Emersons Green Voice April 2022

emersonsgreenvoice

April, 2022 Edition — Issue 63

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FREE EVERY MONTH IN EMERSONS GREEN, LYDE GREEN, SHORTWOOD & PUCKLECHURCH Loading supplies at the village hall

A vigil in Mangotsfield

We stand with Ukraine Busy Bees Day Nursery THE people of Emersons Green and the surrounding district have led the compassionate response locally to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Emersons Green Village Hall supported Vera Stadon, who is Ukrainian and lives in Mangotsfield, when she began collecting aid for people who had to flee their homes. Donations flooded in from across the area and deliveries to Poland were quickly arranged.

Churches and communities arranged vigils to show solidarity.

Reports and comments: Pages 3.

6, 12, 13 and 16

Celebrating the joy of books Schools across the area, including Mangotsfield Primary, pictured, took part in a variety of activities to mark World Book Day. PAGE 9

Bus services to be cut this month Some bus services to Emersons Green and Lyde Green are being cut later this month because of Covid and a driver shortage.

PAGE 11

Kidney transplant patient’s ambition Anthony Davies, Viv Roberts of Emersons Green Village Hall, Vera Stadon and Mariya Sych, with donated aid

Clare Purkiss, from Lyde Green, who has had a new kidney, is swimming to raise funds and train for the British Transplant Games.

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n NEWS

Community stands with Ukraine A MANGOTSFIELD mum's mission to help the people of her native Ukraine after it was invaded by Russia sparked a phenomenal community response.

Vera Stadon asked for donations in a Facebook post and, after they soon filled her living room, she teamed up with Viv Roberts, the manager of Emersons Green Village Hall, who offered her a room to store them in.

Within days, as word of the appeal spread, tons of supplies had been donated, from medical equipment to military kit.

Dozens of people brought, sorted and loaded donations.

Joining British and Ukrainian volunteers were Poles, Lithuanians and even some Russians living in the area, while donations were brought from across the region and as far as Wales.

The donations were then taken to the Poland-Ukraine border – the first load by a Ukrainian lorry which had made a delivery in the UK and had been due to go back empty.

Five van loads and a further lorry load were taken by volunteers, including drivers from the Emersons Green depot of delivery firm DPD, Staple Hill mechanic Nathan Calder and his friend Wesley Hawkes, members of Bristol Manor Farm football club and a Bristol father and daughter, Kev and Rhi Draper, who have stayed in Poland to help bring refugees away from the Ukrainian border and give food and drink to people waiting to cross.

Vera started the appeal by posting a list of the donations needed on Facebook.

She said: "I cried a lot when I saw the news of the big disaster happening in my country.

"My friends started calling me, saying we should get some aid together. I never thought it would be that big – all I wanted was to send one van.

"Suddenly my living room was overflowing, so I asked Viv if she could help.

"It's devastating and horrible what's happening in Ukraine, but the help and donations are amazing – people's power is sometimes more than the big charities.

Volunteers load up a lorry heading for Ukraine at Emersons Green Village Hall

"I've been either overwhelmed with joy or crying at why I have to do this. I've had so much help."

Vera was given leave from her job with Bristol City Council while she organised the donations and looked for transport.

Supporters "exhausted every military store in England" to find helmets and other protective equipment, while also bringing medicine and first aid kits, dried food, nappies and sanitary products.

Vera, a married mum of three, has lived in the area since 2008, having moved to the UK in 1997.

Her mother, brother and sister-in-law and their three children were still in Ukraine as the Voice went to print.

Some are waiting for visas to be processed, but Vera fears that her mum, who is 75 and lives close to a Ukrainian military base, would not be fit enough to wait in the long queues of people waiting to leave the country.

She said: "At the moment they are still safe but for how long, we don't know."

The village hall received donations for just over ten days before stopping after running out of space. The remaining donations were taken to a warehouse in Patchway and were starting their journey to Ukraine on March 20.

Village hall manager Viv Roberts said: "It's just been a phenomenal, overwhelming response – I've never seen anything like it.

"The emotion and support between the volunteers and people dropping off donations was second to none, and heartwarming to see.

"The local people were

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amazing but we also had people driving for an hour and a half to find us and drop off stuff.

"We had children of three and four, we had the older community coming with packets of nappies, saying they hadn't bought them for many years – it brought the whole community together.

"We also had one couple come in and donate £500 in cash and another gave £250.

"The volunteers were

amazing – they were here for the morning, all day and all night until the hall locked up.

"You needed to see it and be there to appreciate the generosity."

Among the volunteers was Anthony Davies, who works for DHL at Emersons Green.

He said: "It moved me so much that I had to do something – I couldn't just sit at home and watch it on the telly any more."

Vera is sharing updates about future donations and fundraising on the Facebook page Emerson's Help Ukraine, and is also helping to find translators for the families of three children with cancer who have been brought from Ukraine to Bristol Children's Hospital for treatment.

Another group, From Bristol with Love, is continuing to take donations.

Vigils and prayers: Page 12 Friends' aid drive: Page 13

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April, 2022

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emersonsgreenvoice School places offered Publisher Gary Brindle 0117 907 8585 07799 461169

Journalist Linda Tanner 0777 0700579

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Journalist Ken McCormick 07715 770377 ADVERTISING sales@emersonsgreenvoice. co.uk Tel: 0117 907 8585 Tel 07799 461169 EDITORIAL news@emersonsgreenvoice. co.uk 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.

DEADLINES Our April edition deadline is March 16.

LOCAL INFORMATION South Gloucestershire Council www.southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk general enquiries: 101 Emergency: 999 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061 Emergency: 999 NHS 111 Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 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.

Emersons Green 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@emersonsgreenvoice. co.uk.

COMPLAINTS

PARENTS who had hoped to send their children to the new Lyde Green Secondary School have been offered places elsewhere.

The new school, which had been due to open this September on a temporary site, has been delayed by at least a year.

South Gloucestershire Council says 77 families from Lyde Green postcodes had made applications, including 55 who originally expressed a preference for Lyde Green Secondary School.

Of these, 33 were offered places at Winterbourne Academy (29 as a resubmitted first choice), 17 at Mangotsfield School (11 first choice) and 12 at Downend (11 first choice).

Another 13 families were offered places at either Brimsham Green, Chipping Sodbury, Hanham Woods or schools in Bristol or Gloucestershire, leaving two who were not offered any of their three choices.

Both Downend School and Winterbourne Academy made 60 extra places available this year, and a council spokesperson said all of these places had been taken up.

A total of 3,164 applications in South Glos for secondary school places were made on time, with 2,807 receiving an offer from their first choice school.

Another 228 received offers from their second-preference school, with 44 offered a place at their third choice.

That left 85 families who were not offered one of their three

Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in the Emersons Green Voice, contact the publisher using the details below. We aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour.

Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website, or can be obtained by contacting the Publisher.

preferences.

A total 467 families have been offered places at schools outside the area, with 146 children from other local authority areas offered places in South Gloucestershire.

The council says its officers are still working with the Department for Education to agree the financing and programme for building and opening the new Lyde Green secondary school.

Offers for secondary school places were sent out at the beginning of March.

The council Lyde Green resident Laurence Binks, whose daughter Lorissa was one of those hoping to start at the new school, said she was “upset, nervous and disappointed about going to her second choice school without some of her good friends she has grown up with over the years”.

He said the family had moved to Lyde Green six years ago with the expectation that the new community would have the facilities it needed.

Lorissa has been offered a place at Winterbourne Academy.

Laurence said: “The team at Winterbourne have been fantastic in making sure Lorissa has been made comfortable and understands the emotions that may be present in the transition from a primary school to a larger secondary school.”

But he added: “Talking to Lorissa about the current situation she feels somewhat angry that promises were made and then hopes were dashed.”

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Lyde Green Primary wins travel award A PRIMARY school is celebrating an award recognising its work to promote healthy and environmentally-friendly ways of getting to school.

Lyde Green Primary School has received a Bronze award under the national Modeshift Stars scheme, which helps schools and other organisations create ‘active travel’ plans to support cycling, walking and other congestion and pollution-busting forms of transport.

To gain the award, Key Stage 2 classes completed workshops on sustainable travel and helping the environment.

The school also set up walking ‘bubble’ schemes, with stickers placed on lamp posts to show parents who drive when they were within five or ten minutes’ walk of the school, to encourage them to park their cars and make the end of the journey on foot, rather than parking close to the school.

