EMERSONS GREEN VOICE FEBRUARY 2025

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Hope in the heartache

THE family of a teenager who died in a freak accident have launched a charitable foundation to help other people "find hope in the heartache".

Alfie Richley was 17 years old when he suffered traumatic injuries after falling off his skateboard while on holiday

with his family. He died later the same day in hospital.

The accident happened days before Alfie's mum Rachel was due to start treatment for breast cancer.

Alfie's family, in Downend, have been working for months to set up a foundation to

honour his memory by helping disadvantaged children who have been in the care system, live with disabilities or face mental health challenges, and say "even in the deepest sorrow, hope can emerge".

Turn to Page 3

We’re at the AI cutting edge

A £225 million supercomputer being built in Emersons Green in a project led by Prof Simon Mcintosh-Smith is a vital part of the Government’s AI Action Plan. PAGE 4

Rediscovering lost 80s pop

Two local men are reviving some musical gems of four decades ago by releasing an album called The Bristol and Bath 80s Pop Explosion.

PAGE 5

Plane crash inspires film

A film about the impact of the death of teenager Jamie Clapp in a 2007 plane crash will be released next month.

PAGES 8 & 9

Busy Bees Day Nursery in Emersons Green has been praised by Ofsted after its latest inspection Full story: Page 7

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Shoplifters banned

TWO prolific shoplifters who have targeted stores in Lyde Green have been banned from them as part of a police crackdown.

Lisa Ingleheart, aged 42, admitted six thefts from shops in Lyde Green when she appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court in December.

Ingleheart, of no fixed address, has been ordered to undergo rehabilitation and was given a three-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) banning her from the shops she stole from.

Jake Duggan, 33 and also of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to seven shoplifting offences in Lyde Green.

He was also sentenced to rehabilitation and given a two-year CBO at a court appearance in November.

The pair are among five shoplifters in South Gloucestershire and Bristol who police say are responsible for more than 30 offences in recent months.

Lee Varga, aged 40, of Staple Hill, was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison at Bristol Magistrates Court in December after he pleaded guilty to 11 thefts from supermarkets in Downend.

Nicholas Chard, 42, was jailed for a year and seven months after admitting robbery, burglary and eight shoplifting offences in Patchway, Thornbury and Cribbs Causeway. His CBO lasts four-anda-half years.

Emil Johnson, 45, was jailed for five weeks and given a three-year CBO after admitting four thefts from Bristol shops.

The court orders have conditions ordering the thieves to stay out of the shops they have targeted, with penalties for breaching them. The aim is to protect the shops and reduce the chances of the shoplifters re-offending.

South Gloucestershire Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Barny Mabbett said: “The impact of some criminality can be huge to retailers.

“These offenders are well known to local businesses, and we hope the CBOs will not only prevent further shoplifting offences and reduce harm within our communities, but encourage people to report such offences, so appropriate action can be taken.

“We will continue to target prolific offenders and obtain court orders, where appropriate, to prevent offending in our area.”

Lisa Ingleheart and Jake Duggan

Alfie's legacy: a brighter future for others

From Page 1

They have set up the Alfie Nick Foundation as a registered charity to fund organisations and individuals that provide services for disadvantaged children, and are inviting the local community to get on board. A programme of fundraising events is in place, along with a website and donations page.

Alfie attended Christ Church Infant School, Stanbridge Primary School, Downend School and Winterbourne Academy sixth form.

He loved indoor rock climbing, and skateboarding at the Boarding School skate project at the YOU Foundation in Staple Hill.

Alfie was on holiday with his parents Nick and Rachel, brother Ryley and sisters Hope and Elsie at Center Parcs in Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire, when he came off his skateboard and hit a bollard, causing a fatal injury, in October 2023.

Rachel had been told she would have to undergo surgery and chemotherapy and, after being encouraged by her medical team, the family decided to go ahead with the half-term holiday they had booked.

Nick said: "We left as a family of six and came back as a family of five. A freak accident meant our first child was no longer with us and the suffocating agony remains with us each day.

"Rachel faced her battle with cancer head-on, enduring months of intense chemotherapy whilst grieving the loss of her precious boy.

"When she finally rang the bell to mark the end of her treatment, it was a bittersweet

moment. The moment of triumph was overshadowed by the aching absence of Alfie, who would have been so proud to witness his Mum’s incredible strength and perseverance. He would have been her biggest cheerleader!"

Nick, who works in banking and has been a chair of governors at Christ Church Infants and Stanbridge, said setting up a foundation in Alfie's name was "a journey born of unimaginable loss and unparalleled heartache".

He and Rachel said: "We are learning to walk again, but it is not the same walk. We walk with a limp - a daily reminder of our loss. Yet, in the midst of our grief, we have hope, and it is our desire to help others find hope in the heartache. This is the mission of the Alfie Nick Foundation."

The foundation will work with charities, schools, individuals and businesses to support disadvantaged children in the community, reflecting the family's own experiences and Alfie's personality.

Nick and Rachel said: "Alfie

was fearless, courageous, and deeply compassionate. He cared profoundly for others, especially those who were less fortunate –he had time for everybody.

"Despite his own challenges, including a diagnosis of ADHD and mental health struggles in his late teens, Alfie’s heart was always to be outward looking and put the needs of others before his own.

"Adopting our four children from a young age is one of our greatest joys and we have seen first-hand the heartache being experienced in the care system today. We’ve also walked through the challenges faced by families who love and support children with complex needs and mental health challenges.

"While Alfie was fortunate to receive support, we know many children and families are not able to access the support their children need."

The foundation's first fundraising event is a 24-hour Three Peaks Challenge being undertaken by Nick and 11 others on April 12.

A sponsorship page has been set up at justgiving.com/ campaign/climbforalfie. On May 16 a formal launch event for the charity will be held at Celtic Manor Resort near Newport, with a threecourse dinner, entertainment and an auction. Tickets are available from admin@ alfienickfoundation.org. Nick and four other members of the Three Peaks team will then climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania from June 25 to July 1.

The foundation is asking businesses to adopt the foundation as their charity of the year or apply to be sponsors at the launch event, as well as asking people for their support.

Nick and Rachel said: "Alfie was well-loved and known in the community, and 600 people came to his thanksgiving service.

"Our mission is rooted in Alfie’s deep compassion for others. His legacy will live on through this work, bringing hope to children and families in need."

