA MONSTER 8. World Chocolate Day 10. Movie preview 14. Light Are Coming 20. Finding an HMO 24.Your garden 26. Cost of Electric Cars 30. Horoscopes

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

The content of Direct Local is not to be reproduced in any form without permission of the publisher. Please pass to a friend, recycle or compost. All adverts designed by Direct Local are the property of Direct Local please contact us if you wish to reprint them in other publications as a small release fee Is applied. Use of adverts designed by us will need written permission first.

From

£895

*

for a fully fitted electric garage door.

The team Editor Michael Davies Journalist Lisa Davies Distribution coordinator Matthew Clarke 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 Susan Uzel Subscribe to Bristol Weekly Magazine via this QR code or visit www.directlocalbristol.co.uk

Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside your garage, maximising valuable space. Our expert local installers will fit your new door and they’ll take away the old one too, so there’s no mess.

Give us a call today and we’ll come and measure up FREE of charge.

WAS £1,354 INCLUDING VAT.

CALL US TODAY ON:

0117 369 0177 MOBILE:

07537 149 128 *Offer valid for openings up to 2.4m wide & including 2 remote controls, 55mm white slats, internal manual override.

3

Bristol Harbour Festival announces 50th anniversary programme

Bristol’s flagship event, the Bristol Harbour Festival returns to the city on the 15th to 17th July to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Bristol Community Big Band will start the proceedings on Saturday with their swing and funk classics, followed by jazz and soul-inspired singer-songwriter Sam Lindo and The amphitheatre’s Bristol Music Stage will Bristol Harbour Festival favourite feature Dazee, Black Roots and Doreen Opa Rosa, who will bring the dazzling Doreen amongst a stellar celebration of the instrumental dance music of Eastern city’s music scene. The Circus Playground Europe to Bristol. Saxophonist James returns to Queen Square with Cirque Bijou Morton's Groove Den, bhangra band RSVP lining up circus and street theatre per– festival favourite and still at the forefront of formances for all the family, while Trinity the British Bhangra scene 30 years on will Community Arts presents Bristol Dances in continue the party. Early 80’s post-punk rock Millennium Square. legends Blue Aeroplanes will follow, before St Pauls’ very own Black Roots – a crucial part Nine performance areas will feature familiar of the emerging British reggae scene in the favourites and new attractions, filling one and 1970s – take to the stage. a half miles of the city with music, vessels, food markets, circus acts, live music and Closing out Saturday will be one of the UK’s performers this July. Ebb & Flow, an most acclaimed jungle and drum & bass inclusive programme showcasing community DJs, Dazee. As a producer, broadcaster and collaborations and emerging and established performer, she has remained at the top of UK creative voices will also feature throughout drum & bass culture for thirty years, with her the festival.

Ruffneck Ting record label continuing to keep the jungle flame burning as brightly as ever.

Bristol Music Stage, Lloyds Amphitheatre On Sunday, the Amphitheatre will come to life This year will see the Bristol Music Stage with Makala Cheung – Bristol showcase long-loved Bristol acts – many of Happiness Champion and self-proclaimed whom are celebrating key anniversaries this Knowle Wester who will open the show with year, including 40 years for the ultimate party her song Boombox, inspired by stories of band Doreen Doreen. It will champion the Filwood and Knowle West residents. For city’s incredible female DJs with Queen Bee blues done right, don’t miss Kirris Riviere’s taking to the decks throughout the Delta de Bruit, and for a heady blend of weekend and Dazee headlining Saturday neo-soul, hip-hop and nu-jazz, Madly is a night’s programme. must. Vibrant young jazz outfit Snazzback is next on the billing before the 1982 flamboyantly theatrical music legends Doreen Doreen, will delight with their reimagining of rock and pop classics in celebration of their 40th anniversary.

4

Brunel’s SS Great Britain: Albion Dockyard and Brunel Square For the first time ever, there will be free entry to the Albion Dockyard at Hanover Place throughout the weekend, where staff and volunteers from the SS Great Britain Trust will welcome guests to the 540ft-long Grade-II listed dock for unique views of the working shipyard and harbour. Tall Ship Fridtjof Nansen will be in the dry dock with the crew inviting people aboard to hear about the work of youth development charity, Seas Your Future.

On Brunel Square, a new year-long outdoor photography exhibition is set to open for the Festival, showcasing the theme of discovery and Bristol’s global connections through the Albion Dock and the SS Great Britain. Food and drink, including a summer barbecue, will make the most of the harbour views. As part of the Festival’s Ebb & Flow programme, on Saturday, Caring in Bristol will present an activity and installation on Brunel Square; and on Sunday, Bristol Refugee Festival will provide music and performances.

