Page 4 Neighbourhood Forum Page 6+7 Local news Page 9 St Judes Youngstaz Page 10 Radiowski Page 11 Smiffys Page 12+13 Local politics Page 14+15 International Women's Day Page 17 The Tuesday Club Page 19 Grants
UP OUR STREET READER OFFER Take this into Smiffys and buy one meal get a second half price See page 11
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Welcome to the Spring 2013 edition of Up Our Street. As the nights get lighter and the weather warms up (and gets drier we hope!) look out for spring bulbs blossoming in Easton and Lawrence Hill. We have worked with the Neighbourhood Partnership to plant daffodils in Lawrence Hill and Junction 3 roundabouts and Thomson Green as well as a wildflower meadow on Easton Way. In this edition you’ll find lots of local news and interviews with residents. Our area is full of great community groups and organisations and there is always plenty to get involved in. If there is a story you think we should cover, a group we should visit or an event to publicise please get in touch.
What do you think of Up Our Street? In Spring we will be out asking you what you think of Up Our Street and the news you receive from Easton and Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood Management. We would be grateful if you could take the time to help us if you see us out on the street or if we knock on your door. This helps us keep improving but also means we can show funders that the newsletter is important so we can keep producing it in the future. In December we organised a meeting for parents about primary school places in Easton and Lawrence Hill. If you’d like to know what we discussed contact Stacy on 377 3638 or stacy@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
Competition Winners Congratulations to Gwendoline Craske who won a copy of Emma Russell’s book, Return to the Aegean and Harbir Bal who won the Raspberry Pi. Left: Harbir collects her prize Thanks to Fern Housing and Emma Russell for donating prizes
Christmas lights competition Judges (left to right: Ricardo Sharry, Sally Caseley and François Jensen) on a chilly night in December. The winning home was 3 Herapath Street. The idea behind the competition was to recognise those who enjoy a bit of sparkle at Christmas.
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Fed up with pavement parking? Could this be the answer? Contact Stacy on 377 3638 to find out more.
Got a smart phone? Report issues on the spot! If you have an iPhone or an Android device, Bristol City Council recommends a free app called ‘Looking Local.’ Search the app market on your phone or scan one of the QR codes opposite using your barcode scanner on your smartphone. This will download an app which means you can report things as you see them.
The Forum is your meeting and it works because people living here care about their neighbourhood. The meetings are about what it means to be part of Bristol life. Usually about 50 residents attend every meeting, some come every time others come once. You can ask questions or comment but you don’t have to if you would rather just listen. What do we talk about? News - we hear about interesting things happening locally and projects people are running here. Views - we tell you about consultations and take your opinions to the people making decisions. Debate - some issues will never be ‘solved’ but we use the Forum to share different opinions. Why not come along and be part of it?
local residents) need an organised way of working with the Council and vice versa. We can achieve so much more and make much better decisions The Mayor (the new leader of the Council) wants to together. To make it work it needs the right level of give more power and influence to local residents influence in the Council and it also needs us, local through Neighbourhood Partnerships and the work residents, to see what needs doing and put a bit of they do. The current ways of working are being time and effort into making a difference. We’ve got reviewed and the people of Easton and Lawrence very positive foundations. We have the chance to Hill are being asked what they like and don’t like build on what works, change what doesn’t but also about the Partnerships (and Forums) and how you aim higher.
Neighbourhood Partnership
could have more say in what the Council does.
Dominic Murphy, resident of Lawrence Hill and Deputy Chair of the Ashley, Easton and Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood Partnership welcomes the opportunity: I am involved with our local
Neighbourhood Partnership because we (interested 4
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If you are interested in getting more involved with the work of the Neighbourhood Partnership please get in touch on 903 9975 or penny@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
Congratulations to resident Liz Pope, winner of the competition to design the cover for Emma Russell’s new book. Well done Liz. Local author Emma is a regular contributor to Up Our Street and a resident of Whitehall.
£460,000 for Trinity Centre Trinity Centre has been awarded a grant to go towards building works, to help improve access to the centre and increase the space on offer for community activities. The grant will help improve the external grounds, create a new daytime reception and install heating, a sprung wooden floor, lighting and drapes in the upstairs hall space to make it suitable for activities such as dance, fitness and performance. The grant will also be used to install a full-height partition upstairs, so that a second smaller hall space will be created, suitable for IT classes, community meetings and smaller functions. Works are planned to take place from June 2013 and will be phased across the year in order to ensure the centre remains open. Trinity Centre hope to complete the works and celebrate with a launch event in January 2014. Detailed plans can be found at www.3ca.org.uk/projects/trinity-centre-development For more information, contact 0117 935 1200 or email info@3ca.org.uk
Bristol City Council makes £35m of cuts As part of the Government’s austerity drive, local Councils across the country must cut their budgets. In Bristol this means the Council must find £35m of savings for 2013-2014. This is on top of £56m of savings made in the previous two years. Cuts being suggested amount to 9% of the Council’s annual budget so it is a very difficult juggling act. Future cuts totalling £100m need to be made by 2015. The Council carried out a consultation about the budget which ended in February. Bristol’s Mayor George Ferguson then had to present the budget to cabinet for approval. If you have questions about the budget come along to a Neighbourhood Forum or visit www.bristol.gov.uk
What makes you happy? Upbeat Streets is a new project from Happy City about noticing the small things around you (like this happy tree by the M32!)and taking a quick photo. As you’re walking around Easton and Lawrence Hill keep your eyes open for anything unusual or very normal that just makes you smile. Take a photo and send it to stacy@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk with the postcode and why it makes you happy. We will then submit all the images to Happy City’s collection for future exhibitions. Up Our Street 5
Get growing Commallot (Easton Community Allotment) welcomes all volunteers who’d like to get their hands dirty for a share of the harvest. You can give as much or as little time as you can spare. No experience needed. They meet every Thursday between 12pm and 5pm. The allotment is off Gordon Road. Visit www.commallot.org.uk Left: Volunteers take a lunch break
Barefoot coaching Knightstone Housing Association is running training for community leaders. Contact lynne.miller@ knightstone. co.uk
Bristol City Council voted 21st most gay friendly employer in the country Council rises up the ratings in Stonewall’s annual league table. www.stonewal l.org.uk
Big Green Week Bristol’s festival of environmental ideas, art and culture. 15 to 23 June at various locations. www.biggreen week.com
Youth Mayors
IntoUniversity
To be elected to represent the views of Bristol’s young people and advise the Mayor.