For more information visit alfienickfoundation.org.

Alfie (left) with siblings Ryley, Hope and Elsie and parents Rachel and dad Nick Alfie Richley

£255m computer will put UK on AI cutting edge

A NEW supercomputer being built in Emersons Green is vital to government plans to use artificial intelligence to boost growth and living standards.

The £225 million IsambardAI is already partly operational in a facility run by Bristol University at the National Composites Centre.

When it is fully up and running, it will be used to power the use of AI to drive forward research and development in robotics, data, climate research and medicines.

In January Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced an AI Action Plan, saying that the technology would be “unleashed across the UK to deliver a decade of national renewal”.

The government says AI can “transform the lives of working people” by speeding up the work of public services, cutting admin and even spotting potholes on roads.

The university’s Bristol Centre for Supercomputing (BriCS) team says Isambard-

AI will “play a central role” in delivering hugely-improved AI capability for the UK, as the country’s fastest and most powerful supercomputer, purpose-built for AI research.

The Voice first reported on plans to build Isambard-AI in 2023, as part of the UK’s first ever Artificial Intelligence Research Resource at the Bristol & Bath Science Park.

Plans for a new building to house the computer on the NCC

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car park, surrounded by a highsecurity fence, were unveiled at the end of that year and passed last February.

Just three months later, part one of Isambard-AI was online; it will be the UK’s fastest and most powerful supercomputer once part two is complete this summer.

The university says IsambardAI “will offer capacity never seen before in the UK for researchers and industry to harness the huge potential of AI”.

It will also enable the UK’s ‘sovereign AI capability’ for the first time, the ability to produce AI with the country’s own infrastructure, data, workforce and networks.

BriCS director Professor Simon McIntosh-Smith said: “Capable of performing in one second what would take the combined efforts of the entire global population 81 years, Isambard-AI represents a transformative leap forward.

“Already operational and with full production coming this year, it will play a central role in delivering a 20-fold increase in the UK’s AI capability within just a few years—faster and more cost-efficiently than commercial alternatives.

“This is a pivotal moment for AI in the UK.”

University vice-chancellor and president Evelyn Welch said: “This is a vote of confidence for the university and the city.

“With its world-class technology, Isambard-AI will help nourish talent by providing training and support for students and researchers in advanced computational methods, while fostering interdisciplinary research efforts in the UK and globally.”

Projects already being tackled by phase one of the computer include research into the role inflamed blood vessels play in heart disease, using cameras to monitor the health of farm animals, drug design, new vaccines and a genetic modelling project that could lead to a better understanding of cancer.

Isambard-AI is being described as “the most sustainable supercomputer in the UK”, housed in a low-carbon, climate-controlled modular building with “significant potential” to recycle the waste heat.

Writing in a blog on the university website, Prof McIntosh-Smith said: “The university’s energy supply is all renewable and we’re building one of the most energy-efficient supercomputers ever.

“The waste heat from the system is all captured in the form of hot water.

“In Scandinavia, they plug this waste hot water into district heating circuits for local homes. We’re in talks with our local council about whether we can do the same.”

Prof McIntosh-Smith said when BriCS bid to host the new AI facility in 2023, the government asked him: “If money was no object, what’s your limit?”

The limit was the five megawatt power supply at the NCC site, so he was told: “Build us a five-megawatt AI supercomputer.”

Prof McIntosh-Smith said: “Isambard-AI allows us to do things only Meta, Amazon or Google could do until now – it’s brilliant to be putting these tools and capabilities into the hands of scientists across the UK.”

Prof Simon McIntosh-Smith shows guests phase one of Isambard-AI

Isambard-AI under construction at the science park

Bristol's lost 80s pop rediscovered

SOME of Bristol's lost 1980s pop gems are being given a chance to shine again on a new album being released this month.

The Bristol and Bath 80s Pop Explosion is being released by the Emersons Green-based owner of Bristol Archive Records, Mike Darby. He compiled the album with Dave Massey, who reported on the region's music scene for music papers NME, Sounds and Melody Maker during the decade.

Recordings which had been gathering dust for 40 years have been restored and remastered by Mike's brother-in-law Steve Street, who lives in Downend. Steve was the in-house engineer for Bath multi-platinum charttoppers Tears for Fears and before that owned his own recording studio, SAM Studios.

The album features bands who gigged, made demos and records in the area, playing radio-friendly pop, but never made the leap to commercial success.

Mike fell in love with music through punk in the late 70s and formed his own band, The Rimshots, in 1980 while taking his A-levels at The Ridings school in Winterbourne.

They split up two years later and, after a short stint singing in another band, Mike started Sugar Shack Records in 1985 to get local talent into the shops.

He also managed bands Fear of Darkness, Love Jungle and Rita Lynch.

Mike juggled his passion for music with a career in finance and was later well-known to local golfers as the chairman of Chipping Sodbury Golf Club for

nine years.

He founded two other labels, Bristol Archive Records and Reggae Archive Records, around 20 years ago, as the development of the internet made it easier to collect and save tracks, photos and memorabilia from the city's music scene.

Mike said: "I'm lucky I've got a house big enough for three rooms full of records and master tapes."

About six to nine months ago he and Dave, who also has a collection of recordings from the 80s, got together and started picking out songs they felt deserved to be heard again by audiences old and new.

They describe the songs as "worthy contenders to be heard on day-time radio, in a top line club, blasting out of a TV screen or from in a car with the windows wound down on a sunny summer’s day, and just listened to by any pop fan through whatever means they choose to enjoy their music".

going but some members went on to play with household names, including a member of Umo Vogue who is now in The Wurzels and a member of Bath-based Wadi Vision who performed with Queen's Roger Taylor.

Kingswood band Hey Belaba's Scott Davidson played keyboards with Bros and the Pet Shop Boys, before making a fortune founding classified ads paper Trade It and becoming chairman of Bristol City FC.

Some band members became college lecturers or were successful in other fields.

Mike said: "Music for a lot of people is the thing that defines them in terms of their personality.

Fans who remember names like Bush & Clarke, The Sidneys, Vicious Circle and Great Naked, or those who are curious to discover what the local scene sounded like in the 80s, now have the chance to listen and wonder what might have been. None of the bands are still

"They got into a band and learned how to be something they wouldn't have been if they hadn't been in music.

"They're used to striving for success. If the band doesn't work out, they don't fail, they just morph into something else."

