Labour sweeps to power
EMERSONS Green and Lyde Green now have a Labour MP.
July’s general election saw Claire Hazelgrove become the party’s first MP for the Filton & Bradley Stoke constituency, winning a 10,000 majority over sitting Conservative Jack Lopresti.
The Liberal Democrats won Thornbury & Yate, which includes Pucklechurch, back from the Tories after nine years.
In the new Bristol North East seat, which covers Siston Hill, Labour’s Damien Egan secured
a majority of more than 11,000 over the Green Party’s Lorraine Francis, with the Tories more than 1,600 votes further behind in third place.
The landslide that swept the Conservatives out of power saw the party lose every seat it was defending in South Gloucestershire, B&NES and North Somerset.
Among the high-profile Tories to lose was Liam Fox, who lost his North Somerset seat to former Emersons Green town councillor Sadik Al-Hassan. Election round-up: Pages 2 to 5
Inspectors praise Lyde Green school
Lyde Green Primary has been rated good in all areas by Ofsted, who praised the school’s vision and values.
PAGE 7
Protest march over homes plans
Campaigners against plans for thousands more homes in areas including Siston and Shortwood staged a demonstration before a South Glos Council meeting.
PAGE 9
Sizzling in the summer drizzle
Organisers of Lyde Green’s Summer Sizzler community event did not let the rain spoil the fun.
PAGE 21
New Filton & Bradley Stoke MP Claire Hazelgrove celebrates with supporters after winning the seat for Labour at the general election
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Sadik stuns Dr Fox
FORMER Emersons Green town councillor Sadik Al-Hassan pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the general election when he became the first ever Labour MP for North Somerset.
Mr Al-Hassan, a pharmacist who has lived in Lyde Green for ten years, overturned a majority of 17,536 to dump Conservative Dr Liam Fox out of office.
Dr Fox, a former Defence Secretary, International Trade Secretary and Conservative Party Chairman, had been the MP for North Somerset and its predecessor constituency, Woodspring, for 32 years.
But the Tory hold on the area stretched back longer than that, with the last non-Conservative MP elected in 1910.
Mr Al-Hassan secured a majority of 639 over Dr Fox, winning 19,138 votes to the sitting MP’s 18,499.
The Liberal Democrats were third with 7,121 and Reform UK was fourth, with 5,602 votes.
After his win, Mr Al-Hassan said: “I am truly honoured to be elected as the first Labour Member of Parliament for North Somerset.
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A member of the
“It is time for me to fight for our fair share and deliver for the people.
“I cannot thank those who put their trust in me enough and I will work hard to make you proud.”
The win for Mr Al-Hassan came just over a year after he missed out on becoming a South Gloucestershire councillor by just 10 votes, coming fourth in an unusually close vote last May, where just 50 votes separated second and fifth place.
Mr Al-Hassan was an Emersons Green town councillor for more than five years and served as the town’s deputy mayor, campaigning on issues including road safety, youth services and preventing antisocial behaviour.
Two South Gloucestershire councillors were elected as MPs.
Council leader Claire Young won the Thornbury & Yate constituency, which includes her ward of Frampton Cotterell, from Conservative incumbent Luke Hall (see Page 4).
Labour’s Leigh Ingham, who resigned from Kingswood ward when the general election was called in May, was elected the MP for Stafford, ousting Conservative Theo Clarke.
Frenchay & Downend ward Conservative councillor Liz Brennan, who stood as her party’s candidate in the Bristol South constituency, did not fare so well.
Her party, which had been second to Labour in 2019, was pushed into fourth place behind the Greens in second and Reform UK in third.
Sadik Al-Hassan at Westminster
Labour wins FABS as Tory vote collapses
LABOUR has its first MP in Filton & Bradley Stoke since the constituency was created 14 years ago.
Community engagement worker Claire Hazelgrove beat sitting Conservative MP Jack Lopresti by exactly 10,000 votes in July 4’s general election.
As well as being the first time Labour had won the seat, it was also the first time residents of Emersons Green and Lyde Green had voted for Filton & Bradley Stoke’s MP: the Kingswood constituency that previously covered most of the area was abolished in a boundary change.
Mr Lopresti had been defending a majority of 5,646 from the 2019 election, when he received 48.9% of all the votes cast.
But the number of votes he received fell by more than half, from 26,293 five years ago to 12,905, leaving him with just over a quarter of the total this year.
Ms Hazelgrove increased Labour’s share of the vote from 38.4% to 45.5%.
The total number of Labour votes was just 2,258 higher than in 2019, but the collapse in the Tory vote resulted in a swing of 17.6% to Labour.
Reform UK’s Stephen Burge came third, with 6,819 votes. Unlike some nearby constituencies where Conservatives lost, Reform’s vote was smaller than the size of the Labour majority.
Its predecessor, the Brexit Party, had not stood a candidate in the constituency in 2019, after unilaterally deciding not to contest the seats of sitting Conservative MPs.
The Greens stayed in fourth place but increased their share of the vote from 2.9% to 8.2%.
The Liberal Democrats, who had concentrated their campaigning in neighbouring Thornbury & Yate, fell from third place to fifth.
Turnout in the election was 65.12%, down from 72.6% in 2019.
Speaking after the result was declared in the early hours of July 5, Ms Hazelgrove said: “It’s the honour of my life to stand before you as Filton & Bradley Stoke’s first Labour MP.
“I’d like to thank everyone across our community who put their trust in me and in Labour to restore civility, security and fairness.
“I know that many people voted Labour for the very first time in this election.
“I will work hard to repay your trust, but no matter how you voted. I will work every
day to serve everyone in our communities as an active, impactful and approachable MP you can be proud of.
“Coming from a family of teachers, NHS workers and RAF service members, I’ve long believed in the importance of stepping forward to serve others.
“It will take time to deliver the scale of the change that Britain needs, but in me you have an MP who will listen and act and a government on your side again.
“While the campaign may have ended, the hard work of change starts now. Let’s get to it.”
Mr Lopresti, who had held the seat since it was created in 2010, thanked the “wonderful people of the Filton & Bradley Stoke constituency community” for their support over the last 14 years.
He said: “We’ve got a fantastic new town being built on
the airfield site, a STEM learning centre which pays homage to our fantastic aviation heritage and history, and a permanent, fitting memorial for the last Concorde.”
Afterwards the Voice asked Ms Hazelgrove what the first thing she would do to improve life for her constituents.
The new MP said: “Local people voted for change, and I’ll be getting on with the job immediately. “I’ll be voting in support of the new Labour government’s programme to bring back security, stability and fairness so that we can start the hard work of change needed.
“I’ll also be setting up a local office and recruiting a great team to join me in serving local people well.”
Ms Hazelgrove said the two issues that had cropped up most on doorsteps during her two years of campaigning in the constituency were the cost of living crisis and the state of the NHS.
She said: “These are two of the top priorities for me as your new MP and for our new Labour government.”
Result
Claire Hazelgrove (Labour) 22,905
Jack Lopresti (Conservative) 12,905
Stephen Burge (Reform UK) 6,819
James Nelson (Green) 4,142
Benet Allen (Lib Dem) 3,596
Majority: 10,000
Turnout: 65.12%
MP writes: Page 12
Claire Hazelgrove gives her victory speech
Lib Dems reclaim seat after nine years
PUCKLECHURCH has a Liberal Democrat MP after Claire Young won the Thornbury & Yate seat from Conservative Luke Hall.
The Frampton Cotterell councillor and – at the time of the election – South Gloucestershire Council leader defeated Mr Hall by 3,014 votes at the third time of asking, having also stood for her party in 2017 and 2019.
Ms Young overturned a majority of 12,369 from the 2019 election. Her party had previously held the seat and its predecessor, Northavon, from 1992 until 2015, when Mr Hall beat Lib Dem Steve Webb.
It was one of 79 seats won by the Lib Dems on what Ms Young said was a “truly historic night” for her party, with “gains around the country in places we would never have expected”.
She thanked party leader Sir Ed Davey and the “wonderful people here in Thornbury & Yate”, adding: “Thanks for sharing your concerns with me, and for the warm welcome I’ve received across the constituency over the last few weeks and the
last few months.
