Emersons Green Voice December 2022

Brownies place a wreath at Mangotsfield War Memorial.

Remembrance round-up: Pages 6 & 7

Bus services hit by more cuts

BUS operator First has announced it is cancelling more than 160 journeys to and from Emersons Green and Lyde Green every week.

The announcement of cutbacks on the 48 and 49 routes, introduced with immediate effect on November 16, came less than six weeks after the company introduced a new timetable in October, which in itself included cuts in frequency for the 48.

First blames driver shortages for the

HAIR DESIGNERS

Here

cancellations, which it says will remain in place for at least five months up to the next major change to timetables at the beginning of April next year.

Passengers had already been complaining of rising numbers of cancellations, with demand for services expected to rise from the end of November, as Bristol’s Clean Air Zone charges on old cars take effect.

Turn to Page 5

Capturing the joy of nature

This is the winning shot in a wildlife photography competition organised by Emersons Green Town Council which attracted more than 100 entries.

PAGE 19

Demand for action at mouldy flats

Residents of flats in Siston Hill are calling on their housing association to act to tackle a mould outbreak.

PAGE 12

Fire chiefs urge care with candles

Householders are being warned to be careful with candles and to avoid social media ‘ life hacks’ encouraging their use following a fire at a flat in Emersons Green

PAGE 16

emersonsgreenvoice

Publisher Gary Brindle 0117 907 8585 07799 461169

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Fireworks are a hitnow it's time for Santa

DOWNEND'S firework display raised a record £50,000 for charities and good causes this year.

Journalist Linda Tanner 0777 0700579

Find us on Facebook emersons green voice

The event at the King George V playing fields on November 4, organised by Downend Round Table, sold all its 12,000 tickets in advance for the second year running.

Downend Round Table Fireworks chairman Paul Wells said: "Last year had been exceptional, coming out of lockdown, and we didn't know how this year was going to go but we had really good sales, with a lot of people buying tickets early on in the week of the display.

"We've had a lot of positive feedback about the event itself. Last year people had found it difficult to exit the site and this year we made changes and it seemed to go smoothly.

"We were also lucky with the weather - we had a nice day when it rained on every other day around it."

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DEADLINES

Our January edition deadline is December 7.

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

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.

A member of the

Paul thanked the groups that helped out on the night, including 78th and 54th Kingswood scouts, 55th Fishponds Baptist Guides, Downend 41 club, Keynsham 41 club, Fishponds and Downend Rotary, and Downend Tangent.

The total raised was up from £45,000 last year, and all of the money will be available to local good causes.

Paul said there was still time for people to make requests for a share of this year's funding, either for charities or other projects or groups which benefit the local community.

Anyone who would like to make a request for funding, or is interested in joining Downend Round Table, should email hello@ downendrt.co.uk.

With the fireworks over for this year, Downend Round Table is once again preparing to help Father Christmas visit children in the area in the run up to Christmas.

The sleigh will be touring on various evenings throughout December: the itinerary and online Santa Tracker will be published online at www.downendrt.co.uk, with regular updates on the Downend Round Table Santa Sleigh Facebook Page.

Community groups such as scouts, guides, youth groups and churches are welcome to join the sleigh on its rounds: email ask@ downendrt.co.uk for more information.

Santa's sleigh in Downend

Sort out this mess!

RESIDENTS and councillors are calling on a developer to make safe land it owns in Mangotsfield - and settle its future.

Taylor Wimpey owns a field which lies between Cossham Street and Rodway Hill Road, bordering the grounds of Mangotsfield United Football Club, Cleve Rugby Club and Mangotsfield School.

The field was the subject of an application for 180 new homes in 2009, which was rejected by South Gloucestershire Council the following year, after a huge campaign by residents.

Although currently designated as green belt, the field, which is part of Mangotsfield but within the boundaries of Emersons Green Town Council, remains in the developer's land bank of potential housing sites - and the company says it wants to "promote" it for development.

Fencing around the site is collapsing on to the paths that surround it, creating a hazard for people walking past and allowing unauthorised access to the field.

Residents' groups and councillors have come together to urgently call on Taylor Wimpey to fix the problem.

Mike Reeves chaired the Save Mangotsfield Open Green Spaces Group (SMOG), which successfully fought the housing plans over a decade ago.

He said: "It's just an asset on their books to them, but it's a mess.

"I've had people complaining to me, women in particular, that when they are walking there at night it isn't safe."

Colin Hunt, a South Gloucestershire and town councillor for Emersons Green, said the path was used by children walking to Mangotsfield School and the fencing needed to be "repaired and put right".

He said the field itself, which is often overgrown but is home to wildlife, also needed better management, adding: "They're hoping people are going to say 'it's such an eyesore, why don't you let them build'?"

The land was once farmland owned by the Cave family and despite its current state, Mike said: "I don't want Wimpey to get the idea that we would want it to be built on - we would rather see it left as it is than houses."

Michael Bell, a Staple Hill & Mangotsfield councillor and member of the Mangotsfield Residents Association, said the field was the biggest piece of unused land in the area.

He said: "If they are never going to get planning permission, what's the point of hanging on to it?

"We want some commitment from Taylor Wimpey to repairs and to ecology. The ideal would be a managed nature reserve."

Emersons Green Town Council chair Simon Budd said the council could manage the field as a nature reserve if Taylor

Wimpey was prepared to come to an agreement with them.

The Voice put the concerns raised about the site to Taylor Wimpey and days later the vegetation was cut back.

We also asked about the suggestion that ownership of the field be transferred to a council.

A spokesperson said: “We are working closely with South Gloucestershire Council to promote the Mangotsfield site for development, as part of the wider South Glos Local Plan.

"We are aware that sections of the perimeter fence have been subject to recent damage.

"We are in the process of appointing a specialist contractor who will be tasked with replacing the damaged fence with an upgraded specification, to ensure long term durability and greater security for the site.

"As part of ongoing maintenance for the site, the managing agent arranged for the grass and scrub vegetation to be cut back.To ensure the site remains in good condition, this will be conducted at regular intervals throughout the year."

Mike Reeves, Simon Budd, Colin Hunt and Michael Bell next to collapsed fencing surrounding the field

Another section of collapsed fencing

Chiropractic Christmas

CHRISTMAS is a time of year to be with our loved ones and indulge in the festivities of the season. However it can also be quite stressful and full of pitfalls, so hopefully we’ll be able to help you avoid some of them.

The stress and strain of Christmas prep often manifest in our bodies hence we see a large amount of neck and lower back tension at this time of year.

We tailor patient care to ensure everyone is healthy happy and feeling comfortable on the lead up to Christmas. Ready to handle what comes their way over the festive period.

Here’s some tips to keep you in the best shape over Christmas:

Christmas shopping

Load the bags evenly; carry one in each hand so you’re not unbalanced and causing undue strain on the neck and back. Better yet order presents online and get them delivered.

Keep it simple

Opt for a relaxed atmosphere this year, don’t strive for the ‘picture perfect’ Christmas. Enjoy each other’s company and make sure everyone mucks in with the jobs to keep the stress low and your body better rested.

Everything in moderation

Enjoy your food and drink but make sure you have some water in there between the stronger stuff. Have a lighter day of eating and drinking on Boxing Day so your body recovers nicely, otherwise that ropey Christmas feeling can drag on.

Stay active

Matt Sutton

Bus company axes dozens of journeys

From Page 1

First is cutting seven weekday 48 services in each direction between Emersons Green and Bristol city centre via Downend, along with eight Saturday and ten Sunday services in each direction.

In total, 106 out of 588 services on the 48 route each week are being cancelled - more than one in every six.

On the 49 route the company is cutting two weekday, 13 Saturday and 13 Sunday services from Lyde Green to the city centre via Staple Hill, along with one weekday, 16 Saturday and ten Sunday services in the opposite direction.

In total, 67 out of 716 journeys are being cut - more than one in every 11.

Several other routes are seeing big cuts, including the 48a between the city centre and UWE, which is losing 293 journeys a week.