Children also took part in the Living Streets Travel Tracker scheme, recording their journeys to school every day. Any child who walked, scooted or cycled twice a week, or whose parents used the Burst the Bubble campaign to park away from the school, earned a badge.

Road safety events were also held in

Pupils and staff from Lyde Green Primary School celebrate their active travel award partnership with South Gloucestershire Council.

The school is part of the Castle School Education Trust, whose chief executive Will Roberts said: “We are very pleased to receive this accreditation from Modeshift.

The scheme is an excellent way of embedding and promoting sustainable and active travel to school, which is important for cutting

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“We are passionate about healthy living choices for our students and part of that is encouraging cycling and walking to school.

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April, 2022

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Pucklechurch Primary School’s International Women’s Day assembly

Learning about women Guides show support for Ukraine PUCKLECHURCH Primary School learned about inequality and some inspiring women from history as part of learning for International Women’s Day. The school’s Equities Crew set a quiz to help them learn some “surprising and shocking” facts about inequalities which still exist in the world.

Pupils also shared some of the knowledge they had recently gained on influential figures such as nursing pioneers Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole, and Bristol-born physician Elizabeth Blackwell, who became the first woman to receive a medical degree in the US and the first woman on the General Medical Council’s register.

They also found out more about NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, missionary Mother Theresa and entertainer, resistance agent and civil rights activist Josephine Baker.

PUCKLECHURCH Guides and their families responded to the appeal for help for refugees in Ukraine.

They collected goods and delivered them to the collection organised by Vera Stadon in Emersons Green Village Hall.

The Guides also made cards with uplifting messages. Izzy found translations for ‘we stand with you’ , ‘sending love’ etc.

Guide leader Ros Abbott said she was very proud of the girls for their efforts.

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Lego, craft and dance show to help Dave A COUPLE who went to school with a Downend dad who is fighting cancer have organised a charity show to raise money for his treatment.

Dawn and Luke Beedle have organised the Brick and Craft Show at Mangotsfield School on April 3 as part of the huge community effort to help David Gibbs, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive cancer of the brain and spinal cord, in September.

Dave, who lives in Staple Hill with his wife Gemma and their daughter, is about to start a third round of chemotherapy, having already had surgery to remove 95% of the tumour – but has been told that, even with chemo and radiotherapy, it is likely to grow back.

His family have discovered a new treatment called a personalised cancer vaccine, which uses unique genetic information to help the immune system attack the cancer cells.

Dawn and Luke Beedle A treatment centre in Germany has recently confirmed that a vaccine can be made for Dave, and it should be ready

by June – but the treatment is not available on the NHS, and a massive fundraising campaign to raise the £150,000 cost has now passed the £96,000 mark.

Dawn, head of art at

Flower power PACKETS of seeds have been delivered to homes in Pucklechurch in the hope of creating a colourful celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Pucklechurch Parish Council has provided the wildflower mixes, which have been distributed by volunteers. Villagers are asked to plant the seeds in pots now so they will be in bloom by the time of the 70th anniversary in June.

The long royal reign will also form a theme for the first Pucklechurch Revel since 2019, with floats at the June event representing the decades the monarch has been on the throne.

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Mangotsfield School, and Luke, a member of Bristol-based Lego enthusiasts group GurtLUG, have pulled together the creative talents of their friends and contacts to put on the fun day.

As well as some eye-catching Lego creations there will be a mini disco from Dancin' Tots, a visit from an Avon Fire and Rescue team in a fire engine, art and craft stalls, face painting and a raffle at the event, which runs from 10.30am until 3.30pm.

Dawn said: "Luke and I went to school with Gemma and Dave.

Like them we are childhood sweethearts, having met at school, and have a young family.

"On hearing the news about Dave, we made a donation straight away, however I did not feel it was enough, so we came up with a few ideas to fundraise for the family."

A recent fundraiser Emersons Green Village Hall raised over £2,000 for the appeal, and other events planned include

a Vegas night at Lyde Green Community Centre on March 26 from 7.30pm-midnight (tickets from tickettailor.com/events/ lgca/642449) and workout classes at The Gym Longwell Green on April 9 from 8.30am1.30pm (book by emailing dan. cole@thegymgroup.com).

One of Dave's friends is staging a 24-hour cycle challenge in April, with its own fundraising page at justgiving. com/crowdfunding/cyclingdavesbrainfund.

The appeal's main online fundraising page remains open for donations at justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/davesbrainfund.

Dave has thanked all those who are supporting him.

Dave is also encouraging people to support charity Brain Tumour Research's campaign for increased investment to support research into the disease.

Its appeal can be found at www.braintumourresearch. org/donate.

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April, 2022

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Bringing history to life in the classroom

INSPIRING sessions in the classroom are showing children what life in the Downend and Emersons Green area used to be like.

Historic England’s local heritage education manager Michael Gorely has been discussing what the area used to be like with teachers at Bromley Heath, Stanbridge, Blackhorse and Mangotsfield primary schools.

Michael has used the history map produced by local voluntary group Community History and Art Project (CHAP) in the sessions, to discuss the people, places and activities that went on around us in the past and have created the area we live in today.

He said: "People have enjoyed finding out about Downend’s links with the First and Second World War as well as learning about some of the significant people from Downend’s story, such as WG Grace, Carmen Beckford and the Cave family.

"Knowing more about the heritage of our area enables people to make more of a connection and sense of belonging with a place, which is important for everyone in the community – as a child once said to me, 'if you don’t know about a place, you don’t really live there'."

Historic England helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s historic environment, the places that define who we are and where we've come from as a nation.

It works with communities and specialists to share knowledge and skills to inspire interest in history, care and conservation.

Michael said: "My role is to bring history alive in schools, and we’re working with CHAP to put on an event based on some of the characters shown in the map in the next few months."

CHAP, a not-for-profit voluntary organisation set up in 2018 to produce a local history resource and encourage the community to take part in all its activities, is providing updates on its work to readers of the Downend Voice and Emersons Green Voice and distributed copies of the map to Voice readers last year.

The map can also be viewed and downloaded from the CHAP website at www. downendchap.org/historical-map.

The website also contains more information about CHAP's work.

To contact CHAP email downendchap@ gmail.com.

For more information on Historic England visit the website www.historicengland.org.

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An actor telling children from Bromley Heath Infants School what life as a local farmer used to be like, during a previous Historic England walk

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n NEWS Where's Miss? Head teacher joins World Book Day dress-up IT was easier than usual at Mangotsfield Primary School's World Book Day event to answer one of the most popular questions from children's literature: Where's Wally?

The popular character who hides in a variety of places in the Where's Wally books brushed shoulders with witches and wizards, fairytale princesses and superheroes for the celebration, part of the school's annual literacy week event promoting language, reading and writing. Children in Key Stage 2 had a special visit from author, poet and former Children's Laureate Michael Rosen, best known for his book We're Going on a Bear Hunt.

Reception and Key Stage 1 came back into school in the evening to enjoy a bedtime story with their class teachers. Other activities included worship assemblies, sharing stories and writing to authors.

Head teacher Kirsty Croasdale and children from Mangotsfield Primary School dress as Wally from the Where's Wally books

Family fun afternoon

Children join anniversary celebrations

Children from St James Mangotsfield Messy Church planting trees YOUNG members of a Mangotsfield church have planted two trees to celebrate two milestones.

The members of the St James church Messy Church group planted two new rowan trees, one to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and the other in celebration of the church's own 800th anniversary this year.

Picture: Chris Taylor

Over recent months work has been going on to tidy up the churchyard, including tree pruning and removing weeds and dead bushes.

As well as the tree planting, a new design is being drawn up for the garden of remembrance and wild flower seeds are being spread to bring colour in the summer.

A FAMILY fun afternoon is being held at Christ Church Downend as part of a weekend of community events held by Bristol churches.

The free event will be held on the May Bank Holiday Monday on May 2, in the main church building from 2pm-4.30pm.

It will include inflatables, games, face painting, a craft zone, a café area and more.

The family fun afternoon is part of The Noise, an annual event run by Bristol churches which will also include a range of community volunteering projects across the bank holiday weekend.

A free afternoon cream tea with entertainment for older people will be held in the main church building from 2-4pm on Saturday April 30.

All are welcome.

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To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

Over the last few weeks I’ve noticed a trend at our practices in Henleaze & Fishponds. We’re seeing more and more new patients, which is of course, hugely flattering and very welcome!

Coincidentally, but not directly related, we’ve been considering how we greet both existing and new patients, our aim being to offer a friendly, warm and professional welcome to all.