New education project for young people comes to Trinity Road. Helping children aspire to University.
More details to follow.
Contact 314 4651 bristol@intou niversity.org
Sims Hill Shared Harvest Volunteers wanted for community food growing project. Contact simshillshared harvest@goo glemail.com
Fundraiser for OSCAR, sickle cell and thalassaemia organisation on Stapleton Road
Saturday 16 March 6pm to 12pm £5 adults, £3 children Rose Green Social Club Gordon Road Food, music, dancing, raffle www.oscarbristol.co.uk 951 2200 6
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Congratulations To The Rhubarb Tavern in Barton Hill which won our Best Business category in our Christmas lights competition.
ARTS TRAIL NEEDS YOU! Easton Arts Trail is an annual community event to celebrate and share local creativity throughout a fun packed weekend. It returns in 2013, on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June. Organisers are looking for people of all ages, races, nationalities and abilities from all over Easton to take part – from the Old Market side of Easton Way, all the way up to Greenbank. The trail needs YOU! Many people join in for fun, to share what they make, to meet other people from the neighbourhood, to dip their toe in the water and display their work for the first time, or to show professional work. If you are an artist, designer, performer, singer, dancer, band, potter, wood-worker, sculptor, graffiti artist, jewellery-maker, clothes customiser, baker or anything else, they’d love you to get involved. Whether you’re an individual needing a group venue or you want to open your house, a church, temple or mosque, community group, garden, school or local business they want to hear from you so they can give Easton the event it deserves.
'Easton Inside Out', is a part of this year's arts trail - households are invited to do something imaginative with the space between their front door and the street. Flags, decorations, food, clothes, plants, window boxes - anything you like. Interact with the street, your neighbours and visitors to the arts trail, to bring the space between houses and the street to life with true Easton diversity! Registrations for Easton Arts Trail 2013 will open in February and close on 15 April. Registration forms and fee information will be online at www.eastonartstrail.co.uk or contact register@eastonartstrail.co.uk or through www.facebook.com/eastonartstrail, or follow on Twitter @eastonartstrail for all the latest news. If you don’t have internet access you can call Easton Arts Trail’s Membership Secretary, Meredith Freeman, on 07739195009.
2013 will see big changes in the way youth services are delivered in Bristol We had hoped to bring you an update in this edition about youth services in Easton and Lawrence Hill. Last year Bristol City Council contracted out its youth services to external organisations. In September we found out that Learning Partnership West had won the contract for our area. This means they will be delivering all work with young people. At the time of going to press they were unable to give us any more details about what they plan to do. We hope to bring you a full interview in the summer edition. Farewell to City Academy community team From April, City Academy will no longer be employing its community team, SAMSA. This team helped students and parents with supplementary schooling, including the Muslim Saturday school, to help students achieve grades AC, primary after-school classes to help students reach level 4 in English and Maths, and Attainment Advisors for African Caribbean students in Years 10 and 11. Funding for from the Council ends in March and is not being replaced.
Family event and dog show Saturday 8 June Gaunts Ham Park, Lawrence Hill Look out for more publicity soon! Organised by local residents
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Stapleton Road winter warmer
children designed pictures with the theme ‘universal cosmic travelling birds’ to In December, Stapleton display in Rawnsley Park. Road hosted a fantastic There will be more winter tree decorating happening over the year so celebration with large, keep an eye on the notice inflatable star lanterns, boards or subscribe to Up drumming and glow-in-the Our Street ebulletin by dark hula hooping to contacting brighten up the evening. stacy@eastonandlawrencehill. Local people and school org.uk
Drumming in Rawnsley Park
1 New Street, St Judes
This building is owned by Bristol City Council. In the past it was used as a hostel for homeless people. Recently it was used by a charity called People Can but they have now left. The Council is drawing up a plan for the longer term future of the building and what kind of organisation could go there permanently. It is being used temporarily by St Mungos as an office base at the moment. Do you have a view on what this building could be used for? Send your ideas to stacy@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk Hooping mad in Rawnsley Park by Heather Iles
You Said We Did Shrubbery cut back and rubbish cleared from Stanley Street by Easton Leisure Centre
You Said We Did ADVERT
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Plans for new play equipment in Brook Street Park Watch this space for details!