First has confirmed that it is cutting around 1,450 bus journeys a week in total across its network.

The 7, 17, 19, 47 and metrobus m3 services are not affected by the changes, which came less than two months after First axed the Y5 service, reducing the frequency of buses to Pucklechurch on its replacement 47 service and leaving Shortwood with no service at all.

The company says it is currently 150 drivers short, despite an “active recruitment campaign”, but will still operate 95% of journeys.

A company spokesperson said: “We appreciate the changes will cause some disruption to our customers. But by giving customers advance notice of cancellations, we want to make it easier for customers to adjust their travel plans if need be.

“The driver shortage is a nationwide problem which is not just affecting First.”

A full list of the cancelled services is on First’s website.

Campaigners calling for bus services to be franchised by the West of England Combined Authority and local councils, taking scheduling out of First’s control, are planning a protest outside the next full meeting of South Gloucestershire Council on December 14.

West of England Shared Transport and Active Travel Network (WESTACT) members are calling for people to join them with torches, hi-vis clothes and glow paint outside Kingswood Civic Centre at 6.15pm. The protest will take place before they present an open letter, signed by more than 1.250 supporters of franchising, to the council.

Thornbury & Yate MP Luke Hall met with the managing director of First West of England, Doug Claringbold, and Steve Reade, South Gloucestershire Council cabinet member for

transport, in Shortwood in November to present “the key priorities for residents and commuters in our area”, including the restoration of services to Shortwood and the Y2 connection between Frampton Cotterell and Downend.

He presented a petition calling for the 47 bus service, which replaced the Y5, to be rerouted to serve Shortwood village.

Mr Hall said: “I will be feeding back to First Bus residents’ comments about their local services and will in particular be asking for First Bus to reconsider the demand for key services, particularly for our rural villages such as Shortwood and Iron Acton.”

Shortwood resident Sue Hillier, who met with Mr Hall, has urged residents to keep up the pressure by continuing to email Mr Hall, Mr Norris and Mr Claringbold to call for their bus service to be restored.

HUNDREDS of people paid their respects to those who sacrificed their lives in conflict at remembrance services in Staple Hill and Mangotsfield.

Two-minute silences were impeccably observed in Page Park and the Alec Large Memorial Garden on Remembrance Sunday by members of uniformed organisations, relatives and residents who attended the services.

In the morning members of the Staple Hill Salvation Army band led a parade along Staple Hill High Street and Broad Street to Page Park, with service veterans marching under the flags of the Royal British Legion followed by Army cadets, members of Scouting and Guiding groups and local politicians, with members of the public following the parade through the park gates to the war memorial.

In the afternoon a service at the Mangotsfield War Memorial was led by the Rev Teresa Taylor of St James church and Community Pastor Clive Heath, with another large crowd in attendance, including many families from Emersons Green who joined children from uniformed organisations based

Remembering the fallen

in the area.

Staple Hill & District RBL chairman Ian Campbell said: “Remembrance was extremely well turned out again in Staple Hill and Mangotsfield, and we have had many comments since regarding how well it was organised. Hats off to the Staple Hill Partnership and the Salvation Army, who had a hand in Staple Hill, and the Mangotsfield Residents Association in Mangotsfield.”

Clive said: “This year’s service

went extremely well, even the weather was kind to us.

“There was a brilliant attendance by the Mangotsfield community - it seems to attract more people every year.”

Donations to the Poppy Appeal were still being tallied as the Voice went to press but Ian said this year’s appeal had seen many people making donations via contactless machines at supermarket collections.

Shoppers boost appeal

CUSTOMERS at Sainsbury’s Emersons Green store provided a big boost to this year’s Poppy Appeal for the Royal British Legion.

Volunteers took more than £12,100 in cash donations at the Poppy Appeal stall as they collected every day from October 29 until Remembrance Sunday on November 13.

Many also made card donations using the stall’s contactless machine, although the total amount collected this way had not been confirmed as the Voice went to press.

Military Wives perform

BRISTOL’S Military Wives Choir joined forces with a brass band at a concert on Remembrance Sunday.

The choir, which draws many of its members from services families in Emersons Green, performed with Filton Concert Brass at a Remembrance Concert at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on the evening of November 13.

Right: The service at Mangotsfield

A veteran salutes the memorial in Mangotsfield

Cadets, beavers, cubs and scouts line up at the Mangotsfield war memorial

Poppy appeal collectors at Sainsbury’s Emersons Green store.

The Bristol Military Wives Choir in concert at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Picture: Doug Lodge.

Ebony witnesses unique Remembrance ceremony

AN EMERSONS Green Primary School pupil visited Westminster Abbey to see her brother take part in a ceremony to remember soldiers who have fallen in war.

Ebony Nasau then wrote a report for classmates to explain the significance of the lighting of the British Torch of Remembrance, which took place on November 7.

The torch is lit in Westminster Abbey at the grave of the Unknown Warrior, a British soldier killed on a First World War battlefield, whose body was brought from France and buried in 1920 to symbolise all of those killed during the war.

It is then taken to Brussels to the grave of the Belgian Unknown Warrior, a journey which dates back to 1945, when the Dean of Westminster was asked to re-kindle the Belgian Torch of Remembrance, which had been extinguished by the Nazis during the occupation.

Ebony, aged 10, is a member of a services family: her dad Alifereti is an Army medic and Regimental Sergeant Major for the 24/3 Field Hospital in Keynsham.

Brothers Kieran, 18, and 15-year-old Zakaria are both students at the Duke of York’s

Royal Military School in Kent.

The school takes part in the lighting ceremony each year and this year Kieran, who is the school’s Drum Major, led the band and also played the Last Post on the bugle. He then formed part of the escort for the torch on its journey to Belgium.

Mum Michelle said: “Ebony was so proud. She lights up from ear to ear when she talks about her brothers and she is hoping to go to the same school next year.

“I had to write to the school to ask for permission to take her

out of school early to go to the ceremony. To make her feel like it wasn’t just a day trip to have fun I got her to write a report so she could teach others at school about remembrance.”

Ebony’s report became part of a presentation to the school

made with her fellow Year 6 Emersons Green Primary School pupils.

Key Stage 2 leader Caroline Mountford said: “Every year the Year 6 children put together and share an assembly on Remembrance with their families and military families in the school.

“This year the children found out about the history and origins of our Remembrance traditions.”

School remembers

MORE than 1,000 students and staff from Mangotsfield School took part in a two-minute silence in the open air for Remembrance Day on November 11.

Wreaths were laid by head teacher Hetty Blackmore and student leaders from each of the school’s houses (Pomphrey, Rodway, Chase and Siston).

Mrs Blackmore said: “I was so very proud of all the students and the way they conducted themselves.”

Ebony Nasau with dad Alifereti and brothers Kieran (in Drum Major uniform) and Zakaria

CHRISTMAS is hurtling toward us and the season brings with it good news and bad for our eyes.

For a start, turkey is surprisingly good for your vision. That may not immediately feel like the case when you’re struggling to keep your post-dinner eye lids open for the King’s speech and the Bond film.

But lean protein is great for your retinas and the calcium and zinc within the meat help create melanin, the pigment that gives your skin colour and acts as a bodyguard to your eyes, protecting them from harmful rays and radiation.

Where do you stand on the sprouts debate? I love them, which is fortunate as they are about as good for your eyes as anything else you can put in your mouth.

They contain phytonutrients, which not only help to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s but also help protect your eyes from cataracts and macular degeneration as you get older.

And don’t forget to put a dollop of cranberry sauce on your plate. Cranberries are a great source of vitamins A and C, which help prevent damage to your eyes and reduce the risk of cataracts.

As for chocolate, the jury’s out. Some studies suggest dark chocolate can be beneficial to your eyesight as it contains antioxidants that could bring down the risk of macular degeneration. But there’s never been a study big enough to give dark chocolate an official medical endorsement.

So for now, my advice would be to enjoy chocolate in moderation – just don’t expect it to guarantee you eagle-eye vision!