Now how we phrase our first question after welcoming our patient to the practice depends on a few things, essentially if we feel a light hearted or serious introduction is indicated. We’ll often ask “what brought you to see us today?” and wait to see if we get “my wife / the bus driver or my E-bike” or just a straight forward “my eyes are changing, can you help me?”. I love the way we, as humans, respond to this and I find the many nuances of our communication just wonderful!

Sometimes patients do say well you asked for that, but I’m happy that we've broken the ice, our patient has relaxed and has shown their sense of humour! But don’t worry, we’re all too aware that sometimes our patients' eye concerns are such that humour is not appropriate, and instead ask “how can we help you?”

One aspect we're keen to chat about is myopia. It’s slowly but surely being talked about more often. To summarise, myopia is distance blur, corrected by glasses or contact lenses, but your close up vision is usually clear. Does the increasing number of patients becoming myopic matter? Well yes we believe so, particularly as myopia often develops at or around early teen years, when some, but not all, patients of this age have a tendency to be less communicative with their parents.

Now as a myope myself there are definite advantages to this (well I think so, but clearly I am biassed on this!), however the risk of eye health problems increases with the degree of myopia. The trend is that spending time on tech up close, phones particularly, can have a negative impact on our younger patients' eyes. The solution - book an appointment to see us for expert eye care and we’ll be happy to assess the eye health and myopia risk for each individual, as well as discuss the management options available.

With all the demands that modern life puts on our eyes, it’s not surprising we’re seeing so many patients who’ve noticed a change in their vision. Whether your arms aren’t now long enough, your distance vision’s changing or if it’s increased screen time that’s causing a change in vision we’re here, ready and willing to help! Just contact our friendly team on the telephone, or visit our website and we’ll be happy to see you.

We continue to offer COVID safe ways to choose your new glasses too! Although regulations have relaxed, which will come as a relief to so many, we recognise that a few of our patients still need to be cautious. To help us keep you all safe, we’re still asking you all to telephone first to book a time to come in. Please call our Henleaze practice on 0117 962 2474 or our Fishponds practice on 0117 965 4434.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Peter

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

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Ken On 07715770377

emersonsgreenvoice

April, 2022

11

n NEWS

Bus services face cut from April 24 BUS operator First is reducing some bus services to Emersons Green and Lyde Green.

The company is cutting the frequency of the 48 and 49, linking the area to the city centre via Downend and Staple Hill respectively, from every 20 minutes to every 30 minutes on Sundays.

The company also says "some early poorly used morning and weekend journeys will be withdrawn" on the routes, but has not given details of which ones.

Metrobus m3 services from Emersons Green to the city centre will be withdrawn after 9pm, affecting one weekday service.

Elsewhere First is axing the Y2 route, which links Downend to Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Coalpit Heath and the city centre, as it is not commercially viable due to "low passenger numbers that pre-date the pandemic".

First will also withdraw "some journeys" on the 7 service linking Staple Hill to the city centre via Soundwell, Speedwell and Redfield.

The cuts will be introduced on

April 24 , and were announced two weeks after the government said it would spend an extra £150 million nationwide to support local bus services until October.

First West of England managing director Doug Claringbold said: “Despite the Government extending emergency funding for another six months, ongoing issues with driver availability mean further action is necessary beyond the changes we made at the end of January to ensure we can operate services more reliably for our customers.

"A number of services will see temporary reductions in frequency, whilst passenger and driver numbers are constrained, but unfortunately there are a number of services that are not commercially viable even at prepandemic passenger levels."

The West of England Combined Authority recently approved funding to support the 5 route from Downend to the centre, and is also subsidising the Y5 from Fishponds and Staple Hill to Pucklechurch and Chipping Sodbury.

Playing it for laughs

Pucklechurch Players are presenting three one-act comedies at Pucklechurch Community Centre on May 13 and 14, 7.30pm start.

Bring your own drinks and nibbles. For tickets call or text Elaine on 07940 207559.

To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

emersonsgreenvoice

12

April, 2022

n NEWS

Vigils and prayers to show support PEOPLE across Downend, Staple Hill and Mangotsfield are attending vigils and prayers to show their support for the people of Ukraine.

Around 100 people attended a vigil in Fountain Square, Staple Hill, on March 20 to pray, lay flowers on a Ukrainian flag and reflect as the Salvation Army band played hymns and other music.

There were also activities organised by the Salvation Army, including the chance to plant or colour pictures of sunflowers – Ukraine's national flower – and eat crackers and drink water to represent hardship.

A collection raised £448 for the Disaster Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

Staple Hill & Mangotsfield ward councillor Ian Boulton spoke at the event, telling residents: "We hope some of the warmth here can be felt by the Ukrainian people."

The Staple Hill vigil on March 20 Fellow councillor Katie Cooper, who has registered to host a Ukrainian family, called on people present to come forward if they knew of Ukrainians seeking homes who needed sponsors.

On March 6 a candlelit vigil was held at the Dame School in Mangotsfield, led by community pastor and residents association chair Clive Heath, and St James

The vigil at Mangotsfield on March 6 Picture: Chris Taylor church vicar Teresa Taylor.

A collection raised £250 to help bring aid to the Ukrainian people.

St Augustine's church in Downend is opening every Friday from 5pm to 7pm for people to light a 'candle for peace', and is encouraging residents to come along and show their support.

The church also helped set up a free well-being and

positive mental health event for Ukrainians living in Bristol in its parish hall on March 23.

At Christ Church Downend, a monthly prayer time for Ukraine is being held from 6.15pm on the second Sunday of the month, starting on April 10.

Donations can be made to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal www.dec.org.uk Children raise funds: Page 44

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emersonsgreenvoice

April, 2022

13

n NEWS

Cakes and coffee raise money for Ukraine appeals TWO young friends from Mangotsfield were so moved by the plight of people fleeing their homes in Ukraine that they decided to raise money to help.

Aria Katkar, aged eight, and nine-year-old Ava Jordan baked and sold cupcakes, cookies and brownies at a stall they set up at The Laurels, off Blackhorse Road, on March 13, helped by Aria's younger sister Kaira.

Their families bought some samosas to add to the stall, and friends and neighbours flocked to buy the treats, raising £149 for charity UNICEF to help people in Ukraine suffering because of the Russian invasion.

The girls are pupils at Mangotsfield Primary School.

Aria and Kaira's dad Dheeraj said: "The kids are listening everywhere about helping the Ukrainian people, who are currently devastated due to war, so they came up with a plan to raise money.

"They were so excited when the day came and took turns serving people coming to donate.

"Everyone was very generous – we would like to say thanks to all of them."

A fundraising event by Staple Hill Staple Hill Salvation Army raised more than £2,250 to support colleagues in Eastern Europe

Aria and Kaira Katkar with Ava Jordan at their stall at The Laurels, Mangotsfield. helping Ukrainian refugees.

The Salvation Army band played and collecting donations outside the church building on Broad Street for more than an hour, while many people went inside for coffee and cake.

Salvation Army joint minister Colin

Hylton-Jones said: "The people of Staple Hill, as always, are incredibly generous and we are pleased that we were able to do something tangible to support the relief work provided by the Salvation Army in Ukraine, Moldova and Poland at this time."

“Colston’s isn’t just about the grades - it’s about enabling me to be the best version of myself.”

Discover more at our next Scan to meet Eleanor To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

Working Open Morning Friday 29th April 2022 Register at colstons.org Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

emersonsgreenvoice

14

n LYDE GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Celebrating Easter in the community centre KEEP an eye out for the upcoming Easter activities and events that we have planned in the community centre.

There will be craft sessions, discos, cheerleading days, an activity fun day and much more.

Some events will be ticketed and some events will have free access: keep an eye on our social media pages and we will promote everything going on throughout the community centre.

Pop in and see what’s happening – we look forward to seeing you.

Do you have an upcoming celebration and are looking for a venue? We have three rooms available to hire for your event. To avoid disappointment, book in advance.

We continue to be on the lookout for a treasurer and secretary to join our board of trustees.

If you would like to join the team, we would love to hear from you.

Why not have a chat with one of our trustees to see what’s involved?

Email Laura at laura@lydegreenca.org to arrange a time to talk.

For updates on our upcoming events and other news, visit the Facebook pages

AL M R O N S A OPEN National Award winners of the Good Garage Scheme

@lydegreencommunityassociation and @ LydeGreenCC. For general enquiries email info@ lydegreenca.org, or call 0117 957 0410, and for party or event bookings email Bookings@ lydegreenca.org.