The Matthew, Underfall Yard The world premiere of The Hamlet Voyage, a one-of-a-kind theatrical critique of the very beginnings of British colonial ambitions, is coming to the Festival - performed on Bristol's famous ship, The Matthew, which will be docked at Underfall Yard Cafe for this special event. Limited first-come, first-served seats will be available aboard The Matthew with plenty more on the shore of Underfall Yard Cafe. The production will be suitable for all ages. The Matthew will also feature African drumming workshops and an evening music programme throughout the weekend.

On The Water, Bristol Harbourside Showcasing the city’s incredible maritime heritage, the historic floating harbour takes pride of place during the weekend, celebrating its rich history with free, family-friendly activities programmed on the water’s edge. Eight visiting Tall Ships will join a host of vessels for the weekend, all decorated for the occasion. The Young Shipwright’s will open the event on Saturday, releasing their boats into the harbour, followed by the legendary Cardboard Boat Race where teams battle it out to bring their handmade vessels home!

You can read the full line up on our website at: https://directlocalbristol.co.uk/ bristol-news/bristol-harbour-festival/

5

SEE MONSTER is coming to Weston-sper-Mare’s iconic seafront.

Voyaging from the far reaches of the North Sea, SEE MONSTER will endure blustery winds and roaring waves as it encircles the UK coast in search of a new home. After a lifetime weathering the stormy seas, the retired rig will be reborn at shore in the former 1930s lido, the Tropicana. Audiences from far and wide will flock to the beach to welcome SEE MONSTER, the wild beast that has never been seen before…

With the opportunity to travel up and inside, guests will pass behind the thrashing cascade of a 12-metre waterfall, and under the shimmering scales into the cavernous underbelly of the beast… Within the wild garden you will find hidden routes to explore the rehabilitated Monster, where embedded throughout will be new approaches to a more sustainable and greener future. You may encounter sudden showers of rainfall from above or find yourself engulfed within By this Summer, having been transformed a playful collection of clouds. Whatever the along its journey, the weather-beaten weather, SEE MONSTER will encourage Monster will come alive in Westoninteraction and playfulness at the heart super-Mare, as a colossal manifestation of all of Britain’s cultural cornerstone: creating it has witnessed along its journey around the the sense of children gleefully jumping in turbulent coast. The reawakened entity will puddles, whilst adults grumble at drizzly grey be a joyous celebration of the great British skies and strangers bond over something weather and British eccentricity, presenting a mutually shared. new vision for what the Monster could become. As a pioneer towards a greener As a creation of new from old, the future, SEE MONSTER will explore the regeneration of the rig, transformed from its concept of inherited structures, be those former life, will champion the role of re-use physical, social, or environmental. What do and creativity within our future. we do with the structures we inherit? And what actions can they inspire?

6

7

Fun Chocolate Facts for World Chocolate Day 7th July World Chocolate Day falls on the 7th July.

Although, if we had it our way, every day would be World Chocolate Day! As history has it, in the year 1550, July 7th was the day that chocolate was first introduced to Europe.

If you ask us, it sounds like the perfect reason to treat yourself to a night of relaxation and recovery by enjoying some chocolate whilst you soak in a Chocolate Fudge Cake infused bubble bath… after all, it’s good for your health!

To celebrate World Chocolate Day, here are seven fun chocolate facts:

3. Chocolate is Mouth-Meltingly Tasty

1. Chocolate Money in Mayan Times

The Mayans are believed to be the first to discover chocolate and, in Mayan times, your favourite chocolate bar may have been worth it’s weight in gold!

Like many early civilisations, ancient Maya would barter and trade goods instead of using coins as money. However, it’s recently been discovered that the Mayan civilisation started to use Cacao Beans as a form of currency.

2. Chocolate is Good for Your Health

Have you ever wondered why chocolate is so mouth-meltingly tasty?

Chocolate melts at just below human blood temperature, which is why it is so mouth-meltingly satisfying. Milk chocolate has higher levels of cocoa butter so is more likely to melt in your hand whilst dark chocolate will melt in your mouth!

Not a fan of messy, melting chocolate in the Summer? Get your chocolate fix with our Chocolate Fudge Cake bath & body care treats instead.

4. Say it with Chocolate

Hooray – chocolate can be good for your Belgium are famous for their delicious health! It is generally believed that the darker chocolates. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise to the chocolate, the greater the health benefits. find out that, in 2013, Belgium issued over 500,000 postage stamps which smelled of Recent studies have shown that dark cocoa and were coated in a varnish to look chocolate could prove to be good for helping like chocolate. boost our immune system, reducing inflammation and increasing brain activity! This is The stamps even had a special glue that all thanks to being full of antioxidants, such tasted like chocolate when licked! as flavonoids, catechins, and polyphenol antioxidants.