The young stars of St Judes
Up Our Street found out about the Youngstaz after they won Bristol City Council’s Tenant The stereotype of the modern young person Participation Award for Innovation in 2012 and we usually has them causing trouble or at home were interested in what they thought about playing computer games in front of the TV. Not so winning. “I think we won because we helped bring in St Judes, where a group of 15 young people have the community together” says Samira. Innovation become a shining example of how to be an active means something new or unique and we wondered part of your community. We met up with what they thought about why they won this Mohamed, 12, Umeyma, 12, Samira, 12, Ayan, 13, particular category. “Normally adults organise Conzetta, 13, Zahra, 11, and Muna, 11, who make street parties but we are the only young people up St Judes Youngstaz to hear from them what they who did it. We’re the ones who had the brains, are all about. energy and enthusiasm to do it!” says Ayan. “We’re the St Judes Youngstaz. The aim was to It sounds like they have learnt a lot from coming help the community and bring people together. together. “I have learnt that friendship is important Most of us know each other from the area. We and keeping the community close together” says come here every other week and have been Conzetta. And what else have they learnt? “TEAM meeting for a year and a half” says Samira. The WORK” they shout as one. “We still want to have an group started with help from volunteers Poppy, emphasis on helping with Maths and English Vanya and Sam. Poppy had been working with men though as it’s important to the parents that the on an employment project and got to know the St young people are learning. If anyone reading this Jude’s Somali Women’s Group. She realised that has any skills with Maths or English and could help many parents were concerned about how their us out that would be brilliant” says Poppy. Before I children were doing in school. “I had the germ of left, the Youngstaz had one final thing to say: an idea as I had been working in youth “THANK YOU” they shout in unison. I left with a empowerment and they had the need and it just smile on my face. came together” explains Poppy. Sam adds: “We found out that parents were paying a lot of money for Maths and English tutors so we decided to congregate and make something happen for St Judes Youngstaz.” This is met with a big cheer from everyone in the room. The model used for the group is one being tried out all over the world from Zambia to Columbia to China, so the St Judes Youngstaz are part of a global project to help young people become agents of social change. It is a Baha’i inspired approach but the content of the The street party organised by St Judes Youngstaz weekly sessions are faith-neutral. The Youngstaz have certainly been busy in 18 St Judes Youngstaz months. “We did an elderly party for the people welcome young people who’d like to join them or who don’t go out much and a street party” says Muna. “We all did different activities. Half of us did anyone who might be nails and henna and half of us did football. We did able to help by donating, stalls and helpful people gave donations and lots of skills, time or money. Contact Poppy Villierspeople kept coming in.” Everyone gets excited Stuart on 07792189909. telling me about the street party and how much they enjoyed it. It is great to see the energy and Left to enthusiasm for doing something for others. “We right: did it to bring the community together and Ayan, brighten up their hearts” says Zahra. “I liked almost Umeyma, everything about the party, the food was nice made Mohamed from parents. Mostly the people that lived here and Zahra came. How we started was an English and Maths club and it started to expand into a youth group and now we’re here” says Mohamed, getting a chance to speak over the chatter of the girls. Up Our Street
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I think people like to keep traditions going as they are scared of losing their culture but actually a lot That’s what you hear if you tune in to Radiowski on of people in Poland don’t do those things any more. The country is a lot less religious than it used BCfm on Sundays. The show has been running to be for example.” And if any of you are thinking since 2009 and has been a great bridge linking of visiting Poland what are Magda’s top tips? Polish residents with British life and culture. Magda Bond has been volunteering with the show “Mazury is in the north east and is the lake district. since it started and is now the producer overseeing It’s really beautiful and you can go kayaking. a team of 12. “Like many things in my life, taking on Bieszczady has little mountains so you get beautiful views without having to do too much climbing!” the show was spontaneous. I heard about this project happening in the community, I came along Radiowski is broadcast every Sunday on BCfm for a couple of sessions and I never went away. It’s 93.2fm from 5pm to 6pm in English and 6pm to now almost like having another part time job where 7pm in Polish. Listen online on www.bcfm.org.uk or contact you don’t get paid!” says Magda, and as she is already a teacher of German and Polish it’s amazing radiowski@bcfm.org.uk how she finds the time at all. “Community radio Magda working hard in the studio doesn’t exist in Poland so I had no idea what it involved. I had a lot to learn and the first few seconds of our show was a bit jibberish but we’ve improved a lot since then I think! I do the show every Sunday with my husband. It works really well as he is English so for every subject we discuss we get the Polish and the English perspective. We used to just broadcast in Polish but now we do the show in English first and then Polish. Both shows have Polish music but we talk about slightly different things. In the English show it’s about things that are interesting or unusual about Polish culture and then we do the opposite in the Polish show.” “One great thing has been that I got to talk to one of my favourite bands from when I was growing up! We play Polish music like Wilki or T.love and I used Kids Kafe in Barton Hill to listen to them. Through the show I got to Skype Fridays, 8.45am to 11.30am one of the bands. It was so cool!” Magda also keeps up with modern Polish artists by checking the St Lukes Church Hall weekly charts and playing the music on her show. 0117 955 5947 “We play about 95% Polish music and I don’t know any other station that does that in the UK.” Magda came to Britain in 2006 because she wanted to try living somewhere new and she didn’t want the show to be just for Polish people. She was keen to make it open and interesting to everyone. What would a non-Pole learn from listening in? “I’d say some bizarre and interesting facts such as our tradition in schools of topienie marzanny where we drown a doll which represents winter to welcome the spring. It’s a bit cruel I suppose!” laughs Magda. “Plus we teach a few words of Polish every week.” It is interesting hearing Magda’s views on how Poles living abroad often hold onto cultural traditions that are dying out in Poland. “When people have been away from Poland for a long time they get shocked when they visit and see how much it’s changed. It’s not much different from here now really. Even I get a mini-shock every time I go back.