Mike tracked down former members of the bands on the compilation via Facebook and personal contacts – some of them still live locally but others have spread around the world.

He said: "In every band there will be one person who has kept everything – the key is to find that person.

"If you've got a really good memory like me, if you can't find the singer you need to find the guitarist or drummer."

As well as 80s pop, Bristol Archive Records has produced similar compilations of reggae, punk, post-punk, mod, goth and rock bands from the region, mainly on limited edition vinyl records and for download, although the 80s pop compilation will also be released on CD.

Mike says there's "no real money" in producing the compilations and, after retiring as an independent financial adviser, music "is now my fulltime expensive hobby".

The Bristol and Bath 80s Pop Explosion is released on February 28 on limited edition 11-track vinyl, limited edition 18-track CD and download, via Bristol Archive Records.

For more details visit bristolarchiverecords.com or your local record shop.

Mike Darby

Hey Belaba smoulder for the camera

Wadi Vision in concert

TURNER'S VISION

Correcting short sight

Why MiYOSMART glasses are a game changer for myopia management in children

WHEN you’re looking for the best way to manage your child’s myopia, it can feel like there’s an unbearable amount of pressure on you to make the right decisions on their behalf.

While their comfort is paramount, you also want to do everything you can to slow down the myopia change and minimise its impact on your child’s life.

Ginny Allwood of Turners Opticians 0117 962 2474 0117 965 4434

www.turnersopticians.co.uk

For me, MiYOSMART glasses tick every box for the anxious parent. They are an incredible product that is specially developed for children with myopia. They provide a non-invasive, safe solution and are ideal for daily wear, whether your child is studying inside or mucking about outdoors.

How do I know if my child has myopia?

First of all, it’s important to recognise the signs and symptoms of myopia, also known as near-sightedness and short-sightedness, in your child.

For myopia sufferers, distant objects appear blurry while close objects appear normal. If your child is struggling to see distant objects, squinting frequently or holding books up close, then myopia is a likely cause. Other symptoms include headaches and eye strain.

Unlike traditional glasses which simply correct blurry vision, MiYOSMART lenses work on a deeper level. They address the root cause of myopia progression by slowing down the abnormal growth of the eye. But this proactive approach does more than protect your child today – it significantly lowers your child’s chances of developing potential vision-threatening conditions later in life, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachments.

What makes MiYOSMART glasses so special?

MiYOSMART glasses are the result of groundbreaking research by HOYA and the use of patented Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (D.I.M.S.) technology. They feature a central optical zone for clear vision and surrounding defocus segments that reduce eye elongation, the primary cause of worsening myopia.

The optical effect – called peripheral defocus – changes the focus at the peripheral part of the retina, which can gently slow the growth of the eyeball itself. This delaying process halts the progression of myopia.

The results speak for themselves. A two-year clinical study by Hong Kong Polytechnic University found that MiYOSMART lenses can slow myopia progression by an incredible 60% - a fantastic result in the world of vision care.

But the benefits don’t stop there. MiYOSMART glasses come with an anti-reflective finish, UV protection, and robust durability, so they can handle everything from classroom concentration to weekend adventures. They’re also a brilliant alternative for children who aren’t keen on contact lenses.

How to get your child the latest help for their myopia

At Turners Opticians, we’re passionate about giving families in Bristol access to the very best in myopia management. We’re proud to be a leading supplier of MiYOSMART glasses, and we offer flexible eye care plans to make budgeting easier.

We also offer MiSight 1 Day contact lenses, Ortho-K lenses and atropine eye drops, all proven to slow myopia progression - so whatever your child’s lifestyle, we have an option to suit them.

And for this February and March, we’ve an amazing lens offer for you; a free second pair of tinted or transition lenses with every purchase of MiYOSMART lenses - the perfect way to protect your child’s vision indoors and outdoors, all year round.

To book an appointment, give us a call at our Henleaze branch on 0117 962 2474 or our Fishponds branch on 0117 965 4434. You can also book online at www.turnersopticians.co.uk.

Thanks for reading!

Ginny

Ginny Allwood MCOptom Prof Cert Med Ret, is an Associate Specialist Optometrist and Qualified Dispensing Optician, at Turners Opticians in Bristol.

Praise for ‘caring, sensitive’ nursery

A NURSERY’S patient, caring staff and sensitive support for children have been praised by an inspector.

Ofsted visited Busy Bees Day Nursery in St Luke’s Close in December.

The regulator’s report, published in January, said the nursery was ‘good’ in all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and personal development.

Inspector Rachel Howell said: “Staff are caring and sensitively support children.

“Children enjoy staff’s company. They develop beneficial relationships with them, respectfully listening to them and developing positive attitudes to challenges.”

The inspector said good bonds are built between young babies and staff, who “get down to their level”, and use suitably simplified speech to help them learn words.

Staff patiently teach older children, giving them time to take turns in conversation so they can “confidently communicate”.

The report added: “Children with special educational needs or disabilities are sensitively

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supported to begin to interact and learn the value of play with others.”

The inspector said the 25 members of staff work together to form a curriculum for each age group, linking experiences to children’s interests and ensuring each step is suitable to help children progress.

She said recent changes to the age group set-up, with smaller groups, had produced a “calm atmosphere” at the nursery, which has 116 children aged up to four on its roll.

Children’s social and emotional development, confidence and physical skills all develop well, with plenty of room to move and play indoors and out.

The inspector said staff give children “good opportunities to develop their independence and sense of responsibility”, from learning to pour drinks and use cutlery to putting on shoes.

She said: “Parents are positive about the nursery.

“They say staff are caring and adapt arrangements to support children’s needs.

“There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that

puts children’s interests first.”

The nursery, which opened in 2000, retained the ‘good’ rating awarded at its previous inspection in 2022.

To improve further, the inspector said the nursery should help staff engage children more consistently during adult-led activities, work with other settings children attend to ensure support for children is consistent, and continue to support staff skills to take practice to higher levels.

Busy Bees Bristol Emersons

Green centre director Kimberley Miller said: “We are over the moon to receive a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted.

“It’s thanks to our dedicated team, who are committed to providing the best start in life for children.

“This is a huge team effort, and we are looking forward to continuing to build on the solid foundation of quality we have in place to ensure children are cared for in a nurturing and supportive environment.”