8

If only chocolate scented and flavoured stamps where a common thing, you’d definitely catch us writing a lot more love letters and sending snail mail to all our pen pals instead of texting!

5. Power Up with Chocolate

Just like reports that chocolate is good for your health, it could also help you focus, sharpen memory and protect your brain from ageing.

A study conducted by University of Nottingham researchers in 2012 found eating dark chocolate can boost blood flow to certain areas of the brain. This chocolate-fueled boost directly leads to increase performance in tasks and general alertness.

6. Chocolate Grows on Trees

Money might not grow on trees, but chocolate does! Each cacoa tree can produce 2,500 beans with approximately 3.8 millions of cacao beans growing a year.

With such a high demand existing for chocolate, it’s important to help protect the environment by doing your bit to support cocoa suppliers who follow sustainable practices!

7. The First Ever Chocolate Bar was UKMade

We’re proud of our British roots and we were equally proud to discover that the first ever chocolate bar (as we know it!) was made in Bristol.

The first solid chocolate bar was produced by Fry’s in 1847 and the chocolate bar market has grown tremendously since then. Almost 200 years later and chocolate is still one of the most-loved sweet treats in the UK!

9

10

CINEMAPREVIEW REVIEW THE MOVIE THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER The film finds Thor on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced – a quest for inner peace. But his retirement is interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher, who seeks the extinction of the gods. To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie, Korg and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, who – to Thor’s surprise – inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor.

Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU In the heart of the 1970s, amid a flurry of feathered hair and flared jeans, Gru (Oscar® nominee Steve Carell) is growing up in the suburbs. A fanboy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. Luckily, he gets some mayhem-making backup from his loyal followers, the Minions.

Together, Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto—a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please—deploy their skills as they and Gru build their first lair, experiment with their first weapons and pull off their first missions. When the Vicious 6 oust their leader, legendary fighter Wild Knuckles (Oscar® winner Alan Arkin), Gru interviews to become their newest member. It doesn’t go well (to say the least), and only gets worse after Gru outsmarts them and suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. On the run, Gru will turn to an unlikely source for guidance, Wild Knuckles himself, and discover that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

Sign up to our newsletter https://scottcinemas.co.uk/newsletter

11

Bought a hot tub?

How to stop it costing you a fortune

2. Use the lid when not in use

Sales of hot tubs spiked during lockdown, but users may be in for a shock when they get their next energy bill.

The way you use your hot tub can make a huge difference to the cost with some people seeing their bills soar by £100 a month, according to energy-switching site Flipper, which monitors the market for best prices for its members.

Lay-Z-Spa, suppliers of the UK’s bestselling inflatable hot tub, estimate the average cost of running a hot tub is £40 a month based on customer feedback. But that assumes it is used for just 25 minutes, three times a week. Someone who has been jumping in every day during the hot weather could now be facing an energy bill which is a £100 a month higher than usual.

So, to make sure you continue to enjoy your spa, without worrying about your bills, here are Flipper’s top six tips: 1.Keep the heater on between uses Most of the power consumed by a hot tub is used by the heater. Keeping it switched on maintains the temperature at a toasty 36-38˚C, which actually takes much less energy than having to reheat the water from a lower temperature every time you want to get in.

12

The lid isn’t there just to stop stuff falling in.

If you don’t put the lid on when you aren’t using the hot tub the water will rapidly cool down – especially if the British weather is being its usual unpredictable self! And reheating the water uses lots of energy (see above). So, use the cover, clip it on properly and make sure there are not gaps, every time you get out.

3.Use a protector / underlay As well as losing heat from the top surface, your hot tub can also suffer if it is placed on a cold surface. To insulate the base (and protect from damage) you could get a special hot tub base protector, or some foam tiling from a DIY store.

4. Don’t (re)fill with cold water The water in your hot tub needs to be changed regularly. But rather than refilling only using the cold tap, when it gets to 4/5th (80%) full connect your hose to the hot water tap. This will reduce how much heating is required to get you tub back up to temperature (and how long you’ll have to wait before you can get back in).

5.Gimme Shelter’ One final thing that can cause the water to cool is placing your hot tub in an exposed place, where the ambient temperature or wind will rapidly chill the water. Putting it in a sheltered position, in a corner or near a fence will help. But avoid locating it under a tree so you don’t end up with leaves in the water come autumn.