“It’s a huge privilege to be elected to represent you in Parliament, and I look forward to standing up for everyone, however you voted.
“I will be a strong voice for our communities, especially on tackling the cost-of-living crisis, ending the sewage scandal and fixing the health and care crisis.”
Defeated Mr Hall congratulated his successor, and wished her the best in representing the constituency.
He said: “I very much hope that I fought a positive campaign, based on the issues that people in our community care about the
Council elects new leader as MP stands down
SOUTH Gloucestershire Council has a new leader following Claire Young’s election as an MP.
Fellow Liberal Democrat Maggie Tyrrell was elected at a council meeting on July 17.
Cllr Young stepped down from the position after being elected Thornbury &
Claire Young speaks at the declaration
most, but the desire for change has been great, and this is clearly a horrendous night for the Conservative Party.
“Divided political parties, focussed upon themselves rather than the issues that matter to our constituents get punished at the ballot box, and quite rightly so.
“I have always believed that South Gloucestershire is the best place in the country to live, work and raise a family, and I am hugely grateful to have had the opportunity to serve for the past nine years.
“I am proud of the progress we made together, and will continue to do whatever I can to
Yate’s new MP at the general election.
Cllr Tyrrell is one of only two members to serve on the council since it was created 29 years ago, and also served on predecessor Northavon. In total she has represented residents of Thornbury for 37 years.
The joint Lib Dem/Labour administration unanimously voted in favour of Cllr Tyrrell but opposition Conservatives voted against.
Cllr Tyrrell said: “It’s an enormous privilege to be elected as leader to this council and I want to thank my colleagues for putting their trust in me and electing me to this privileged position.”
Council co-leader Ian Boulton (Lab, Staple Hill & Mangotsfield) said: “I’m sure this will
support our community.”
A strong performance by Reform UK, the party led by Nigel Farage, saw its candidate Andy Banwell come third, with 7,529 votes – more than twice the size of the Lib Dem majority.
The Party’s predecessor, the Brexit Party, had not stood in Thornbury & Yate in 2019 after deciding unilaterally not to stand against Conservative MPs.
Reform pushed Labour, who were concentrating their resources on other target seats nearby, into fourth place, with the Greens coming fifth.
Result:
Claire Young (Lib Dem) 20,815
Luke Hall (Conservative): 17,801
Andy Banwell (Reform UK) 7,529
Rob Logan (Labour) 5,057
Alexandra Jenner-Fust (Green) 2,165
Majority: 3,014 Turnout: 68.44%.
be a seamless transition.”
Tory group deputy leader Cllr Liz Brennan (Frenchay & Downend) paid tribute to Councillor Tyrrell but said her group was voting against as a judgement “on the manner in which the joint administration has conducted itself over the past year”.
Meanwhile Metro Mayor Dan Norris insists he can “do both jobs” after being reelected as an MP. He defeated Conservative Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg in North East Somerset & Hanham. He said he would combine both offices at least until the scheduled election next May as a by-election would be expensive. By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
Centre Activity Club
Damien wins – for second time this year
LABOUR’S Damien Egan has become the first MP to represent the new Bristol North East constituency.
Mr Egan won the seat in the general election with a majority of more than 11,000 over the Green Party’s Lorraine Francis.
He was already an MP, having won a by-election in the now-abolished Kingswood constituency in February.
Bristol North East, which includes Siston Hill, as well as Mangotsfield, covers part of Mr Egan’s previous constituency.
After the result was declared, he said: “Bristol North East has joined the rest of the country in voting for change at this election.
“Labour has improved Britain before. I know Labour can do that again.vI am so proud that I can play a small part and represent the community that I love and am from.vThank you to the people of Bristol North East for putting their faith in me.”
Ms Francis said she was “thrilled” to have taken second place in the election.
The Conservatives had held Kingswood from 2010 until this year and were second in Bristol East, which previously included the rest of what is now Bristol North East, in 2019. But on July 4 the party’s candidate Rose Hulse was third, 1,621 votes behind the Greens and only 798 votes ahead of the Reform UK candidate.
She said: “I am not going anywhere and I will continue to fight for change.”
The Tories already had no seats in Bristol but were pushed into third place by Labour and the Greens in all of the city’s constituencies except Bristol South, where they were fourth, behind Reform UK.
Mr Egan was selected for the Bristol North East seat by Labour members last year, but became an MP earlier than expected when Conservative Chris Skidmore resigned the Kingswood seat in January,
sparking a by-election.
Former energy minister Mr Skidmore stepped down with a public attack on Rishi Sunak’s policy of issuing licences for new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. Before the election he declared he would vote Labour.
The former higher education minister was recently linked with the vacant role of head of the Office for Students but announced in July that he was launching a new private investment bank, Desmos Capital Partners, to support ‘net zero’ businesses.
Result:
Damien Egan with supporters after winning the new Bristol North East seat
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Praise for school’s values and vision
A PRIMARY school’s values, vision and “ambitious and inclusive curriculum” have been praised by inspectors.
A team from Ofsted visited Lyde Green Primary School in Willowherb Road in June.
The regulator’s report, published in July, said the school was ‘good’ in all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and Early Years provision.
The inspectors said the school’s values, which children learn as the ‘Lyde Green pledge’, “underpin everything that happens at the school”.
They said: “Pupils talk confidently about how the pledge encourages them to be tolerant of others, have the confidence to try new things and provide everyone with a ‘warm welcome’.”
Children have “positive relationships” with staff, a range of clubs and “take pride” in responsibilities they are given at the school, which has 490 pupils aged from four to 11.
The inspectors said: “The school has a clear vision for what all pupils can achieve.
“An ambitious and inclusive curriculum has been designed well.”
They highlighted maths and PE as particular strengths, and said the school had introduced a “robust monitoring programme” to address issues identified with phonics teaching.
The inspectors said: “As pupils move through the school, they read with increasing fluency and accuracy.”
Support for children with special educational needs or disabilities was praised.
The school ensures pupils understand the importance of “fundamental British values, such as democracy and tolerance”, helps them develop their character and ensures they are “well prepared for life in modern Britain”.
To improve further, Ofsted said the school needs to ensure assessment is used more consistently to check pupils’ learning and address gaps in their knowledge.
The inspectors also said systems to monitor absences need to be used better to help improve attendance among some groups of pupils.
Head teacher Wendy Westwood said: “We are delighted with the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection, which was a rigorous but positive experience.
“Children were able to not only talk about our school values and sing the Lyde Green pledge but demonstrate how our values and school rules guide us.
“We are immensely proud of
the children, who all conducted themselves around the school with every bit of respect, good manners and kindness we see every day.
“We are always very proud to show off our great school, the staff team, the pupils and their learning, and it is so rewarding to have official recognition.
“I would like to thank our pupils, staff, parents, Community Councillors and CSET Trust for the part they have played in achieving this outcome.”
Families in limbo over school bus services
FAMILIES whose children rely on a bus service to Winterbourne Academy are still waiting to find out who will operate it from September.
A new operator is being sought for the 459 from Lyde Green and Emersons Green, via Bromley Heath, after Stagecoach said it would no longer run it commercially.
South Gloucestershire Council has awarded a new contract for the 427 service, which runs from Frenchay and will be operated by Eurocoaches next year.
However an operator has yet to be found for the 459 service.
WECA is carrying out a contract
tendering process on behalf of South Glos.
A WECA spokesperson said: “We have requested prices from operators to commence service from September 2024, subject to affordability.”
A South Gloucestershire spokesperson said: “This process is live at present but will not conclude until after the end of term. We are working closely with the school so that updates can be provided to parents over the school holidays.”
Campaigners have warned that the 459 is already “significantly oversubscribed” and could be even more in demand if another service is axed.
Libby Rogers, a parent who is trying to save the 458 from Downend, says a “lottery system” will be introduced for families using the 459 whose children are not entitled to free transport, requiring them to pay £200, three times a year, for a place on the bus.
Libby said the situation was “immoral and unjust”.
Cabinet councillor Chris Willmore said: “We sympathise hugely with all of the families affected, both the 458 families and those on the 427 and 459 routes. Our difficulty is that we’re not the transport authority, so there’s very little we can do.”
