Emersons Green Voice December 2017

emersonsgreenvoice

December, 2016 — ISSUE 3

FREE EVERY MONTH IN EMERSONS GREEN, LYDE GREEN, SHORTWOOD & PUCKLECHURCH

Season’s greetings to all ‘We’ll make our new school great’ The headteacher of Lyde Green Primary School has pledged to make it the centre of the new community and to ensure it has a fabulous reputation.

PAGE 6

Crackdown on street parking Scores of yellow lines are planned in Emersons Green to prevent daytime street parking by office workers.

PAGES 8 & 9

IT’S that time of year again! Children in Emersons Green and Lyde Green are getting ready to stage nativity plays and Christmas shows and their parents are rushingto complete preparations for the festive season.

These three and four-year-olds from St Augustine’s Pre-school are putting the finishing touches to their nativity play, which they will

stage on December 7 for mums, dads and grandparents.

About 35 boys and girls from Emersons Green, Lyde Green, Downend, Mangotsfield and Staple Hill will take part in the performance.

Emersons Green can look forward to a community Christmas event on December 10 and Lyde Green is holding one a week later.

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Hunt is on for post office site Emersons Green town councillors and MP Chris Skidmore are working to try to find a place for a post office in the area.

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December, 2016

Goodwill can go e ic vo n e re emersonsg a very long way December, 2016

We also urge readers to consider helping those in our neighbourhood who are struggling. There are plenty of ways you can support them – see page 33 for some ideas.

We love to hear about people and groups in our area. Best wishes to boxer Kane Satewart, who has his first professional fight on home turf this month.

We’re also keen to have news from groups and organisations in the area. Give us a call or email us at news@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk Send us your pictures too – we are always glad to receive them.

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter, and if you’d like to advertise with us, or one of the other 12 Voice papers, please contact sales@ emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk Our paper is hand-delivered free to 7,000 homes.

Hundreds more copies are available at libraries in Downend, Staple Hill and Emersons Green and at other pick-up points, where you will also find copies of our sister publication, Downend Voice.

— ISSUE 3

PUCKLECHURCH N, SHORTWOOD & GREEN, LYDE GREE TH IN EMERSONS FREE EVERY MON

gs to all

Season’s greetin

‘We’ll make our ’ new school great

of Lyde Green The headteacher pledged to has Primary School of the new make it the centre ensure it has to community and n. a fabulous reputatio PAGE 6

Crackdown on street parking

lines are Scores of yellow s Green to planned in Emerson parking street prevent daytime by office workers.

PAGES 8 & 9

dads and er 7 for mums, stage on Decemb Emersons Green, grandparents. and girls from eld and Staple About 35 boys sfi Downend, Mangot ance.

Lyde Green, part in the perform to a Hill will take can look forward and Emersons Green as event on December 10 community Christm one a week later. holding Lyde Green is

s Children in Emerson stage of year again!

IT’S that time Green are getting ready to Green and Lyde Christmas shows and their for and tions nativity plays to complete prepara parents are rushing the festive season. four-year-olds from St These three and ol are putting the finishing will Augustine’s Pre-scho play, which they nativity touches to their

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KINGSWOOD ood Th’S SpEcIAL Station Road, Kingsw EMERSONS GREEN ThIS MON Emersons Green Bristol BS15 4XX 301 Farendell Road, T: 0844 846 3563 Bristol BS16 7FF T: 0844 846 3562

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Hunt is on for post office site town Emersons Green Chris MP councillors and to try to Skidmore are working office in a post find a place for the area.

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WE make no apology for including lots of seasonal good cheer in this edition of Emersons Green Voice.

At the time of writing, there’s been nearly 72 hours of wind and rain so it’s heart-warming to see the many events planned in our community to light up the dark days of winter.

Good luck to everyone involved in Christmas plays and parties and in the big events planned in Emersons Green and Lyde Green centres. We’re sure you will have a fabulous time and your hard work will prove worthwhile.

But it’s not all beards and baubles – we bring you lots of news too of happenings in our area, from housebuilding to transport, from post offices to schools.

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Publisher Gary Brindle 0117 907 8585 07799 461169

ADVERTISING sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk Tel: 0117 907 8585 Tel 07799 461169

Journalist Linda Tanner 0777 0700579

South Gloucestershire Council www.southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk general enquiries: 101 Emergency: 999

Letters to the publication can be sent to the above e-mail address or by post to Letters, Emersons Green Voice, 6 Elkstone Walk, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6JT. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.

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January edition deadline is December 14.

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Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582 Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk Environment/trading standards 01454 868001 Well Aware Health and social care information www. wellaware.org.uk Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252 PUBLISHER’S NOTE Emersons Green Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation.

We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Fishponds Voice is distributed each month to local residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is welcomed, call Gary Brindle on 0117 907 8585 or news@fishpondsvoice.co.uk.

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December, 2016

n NEWS

emersonsgreenvoice

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We wish you a merry Christmas

THIS merry band will be out and about singing carols in Pucklechurch in the run-up to Christmas.

They are members of the village’s NSPCC support group, which has been raising money for the children’s charity for more than 25 years.

They are planning two evenings of house-to-house singing and will also be making an appearance at both social clubs.

The group tried carol singing for the first time last year and it proved successful.

Members also hold coffee mornings, skittles and other social events and take part in supermarket collections.

In fine voice are, left to right, Lynn Bate, Angela Hallett, Elaine Stone, Ann Smith and Margaret Dix

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n NEWS

Lyde traffic light problem solved CONFUSING traffic lights in Lyde Green have been altered after they caused frustration for drivers for months.

Temporary traffic lights on Willowherb Road turned red to allow traffic to turn out of the junction with Howsmoor Lane.

But traffic from opposite directions on Willowherb Road was shown a green light at the same time, leading to near misses and arguments for drivers going through the narrow road.

Instead of giving drivers on Willowherb Road right of way when their light turned green, the lights only started and stopped traffic on the road to let Howsmoor Lane vehicles out. But there was no signage to let drivers know that the green light on Willowherb Road didn’t necessarily mean their way through was clear.

Complaints to the building consortium developing the site did not lead to any change, so Lyde Green resident Katrina Gardiner reported the issue to South Gloucestershire Council.

The issue was then resolved quickly. The lights now let traffic on Willowherb Road through one direction at a time.

A council spokesperson said: “This issue was reported to us by a resident last week.

“Council officers contacted the developer to request that they adjust the signal operation to ensure that only one approach from Willowherb Road will be green at any one time, to avoid ‘head to head’ conflict at the crossover point at Howsmoor Lane.

“The signals are now working on vehicle actuation – they detect when a vehicle approaches.”

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Concern as academy seeks new sponsor HUNDREDS of parents, staff and students turned out to a Save our School meeting after trustees of the Ridings Federation announced that the academy was seeking a new sponsor.

The chair of trustees, Claire Emery, has said that “re-brokering” Winterbourne Internatinal Academy and its partner school in Yate is necessary because the schools, which are facing a £1m deficit by the end of the academic year, cannot sort out their problems quickly enough on their own.

In a letter to parents, she said: “It is in everyone’s interest that the Ridings Federation can secure rapid and sustained improvement for the benefit of our students within the necessary timescale.”

Trustees are working with the Regional Schools Commissioner Rebecca Clark and say the academies will transfer, together or separately, no later than the start of the next academic year in September 2017.

The meeting on November 22 was told that two potential sponsors had expressed an interest in the Winterboure academy - the national chain Oasis and a collaboration of the two local trusts, Olympus and CSET. Greenshaw Learning Trust, based in the south east, is the only bidder for Yate International Academy.

History teacher Lee Everson told the meeting there was “palpable alarm and concern”

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among staff, who had seen Oasis executives being given a tour of the academy before the announcement of re-brokering had been made. Oasis and other interested parties are now carrying out “due diligence” checks before deciding if they would like to pursue their bids.

Some parents expressed worries that Oasis, which runs 50 schools including several in Bristol, was not a suitable sponsor.

A sixth-former was applauded when he said the chain had no experience in running a school the size of Winterbourne and had no experience running a successful sixth form.

Several people at the meeting said that if the only choice was another multi-academy trust they would prefer it to be locally based.

Parents were urged to write to their MP Jack Lopresti and to make sure their views were heard. The development follows two further blows for the federation last month.

Mrs Emery announced that chief executive principal Adam Williams, who joined less than a year ago and has been off sick, would not be returning.

Meanwhile, an Ofsted monitoring visit by Her Majesty's Inspector James Sage said the Winterbourne academy, rated as requiring improvement a year ago, was not getting better fast enough. despite being South Gloucestershire's highest attaining school last year.

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December, 2016

n NEWS CHILDREN in Year 5 at Blackhorse Primary School have been learning the finer points of running their own business by opening their own healthy eating Tuck Shop each breaktime at the school.

5

How to make a healthy profit The shop, named ‘Tutti Fruiti’ by the pupils, sells snacks each morning break and has proved a hit. But as well as keeping hunger pangs at bay, it serves another important function - teaching the children how to run their own business.

The children had to write letters of application for the various positions within the fledgling business and are entirely responsible for running the shop, advertising, deciding on what lines to sell and purchasing new stock.

Year 5 teacher Emily Daverson explained: “One of the school’s goals over the next four years is to ensure that children develop financial literacy and understand how business works.