13

LIGHT ARE COMING

TO NAISEA SKATE PARK Four directional LED sports lights which are specifically designed for this type of project will be installed at Nailsea Skate Park, with the hope that this will bring a huge benefit to the young people of Nailsea.

The lighting will be on timers from dusk until 20:00 hours to enable use of the park during the winter months, meaning there will still be access to the park after school as the early nights draw in.

This project has been supported by the local police, whose Avon and Somerset Police Community Trust have given a grant of £1,000 towards the costs, and the ground work for the installations has now begun.

The lighting is due to be in place in time for autumn with disruption during the installation at a minimum and the Skate Park still open for use.

Nailsea Skate Park Project spokesman and organiser of the Nailsea Community Skate Fest, Phil Williams, said online:

14

‘Getting floodlights fitted at the skate park is a fantastic idea and we realise that it will be restricted in the winter but at least we will get a few more hours to use the park. A massive thank you to not only Nailsea Town Council but also the police and public for supporting this initiative, and of course from our point of view we need to make sure that we ensure that behaviour of park users during these extra hours as well as during normal daylight hours show the community how much we appreciate this new floodlight initiative.’

Nailsea Community Skate Fest is celebrating its 20th anniversary of the event on Saturday 16th July 2022 between 1pm – 5pm at the Skate Park in Millennium Park, and plans for the day include skateboard, scooter and BMX competitions, stalls and activities, and lots to eat and drink and updates from the day can be found on the ‘Nailsea Skatepark Project‘ Facebook page.

OUT EVERY THURSDAY!!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! TO BRISTOL’S ONLY WEEKLY DIGITAL INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE

JOIN THE REVOLUTION..

Want the latest lifestyle news, whats on and local Want all the latest news first, straight to your inbox? news straight to your inbox every week?

Then visit hit subscribe below!

Just scan thethe QRbutton code below to subscribe.

Elite Beds .pdf

1

25/04/2022

OUTSUBSCRIBE EVERY THURSDAY!!

OUT EVERY SUBSCRIBE TODAY! THURSDAY!!

10:23

TO BRISTOL’S ONLY WEEKLY DIGITAL INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE

JOIN THE REVOLUTION..

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

C

M

Y

CM

MY

www.elitebedsandmattressesdirect.co.uk TO BRISTOL’S ONLY WEEKLY DIGITAL INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE

Want all the latest news first, straight to your inbox?

High Street, Shirehampton, BS11 0DJ Then visit hit the 62/64 button subscribe below!

JOIN THE REVOLUTION..

01172 338777

SUBSCRIBE

Want all the latest news first, straight to your inbox?

Then visit hit the button subscribe below!

CY

CMY

K

SUBSCRIBE

15

16

SUDOKU

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.

EASY

Good luck!

HARD

Subscribe to Bristol Weekly Magazine via this QR code To enter our cash prize draw each week

MEDIUM

CHAOS GUESS THE WORD COMPETITION A

ESCAPE THE MAZE Can you find your way through this difficult maze?

Start

m

Finish

S

EXTREME

The totally electrifying Pro Wrestling Chaos are giving One luck winner two tickets and meet and greets to the next event in July.

All you need to do to enter is guess the famous wrestlers name above and email your answer plus your name to: competition@directlocalbristol.co.uk Terms and conditions apply. Must 16 years or over to enter. Entries must be in before 15th July.

Good luck!

17

Why not read our other publications online!

South Bristol North Somerset North Bristol South Gloucestershire www.directlocalbristol.co.uk

WE DO BIG IT ALL OR SMALL

CLEAROUTS

& GARDEN MAINTENANCE

BRISTOL

CLEAR

UTS

RUBBISH CLEARANCE SERVICES

We are 07508 professional,500 reliable039 man Tel: with a van offering quality services in your area! Fully licensed waste carrier with my own tools.

WE DO BIG IT ALL OR SMALL

CLEAROUTS

& GARDEN MAINTENANCE

BRISTOL

CLEAR

UTS

RUBBISH CLEARANCE SERVICES www.bristolclearouts.co.uk

Tel: 07508 500 039 18

WINDOWS | DOORS | ROOFLIGHTS

www.pinterest.co.uk/crystalclearbristol www.facebook.com/crystalclearbristol

Aluminium, Timber, PVCu, Windows, Doors & Rooflights Plan your dream home

Visit Bristol’s Biggest Showroom 24 Emery Road Brislington, Bristol BS4 5PF To find out more, call 01179 717 880 or visit www.crystalclearbristol.co.uk

in partnership with North Somerset Council

19

FINDING AND FUNDING AN HMO One of the biggest challenges most investors face is a lack of quality deals, so it is important to know what you are looking for when it comes to investing in HMOs and where you should be looking for it. Once you know this, you can then decide if it is going to be a good investment… or not!