Head teacher Wendy Westwood with pupils from Lyde Green Primary School
Kumon’s
kumon.co.uk/emersons-green
Protest as new sites added to blueprint
PROTESTERS staged a demonstration against proposals for thousands of homes on the green belt in east Bristol.
The demo, organised by South Our Green Spaces South Gloucestershire (SOGS-SG), was held before council leaders approved the next stage of a 15-year blueprint for the future of the district, including where more than 22,000 homes could be built.
A group of about 50 people, bearing placards, marched in the rain to a South Gloucestershire Council cabinet meeting in Kingswood on July 15.
Residents urged councillors to rethink the strategy, which includes thousands of homes on green fields in Shortwood, Siston and Warmley.
Proposals for 22,241 homes to be built from 2025 to 2040 are contained in the latest version of South Gloucestershire’s Local Plan, which is now open for fresh public consultation, after which the document will be finalised, consulted on again and then sent to government planning inspectors.
The latest version adds 17 new sites, with a potential total of 1,751 homes, to the previous draft published last November.
These include 175 near Frenchay and seven on a site at Pomphrey Hill, Mangotsfield.
They will be added to
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Let’s talk 11+
other potential development sites announced last year, including two at Shortwood, which the council says could accommodate 1,430 homes, 195 near Mangotsfield School, 65 at another site off Pomphrey Hill, and 60 on a site east of Pucklechurch.
North of Lyde Green a huge area of land between the M4 and Westerleigh Road could accommodate 800 homes by 2040.
A report to July’s cabinet meeting said the extra sites had been added to give the council a “buffer” in case some proposed developments did not go ahead.
It insisted that these still were not enough to meet any of Bristol’s unmet housing needs and that South Gloucestershire could not do anything to help its city neighbour, although the council had fulfilled its legal “duty to cooperate” with Bristol when drawing up the blueprint.
SOGS-SG member Martin Thomas told the cabinet: “Bristol’s housing need should be kept inside Bristol and it should be building up, not out into the countryside.”
The proposals for large-scale development near the ring road lacked imagination and were “the lazy way to provide new homes”, he said.
Thomas Garland said: “South Gloucestershire Council seem
determined to press ahead with this hugely environmentally damaging Local Plan.”
He called on the council to reconsider its plan and return to a vision, first announced in 2002, to re-plant “large areas of the ancient Kingswood Forest” between Pucklechurch and Warmley.
Liz Brennan (Con, Frenchay & Downend) told the meeting: “SOGS members represent a lot of people in South Gloucestershire who are concerned about what the development plan will mean for their communities.”
Cllr Brennan said her group opposed the Local Plan, and their priority would be to protect the Green Belt.
Cabinet member for planning Chris Willmore (Lib Dem, Yate North) said: “In a worstpossible case, if all the sites the council was looking at were to be released, it would be a 2% loss to the current Green Belt, but we’re working to get it down as low as we possibly can.”
She said 20% of South Gloucestershire residents lived in insecure, unaffordable housing with no chance of getting on the property ladder, and renting often required 70% of their income, with a one-bedroomed flat in Kingswood costing £1,000 a month and a room in a shared house £750.
spent considerable time practicing and learning the techniques required to do well.
The groundwork for children on this journey starts early. Generally, a year of specialist 11+
IT is now widely recognised that state grammar schools bridge that gap between comprehensive education and fee-paying private schools. Grammar schools select the students who attend, based on a common entrance test or 11+ exam. Taken in the September of Year 6 in readiness for starting in Year 7. Each year, in our area, the number of children applying for places has increased dramatically. It is more competitive than ever.
Speaking to the grammar schools, they say that their tests are designed not be tutored for, rather assessing potential academic ability. We know that a child who sees an 11+ paper for the first time when they turn up for the assessment is not going to be as prepared as a child that has
Cllr Willmore said: “We’ve got to do something about that, and the only way we can do that is by producing higher numbers of social rent and affordable housing for local people.
“What we have to do as responsible leaders in our communities is find spaces where we think the least worst harm is done and find ways to mitigate the harm that is inevitable with new development.”
Council co-leader Ian Boulton (Lab, Staple Hill & Mangotsfield) said if the authority did not have a Local Plan, all green spaces in the district could be targeted by developers.
He said: “A Local Plan protects the green spaces because we’re not having to fight off those speculative developments.”
The latest public consultation will run until September 13. Details can be found at www. southglos.gov.uk/newlocalplan.
Following feedback, the final version of the Local Plan will be prepared and consulted on again next January.
It is expected to be submitted next June for examination by a planning inspector, which is likely to take place in October of that year, with a view to adoption by April 2026.
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
making them quicker with mental maths and reading which put them at an advantage ahead
Of course, getting a place at one of these students need to have good study skills and continue to work hard, to maintain their position there. They need to feel confident compared to their peers. Many of our students return to Kumon in year 6 and beyond for exactly this
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EDUCATION
School is making 'rapid' improvements
LEADERS of a primary school in Mangotsfield say they are "moving rapidly forward", after the regulator called for improvements.
Three inspectors from Ofsted visited Barley Close Primary School in May for a two-day assessment.
They said the school 'requires improvement' in three areas –quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management – as well as overall.
Two other areas – personal development and early years provision – were said to be 'good'.
The graded inspection followed a shorter Ofsted visit last year that flagged "weaknesses" in the curriculum at the school, which has 278 pupils aged from four to 11.
In its new report, published in June, Ofsted said: "Since the previous inspection, the school has prioritised the development of the curriculum."
The inspectors said the
curriculum was "broad and ambitious" but improvements were at an early stage and it "does not yet support pupils to build their knowledge well over time".
They said the school needed to better understand what pupils know, and find gaps in their learning.
Ofsted highlighted the priority given to reading and "strong focus on communication and language", with support given to pupils who fall behind.
The inspectors also praised the science curriculum but said that in maths, pupils were "not secure with the basic number facts, such as timetables and number bonds".
They said some pupils lose focus in lessons and find it hard to concentrate at times.
Ofsted also said the school needs to tackle a "high rate of absence", with more rigorous monitoring and analysis of attendance.
The inspectors praised many
aspects of the school, including support for pupils with special educational needs or disabilities and a personal, social and health education programme which "widens pupils’ horizons and prepares them well, as they look to their adult life".
They said: "Pupils enjoy school. They feel safe.
"Relationships between adults and pupils are positive.
"The school’s work to promote pupils’ personal development is a strength."
Head teacher Jo Williams said she was pleased the inspectors had recognised the school's successful Early Years provision, reading support and strength in promoting children's personal development and life skills.
She said the school had been working since before the 2023 inspection on an "ambitious" curriculum design, alongside the council, school improvement advisors and other local schools.
She said: "We were fully
aware that we still had work to do in this area and even since the inspection in May we have continued to improve the curriculum further. This was planned already.
"Designing a rich and bespoke curriculum that meets the needs of all our children takes time to put in place, grow and embed.
"We are confident that we are moving rapidly forward and that in the next 12 months the curriculum will be fully embedded, with a sequential programme of study that allows any gaps in learning to be addressed.
"Attendance is a concern that we are well aware of and that we have been working hard to improve.
"We will continue to work alongside families and other professionals who can support parents and carers who find it difficult to get their children to school."
Pupils summon Olympic spirit
PUPILS from Blackhorse
Primary School took part in a torch relay to mark the start of the Olympic Games.
After a morning challenge for pupils to complete a combined 346 mile 'run to Paris' on their running track, a team then ran five miles from the school in Blackhorse Lane to pass the model Paris 2024 Olympic torch to the next school on the relay, in Kingswood.
Executive head teacher Simon Botten, who is also the school's track team coach, said: "Whilst some schools chose to drop the torch off by car, Blackhorse chose to run the torch to its next school.
"For many children, five
miles would be a challenging distance but Blackhorse, famed for creating more national and international runners than the rest of the county combined, had little difficulty completing the distance with teacher Miss Coode and parent and athletics coach Rob Pope."
The Blackhorse children were greeted by a Year 6 guard of honour when they arrived at The
TURNERS HEARING CARE BLOG
Sudden hearing loss
An ear wax factoid: Did you know, wax is not produced near the ear drum, but is formed from little droplets on the hairs near the outside of your ear canal.