The amount of learning that the children do while taking part in this initiative is huge - everything from developing literacy and communication skills, to using maths to calculate profit, loss and expenditure, to learning how to solve problems and work as a

team.”

Cashier Emma, nine, said: “It’s great because all our stock is really healthy. It’s nice to see children eating our products; it feels like a real business.”

Sales assistant (and future business mogul) Ali , also nine,

added: “I like seeing people appreciating our food and respecting the shop’s rules of waiting in line and being polite.

I’ve learned that you need to be passionate about your products if you’re going to be successful in business.”

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December, 2016

n NEWS

Primary school will be community hub NEARLY 60 children have settled in to their new school building in Lyde Green.

At the moment just two classes occupy the huge space, but by 2024 it will be home to 432 children in 14 classes once the surrounding housing development is complete. The school will gradually fill as the current pupils move up, with a double class intake from 2018.

Last year’s reception class was housed at Downend School.

New headteacher Dafydd Lawday helped ease the transition to the new site by bringing the class to the school while it was under construction.

He said: “When they came to see it there weren’t even any walls in the upstairs rooms, so they were very excited to get in this term and see it all finished.”

Mr Lawday is also headteacher at Charfield primary school so splits his time between the two schools,

which are both part of the Castle School Education Trust group of academies.

The remaining teething problem of the school is access, because the pedestrian area in front of the school is still cordoned off while the local authority and building consortium discuss ownership.

Current access to the school is via a side gate.

The two classes are now settled into the routine of school life and are practising for their Christmas play. Guests for assemblies have ranged from puppets to a live chicken, and school trips have included visiting a steam railway.

A community Christmas fair for Lyde Green residents will take place on December 17. Mr Lawday hopes local people will get involved in the creation of a forest school area behind the school for the pupils to use.

From 2017 the school will

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nursery next to the school to open from 2017, although if building work is delayed the nursery may be housed in some of the empty school classrooms temporarily.

Mr Lawday said: “I want the school to have a fabulous reputation and be a key part of the local community.”

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n NEWS NEARLY 40 roads across Downend, Emersons Green and Mangotsfield could have double or single yellow lines added next year.

The Emersons Green Waiting Restriction Review proposals aim to restrict dangerous parking, as well as keep bus routes clear.

Now South Gloucestershire Council has published detailed maps of the proposed lines for a three-week consultation.

Residents have until December 5 to comment on the proposals

December, 2016

Tough action is on the cards to curb dangerous parking at www.southglos.gov.uk/ consultation Among the proposed changes are double yellows for the first half of Aintree Drive leading from Badminton Road; along much of Emerson Way; and along Folly Brook Road near the Emersons Green NHS treatment centre.

Single yellows are proposed for part of Westons Brake, with restrictions on what time of day vehicles can park there.

A full list of the 38 roads affected is on the council website, and includes Badminton Road, Blackhorse Lane, Pomphrey Hill, Rodway Hill Road and Westerleigh Road.

Parking has become problematic in many residential roads, in part because of office workers from across the ring road parking there. There are fears that things will only get

worse once current construction projects such as the Badminton Road nursing home have been completed, when staff and visitor parking could spill on to the surrounding roads.

Emersons Green mayor Rich Nicholls said the town council would be looking at and

responding to the proposals.

He said: “I personally welcome any measures that can improve safety within the area for all our road users and would like to encourage residents to reply to the consultation with their views before the closing date of December 5.”

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December, 2016

n NEWS

Emersons Green resident Vicki Pearcy is one of a number of local people to voice concerns both with current parking issues and the Waiting Restriction Review proposals.

She said: “We live on Westons Brake and witness endless ‘commuters’ leaving their cars parked from 7.30am-6pm on the entire stretch of Westons Brake and the surrounding streets. It really does resemble a park and ride car park on most weekdays.

“Drivers then seem to head off towards the business park. They often leave their vehicles parked dangerously near to junctions

and partially on the pavements, causing an obstruction to anyone with a pram, pushchair or wheelchair.

“The waiting restrictions proposed are limited to a small area of Westons Brake, not particularly in those areas causing most concern.

Introducing restricted parking like this will just push the problem elsewhere, resulting in commuters parking a bit further down the road. I’m not sure what the ideal solution is – perhaps better parking facilities being provided by employers on the business park?”

9

Affordable homes bid at balloon site A PLANNING application is about to be submitted for a development of 57 homes in Pucklechurch.

Knightstone Housing Association wants to build the properties for rent and shared ownership on two sites off Oaktree Avenue.

One plot behind Dyrham View will comprise 37 family homes in a mixture of two and three-bedroom houses and one and two-bedroom flats, with a total of 64 parking spaces.

The other, alongside the industrial estate, will have 20 homes of a similar mix and 33 parking spaces.

Thirty one of the properties will be available to rent and 26 will be for shared

ownership, with the aim of helping to meet the demand for affordable housing in the area.

The area was originally a barrage balloon centre and later housed RAF Pucklechurch. Part of the overall site towards Back Lane has been designated a village green and will not be developed.

More than 100 people attended an information session in the village about the plans and Knightstone is inviting comments via its website. Once the plan goes in to the council, people will be able to comment before a decision is made on whether the development can go ahead.

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December, 2016

n NEWS

Hunt is on for suitable post office site THE hunt is on for a suitable place for a post office in Lyde Green or Emersons Green.

Although there was a post office in Emersons Green for the first few years after the estate was built, for more than a decade residents have had to travel to Downend or Mangotsfield for the services.

A new post office could be sited within an existing retail business such as a petrol station or newsagent.

Town councillors met Post Office representatives in October, and a further meeting took place in November to press the case for the area. MP Chris Skidmore joined councillors Rich Nichols and Caroline Johnson to talk with Post Office network operations manager Laura

Picture shows L-R Caroline Johnson, Post Office network operations manager Laura Tarling, Chris Skidmore MP, and Rich Nichols Tarling.

Mr Skidmore said: “I am concerned that some residents have to travel a considerable

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There is no timescale in place to get a post office running in the area, but Emersons Green Town Council has been asked to explore sites on the Lyde Green development.

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emersonsgreenvoice

December, 2016

n NEWS A NEW cafe and post office could open in Bromley Heath if planning permission is granted.

Quakers Road post office is facing closure when its owner retires, but local man Barry Hurkett wants to transform it into a classy cafe selling cakes, coffees, milkshakes and lunches.

The post office counter would be retained as part of the cafe, meaning the service for residents wouldn’t be lost.

Barry said: “Most people know me locally because I’ve lived here a long time, and I’ve asked people what they think about having a cafe here.

Everyone has said it would be really good.

“The plan would be to have the post office counter at one side with a partition, so people aren’t queuing next to tables. We have everyone lined up to do the fit out if we get permission, so we’re just waiting for that.”

He said that he plans to keep the post office counter open while the cafe is being refitted by partitioning it off.

The new café is likely to be open from 8am to 5.30pm, six days a week, and will create jobs

11

Cafe plan for Bromley Heath

for two full-time and four parttime employees.

The existing post office had tried to operate as an off licence and newsagent, but is next door to a Premier convenience shop so

struggled for business.

Leaseholder Altaf Hussain said he had run the business for two years but needed to retire because of ill health.

He said: “We have asked

people when they come how they would like a cafe. Everyone has said it would be a good idea.

People who drive a long way to work want to buy coffee to take with them.”

Lots of residents have voiced support for the idea of a cafe.

Neighbour Elizabeth Burden said: “I was worried that the post office counter was to be closed so I am very relieved that this is not the case.

“This should be a good position for a cafe/post office, and as the shop next door now sells everything it would be difficult for anyone to run it profitably as a newsagent’s again.”

Resident Jacky Keane said: “It could be a great business for those available after school runs, the clubs in the church hall, and the kids walking to and from Downend school and the Winterbourne school bus route. I really hope it takes off.”

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December, 2016

n NEWS

Discovering your neighbourhood EDIBLE mushrooms and ancient fossils were some of the things discovered in a nature walk organised by South Gloucestershire Council.

Award-winning conservation educator Steve England led the walk around Lyde Green for more than 30 children and adults during half term.

Steve, 50, who has lived in Bristol all his life, trained with the Royal Horticultural Society at Bristol Zoo. Specialising in the Frome Valley area, he runs fun natural history walks throughout the year.

During the nature walk he helped local people find a range of fascinating things in the verges and hedgerows within Lyde Green. Recent building work had churned up bedrock and fossils from the time of the dinosaurs, when Lyde Green would have been a tropical island surrounded by shallow, warm waters.

The most fascinating fossil

Splitting leaves to make bow strings was found by Mia Castee, nine, from Downend, who discovered a rare mares tail tree fossil formed 220 million years ago.

Walkers were treated to lots of facts about the plants and trees they passed. Steve pointed out self-pollinating alder trees,

edible lime tree leaves, and showed everyone how to use the antiseptic greater plantain plant to treat nettle stings.

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December, 2016

13

n NEWS

Above: Finding fossils with conservation educator Steve England. Right: Lots of wild mushrooms were growing in Lyde Green. Left, Mia Castee, nine, from Downend, with a rare mares tail fossil He also explained which of the numerous mushrooms growing in the hedgerows and grasses are edible, and how ink cap mushrooms were once made into ink.

The children hunted for insect larvae inside deformed acorns and teasles, mixed sap with water to make soap, and split leaves to make strings for bows.