And now the bad news. LED lights are everywhere at Christmas and some studies have suggested that they are bad for your eyes. Exposure to LED lights has been linked to premature retinal tissue ageing and macular degeneration.

However – this sort of damage would only be caused if you’re staring non-stop at LED lights for a long time so having your lights up for a couple of weeks in December is unlikely to cause you any problems.

Christmas coincides with the shortest days of the year and usually involves a lot of driving around to see relatives. Headlight dazzle and the low sun reflecting off snow, puddles or the car in front are regularly blamed for driving accidents during the festive season.

It’s well worth discussing the options for sun and glare protection with your optician and don’t forget to book your thorough eye examination every two years to find out if you need prescription lenses in your sunglasses.

Looking for a last-minute gift?

A voucher toward a stylish pair of designer glasses makes an excellent Christmas present. At Turners, we have dozens of frames from designers including Tom Davies, Ted Baker and Ray-Ban. We offer gift vouchers in whatever denomination you need to make someone’s Christmas extra special. Just call in at our Henleaze or Fishponds branch and we’ll take care of the rest. To book an appointment, call 0117 962 2474 or 0117 965 4434.

Have a great Christmas everyone!

Peter Turner is a Senior Optometrist at Turners Opticians in Bristol, with a specialist interest in visual development and visual performance.

Turkey, chocolate and sprouts – are they really good for your eyesight?

MANDATORY training for health and care workers named in memory of an Emersons Green teenager has been introduced nationally.

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism, was launched at the end of October following a long campaign and a successful two-year trial.

Oliver, who was 18 and had a mild learning disability and highfunctioning autism, was taken to hospital after suffering a partial seizure in October 2016.

He was given antipsychotic medication, despite both Oliver and his parents telling staff he had previously had an adverse reaction to such medication.

It caused his brain to swell, causing irreparable damage, and his life support was turned off after doctors told the family there was no hope of recovery.

After Oliver’s death his parents, Paula and Thomas, fought for an independent review and campaigned to change the way NHS staff communicate with people with learning disabilities.

The training is the result of their work, which brought Paula an OBE for services to people with autism and learning disabilities in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

The NHS said the circumstances of Oliver’s death highlighted a lack of understanding of the needs of people with a learning disability or autism.

The training has been developed from the start with expertise and advice from people with a learning disability and autistic people, as well as their families and carers.

This year’s Health and Care Act 2022 introduced a

Oliver’s training goes nationwide for health and care staff

requirement that regulated health and care providers must ensure their staff receive relevant training on learning disability and autism.

As a result the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, which has been developed in partnership with Health Education England, Department for Health and Social Care, Skills for Care and NHS England, is now available for staff across the health and care sectors to access.

The training programme comes on two levels.

Tier 1 has been designed for staff who need general awareness of the support autistic people or people with a learning disability may need, and involves a digital training programme, with an hour-long online interactive session.

Tier 2, for people who may need to provide care and support for autistic people or people with a learning disability, will be required to attend a one-day face-to-face training session codelivered by trainers with direct experience of learning disability and autism.

Paula said: “I take comfort in knowing that the death of my teenage son Oliver has resulted in a positive change as a direct consequence, something which will resonate with many and is deeply meaningful to me.

“I have been humbled to observe all health and care colleagues working collaboratively to strive for this change.

“There is more work to be done, but the journey has now started, and I truly believe we are on the right trajectory to achieve better health and care outcomes for neurodivergent people.”

Chief nurse at Health Education England Mark Radford said: “The introduction of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning and Disability is a vital step forward in ensuring that people with a learning disability and autistic people receive the right levels of care that are appropriate for their needs.

“Following the tragedy of Oliver’s death, Paula McGowan has tirelessly campaigned to ensure that Oliver’s legacy is that

all health and care staff receive this critical training.

Paula and many others have helped with the development of the training from the beginning.”

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: “What happened to Oliver was a tragedy – this training is a vital next step to address existing health inequalities for autistic people and people with a learning disability, providing them with the right care and support in health and care settings.”

Oliver McGowan

FRENCHAY Christmas Tree Farm is home to 40,000 Christmas trees spread over three fields of around 18 acres of green belt land next to the M32 motorway. This year, the first crop is being harvested from the third and newest field, eight years after it was first planted with sapling trees. Owner Simon Maughan is thrilled at the prospect: “After all the years mowing, tending, pruning and shaping, the Nordmann and Fraser Firs in our new field are looking wonderful, and it’s going to be very pleasing watching families taking them home for Christmas this year.”

The Fraser Fir is a popular alternative to the top-selling Nordmann Fir. Like the Nordmann, it keeps its needles really well over Christmas, but it has a stronger fragrance and a slightly narrower shape, making it a practical choice in a smaller home. They can be difficult to grow and need careful pruning, but because they reach maturity about two years sooner than the Nordmann, they’re much better value.

“While tagging up our trees ready for cutting this season, we found plenty of evidence of

What’s new at Frenchay Christmas Tree Farm

martins will take up home in the newly installed nest boxes, and by letting some Christmas trees grow to maturity, they might not only provide homes for wildlife, but capture carbon dioxide and pollutants from the nearby motorway.

Many people make informed decisions nowadays about the things that they buy, wanting to support local businesses, reduce road miles and be environmentally ethical. Readers can find out more about the wildlife and the Christmas trees, the planting programme and the ethos behind the farm at: www.

frenchaychristmastreefarm.co.uk

thriving wildlife: badger setts, mole hills, mushrooms, wildflowers, bird nests and wasp nests to name a few. We always strive to work alongside nature on the farm, whether that’s leaving wild

grasses and flowers to grow over the summer months to attract insects, or mulching up trees after Christmas to spread on the fields.”

Owner Simon Maughan hopes that one day swallows and house

Frenchay Christmas Tree Farm is open every day from 9am to 5pm from Saturday 19th November. You can visit in person, or order your tree, stand and wreath online either for delivery or click and collect.

Thanks to Alex at Above Horizon Photography for the drone photo

Car noise camera goes up

A ‘NOISE camera’ to detect drivers with modified exhausts has been installed over the Avon Ring Road.

The Department for Transport has placed the camera overlooking the A4174 between the Kingsfield roundabout by the Longwell Green leisure park and the Wraxall Road ‘throughabout’ junction.

It was installed on November 9 for three weeks as part of a £300,000 government-backed trial to curb noise pollution.

The new technology uses a video camera and a number of microphones to accurately identify “excessively noisy vehicles” as they pass by. It takes a picture of the vehicle and records the noise level to see if it exceeds legal limits, recording evidence which can be used by police to fine drivers.

South Gloucestershire Council and Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore made a successful bid to a government competition to be a trial site.

The ring road has been dogged by drivers with loud exhausts, with Emersons Green residents among those complaining that the problem had got worse, particularly during the covid lockdown.

The camera was used for the first time in Keighley, Yorkshire, in mid-October and will go on to two other locations, in Great Yarmouth and Birmingham, after it leaves South Gloucestershire.

The trial aims to find whether the technology can be effective identifying and prosecuting drivers, and curbing noise from illegal exhausts and excessive engine revving, which the DfT says contributes to health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes and dementia.

The camera takes a picture of the vehicle and records the noise level to create a digital package of evidence that can be used by local police to fine drivers.

Roads Minister Richard Holden said: “Boy racers with their souped-up cars are an antisocial menace in towns and villages across the country. This trial will help police clamp down on drivers who over-rev their engines and use illegally modified exhausts. ”

Mould grows ‘out of control’ at flats

RESIDENTS of flats in Siston Hill are calling on their housing association to take urgent action to tackle a growing mould outbreak.

Problems at the block in The Sidings started when a water pipe burst, flooding the communal hall of the building, soaking the carpet and spraying electrical supply cupboards for the building.

Firefighters were called out to make the building safe and called landlords Guinness Partnership on the day of the incident, October 12, to inform them of the problem.