In the nursery’s outdoor kitchen play area

Director Kimberley Miller (left) with nursery staff and children

Film honours memory of Jamie

A FRIEND of a Mangotsfield teenager who died in a plane crash has made a film to honour his memory.

My Friend Who Died tells the story of Jamie Clapp and the effect of his death, at the age of 13, on his friends.

James Harris, who got to know Mangotsfield School pupil Jamie through their shared love of skateboarding, has made the 25-minute film using footage he filmed over a number of years growing up.

He has tried three times to make the film over the 17 years since Jamie's death, finally completing the project last year.

It will have a premiere at the Curzon Cinema in Clevedon, the town where James works, in March.

Jamie died in 2007 when a light aircraft piloted by a family

friend, Robert Gunter, stalled just after take-off and crashed, killing them both.

He was being taken up in the two-seater Cessna 150 from an airfield at Clutton, in the Chew Valley, as a pre-birthday treat.

Only later was it discovered that 33-year-old Mr Gunter had taken ecstasy before the flight and this, coupled with his inexperience as a pilot, was found to have contributed to the accident.

Rather than investigate the circumstances of the crash, James wanted the film to focus on Jamie and the voices of the people who knew and loved him.

James said: "I wanted to tell the story of our friendship, the grief, the loss, the love, the passion, everything that we had within our community. That's

what is really important.

"When you're a child you don't know how to deal with grief – you don't expect your friend to die."

Former Sir Bernard Lovell School pupil James grew up in Warmley, and met Jamie through a friend after he started skateboarding aged 11.

James started making hourlong films for the group after he broke his arm.

He said: "I wanted to keep up with the group – the only way to keep in was to film the skateboarding."

After Jamie died his friends

worked with Jamie's dad Gordon to raise £100,000 to create a memorial skate park in Emersons Green, where they used to meet up to skate, as well as in Mangotsfield, Bromley Heath, Warmley and Kingswood.

Gordon continued to fundraise for improvements at the park, next to Emersons Green retail park, until his death last April at the age of 81.

He also met up with Jamie's friends to remember him at the park every year around July 3, the anniversary of the day his son died.

GODWIN HELEN

I am Labour’s candidate for the West of England Mayor in May 2025.

This area is my home. I grew up on the outskirts of Bristol, my family live across the West Country and I’m now raising my three children here.

Our region is a great place to live but I know there are challenges too. I will work every day to put our region on the map and deliver good well-paid jobs, reliable public transport and more affordable homes.

Get in touch and let me know what your priorities are for the West of England.

Jamie Clapp

James Harris

candidate for the West of England Mayor

By the time the memorial park opened James was at university and said he "couldn't face up" to his memories of Jamie. Many of the friends drifted away over the years.

James tried to make the film twice before but said he wasn't "mature enough" and lacked the skills he now has, as the head of the film department at a creative agency in Clevedon.

A reunion with some of his old friends last year brought him back to the idea of making the film, and he spoke to Jamie's step-brother, Mark, to ask for his blessing.

James said: "He said 'you have to make it, because Gordon would have loved you to make it and it's the story people need to hear'."

James, who now lives in St George, took about six months in his spare time to edit some of his original footage along with newly-filmed location shots, archive BBC reports of Jamie's funeral and memorial, and a voice-over.

The final piece of the jigsaw was a recording of Jamie singing a cover of Will Young's song Evergreen, which James had recorded while they were

out skating.

He thought it was lost, until his wife reminded him it was on a CD he kept in a rack at home.

After the premiere in March, James plans to release the film on YouTube. He is in talks with Emersons Green Town Council with a view to screening the film there and would also like to show it at Mangotsfield School.

He said: "Our skateboard community at Emersons Green is quite big.

"A lot of people are engaged with the story – they know it or know someone who knows it.

"Some people know the

story from news clippings but they don't have the inside perspective - critically, the impact of his death on a friendship group, and turning a negative into a positive.

"It's the right time to tell the story."

Premiere

My Friend Who Died will premiere at the Curzon Cinema in Clevedon on March 22.

For more details and tickets check www.curzon.org.uk for details of the Homegrown Shorts 2025 festival.

Gordon Clapp at the opening of the memorial park

A reunion of family and friends at the Emersons Green skate park

A 17-YEAR-old boy was one of 241 motorists arrested for drink or drug-driving during a festive road safety campaign.

The teenager was arrested at the scene of a collision in Pucklechurch on December 14, when a car containing five people crashed into and brought down a telegraph pole.

A police spokesperson said: “Fortunately, nobody in the vehicle suffered significant injuries.”

The teenager was later charged with driving while over the alcohol limit, without a licence and with no insurance.

The arrests across the Avon and Somerset force area were part of Operation Limit, a national police drive to reduce fatal and serious road collisions during December.

Most were made at roadside check sites, during proactive traffic patrols or by using information reported by members of the public.

Police say drink-driving accounted for 62% of arrests, with drug-driving making up 38%.

Drivers aged from 25 to 34

Teenager arrested for drink-driving after crash

made up 32% of those arrested, 35 to 44-year-olds accounted for 24% and under-25s 20%.

The vast majority of those arrested - 88.4% - were male.

In South Gloucestershire, 46 drivers were arrested, while there were 66 arrests in Bristol, 14 in B&NES, 36 in North Somerset and 80 in Somerset.

Avon & Somerset police say drink-driving accounts for 17% of fatalities on UK roads, with drug driving posing an “equally severe risk” to road safety, impairing

A 17-yearold boy was arrested after this collision between a car and a telegraph pole in Pucklechurch.

reaction times, coordination and judgement.

Force head of roads policing and road safety Chief Inspector Robert Cheeseman said: “Throughout the festive period, 241 individuals made the reckless decision to drive under the influence of drink or drugs.

“Thanks to proactive policing and public support, we’ve ensured they are no longer a threat to others on the road.

“Choosing to drive while impaired is not just illegal - it’s a

deeply irresponsible act that can shatter lives in an instant.

“Every collision caused by drink or drug driving leaves behind a ripple effect of pain and heartbreak for families and communities.

“We’re grateful to everyone who shared information with us during this campaign.

“Every report helps us take decisive action and sends a strong message: drink and drug driving will not be tolerated on our roads.”

People can report someone they know to be a drink-driver at any time by calling 101 or online at tinyurl.com/3nw678fy.

Tip-offs can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Reports of anyone currently out on the road under the influence of drink or drugs should always be made immediately, by calling 999.