Steve had also brought along a range of small animal skulls that might be seen on a walk, and some grass snake egg shells, which fascinated children and adults alike.

Walker Bernadette Thomson, 43, from Downend, said: “There’s

so much on our doorstep that we don’t know about. I thought the walk sounded like a fun way to find out more about the area.”

Steve said: “I worked with palaentologists to study the natural history of the area. My job is to put that knowledge into laymen’s terms and teach natural history in a fun way, that really engages people.”

He was runner up for a lifetime achievement award from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.

The free walk was one of a series organised by the council for new communities.

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14

December, 2016

n NEWS

From Summer Sizzler to a Santa Special FATHER Christmas is busy preparing his grotto for the Lyde Green community Christmas event.

The free fair takes place on December 17 from 4-7pm at Lyde Green Primary School and hundreds of local people are expected to attend.

As well as a grotto, families will be able to enjoy carol singing, dance performances, children’s activities, mulled wine and a hog roast. Local businesses will be manning a range of stalls, as well as donating raffle prizes.

Children can compete to win a prize for the best Christmas costume.

The event is the result of many hours of hard work from Lyde Green Community Association. The 14 committee members have given up their spare time to set up and run LGCA to make sure residents have a say in their community.

Kelly Adams, 31, from Pennycress Close, got involved to organise the first Christmas fair

in 2015, and is now chairwoman of the association.

She said: “I think it’s important to do something for the community I live in. I have three little boys and want to make this a good area for them.

As a group, we can have an effect by attending partnership meetings and council meetings

to have our say.”

Work so far has included organising a successful petition against the McDonald’s planning application for Lyde Green, running a Summer Sizzler event on the science park land, and arranging a drop-in session for residents to question GreenSquare regarding

maintenance of Lyde Green shared land.

Funding from developers Sovereign and Knightstone has allowed the committee to receive training on the different aspects of running a community association and community hall.

LGCA is hoping to run Lyde Green community centre once it is built.

Funds raised from the Christmas raffle will go towards future LGCA work including improving signage to shared areas including Lyde Green common, and arranging ‘walking for health’ activities.

The committee is now canvassing for extra volunteers to join in, which will allow them to organise more for the community. In particular, they need a treasurer and can provide training if needed.

Anyone wanting to get involved in LGCA or have a stall at the Christmas event can email lydegreenca@hotmail.com

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December, 2016

15

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Frequently described as ‘an Aladdin’s Cave’ and a ‘treasure trove’, The Card Shop has an extensive choice of cards (from large, small, pop up, ’wordy’, and humorous) for every occasion. It also stocks a wide variety of gifts, from fun and quirky (money pots, wine glasses, mugs, tins), notepads & diaries, children’s gifts and book scarves and jewellery, to more traditional items for those special occasions such as weddings, births and anniversaries.

We are also very proud to have a selection of unique and handmade gifts from local craftspeople including high quality wood products, bead jewellery, baby and children’s gifts, felted bags, bunting

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We also sell party accessories {banners, candles, badges) and helium foil, ‘bubble’ and latex balloons.

We’re a friendly team and always very happy to help in any way we can: from helping to choose that special card or a gift or looking into special requests - if you can’t find that special something then please just ask us and we’ll do whatever we can.

We accept credit cards (no minimum spend) and there is plenty of free parking nearby.

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emersonsgreenvoice

16

December, 2016

n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

Say No to spending and stress

Rev Andy Machin

Downend Baptist Church

IN his booklet How to have a happy Christmas, Tim Thornborough tells us about Andy Park who calls himself Mr Christmas because he has celebrated Christmas every single day since 1994. He sits down to a turkey dinner and claims to have eaten over 100,000 mince pies in that time.

Unsurprisingly this has had consequences for his health, with his doctor advising him to stop his habit when his weight went over 19 stone. It’s cost him a small fortune and Mr Park, who is single, also adds: "It’s hard to find a woman who wants to celebrate Christmas every day with you."

Most of us don’t take Christmas to these extremes - once a year is quite enough - but I wonder how much our celebration of Christmas has become a competition to spend more and to put ourselves

under more and more pressure to achieve the perfect Christmas.

I wonder what Jesus would make of the celebrations surrounding his birthday - he says 'Come to me all who are heavy laden, for you will find rest for your souls ' so he would see Christmas as a time for rest and relaxation, not a time of stress and family disagreements.

Jesus enjoyed a party - after all he turned water into wine, and he recognised the importance of spending time with close friends and sharing food but he was also concerned for the poor and he would not condone the extravagant and wasteful spending that often characterises our Christmas celebrations.

Jesus is concerned about our spiritual wellbeing - his question to us this Christmas is 'How is it with

your soul?' Jesus came to earth as a little baby, helpless and vulnerable, to show that God loves humanity.

The angels who announced his birth call Jesus Saviour, he comes to show us that ultimately food and drink and partying and presents don’t satisfy our yearning for relationship and significance.

In the New Year we’ll be offering people the opportunity to come and explore questions of meaning, significance and relationship with a new resource called Life Explored. If some of the thoughts I’ve shared resonate with you and you would be interested in talking about this further then please feel free to e-mail me at andymachin@ downendbaptist.org.uk

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas.

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18

December, 2016

n LETTER FROM OUR MP I’M delighted that Emersons Green now has a new magazine representing this fantastic and vibrant community.

And it’s a community that continues to grow and change: Lyde Green is going up fast, while the ring road (somewhat frustratingly I know) is expanding too, in order to accommodate the new MetroBus public transport system that will provide rapid access into central Bristol.

As your local MP, I’ve been working on a few other major projects that I believe could be of major benefit to our area. The first is the ‘M4 Link’- getting a road from the M4 to join with the ring road. It’s been a big part of my campaigning over the past few years, having held several debates in Parliament on the issue, and delivered a petition of thousands of local residents calling for the link road. I met with the Transport Secretary last year to make the case for the link road, which would help not only ease congestion on to the M32, but also help to grow our local economy. I was delighted when the Chancellor gave South Glos Council £500,000 for a study

Politics is not all about Brexit into getting the link road built, and I hope that with this in place, we can start to bid for serious funds to get the link road built. I’m determined to make it happen.

I’ve also been working with the University of Bath to try and get funding for an ‘Advanced Automotive Academy’- a £50 million project that would bring a massive investment to the Bristol & Bath Science Park at Emersons Green. There is still much work to be done, but there has been a lot of work behind the scenes to see if we can make this happen - if it does, it will generate many jobs and be of huge benefit to the region. I have been closely involved with this project from the beginning, and have been campaigning for money from the government’s Local Growth Fund to start the project.

Then there are other local issues that I want to fight for Emersons and Lyde Green. Given that our area is growing with extra housing, I believe now is the time for Emersons and Lyde Green to

to my attention after a local Bristol woman, Mehala Osborne, began a campaign with Women’s Aid to change the law. As the minister responsible for elections, ensuring that those who want to vote and are eligible to do so, but are prevented from doing so, will be a priority for me: I want a democracy that works for everyone. And as MP for Kingswood, which has some superb domestic violence charities such as Survive, that have done so much to highlight domestic violence as a crime, I’m delighted if I can do anything to help.

Recently I met with Mehala, and have also been touring the country, meeting with domestic violence charities to discuss what we need to do to change the law. It just goes to show that when it comes to national issues, they affect many communities locally - and I hope that my work on this issue will be able to benefit survivors of domestic violence locally, who I believe are some of the bravest women in society.

have its own post office. I recently met with the Post Office to see if this might be a possibility, and I will continue to work on this as a campaign. I hope to provide further updates on this.

Since I last wrote, Parliament has been in full swing. Brexit is obviously the issue that dominates most discussions in the press, but that shouldn’t stop us from getting on with other important issues. It has been a learning experience for me as a new minister in the Cabinet Office, where I cover issues such as democratic engagement and electoral registration. I ended up at the dispatch box as a minister for the first time for my own ministerial questions, just before Prime Minister’s Questions- fairly nerve -wracking as I ended up with the Prime Minister sitting next to me listening to my answers!

I was able to announce that the government is going to look again at how victims of domestic violence who have fled to refuges should be allowed to register to vote anonymously. The issue came

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December, 2016

19

n NEWS

Book Nook is a new chapter THE children at Blackhorse Primary School were excited earlier this month to see a brightly coloured caravan trundle on to the playground.

The caravan, bought cheaply on eBay and then converted for the school by The Green Play Project, is the school’s latest initiative to encourage children to curl up with a good book.

The caravan has been converted to provide the children with an outdoor library (dubbed the ‘Book Nook’) where the children can relax with a book or play a game of chess with their friends during breaktimes.

Headteacher, Simon Botten, said: “We wanted to provide a space where we could encourage a love of reading for pleasure.

The PTA have been supporting this initiative and we wanted

to do something a little out of the ordinary to spark children’s imaginations. The caravan idea seemed like a cheap and exciting way to provide this.”

Although the project is not yet fully complete – a decked and astro-turfed seating area is to be built in front of the caravan to provide additional outside seating and a performance stage – the children are enjoying the opportunity to explore reading in a slightly unusual setting.

Sarah, five, said: “I like the Book Nook. I can see my friends and read a book at the same time.”

Stocked with books and games donated by the children themselves, the classes take turns to use the caravan and it is proving a hit with children of all ages.