Cześć! Witajcie w Radiowskim, polskiej audycji nadawanej z Bristolu
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father figure to a lot of us growing up so the business is a tribute to him.” In fact Lonnie’s Dad was born in Jamaica but he brought his love of Caribbean food and cooking with him to Bristol and passed it on to his family. Nonceba had been working as a chef in Bristol before joining Lonnie at Smiffys. “Food is a real big part of our lives. It feels like coming here is bringing my skills home” he says. There is no hesitation when I ask the guys what their favourite Caribbean food is – curry goat. But for a real taste of Smiffy’s Jamaican vibe it’s got to be the spicy chicken. “If you taste that you’ll say mmm yeah. It’s jerk seasoning but fried and boneless so you ain’t gotta get messy” says Nonceba. “We want people to understand Caribbean food.” Lonnie sympathises with young people trying to find a job out there today. “When I was younger I could never find work. I L to R: Lonnie, Klg, Josh and Nonceba always found it real hard so I decided the only way was to work for myself. I wanted to be the one to give jobs to other people like me Creating jobs and jerk chicken who were finding it hard. I wanted to help out my friends and family.” Today Lonnie employs ten A waft of spice greeted Up Our Street as we friends and family to help run Smiffys. opened the door to Smiffys on Church Road one “We came to Church Road because it felt like an evening in December. We had come to meet the up and coming area and it didn’t have many guys behind the new Jamaican takeaway in Jamaican restaurants nearby. We get loads of Redfield to find out about starting your own regulars now who said they were going into St business and what drove them to set out on their Pauls and Easton to get food before but now it’s on own. Manager Nonceba Tulloch, 28, has been working at Smiffys since it opened in October 2012. their doorstep. We wanted to try somewhere new and it’s working real well” says Nonceba. “We “It all started from Lonnie’s Dad, Clive Smith. He wanted to make the place sociable where you can had a business like this in Stokes Croft 20 years ago.” Lonnie Smith, 27, is the owner of the business come and have a chat. Lots of the other traders on and Smiffys revolves around him and his tight knit Church Road come and get their food here every day and it’s a real community” adds Lonnie. And group of friends and family. “We’re called Smiffys they’ve got big plans for the next 12 months. “We because my Dad speaks proper Bristol. Dad was a want to open another store somewhere like Bedminster” says Lonnie. And what advice would he give to any young person thinking about setting up their own business? “Keep pushing forward, don’t take no for an answer.” “The freedom of working for yourself is worth it. When you’ve got a boss that doesn’t get on your back it gives you the get go to want to be there” adds Nonceba. “We’ve had a lot to learn like how to manage the stock and planning stuff but that’s all getting there and we’re really pleased with how it’s been going. We cater for everyone and if you like chicken it’ll make you say mmm yes!” Smiffys is open Monday to Saturday
from 11am to 11pm at 126 Church Road, prices range from £3 to £7.
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Local resident Cristina Crossingham gives us her thoughts on the first three months of our new Mayor
next year they will be producing over 20% of the Council’s electricity use, including street lighting. George said: “This is just the type of bold energy project that Bristol should be pioneering. We will be our own green electricity producers, saving taxpayers money and reducing our carbon footprint.” It is clear that George Ferguson approaches his new job with enthusiasm. “One of the things that I am excited about is the risk that the Bristol Mayor takes on. A lot of Councillors are working in a risk averse culture. Councillors have too much blame associated with them and so they become afraid of making things happen.” George has said he doesn’t want to spend money on reports and surveys on minor issues, he just wants do it and see how it works out. Having the centre of the city car free on Sundays is something he wants to try out soon as part of his ‘Keep Sunday Special’ initiative.”
“The first thing the Mayor did was to rename the Council House, City Hall to emphasise that it belongs to us all, not just to ‘the Council’. One of his first obligations was to form a cabinet and he wanted it to be made up of the Councillors best qualified for each job regardless of their political affiliations. Unfortunately Labour Councillors declined his invitations to join. In the end he appointed a cabinet of six, Simon Cook, Geoff Gollop, Gus Hoyt, Barbara Janke, Guy Poultney and Alastair Watson. Each member is responsible for a different area of work but they all report back to the Mayor. By choosing to be politically independent he can sidestep the constraints of party politics to focus on finding the best solutions to the business of running the city. The Mayors most immediate and challenging responsibility has been the annual budget. While he cannot set a needs based budget with the money available, the Mayor has spoken of his commitment to maintaining services to the most vulnerable. On You Tube you can watch a video of his budget message in which he explains the proposal for a below-inflation increase in Council tax of 1.99%. George is particularly interested in meeting the challenge of climate change. When he is not on his bike, he drives an electric car powered by the Tobacco Factory’s solar We hope to have an interview with George in a future panels. For several years Council officers have been planning edition. If you have questions you’d like us to ask two wind turbines to be sited in Avonmouth and this time
contact stacy@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
Three firsts for Easton Councillor Congratulations to Councillor Faruk Choudhury who was selected to be Lord Mayor from May 2013-2014. Faruk has been a Councillor in Easton for six years and becomes the first Asian, first Muslim, and at 38 the youngest person to be Bristol’s Lord Mayor, a tradition which dates back to 1216. In January Faruk was selected by the Labour party to hold the position for the coming year. “I am jubilant and delighted. This is a real honour for me and my family and the whole Asian community of Bristol.” During his time as Lord Mayor, Faruk hopes to raise 12
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awareness of blood and organ donation among Black and Minority Ethnic communities. He will also continue to represent the people of Easton and his door is always open to those who need help. The Lord Mayor post is politically neutral and is shared by all three parties in rotation. The role is ceremonial (in contrast to the Mayor) and Faruk hopes to attend over 600 events during the year. Faruk studied politics in Bangladesh and got involved with the Labour party as soon as he came to Britain. “I am from a political family and my uncle was the first mayor of our village. I love Easton and its diversity and I wanted to help people and felt that by representing them politically I could do that.” As well as being a Councillor, Faruk and his wife Shilpi are setting up a new business and Faruk hopes to do a law degree next year. “I always encourage people to get involved in their community and I am really excited about making the most of this opportunity. I will be Lord Mayor for one year and I am going to work hard to do my best for the people of Bristol.” You can contact Faruk on 353 3372 or faruk.choudhury@bristol.gov.uk or the Lord Mayor’s office on 903 1450.