Today I’m writing about a type of hearing loss that you may or may not have heard about. It’s called Sudden Sensori-Neural Hearing Loss. It is a type of nerve damage rather than damage to the ear itself and happens very quickly and to anyone.
If you feel your hearing in one or both ears suddenly goes then it’s really important that you seek help as soon as possible, and definitely within 24 hours. You must resist the temptation to leave it, often not wanting to bother anyone, as sudden hearing loss won’t improve on its own.
This is all a bit frightening, but knowing to get help straight away, whether it’s for you or a friend is the key thing, so head to A&E if you get sudden hearing loss.
If you have any concerns about your hearing being blocked (not the sudden hearing loss variety though- see above!) I would love to talk to you about it. I can look at your ears to see if they are blocked by wax. If your ears do have surplus wax that is causing you the problem, I can use our sophisticated micro-suction equipment to remove it for you.
Hope to hear from you soon!
the classroom when they took part in a national mathematics competition.
More than 800 schools from all over the country competed against each other in a maths quiz which gives children 40 seconds to answer each question.
The first round included over 100 teams, with Blackhorse coming ninth – the only school from the Bristol area to qualify for the semi-finals, where they made the top 15 but narrowly missed out on a place in the final.
Park Primary School.
The relay was organised by the CSET Sport Partnership, an outreach programme run by Mangotsfield Secondary School to support PE in local primary schools. The torch made its way around all the schools in the partnership to raise awareness of Olympic values.
Blackhorse pupils also showed a competitive edge in
School maths leader Josh Denton-Collins said: "We aim to provide children with opportunities which take them out of their comfort zones, and this quiz allowed them to compete against some of the best mathematicians in the country.
"The children had a great time and will be back again next year to try for a place in the national final."
Mr Botten added: "It was great to see the children having such fun completing problems which, frankly, I struggled to solve as fast as some of the team!"
Debbie Campbell is a qualified and experienced Audiologist, who has joined the clinical team at Turners Opticians in Fishponds having worked for many years in NHS Audiology clinics.
Pupils from Blackhorse Primary School carry their Olympic torch
We’ve hit the ground running
I’VE now officially been sworn in as your new MP for the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency - truly the honour of my life. Thank you so very much to all of you who placed your trust and support in me.
No matter how you voted, I will work hard to serve everyone across our communities, as an MP you can be proud of.
I live in Stoke Gifford, and it has been a privilege to meet thousands of you across our communities already, when I’ve been knocking on doors and listening for over
two years.
I’m looking forward to meeting even more of you soon.
News from Westminster
We have hit the ground running as a new government, and the King’s Speech set out our priorities, focused on stability, security and fairness by improving the living standards of working people and creating wealth across Britain.
Our priorities include: economic stability by bringing in new guardrails, getting the NHS back on its feet, by opening up 40,000 more GP appointments a week and with a new NHS Dentistry Rescue Plan; building 1.5 million more high quality homes, with a focus on affordability, and the infrastructure we need too; setting up Great British Energy; better transport; tackling crime with 13,000 more neighbourhood police and PCSOs, and recruiting 6,500 teachers.
There’s much more than this, and I’ll share updates as we pass legislation on these and wider progress for our community
and country.
Getting in touch
The quickest way to contact me if you need help, have policy queries or want to invite me to join you at community events is by email: Claire.Hazelgrove.MP@parliament.uk
If you would prefer to write to me, my Westminster office address is:
Claire Hazelgrove MP House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
I’m setting up a local office and recruiting a great team to join me in serving you well.
I will soon have details of advice surgeries, which I’ll share widely.
If you use Facebook, please follow my page at Facebook.com/ClaireRHazelgrove for updates.
There will also be updates on my website: clairehazelgrove.co.uk.
Claire Hazelgrove is sworn in at the House of Commons
Diggers move in on Mangos' pitch
WORK to build a new pitch for Mangotsfield United Football Club is in full swing.
Contractors Tiger Turf and McCardle sent bulldozers in to the Cossham Street ground at the end of June to clear the turf pitch, so a new 3G all-weather surface can be installed.
The £1.2m project by the club and Mangotsfield & Blackhorse Sports and Community Association has received funding from the Premier League, Football Association and the government’s Football Foundation.
It includes widening the ground and
installing LED floodlights, and was due to be ready for use by the end of November – although after three weeks of work, the contractors were ahead of schedule.
Before the pitch was dug up, coaches of the club's junior sides played a final match on the grass, with some under-16s taking part to "help tired legs".
The teams included three generations of the Lowe family: Charlie, his dad Dale and grandad Steve. The Mangos first team has arranged all of its pre-season friendlies away from home and the club has also asked for all
of its early Hellenic League Premier Division fixtures to be away games, so that it doesn't need to arrange a temporary home before the work finishes.
As the Voice went to print, the club's first six league matches and FA Cup extra preliminary round tie were all confirmed to be away from home, although they face a home tie if they progress in the Cup.
The Mangos have also received a bye in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase but their second round fixture is currently down as a home game.
The old grass pitch at Mangotsfield United's ground had been removed by early July
Coaches and young players had a final match on the grass pitch in June
A GROUP of musicians from Downend School took to the stage at a national festival.
The school's 'pops orchestra' was invited to perform at the CBSO Centre, home of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, as part of the Music for Youth festival in July.
The orchestra contains students from all year groups and experience levels and does not hold auditions – it is open to anyone who is learning an instrument.
The group "bridges the gap between classical and contemporary music", with a mix of traditional orchestral and pop music instruments, from violins and trombones to electronic keyboards.
Its repertoire is adapted to suit the range of instruments by band director Robin Davies, of the West of England Music Alliance (WEMA).
Some 19 members of the pops orchestra made the trip to the concert hall in Birmingham, after the group previously impressed
Young musicians on stage at national music festival
audiences at a regional festival in Swindon during the spring. It was the latest in a series of invitations to the national event
School celebrates Pride month
STUDENTS, staff and parents at Downend School took part in an event as part of Pride Month.
The event celebrated the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and included work undertaken by students exploring the LGBT+ theme in lessons.Guests at the event were invited to make badges, wear rainbows, and some of the students' work on display. The soundtrack was provided by DJ Jeff, a student DJ.
A bake sale was held, which raised funds for a local LGBT+ charity.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion lead Rachael Corns said: "It is so important to show all our students they are valued. We want to make sure everyone feels like they have a voice at our school and that they are included.
"The event was so unbelievably lovely – it was great for the students who came to see the majority of staff in attendance – it’s important for them to see that level of support, as we understand this can be a challenging time for them."
Surf's up!
THE Wave is a slice of the ocean, inland near Bristol. Offering perfect, guaranteed waves for surfers of all abilities, it’s the perfect place to learn to surf this summer.
This year the launch of the 'Little Rippers' session allows for children as young as four to learn to surf. Or if you just want to get in for a splash, Play In The Bay is a summer favourite. For others looking to kick start their surfer journey, look no further than a beginner lesson. Already a keen surfer? The Wave offers great sessions from intermediate to expert every day.
But The Wave is more than just surfing. With free parking and free entry, families can spend a day at The Wave with or without getting wet. The play park and skate ramp keeps kids of all ages entertained for hours, and the shoreline café and restaurant offer all day dining, great tasting coffee and a licensed bar. And if you didn't want to drive home… book a night in a glamping style safari tent located right next to the lake.
The Wave is an unmissable trip this holiday. Visit The Wave just off Junction 17 of the M5, near Cribbs Causeway.
earned by Downend performers in recent years.
The orchestra performed a medley of their repertoire,
including the Mission Impossible theme tune, I Am The Doctor from Doctor Who and Unsquare Dance, by Dave Brubeck.
School head of music Alice Muir said: "Their performance at the national event was nothing short of magical.
"The orchestra’s diverse instrumentation—from strings to brass to electric guitars—came together seamlessly, creating a symphony of brilliance.
"Every student in the pops orchestra has worked tirelessly.
"Their passion and dedication shine through in every note they play.
"It’s heart-warming to see them explore their musical talents and share their love for music."
Leaving classroom behind
DOWNEND School pupils took a week out from lessons to embark on expeditions, take trips and learn new skills.