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emersonsgreenvoice

April, 2022

15

n NEWS

Blockbuster return for scarecrows trail THE popular Pucklechurch Scarecrow Competition and Trail is back after missing the past two years because of the pandemic.

The May Bank Holiday event, organised to raise funds for St Thomas a Becket church, is one of the earliest and longestrunning scarecrow events in the area and provides a fun day out for people of all ages.

This year the theme is film characters. Residents and village organisations will create a range of displays, from traditional scarecrows to imaginative scenarios, which will be on show in gardens around Pucklechurch on May 1 and May 2.

The event launches on Sunday with a church service at 10am and the trail begins at 11.30. Participants need to collect a trail map and entry form in the church, where refreshments are available until 4.30pm, and

again on the Monday from 10.30am to 4pm.

The person who correctly identifies the most scarecrows will win £25. At 4pm on May 2, a presentation will reveal the characters of the scarecrows, followed by a thanksgiving and blessing by the Rev Matt Stone.

Entry prices are: children £1; adults £2; family £5.

Can you help new Memory Café ?

A GROUP of volunteers are setting up a Memory Café for the people of Pucklechurch and the surrounding area.

It will take place monthly at first and will offer a friendly welcome for anyone affected by dementia, or worried about their own or someone else’s memory.

It is hoped the first meeting will take place in June.

Memory Cafés offer practical information and support for people with memory problems or a dementia diagnosis and their carers. They give the opportunity for people to ask questions and to share experiences. They also provide an informal and social environment in which to enjoy activities, listen to guest speakers and make new friends.

The volunteers from Three Shires Medical Practice have set up a steering group, which has found a venue for the Memory Café at Doynton Village Hall.

They have visited other Memory Cafés in South Gloucestershire to see how they operate and have sought advice from Southern Brooks Community Partnership and the local Alzheimer’s Society.

The group is seeking resources for the café and would welcome donations of simple jigsaws, quality board games or other activities suitable for the venture. These can be dropped off at the surgeries in Pucklechurch or Wick.

Volunteers are still being sought to staff the café. If you are interested, please contact Clare Watts on 07817 311001.

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emersonsgreenvoice

16

n NEWS FROM OUR MP

April, 2022

Shock and horror at Ukraine invasion

Chris Skidmore writes for

Emersons Green Voice

AS the local MP, I share the shock and horror that local residents feel towards Russia’s appalling invasion of the sovereign state of Ukraine, along with an instinctive urge to want to support the Ukrainian people in any way we can.

Putin’s regime is rightly being punished with the most severe economic sanctions Russia has ever seen and I am proud that the UK government is the largest bilateral donor to Ukraine, providing almost £400 million in aid alongside defensive support and our offers of sanctuary to innocent Ukrainians.

Over 100,000 sponsors signed up for our uncapped Homes for Ukraine scheme within the first day of the scheme going live, supporting our national effort to help Ukrainians fleeing this deadly conflict.

The scheme allows sponsors in the UK – who will receive £350

per month in support – to register their interest in providing homes or spare rooms for a minimum stay of six months to nominated individual Ukrainians or Ukrainian families.

On the economic side, 1,000 individuals and entities have been sanctioned, which has dealt a severe blow to the Russian economy, hobbling Russia’s military-industrial complex, and personally damaging Putin and his inner circle of corrupt oligarchs.

I was pleased to vote for the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act which provides new powers to sanction a further 370 key oligarchs and supporters of the Putin regime – 51 of these oligarchs are worth more than £100 billion.

Furthermore, we are phasing out all imports of Russian oil and oil products by the end of 2022, which currently support

around 8% of UK demand – giving businesses enough time to ensure a smooth transition so that consumers will not be affected, and working with them this year to secure further supplies.

New legislation has made it a criminal offence for any aircraft owned, operated, or chartered by anyone connected with Russia or sanctioned individuals or entities to enter UK airspace or land in the UK, and will also include the power to detain any aircraft owned by persons connected with Russia.

All these are just some of the higher-profile actions that the UK government is taking so that we can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian people in their darkest hour – and continue our country’s long tradition of supporting those when they need it.

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Independent living & making new friends at Edward Jenner Court Across South Gloucestershire there are seven ExtraCare housing schemes, offering purpose-built homes for people over the age of 55. Each scheme has its own thriving community and a range of facilities and activities on your doorstep. Edward Jenner Court, in Lyde Green, built in 2021, has a bistro, hairdresser, onsite parking, a bus stop right outside and easy access to the facilities at Emersons Green.

On a Tuesday morning, it’s grey outside but there’s a buzz in the communal lounge at Edward Jenner Court, people start coming down from their apartments to catch up with friends and have chat at the weekly coffee morning.

Barbara had been living abroad, before coming back to be closer to her son, she moved in in January.

It is a lovely place. I’m really happy here, this is the happiest I have been in a long time. There are so many good things about living here, it’s so different, I love my apartment, everything is such a high standard of finish. It was a big step for me, moving to Edward Jenner Court, I don’t know the area well, but it has all been a good learning curve. There is a bus stop right outside that takes you to the big Sainsburys. I’ve made three good friends since I moved here, we have lunch in the Bistro on Sunday and I am going to Pilates with them in the village hall tomorrow.

Joan moved to Edward Jenner Court, from Mangotsfield, an increase in her care needs prompted the move in November.

I am housebound, so I stay here, in my apartment or in the lounge here. They are very good to me here, I am really looked after, and it is a beautiful place. I come down for the coffee morning every Tuesday. I came to the bingo afternoon, it was a laugh, I didn’t think it would be as good as it was.

The people who can’t play watched and made sure that none of us who were playing missed our win. I had a win!

Doreen had been living alone in Yate, before moving in with her daughter and her family, moving to Edward Jenner Court has given her back her own space.

The best thing about living here is the company and being able to meet up with people. I was lonely before.

Being close to my daughter is good and having lived nearby with her before moving in here meant I got to know the area. It is convenient for buses. I come down to the bistro for Sunday lunch with a friend every week. I eat there around four times a week.

If I have been sat up in my apartment I’ll go down and have a light bite, to see people and have a chat. There is always someone to talk to down there. I have made friends and we go out and about together.

ExtraCare housing gives you the benefit of independence, living in your own apartment, with your own front door, safe in the knowledge that care is available, on site, if and when you need it, allowing you to make the most out of life. There are options to buy, buy through shared ownership or rent. Depending on your income you may qualify for housing benefit to pay your rent.

If you’d like to find out more, talk to our ExtraCare team on :  01454 868007 or visit  www.southglos.gov.uk/extracare

3039 Edward Jenner Court.indd 1

10/03/2022 13:59

emersonsgreenvoice

18

April, 2022

n WHAT’S ON April 2 n 11AM-1PM PUCKLECHURCH PARISH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY at Eagle Crescent Play Area. Come and see the designs for the new and inclusive upgrade to the play area and give your comments. It’s also a chance to give your views about initiatives such as the recent tree planting and jubilee seeds and to raise any parish issues.

Sept for the Person-centred Group Meditation and 1st Wednesday at 7pm from 6th Oct for the Kundalini movement meditation. Blessings to you. For more information contact Andrea on 07791119658 homewards.ma@btinternet.com. n MESSY SPACE AT BADMINTON ROAD METHODIST CHURCH, 10.00-11.30am. This is a term-time group for babies and toddlers with their carers: play, crafts, story, refreshments. More information: www.badmintonroadmethodist.org. uk or 0117 239 3875 n PUCKLECHURCH SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB Meet every Monday, Wednesday evening 7.30 - 10.00 and Sunday 2.30 - 5.00.