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20

December, 2016

n NEWS

Fundraising drive aims to make a big splash PARENTS at a Mangotsfield school are preparing to launch a huge fundraising appeal to save their aged swimming pool.

The pool at Barley Close Primary, built more than 30 years ago, is housed in a building made of concrete breeze blocks and corrugated iron which means it’s too cold to use during the autumn and winter.

There are no toilets or showers and instead of proper changing facilities, there are just two screens for pupils to get changed behind.

The Friends of Barley Close say they are fed up with funding ad-hoc repairs to keep it going and now want to raise money to ensure it gets repaired properly.

Friends’ secretary Anna Selway, who has two children at the school, said the building looks more like a cowshed than a modern facility.

Anna, who lives in Downend, said: “We still use the pool but we’ve had to re-line and re-clad

it every few years. The building is not insulated at all. From the outside it looks like a cowshed.

The corrugated roof has got quite a few holes in it now so we’ve got leaks. Because there’s no heating in the building or insulation we can only use it from April to October when the weather is warmer.”

The pool, which is next to the playground, is also open during school holidays for pupils and the community, and can be hired for swimming lessons and parties.

The Friends also host ‘Summer Splash’ events and charge £3 per child for a twohour session.

Anna said: “It’s really well used when it’s open. It’s brilliant because it’s not very deep which means every child from reception age is able to touch the bottom.

“Anyone from the community can come along as along as there is room in the pool as we can only have so many use it at a time. Members of the community

can also pay to have swimming lessons for their child there.”

Anna said every pupil swims once a week in the seven months the pool is open.

“The pool is adequate but it really needs modernising and some proper TLC especially to sort the roof out. We want to be able to use it throughout the year which will benefit the community as well as pupils.

“Our plans at the moment are to get some building contractors in to tell us what needs to be done and give us a quote. It would be nice to have a longterm solution so we’re not having to pay out to refurbish it every few years.”

The Friends hold Christmas and summer fairs, discos and cake sales to pay for repairs to the pool as well as to fund other equipment at the school.

“Once we know what we need to raise we can launch a separate fundraising project which will run alongside our usual fundraising and hopefully the

community and local businesses will support us,” said Anna.

The school will also investigate whether it can get a grant from Sport England to help pay for the redevelopment plans.

Headteacher Jo Williams said: “Swimming is an important life skill for children to have.

“As part of the national curriculum children should be water competent by the time they leave primary school so we are very lucky we are able to offer weekly swimming lessons.

However because the pool is warm but the building isn’t we have to stop using it from October to April.

“It would be fantastic if we could use it all year round because our children would be super water competent by the time they leave us.

“It would also give us more scope for the community to use it. We are a community school so it would be really good to offer the community better facilities.”

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22

December, 2016

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA Thursday December 1 n Pucklechurch Players are performing the pantomime Aladdin in the village hall. 7.30pm Tickets available by texting : 07817 311001 Thursday December 1 n Pucklechurch Players are performing the pantomime Aladdin in the village hall. 2pm and 7.30pm. Tickets available by texting 07817 311001 Friday December 2 n Pucklechurch Players are performing the pantomime Aladdin in the village hall. 7.30pm Tickets available by texting 07817 311001 Friday December 2 n 7.30pm-12am, charity event at Cleve Rugby Club in aid of raising money for SSAFA, a UK based charity who raise money for the armed forces and their families.

Special guest by artist of Shrouds of the Somme display at College Green.

Saturday December 3 n 4.30pm, Christmas Concert by Bromley Heath WI Community Choir, Bromley Heath Junior School, Quaker’s Road, BS16 6PG. Refreshments available. Proceeds to Survive. Suggested donation £3.

Saturday December 3 n 10.30-2pm, Christmas fayre, Emersons Green Village Hall. Stalls, cafe, displays on stage and games.

Free entry. Visit to Santa’s grotto £4, includes present.

Saturday December 3 n 12.30-4pm, Christmas bazaar, St Augustine’s, Boscombe Cresent, Downend. Come along and see our many stalls including craft stalls, get a treatment from an holistic therapist or visit Father Christmas in his grotto.

Saturday December 3 n 10am Church Christmas coffee morning, mince pies, cakes, sales table, display of cribs. St Thomas a Becket, Pucklechurch.

Saturday December 3 n Christmas Bazaar , St Augustine’s, Boscombe Cresent, Downend,12.30-4pm. Stalls including craft stallsand Father Christmas grotto.

Saturday December 3 n Christmas Coffee Morning, 10am in the church room at St Thomas a Becket, Pucklechurch. Mince pies, cakes, sales table, display of cribs Tuesday December 6 n St.George Singers Christmas Concert, 7.30pm in St Thomas a Becket church, Pucklechurch.

Cheese & wine. Tickets £6 or on door.

Thursday December 8 n 7.30pm, Downend Horticultual Society, Christmas social and quiz, Assembly Hall, Salisbury Road, Downend, non members welcome.

Roger Davis 0117 957 1703 or Hilary Walton 0117 979 2832.

Saturday December 10 n Christmas Event in Emersons Green, hosted by the town council,

2-4pm, behind Sainsburys. Dancing from RedX group, mince pies.

Saturday December 17 n Lyde Green community Christmas event, organised by the community association at Lyde Green Primary School, 4-7pm Sunday December 18 n 6.30pm, Carols by Candlelight, St Thomas a Becket, Pucklechurch.

Monday December 19 n 10am-noon, Christmas craft morning for children. Tickets £1 in advance from reception. Emersons Green Village Hall.

Monday December 19 n 1.30-3pm, free Christmas film afternoon for under 10s showing Santa Paws. Emersons Green Vilage Hall. No unaccompanied children.

Doors open 1.15pm.

Saturday December 24 n 4pm Christingle service and nativity followed by an 11.30pm Midnight Communion, St Thomas a Becket, Pucklechurch.

Saturday December 24 n Family Carol Service, Emersons Green Village Hall, 4pm-4.45pm, followed by Coffee/Tea/Squash and mincepies. Contact Rev’d Kevin Donaghy 01179575418 Sunday December 25 n 10am, Family Communion, St Thomas a Becket, Pucklechurch.

REGULAR EVENTS LOCALLY

What’s on at Emersons Green Library . . .

Hello from the library team. We have lots going on in the library in the run up to Christmas.

Our Storytime on Tuesdays at 2pm will be running until 13th December when we get a visit from Father Christmas.

Rhymetime on Thursdays at 11am will run until 15th Dec when we shall be getting festive.

We are delighted to welcome local author, Anna Chelmicka who will recount the ups and downs of life with her first dog. There will also be clicker training, tips and hints on dog care, as well as a Q & A session. “Dog for Christmas?”

will take place on Saturday 3rd December from 2-3pm Our Christmas event will take place on Tuesday 20th December from 2-4pm. There will be Christmas craft and from 2.30pm we will be joined

by Fingers and Frets with their mandolins for a sing along.

Refreshments will be available.

Come along and join the Christmas Fun. ecember at Emersons Green D Library • Thursday 1st December Rhymetime 11am • Saturday 3rd December

To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

Dog for Christmas 2-3pm • Tuesday 6th December Storytime 2pm • Thursday 8th December Rhymetime 11am • Thursday 8th December Memory Café 2.30-4.30pm • Tuesday 13th December Storytime with Father Christmas • Thursday 15th December Rhymetime – Christmas Special • Tuesday 20th December Christmas Event with craft & carols 2-4pm All events are free of charge

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

We would love to publicise your event Send details of your events and activities in the following format:

WHAT IT IS WHERE IT IS WHEN IT IS in no more than 40 words: email us at: news@emersonsgreenvoice. co.uk or call us on 07770 700579 / 07880 731148

Mondays n Am/pm Star Jumpers-Pre-school gym classes, village hall, contact Steve Denny 0117 9570009 n 10.00—11.00, Coffee Drop-In session—village hall, Free tea or coffee, contact Kevin Donaghy 0117 9575418 n New group, Am/pm Little Elfs— Parent & Toddler Group, village hall, contact Kelly Phillips 07711 007389 n 11.00—13.00, Knit & Natter— Knitting Group, Village Hall. Tel 01454 862182 n 10.15—12.15, Diddi Dance— Preschool dance class, Village Hall contact Emily Norman 07850 983821 n 14.00—16.00, Crib– Card game group for all abilities, Village Hall contact Pat Weymouth 0117 3732017, fortnightly n New class, 16.00—21.00, Wrestling Tuition - for children & adults, Village Hall contact David Sharp 07825 298823 n 17.00—19.00 P.U.M.A. Martial Arts, Village Hall, contact Richard Thornton 0117 9565380 n 19.30—21.00 The Daisy Foundation—Antenatal class Village Hall, Carrie Cherrington 07752 467535 n 19.00—21.00 Ballroom Dancing Class, Village Hall, contact Sam Ellis 07766 101790 n 20.00—21.00 Pilates Village Hall, contact Miriam Roberts 07889 243998 n 19.00 – 20.00 Flow Yoga, Village Hall, Hayley McAlinden 07748 452956 n Zumba Fitness with Sam & Karen, 7-8pm, Downend School

Continued on next page Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

emersonsgreenvoice

December, 2016 n Phoenix Wind Band (20+ concert level players). Emersons Green Library, 7.30-9.30 p.m. Varied and challenging, will appeal to Grade 6 players or above. Call Keith 0117 9049125, e-mail phoenixwindband@hotmail.com.