Since the last Up Sweet 16 and Our Street never voted there has been a big shake up in Bristol’s local political scene. With the vote for George Ferguson as our new Mayor in November we have seen the biggest change in the way our city is run in years. 16 year old Mukhtar Hassan from Easton got in touch with us about an article he had written on the right to vote and we thought it was really interesting.“I am studying for my GCSEs at City Academy. I'd either like to do International Relations and Politics or Journalism at University. I wrote the article because I felt as if 16 year olds were being ignored. I noticed during the mayoral elections that 16 year olds were powerless and had no choice in who was going to be running their city” says Mukhtar. Read what he’s got to say below:
Some democracy!
should be most relevant. Any decision that the Government makes about working life or education will effect these teens, yet they don’t get a say in how their working and educational life should be. That is dictated by others because of this current law. Adults and politicians know that 16 year olds should be given the right to vote. Kerry McCarthy Labour MP for Bristol East and shadow foreign minister says: ‘I support it. I’ve voted in favour of it before in parliament, I think they should be entitled to have a say.’ Some adults are happy with the concept of 16 year olds voting, because they know that it is unacceptable to exclude us from society. Some may argue that young people aren’t educated enough about politics to vote and that is where this Government is failing. Instead of making it mandatory to educate them about politics in schools, they have given schools such freedom, that they can even opt out of such important subjects. The reason that some teenagers will say that politics is ‘boring’ is only because of a lack of understanding and because those responsible for teaching them don’t want to. It’s not only teenagers that refer to politics as boring; some of the older generation also disregard anything political because of ignorance. Evidently, the Government is inferring that it doesn’t care, and they’ll continue to neglect young people and outcast them from the rest of society. 16 year olds deserve to vote. The changes that go on around them should not be imposed by others without the involvement of young people. After all, young people are the future.”
“For a teenager, turning 16 can be extremely exciting. Continue the debate.... Especially when we think of all the things the law permits you In January MP Stephen Williams asked a question in to do. You can buy a lottery ticket and potentially become a Parliament about 16 year olds voting. You can follow the millionaire; you can make that life changing decision of discussion on Twitter #votesat16 whether you want to possibly die for your country by joining the army; you can create an entire family of your own, or you could just simply get a job. By making these things legal the Government seems to be implying that when you’re 16 you are responsible enough to become a millionaire, to decide to enter a war, or to start working full-time, so why can’t sixteen year olds vote? Two of our local ward Councillor’s positions There are many teens that start working as soon as they hit are up for election this year: sixteen. Some remain in education while working, others don’t. John Kiely (Lib Dem, Easton) These young people pay tax and have no say in how their tax Brenda Hugill (Labour, Lawrence Hill) should be spent. In fact, the 18 and overs decide how the money that these poor sixteen year olds worked hard for is At the time of going to press we do not know being used. As an alternative to giving the vote to these which candidates will be standing for election hardworking 16 year olds that pay tax, it is given to some as our local Councillors. unemployed 30 year old that doesn’t pay attention to politics, and would rather spoil himself with the latest episode of Councillor Faruk Choudhury (Lib Dem, Eastenders than to vote. So many ‘responsible adults’ don’t Easton) and Councillor Margaret Hickman even bother to use their vote as we saw in the recent Mayoral and Police Crime Commissioner elections in Bristol. I would (Labour, Lawrence Hill) are both NOT up for have loved and respected that privilege. If 16 year olds have to election in 2013. wait an extra two years to vote, then those amongst them working full-time can wait an extra two years to pay tax. For more information visit What about teens that work and go to school? Won’t the www.bristol.gov.uk or look out for local decisions the Government makes about those working and information from your candidates. those in education affect them the most? If anything their vote
LOCAL ELECTIONS 2013
THURSDAY 2 MAY
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Special feature International Women’s Day Friday 8 March
Eleanor and Jodi
One Billion Rising Our resident reporter Emma Russell catches up with local women taking a stand against violence. ‘In 1918 women over 30 got the right to vote in the UK. It was the first time in British history that the Government legally recognised that women had the right to be heard. 90 years later, women can vote, choose their education, partners and lifestyles. They can travel and enjoy the kind of freedom that was unthinkable only a short while ago. Yet the silent and largely hidden crime of domestic violence is still prevalent. Up to 22,000 women in Bristol will experience domestic violence every year. The really frightening fact is that these statistics are from the reported crimes which the Home Office estimates to be only 1520% of the real figure. Domestic violence isn’t just physical and sexual abuse, it is also psychological and spiritual and much harder to identify and prove, but with just as devastating results. Sadly children are also on the receiving end of this. It is never acceptable for a man to use his fists, physical strength or intellectual malicious intent against a woman or child. Families suffer the consequences for years. Eleanor Bridge and Jodi Ahmed are among local volunteers who organised Bristol’s One Billion Rising dance flash mob in February. Women around the globe danced to raise awareness and demand change for violence against women. As well as the flash mob, on 27 April there will be two events to continue this awareness - a drop-in family day at St Werburghs Community Centre and a fund raising evening at The Attic Bar. Violence against women and children is a huge issue and both Eleanor and Jodi hope that they can help raise awareness in Bristol. This is as much an issue in Easton and Lawrence Hill as anywhere else in the world. Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate. Both Jodi and Eleanor got involved with organising this event as domestic violence has touched both of their lives. Eleanor herself was supported by Next Link and was on the ‘Freedom’ programme. A very important point she makes is that the abuse doesn’t have to be physical. Behavioural and psychological abuse can be just as poisonous and undermine a family from within. Their message is that there is help and support available and that you don’t have to be beaten to be in an abusive relationship. On a personal note, I have to ask myself. Why
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is it that in 2013, women are still seen as acceptable targets for this kind of abuse? We read about it every day. Yet women are amazing. Women who nurture and give birth to life, women who nourish and sustain their families, women who deal with all the demands not only of their own nature but also the expectations of modern society. How will I explain this ugliness to my own children? Perish the thought that they too should ever become victims of it. If you feel the same, please give your support, not just for this brilliant event but to local charities and organisations that help women lead a life free from fear and abuse. Violence against women should never become the normal turn of events. Find out more at www.onebillionrising.org If you want to talk to someone about domestic violence contact Next Link on 925 0680 or www.nextlinkhousing.co.uk