Let’s start with where to look: It’s important to note that there are always exceptions to the rule – we have some very profitable HMOs in areas that we were advised wouldn’t work. Remember that each area is different, and we highly suggest spending time meeting & learning from HMO investors in your area as to what works and what doesn’t.

When looking for HMOs, it is important to focus on what type of HMO you are looking to create, as different areas suit different Tenant Types. Some obvious examples include putting a student HMO a long way away from a university or a working professional HMO in a tiny village with little employment.

With this in mind, we then go back to property fundamentals and appropriately balance the seesaw of:

20

• Tenant Demand • Local amenities • Local employers • Transport Links • HMO Feasibility • Property Prices • Property Layouts/Characteristics • HMO Saturation in the area In our experience, while none of the above should be neglected, tenant demand is the most important factor. If you are going to have large voids with your HMO, it is not going to be a good investment.

There are different ways to test this: speak with local agents and talk through similar properties that they manage; look on Spareroom at rooms wanted vs rooms available in the desired area; speak with othr investors and ask how they are finding the market; join & track the local Rooms/Houses for rent Facebook Groups in your area and track properties on Rightmove/Zoopla to see when they are posted and when they become let agreed over several months.

There are lots of creative ways to test demand and the list above is not exhaustive!.

w w w. k p a . c o . u k

What are you looking for?

Finance & Funding:

Once you know where you are going to look, the next step is what type of properties in that area will make good HMOs.

After you’ve bought and refurbed your HMO, you are going to want to re-finance it.

The key factors here are going to be: • • • • •

The number of rooms you can create The layout of the building as it is Can you extend into the loft Can you extend out the back or on the side Waste pipes & soil stacks that are already in place

A new HMO investor may wish to stay below the Sui Generis Planning threshold and go for a 4-6 person HMO, as planning permission provides another layer of risk. Generally, 6 person HMOs are more profitable than 4 person ones.

Traditional financing of an HMO is very similar to a standard buy to let, you are valuing the property based upon its bricks & mortar value and are able to re-mortgage after you have added value through renovation, to release some/all of your invested capital. This is the classic BRR model.

What makes HMOs different to standard BTLs is that with the larger properties (7+ person HMOs) you can value them commercially via a yield multiplier on the income they create. A select group of lenders will also allow you to do this with smaller HMOs but you have to jump through many hoops to achieve this.

When looking at number of rooms remember that although the minimum size of a room is 6.51sqm, this is very small. So, we would suggest making sure all rooms are doubles and ideally over 8sqm as a minimum. Whether to go for all en-suite rooms is another topic all together – often with divided opinion. Our thoughts are that this is market and area dependent. Communal spaces are also very important, do not neglect them, as tenants who feel part of a community will be happier and increasing your tenant retention.

When you know where you are looking and what you are looking for, you can create your “cookie-cutter” – aiming to find a property type, in a certain area, that you know works, so you can rinse and repeat.

This is what makes HMO investments very appealing because you can value them beyond their bricks valuation, leveraging them higher and releasing more capital after re-finance. It’s important to add here, that anytime you increase leverage, you increase risk, especially when going above the bricks’ value, so this is not something to jump into without careful consideration and detailed analysis.

To learn your area’s yield multiplier, you need to speak with a commercial surveyor and to understand what lending is available to you, you need a good mortgage broker – both are vital parts of the jigsaw if this is the route you would like to take.

Now you know where you are looking, what type of property to look for and your options upon re-finance you should be able to start looking for HMOs. When it comes to sourcing methods, more is always better than less: agents, networking, HMO database, auctions, flyers, direct to vendor campaigns etc. etc. the more shots you take at goal the higher your chance of scoring! 21

Avon & Somerset Police Top The Charts

Avon and Somerset Police have been recognised nationally for the timeliness of answering 999 calls, with an average answer time of just 6.1 seconds.

The 999 Performance Data shows the total number of 999 calls received by each organisation on a monthly basis and how they perform against the Home Office’s target of 10 seconds. This is the first time figures of this sort have been released to the public.

Head of Command and Control, Becky Tipper, added: “It has been a challenging year with increased 999 demand. The entire control room team have worked extremely hard to ensure we are there for those who call us as quickly as possible.