Web - avonwindbandassociation. com. n Royal Naval Association, South Glos branch. Downend Cricket Cub, 7.30pm for 8pm 2nd Monday of every month. Call Bob Walker 0117 9567617. n Social badminton. Kingswood Leisure Centre, 2-4pm, intermediate level. n Drop in art group, Page Hall, Page Road, Staple Hill (please use side entrance), every Monday, 10am-12.30pm. No tuition. A friendly welcome guaranteed. Call Judith on 0117 957 0327. n Indoor short mat bowls at Pucklechurch Community Centre.

Established and beginners welcome. Bowls provided. Sessions Sunday afternoon, Monday and Wednesday evenings. Contact Roger Payne 0117 937 3653.

n Am/pm Star Jumpers—Preschool gym classes, Village Hall, contact Steve Denny 0117 9570009 n 10.00—11.00, Pilates, Village Hall, contact Emma Hunter 07787 563775 n 09.45—11.40, Sing & Sign-Baby signing class, Village Hall, contact Katherine Amor 07594 460448 n Afternoon/Evening, Ballet, Tap & Modern Dance—for children & Adults, Village Hall, contact Kathy Plaster 0117 9655660 n 18.45—21.00, Downend Art Club—for adults, Village Hall, contact Steve Wheeler 07928 799835 n 18.30-19.30, Weight Watchers Village Hall, contact Lisa Collier 07855 894208 n Evening, Emersons Green Rainbows & Brownies, Village Hall, contact Megan Crossley 07436 104073 n 19.30—20.30 Boogie Bounce— Fitness class for adults, Village Hall, contact Claire Boon 07805 360411 n 20.00—20.55, Emersons Green Community Choir—For adults, Village Hall, contact Rachael Hunt 07908 211174 n Downend Camera Club. 7.4510pm, Assembly Hall, Salisbury Road, BS16 5RA. All abilities and interests catered for but beginners

23

particularly welcome. n Pucklechurch Handbell Ringers meet from 7-8pm, termtime only.

You don’t need to be able to read music.Call Marion on 01179373528. We welcome all ages but to join in all our activities, we would prefer members to be over 16.

n 10.00—11.30 Rainbow Tots— Parent & Toddler Group, Village Hall, contact Kevin Donaghy 0117 9575418 n 10.00—11.25 Book Club, Village Hall, contact Diane Roberts 0117 9566963, Monthly n Am/pm, Baby Sensory—Early Learning for Babies, Village Hall, contact Gemma Irwin-Porter bristoleast@babysensory.co.uk n 13.30— 15.30, Bingo—Win Prizes, Village Hall Tel 01454 862182 Fortnightly

Wednesdays n Am/pm Music with Mummy pre-school music group, Village Hall, contact Debra Denny 0117 9574443

er sale

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n Morning Jo Jingles—music for babies & young children. Village Hall, Tracy Bees 077139 43666

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24 n 16.00—19.00, Affordable Theatre Company -Children’s Theatre Group Village Hall, Sarah Haworth 07496 550534 n 17.15—18.15, V. Street Dance— Dance group, Village Hall, contact Vicky Moody 07896 664330 n 17.30—19.30 T.A.G.B. Tae Kwon Do, Village Hall, Lee David Newman Tel. 07795 467262 n 18.00—2100 Pilates, Village Hall, contact Emma Hunter 07787 563775 n New class 19.00—21.00 Ante Natal Classes, Village Hall, contact Iona Smith 0777 9579611 n 19.00—20.00, Flow Yoga Village Hall, contact Hayley McAlinden 07748 452956 n 20.00—21.00 Zumba—Dance Fitness Village Hall, Amy Millard 07971 901686

Thursdays n 09.30-10.30, Weight Watchers Village Hall, Sarah Hills 07837 096297 n 11.15—12.15, Diddi Dance— Preschool dance class Village Hall, Emily Norman 07850 983821 n 11.30—15.00 Senior Citizens Social Club Village Hall, 01454 862182, Monthly n 12.45—13.45 Ballet & Modern

Dance for Children Village Hall, contact Kathy Plaster 0117 9655660 n 14.00—16.30 Whist Club—Card game group for all abilities. Village Hall, Contact Pat Weymouth 0117 3732017 n 16.00.—18.30. 3D Street Dancing—for ages 8—13 yrs Village Hall, Louise Hopton 07754 039059 n 17.30—18.30, Emersons Green Rainbows Village Hall, Lindsey Naldrett 078755 47434 n 19:00—20:00, QI Gong—Yoga for adults Village Hall, Donna Pinker 01454 852719 n From 7pm Emersons Green Town Council Monthly Meetings. Village Hall, Contact Clerk 01454 862180.

Monthly n 20.00—22.00 Craft Group—for adults Village Hall, Cherry Bufton 07986 360890 Monthly n 19.30— 21.15, Beechmere Belles W.I. Evening Group, Village Hall, contact Katie Bateman 07800 981777. Monthly n 19.30—21.00 Real Fitness with Sarah—Fitness class Village Hall, Sarah Buscemi 07975 943589 n 20.00—21.15 Karate—for adults Village Hall, Allan Harris 01179 323249 n Zumba Fitness with Sam & Karen, 6.45-7.45pm Christchurch Infant

December, 2016

School

Church Hall, Church Avenue, Warmley, BS30 5JJ, welcomes and supports all levels of experience including beginners.

Fridays n 10.00—11.30 Rainbow Tots— Parent & Toddler Group. Village Hall, Kevin Donaghy 0117 9575418 n 09.30 -11.30 Diddi Dance— Preschool dance class. Village Hall, Contact Emily Norman 07850 983821 n 12.00—13.00 Movement & Dance—for adults with learning disabilities, Village Hall, contact Sian Hudson 07952 401424 n 13.30—14.30, Over 50s KeepFit—gentle exercise. Village Hall, Louise Hopton 07754 039059 n 13.30—16.00. Positive Steps— Adult Support Group Village Hall, Tim Dunton 01225 287431 n 14.00 –16.00 W.I Daytime Group Village Hall, Edith Anderson 0117 9573422 Monthly n 18.00—19.15 GKR Karate Village Hall, Mark Woods 07951 947280 n Zumba Fitness with Karen, 9.15-10.15am, Winterbourne Community Centre n Zumba Gold with Karen, 10.30-11.15am, Winterbourne Community Centre n 7-9.30pm Kingswood Photographic Society, St Barnabas

Saturdays n 10.00-11.15, Streetdance—For Children Village Hall, Candice Revill 07432 653685 n 10.00-11.00 Weight Watchers Village Hall, Lisa Collier 07855 894208 n 11.00—14.30. Worldwide Church of God Service, Village Hall, Barry Davies 0117 9676054 n From 12pm T.A.G.B. Tae Kwon Do Village Hall, Lee David Newman 07795 467262

Sundays n 10.30—11.45, Emersons Green Baptist Church Service, Village Hall, Kevin Donaghy. 0117 9575418

Various Days n Emersons Green Village Hall Monday 9:55 & 10:55 Thursday 11:25 Friday 9:40 & 10:40 Funky preschool dance classes for boys and girls from 18 months.

Contact Emily for your free trial 07850 983821 Emily.norman@diddidance.com

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Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

TEL: 0117 956 4163 Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

emersonsgreenvoice

December, 2016

25

n NEWS

Plan unveiled for 1,500 homes in green belt GREENBELT land in Coalpit Heath has been earmarked for 1,500 new homes which would see its population double.

The village has been selected as a “growth location” in the West of England Emerging Joint Spatial Plan and Joint Transport Study because it is near the Bristol and Bath science park and Emersons Green enterprise area.

Developers have expressed interest in building on fields from the viaduct railway line, behind St Annes Drive and Roundways, up to Frog Lane.

The proposals will determine major development for the next 20 years and also include plans for transport. Coalpit Heath might be served by an extension of the MetroBus route along Badminton Road to Yate, use a park and ride at Yate or Lyde Green, or have additional traffic mitigated by a new Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell bypass.

An exhibition on November 21 at Coalpit Heath village hall outlined the plans to residents.

While some locals raised concerns about the extra cars increasing rush-hour tailbacks on busy Badminton Road, others were in favour of the proposals.

Resident Gary Jancey said: “I am for local development.

Hopefully it will change the diversity of people for the better.”

Emily Mills, who bought her house in Coalpit Heath because of the views over the open green space, said she was devastated this could be replaced with a view of someone else’s house.

She said: “We walk over the fields on a regular basis and it is wonderful to have space for the children to run and play unrestricted. This is a close community and I know we will pull together to appeal this proposal.”

South Gloucestershire ward councillor Claire Young said: “Local people already feel that services are under pressure.

They talk about long waits to see a doctor and one of the local primary schools having to take in an extra class each year.

“The roads are congested and with little employment in the village more houses will inevitably mean more commuters.

“The most widespread concern though is the loss of green belt and with it the loss of village identity. People don’t want to live in a faceless urban sprawl.”

The extra homes in Coalpit Heath would be some of 105,000

FLORIST

s e s s a l C l a r o l F 2017

planned across the region to accommodate an expected 185,000 additional people over the next 20 years. The intention is to make homes in the Bristol area cheaper, as well as build more subsidised “affordable homes” that can be bought or rented below the market price.