Councillors object to plan for 150 homes

TOWN councillors have written to object to plans to build 150 new homes on a Green Belt site in Mangotsfield.

The objection from Emersons Green Town Council's planning committee is one of 32 comments which had been made on the plans as the Voice went to print: just one was in favour.

Landowner Taylor Wimpey wants to build on the site between Cossham Street and Rodway Hill Road, next to Mangotsfield United FC, Cleve Rugby Club and Mangotsfield School.

It has previously had plans for 180 homes there refused by South Gloucestershire Council because of its Green Belt status.

But the land is earmarked as a possible development site on the council's latest Local Plan, which is due to go out for a final consultation soon.

Taylor Wimpey claims there are "very special circumstances" which justify approving the development now. It say it will bring "significant public

benefits", limited harm to the Green Belt, and is a "sustainable location".

The town council has echoed the views of many residents commenting on the plans, saying the sole proposed access road onto Cossham Street is "inadequate to handle the expected volume of traffic".

The councillors said: "As a 'B' road, it already struggles with the current traffic flow, particularly due to its proximity

to local amenities. Furthermore, the access road is situated near an already heavily-used football ground, exacerbating safety and traffic concerns."

The town council said the lack of a "designated pedestrian footpath" poses significant safety risks for children walking through the development to reach Mangotsfield School.

They added: "The development would result in the loss of valuable green space,

negatively affecting local wildlife and reducing biodiversity in the area."

Most of the other objections cite the potential for "traffic chaos" on Cossham Street if it provides the only road access to the development, with residents writing that it is already "unable to cope" at rush hour. One described the proposed access as a "bad joke".

Adverse effects on wildlife, and strain on schools and surgeries were also raised by opponents.

The one letter of support says the development could have "numerous benefits, both immediate and long-term, for the community, local economy, and overall development of the region", including increased economic activity, increased availability of homes and a growing community.

The plans can be viewed by searching for application P24/02685/O on the council's planning website.

New homes target goes up by 29%

PEOPLE in Shortwood and surrounding areas earmarked for new housing developments are being urged to be ready to have their say on South Gloucestershire Council’s draft Local Plan.

The latest version of the plan was due to go before the council’s cabinet on February 3, then the full council on February 12.

Council papers with details of the updated plans and dates for the six-week public consultation were due to be released after the Voice went to print; the consultation is expected to start around the end of February.

Members of campaign group Save Our Green Spaces South Gloucestershire (SOGS–SG) staged a walk at Webbs Heath in January to raise awareness of their campaign against the plan.

They say it concentrates too much proposed development in east Bristol, particularly in the area between Shortwood, Siston, Warmley and Oldland Common.

The plan will set out where the council thinks homes should be built over the next 15 years to meet demand. The authority

is keen to get a plan in place because without one, any site is vulnerable to development.

The first draft Local Plan, published at the end of 2023, included two potential development sites at Shortwood for 1,430 homes, 195 at the site near Mangotsfield School where Taylor Wimpey has now applied to build 150 homes, 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 was proposed as a potential site for 800 homes.

Last July, 17 new sites, for 1,751 homes, were added to the plan, including 175 near Frenchay and seven on a site at Pomphrey Hill, Mangotsfield.

But the government announced an updated National

Planning Policy Framework in December, which sets compulsory targets for all councils in a bid to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five years.

It raised the total the council must accommodate by 2040 to 25,528.

This means South Gloucestershire’s annual new homes target has risen from 1,317 a year to 1,702 – up 29.2%.

SOGS-SG said in a statement: “The walk was to draw attention to the danger to our countryside due to the ill-thought-out Local Plan. SOGS–SG have been actively fighting to retain the Green Belt land in South Gloucestershire.

“Mass housing is proposed to be built on adjacent land to the commons.

“During last year’s consultation period on implementing the Local Plan, many members of the public will have responded. Your objections may have been taken into account or ignored, so it’s important to respond again when invited to do so.”

The field where Taylor Wimpey wants to build 150 homes

Campaigners from SOGS–SG at Webbs Heath, near Siston, in January

Hambrook Primary tops school tests table

LEADERS of a primary school are celebrating being ranked top of the performance table in South Gloucestershire.

Hambrook Primary School is also 69th out of the 20,960 primary schools in England in the Department for Education's tables measuring outcomes in 2024vYear 6 pupils' standard assessment tests (SATs).

The school, which had 29 pupils taking the tests, saw 97% meet the expected standard in reading and maths tests, and in teachers' assessments of writing.

The average score for both reading and maths was 110, above the standard score of 100, and 14% of pupils were assessed as reaching the higher standard of 110 in all three areas, placing them in the top 5% nationwide.

Out of 85 primary schools in the district, Mangotsfield C of E Primary School was ranked 9th, with 76% of its 88 Year 6 pupils

reaching the expected standard and 14% at the higher standard. Pucklechurch was 15th, with 72% and 0%, and Blackhorse was 20th with 70% and 5%.

At Christ Church Junior school, 66% of the 80 Year 6 pupils reached the expected standard, while the school had the fourth-highest proportion of pupils reaching the higher standard, at 15%.

Frenchay Primary had 64% of pupils reaching the expected standard and 4% at the higher standard; at Stanbridge Primary the numbers were 62% and 5%, and at the Tynings, 61% and 8%.

The figures for other local primary schools were: Emersons Green, 60% and 10%; St Augustine of Canterbury, 60% and 0%; Staple Hill 60% and 2%; St Stephen's, Soundwell 57% and 0%; Lyde Green Primary 51% and 5%; Barley Close, 44% and 0%.

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New head for SGS

A COLLEGE with 8,800 students has announced its next head.

David Withey will be the new chief executive and principal of SGS college from the end of March.

He is joining from the Education and Skills Funding Agency, where he is currently the chief executive, and takes over from Kevin Hamblin, who has been in charge of SGS since 2001.

David Withey

A college statement said: "David brings with him a wealth of experience and public service leadership gained in both the UK and Australia, whilst having a strong understanding of the further education sector."

Mr Withey said: "I've been fortunate to meet some of the brilliant learners, staff and external stakeholders over the past few weeks and I cannot wait to meet more of them once in post."

Hambrook Primary head teacher Jennifer Rubel said: "This places us in the top 0.3% of all primary schools nationwide, a truly remarkable achievement.

"At Hambrook we are passionate about providing a rounded education for all of

our pupils that goes beyond academic success.