The school's 'enrichment week' in July saw normal timetabled lessons replaced with extra-curricular events, from a residential activity trip to Devon for Year 7 pupils to a cultural trip to London for Year 12s, visiting theatres, museums and the London Dungeon.
Three groups of Year 8 students also went to London, for history and geography-based activities. More than 100 Year 9 and 10 pupils completed an expedition in North Somerset, camping out over a number of days. Another 100-plus Year 10s had the chance of a week of work experience, part of a comprehensive careers programme. Other activities took place back at school.
Emma Jukes, of the school's community council, said: "Being able to watch students learning, having fun and building relationships with each other and with staff in a totally different context is such a privilege and well worth all the extra effort and planning.
Members of the Downend School Pops Orchestra arrive in Birmingham
Month-long Earthfest powered by people’s ideas
THIS year’s expanded Earthfest in Emersons Green proved the creativity of the community, organisers say.
More than a dozen events were held over four weeks in May and June as part of the celebration of nature, which expanded from a one-day event for the first time this year.
Highlights included bat and swift walks, a rock competition, and a ‘no-dig’ allotment advice session attended by more than 70 people.
Lead organiser Chris Sunderland said: “Running the festival over a month instead of one day allowed it to include a much broader set of events and reach a larger, more diverse audience.
“One of the most exciting things about this year’s Earthfest was how much of it arose from the local community. It proved that we are truly a hotbed of creativity.
“The rock competition, for example, was a local idea. People bring in rocks and we ask a geologist to tell us about them.
“How enthralling it was to hear Mark
Howson, from Bristol Naturalists Society, show us our rocks under the microscope, reveal how the fossil parts of them fizz under hydrochloric acid and tell us that some of them were over 400 million years old.
“Even Mark was shocked to see that one
Craig Anthonys
HAIR DESIGNERS
of our local people had brought in a dinosaur bone!”
Earthfest also featured a ‘sensory walk’ for the first time this year.
Chris said: “To everyone’s surprise this was led by a visually impaired guide from Westonbirt Arboretum, who told us his personal story even as he helped us encounter nature as he experiences it, with touch, feel, smell and hearing.
“The Earth Trail was also a first. The attempt to tell the story of the Earth from its beginnings as people walked around the park was a new idea and the music accompanying the words ‘lifted it to a whole other level’, according to one listener.”
The Friends hope to install the trail permanently in the park.
Chris said the living willow dinosaur was possibly the central figure of the festival.
He said: “It may have rained during the launch of the dinosaur garden, but young and old still turned out and made dinosaur footprints and little willow dinosaurs.
“Somehow, the dinosaur summed it up. The attempt to connect with Earth history, the sheer power of our imagination of the dinosaur era and the creativity of the community that had conceived the idea.”
The festival ended with a picnic in the park which included music from a flute quartet, Emersons Green Primary School choir and Brazilian music enthusiasts Clube de Choro.
Festival appeal
ORGANISERS of the Mangotsfield Village Festival have set a date for it to return next year – if enough funding can be found.
The festival committee warned last month that its future was “at serious risk” because of a shortfall in donations and lack of volunteers.
At its annual meeting in July the committee set a date of June 14 for next year’s festival.
It has launched an appeal to raise £7,500 in public donations via a Gofundme page, at tinyurl.com/yx5hjc2v.
This year’s festival in June was attended by up to 3,000 people –but despite an appeal for people to donate £3 each towards costs, only £800 was given on the day.
Festival secretary Ross Janes said: “If every attendee to the festival could contribute just £2, the future of this highly popular and wellregarded event will be secure.”
There were “a couple of new faces” at the annual meeting but committee members say they would welcome more new volunteers.
Here at Craig Anthonys we pride ourselves not only on the styles but also the advice that we can provide. Our award winning team with years of experience in colouring and cutting can provide a style unique to suite you.
To arrange a no obligation consultation pop in or give us a call.
The dinosaur garden launch
Fly-tipper dumped rubbish in green space
A LYDE Green man has been told to pay more than £360 in fines and costs after dumping ten bags of rubbish on a green space near his home.
David Shelton, aged 25, appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court on July 8.
The court was told that on January 31 this year, ten black sacks full of household rubbish were found fly-tipped on the grass between Honeysuckle Road and Trefoil Way in Lyde Green.
After the waste was examined, mail addressed to Shelton’s home around the corner in Burdock Road was found.
He was contacted by South Gloucestershire Council – which at the time was running a campaign targeting the dumping of household waste – and the following month attended the council’s offices in Yate for a voluntary interview.
A council spokesperson said: “During the interview he was shown images of the waste dumped at Honeysuckle Way and admitted that he was
responsible for fly-tipping the waste.
“Shelton stated the waste had built up over time at the address which he shares with his partner and her family.
“He had been storing the additional waste in the home’s green waste bin, and took it upon himself one night, after dark, to wheel the bin to the nearby green
LOOKING FOR LEGAL ADVICE?
space and tip the sacks of waste out.
“Shelton fully accepted responsibility for the offence of fly-tipping, stating that he acted out of frustration in the heat of the moment.”
At the court hearing Shelton pleaded guilty to fly-tipping and was told to pay a £120 fine, £200 in costs and a £48 victim
surcharge – a total of £368.
Cabinet councillor for environmental enforcement
Sean Rhodes said: “Residents can easily get rid of this type of waste for free at one of South Gloucestershire’s Sort It recycling centres.
“There is no excuse for fly-tipping and harming the environment. We all have a responsibility to ensure that our waste is disposed of in a responsible and lawful manner.
“South Gloucestershire Council always pursues fly-tip related prosecutions through the courts and our award-winning environmental enforcement team has a 100% record of securing successful prosecutions for this type of offence.”
Anyone who sees illegal fly-tipping is encouraged to report it by calling the council’s StreetCare helpdesk on 01454 868000, emailing streetcare@ southglos.gov.uk or visiting the www.southglos.gov.uk/flytipping website.
The rubbish dumped by David Shelton
REGULAR EVENTS
Monday
n PUCKLECHURCH SHORT MAT
BOWLS CLUB Meet every Monday, Wednesday evening 7.30 - 10.00 and Wednesday 3.15pm-6pm, Sunday 2.30 - 5.00. Refreshments inc. All levels really Welcome. Ring John 0117 9372873
Tuesday
n RIDGEWAY BADMINTON CLUB meets every Tuesday Evening from 8-10pm at Downend Sports Centre for informal badminton doubles/ singles matches between adults of all ages. First visit free. More info from Graham on 07968 050320. n PUCKLECHURCH FOLK
DANCING CLUB Pucklechurch Community Hall.Abson Road every other Tuesday from 7.30 to 10.15p.m. All welcome either with a partner or solo. Enjoy an evening with us. Call Sue on 07742114566 or Linda on 0784324014.
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 WEDNESDAY CAFE FOR SENIORS, at Badminton Road Methodist Church (BS16 6NU) every Wednesday 10am to 12 noon. All Welcome – just come along – make new friends over a cuppa and cake. Information: 0117 239 5984
n MANGO JAMS PARENT/CARER AND TODDLER GROUP meets every Wednesday at Lyde Green community centre, 9.15am to 11.15am. Warm & friendly group
run by volunteers from St James Church.
n WARMLEY JAZZ CLUB, every Wednesday £5 on the door. Cadbury Heath Social Club. Doors open 7.30pm. More details at warmleyjazz.co.uk.
n FRENCHAY FOLK DANCE CLUB meets alternate Wednesdays, English and American folk dancing to live music, 7.45-10.15pm, Frenchay Village Hall. New dancers always welcome. More details at www.frenchayfdc.co.uk or email FFDCSecretary@gmail.com.