Once public feedback on the proposals has been received, a final draft plan will be published next summer.

Residents will be allowed to submit feedback on this plan too, and these comments will be included when it is submitted to central government and planning inspectors for approval or modification before being adopted in late 2018.

People have until December 19 to submit their views on the current proposals at www. jointplanningwofe.org.uk

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19TH JANUARY 2017 - Get rid of the January blues and make your very own Hand Tied bouquet in a vase!!

21st MARCH 2017 - To make your mum a spring planted basket 12TH APRIL 2017 - To make your own Floral easter hat!

18TH MAY 2017 - Make your very own modern structural floral arrangement All classes, Thursdays from 7pm

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To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

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Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

Quality Childcare for Children 0-5 Years

Baby Room spaces now available every day!

Our baby room (0-2 years) is a large open room with a divider to separate the older and younger children. We have an adjacent dedicated sleep room with full sized cots. Our garden features a separate enclosed area suitable for the younger children.

Our highly qualified and experienced baby room staff team are led by a senior member of staff with the Early Years foundation degree, level 5.

Now using Online Learning Journals – you are immediately notified of photos, videos and observations added to your child’s secure learning journal, which you can access and comment on through a computer, tablet or mobile phone app.

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Tel: 0117 9566060 E-mail: sunbeamsnursery@gmail.com Website: www.sunbeams-daynursery.com 5% discount on baby room sessions for the first 6 months, using this advert Terms and conditions apply – new starters only, for spaces in the baby room only, subject to available spaces, must produce advert when registering, £35 registration fee applies.

Registration forms must be submitted before 30th October 2016 to qualify for discount.

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emersonsgreenvoice

December, 2016

27

n RECIPE OF THE MONTH THIS month’s rich and indulgent chocolate cake, is most definitely for adults only. Use as an alternative to a fruit Christmas cake or as a dessert with cream or ice cream. This recipe has been scaled down from one I used for a tier of my sister’s wedding cake, hence the precise but odd quantities!

Recently it made an appearance as an 18th Birthday cake (covered in chocolate ganache and assorted chocolates).

It is not a cake for those of you counting calories, particularly if you marzipan and ice it.The alcohol can be left out but it adds a depth of flavour to all that chocolate (you can use one of the flavoured instant coffees instead). The cake will freeze if you want to get ahead but it will also keep un-iced for a week to 10 days. I do not know where the recipe is originally from (it’s pre-internet).

In the picture I have used buttercream, dark chocolate buttons and slices of dried pear (put in the oven with the cake for an hour or so) to decorate, plus a sprinkling of edible glitter.

Dark Chocolate Mud Cake makes 1 16cm (7”) deep round cake 12 portions

Dark Chocolate Mud Cake with Mel of Melanie’s Kitchen Preheat oven to 130C Gas 1 Grease and line a deep 72/16cm round tin Melt together 188g butter and 300g dark (50%+cocoa solids) chocolate allow to cool. Meanwhile dissolve 9g instant coffee granules in 140ml hot water then stir in 138g soft brown sugar and stir until dissolved.

Beat 2 large eggs together with 38ml Tia Maria (coffee liqueur or use Baileys) then stir into butter and chocolate mixture.

Combine this with the water sugar and coffee then sift in 160g flour. Beat slowly until smooth and glossy then pour into prepared tin.

Bake in centre of oven for 1½ to 2 hours until a skewer inserted in middle of cake comes out clean.

Leave to cool in tin before turning out and decorating (you can brush the top with more liqueur if desired).

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Dunoon mug s in stock, Soph ie Allport china an textiles, greetin d gs cards (includ ing some from a local artist)

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We have a great range of Westcountry food including wonderful cheeses, chutneys and Cornish grown tea (which you can drink in our cafe).

We can supply whole cheeses for celebrations including weddings - just talk to Peter.

BATH BAKERY ARE NOW DELIVERING TO US DAILY:

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including overnight and artisan breads, sourdough, plus their gluten free Batch#5 range 2 Downend Road, Downend, Bristol BS16 5UJ Tel: 0117 957 2662 Follow us on Twitter: @melanieskitchen Like us on Facebook: Melanie’s Kitchen, Downend

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Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

New for this ye giant champa ar gne or Limoncello tr uffles-treat yourself or so meone special. Sold by weight so buy as many or as few as you like.

We can packag e them up beautifully fo r you.

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

emersonsgreenvoice

28

December, 2016

n PETER'S VISION CHOICES, choices, choices. Our ability to choose does empower us but also can be daunting in certain situations. Our choice to open a second practice was perhaps daunting (well for about five seconds anyhow) and has honestly been good fun and an exciting experience. A huge thanks to all of you who have sent us cards and called in to wish us well!

As an Optometrist I can frequently be heard asking “clearer with 1 or 2…?” Many patients tell me they used to dread this choice.

Well fear not! The sophisticated equipment I use at Turners Opticians offers a new type of choice, one in which the 1 or 2 choice becomes a pleasant, often easy experience.

There is of course the other reassurance that often I already know the answer and am just waiting for you to confirm it for me! How you may ask? Well that is a fun mix of experience and understanding of my role.

I chose to attend a conference earlier this year and heard a motivational talk from Deborah Searle MVO MBE. I will confess that I in the past I have not always

Making a positive choice

The team at Turners enjoyed this kind of talk.

However, having listened to Deborah’s message about choosing our attitude, how we approach life and the situations we find ourselves in, I actually enjoyed the talk much more than I thought I would!

The choice Debra spoke of

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reminded me of listening to Grandfather Harold and the attitude he chose towards each and every one of his patients.

His choice was to always treat everybody the same and treat every patient with diligence and compassion and the upmost professional care. My Dad, Philip, certainly embraced this and would often have a queue of two or three patients waiting to see him such was the care and attention he gave to each and every patient. I too choose to embrace this caring, diligent attitude and try my best to keep to time. I promise!

Another 1 or 2 choice, is how many pairs of glasses you would like. I can fully understand this, as I work each day in an oasis of colour where you can choose from our latest designs including collections from the Italian fashion houses of RayBan, Calvin Klein and Armani which sit along side the more boutique Vanni & Coco Mint as well

as the world renowned brands Polo Ralph Lauren & Oakley.

We have tried to lighten the load here, both on you and your wallet. We now offer a half price second pair on all but our bespoke glasses so you can actually choose 2. The question of which glasses to wear each day does, however, still rest with you. Well, we cannot make all the choices for you, can we now!

Our family practices are now open in both Fishponds and Henleaze. You are very welcome to pop in to either (or both!) practices and say Hi. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Daves Garden Services n Low maintenance specialist n Patio, Walling, Gravels and Sleeper work n Fencing, Decking, Turfing, Planting and more! n 27 years experience, locally based n We aim to beat any similar quote n References/Photos available

Peter

Peter Turner is the Lead Optometrist at Turners Opticians in Bristol and also works part time as a Senior Optometrist at the Bristol Eye Hospital.

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Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

December, 2016

emersonsgreenvoice

29

n NEWS

M4 junction study gets green light PLANS for a new M4 junction at Emersons Green have moved a step closer after councillors agreed to a £500,000 feasibility study.

South Gloucestershire councillors on the Environment and Community Services Committee have given the go ahead for a report to be drawn up.

Funding of £500,000 has been secured from the Department for Transport towards the study, which will look at all the options of linking the M4 with the A4174 ring road with a new junction, 18a.

The study will be steered jointly by the council and Highways England. A key aim of the scheme is to ease congestion in this part of South Gloucestershire and provide better access to employment hubs such as the Emersons Green Enterprise Area, home to the Bristol and Bath Science Park.

Following the decision, council officers will get the technical work under way and appoint engineering consultancy CH2M to work on the project. Work on the study is due to be completed in 2018. Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling for a new junction, which they argue would ease traffic chaos and attract new business investment.

Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore has long supported the plans, saying there is a pressing need for a new junction.

The initiative has cross-party backing as well as support from regional businesses.

As part of the study, there will be opportunities for people to give their views. Further details will be provided at a later date.

Heading for Mexico STUDENTS from Winterbourne International Academy are raising money to support two primary schools in a rural village of Mexico.

A group of teenagers from the academy will go to the Yucatan peninsula next year. They will live with Spanish-speaking families and visit Mayan ruins as well as working at the primary schools in the village of Mococha. The academy has been linked with the village for four years and has helped build a playground and provided resources.

Students, parents and teachers involved in the project have already generated more than £4,500 for the visit thanks to cake sales, washing staff cars, ‘rowing the English Channel’, bag packing, quiz nights, and collecting sponsorship for knitting the longest scarf.

The team sold candles and cards and provided face painting, nail painting and refreshments at Winterbourne’s Christmas Fair on November 19. Members will also be running Year 7 & 8 discos and packing bags for customers at Marks & Spencer.

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For more information on these diseases visit: vets4pets.com/protectyourpet Vets4Pets Bristol Emersons Green Inside Pets at Home, Emersons Green Retail Park, Emerson Way, Emersons Green, Bristol, BS16 7AE Call us:

0117 9109352 or visit: vets4pets.com/ bristol-emersons-green

To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

30

emersonsgreenvoice

December, 2016

n AROUND THE WIs Belles.

I’ll look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.

We certainly know how to throw a party and more importantly, we know how to enjoy it!