Refreshments inc. All levels really Welcome. Ring Kath 07517 1297 Wednesday n THE WOMEN’S SECTION OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION We meet the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 2pm at the old school hall now known as the YOU Foundation by the car park in Page Road Staple Hill. Speakers, quiz’s and handy craft afternoon finish’s with tea. If you are interested please telephone Madeleine Bills Secretary. 0117 9560805. n MANGO JAMS PARENT/CARER AND TODDLER GROUP meets

Easter n BRUNEL’S SS GREAT BRITAIN, the ‘world’s smelliest museum’, already includes hundreds of sights, sounds and smells. However, this Easter, they’re inviting visitors to rate the smells and help choose new ones! Experience the good, the bad and the ugly scents which wafted through the 19th century ship. Find out more and book your tickets at ssgreatbritain.org/easter

REGULAR EVENTS

Monday n MEDITATION SESSIONS IN FRENCHAY Come along to the sessions that run from 3rd Monday each month at 7pm Frenchay Unitarian Chapel BS16 1ND from 20

Film Characters

every Wednesday at Lyde Green community centre, 9.15am to 11.15am. Warm and friendly group run by volunteers from St James Church. n DOWNEND TANG SOO DO meets at Christchurch Parish Hall, North Street on Wednesday evenings from 7.30-9pm. Suitable for beginners and ages 10+. First class free. More details from Ian on 07817 744689 or at the Downend Tang Soo Do Facebook page. n DOWNEND FLOWER ARRANGING CLUB: Would you like to arrange flowers? Friendly club meets at 7.30pm on the first and third Wednesdays, from September to June, at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road. For information call Joyce 0117 956 8978. n CLEEVESINGERS OF DOWNEND Enjoy singing, then come and join this four part choir who meet on Wednesday evenings at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road 7.30 p.m. from September until July. For more information contact the Secretary on 0117 9561881. n FRENCHAY PROBUS CLUB We meet at Frenchay Village Hall on the first Wednesday of each month between 10.00 and 12.00 hrs. For further details contact: frenchayprobus@outlook.com n WARMLEY JAZZ CLUB, every Wednesday £5 on the door.

Cadbury Heath Social Club. Doors open 7.30pm. More details at warmleyjazz.co.uk.

Thursday n NEXT DOOR BOOKS welcomes new members. Book club meets on the last Thursday of the month at either 10am or 2pm, depending on numbers. Normally meets at Lyde Green Community Centre. email jessica.callaway@hotmail.co.uk.

Friday n TAI CHI FOR PARKINSON’S. Weekly beginners Tai Chi & Qi Gong class for people with Parkinson’s disease, their families and carers.

We meet for Tai Chi, tea and cake at Lincombe Barn, Downend. BS16 2RW. Time: Fridays (term times) 10.15 – 12.15 including tea / coffee break. Contact: Claire - Claire@ Taichibodyandmind.co.uk (07769 857672) or Sarah - buqiworks@ gmail.com (07815 662844) n MANGO JAMS PARENT/ CARER AND TODDLER GROUP meets every Friday at St James Church Hall, Richmond Road, Mangotsfield, 9.15am to 11.15am.

Warm and friendly group run by volunteers from St James Church: everyone welcome to attend. n RAINBOW TOTS PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP meets at Emersons Green Village Hall every Friday morning in term time, from 10-11.30am. All welcome - for more info e-mail church.egbc@ outlook.com Saturday n BRISTOL SUGARCRAFT GUILD We are a small friendly group who meet every third Saturday of the month 2pm to 4pm at St Andrews Hall, Elm Park, Filton.

Beginners very welcome. Please call Jean Kington on 01454 314178. n PAGE PARK UKULELE CLUB, Bean Tree café, Fridays at 1pm.

All abilities welcomed. Places £4 each. For further details call or text ‘Ukulele’ to Ben on 07910 668258.

Sunday n EMERSONS GREEN BAPTIST CHURCH is now up and running again, after Covid, at the Emersons Green Village Hall every Sunday at 10.30am. Do come along. It would be great to see you. We look forward to having our regulars back as well as many new people. n BADMINTON ROAD METHODIST CHURCH In-person Sunday worship continues weekly at 10.30am and all are welcome.

For more information contact: Revd Samuel Uwimana: 0117 239 5984 or www.badmintonroadmethodist. org.uk

Sunday 1st May 11.30 Monday 2nd May 10.30

Glassware Books

Preserves Jams

Jewellery

Private Hire Drivers Needed

And More!

If you have a South Gloucestershire licence or would like to get one

Cakes

Contact: info@pucklechurchscarecrow.gmail.com Gill on 01179 373262 facebook.com/PucklechurchScarecrowTrail facebook.com/StThomasaBecketPucklechurch Please keep your children safe throughout the trail. The Church cannot supervise at this event

To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

www.silverlinecarsbristol.com/driving-positions or Call Mike 01454 313 227

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Ken On 07715770377

emersonsgreenvoice

April, 2022

19

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

n LIBRARY NEWS

Life aboard the SS Great Britain

News from Downend, Emersons Green & Staple Hill libraries Downend Library’s next Lego Club takes place on Saturday 9th April. Its FREE but spaces are limited so please speak to staff or email downend.library @southglos.gov.uk to secure a slot.

This Easter why not come to any of your local libraries and make some mini beasts? This is a FREE craft activity for primary age children running on various dates from 11th April in all three local libraries. Again please ask in the library or email staplehill.library@ southglos.gov.uk or emersonsgreen.library@southglos.gov.uk or Downend Library to book a space. Dates can be found at www. southglos.gov.uk/libraries or at Facebook.com/sgloslibraries For children who cant attend any of the sessions craft bags with similar activities in will be available throughout the Easter holidays for you to collect and do at home.

Downend and Staple Hill Library’s Digital Champions are available to help to get you online, or improve your confidence using a computer, tablet or smartphone. For more details or to book a FREE appointment please ask staff or email staplehill.library@southglos. gov.uk or phone 01454 865022 for details.

WITH Easter holidays just around the corner, we're looking forward to the fragrance of freshly cut grass and sprouting flowers as spring gets into full swing. However, life aboard the SS Great Britain did not smell quite as sweet. In fact, some of the odours of a nineteenth century passenger ship would be enough to send you overboard.

Brunel's SS Great Britain, the 'world's smelliest museum', already includes hundreds of sights, sounds and smells. However, this Easter, they're inviting visitors to rate the smells and help them choose new ones!

Some of the new smells under consideration include the rich scents of dark chocolate and brandy, the homely aroma of roast beef, and the pong of boiled cabbage. Be sure to follow Brunel's SS Great Britain on social media for a look behind-the-scenes as they prepare for the holidays and book your tickets on their website to join in the fun. ssgreatbritain.org/easter

Get ready to experience hundreds of sights, sounds and smells at Brunel’s SS Great Britain, with brand new scents to discover on board this Easter.

Plan your voyage at ssgreatbritain.org/easter

To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

emersonsgreenvoice

20

n LYDE GREEN OPEN SPACE COLUMN

A spring in our step in Lyde Green WE are very excited to have received our RHS South West in Bloom ‘In Your Neighbourhood’ award certificate in late March and, as most will know, we received a level 5 ‘outstanding’ merit from the assessors who came to visit.

We should all be proud of this milestone, as it would not be possible without all the hard work of our volunteers and members. It also gives an insight from the notes provided as to how we can improve and what we can do to maximise our potential as a volunteer group.

We are working to organise a specific day and time for volunteers to meet on a regular basis to help with projects and the upkeep of Lyde from an environmental point of view, so any suggestions are welcome from yourselves: we were thinking of every third Monday between 10am and midday as a start, and see how this evolves.

There are many things we would like to keep on top of in Lyde, and some examples are the hedgerows in Howsmoor Lane, litter across the patch and brook clearing (excluding nest sites), along with the common upkeep, which

we will explain more when we have some info from South Gloucestershire Council.

The project officer is planning what has to be done and incorporating our plans and ambitions for the site, and we hope that once all the building has been completed around the common, some wildlife will return to enjoy its beauty; we will keep you updated as and when we know more.

Thank you to Henry and the Sovereign housing team for helping us with our wildflower seed giveaway. From this project we have some sites of interest that we are looking to sow seeds and keep maintained over spring. If successful, we could use the spaces to plant other things throughout the year – this will then be maintained by the residents and could evolve to bigger projects on the specific sites.

Thank you to Yvonne and the Hedgehog Rescue team who came to visit Lyde at the start of the month. We had a wonderful time and found it very informative!

There has been some recent encouraging

Due to a shortage of Volunteers we advise you contact us to check availability and if we are open.

Volunteers wanted.. please email or phone for details:

Email: info@yate-shopmobility.org

www.yate-shopmobility.org To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

news regarding hedgehogs in urban areas, that they are holding their own in terms of population, which is fantastic to hear.

We want to create hedgehog corridors in Lyde and encourage you all, if able, to build a small habitat in your gardens to help us with this. We may be knocking your door soon to have a chat, to see what we can do to help.

As ever, we thank you all for your continued support. Please get in touch if you want to find out more or if you have any questions to ask.

Like our page on Facebook, send us a message @lydegreenopenspace or send an email to lgopenspace@gmail.com to find out more.