Active Women’s Day Saturday 9 March 12pm to 4.30pm St Pauls Academy, Newfoundland Road Free for women and children Sports taster sessions (dance, boxing, football, netball) and health information. Contact Neil at 2nd Chance 903 9772
2010 unemployment has risen by 2.9% but for women it has risen by 9.3%. On average women are paid £1.80 an hour less than men. In Bristol between 15,400 and 22,000 women will experience violence in the home each year. Cuts to services are affecting women with housing, childcare and health needs and we wanted to make sure their case is being heard.” So far the group has focused on a few specific issues like the poor diagnosis of ovarian cancer and trying to raise awareness among women as well as GPs. “There is a lot of Women of Bristol unite work to do to create equality. Bristol is one of the As we heard from Emma and Eleanor, 14 February worst cities when it comes to women in politics. was the day of One Billion Rising, a call to women There is a difference in the employment rate for men and women and a reason for this is the high across the world to stand up to end violence cost of childcare. There are a lot of issues and we against women. Here in Bristol, women are challenging the authorities to demand equality in are a new organisation so at the moment we are finding our way, talking to others and meeting the things that matter. We met Louise Williams organisations who are doing good work in the from Bristol Women’s Voice, a not-for-profit city” says Louise. If you are a woman of any age organisation which was set up in February 2012 living in Easton or Lawrence Hill, Bristol Women’s with funding from the Council. More than 12 months ago two Bristol women, Diane Bunyan and Voice would love to hear from you. They are interested in meeting more women from our area Penny Gane, presented a report to the Council detailing the gaps they saw in services for women. to hear your views on what the issues are for With no citywide forum where women could meet women and what needs to be done to address to discuss and lobby about important issues, there inequality in our city. was a real risk that these needs were not being Find out more at met. “The report highlighted four key areas where www.bristolwomensvoice.org.uk women are disadvantaged” says Louise. “The four areas were caring responsibilities, safety, or call Louise on 07972673782 employment and health. For example since March
Arooj Mir is 23 and works for the Bristol Pakistani Welfare Organisation on Stapleton Road. Arooj has been volunteering with Bristol Women’s Voice and joined their management committee in 2012.
“We are trying to get women’s issues on the agenda for local politicians and even managed to secure a meeting with Mayor George Ferguson. We want to make sure that the Council is aware of what issues there are and what needs to be done when they are making decisions about the budget” says Arooj. Arooj has been interested in issues affecting women since she was at school where she ran a project about arranged and forced marriage. This is a sensitive subject that many young women feel unable to speak out about. “When I was in sixth form at City Academy I knew people who were experiencing forced marriage but they didn’t talk about it. I wanted to set up a small discussion group so people could feel safe to talk openly about the issue.” Arooj’s project was a great success and she found that many young girls wanted to talk about the subject despite its difficult nature. She got involved in Bristol Women’s Voice to make sure these issues are being discussed in the city and that there is somewhere women can come together to have a strong voice on important issues.” To find out more about the Pakistani Welfare Organisation contact Arooj on 952 3031 or admin@pwolearningcentre.co.uk Up Our Street 15
POLICE SMASH ROBBERY AND BURGLARY RATES
As our regular readers will know, over the last 18 months there has been a lot of work by local people, the Council, police and community organisations like us to tackle problems experienced by residents and traders on Stapleton Road. This work is ongoing but there is some good news. We have seen a big drop in robbery and burglary so we spoke to DS Mark Brain from the police’s robbery team and DS Owen Manfield from the priority crime team, to find out more. “During my five years on the team Stapleton Road was definitely a robbery hot spot but we have seen a substantial drop. In the whole of 2012 we had 13 street robberies reported whereas we used to get around that number on a monthly basis” says Mark. The reason for this drop can be attributed to a number of things. Advances in CCTV technology has helped as well as increased policing on the road. “We have a new patrol plan around Stapleton Road so you see a lot more police about. If people report any suspicious activity we can use CCTV to track that.” Another factor is the deterrent of jail time, which has seen over 400 years of prison sentences handed out in Bristol for burglary and robbery in 2012. “It is definitely known among the criminal element that if you commit robbery or burglary it is punished” says Mark. Unfortunately some burglaries and robberies are committed by those who have addictions. The police are supportive of organisations which help people suffering from drug addictions. “The police are only a part of the puzzle. The focus of our work is catching those that commit crime and ensuring they are punished but we encourage work which helps stop people commit crime in the first place” says Owen. “In 2012 there was a 16% decrease in home burglary but this area was actually better than average with a 22% drop. There were 483 less victims of crime than in 2011 so we are happy with that, it’s going in the right direction, although there 16
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is still work to do.” In a densely populated area there is going to be more crime than where there are fewer people but the police have made great strides in tackling this in the inner city. “We get more information from the public, we collect more forensic evidence and tracing of high value items means that we have a lot better chance of catching the perpetrators. There are even apps that you can download on your phone to protect it and we can quickly track it.” One thing both Mark and Owen stress time and again is the importance of people taking simple measures to protect their property. “Our basic crime prevention message for home burglaries is always the same. Lock your doors and shut windows and make sure you lock windows at night if they can be accessed from outside. It sounds simple but in ten years I have never seen a door forced and an alarm going off. It is always a case of an opportunist seeing an open door or window” says Owen. “Robbery victims tend to be vulnerable, either young or intoxicated so those people should be extra careful” adds Mark. The part of the job that both Mark and Owen enjoy is seeing offenders brought to justice. “When someone has been traumatised and scared by a burglary or have had to leave their home it feels good to be able to tell them that the offender has been caught and sent to prison and that they are safe” ends Owen. The message from Avon and Somerset Police is always to report any information you may have about crime or suspicious behaviour on 101 or to Crimestoppers.