"While these impressive SATs results are worth celebrating, we remain committed to helping every child thrive in all areas of life—socially, creatively, physically, and emotionally."

TURNERS HEARING CARE BLOG

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Ear Wax is Good!

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If you suspect wax might be causing you a problem- come and see me at Turner’s Opticians, Fishponds, where I can show you what your ears look like inside and hopefully remove any excess wax so you can be more comfortable and possibly hear better.

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Deb Campbell

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.

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 shown new career horizons

DOWNEND

School students have been finding out about the wide range of careers they could embark on, from hi-tech labs to the high seas.

One of the highlights was a trip to Portsmouth for a tour of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The pupils learned about a variety of roles within the Royal Navy as well as the different routes they could take into the Armed Forces.

One of the school’s career leads, James Smale, said the students who went on the trip were a "credit to the school" and had been thanked by their hosts.

Year 7 pupils were given an insight into cryptography – encoding information and providing secure communication – in a workshop run by a team from computer giant Hewlett Packard.

Joint careers lead Emma Merryweather said students

thoroughly enjoyed and engaged with the challenge and also showed an aptitude for cryptography.

The school's own science department has run a STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) event for Year 8 students with the Smallpiece Trust, a charity that promotes

THE trust that runs Downend School and Mangotsfield School is planning to change the capacities of the two schools.

Castle School Education Trust is consulting on its admissions arrangements to take effect from September of next year.

From that date it intends to raise the published admission number (PAN) for Downend School from 210 to 240 Year 7 pupils per year.

At the same time the number of admissions to Mangotsfield School would reduce from 240 to 210 children per year.

The trust said: "These proposed amendments reflect the anticipated change in places required in the local area following the opening of a new secondary school in Lyde Green in 2026, ensuring that parental preferences can be met within a sustainable curriculum and staffing structure for each school."

careers in engineering.

They learned about education and career pathways in STEM industries.

Head teacher Linda Ferris said: "Providing high quality, impartial careers guidance helps students to make informed choices about which courses to choose and prepares them for

the next stage of their education, training or employment.

"These fantastic opportunities for students to understand the world of work have run alongside the usual pop ups, careers interviews, Life Skills lessons and preparation for work experience."

Schools trust set to change student admission numbers

While the PAN represents the school's official capacity, both schools are currently oversubscribed and have raised their admission numbers in recent years to accommodate extra Year 7 pupils.

Last year Downend School received 325 first-choice applications for its 210 advertised places, the most to any school in South Gloucestershire, and provided an extra "breach" class to increase numbers to 240. In 2023 the school had two extra Year 7 classes, bringing the total to 270.

Mangotsfield School had 226 firstpreference applications for 240 places on offer but agreed to raise its admission

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number to 270, to accommodate children who missed out on places at other oversubscribed schools.

Lyde Green Community School is due to open in September 2026 with an intake of 180 Year 7 pupils – equivalent to six classes of 30 children – each year. The CSET consultation opened at the start of the Christmas holidays and was due to close on January 31. Anyone who wants to comment should email consultation@cset.co.uk.

The trust also plans to extend the distance from Lyde Green Primary within which siblings are given priority over other children for places from two miles to three miles.

Downend School pupils during their visit to HMS Queen Elizabeth

Inspectors find improvements at Vinney Green

IMPROVEMENTS have been made at a secure children's home where staff were previously criticised by government inspectors for “unlawful painful” restraint of children.

Managers at Vinney Green secure unit, between Mangotsfield and Emersons Green, are addressing safeguarding concerns, creating a more positive culture and ensuring independent scrutiny of allegations of incidents, according to a recent report by Ofsted.

Inspectors carried out a monitoring visit in November, having concluded that the home still required improvements last July.

Two years earlier, Ofsted had given the unit the lowest rating of inadequate after finding staff used “inappropriate” physical restraint that placed youngsters at risk of harm, unjustified solitary confinement for up to

three days and left children “distressed” by confiscating items from bedrooms unfairly.

The regulator's latest report, published in December, praised staff for implementing an action plan to address previous concerns, although it said this would take time to have a full impact.

South Gloucestershire Council, which runs the home, welcomed the latest findings.

The inspectors said: "The manager and leadership team have devised an action plan to address shortfalls that have been identified following safeguarding allegations and concerns.

"The improvements in this plan and overall safeguarding of the home requires time to become fully embedded.

"The manager and leadership team have increased their monitoring and oversight since the previous inspection and have a plan to improve safeguarding

practice including reviewing the culture in the home."

The inspectors said there was an additional focus on welfare, but the changes introduced "need more time to embed and be impactful".

They added: "A more positive safeguarding culture is starting to develop."

It said there was now more transparency between managers and the local authority’s designated officer and that appropriate action had been taken over incidents.

The monitoring visit was to check whether adequate steps had been taken over Ofsted's previous concerns. It did not include an updated rating as it was not a full inspection.

A council spokesperson said: “In their recent monitoring visit, Ofsted found that progress in all areas previously highlighted as requiring improvement was being made.

“This is thanks to the hard work of the staff and the commitment of the council to supporting them to support the children and young people in our care at Vinney Green – we are constantly striving to build on the good practice that is already delivered.

"We were also particularly pleased to read in the report that the children said that they enjoy living in the home, feel safe and have no concerns about the care and support they receive from staff."

The home accommodates up to 24 children from the ages of ten to 18.

Places are commissioned by the Youth Custody Service. which can also permit the council’s children’s services department to use vacant beds to place a child on welfare grounds under certain circumstances.

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'NOISE cameras' to detect and fine drivers of cars and motorbikes with loud illegallymodified exhausts are unlikely to be installed on South Gloucestershire's roads.

The government has given the go-ahead to use the technology, but has left it up to councils and the police to decide whether to use it – and warned it may not be cost effective.

A system combining a noise detector and an automatic number plate recognition camera to record vehicle number plates was installed alongside the Avon Ring Road during November 2022 as part of a national trial.

The council and then Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore made a successful bid to be included in the Department for Transport pilot scheme, after residents living near the road, including in Downend, Emersons Green, Mangotsfield and Siston Hill, complained about increasing noise levels.

The location for the trial near the Aspects Leisure Park was chosen as representative of typical heavy dual carriageway or motorway traffic.

The detector was in place for

Noise camera plan goes quiet

a week. During that time it was passed by an estimated 80,000 vehicles.