But residents say it took the housing association a week to respond, during which time the carpets were soaking wet. And when it did act, the soaked carpets were not pulled up and replaced but shampooed, with a ‘mould wash’ of the walls also carried out.

They say the problem has persisted, with mould now growing on the carpets and

walls of ground and first floor flats, and the smell is pervasive. Skirting boards have also been water damaged, while the doors on electrical cupboards have had to be replaced.

A resident who contacted the Voice on behalf of the 12 flats’ tenants said: “The hallway still stinks and the mould is out of control.

“The smell is horrid. They can smell it up in the first floor flats and if they can smell, it they’re breathing it - and if they’re breathing it, it’s dangerous.

“The soaking wet carpets should have been pulled up. As a result of not doing this, the water went into the skirting boards and up onto the walls.”

The issue of mould in housing association properties hit the headlines in November when an inquest found toxic mould growth caused the death of a two-year-old boy, Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 after suffering breathing problems. The housing association responsible for his home failed to tackle the problem despite repeated

complaints from his parents and a health visitor.

Residents at The Sidings say they often have to wait months for repairs, with an intercom out of action for more than a year and mail boxes not replaced despite being too small for a lot of post and being “stupidly easy” to break.

A Guinness Partnership spokesperson said: “Our contractor stopped the leak and repaired the water pipe on the day it was reported to us.

“We arranged for the carpets and walls to the ground floor of the building to be cleaned and treated whilst the building was drying out, although this can take some time following a significant leak.

“We are very sorry that the treatment has not been effective so far. We are keeping the situation under review and will of course undertake any works needed, including replacing the carpet in the communal area should this be necessary.”

Some of the mould that has spread up walls in flats and communal areas in the building

Parent carers celebrate lottery grant

A GROUP that supports families of children with additional needs and disabilities is celebrating a big injection of funds from the National Lottery.

South Glos Parent Carers (SGPC) has been awarded £275,000 to help with running costs and to continue its expansion further into the community.

The successful bid to The National Lottery Community Fund, was the result of months of behind-the-scenes hard work.

SGPC applied for the funding, which will be delivered over five years, to develop its services as a direct result of the increasing numbers of parent carers requesting support.

Some of the money will be used to expand SGPC’s peer support services for parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with the aims of providing:

• a channel through which they

can express their views to help shape future services;

• increased knowledge via training, workshops, and peer support;

• a supportive peer community

where families feel listened to by members who live a similar journey, and where their views and experiences will be understood and valued;

• a parent carer community

where anxiety and isolation are reduced and the capacity of parents to support their children is strengthened.

A spokesperson said: “SGPC are an independent community interest company supporting parent carers of children (0-25) with SEND. They are not part of the local authority but do partner with local service providers to help them to hear and understand the views of parent carers, in order to improve services.

"SGPC has over 1800 members and we know there are many more parent carers in South Glos whose voices and lived experiences deserve to be heard. Any parent struggling to understand their child’s behaviour is welcome to contact us for further information. We are happy to hear from any parent regardless of a diagnosis."

Membership of SGPC is free. Parents can join via the website www.sgpc.org.uk

What a win! Members of the South Glos Parent Carers group celebrate receiving £275,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund

Recycle that tree!

AS you set out to buy a real tree this Christmas give some thought to how you can recycle it once the festivities are over.

St Peter’s Hospice's Christmas Tree Collection scheme will help raise funds for patient care in Bristol and help you to have a sustainable start to the New Year.

St Peter's will collect your tree from your doorstep and recycle it in exchange for a suggested donation of £15 - £20 per tree

The tree collection service takes place on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 January at postcodes including BS15 and BS16.

To book your tree collection see: https:// www.stpetershospice.org/ treecollection

Labour selects candidate

LABOUR has selected its candidate to challenge Conservative MP Jack Lopresti in the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency at the next general election.

Claire Hazelgrove will attempt to become the first Labour politician to win the seat, which has been held by Mr Lopresti since it was created in 2010 - and will cover Emersons Green and Lyde Green if proposed boundary changes are confirmed.

She won the party’s selection contest ahead of Bradley Stoke town councillor Angela Morey, Emersons Green town councillor Sadik Al-Hassan and Robert Logan, who stood for the party in the neighbouring Thornbury & Yate constituency in 2019.

The result followed a vote at a hustings meeting attended by more than 100 local Labour Party members in November, with many other members voting

by post.

Labour has come second in all four previous elections for the Filton and Bradley Stoke seat, with Mr Lopresti’s majority peaking at 9,838 in 2015 and falling to 4,190 in 2017.

At the 2019 election, his majority was 5,646 or 5.25%, making the constituency the 74th most marginal Tory seat in the UK.

Claire, a community and political engagement director and charity trustee, has worked for charities Shelter and Friends of the Earth, for the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and for both of Barack Obama’s successful US Presidential election campaigns.

She said: “I’m really grateful to have been selected as our parliamentary candidate by local party members.

“Whilst it won’t be easy to win here for the first time, I’ve been out knocking on doors and

listening to hundreds of people here all year long, and they’ve told me they want change.

“l will be making the case for a better politics, putting decency, aspiration and local people’s voices at the heart of change.

“I know we need to work hard here to earn people’s trust, and I will work to do that every day.”

Claire Hazelgrove

MP seats shake-up moves forward

PLANS to redraw MPs’ constituencies, which would see the Kingswood seat abolished and a new seat created, are open for a final consultation.

The shake-up would mean all of Emersons Green, Lyde Green and Downend will be part of Filton and Bradley Stoke, while Staple Hill and Mangotsfield join a new constituency, Bristol North East.

The Kingswood seat, created in 1974, would disappear under the plans: it currently includes Mangotsfield, part of Downend and Emersons Green, as well as Kingswood itself, Siston, Warmley, Hanham, Longwell Green and Bitton.

To continue to represent any part of his current constituency under the new boundaries, current Conservative MP Chris Skidmore would have to either stand in Bristol North East - which has only one Tory councillor - or potentially take on one of his current neighbouring

MPs for his party’s nomination: Jack Lopresti in Filton & Bradley Stoke or Jacob Rees-Mogg in the new North East Somerset and Hanham seat, which stretches from the Chew Valley through Keynsham to Bitton and Warmley.

The changes will also see part of Lyde Green, which currently falls inside the Thornbury & Yate constituency of another Tory MP, Luke Hall, move into Filton & Bradley Stoke.

At present the Kingswood/ Thornbury & Yate boundary follows the course of a stream through the middle of Lyde Green, passing through Willowherb Road three times and Jenner Boulevard once.

Roads off Honeysuckle Road, Cherry Banks and Elderflower Drive are currently in Thornbury & Yate, while the rest of the estate is in Kingswood.

The changes, proposed by the Boundary Commission for England and first reported by

the Voice last year, are part of a national review aimed at ensuring constituencies are all a similar size, taking account of population shifts over the past 15 years to add new seats where the size of the electorate has increased and take them away from areas where it has declined.

While the new Bristol North East and North East Somerset & Hanham seats would cross council boundaries, the review would put to an end the current situation where constituency boundaries cut through some council wards: as well as the line through Lyde Green, at present both the Staple Hill & Mangotsfield ward and Frenchay & Downend wards are split between Filton & Bradley Stoke and Kingswood.

People are invited to view and comment on the new constituency map online at bcereviews.org.uk by December 5, with the final recommendations due to be

The Kingswood seat held by Chris Skidmore would disappear under the plans

made next July - but with no confirmed timetable for implementing them after that, they may not be in place when the next general election is called.

Children learn from the past

YEAR 6 pupils from Mangotsfield C of E Primary School went back to the past on their latest school trip.

The children were taken to Radstock Museum to find out first hand what life was like for their predecessors in the Victorian era.

Year 6 lead Cherith Scott said: “The children were given Victorian attire and sent to a schoolroom, where they spent a duration of the morning using chalk and slates to answer the headmistress’s questions, based around the three Rs!

“This was an enlightening experience which enabled our learners to build an understanding of the expectations and teaching approaches adopted in a Victorian classroom.