Stapleton Road Working Group This is for residents and traders who live on or near Stapleton Road. The group meets once a month in the evenings. The group has real influence and is supported by senior officers from the Council and police. They also make sure fun things happen by employing the Arts and Events Manager. Contact Penny on 903 9879 or penny@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk to join.
Committee members (left to right): Lin, Jean, Margaret and Keith
What makes Tuesdays so special?
original members have passed away and the problem is we are not getting any new members to replace them. We are really struggling at the moment and we will have to close if things don’t pick up” says Lin. “It is a bit disheartening when we have put so much into the club.” It is true that over the years the local population has changed and a lot more younger people have moved to the area but there are still a lot of the older generation who could benefit from getting out and socialising. Tuesday Club regulars Janet, Pat, Carole and Joan were keen to let our readers know they are a friendly lot. “I bought my friend Joan along and she is loving it” says Carole. Joan agrees “the doctor recommended I come to the club because it is good for me to get out and meet people.” All the ladies agree that Tuesdays are now a regular feature on their calendar and they look forward to the chance to meet up, have a gossip, hear some music or play bingo. “Just come and find out – we’re a friendly bunch” adds Pat. You can tell from speaking to them how much Lin and Keith care about the club and its members. They spent the first part of the evening trying to get in touch with a lady they hadn’t seen in a while and were worried she was ill or had a fall. The Tuesday Club is an extended family, looking out for each other with Lin and Keith keeping everyone safe and entertained. If you want to try the club you can go along once for free to see if you like it. The club runs in the main hall at Barton Hill Settlement, 43 Ducie Road from 7.15pm to 8.45pm for £2.50 or £4.50 with transport, contact Lin on 07813582079 or just come along. Don’t be shy, you’ll be very welcome.
The notes from a brass band playing ‘Hark The Herald Angels Sing’ was the sound that greeted Up Our Street as we arrived at The Tuesday Club in Barton Hill back in December. We had been invited to the club to meet the members and find out what has kept them meeting once a week for 30 years. Lin Matthews, who founded the club and now runs it with her husband Keith, filled us in. “I started The Tuesday Club from the day centre that used to run out of here. We wanted to give older people something to do of an evening rather than just being stuck at home alone or with the telly. It used to be funded but now it’s just the member’s subs and we desperately need more people.” And that’s where Up Our Street comes in. We agreed to meet Lin and the club’s members to tell others what the club is all about to try and get some new faces along. “We are open to anyone over the age of 50. We meet at the Settlement but we have a minibus and pick people up and drop them home from anywhere really. It’s £2.50 a week or £4.50 if you want transport. For that you get to come along and we have entertainment at least once a month and bingo and quizzes. We did a couple of boat trips on the Feeder this year and they loved that!” says Keith. The club used to boast a membership of over 50 and they’d go on day trips and holidays and have entertainment like tonight’s Tuesday club regulars (left brass band every week, but in recent years numbers have Dorothy, Janet, Pat, Carole dwindled. “Sadly many of our
to right): and Joan Up Our Street 17
Residents could take control of £1.7m budget
After six years hard work, Council tenants in Barton Hill have secured a landmark achievement. They are set to become the first Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) in Bristol. Since 2005 a group of nine residents have been challenging the Council to provide a better service for tenants. In 2007 they formed a limited company called Housing Solutions and took the decision to apply to manage those services themselves. They were successful in securing more than 20% support from the 1624 homes they cover, which meant they could officially begin the process of becoming a TMO. Tony Hicks, Barton Hill resident and Chair of Housing Solutions said: “It has been six years hard work to get where we are. We believe we can deliver a better service
than the Council and for good value. Our annual budget would be £1.7m and with that we want a local housing office, better repairs service and a caretaker for every block we cover. We would employ 30 staff and offer apprenticeships for local people but the Council will still be the landlord and collect rent.” In December the group’s plans received the final seal of approval from Government. The next step is putting the proposal to the households they will serve. “We will have an election in Spring and if the majority support us then we will be able to start recruiting staff later in the year.” If you are a Council tenant in Easton or Lawrence Hill (except St Judes and Old Market) and want to know more, contact Lin on 914 1480.
What’s stopping people finding work? In November, Bristol City Council held a workshop with local people to find out what barriers they face in finding work. This information will help the Council to understand more about local employment issues and to gather ideas about the help that local people want. Here is what they found: BARRIERS TO WORK • The Jobcentre is a good place for information, but some advisors are more helpful than others. • Childcare costs and availability are a significant barrier to employment, as are transport, skills (including language skills) and employer attitudes. • Barriers to starting a business include a general lack of information about how to start, lack of suitable premises, high costs of a business start up and the risk of losing money. SUGGESTIONS FOR HELP • Careers advice, training loans, better /cheaper public transport, car-sharing, better quality volunteering opportunities, better information (using school newsletters, for example) and more work experience / volunteering opportunities with Bristol City Council. • Better information on the support available, mentoring support and training in business skills. These ideas have been added to results from other focus groups and information from the Neighbourhood Partnership to help the Council develop an Employment and Enterprise Strategy. This will set out how the Council can help those struggling to find work. Do you have ideas? Does this reflect your experience? If you have ideas or comments you can contact Chris Hackett on 922 2275 or chris.hackett@bristol.gov.uk 18
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MONEY, MONEY, MONEY There are several small grant schemes in Easton and Lawrence Hill. To find out if you or your group are eligible read on...... Endowment Fund You must live in Barton Hill, The Dings, Newtown or parts of Lawrence Hill and Redfield. This money came from Community at Heart which ended in 2010. Individuals can apply for up to £300 for help towards courses or equipment. 17 to 19 year olds can apply for driving lessons. You MUST live in the correct area. Give us a call if you’re unsure. Groups can apply for up to £1000 towards anything which benefits people living in the specified area. The scheme runs up to twice a year. Next deadline is Wednesday 1 May. Community First Fund This is money from Government and is available to groups in Easton and Lawrence Hill wards. Grants of between £250 and £2500 are available for projects which make a difference in the community. A resident panel has chosen some local priorities for funding. The scheme runs once a year. The next deadline will be in June 2012. Wellbeing Fund This comes from the Neighbourhood Partnership and is for any group in Ashley, Easton or Lawrence Hill. There are some criteria which have been agreed by the Partnership and the fund runs once a year. The 2013/2014 dates are to be confirmed. To make sure you don’t miss any news about local grants subscribe to our ebulletin by contacting stacy@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk or call us on 903 9975 to find out more.