“999 must be prioritised for those who are in an emergency where life is at risk or offenders are on the scene. For nonemergencies, reports can be made online via our website reporting forms. The website Avon and Somerset Police topped the tables, can be accessed 24/7 and is an effective taking 22,767 calls in a six month period, with alternative to calling. There is also our 101 for 15,434 of them being answered in under five anyone wishing to report non-urgent matters. seconds, and 5,274 answered in five to 10 seconds.

“During busier demand periods, there is a call-back option on the 101 non-emergency Chief Constable, Sarah Crew, said: “I want to line, which results in the caller retaining their congratulate the control room for coming first place in the queue but not being required to nationally for speed in answering 999 calls. stay on the line. By doing this you are helping Having a fast response time to answering us to free up our call handlers to deal with 999 calls is vital, especially when the caller is emergency incidents on 999 and will be in distress or the emergency is ongoing. supporting us in saving lives.”

“Being able to reassure members of the public that we can answer their call quickly after they dial 999 is a great service and I could not be prouder of our contact centre provision for supporting callers during, what could be, a terrible time.”

PCC Mark Shelford said: “Calling 999 can literally be a matter of life and death so I am delighted that Avon and Somerset Police has been identified as a high performing force.

It has been a challenging few years and I do not underestimate the commitment from the control room team – a huge congratulations to each and every one of you.

The Contact Centre, based at headquarters in Portishead, has a team of call handlers receiving both 999 and 101 calls. They work “Local people deserve the very best police in partnership with dispatchers to co-ordinate service and I hope this news, that Avon and the organisation’s police resources.

Somerset Police is the fastest force for answering 999 calls, provides reassurance While our 999 answering response is the and encouragement for our communities.” fastest in the country, this is because it is used as an emergency-only line, and we If you would like to consider a career within would like to encourage people to continue to our Control Room, we are currently recruiting use it purely in this way. call handlers and dispatchers to join us. You will be the first point of contact taking calls and providing immediate support, reassurance and advice to the public.

22

Direct Local, 10 High St Shirehamprton Bristol BS11 0DP

23

Your Garden In July

Fling the doors open to the garden and head outside! Summer is here and what better way to spend your free time than being outside and enjoying your beautiful flower filled garden. Keep plants looking good by regularly deadheading and you’ll enjoy a longer display of bloom. Make sure you keep new plants well hydrated to get them through those long, hot days and hoe off those pesky weeds, which can thrive in the sunshine.

Although this still can be a busy time in the garden, don’t forget to find the time to sit back and relax so that you can enjoy all the hard work you’ve put in to achieve your beautiful display.

FEED, WEED, AND DEADHEAD

Adding a liquid feed to your weekly watering regime will give a much needed boost to hanging baskets, container and borders helping them to produce more flowers and, in some cases encouraging a second flourish of flowers late in the season. Bedding plants, roses and many other perennials will also benefit from regular dead heading.

This will prolong the flowering period making the garden more attractive and will also prevent the plants from putting their energy in to seed heads. Simply pinch off the fading flowers, or for tougher branches use secateurs.

24

Don’t forget to keep weeds down they steal vital moisture and nutrients. Kill them by regularly hoeing borders and vegetable patches.

Larger weeds should be dug out or pulled up by hand.

With Hanging baskets a bit of common sense goes a long way. Try lifting a container or basket. Does if feel light or under watered?

How does the compost look? Is it pale and shrunken away from the sides? Dig into the compost with your fingers. Does it feel dry? It should be moist but not dripping wet. During prolonged dry spells, water at least once a day.

SPEND SOME LAZY HOURS IN THE GARDEN

After all your hard work, enjoy the sunshine and laze in your garden.

PLANT OF THE MONTH: Salvia A member of the sage family. Salvias are diverse group of plants ranging from annuals to herbaceous perennials and herbs Why should you plant them?

With flowers that are popular with wildlife, they not only deliver colour and fragrance but are also great at attracting bees and butterflies. Salvias are long flowering with the potential to put on a great show from June through much of the summer and in to autumn.

How should you plant them?

Plant in full sun, with very well drained soil, and water well when it’s dry. Trim in the spring to maintain shape and deadhead once the flowers start to fade.

25

Cost of electric cars compared

If you have a business which runs a fleet of cars, are in charge of managing a fleet or drive a company car for work, you’re probably asking yourself if now is the time to go electric. That is, if you haven’t done so already. Here we take a look at how EVs compare to petrol, diesel and hybrid cars.

The cost of electric is increasing...

But so too is the cost of petrol and diesel While the energy crisis of 2022 has been significant, with the cost of electricity increasing for business and individuals alike, so too the cost of petrol and diesel has been increasing.