“We had a fantastic day at the museum and the children showed great empathy for those that endured the challenging living conditions during this period.”

Candle fire sparks warning

FIREFIGHTERS have issued a warning over the dangerous use of candles after a fire in Emersons Green.

Two fire crews were called to Hallen Close on October 22 after a mattress in a flat caught fire shortly after 1pm.

As firefighters went in wearing breathing apparatus to extinguish the blaze, they had to give two people living at the flat treatment for smoke inhalation.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze was caused by unattended candles.

The service is warning people to never leave candles unattended - and to avoid “life hacks” on social media platforms including TikTok and Pinterest which are “encouraging people to use candles too dangerously”.

Fire service temporary group manager for risk reduction Ben Thompson said: “This was an unfortunate incident, which thankfully ended with minimal harm to the occupants of the property.

“Social media and so called ‘life hacks’ are encouraging people to create heating devices using household items, such as plant pots and candles.

“These are dangerous, unregulated, and are liable to cause damage and injury.

“Candles should only be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and using them in different ways can result in nasty accidents.

“If you’re lighting candles at home, fill out our free Home Fire Safety Checker tool online to get personalised safety advice.”

The service is also advising people to make sure candles are on a stable surface, out of reach of pets and children, and away from flammable objects like curtains; not to move them while lit; not to burn several together; to use a heat-resistant holder for scented candles, which re designed to liquefy; to keep rooms wellventilated but not to but candles in draughts, vents or air currents.

For more information visit www.safelincs.co.uk/ hfsc/?ref=AVNFRS.

Mangotsfield Primary pupils say their prayers

THE latest census has revealed fascinating details about where South Gloucestershire's residents were born.

Figures published by the Office for National Statistics show that one in six residents of England and Wales on census day last year - a total of ten million people - were born outside the UK. That is up from 7.5 million in 2011.

In South Gloucestershire the percentage of residents who were born outside the UK rose from 6.6% to 10.6% over the last decade.

Just under nine out of every ten people living in the district - 259,757 of 290,400 residents in March last year - were born in the UK.

A total of 249,242 (85.8%) were born in England, with a further 7,035 people born in Wales.

The next most common nation of birth was Poland (3,320 people), followed by residents who were born in India (2,958), just ahead of Scotland (2,667).

The next biggest individual nation of origin was Romania, where 2,084 South Gloucestershire residents were born.

However this number was smaller than the 2,551 people from nine other nations, grouped together by the ONS, which joined the EU between 2001 and 2011, including the Czech Republic and Cyprus but excluding Poland, Romania and Lithuania, which were counted separately.

Other common places of birth outside the UK recorded in South Gloucestershire were Germany (1,101 people), non-EU European countries (1,065), South Africa (1,062), South America (997), the Republic of Ireland (977) and Nigeria (841)all of which were above Northern Ireland (800) in the list.

In neighbouring Bristol, the

Census figures uncover changing roots of population

percentage of residents born outside the UK rose from 14.7% to 18.8% from 2011 to 2021.

A total of 383,495 out of 472,400 residents (81.2%) were born in the UK, with 365,336 (77.3%) born in England.

After Wales (11,722), the next most common nation of birth was Poland (8,770), followed by the ONS group of nine EU postmillennium nations (5,303).

The most common non-UK or EU nation of birth in Bristol is Somalia: 4,654 residents of the city were born in the East African country - more than the 4,626

SOUTH Gloucestershire's population more closely matches the national average age range than anywhere else in the country, the 2021 census found.

The district's median age of 40 is the same as the England average and the percentage of people in each age group closely matches the distribution of ages nationwide.

By contrast Bristol's median age of 34 is well below the national average: the percentage of people aged between 18 and

people in the city who were born in Scotland. By contrast, only 85 South Gloucestershire residents were born in Somalia.

The other most common countries of birth outside the UK for Bristol residents were India (4,381 people), Romania (3,782), Spain (3,616), Pakistan (3,586), smaller pre-2001 EU member countries, including Benelux and Scandinavia (3,543), Italy (3,123) and China (2,638).

Nationally, the most common country of birth outside the UK is India, followed by Poland, Pakistan, Romania, Ireland,

Our average age is 40

41 is well above average, while number of 47 to 85-year-old residents are below average, as are six to 17-year-olds.

B&NES has a median age of 39 and a large spike of 18 to 23-year-old residents, representing the city's large student population relative to its size.

While South Gloucestershire is home to many students at UWE's main Frenchay

Italy, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Germany and South Africa.

The number of Romanianborn UK residents rose from 80,000 in 2011 to 539,000 in 2021.

Census deputy director Jon Wroth-Smith said: "We can see Romanians have been a big driver in this change, while there have also been increases due to migration from India, Pakistan and Poland, as well as southern European countries such as Italy."

campus, other parts of the university and accommodation are in Bristol, balancing the numbers of young people who leave the district to go to university.

By contrast, North Somerset and the three districts of Gloucestershire neighbouring South GloucestershireStroud, Cotswold and the Forest of Dean - all have median ages between 45 and 49, with numbers of over-50s noticeably above average and numbers of 18 to 40-year-olds below the England average.

A Diwali celebration was recently held at Bradley Stoke Community School during a year-long council programme to celebrate "the stories of people from India who now call South Gloucestershire home"almost 3,000 residents of the district were born in India.

Picture: South Gloucestershire Council.

Coffee, Cakes & Community

11 am Most Thursdays at Emersons Green Village Hall

Warm up with us this winter!

“I would like to meet as many r esidents as possible, listen to their needs, and tr y to help.”

Emersons Green Town Council is committed to providing an excellent service to local residents, and we want to hear your views on our local area. Or just come along and make some new friends.

Being a Town Councillor is highly rewarding, and there are other voluntary roles available too. You have a chance to make a huge difference in the quality of life for people in your local area, and to influence the way issues are dealt with locally. Interested in helping? Get in touch now: clerk@emersonsgreen-tc.gov.uk Why not stand for election? Local elections are managed by South Glos Council and will take place in May 2023. More info: www.southglos.gov.uk

Calendar showcase for nature photography

A CALENDAR featuring wildlife captured on camera in and around Emersons Green has been compiled after a photo competition.

Emersons Green Town Council organised the competition, which attracted more than 100 entries from local photographers.

About 60 people gathered in Emersons Green Village Hall for an exhibition of entries and to hear the results, which were announced by town councillor Bobbie Sunderland.

Judging was close and the photos were of a high, almost professional standard.

First prize - and pride of place on the front of the calendar - went to a photo of a mother bird feeding her young taken by Katie Barnes.

The rest of the winning photos will also feature in the 2023 calendar, which is being

sold by local voluntary groups at £5 each.

Emersons Green Town Council funded the production of the calendar and distributed them free to local community organisations to allow them to raise funds.

More details of which groups are selling the calendars, where and when they are on sale can be found at the town council website, emersonsgreen-tc.gov.uk.

• Another exhibition of local photographic talent is taking place at Christ Church, Downend.

Lincombe Barn Camera club’s exhibition runs for the whole of December.

Club members will be on hand between 4.30pm and 9pm on December 2 and between 10am and 4pm on December 3, 10 and 17 to chat about the pictures.

The winning photo by Katie Barnes will feature on the front of the calendar

Some of the winning photographers at the awards ceremony.

Dame School work uncovers buried history

WHAT a fantastic turnout there was for Mangotsfield’s Remembrance Parade and Service on November 13.

There seem to be more and more people every year, and that’s great to see.

We had a few niggles with our new layout, but nothing we can’t and won’t sort out for future years.

The less formal and quieter service of remembrance in the Red Lion at 11am was also well attended and is important for those who, for whatever reason, are unable to attend the main service.

Our rebuild of the small retaining wall at the back of the Dame School planting area has started and we are very grateful to a local resident who has donated more than 50 old pennant stones: they are just what we need, and will help finish it off nicely.