“The Ping Pong Parlour benefited massively from the Endowment Fund. The money enabled us to make three extra tables which increased our capacity and we have now had to open on a Monday evening to cope with the demand! The advertising has been very beneficial, after the ad went in Up Our Street we saw many new faces from the local area who saw the ad.“
Jo Pengilley, The Ping Pong Parlour
“Funding from Community First enabled us to give a group of 8-11 year olds the opportunity of producing their own short film. PARALLELS was a fantasy story inspired by how the children felt about living in Barton Hill and Bristol. It reflects the playfulness of children and the importance of positive community activity in encouraging youth voice.”
Nick White, Travelling Light Theatre
“The Streetgames summer sport project was a resounding success. We delivered a range of sport sessions at outdoor parks across the Easton ward, such as Chelsea Park, Netham Park, The Mill and Rawnsley Park. Up to 120 young people attended from all backgrounds. We were grateful for the grant from Community First Fund to achieve our aims.”
Neil Maggs, 2nd Chance Project
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and ice-clearing team instead. Over the course of several hours on both Saturday and Sunday, the sound of scraping shovels brought out 20 residents of all ages from primary school A real ice-breaker! to pensioner, to By Nick Ballard, Community Organiser clear the pavements of Hassell Drive. Back in January, Newtown Extra care was taken to ensure residents sick of the amount of fly that the pavements around the tipped rubbish littering their sheltered housing at Rosevear community planned to get and the approach to Lawrence Hill together for a community litter Health Centre were completely pick, supported by the safe. Neighbours came out to say Community Organisers hello and thank you and those programme. The weather did its unable to help out physically best to spoil their plans though by brought out tea and biscuits for dumping a thick blanket of snow the thirsty workers! There was over all the rubbish. Not to be surprise amongst the team to deterred however, local residents discover that they were all rose to the occasion and neighbours and all lived on the organised themselves into a snow same road, many commenting
that they had never seen each other before despite living there for as long as 20 to 30 years! After successfully clearing all the pavements everyone left feeling very proud of their community and arranged to meet again the following Sunday to complete the postponed litter-pick which itself was a great success and removed rubbish and detritus that had been left for months.
L to R: Benn, Reece and Tiron
Your Community Centre Needs You! Easton Community Centre is at an exciting point in its history. We’ve had a great new manager in place since July and have lots of plans for taking the centre forward. The management committee has embarked upon a process called a ‘community asset transfer’ with Bristol City Council, by submitting what is called an ‘expression of interest’ in taking on a long lease of the centre. If this process is successful we will be able to apply for large amounts of funding to develop the valuable and well-used facilities that the centre provides. We have also applied to the Charity Commission for charity status. None of this vital and valuable work can happen without input from you, the residents of our community. Three things you can do to help this month: 1. Become a member! It costs only £1 and allows you to attend our AGM and input to future plans for the Centre. We have a large and growing community membership that cares about the centre. 2. We want to hear what you think about the facilities and services the centre should be providing. We are having an open week from 4 to 8 March. Come along and have your say! 3. We need more directors, representing all sections of our community, to join our board. We are looking for some specific skills but also for people who have energy and enthusiasm and love the centre! We’re a great team to be part of. Speak to the manager, Jon Shepherd, to find out more. Easton Community Centre is a really special place and valuable asset to our community. It welcomes thousands of people from a huge range of backgrounds through its doors every year. Come and join us in the effort to make it even more of a success!
Sophie Shirt, Chair of Easton Community Centre Pop in to Easton Community Centre on Kilburn Street or call us on 954 1409
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HELP TO A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE Health Promotion Specialists Health Community Development Workers Health Trainers Working with local people in our area to promote healthier lifestyles Healthy eating and weight loss Get fit and active Swimming, walking and cycling groups Understanding your wellbeing and health difficulties Regular health checks Personal health plans Help for people with long term illnesses Information about cutting down on alcohol Support to stop smoking Sexual health advice Mental health awareness Breastfeeding information Working with groups and one to one support For referral and further information please contact us at: Inner City Health Improvement Team Easton Community Centre, Kilburn Street, Easton, BS5 6AW. Tel: 0117 377 1038
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COMING SOON - NEW COMMUNITY LIBRARY AT BAPTIST MILLS A new and modern Library and Learning Centre opens in March. Junction 3 Library is funded by the Big Lottery Community Libraries Programme and provides access in Easton and Lawrence Hill to Bristol council’s library and adult learning services. Junction 3 has a wide range of books for adults and children, in English as well as community languages, and the building has a relaxation area with newspapers and magazines, exhibition spaces, free access to public computers, and a number of meeting and training rooms for community rent and use. There will be children’s story times and a regular programme of activities for all the family. The Library Of Ideas a specially commissioned art installation by artists Davis & Jones is incorporated into the lobby and stairwell of the new building and made from items donated recently by people connected with the area. The objects form a portrait of the rich community that surrounds the library. Following consultation with local residents, the library’s opening hours will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11:00am to 7:00pm, Tuesday 9:00am to 7:00pm, and Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm. Look out for details of the exciting opening day celebrations. For further information email junction3@bristol.gov.uk or contact Julian Rush, Branch Libraries Manager on 0117 903 7370
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