Cost of electric cars compared Electric cars can represent huge savings when driven for business use. This is because the cost of charging an EV is far lower than the price of fuel, meaning electric car cost per mile figures are significantly lower than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. They’re also much lower than hybrids which have limited range, or regularly travel above their all-electric range on a daily basis.

Typically, conventional fleets can cut their fuel costs by around 80% by switching to battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

In June 2022, the average cost of petrol has increased to over 180p per litre and the average cost of diesel up to 188p per litre, and in some locations the cost per litre has topped £2 for the first time.

•

For people still on a long standing fixed rate energy deals the price of electricity will have remained unchanged through 2022.

As there are fewer moving parts in an EV compared to a combustion engine, they have lower maintenance costs which can translate to significant savings compared to petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Company car drivers only have to pay 2% in Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax in the 2022/23 financial year, while there are also savings to be made on road tax, Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and congestion charges.

•

For people out of a fixed rate deal and onto a variable deal then the price of electricity has increased to around 28p per kWh.

•

However, there are still variable tariffs in the marketplace for electric vehicle drivers with a home charger. Which means EV owners can still benefit from kWh prices as low as 5p for overnight charging.

The Zap Map Journey Cost Calculator is a brilliant tool you can use to compare the cost of running EVs to other vehicles. We’ve run the figures for some popular EVs, ICE equivalents and hybrids below, pitching them against each other to give you an idea of running costs.

Additionally, more employers are providing workplace charging options, sometimes free or subsidised, which reduces refuelling costs. And there are also other options such as household solar arrays which converts sunshine into electricity.

26

Meanwhile, for consumers the picture of electricity pricing is more mixed.

It is fair to say that driving an EV allows you to plan and control how and when you refuel your vehicle, instead of being limited to the price on the petrol forecourt.

How far can an electric car go?

Many electric cars nowadays are capable of covering more than 250 ‘real world’ miles on a single charge. This is usually more than enough range for company car drivers. Take the Tesla Model S Performance Ludicrous – it does exactly what it says on the tin with an astonishing WLTP range of nearly 400 miles.

Perhaps more typically, EVs such as the Volkswagen ID.3, Mercedes EQC, Hyundai Kona and Jaguar I-Pace fit into the 250-300mile WLTP range. The Peugeot e-Expert van, meanwhile, has a WLTP range of just over 200 miles, with our ‘real world’ range coming in around the 170 mile mark.

Even if you or your drivers cover higher distances than this on a daily basis, Britain’s ever-improving EV infrastructure means charging your battery on the fly is easier than ever.

There are now more EV charging locations across the UK than standard petrol stations, while businesses can receive financial help towards installing on-site charge points. This will help you with keeping your zero-emission fleet on the road all day, every day.

Are electric cars easy to run?

With all of those charging locations, as well as the improved availability of rapid and ultra-rapid charging points, there’s never been a more convenient time to run an electric car. The country, and indeed the planet, has woken up to the importance of reducing our carbon footprint, leading to an enhanced electric motoring experience almost everywhere you look.

This includes the greater prevalence of public charge points at places like shopping centres, supermarkets and even pubs and restaurants, allowing EV drivers to top up their batteries at times most convenient to them – and often for free too. And while you still of course need to keep up with basic maintenance aspects such as tyre pressure, lights and washer fluids, the simpler design of EV engines means less time spent in the garage getting fixed.

Comfort of electric cars vs petrol and diesels Comfort is often relative to individual models, vehicle size, specs and tuning things like your suspension, but the very essence of most electric cars is based upon a smooth, comfortable ride.

This is because you get the best economy when you drive like this, with features such as regenerative braking even allowing you to drive using only the accelerator pedal.

Thanks to their modern design, EV cabins are usually pleasant places to be, with many manufacturers developing fresh interiors for their electric cars. And with more premium carmakers entering the fully-electric domain, comfort levels and luxury are better than ever.

Can you lease an electric car?

In many respects, leasing an electric car is one of the best ways to get into EVs. With short contracts usually lasting two or three years, you can stay ahead of the curve when it comes to driving the latest models as and when they’re released. Indeed, we even offer our unique FlexiHire service to businesses, where you can organise short-term rentals to get a feel for a certain EV, before easily extending or terminating your contract without any fees.

Depreciation of electric vehicles vs petrol, diesel and hybrids Along with fuel, car depreciation is usually the single biggest running cost associated with motoring. The great news with depreciation of electric vehicles, is that it’s getting better all the time. This is because used EVs are becoming more desirable, helping with residual values (RVs) which depreciation is based on. Petrol cars usually have the worst depreciation, while the poor image of diesel engines has seen their RVs plummet in recent years.