An interesting aside - a few weeks ago a couple of members of the MRA were starting the rebuild of the wall. We got distracted and one of our members uncovered a gravestone. Further prodding and digging revealed two more.

We don't know how many more there are, but we'll be searching. We are also talking to the church and South Gloucestershire

Council, because we don't yet know if it's just headstones or there are graves there. More when we know more - but in the meantime, please respect them.

Our thoughts now turn to our Christmas decorations.

We will be building our Nativity scene at the Dame School again: that should happen over the weekend of the 3rd and 4th of December.

There will be lights on a tree: they go up on Tuesday December 6.

We aren’t quite sure where we are going to put up the big star/snowflake yet, so if anyone has any ideas, please let us know.

Some other dates for the diary:

Friday December 9, from 7.30pm: Residents association Christmas social meeting at St James Church.

Wednesday December 14 from 10am: MRA/ Red Lion Christmas coffee morning.

Friday December 16 from 6.30pm: Dame School Christmas carol service.

As always, we'd love more people to get involved, so if you’d like to, or you need any help, then please get in touch via MangotsfieldRA@gmail.com, via the everpopular Mangotsfield Matters Facebook page or telephone our chair, Clive Heath, on 07507

168700 or me on 07918 701881. Have a safe and very happy Christmas and New Year.

Author's new Christmas tale for children

A GREAT-grandfather from Downend has written a Christmas story for children.

A Magic Kite and Ronda the Christmas Witch is described as a book "full of magic, surprise, wonder and mystery", intended for young readers with a "thinking imagination".

It has been written by Alan Maggs, who writes stories and poems having previously been a councillor for 40 years.

Alan has become an author despite the obstacles posed by dyslexia, which he only realised he had when he read about it during his adult life.

He said: "When I was at school I wondered why other children could read and write better than me but back then it was unknown - the only way they taught us was with a rap on the knuckles with a ruler!

"Fortunately it is much better in schools now."

The condition means Alan takes longer than other authors to write.

He said: "I'll go back six or seven times to make sure I get it right."

However, A Magic Kite and Ronda the Christmas Witch is not Alan's first book: he also wrote The Wild Jungle Boy, under the pen name Sam Snow, back in 2014.

Alan, who lives in Blackhorse with wife Olive, has three children, five grandchildren

and five great-grandchildren.

He says the story - of a boy who has a kite which can take him anywhere he wishes but

has only one friend in the world - came to him out of the blue.

Alan said: "I don't know what I'm going to write until I get to the computer, and it just comes to me. I just enjoy it."

Alan was a carpenter and joiner before and after National Service in the RAF, and later worked as a forklift driver at Bristol's St Anne's Board Mills cardboard factory.

He had a long career as a councillor, serving on Mangotsfield Rural Parish Council for 40 years and retiring as chairman, aged 80, when the council was replaced by Emersons Green Town Council in 2015.

Alan also served as a Labour councillor on Gloucestershire County Council, on Warmley Rural District Council and on Kingswood Borough Council, from its formation in 1974 until it was replaced by South Gloucestershire Council in 1996.

He has published the book himself, commissioning illustrations from Fishpondsbased artist Molly Harvey and having it printed by Barton Hill-based Whitehall Printing.

Anyone who would like to buy a copy of the book can call Alan on 0117 949 6063 or email awmaggs@gmail.com.

Enquiries from shop owners who would like to stock it are also welcome.

Alan Maggs with his new book

n WHAT’S ON

December 2-31

n PHOTO EXHIBITION at Christ Church, Downend, by Lincombe Barn Camera Club. All welcome to drop in. Club members will be present on December 2 from 4.30-9pm and December 3, 10 and 17 from 10am-4pm to discuss the pictures.

December 3

n THE CLEEVE SINGERS CHRISTMAS CONCERT is a MATINEE and ONLY on Saturday 3rd December at 2.00 pm. The charity being supported this year is Clic Sargent chosen in remembrance of a members grandchildren. Tickets @ £5 will be available from Melanie’s Kitchen, Lincombe Barn and on the Door. The event is at Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road, BS16 2RW.

December 3

n WINTERBOURNE WIND BAND CHRISTMAS CONCERT, Salem Methodist Church, Factory Road, Winterbourne, 7pm. Tickets £5 adults, £2.50 children from ticketsource. co.uk/winterbournewindband. Refreshments available. More information from info@ winterbournewindband.co.uk.

December 4

n TOY SERVICE AT MANGOTSFIELD AND CASTLE GREEN U.R.C. A Toy and Gift sale will be held at Cossham Street on December 4th with all donations being distributed by the Salvation Army. There is a particular need this year for gifts for 10 year olds and over. The service will commence at 10.30 a.m. everyone is welcome. Coffee and biscuits will be served! December 10

n CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFELINE (now known as “The Helping Hand for Ukraine”), will be holding our annual Quiz Night at Christchurch Hall in Downend. This is a fun evening aimed at raising money for children and families being directly affected by the war in Ukraine. Bring Your Own drinks and food (so it’s a cheap night!) and we have kept the prices the same as 2021- just £6 for adults and £3 for any team member under 16. Contact https://www.facebook. com/ccllbristol/

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 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

n LONGWELL LIGHTNING NETBALL CLUB is looking for members with experience of netball, aged 16 or over for seniors and over 10 for juniors. Training Monday nights at Wellsway Way School, in Keynsham. For more information call Maisie Nash on 07920 443820 for juniors, Sandra Nash on 07479 015048 for seniors.

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 Established over 40 years we meet at Pucklechurch Community Hall Absom Road every alternative Tuesday 7.30pm until 10.15p.m. All welcolme with a partner or solo to enjoy good music, dancing and refreshments. Call Alan Mobile: 07812508396 or Linda 07843240414

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 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.

n BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm until 10pm at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS. New members welcomefirst visit free so come along and give us a try. For further information contact Sheila on 01179570792 or 07435316458 or email shinett@ blueyonder.co.uk.

n DOWNEND FLOWER ARRANGING

CLUB

We are a friendly group, we meet at 7.30pm on 1st & 3rd Wednesday each month from September to June at Lincolne Barn, Overndale Road, BS16 2RW. Ring Genise on 0777 2451217 for more information.

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.

n LONGWELL GREEN ORCHESTRA meet each Thursday evening at Longwell Green Community Centre from 7:30 until 9:40. We have players of all abilities. Contact@longwellgreenorchestra. org.uk or 07972 844073. Please get in touch before to tell us what instrument and what level.

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 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 every Friday morning in term time, from 10-11.30am. All welcome - for more info e-mail 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.

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 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 welcome. For more details please contact Peter Redding (Ch.Sec.) on 0117 9657075.

LYDE GREEN OPEN SPACE

A great year - but 2023 could be our best yet

WE want to thank everyone for all the support and efforts over the last year, we are so proud to have delivered some fantastic projects and events in 2022.

Our main project this year has been the community garden build, and we can’t wait for the spring so we can organise some growing events and workshops.

We must also mention the common at Lyde Green.

We will continue to work with the landowner and the council to help deliver restoration projects throughout the year and we will need your help.

The information boards are a fantastic addition, and a massive thanks to Emersons Green Town Council, who supported us by funding the project, and to James from the Friends of Siston group for getting the helpers to install.

We have had some lovely plants again this year at the school square. Our winter plants are in and, if the deer can leave them be for a little while, we should see some pretty little pansies growing well into the spring: our thanks to our winter sponsors, T Baylis Electrical.

Looking for a job that really helps people?

Are you a caring person? Are you a carer for a family member?

Do you want a flexible job, working from home?

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Added thanks goes to Elmwood Garden Centre, for supplying the plants year after year.

We are planning two main projects for next year, which will be a bughouse trail (subject to permissions) and the community centre ‘re-wilding’ project - this will involve removing tired and worn plants and replacing with some beautiful colourful pollinators, to benefit the local wildlife.

Another focus of attention for next year will be working with the younger generation of Lyde Green.

We want to encourage the next generation of children into nature and to help us along the way.