Make sure you bring your goodies and wear your best frock for December 12, entertainment and laughs will be provided by the WI. Thank you to Staple Hill WI for you kind invitation to your Christmas meeting, you always make us feel so welcome.

Looking forward to 2017, we have a jam packed (not necessarily raspberry), action filled, inspiring programme to bring members and non-members.

We do our best to offer a little bit of everything to everyone.

Our meetings start at 7.30pm and we do not charge for our visitors, you can find out more out our meetings by contacting: mangotsfieldwi@gmail.com or looking at our website: www.mangotsfieldwi.org.uk From Mangotsfield WI we wish a you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

May it be happy, healthy and full of laughs.

Genevieve - President

BEECHMERE BELLES WI OCTOBER for the Beechmere Belles has meant our AGM and second birthday celebrations with the all important cake, courtesy of our own talented baker, Deb Saunders. It is hard to believe that we have only existed for a little over two years. We thanked our outgoing committee for all their hard work and welcomed in a new committee for 2016-2017 and the exciting calendar of events that has been planned. We have all sorts on offer for existing and new members in 2017, so if you have ever thought about joining the WI, why not pay us a visit and find out more about WI life and the Beechmere Belles. We don’t have a waiting list and guests are always welcome.

The meeting on Thursday November 24 will see us getting into the festive spirit, preparing for the Emersons Green Village Hall Christmas Fair as well as getting crafty with some festive decorations. Fingers crossed everyone will have something to take home for their tree!

Find out more via our facebook page - search for Emersons Green & Lyde Green WI Beechmere

MANGOTSFIELD WI CAN we firstly extend a huge thank you to Nicola Eaton from the Really Expensive Chocolate Club who was absolutely fabulous at our November meeting.

She shared her experiences with us and some rather yummy samples too. I am sure she inspired quite a few of us with her creative ideas.

It’s nearly that time again girls, where we kick off our shoes and enjoy a party…of the WI kind!

Kate Tarr

LOWER SCHOOL OPEN MORNING FRIDAY 20TH JANUARY, 09.30AM – 11.30AM Places available in: • Nursery • Reception 2017 • Selected other year groups

For further information visit www.colstons.org Email: admissions@colstons.org Telephone: 0117 965 5207

To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

emersonsgreenvoice

December, 2016

31

n NEWS

Gareth Malone comes to Bromley Heath Britain’s biggest WI was in the media spotlight again when some of its members took part in Gareth Malone’s latest TV choir series. Jane Bleaken-Ball tells all ON a warm day back in May 2016, Gareth Malone, the BBC’s choir master sensation (famous not least for his Military Wives Choir), found himself visiting a quaint hall on the outskirts of Bromley Heath as part of the South West heats to find his Best of British choirs.

He was there to audition 16 ladies in a group called Jam Hot, which is an offshoot wing to their larger main choir – the Bromley Heath Women’s Institute Community Choir. We all felt that Jam Hot was apt for the choir which has its roots in the W.I. but with an added twist of fun and rambunctiousness!

The group were entered again this year by Emma Richards, mainly as a bit of giggle - and we had a fab day out.

Leading up to “Bugsy Day” the serious planning discussions were started. (Bugsy was our code name for Gareth to be sure we didn’t let it slip out to friends and family). The Facebook secret group was ablaze with polls and chats about song choices, musical arrangements, wardrobe, hair and of course what type of delicious spread we should lay on.

The rehearsals came thick and fast too, so much so, that, Emma who is also our resident speech therapist, was forced to hand out emergency vocal cord maintenance to the poor croaky frogs among us (strictly - no

alcohol or caffeine and inhale lots of steam through one’s nostrils to soothe and hydrate those vocal folds!) Some ladies even purchased specialist steaming mugs to do the job properly…

As you can imagine with a group of sophisticated, experienced ladies, when the G-Day finally arrived there was much coiffuring, curling, straightening, makeup applying, wardrobe faffing as well as festooning of bunting and transporting of vintage crockery, cake stands and the like. I mean, the poor man would likely be starving after his journey around the country so we needed to offer him something delectable to eat!

A veritable feast was pulled together in the form of sponge, scones, cupcakes, homemade jam, flower arrangements picked from gardens that morning, buns, tea and fondant fancies. And of course, what spread would be complete without effigies of our G-Man? We obliged with a knitted Gareth made by Sue Hudson and an homage in icing made by Emma. We even had homemade jam tarts with the name written in pastry and homemade jam with Jam Hot labels.

The man was spoilt for choice as to which he would pounce on first, cake, effigy or tart!

It’s fair to say that much squealing and pretend door bell ringing went on throughout the

Gareth Malone was spoiled for choice of teatime treats thanks to the Jam Hot choir morning while we eagerly and nervously awaited his arrival. But he soon put us at our ease as he arrived casually eating a banana.

Perhaps such a sophisticated bunch made HIM a little nervous!

And the singing? We gave our best performance of Take That’s Shine, which is one of our favourites, and we had some Guns N Roses and Erasure songs at the ready in case we needed to sing again!

Despite our best efforts we sadly we didn’t get any further in the competition – knocked out by some stiff competition from the other six choirs in our region.

Gareth was a superstar, however, and offered lots of feedback and suggestions to our choir master Nicholas Bromilow to help us develop in the future.

Any feelings of disappointment have been overtaken by memories of an amazingly fun few months, friendships among us have been tightened and we certainly had some laughs watching ourselves on TV – you know the camera adds 10 pounds – we are all spectacularly lean in real-life!

If you are a lady who loves singing and would like to join our main choir, we sing pop music, ranging from ABBA to Take That and the great thing is that we don’t hold singing auditions to join! Nervous singers most welcome. Please email the following address if you would like further details. bhwisubgroups@yahoo.co.uk Jam Hot will return ...

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emersonsgreenvoice

December, 2016

n NEWS WARM winter coats are being collected in Bristol as part of an appeal to help rough sleepers.

You can take them to City Hall or the council’s other main city centre office, 100 Temple Street, to be passed on the the charity Caring in Bristol.

Volunteer council staff are also collecting food and clothing for the Julian Trust.

The council's priority is to get people off the streets, and the Rough Sleeping Partnership was set up with homelessness charities to address the problem of people with nowhere to live.

Official figures showed the numbers sleeping on the streets rose to nearly 100 a night last November.

Jo Ellis, of the Julian Trust, said: “We serve over 80 meals each night and have beds for 18 guests but couldn't operate without the support and generosity of the local community.”

Matt Dowse, of Caring in Bristol, said: "The number of rough sleepers has increased, so if you've got a spare warm or waterproof coat that you can

33

A season for helping others donate to us, the homeless and vulnerable people of Bristol will truly appreciate it."

Meanwhile, more volunteers are needed to help run night shelters in Bristol. The Rough Sleeping Partnership has opened 65 extra bed spaces for people since last Christmas but a spokesman for the charity St Mungo’s said: “The night shelters rely heavily on the goodwill of volunteers to stay open.”

Ifyou can help, or want to find out more, contact the charity’s volunteer co-ordinator on 07736 887052 or email volunteers@ mungos.org marking your message Bristol Night Shelter A list of items the Julian Trust needs, as well as information about how to donate, can be found at http://juliantrust.org. uk/ For more information about Caring in Bristol visit http:// caringinbristol.co.uk/ For more information on rough sleeping and services

available in Bristol please visit: http://www.mungos.org/ bristol https://www.bristol.gov.uk/ housing/homeless-or-at-risk-ofbeing-homeless n n n BRISTOL has set up StreetLink, England’s only phone-line, website and mobile app that allows members of the public to send an alert when they see someone sleeping rough and connect them to local services.

Call 0300 500 0914, visit www. streetlink.org.uk or download the app for Apple and Android devices.

Anyone can make a referral via Streetlink.org.uk if they are concerned about someone sleeping on the streets. You need to give the following information the person’s name (if known physical description any distinguishing characteristics (e.g. colour of distinctive clothing/possessions/sleeping

bag or distinctive accent) specific location where the person is sleeping time they were seen n n n SUPPORTERS of the Resound foodbank in Mangotsfield are again busy making Christmas boxes for people in crisis.

The special parcels mean a lot to the recipients. Foodbank co-ordinators Claire Collins and Steve Riches said: “The boxes last year were so beautiful and appreciated by everyone who came to us at what is a very stressful and often sad time for many individuals and families.”

Foodbank stocks are high at the moment, thanks to contributions from harvest festivals around the area. The latest shopping list asks for tinned sponge puddings, UHT milk, tomato sauce, dry dog food and toilet rolls.

Donations can be dropped off at Resound on Friday mornings.

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emersonsgreenvoice

December, 2016

35

n ON THE BEAT

Don’t fall foul of doorstep tricksters LAST month we worked with South Gloucestershire Council Trading Standards to check for rogue traders in the Downend, Emersons Green and Siston areas.

Rogue traders talk people into having work done on their home unnecessarily, to a poor standard or overcharge.

We spent time on Saturday 12 November talking to anyone working on local properties and checking with householders. We also made sure tradespeople had the correct waste carrier licences.