Hybrids are showing promising deprecation levels at the moment, while the upcoming ban on sales of petrol and diesel cars from 2020 is only helping electric cars retain stronger RVs. This is great news if you want to lease an electric car, because monthly payments are heavily based on depreciation, and what a car is worth at the end of the leasing term.

Environmental benefits of electric cars Aside from all of the cost benefits and other great reasons for going electric, the environmental benefits are the most important. With cars such as the VW ID.3 offering a carbon neutral footprint right through its supply chain and production to use and recycling, fully-electric motoring is crucial to the future of our planet.

27

Red, white & Blueberries trifles Ingredients

Method

135g Pack raspberry jelly, torn into cubes

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

100ml Summer cup 100g Blueberries 125g Raspberries

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

garnish

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

100ml Double cream

Whip the cream to stiff peaks, then stir in the

100ml 0% fat Greek style natural yogurt

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

5g mint, shredded, plus extra leaves to

150g madeira cake, cut into cubes 1 Meringue nest, crumbled

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

28

29

HOROSCOPES 30

Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18

Taurus Apr 20 - May 20

You may come across a situation or conversation that seems someone is being dealt a rough deal.Try not to get involved in any conflicts, you may find this difficult as your natural way is to try and bring balance and harmony. Work with your intuition in any tricky, or delicate situation.

Keywords intuition, balance and harmony.

Relationships and your home environment seem highlighted at this time.

There may be some situation that will make you feel you need to address the balance, as somebody or something seems to be being treated unfairly.

Clear communication, on both sides seem very important now. Try to bring Clarity and calmness into any tricky situation.

Keywords relationships and clear communication

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20

Gemini May 21 - June 20

You may need to follow your intuition and keep your sensible side very much at the fore.You may be trying to juggle work with some social life, although at present we all know that can be tricky. Try not to allow things to make you feel stressed, try to keep calmness and peace within you as much as possible. Remember balance is a very good thing if you can bring that into your everyday situations.

Keywords calm, wisdom and balance

If you have a problem or something bothering you, don’t keep it locked up within yourself, maybe discuss it with someone close, maybe spend some time in quiet meditation, or contemplation. You may be feeling a bit stuck and things seem quite hard going at present. Nothing stays the same and you may find over the next few weeks things begin to slowly become a bit easier and you begin to feel more positive.

Keywords meditation or contemplation

Aries Mar 21 - Apr 19

Cancer June 21 - July 22

You could be feeling a bit fed up, and stuck. Things do seem as though they will begin to move soon, and your social life looks as though it will be picking up. Family and friends are very important to you now, and along with this your home surroundings, which may mean a few small changes or a lick of of paint to your home.

Keywords Home, family and friends

If you have a problem or something bothering you, don’t keep it locked up within yourself, maybe discuss it with someone close, maybe spend some time in quiet meditation,or contemplation. You may be feeling a bit stuck and things seem quite hard going at present. Nothing stays the same and you may find over the next few weeks things begin to slowly become a bit easier and you begin to feel more positive.

Keywords meditation or contemplation

Leo July 23 - Aug 22 There may seem to be a few tricky situations or hold-ups, but they seem to be temporary, and may show you something That could enlighten you.

This may open doors for you and bring you new opportunities, which could lead to some positive changes.

Keywords opportunities and changes

Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 You could be feeling that things are being held up, and there seems to be a few obstacles in small areas of your life, that becoming are a little irritating.

As much as you can try to find some you time, and use it to bring calm and balance back.

Keywords obstacles, find balance

Virgo Aug 23 - Sept 22

Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21

If you are feeling a little unclear in your thinking, cut yourself some slack. We are all having to deal with a strange situation Be sensitive to your own needs as well as those of others, and you may find you still have inner strength that will help you through. This in turn may help you to help others.

Keywords Sensitivity and inner strength

This could be a good time to do an overview of some areas of your life.

It may be changing things at home, changing routine, or something else.

Clearing things both emotionally and practically may be useful too. These kind of changes can bring new things and ideas into your life.

Keywords overview and new things

Libra Sept 23 - Oct 22 Communication seems to be a little challenging at the moment, in some areas. Stay calm and focused, and don’t let things get on top of you.

Once these issues have been sorted, you may find Some positive and new opportunities.

Keywords communication and opportunities

Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 This could be a good time to do an overview of some areas of your life.

It may be changing things at home, changing routine, or something else.

Clearing things both emotionally and practically may be useful too. These kind of changes can bring new things and ideas into your life.

Keywords overview and new things

Forecasted by Marie Hayward Disclaimer This zodiac is for entertainment purposes only please do not take the predictions seriously Marie take no responsibility for your actions

31

32