We will be actively engaging with the school to see what we can do to help spread the word of our local nature action plans and of the massive issue of climate change in our world.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more events and information. You may also see a new shiny YouTube channel soonsomething to keep an eye out for.

If you feel you have something to say about the nature in Lyde or want to share some stories or nature-based poems, why not

get in touch and become our guest editor for an edition?

Final thanks to my wife Georgina for putting up with my excitement every month, Ann Fay, Julie Paines and Zoe Crewe for all the help behind the scenes.

More thanks to Helen and team LGCA, Kelly and the team from coffee@Lyde, Paul Flower for his yearly contributions and all our partners and funders over the last 12 months - we really couldn’t do it without everyone’s efforts.

Why not make 2023 the year of volunteering?

We need you: get in touch for more information.

Contact us on Facebook @ lydegreenopenspace or by email at lgopenspace@gmail.com.

Thank you everyone for all the support this year - now let’s keep rolling and make 2023 the best yet.

Laurence Binks, Chair Lyde Green Openspace Group

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It’s

Do you need support to live your life?

Find out if Shared Lives could support you: www.ategi.org.uk

What does it mean to be a Shared Lives carer?

“I’m

Kwame, Shared Lives carer

Find out more about becoming a Shared Lives carer on our website: www.ategi.org.uk or email us on carerapplication@ategi.co.uk

Beechmere Belles WI

WELL, that’s 2022 all wrapped up for another year for Beechmere Belles: we take our break in December.

Over the last couple of months, we were joined by a local florist who showed us how to make a wreath - she made

an autumnal one with the most beautiful colours, which was won by one very lucky lady in our raffle.

We also held a wet felting craft workshop, where we all created wonderful pictures: it was amazing to see these tangles of wool laid down in piles on our backing felt turn into works of art. The process of wet felting

is great and easy to achieve for beginners - you can’t go wrong.

The pictures that our craft lady bought with her, to show us what can be achieved, were beautiful and the details she put into them must have taken days.

Our AGM was a success: the committee was voted back in, the secretary agreed to keep us in check for another year, we have a new treasurer who will do a great job and the president was voted in. Our outgoing treasurer did a brilliant job and will remain on the committee.

Once business was over, wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee were served and the most amazing birthday cake was cut and enjoyed by us all - the very talented lady who makes our cake every year keeps getting better and better.

The quiz was as difficult as ever - and I want to know why under normal circumstances you would know the answers but, under the pressure of wanting to be in the winning team, it all falls apart?

It has been a year filled with brilliant speakers, celebrations, and sadness.

The Diamond Jubilee celebrations were the highlight of the year, which was sadly followed by the passing of Queen Elizabeth, herself a member of the WI.

We have a full and varied calendar of events for 2023, starting on Thursday January 27, at 7.30pm at Emersons Green Village Hall.

We will be joined by a speaker telling us all about the SS Great Britain and the great man that built her.

If you would like to come along and be part of this evening, you will be very welcome. The committee members wear sunflowers, so we are easy to spot. The first meeting is free: tea, coffee, and a piece of cake cost just £1.

If you would like further information, our email address is beechmerebelles@gmail.com, and you can also find us on Facebook.

Must-play festive games

AS the festive period approaches, it’s time to come together and share fun experiences.

And what better way to do this than playing some casual games with your family and friends?

While there are plenty of options out there to choose from, here are three which are sure to provide laughs, excitement and plenty of cheer while children and adults alike are on holiday.

The first game guaranteed to bring the fun is Mario Party Superstars for the Nintendo Switch.

This presents the players with a digital board on which to play a variety of minigames, building an exciting competitive atmosphere as you play each one.

Another Nintendo classic is 1-2-Switch.

Having been released at the launch of the Switch, this game offers a fun time at a cheaper price due to it being out for a while.

That doesn’t mean it feels dated: it has an accessible social appeal, like that

By Emersons Green-based gamer Conor McGeachie

which made Wii Sports a huge hit in many households.

It really is a party game, best played in the context of a social setting. With many minigames for all to play, you won’t regret picking this one up!

The final game on the list is one which is great to play with the family, or even after having one too many glasses of mulled wine.

Just Dance 2022 means exactly what it says, providing a great excuse to bust a move to some of the greatest hits of this year.

While it is available on PS4, PS5 and Xbox, the Switch may again be the best console to use, as the controls allow for free movement when killin’ it the dance floor (or your living room...).

n LYDE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Christmas at community centre

ONCE again this year we are delighted to be hosting the Christmas Fayre at Lyde Green Community Centre.

The fair will be on December 3 from 2-6pm, so pop along and check out the incredible array of locallyproduced crafts and fun Christmas items on sale.

It will feature the fabulous Filton Concert Brass, seasonal yummies and a pre-booked storytime with Santa event.

If you haven’t already bought your tickets for the pantomime at Lyde Green (this year it’s Goldilocks and the Three Bears) then visit buytickets.at/lgca/776603 to reserve yours soon - we have priced the panto at just £7 per ticket to ensure that its affordable for everyone.

Children needing to bounce off some pre-Christmas excitement? We have a Christmas Chaos inflatable fun time on December 20, from 10.30am until 12.30pm. Tickets can be booked at buytickets.at/lgca/799493 and are £3.50 per child. To ensure your children’s safety we are suggesting this is suitable for children aged eight and younger.

We are also super-excited about our family-friendly New Year’s Eve party! We have live music, a fabulous DJ – and what could be better than welcoming in 2023 surrounded by family and friends, right on your doorstep! Tickets are available from buytickets.at/lgca/779992 and will need to be bought in advance. We look forward to seeing you.

Lyde Green Community Association is a charity; we rely on your support to continue the work we do.

If you would like to volunteer for future events, please get in touch with us, via Facebook @lydegreencommunity association and @LydeGreenCC, by email at info@ lydegreenca.org or by calling 0117 957 0410. Party or event bookings can be made at Bookings@lydegreenca.org

Helen Crew

Cleve

CLEVE RFC overcame a Cheltenham North side fielding a number of very talented Fijians to send the crowd home in good spirits from the Hayfields.

Cleve showed intent from the start, with Dom Callaghan making incisive breaks into the 22.

From a scrum Ashley Wildgoose drove to the line and scored, with Harry Owen converting the try, after five minutes.

Henry Williams then scored a try in the corner to make it 12-0 before North came back at Cleve, with their backs scoring two tries to make it 12-10, before a good interchange between backs and forwards saw Harry Owens get on the end of the passing and score before converting his own try to make it 19-10 at half time.

The second half saw Cleve's Dom Callaghan make some great breaks, showing

some fine footwork, before a breakaway try by North's Fijian fullback was converted, making the game very close.

Cleve players kept a cool head, however, and after a lineout an excellent piece of skill,

which involved a kick to the corner by Harry Owens, put the winger in to score.

Cleve carried on attacking and had an Adam Lambert try disallowed before a Freddie Flook effort that did count, with the final score 32-17 to Cleve.

The seconds played against Broad Plain and in a very close game, Cleve came out winners 22-19.

The win followed a highly-competitive clash with Barton Hill at the end of October where Cleve fell just short, losing 26-15 to a strong local side, who always relish playing at the Hayfields.

The first 15 minutes saw Cleve, who had come into the game off the back of a tremendous 45-15 win at Avonmouth, encamped in Barts' 22.

But line-outs close to the line did not yield points, and it appeared inevitable that Barts would break away. After a strong drive they did just that, opening up a lead they would never relinquish.

To the credit of the players and coach Nathan Huntley, Cleve do not give up. Tries from Will Warman, Henry Williams and from a controlled ruck saw Cleve stay in the hunt before a converted try in the final minutes made the final score 26-15 to the visitors.

Cleve's next home game is against Burnham, on Saturday December 10 at 2.30pm.

Steve Bateman

Cleve players contest a line-out against Barton Hill (in red)

Flyers push for promotion after FA Cup defeat

DOWNEND Flyers are returning to their promotion battle after losing their showcase Women's FA Cup clash with Cardiff City Ladies.