Laurence Binks , Chair Lyde Green OpenSpace

Tuesday & Friday 09:30 – 16.00 Thursday 09:00—14:00

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April, 2022

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21

n GAMING

The games whose value goes up and up Emersons Green-based gamer Conor McGeachie looks at how video games can improve our lives. This month: why prices for some games and consoles are skyrocketing WHAT’S the deal with all these video game prices going through the roof? It seems that, as with many other things, the pandemic has accelerated the trend of pushing up prices.

For example, an original version of Mario 64 on the Nintendo N64 was sold last year for $1.5 million in a sealed box. Crazy, right? Well, now that would be a steal, as that same copy is now valued at £2 million and it looks like it’s going to continue to rise in value.

Now, this isn’t a direct by-product of the pandemic, but it certainly had an impact.

People got bored, and wanted a hit of nostalgia to pass the time. That inevitably brought about more interest and fuelled the ‘supply and demand’ mentality.

Furthermore, the finite supply meant that sealed copies of this game were getting more and more rare. Should you check your attic to see if your copy is in good enough condition to sell for a million pounds? Sure, why not – but it’s highly unlikely, as the scrutiny for what passes as good is so tight.

This idea of price hikes doesn’t just apply to video games, but also the hardware they run on.

Close to home, the Voice reported last year that an Emersons Green charity shop had an unexpected windfall when a donated unused Super Nintendo Entertainment System was sold for more than £2,000 on its eBay site, after its potential value was spotted.

n NEWS

New deputy police commissioner TTHE Avon & Somerset police and crime commissioner has appointed a deputy.

Claire Hiscott, a former Bristol City Council cabinet member who is the area chairman for Bristol and Gloucestershire Conservatives, is tasked with assisting PCC Mark Shelford, increasing engagement with residents and the policing family, and ensuring “continuity in unforeseen circumstances”.

Her appointment to the three-day-a-week role, with an annual salary of £39,051 – 45% of the PCC’s £86,700 salary – was confirmed by the region’s Police and Crime Panel on March 17.

Claire, a former Horfield ward city councillor who trained as a pharmacist and has just finished a long stint supporting the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme, is a former school governor and is currently a trustee and safeguarding lead for Bristol Old Vic. She said: “I’m motivated to tackle inequality and increase opportunities for all; I see policing and criminal justice as an area where there is disproportionality and inequality in outcomes for different groups in society.

“I’m really focussed on protecting the most vulnerable groups in our society including the elderly, people with mental health issues and women and girls, particularly when it comes to violence against women and girls.

“From working in my pharmacy, I’ve interacted with people from all walks of life and understand how health, mental health and the circumstances they find themselves in can be influenced by their education, affluence and family life.”

“This is why I have a particular interest in understanding why someone might be an offender or perpetrator as well as the mental health aspect of the Criminal Justice System.”

Mark added: “I am delighted that Claire Hiscott has been appointed as my DPCC, and she will support me and the OPCC in ensuring Avon and Somerset Police is an effective, efficient and legitimate police service.”

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The SNES originally sold for £150 and was discontinued in the UK in 1998 - ‘brand new’ examples rarely came up for sale.

But the game or console doesn’t have to be old – just look at the Sony PlayStation 5.

If you either live with someone or are that person who is interested in video games, then you will know just how hard it is to get hold of one of these. They are impossible!

Now, the pandemic directly plays a role in this, as it resulted in chip shortages and Sony aren’t able to keep up with the demand.

You may think that you would be able to find one on eBay – but you’ll end up paying more than double its retail price, due to scalpers buying them in bulk and then reselling them.

Oh, the life of a video game enthusiast is a hard one.

Grant to help common A VOLUNTEER group helping to conserve an important open space has received a £50,000 grant to support its work.

The Friends of Siston Common has been given the money, with 10% ‘match funding’ from south Gloucestershire Council, by the Enovert Community Trust, which distributes money collected from landfill waste taxes.

It will pay for work to create a wildflower meadow, a new avenue of trees and a new community orchard of “heritage variety fruit trees”, along with two new ponds, a new footpath and new benches for visitors to use on Siston Park Common, between Kingswood, Warmley and Mangotsfield.

FOSC chair James Hackett said: “The Friends of Siston Commons are thrilled to receive this generous funding from Enovert and South Gloucestershire Council and we are looking forward to involving local residents of all ages in helping us to carry out the exciting plans for Siston Park Common which will improve the area for humans as well as wildlife, giving us all hope for the future.

Enovert Community Trust manager Angela Haymonds said: “Funding projects that contribute towards increasing biodiversity is a priority for the Trustees of ECT and we are delighted to be able to support this important project. ECT’s award of £50k will hopefully open up other funding opportunities to enable significant environmental improvements to be made over the next few years on this site.” Support has also come from nearby ward councillors.

New Cheltenham ward councillor Sandie Davis: “We really appreciate what the Friends of Siston Common do. We are also very grateful for the financial support from the Enovert Community Trust towards the landscape improvement project.

Sam and Elizabeth Bromiley, who represent Parkwall & Warmley: “ This work is only possible thanks to the tireless efforts of the FOSC.” Siston Parish Council chair Andrew Stacey said: “We are delighted that FOSC have been able to secure the funding to progress this wonderful project.”

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April, 2022

23

n MESSAGE FROM SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL

Working to improve our communities for the better I AM delighted that the council is continuing its long-standing partnership with the Voice magazines with a regular column, helping to bring the latest news to you on how we are working to improve our communities for the better.

As we continue to progress out of the pandemic we return our focus solely towards our day-to-day activities, delivering on our key priorities of raising school standards, improving our local roads and public spaces and delivering you value for money – all whilst continuing to provide local leadership in our efforts to tackle the climate emergency.

Recently, the council has unveiled its plans for highways maintenance over the coming year, with many roads, paths and cycleways in communities near you set to be improved.

This is part of our ongoing commitment to helping keep South Gloucestershire moving and is continuing our record £174 million investment into local highways since 2019.

Later this summer, South Gloucestershire will also join communities across the country in celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a major milestone in Her Majesty’s historic 70-year reign, and I am proud the council is helping to mark the occasion with

£50,000 in grants towards local celebrations in the district, such as street parties, festivals and other events.

Finally, while this column will predominantly be for things going on in our community, the attention of many local people will undoubtedly be on the terrible events unfolding in the Ukraine. With millions of people fleeing the country, and many likely to find their way to the UK, the council is ready to step up and help, as we have done so for refugee families forced from their homes due to conflicts in the likes of Syria and Afghanistan.

With the Government

Toby Savage, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council having now unveiled its plans for the Homes for Ukraine scheme, we stand ready to play our part and I am proud to know our residents will be ready to hold out the hand of friendship to any we help to resettle.

0117 956 2834

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24

n AROUND THE WIs BEECHMERE BELLES WI THE nights are drawing out, buds are appearing on the trees, sunny flowers are poking their heads out and us humans are ready to emerge from lockdown and winter hibernation.

What better time could there be to try something new? At Beechmere Belles WI we are always trying or learning something new, along with making new friends over a cuppa and cake. What is a WI without cake?

Earlier in the year we arranged a Brush Party for our members, which was also open to friends and family. These Brush Parties are nearly always held in a pub, and we had arranged ours in one of the local pubs close to where we hold our meetings. Night out with the girls, tick, in a pub with liquid refreshments, tick, plenty of fun and giggles, tick.

If you have never been to one of these events, we can highly recommend it – you will be spending a few hours creating a painting you can be proud of. The initial reaction is ‘I can’t paint’.

Well, you most certainly can – the lovely lady that leads the class takes you through step by step and you really do create a piece that looks amazing.

We have started up our cinema club again now that we are very nearly back to normal after the pandemic: this is a brilliant extra event to our monthly meetings.

Our committee is also looking at the theatre programmes closely, as it’s been such a long time since we have been able to arrange events with confidence.

We have a great programme this year, but the one we are all looking forward to is in May. A Right Royal Do is planned to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. It will be an all-round feel good evening, with us all toasting the Queen. The Queen is the president of the Sandringham WI and I always wonder which month she chooses to be on the cake rota!

Last month we were joined by Gandhi Andy, as he has become known, from East Bristol Auctions to tell us more about what their job entails and the marvellous stories of the celebrity auctions they have run. Since selling a pair of Gandhi’s glasses for a huge sum of money, he seems to be a magnet for all things Gandhi. Hearing about the items they auctioned from the estate of Dave Prowse, Darth Vader

to most of us, and the fun they had auctioning one of Del Boy’s threewheeler vans, made for a great night of laughter.