Thursday
n NEXT DOOR BOOKS welcomes new members. Book club meets on the last Thursday of the month at 11am, depending on numbers. Normally meets at Emersons Green library, email jessica.callaway@ hotmail.co.uk.
n COFFEE, CAKE AND COMMUNITY MORNING at Emersons Green Village Hall, 11am1pm. Free tea, coffee and cake - all welcome. Supported by Emersons Green Town Council.
n WALKING WITH FRIENDS, free group walks at a gentle pace around Siston Commons. Start and finish at Kingsmeadow@ Madeforever Community Centre, Fisher Road, BS15 4RQ, 1-2pm. For more details email kingsmeadowmade4ever.org.uk or call 07588 622 372
Friday
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.
n RAINBOW TOTS parent and toddler group meets at Emersons Green Village Hall on term-time Friday mornings, 10-11.30am. All welcome. For more details email church.egbc@outlook.com.
n MANGOTSFIELD AND CASTLE GREEN UNITED REFORMED CHURCH regular coffee mornings, held on the first Thursday of the month, 10.30am-noon at the church in Cossham Street. Coffee, cake and a chat.
n LATER LIVE MUSIC, Resound church, Blackhorse Road, Mangotsfield. Every second Friday monthly, except August & December, 8-10pm, £2.50. More details at facebook.com/ lateratresound.
Saturday
n STAPLE HILL METHODIST CHURCH Coffee mornings in our beautiful building every Saturday 10.00-12.00 in aid of church funds or charities. Enjoy Fairtrade coffee, tea and cake, and stalls.
Sunday
n BADMINTON ROAD METHODIST CHURCH In-person Sunday worship continues weekly at 10.30am, all are welcome. For information contact: Revd Samuel Uwimana: 0117 239 5984 or www. badmintonroadmethodist.org.uk
n MANGOTSFIELD AND CASTLE GREEN UNITED REFORMED CHURCH hold regular weekly Sunday morning worship at Cossham Street. Services start at 10.30 a.m.with different speakers each week. New members very
COMMUNITY NEWS
welcome. For more details please contact Peter Redding (Ch.Sec.) on 0117 9657075.
n STAPLE HILL METHODIST
CHURCH, High Street BS16 5HQ Sunday services 10.30am + Sunday Club for ages 5-17. Holy Communion 2nd Sunday of the month – all invited. Taizé worship 6.00pm 3rd Sunday of the month. Contact Rev Dr Aboseh Ngwana 07482 550888, Philippa Church Liaison at staplehillmethodist@ hotmail.co.uk or www. staplehillmethodist.com
n EMERSONS GREEN BAPTIST CHURCH services are held every Sunday morning from 10.3011.30am at Emersons Green Village Hall, Emersons Way. We also hold regular craft services. Contact Simon on 07765 201435, visit www.emersonsgreenchurch.org or Facebook page for more details.
n LYDE GREEN LITTER PICKERS meet at 10.30am on the first Sunday of the month outside Lyde Green Community Centre, Thistle Close. Spend an hour litter picking to help make Lyde Green look more tidy and beautiful! See www. cleanupuk.org.uk/groups/lydegreen-litter-pickers for information.
Emersons Green Village Hall
THIS summer, Emersons Green Village Hall will be running a community café to help support families, especially those with school age children, during the summer holidays.
We will be supported in this by Mangotsfield FoodBank, part of the North Bristol and South Gloucestershire FoodBank, who will continue to provide their usual service of food provision for the wider community during this period.
The foodbank has produced a shopping list with suggested donations, which can be left in a box at the village hall: they will be regularly sorted and allocated to the Café or FoodBank as appropriate.
Collections are made every Friday.
The list includes tinned veg (carrots, sweet corn and mushrooms), chicken in white sauce, minced beef, tomatoes and macaroni cheese.
Pasta (500g packs) and pasta sauces are also on the list, along with instant/packet rice and instant mashed potatoes.
Tinned fruit, custard or rice pudding, long life fruit juice, jam, marmalade and shower gel complete the list.
The village hall has lots going on over the summer for children, subsidised by Emersons Green Town Council.
A lot of tickets have sold out already but there are still activities available.
Group - Lyde Green Community Centre. Thistle Close, Lyde Green, Bristol. BS16 7GW
Group Times- Wednesday 6pm & 7:30pm. Thursday 9:30am
We have an activity most days of the summer holidays for a variety of ages – visit egvh.org.uk/tickets for more information.
A nature trail and treasure trail maps are available from reception from now until September 1.
If you complete the trail and return your answers you may be in with a chancge to win a further prize.
Emersons Green Town Council has also enabled us to increase numbers for our monthly senior lunch. Details and menus can be obtained from reception. Tracy Cannard and Nikki Frost
BEECHMERE BELLES WI
HELLO from Beechmere Belles WI, and we hope you are having a wonderful summer so far – weren’t those two days hot?!
We’ve had some amazing talks recently.
In June we had Lindsay, a volunteer with Bristol Aerospace Museum who came along and talked to us about the beautiful Concorde – the aircraft which, of course, is dear to the hearts of Bristolians. Not only did Lindsay give his presentation but some of our members shared their stories about the aircraft.
In July, we were joined by Ali, who knows all about some of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs and fascinated us all with her stories, taking us chronologically through some of the more interesting rulers.
In August we’re getting out and about on a treasure hunt: teams will be heading off round Emerson’s Green to solve the clues and find their way back to the village hall, and answering some questions, with the answers to be found along the route. They might even have to take a photograph or two!
Last time we did one of these hunts, all who took part agreed they had had a brilliant evening, and I know this hunt is going to be every bit as much fun.
We have lots more to look forward to in 2024, so if you would like to know more about our WI please contact us via email at beechmerebelles@gmail.com or follow our Facebook page, which is Emersons Green & Lyde Green WI Beechmere Belles.
Or why not come along as a guest for the evening?
It’s free for your first visit and we promise you a warm welcome, as well as tea or coffee and cake! We meet at Emersons Green Village Hall at 7.30pm on the fourth Thursday of each month, except December.
Bathing a problem? We
SHORTWOOD VILLAGE WI
FOR our July meeting we had a visit from John and Izzy, who represented Simpsons Law and gave us a very insightful talk about how to protect your family and the ones you love.
They took us through the ‘7 Golden Legal Nuggets’ relating specifically to wills and powers of attorney.
Based on the lengthy Q & As from our members, it seems the legal information given struck a chord with many of us and definitely gave us food for thought going forward.
As a thank-you for inviting them, John and Izzy supplied and raffled a selection of boxes of chocolates.
This was followed with a cuppa and cake as we celebrated birthdays with Janice and an 80th for Maureen.
We also had a visit to and tour of Kingswood Heritage Museum, which was intriguing, showing local history. One of our members recognised a photo of herself when she was 12 years old! We’re planning a future visit to the gardens.
Our August meeting, weather permitting, will be an open air informal evening in Diane’s garden. This year’s competition is for the best busy Lizzie, which we each had given to us as a plug at a previous meeting.
Sadly, some of us already seem to have failed miserably to nourish these little flowers!
We are a friendly bunch and give a warm welcome to new visitors, so just turn up for a complimentary visit to see what the WI has to offer.
If you think this may be of interest to you, we meet on the second Thursday evening of the month in the vestry of the Chapel in Main Road, Shortwood: our next meeting is at 7.30 pm on August 8. For more information email millhousejoinery@aol.com with the heading Shortwood Village WI.
Lynne Miller
Sizzling in the drizzle
LYDE Green’s Summer Sizzler was a hit, despite the weather not living up to the occasion.
Last year’s event at the Bristol & Bath Science Park was washed out by the rain so this year, organisers Lyde Green Community Association moved the event to School Square, with indoor stalls and activities at the community centre.
When wet weather arrived there was still plenty to do inside.
Afterwards the organisers sent a message thanking everyone who attended.
They said: “A special thank you to all of the fabulous stall holders, food vendors, Agility4Dogs Bristol for putting on the amazing dog show, the ponies, Delboy entertainments and all of the amazing performers, and the wonderful Baila La Cumbia, who helped us end on a Latin high!
“But most of all, thanks to our fabulous volunteers and mini volunteers who spent their whole day running round, helping everything come together.
“You are truly amazing.
“We sizzled and we braved it while it drizzled!”
The welcome arch
Stalls in the community centre
Shetland ponies
Join the reading challenge
THIS summer, children aged 4-11 can visit Downend, Emersons Green and Staple Hill libraries to join the Summer Reading Challenge 2024, Marvellous Makers.
It’s fun and it’s free to take part.
Libraries and The Reading Agency have partnered with Create, a leading arts charity and this year's Challenge celebrates kids' creativity and storytelling abilities. Children will be encouraged to explore new books and stories while taking part in free activities and getting creative.