Before the National League Division 1 side rolled into town for the 3rd Qualifying Round tie the social media teams for both clubs engaged in a goodnatured exchange, playing on the English-Welsh rivalry and labelling the game the “new Severnside derby”.

In the end though, the twodivision gap between the teams proved too much to bridge, as the Welsh side inflicted a 10-0 defeat, but the Flyers players all made a good account of themselves.

Undaunted, the firsts followed up that game with a fine 7-1 league win at home to Chipping Sodbury but then suffered a 3-1 loss against rivals Oldland Abbotonians, also at Pomphrey Hill, a game head coach Dean Giles said they were very unlucky

to lose.

The team currently sits 4th in the table, although the Flyers are only two points off leaders SGS Olveston, in what is proving to be a very tight battle in the South West Regional Women's Football League Northern Division this season.

Flyers' Beth Pitman is leading

the way in the goalscoring charts, with 11 goals from six appearances.

As the Voice went to press the team had an immediate chance for revenge as they faced Oldland again, this time away in the Gloucestershire county cup, before returning home to Pomphrey Hill a week later to

face league leaders Olveston.

Meanwhile in Gloucestershire County League Division 2, the reserves are hoping to find some form following just two wins in their first seven league games, but a good league cup win this month will have boosted their confidence.

Lastly, in Division 3, the newly formed A team are looking to take flight following a steady start this season.

Sadly Andy Wright, the coach of the As, has had to stand down due to work and other commitments.

We thank him for his achievements in winning promotion with the reserves last season and wish him all the best.

All three teams welcome new prospective players of any age or ability, so if you are interested please get in touch.

Email info@downendflyers. com for more details.

Duncan Gardner

Downend Flyers in FA Cup action against Cardiff City Ladies.

Picture: Women's Soccer Scene.

Bater is back as Mangotsfield United manager

FORMER manager Phil Bater has re-joined Mangotsfield United, after John Allen was relieved of his duties.

Bater managed the club in the Southern League, including a successful spell between 2009 and 2012, in which time the club reached the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round and the Division One South play-offs.

He had been due to return to Cossham Street earlier this year, but was unable to due to unforeseen circumstances.

The Mangos had seen their form improve in mid-October, with a 1-0 away win at FC Stratford in a midweek League Cup tie, thanks to Owen Ridler’s goal on the stroke of half time, followed by a much-needed 2-0 league away win at Gloucesterbased Longlevens, with Oli Jenkins getting both goals.

A home FA Vase tie with Crediton United saw them record another 2-0 win, with goals from Will Hailston and Jadyn Crosbie

just before half time.

But inconsistencies crept in again in the home league clash with Cribbs, and the North Bristol visitors left Cossham Street with a 2-0 away win, courtesy of two first half goals, despite a better second-half showing from the Mangos.

Worse still came on the last Saturday in October, with a 7-2 away drubbing at high-flying Malvern Town, proving to be the final match in charge for Allen. Goals from Jadyn Crosbie and Isaac Flynn had the Mangos just 3-2 behind early in the second half, but then Malvern stepped up another gear and hammered home four goals without reply.

As happens so often when a new manager is appointed, the Mangos went out in their very next game and finally picked up their first, long-awaited league home win of the season, a thrilling 4-2 win against Tuffley Rovers marking Bater's return to the fold.

Missing perhaps five good scoring opportunities in a strong first half performance, the Mangos trailed 1-0 at the break. No doubt the right words were said at half time, as the team came out strongly, with Jordan Metters levelling on 50 minutes, Seb Scott putting them ahead eight minutes later and Metters bagging his second on 65 minutes to make it 3-1, with the Mangos in control of the game. Tuffley kept plugging away and Dan Beasley made it 3-2 on 85 minutes, only for Jadyn Crosbie to make it 4-2 just 60 seconds later to wrap up a most welcome win.

A week later, facing old rivals Clevedon Town at the Hand Stadium, the Mangos were brought back down to earth and dumped out of the FA Vase.

Blown away by three goals inside the first 15 minutes, it was always going to be an uphill battle, despite some good spells for Mangotsfield.

With two players 'sin-binned' later on in the game, after a fourth Clevedon goal from a penalty, the defeat ended the Mangos’ Wembley hopes for another season. Dave Smale

December fixtures:

Saturday 3: Fairford Town (away)

Saturday 10: Hereford Lads Club (away) A Tuesday 27: Bradford Town (home)

CHRISTMAS! The season of fun, festivity… and food intolerance?

More and more people are discovering the true meaning of that age-old saying: you are what you eat. And, at this time of year, many have to think even more seriously about their diet.

This leads me on to introduce you to a wonderful human being called Philippa Parish. For well over 10 years I have been sending patients to her for nutritional support.

As often happens, she was recommended to me by a satisfied patient who had amazing results with her skin condition after working with Philippa, having some blood tests for her food intolerances and taking appropriate action.

Because of her interesting approach to nutrition, I started to refer patients to her and they all came back with similar positive stories. So when my poor little lad Harrison, at just two years old, had constant skin conditions all over him, with obvious links to food, I took him to get the Philippa treatment! Sure enough, the foods we knew were a problem for him were highlighted and a good number of others revealed themselves too.

So with a change of diet and a few positive suggestions about food alternatives, Harry soon got better and has been good ever since. Now he is nearly seven and his food intolerances have really reduced as his gut has matured.

Recently, when an opportunity arose for Philippa to come and work with us at Cleve Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Clinic, I jumped at the chance and now I

simply send patients upstairs!

Without my recommendation, a long-standing patient who had GERD – or acid reflux – went to Philippa in the clinic. At his next chiro appointment, he told me that she had cured his acid troubles and suggested I should give it a try, as we have moaned about suffering with the same problem for years.

Those of you who know me well, realise I have suffered with GERD for maybe eight or nine years. Why I haven’t found the time to visit Philippa personally only the part of my brain that writes excuses professionally can tell you! So I went. Actually I went, determinedly, on my birthday in September.

Sure enough, the things that I know swell my belly, like bread and cows’ milk, showed up strongly on my tests but there was more. The two ‘biggies’ were oats and eggs… which was not great news. I was having porridge (complete with oat milk) for breakfast every day – and if not porridge, then eggs! I was a bit shocked but, as I thought about it,

if my stomach is rebelling against oats, then imagine what a big bowl of porridge sat there every morning was doing to me.

So I listened to everything Philippa had to say, read all the information she gave me and replaced my normal breakfast with very Scandinavian things like gluten free bagels, smoked salmon and goats’ cheese with sauerkraut and a couple of good bacteria capsules. I have followed the diet religiously and it gets easier each week as I find my way around the supermarket reading all the packets and learning what surprisingly few products don’t contain milk, eggs, oats or wheat!

After about 10 days, as I walked past my bedroom mirror, towards the shower, I noticed how my body actually looked. Not a thing you do often when you are over 40, but I noticed that my stomach had deflated and my little round belly had flattened. I must have been in university the last time I had a flat stomach.

I rushed to the scales and, sure enough, I had lost nearly a stone. I was eating what I would consider a similar amount but I had lost weight and truly felt better physically and mentally. As I take medication twice a day, it’s hard to judge how my acid is doing but, at the time of writing, I can no longer feel the GERD symptoms before my tablet is due. I even went a few hours without tablets for the first time in years the other day because I left them at home by accident.

The programme is designed to be strict for three months to allow the stomach to heal and then we can go from there. So here’s

hoping that, as I approach the New Year, I can reduce or even go without the medication.

If you have any stomach/ intestine issues, skin conditions, sinusitis or even types of arthritis and auto immune conditions, I would urge you to book an appointment with Philippa at the clinic. All of her packages are on the website but the simple blood test with consultation was only £125, which I now know is a bargain. So please, if you or anyone you know, is suffering in silence, there could be another way.

I have another appointment booked this month so let’s see what advice she has for Christmas breakfast, dinner, pudding, supper, drinks, canapés…

and a happy and healthy New Year from all of the staff