A report into the trial found that the A4174 noise detector was activated 266 times, including 197 times by cars and 35 by motorbikes.

The other 34 were 'false positives', including lorries, construction vehicles or buses, and six sirens from emergency vehicles.

The report found 43 cars and 24 bikes that activated the camera were "excessively noisy" and would have been liable for

a fine if the scheme had been enforced.

Teams sent to check the noise camera's performance against their own monitoring equipment found it sometimes failed to activate when excessively noisy cars went past, although it did detect a "modified vehicle with noticeable pops and bangs" during their visit to Barrs Court.

The study also found it was not always obvious which vehicle activated the noise camera, with one example on the A4174 where an "excessively noisy motorcycle" activated the system but the

ANPR camera recorded the number plate of a car in another lane.

In a written answer to a question from Lib Dem MP Daisy Cooper, who asked if councils would be allowed to roll out noise cameras, Minister for the Future of Roads Lilian Greenwood said: "Overall, the trials demonstrated that noise cameras currently have the potential to be used for enforcement, but only when accompanied by human review of the recorded evidence, which is likely to lower the cost effectiveness of deploying the technology in many circumstances.

"It is ultimately for local authorities and the police to consider what the most appropriate enforcement routes may be for addressing issues with excessive vehicle noise within their area."

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: "We have no plans to introduce these cameras at the present time."

The noise camera used in the trial

February 6

n WORKSHOP: Building the Future of Work with Neurodiversity in Mind, Emersons Green Village Hall, 6-7.30pm. with speakers Lucy Smith, Andy Jackson of Inclusive Change at Work and South Glos Parent Carers. More details at tinyurl.com/bdh7tvyr

February 8

n ALL THINGS UGANDA, Badminton Road Methodist Church, Downend, 9.30am-2pm. Highlights of our various local Christian links with Uganda, with light lunch. All welcome.

February 8

n HALLELU Y’ALL, a dive into Southern Gospel music using video clips and recordings, at St James Church, Mangotsfield, from 3pm. Afternoon tea, optional singing. Free entry, collection of donations for new church keyboard.

February 11

n SODBURY & DISTRICT FLOWER ARRANGEMENT SOCIETY practice class, Old Grammar School Rooms, Chipping Sodbury, 7.30pm. Create a vertical arrangement, ‘Winter’s Icy Grip’. Also on February 25, demonstration with Jenny York: ‘Out of Africa’. Non-members welcome, £5. More details from katebryant186@gmail.com.

February 20

n WORKSHOP: Menopause and Neurodiversity, Emersons Green Village Hall, 6-7.30pm. With Kirsty Brown from Fitness for Life and Lucy Smith. More details at tinyurl.com/ bdh7tvyr

February 22

n KINGSWOOD Y’S MEN’S CLUB annual Race Night in aid of local charities at The Tynings School, Eastleigh Close, Staple Hill, 7.30pm. £10 per head, including buffet supper; bar available. Tickets from Alan Wallington on 0787 641 8337 and wally@ysmen.co.uk or Chris Holmes on 0117 956 4320 and chrisholmes25@gmail.com.

February 25

n BLACKHORSE PRIMARY

SCHOOL anniversary tea party, Blackhorse Lane, Emersons Green, 5-6pm. All former pupils from 1954 to 2020 are welcome to come in and look through old photo albums and log books.

March 1

n CLOTHES SWAP at Emersons Green Village Hall, 2-4pm. Free entry, bring at least one item to swap. No maximum number to take away. Tea and cake available. Organised by town council Climate and Nature Group. More information from emersonsgreen-tc.gov.uk or bobbie. sunderland@emersonsgreen-tc.gov. uk.

March 8

n CONNECT AND CELEBRATE WITH WOMEN AND COMMUNITIES across Bristol, Saturday 8 March 2025, Bristol City Hall, 10am – 5pm. Over 50 workshops, all welcome, free transport, creche, interpreting and accessibility support available. For more information go to: www. bristolwomensvoice.org.uk or email info@bristolwomensvoice. org.uk

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. 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

Road, Staple Hill (by the long-stay car park). New members welcome. More details from Diane Roberts on 0117 956 3407.

n MANGO JAMS BABY & TODDLER GROUP, meets at Lyde Green Community Centre, 9.15am10.45am, term time only.

n WARMLEY JAZZ CLUB, £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.

n CLEEVE SINGERS 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.

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

month, 10.30am-noon at the church in Cossham Street.

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 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.

n BADMINTON ROAD METHODIST

CHURCH Sunday worship followed by sharing refreshments, 10.30am Service of Holy Communion usually fourth Sunday of the month, led by Rev Leigh Maydew. More information from www. badmintonroadmethodist.org.uk.

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

n SHORTWOOD VILLAGE WI meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm, at Shortwood Village Chapel, Main Road, Shortwood. More details from millhousejoinery@aol.com.

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.

n MESSY SPACE at Badminton Road Methodist Church, Downend, 10-11.45am. Term-time group for toddlers and carers. Toys, books, crafts, singing and refreshments. First visit free. More information at badmintonroadmethodist.org.uk or 0117 956 1106.

Wednesday

n THE WOMEN’S SECTION OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION meets on the first Wednesday of the month, 1-3pm at the YOU Foundation, Page

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

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. See www.cleanupuk.org.uk/groups/lydegreen-litter-pickers for information.

n SERVICES AT ST JAMES CHURCH, MANGOTSFIELD: 8am, holy communion. 10.30am, services rotate between all-age service (1st Sunday), morning worship (2nd & 4th Sunday), holy communion (3rd Sunday) and healing service (5th Sunday).

85,000 bulbs to brighten spring

MORE than 85,000 spring bulbs have been planted in Emersons Green to bring spring colour –and more bees – into the area.

The project is part of South Gloucestershire Council’s Common Connections programme to help tackle the “climate and nature emergency” declared by the authority nearly six years ago.

The council teamed up with Emersons Green Town Council in December to plant snowdrop, crocus, tulip and squill bulbs along 33 different road verges surrounding Emerson Way.

A council spokesperson said: “With over 85,000 bulbs planted in total, this is one of the biggest ever planting projects undertaken by the council’s grounds team.

“When the bulbs flower, they will provide a nectarrich corridor that pollinators will love, as well as providing residents and visitors to the area with a beautiful, colourful, floral display to celebrate the arrival of spring.