Andy brought along items for us to guess which was the most valuable, and I will never dismiss Mr Potato Head again.

Beechmere Belles have welcomed some lovely new ladies over the last few months and it is always great to have new visitors.

We meet every fourth Thursday of the month at Emersons Green Village Hall at 7.30pm. Your first visit is free, so why not pop in and see what the WI is all about?

We don’t make jam and we don’t sing Jerusalem, but if you feel like bringing along a pot and bursting into song, that’s absolutely fine by us.

Beechmere Belles Emersons Green & Lyde Green WI

MANGOTSFIELD WI FOR our February meeting we held our Queen’s 70th Platinum Anniversary of ascending to the throne.

She had gone to Kenya on a royal tour, aged just 25, and was enjoying a treehouse-style lodge in a remote part of Kenya with her husband Prince Philip when the news broke of her father’s death and she became the new sovereign - flying to Kenya a princess and returning as Queen.

We decked our hall with bunting and decorated the tables, set out street party style, with crowns, flags and red, white and blue tablecloths.

All members raided their wardrobe to find purple, red, white and blue attire - plus, of course, some amazing hats!

We had a wonderful evening, with boxed ‘afternoon teas’ and a lovely lady singer who sang songs from each decade of our Queen’s reign.

We toasted her majesty with elderflower pressé and at the end of the evening sang ‘God Save the

Queen’.

It was a lovely evening, which I’m sure all our members enjoyed and will remain in their memory for a long time.

Our March meeting, on the 28th, is a craft evening, decorating the afternoon tea boxes.

April will feature Andrew Stocker, on the Theatre Royal (Bristol Old Vic).

For more information you can take a look at our Facebook page or go to our website, www. mangotsfieldwi.org.uk.

If you are not a member but would like to join us, please let me know by emailing president@ mangotsfieldwi.org.uk.

SHORTWOOD VILLAGE WI

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for this year. After two years of restrictions it is refreshing to be able to plan ahead.

There will be an update of our progress in the skittles league in the next issue.

Our next meeting is on April 14 at 7.30pm. There will be a talk from Downend In Bloom who, I think you will agree, give us an amazing display of flowers each year locally.

We meet on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the chapel or vestry in Main Road, Shortwood.

We would like to welcome new members, so just turn up and see what the WI can offer.

For more information or just a chat, please email me at millhousejoinery@aol.com with the heading Shortwood Village WI. Lynne Miller

AT our March meeting, we welcomed Chris from Heavenly Hedgerows, based in Keynsham, who gave us a fascinating insight into her cottage/garden business, built up from scratch using her vast knowledge of foraging edible things which grow freely in our countryside.

Although these are plentiful, you do need the landowner’s permission to pick them.

We were shown ways that she produces jams and liquors like hawthorn and elderberry, using both the flowers and fruit.

I was amazed that all of a dandelion can be eaten: bake the leaves for crisps, the stems, when cooked, look like spaghetti and even the long root, when prepared correctly, can apparently taste like parsnip.

Chris showed us photos of the dishes which she prepares for her own family and we were able to buy some of her samples. I can assure you that the blackcurrant and elderberry jam is delicious.

After a cuppa, biscuit and a raffle we did the business bit of the meeting, where we discussed the outings which are being planned

The Mangotsfield WI Platinum Jubilee celebration.

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April, 2022

DOWNEND WI WARDROBE editor and personal stylist Gail Painter was our speaker for our February meeting.

Gail talked about her work as a professionally-qualified personal stylist, and shared tips on how to organise your clothes and wardrobe.

This included advice that if you buy something but after a fortnight you still haven’t worn it, to take it back, as you probably won’t wear it!

Members completed a quiz to establish their own style personality, looked at illustrations of different looks for that particular style and discussed where specific clothes could be bought.

This was a really interesting and very informative evening, enjoyed by all.

Our March meeting is due to be a talk and demonstration of belly dancing.

This is an excellent form of exercise, as it’s very low impact but very beneficial for flexibility and strengthening of the abdominal muscles.

Members will have to have the opportunity for a shimmy, too!

We meet on the last Tuesday of the month at Badminton Road Methodist Church Hall at 7.30pm, and have a varied programme of events for the coming year.

If you would like to find out more please contact our president, Julie, at Downendwi@yahoo.co.uk.

Deb (on behalf of the committee)

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emersonsgreenvoice

April, 2022

n SPORT

A YOUNG cricketer had a coaching session with World Cup-winning England bowler Jofra Archer.

Tour Ponting, from Carsons and Mangotsfield Cricket Club, even faced some balls from the fast bowler in the nets.

Promising young player Tour was put forward following his performances for Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation teams for an ACE scholarship, to support children who come from a black and ethnic minority background in cricket.

Tour was successful in his trial and awarded a scholarship for the coming season. The highlight was to spend a day at the cricket performance centre at Loughborough University.

The day began by being introduced to well known explayers and commentators Ian Ward and Charlotte Edwards.

But the highlight was when Archer, who played in all England's matches in the 2019 Cricket World Cup and bowled the super over which saw England win the closest-ever final against New Zealand, was introduced.

The young players had a

25

Youngster faces World Cup star Jofra Archer in the nets question and answer session with the guests before going down to the nets, where they had a coaching session which covered batting, bowling and fielding.

Tour said: “Jofra was really helpful in talking to me about my run-up and how to grip the ball.

"He also bowled to me. I tried to think of him as any other bowler.

"I managed to hit him for 3 runs, played out a couple of dot balls before hitting him for 4!

"It was a day I’ll never forget, and great to be given this opportunity.”

Tour is part of the successful youth academy at Carsons and Mangotsfield CC, which has seen the club flourish over the last few seasons.

The club will be taking part in the All Stars coaching sessions in May and June as well as running boys and girls’ teams, up to U19 level.

Tour Ponting meets Jofra Archer Outside training will commence in early April when Damian Forder will be coaching the adult section of the club.

Anyone who is interested in playing cricket at any level can contact the club by emailing iancoles7@sky.com. Ian Coles

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April, 2022

n SPORT

Mangos back in bottom two after slip-up at Barnstaple A RECENT upturn in form for Mangotsfield United came to an end with a 2-1 defeat at basement club Barnstaple Town.

A win for Cinderford Town then saw them leapfrog the Mangos, who slipped back into second-bottom spot in the Southern League Division One South.

The defeat followed a superb point in a 3-3 draw at Melksham Town, followed by a dominant performance in a 3-1 home win over Lymington Town.

Before the Melksham game the club learned that Phil Bater would be unable to return to take up his position as Mangotsfield's manager.

The ex-Bristol Rovers player, who previously managed at Cossham Street from 20092012, is having to concentrate on family commitments, due to unforeseen circumstances. All at Mangotsfield wish him and his family well.

In the meantime Glyn

Ashton, who managed the team last season before moving into a player and club development role, has taken over as interim manager, working alongside assistant and coach Matt Curry.

Against Melksham, the Mangos trailed 2-0 after 32 minutes and, although Mircea Llea pulled one back, Melksham restored their two-goal advantage right on half-time, leaving the visitors with a seemingly uphill battle.

However, the Mangos kept going and late goals by Joe Cattermole (81) and Kye Simpson (86) earned the visitors a battling point.

The win over Lymington Town saw Kye Simpson net the first goal on 15 minutes, breaking through the Lymington defence after some poor defending.

Simpson then had a penalty saved by Lymington keeper Nicholas Jones, but a second Mangos goal finally came on 75 minutes, thanks to an own goal.

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Dylan Walker then pulled back a very late goal for Lymington but Cattermole still found time to add a third goal for the Mangos, sealing an excellent 3-1 win.

The match proved to be the last for Mangotsfield for striker Simpson, who has joined rivals Bristol Manor Farm.

Glyn Ashton has signed two former Mangos strikers – Dean Griffiths from Bitton and Jake Slocombe from Welton Rovers – to replace Simpson but they could not join in time to play in the 2-1 defeat at basement club Barnstaple Town, which kept the Devon club's survival hopes alive by keeping Mangotsfield within catching distance.

Mangos keeper Marko Radovanovic kept the hosts at bay in the first half but was beaten by two penalties after the break – one on the rebound – with an injury-time header by Joe Beardwell too little, too late to save the game, which ended

Glyn Ashton 2-1 to Barnstaple.