Children can join the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge during staffed hours before Saturday 14 September and pick up a FREE activity bag.
When children join, they will get an exclusive Marvellous Makers fold out poster.
As they read, they collect stickers (some of which are stinky!)
to add to their posters, and craft activities to make at home.
When children complete the challenge they receive a medal and certificate, and a voucher for a free swim at their local Active Lifestyle Centre, kindly provided by Circadian Trust.
The challenge artwork is illustrated by celebrated artist Natelle Quek, bringing the 'Marvellous Makers' theme vibrantly to life.
Alongside the Summer Reading Challenge libraries are holding free, fun activities for primary school
Children at the reading challenge launch at Emersons Green library
age children which include:
*Mystery Makers – a world of mystery with clued up crafts and activities. Free drop in *Story Crafters – fun crafts inspired by favourite stories. Free drop in
*Junk Box Builders – a junk box challenge to inspire children’s creativity. Free drop in *Puppetry Workshop with Tiny and Tall Productions. Children attending must be 6+ and accompanied by an adult. Places are limited for this activity and must be booked. Tickets are free
and can be booked at sglibraries. eventbrite.com.
Dates and times of all activities can be found on our website: www.southglos.gov.uk/ summerreadingchallenge.
South Gloucestershire Council chair Councillor Franklin OwusuAntwi said: “I’m delighted this year’s Summer Reading Challenge is now under way as it’s such a popular, annual event that is enjoyed by thousands of local children.
"Over 6,300 children took part in South Gloucestershire last year, which is incredible, as it supports their literacy and helps them to develop a love of reading from a young age.
"It’s a fabulous way to maintain children’s reading over the school summer holidays, when reading levels can sometimes dip.I’m sure everyone who takes part will have great fun this summer as they develop their reading skills and enjoy in some of the fantastic, free activities on offer."
The Summer Reading Challenge is produced by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with libraries.
Find your local library at www. southglos.gov.uk/find-a-library.
Our local sporting hero
WITHIN our Key Stage 3 art and design curriculum at Downend School, students develop their practical skills and theoretical knowledge by embracing a range of materials, techniques and artistic inspirations.
On this particular project, our students were inspired by contemporary British illustrator Mark Powell. He is well known for his highly detailed and textured portraits which he creates using biro pens.
Powell often adds layers of meaning to his artworks by drawing onto historical maps or found items, such as envelopes from the war.
Having already chosen a historical map of Bristol as our canvas, our portrait subject was an easy choice.
A national treasure and local Downend hero, William Gilbert (WG) Grace is not only internationally recognised as one of the greatest cricket players to ever live, and a pioneer of the game, but also as a fierce style icon and original sports influencer.
His style of clothes, overwhelming presence and iconic beard proved the essential combination for our young artists to create some brilliant portraits, full of detail, texture and contrast.
WG Grace’s image was recreated by many artists in his own lifetime, on pub signs, postcards and cartoons.
This fame gave him opportunities to make a lot of money, with his iconic imagery used to advertise Colman's Mustard, Players Navy Cut tobacco and Ogden Tab cigarettes.
This imagery was avidly collected by his numerous young fans, particularly in the form of cigarette cards (something we would find both morally objectionable and illegal today).
This fame meant that tickets were often more expensive when he played, cleverly using and managing his ‘social media’ presence through his look and story.
WG Grace: Downend’s own influencer, a Victorian icon still known today.
Downend Community History and Art Project (CHAP) is a not-for-profit voluntary organisation that aims to create a coherent identity and sense of belonging for Downend and Emersons Green, built around interesting or significant places, people and events from the past.
For more information visit CHAP’s website at www.downendchap.org, email big.gin@ talktalk.net or write to CHAP, 49 Overnhill Road, Downend, Bristol, BS16 5DS.
Jordan Thompson
Art and design teacher Downend School
n A Downend School student's artwork, inspired by WG Grace.
Johnson Road, Emersons Green BS16
for sale with Ocean Bradley Stoke
Goodbye to an old friend
WE lost a feature of the Dame School garden this month – the old willow tree in the corner fell.
It’s a great shame, as it’s been there a long time, but on inspection the main trunk was very rotten, the wood very soft and crumbling, so it’s not a surprise.
We’ll be thinking about what to do next: do we replace it with the same, a different type of tree or leave it to see if it recovers on its own?
The Dame School benches are looking a bit the worse for wear, so on Saturday August 3 we’ll be having our next HAM (hour a month), when we’ll sand them down and re-paint them.
All are welcome to come along to the Dame School from 10.30am.
Grass cutting, or lack of grass cutting, is a constant source of comment on local social media, particularly the common next to the Lamb.
We agreed the current grass cutting plan with South Glos Council a few years ago: the top
end next to the Lamb would be cut short and the lower end left to grow, with a path cut down the middle and around the edge.
The intent is to encourage wildlife, albeit on a small scale. Some people love it, some hate it, some don’t mind either way. It will stay as is for the foreseeable future.
A reminder that we’ll need lots of help later in the year to plant a hedge around the common in Mangotsfield.
It will serve 2 purposes: to help make our area more wildlife friendly and to stop parking on the common.
We should remember that Mangotsfield is still a relatively crime-free and safe place to live.
Recent action by the police and other organisations should result in a few specific problem areas being resolved. We must again remind people to report all crime to the police.
Our next Red Lion Coffee Morning will be on Wednesday August 7 at 10am, and all are
welcome. We are now getting a really good turnout, so why not come along?
We are planning a few trips/ visits over the coming months – more on that when things are firmed up.
If you want to get in touch then
please do so at MangotsfieldRA@ gmail.com, via the ever popular Mangotsfield Matters Facebook page or by calling our chair, Clive Heath, on 07507 168700 or me on 07918 701881.
Chris Amos Secretary
Here to Help Emersons Green!
Are you finding the lack of a public bus difficult? Do you need help with transport?
Call Green Community Travel!
We travel in and around Emersons and Downend and then towards Yate, but we have a team of volunteers to help with hospital appointments!
Shopping, GP/Hospital and Dental Appointments, Hairdressers and much more! We even do trips out!
Book in advance!
We are here for anyone that can’t access public transport,
need to travel door to door, may be disabled or have a health or mobility concern.
Our buses are fully accessible for wheelchairs and scooters. If you’re unsure — give us a call!
Friendly team, accessible travel and discount for bus pass holders.
You can even book a regular slot with us!
Call or email us to find out more, we’re also on Facebook!
WILL & PROBATE ADVICE
Free Legal Stock Take meeting
Trust Funds - Who do you trust?
Nowadays we all have so much life admin to sort out – it is easy for things to get out of date.
Setting up a Trust Fund may sound very “Downton Abbey” but it has become a device that can bene t so many people. And it’s no longer very expensive!
Usually they are set up in your Will and only take e ect when you die.
• So when you die, the gift in your Will (whether it is your home or savings or both) is not transferred directly to the person you want to bene t.
A FREE review meeting with our local, friendly team at Simpson Solicitors is like a Free Legal Stock Take meeting. Being a fully regulated law firm there is no pushy follow up as there is no obligation to instruct them. Just the peace of mind that you have received proper legal advice.
• Instead, the gift becomes “looked after” by the Trust Fund and managed by people you trust –appropriately called your Trustees – on behalf of the person you want to bene t.
Michelle says, “At Simpson
The Free Legal Stock Take meeting focusses on making sure your legal affairs are in order and if needed they can help you with a new Will or Lasting Powers of Attorney. It is all about making life as easy as possible for those that you care about - if you were to become seriously ill or die unexpectedly.
Solicitors we o er xed price packages for Additional Trust Protection to be added to our Wills. We will also help you prepare a Letter of Wishes to guide your Trustees and we then o er aftercare to help them.”
√ Checking any existing documents are legally valid: Checking your Will or Powers of Attorney are signed in accordance with the complex rules that apply, with advice to make sure they still reflect your current family arrangements.
Care Home Fees: A popular Trust Fund for couples is to protect the assets of the rst to die, so they do not get used up in paying Care Home Fees for the survivor.
√ Property ownership: Advice to make sure it’s owned in the best way to prevent problems. There is a £3 charge from HM Land Registry.