Thankfully everyone we spoke to was bone fide but please remember if you need work done at your home the advice from trading standards is: • get three quotes for the work • don’t pay for work or materials in advance • don’t hand over a cash deposit • you should have a ‘cooling off’ period before any work starts There’s more information about rogue trading and doorstep crime

on South Gloucestershire Council’s website http://www.southglos.gov. uk/business/trading-standards/ consumer-advice/doorstep-selling/ We’re in safe area, but thieves like crowds and over the Christmas period the shopping areas and pubs will be busy.

Deter thieves while shopping: • Keep your phone, keys and wallet or purse in an inside pocket and your bag close • Park in a busy area, always lock your vehicle and don’t leave anything on view • Don’t leave bags of shopping unattended in your car while you carry on spending • Make your home look occupied while you’re out – use timer light switches, leave a radio on and don’t forget to lock up • Keep the Christmas magic alive!

Hide presents safely away until Father Christmas makes his delivery, not on view to tempt an opportunist thief • If you’ve bought a new electrical

item or bike, register it at www. immobilise.com or www. bikeregister.com Planning a festive evening out?

• Make sure someone knows where you’re going, who you’re with and when you’ll be home • Keep an eye on your wallet, bag, phone and keys • Designate a driver who’ll stick to soft drinks, pre-book a taxi or arrange a lift home • Remember you could still be over the legal limit for driving the morning after Of course we'll be on patrol, but everyone can help to keep our area safe.

This month I’d also like to talk to you about domestic abuse. You may have seen our awareness campaign, launched in November which runs until Christmas.

We know that older people, men, people in LGBT+ relationships may all be affected by domestic abuse, but are underrepresented in the reporting of this type of crime.

Winter Warmers

As the evenings draw in and our thoughts turn once again to pulling on warm fluffy slippers, cosy nights in and comforting foods, Wiltshire Farm Foods have some hearty winter warmers just for you.

Wiltshire Farm Foods have been delivering delicious and nutritious meals

to the more senior people of Bristol, and the surrounding areas for nearly 25 years.

Whatever tempts your taste buds we have something that will excite your palate. Try our classic dishes such as stews and hot-pots, roast dinners in rich gravies, or try something a little more exotic from the Far East with our Lemon & Ginger Chicken or a Chicken Tikka Masala. And for when you feel like something a little special, how about a steamed pudding or a syrup sponge with custard to warm you up. All our meals are delivered free of charge, direct to your freezer by your friendly weekday delivery driver.

For those who prefer something a little lighter, or require a special diet,

PC Jim Rochford Abuse isn’t always physical violence – in the past 12 months (Nov 2015-Nov 2016) we made 59 arrests under the new ‘coercive control’ powers which tackle controlling behaviour and threats, humiliation and intimidation.

Please, if you have any reason to believe someone you know is affected, look for the signs, listen, ask and ask again. Let them know help is available. Visit www. thisisnotanexcuse.org.uk for more information.

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To order a FREE sample meal from our extensive range and a copy of our brochure call 01275 371993 or visit us online at wiltshirefarmfoods.com

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To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

emersonsgreenvoice

36

December, 2016

n BOXING

Chef by day, pro boxer by night A BOXER from Lyde Green is looking forward to his first professional fight in Bristol this month.

Kane Stewart, 23, from Bluebell Way, turned professional super-lightweight a year ago after boxing as an amateur since the age of eight.

But his fight on December 17 at Action Indoor Sports, Whitchurch, is the first to take place in Bristol since he turned pro. He is hoping for lots of support from his home crowd.

He said: “I’ve had four fights as a professional, and won all four, but this one will be special because everyone I know will be coming along. If it goes well I plan to go for the Southern Area Title next March or April.”

In between training morning and evening at Paddy John’s Gym in Kingswood, Kane works as a chef in the staff canteen of the RAC building. Free time is spent planning his wedding in March 2018 to his Lyde Green fiancee Jess Dark, 22.

Kane, who followed big brother Dan into the ring as a child, is known in the boxing ring as “The Prodigy” for good reason.

A string of amateur successes over 68 fights included being the first person to win the Amateur Boxing Association Western Counties title three years in a row, and boxing for England.

Kane, originally from Little Stoke, said: “I love everything about boxing. I like the buzz, I like the adrenaline rush, and I like winning. Luckily I’ve never had any serious injuries.

The worst that’s happened is breaking a finger.

“My advice to young boxers would just be to have fun. The moment you stop enjoying it is when you should get out.”

The event on December 17 will include six fights, starting with amateur boxers, followed by professionals and culminating with a headline fight between Joe Hughes, who also trains at Paddy John’s Gym, and Andy Keates.

THE CLASSES TIMETABLE Autumn/Winter 2016/17

Dr Timothy Button MSc (Chiro) DC FRCC (Sports)

A Team approach to healthcare.

Supporting Premiership Football, Rugby, 2012 Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth Games l Chiropractic & Physiotherapy l Back & Leg Pain, Sciatica l Sports Massage l Headaches & Migraines l Trapped Nerves l Repetitive Strain Injuries l Occupational Injuries l Sports Injury Specialist l Competitively priced

The practice of pain relief Member of the British Chiropractic Association

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emersonsgreenvoice

December, 2016

37

n ON THE TREATMENT TABLE

with Tim Button, Doctor of Chiropractic at Cleve Chiropractic and Next step in Mangotsfield

Blog 35 – Sneezing!

ACCORDING to WebMD sneezes can reach up to 100mph and generates huge forces in the body equivalent to one eighth of an orgasm (!). Struggle as I do to remain on topic, the change in weather and the massive increase in coughs and colds that patients are coming in with, makes me think of all of the injuries caused by people getting ill at this time

of year.

It may be surprising to note that not only is autumn full of football and rugby injuries but one of the most common cause of sprains and strains in these dark, grey and generally wet months is actually sneezing. Yes, sneezing. If a nice healthy sneeze doesn’t simply make you crash your car as you go around a roundabout causing good old fashioned whiplash, then it could, even more easily, strain your low back.

Honestly I have had 3 patients with painful bulging discs (that we confirmed on MRI) that the symptoms started when they had a sneezing or coughing fit in the last month! It seems that the violent forces involved in sneezing and even coughing is enough, if you are unlucky and in a poor posture, to cause serious low back problems.

It may be that the disc was on the verge of going anyway and the sneeze was just the last straw. It doesn’t have to be as serious as a disc problem, it could just cause low back, chest or even neck pain.

A very common side effect of repetitive coughing is a sprained rib. These present with varying

symptoms that include pain between the shoulder blades, shoulder pain, neck pain and chest pain that can be so bad that it mimics a heart attack style pain.

These are often easily treatable with chiropractic but please if you think you may be having a heart attack please go to A&E!!

Coughs and sneezes have even been known to break bones in the elderly.

To add to the usual colds, a bout of stomach bugs seems to be doing the unpleasant rounds. Now these can hurt you in a different way. The hours spent lying in bed or on the sofa isn’t good for us. We are designed to stand, walk and generally move about. Slouching, sitting and even lying down for hours on end leads to inevitable back pain. The good news is that chiropractic, physiotherapy and sports massage is a great reliever for these problems and we have the best therapists in town!

I got more than one email this month from the Mollyettes complaining that I haven’t let you know how she is for ages.

I thank you for your thoughtful

inquisitiveness, as many of you have been there as I have described Jen’s pregnancy to, and in slightly less detail, her birth and watched her grow over the last 2 and a half years. I am pleased to announce that she is potty trained. To save time and effort I even got her this cool set of integrated steps and baby toilet seat that enables her to use the actual loo, saving us all time and effort! She is now old enough to make herself heard and give us the run around. She loves her younger 11-month old brother Harry to death…it’s been close but we have managed to stop her killing him…so far… #stoppingattwo Personally life is well as we gear up for another rock and roll Christmas at home and in the clinics. I can absolutely say that life is never dull.

Tim Button 0117 957 5388

drtimbutton@clevechiropractic. com www.clevechiropractic.com facebook.com/clevechiro twitter.com/clevechiro

Broken leg halts match MANGOTSFIELD United”s home game against Winchester City was abandoned 31 minutes from the end after one of the visitors’ players broke his leg. The Winchester No 2, Joe Hayward, suffered a fractured fibula in the match, which the Field were leading 1-0.

The game will now be replayed, probably on a Tuesday night in January.

Mangotsfield director Martin Preedy said: “Everyone at the club wishes Joe a speedy and successful recovery.”

As the Voice went to print, the Field were fourth in the league table and facing two away games before entertaining top-of-thetable Hereford on November 29. Following a blip in form at the end of October, losing the last three matches in that month. the side bounced back with two straight wins in November.

Forthcoming home matches: Taunton Town, December 10; Swindon Supermarine, December 17; Bishops Cleeve, January 2.

Wishing all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

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SHOW YOUR HOME SOME LOVE WITH THIS GREAT DINING SET OFFER ON ALL STYLES! Buy any dining table and four matching chairs and enjoy 25% off anything else from the same range for a limited time only!*

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Must end 23rd December 2016

The Showrooms City Point, Temple Gate Bristol BS1 6PL Store Opening times Monday - Saturday: 9.30am -5.30pm Sunday: 10.30am - 4.30pm

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On the site of the old Branches of Bristol store, you can find a world of oak, pine and painted furniture for all rooms in your home in every look imaginable, from stylish classics to ultra-modern industrial looks. But we don’t stop there, with leather and fabric sofas and chairs, mattresses and more. There’s also a great range of rugs, lighting, homewares and gifts.