Remaining fixtures:

March 26 Winchester City Away April 2 Cirencester Town home April 9 Paulton Rovers Away April 13 Larkhall Athletic Away April 16 Plymouth Parkway Away April 18 Slimbridge home April 23 Bideford Away David Smale

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emersonsgreenvoice

April, 2022

n SPORT WHEN Clare Purkiss was diagnosed with kidney disease she thought she might never be able to swim again.

But since a successful transplant not only has Clare returned to the pool, she has raised £1,400 with a distance event – and is now aiming to take part in the British Transplant Games.

Clare, of Lyde Green, was diagnosed at the age of 21.

She said: "It came out of the blue, as I had been perfectly healthy up to then.

"I was told that within five years I would either need dialysis or a transplant."

Clare had to wait until her condition had reached the stage where a transplant would have the greatest benefit, as medication to suppress the body's immune response limits the time a donated organ lasts to around 15 to 20 years.

She received a kidney from her mother, who was found to be a match, in an operation at Southmead Hospital.

This year Clare, a civil servant, will celebrate the fifth

27

Clare's swimathon is a prelude to transplant games Clare Purkiss and coach Ash Tuck poolside at the David Lloyd Emersons Green sports club anniversary of her transplant – her "kidneyversary" - and is set to compete in the 50m, 100m and 200m front crawl contests at the British Transplant Games in Leeds.

Clare said: "When I was younger I was a massive swimmer, and when I was diagnosed I thought it would be something I wouldn't be able to do again.

"Since the transplant I've been able to get back into the

pool and swim."

To raise money and awareness for charity Kidney Research UK, Clare and her coach Ash Tuck, of Kinetic Sports, organised a swimathon relay at the David Lloyd Emersons Green sports club on March 12.

They aimed to swim 2,640 lengths of the centre's outdoor 25m pool to represent the 66km distance of two English Channel crossings.

In the end Clare, Ash and a team of swimmers chalked up a total of 3,000 lengths, or 75km, with Clare swimming 120 and Ash doing 180.

Clare is a member of the David Lloyd club and deputy manager Tom McEwen helped arrange the event, with many members taking part once they heard about the cause.

Clare said: "We were incredibly lucky to have about 25 to 30 swimmers taking part, including some of the children who were there for their swimming lessons.

"Some of our incredible swimmers put in some massive distances and we were able to complete the challenge in five and a half hours, having expected to be there all day."

For more information on Kidney Research UK visit kidneyresearchuk.org online.

Cleve chalk up five wins in a row A Team approach to healthcare.

Cleve 29-10 Barton Hill THIS was a chance for Cleve to climb up the league.

They had won four games in a row and were beginning to play well. In the first minute Cleve showed their forwards' attacking potential by driving towards the line, where Chris Bronkhurst went over.

Harry Owens converted and Cleve were 7-0 up.

Cleve started to show great attacking promise. A good lineout steal and then a penalty kick into touch allowed them to pressure Barts close to the line.

A catch and drive put Jack O'Hara over to make it 12-0 to Cleve.

Cleve’s scrum half was having a good day, with a number of snipping runs due to the platform the forwards were creating for him.

The ball then inevitably travelled out to the wing, where Ubaka Onyekwelu scored in the corner to make it 22-0.

Barts now reacted and went on their own offensive. After 15 minutes of pressure their winger scored two unconverted tries, to cut the deficit to 22-10 at half-time.

The second half saw Cleve again mount attacking forward drives near the line.

A lineout close to Barts' line led to a good take and drive, with Louis Bartlett powering over.

Harry Owens then converted for Cleve to come out 29-10 winners and make it five wins in a row.

Stephen Bateman

Supporting Premiership Football, Rugby, 2012 Olympics and World Athletic Championship 2017 Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Back & Leg Pain, Sciatica Sports Massage Headaches & Migraines Trapped Nerves Repetitive Strain Injuries Occupational Injuries Sports Injury Specialist Competitively priced

The practice of pain relief Member of the British Chiropractic Association

CLEVE CHIROPRACTIC 20A Cossham St, Mangotsfield, Bristol BS16 9EN

Contact

0117 957 5388

w w w. c l e v e c h i r o p r a c t i c . c o m

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28

April, 2022

n ON THE TREATMENT TABLE

We’re ready to put a spring in your step!

AT Cleve Chiropractic, we always like to be at the forefront of medical technology. So, in partnership with FoothealthUK– fit4U, we have become a 'microlab' for the scanning, prescription and printing of custom orthotics and insoles.

We have purchased and are using what is, in effect, a posh 3D printer with a special composite to create bespoke insoles, sandals and flip flops.

These insoles are so unique to the individual’s special requirements that we look not just at scanning the 3D image of your feet, but also how they’re performing and coping with everyday life.

Do your arches collapse?

Do you struggle to bend your big toe? Do you have plantar fasciitis or heel pain? Do you have mechanical issues with your feet that you suspect could affect problems higher up in your body – for example knee, back and neck pain? Are you getting Achilles problems when you are running?

This machine can even design insoles for high heels, football boots and work shoes! As a special microlab, we now accept scans from all over Bristol and the wider UK, so why not come to us directly? All of our practitioners are trained to help you, so book in now to take advantage of a special introductory rate on offer for a limited time.

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

0117 957 5388

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

Dele working at the GB Master athletics While you’re thinking about getting out and exercising in the springtime, this could be the perfect way to ensure that your feet are behaving themselves – this is such an important aspect of health and fitness to get right.

Talking of fitness at the very highest levels, we’re honoured to have been selected to work with the athletes at this year’s Commonwealth Games, which are taking place in and around Birmingham during July and August.

I’m so pleased that Cleve Chiropractic colleagues Catherine and Lucy and I will be part of the star-studded Games ‘family’. We’re

looking forward to the fantastic experience that working with elite athletes at a major event always provides.

Back at the grass roots level, Dele – another of our talented staff members – was recently selected to help out at the GB Indoor Masters Track and Field Championships. He had a great time treating some of our athletes and using his well-honed chiropractic sports skills trackside.

Dele is a former Welsh international 100 metres sprinter and it won’t be long before he makes the transition to Masters athletics.

We think he's a little older than

he looks but he still has the game!

Fun fact: in the clinic, Dele's sprint prowess has helped him smash the record for fastest person to the biscuit tin...

But seriously, Dele could be the perfect partner to help with all your sports chiropractic requirements. He has gained an International Certificate in Sports Chiropractic (ICSC), which allows him to treat athletes at the highest level of their sport.

He understands the drive and ambition it takes to compete at your best and the chiropractic treatments that can make sure you achieve your potential. By tailoring individual treatments and rehabilitation exercises, Dele is passionate about helping you achieve your goals.

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April, 2022

n SPORT

emersonsgreenvoice

29

Cricket club's new lifesaver in the pavilion

A CRICKET club has been given a new piece of equipment which could help save a life.

The defibrillator has been installed by the changing room at Pucklechurch Cricket Club after being donated by housebuilder Redrow South West.

The club, which has three adult teams, an All Stars team for five to eight year olds and a Dynamos team for children aged nine to 11, as well as a women's softball team, is based at the recreation ground off Abson Road.

First XI captain Ryan Watts said: “As a captain you always feel responsible for your teams.

"A defibrillator is an essential tool to save the life of someone in the event of them suffering a cardiac arrest.

"It is very reassuring to be prepared should any such accident occur at the cricket club in the future."

The defibrillator gives voice prompts and easy to understand visuals that guide the user through treating a patient who is suffering a cardiac arrest.

It will also be available for the other clubs using the pavilion, including the village's men's women's and veterans' football teams, and Sunday side Puckle Vale FC. The equipment was supplied by Heartsafe AED Locator, who also provided training for club members.

Clive Setter of Heartsafe AED Locator with Charlotte Newnes of Redrow South West and Ryan Watts of Pucklechurch Cricket Club.

Clive Setter from the firm said: "This is one of the most highly-developed defibrillators on the market.

“We are fortunate to have an incredible ambulance service in this country and calling 999 should always be the first call of action in any emergency.

"However, without a defibrillator there is only about a three or four per cent chance of survival for someone with cardiac arrest.

A defibrillator, good CPR and getting to the patient within seven or eight minutes, can increase the success rate by 50 to 70 per cent.”

Redrow, which is currently building homes at the Frenchay Gardens development, said it wanted to "contribute to a safe and healthy community".

Area sales manager Charlotte Newnes said: “The training experience has been incredibly thought-provoking. It has shown me just how important it is that clubs and locations where people gather have access to a defibrillator.

"We are thrilled to be able to provide this valuable, potentially life-saving resource to Pucklechurch Cricket Club."

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