Vulnerable Person: Here the vulnerable person is not considered able to manage their inheritance – they may have special needs, disability, or an addiction. So, it is protected for them and released as and when needed.
√ Reviewing what you own: Making sure those you trust can find and are legally able to access your bank accounts, investments, and life insurance if you were seriously ill or had died.
√ Inheritance Tax and Care Home Fees: Applying the current rules to your situation with advice so your family don’t receive an avoidable bill for tax or care home fees.
Divorce or Bankruptcy of an Adult Child: This type of Trust Fund protects your child’s inheritance until it is safe for them to receive it - without leaving your family.
√ Free secure storage service: Offered for your legal documents and the information you might want your family to be able to access.
Children's Trust: Used where a couple have children from a previous relationship or might have further children with a new partner after one of them has died. The survivor can continue to live in the home, but the share of the partner who died is guaranteed for their children.
To arrange your Free Review meeting you can pop in to their Kingswood Office or email message@simpsonslawuk.com or call 0117 960 8594
Remember, they offer a FREE home meeting service if you find it difficult getting to their offices.
John says, “To nd out more about how a Trust Fund in your Will may help your family, please call us or email message@simpsonslawuk. com for a Free Review Meeting with advice in plain English.”
Free Will Review
On your own: You choose who you want to inherit from you
Living together: Decide if and how your partner is protected
Parent Wills: Provide for children & name Guardians to raise them
Later Life Wills: Protect inheritance from Tax and Care Home Fees
Lasting Powers of Attorney: Appoint those you trust to make decisions, in case of serious illness or injury
John Baden-Daintree
Michelle Baden-Daintree
Under-11s side win cricket trophy
CARSONS and Mangotsfield
Cricket Club's Under-11s have collected the club's first silverware of the season – and hopefully it won't be the last.
Playing against Lodway in the Cup, Carsons and Mangotsfield batted first and posted 93-8.
With four overs left Lodway were 85-7, but their 8th batsman was clean bowled in the 17th over and some excellent fielding saw two further wickets, both runouts, in the same over.
Whilst the excellent fielding turned the game in Carsons and Mangotsfield's favour, there was also a strong performance with the bat from one player who scored 27 not out, before taking 2-10 in two overs with the ball.
The U9s are also doing well. They recently attended the Stapleton festival where they were undefeated in their games.
The club have also successfully run their All Stars Under 7 programme, with 24 children taking part. The last session took place on July 15.
The first team are still pushing for promotion, sitting in fourth spot only 6 points behind Bristol Aces. Since the last edition of the Voice, Kieran Gallagher has scored his third century of the season, against Hanham. Sam Wilson and Will Thatcher have been taking regular wickets, supported by the other bowlers, including offspinner Craig Woodland. The second team are sitting
comfortably at the top of their division. The standout recent performance was from Max Buckingham, who scored 118 at Whitchurch in a 227-run victory.
Carsons and Mangotsfield 3rd team are mid-table in a competitive division.
A win against Old Down was achieved thanks to 80 by Jake Lane.
The 4th team are doing well in the 30-over league, currently sitting in fourth position, with wins against Pucklechurch and Wrington in the last few weeks.
The Sunday team had a good win against Bristol Bangladeshi in the North Somerset Cricket League, with Sam Brayley scoring 42 and three wickets apiece for Jack Woodland and Will Thatcher.
The following week saw a narrow loss to promotionchasing Bristol Pakistanis, with captain George Farmer scoring 114 and Sam Brayley 57.
Ian Coles
Personalised care from a professional for better musculoskeletal health
OK, it’s time to get personal – in the best possible way – to help you live a healthy life.
The NHS mantra says that “personalised care takes a wholesystem approach, integrating services around the person including health, social care, public health and wider services.
“It provides an all-age approach from maternity and childhood right through to end of life, encompassing both mental and physical health and recognises the role and voice of carers. It recognises the contribution of communities and the voluntary and community sector to support people and build resilience.”
That’s like music to my ears because chiropractic is perfectly placed to offer and advise on all kinds of personalised care. Indeed, I was taught about versions of this when I was at university back in 1998.
We learned about patientcentred care, the biopsychosocial model of healthcare and the importance of integrating this
into the community – and this has only strengthened under today’s university curriculum.
So, as a practising chiropractor, with all the evidence to hand, what does personalised care mean to me? Why is this the best type of care and why is chiropractic so well suited to help deliver it?
In my opinion, one of the most important aspects is to be seen quickly by a healthcare professional. Chiropractic clinics can broadly offer an initial consultation for a new patient within a week and often on the same day. This helps reduce the stress and anxiety that any one of us would feel when we have a concern or are in pain.
Early intervention is also one of the primary preventors of chronic conditions. We know from experience that a small simple problem can turn into a large complicated one if not addressed soon enough. A huge number of patients who have to wait months for care are often given long-term pain killers and anti-depressants
just to survive day to day. Sometimes these medications are helpful but they can also hinder an individual’s progress.
During this frustrating waiting list time, patients are often off work, adding to their emotional and financial stress – in turn, that can lead to more personalised mental health support care. I believe it’s better to prevent this rather than react just because we have been too slow to help.
In chiropractic, we recognise how the four pillars of health affect everyone. Simple back pain, like all musculoskeletal conditions, is aggravated by lack of sleep, poor nutrition, stress and not enough exercise. I can’t think of any patient with whom we do not address these wider issues.
Take this a step further – who else can support the patient?
Their tennis coach, a personal trainer, a mental health worker, their GP, occupational health at work, community social clubs and even physical aids. We will work with anyone to help our
patients live a healthy life. And this is what it all comes down to. As a chiropractor who has grown with experience and, of course, aged a little myself, I understand what most people want above all things… healthy living for them and their loved ones.
We all want to live a long healthy life. For me, in a perfect world, I would drop down when my time is done and I’m super old, laughing with friends and family on a mountain walk in France. So, with good quality, holistic and personalised care – combined with a little bit of luck – there’s hope for all of us to live a long and healthy life.
Chiropractors are trained, compassionate professionals who treat all musculoskeletal conditions. I consider each patient as though they are member of my family and I look forward to helping everyone in a personalised way.
European glory for Taekwondo team
A MARTIAL arts team based in Lyde Green is celebrating after members took home a medal haul from the European Championships this summer.
Students from Fishponds Taekwondo Academy, which trains at Lyde Green Community Centre, competed in the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) event held at Sports Wales National Centre in Cardiff from July 18 to 21.
The competition had a range of categories, including power breaking, patterns and sparring for juniors and adults.
The team is part of the federation’s UK Region 7 and members were among 160 participants from 15 countries at the event, which is held every two years.
Winning students included Joel Cassar, a former Bristol Metropolitan Academy student and fourth-degree black belt, who won gold for sparring.
Joel, who has trained in Taekwondo since the age of four, thanked the instructors for their support.
He said: “This would not have been possible without the hard work, time and effort from our instructors. We count ourselves lucky to have such skilled and supportive coaches.”
Sam Cole, an engineer with Airbus, won silver for first degree black belt patterns.
The men’s team won silver in
EMERSONS GREEN
VOICE LOCAL SERVICES
patterns and breaking.
Elliane Reader was awarded two silvers in individual patterns and sparring, as well as two silvers and two gold medals in team events.
Lewis Lambern reached the quarter finals in sparring where he put in a strong performance, initially reaching a draw, then losing out at extra time.
Instructor Gavin Reader said he was proud of everyone who took part, adding: “It was great to see the Fishponds Taekwondo Academy represent Team GB on the international stage, which is an amazing achievement.
“They performed extremely well and did themselves and their club proud.
“The students have trained hard and it’s great to see their progression. To reach this level of competition takes years of dedication and is in itself an achievement.”
Only 5% of ITF Taekwondo students are believed to take part in competitions but the team from Lyde Green regularly competes both nationally and internationally.
The group, which is led by accredited and experienced instructors, trains at Lyde Green Community Centre every Wednesday and Friday.
For more information, call 07500 764276 or email fishpondstkd@yahoo.com.
Angela Belassie
Students from UK ITF Taekwondo Region 7 who took part in the European Championships
TAPS
WASHERS
TANKS, TOILETS
TAPS, WASHERS