“Bees, butterflies, moths, lacewings and hoverflies all play a vital role in helping plants to set seed, fruit and reproduce. Sadly, though, these pollinating insects are in decline with a lack of food and a shortage of suitable nesting sites both contributing factors.”

The flowers are intended to

provide an early supply of nectar for bees that feed in winter and those that emerge from hibernation in the spring.

The council has also worked with 11 schools, including Mangotsfield School, Lyde Green Primary school and Mangotsfield Primary School, to help make their grounds better for wildlife

by planting hedgerows, trees and creating hedgehog holes.

It is marking the halfway point of its four-year Common Connections project, working with 700 volunteers to create new, improved, and betterconnected habitats that support nature and make areas more resilient to climate change.

Cabinet councillor Louise Harris said: “We’re helping nature to thrive by restoring natural habitats in the area and connecting nearby green spaces, such as commons, woodlands and grasslands.”

Emersons Green Town Council environmental services manager Paul Kearsley, who planted thousands of bulbs in verges near Hicks Avenue, said: “The spring flowers will add to the work we do across the area to help wildlife.

“As with many initiatives that are good for nature, there are some real benefits for people too, and we’re really looking forward to being able to enjoy the flowers this coming spring.”

Common Connections officer David Tibbatts, Bobbie Sunderland and Paul Kearsley from Emersons Green Town Council, and cabinet councillor Louise Harris

Something new to beat the blues

Looking to banish the winter blues?

GIANINA TURNER finds some classes and activities that might inspire you this year

Creative writing

Whether you are new to writing or fancy trying your hand in a new genre, this could be a good time to put pen to paper and let your thoughts and ideas develop into poems or stories. Marie Day runs weekly workshops at local venues, including Lincombe Barn in Downend on Thursday from 1-2.30pm. An award-winning writer, Marie uses prompts in the writing sessions to spark ideas and help people create their own stories, poems or memoirs. On February 26, from 6.309pm, Marie will run a fairy-tale themed workshop at Emersons Green Hall.

For a full list of her courses visit www.beginwriting.co.uk

Music

Music and singing are fun – they make people feel happy, even on cold, rainy days. The Show Choir is the country’s fastest growing musical theatre choir and runs several choirs in the region.

One Show Choir group meets at Downend Folk House on Mondays from 7.30-9pm. Other locations include Westburyon-Trym Village Hall, Clifton, Southville and Bath.

To find out more details and to book a free trial, visit www. ukshowchoir.com

Painting

If you are interested in experimenting with colour and developing new skills and techniques, you could try a painting class. Lisa Jefferies, founder of Lisa’s Local Art, runs a selection of painting workshops for small groups of people

(maximum 10 people). There’s a class at the Indoor Market Cafe in Kingswood on February 8 from 2-4pm, with more dates still to be confirmed. to find out more visit www.lisaslocalart. co.uk.

Well-being and exercise

If you are looking for a new exercise regime, there is a variety of classes to choose from: from low-impact nature and wellbeing walks and Pilates to higher energy classes like clubbercise or powerhoop.

South Gloucestershire Council runs events at Page Park in Staple Hill, which are free to

attend. These include nature and well-being walks on Tuesdays from 1-3pm and gardening on Mondays 12.30-2.30pm. Contact community.learning@southglos. co.uk for more information.

Amy Sinclair runs powerhoop classes at Emersons Green Village Hall on Wednesdays from 8-8.45pm. For details, check out @hoopwithamy on Facebook or Instagram.

Real Fitness with Sarah runs a range of clubbercise and Pilates classes in Kingswood, Hanham and Longwell Green. For details about the classes, times and venues, visit www. realfitnesswithsarah.com

Learning to love the library

CHILDREN preparing to leave primary school are all being given their own library cards, to encourage them to keep reading for pleasure.

South Gloucestershire Libraries are giving cards to every Year 6 pupil in the district’s schools – around 3,500 children in total.

It follows a similar exercise in the summer term, when library cards were given to more than 3,000 children in Reception classes.

The council says the aim of the programme is to “ensure the momentum and interest in reading is carried into the secondary phase”.

Any resident can apply for a card at a library, and many children have already been enrolled by their family, but the new scheme aims to

SHORTWOOD VILLAGE WI

OUR January meeting, on the coldest evening of the winter so far, was a visit from Philomena for seated Zumba, which has become an annual event and well-needed after our Xmas festivities.

We used our space in the chapel to follow Philomena’s routines,

automatically enrol every child in the district, unless their parents opt out of the scheme.

A council spokesperson said: “Having a library card and reading has been shown to have a significant impact on a child’s learning and life chances, supporting them to thrive.”

To celebrate the scheme, writer and performance poet Alex Wharton, the Children’s Laureate Wales, visited Emersons Green library in December to meet Year 6 children from Blackhorse

with some more coordinated than others but plenty of enthusiasm. It was enjoyed by us all.

After a cuppa and the raffle we had our news and views, followed by a quiz set by Caroline to finish the evening.

At this meeting we had a sales table, which we called ‘Santa’s SlipUps’, but this also included other

MANGOTSFIELD DOLLY MIXTURES

WE hope everybody started the year with some great celebrations, whether with family and friends or tucked in the warm watching the London fireworks.

Our December meeting, which seems a long way off now, was party time with Virgo caterers providing an excellent buffet and Frankie Johns to entertain us.

We all had our festive Christmas jumpers, plenty of glitter and were in good voice for ‘Hello Dolly’; Secret Santa made sure everyone went home with a card and present.

We went to St James’ Church to support their ‘Christmas Tree Fest’ and dressed our tree.

We donated brightly coloured bags with dolly mixtures in, some tree lights and little dolls.

It was good fun, and we finished the evening off with some hot mulled wine and home-made mince pies.

The display was a great success. This was the first time St James had organised the event and because it went so well, they asked if we would participate again next year, which of course we will. The bags of dolly mixtures were donated to help with fundraising for the church.

At St James Christmas Fair, the Dollies served tea, coffee and cake, and raised over £70.

Christmas lunch was held at The Lamb – as usual, the service was excellent.

Our meeting in the hall is not until the end of January, so we’ll report that next time.

Carol Coombs

Primary School and read some of his poems.

Council cabinet member for libraries Sean Rhodes said: “Reading and free access to libraries is integral to children’s learning, well-being and development.

“Giving children library membership is an important investment by the council in the future of every child in South Gloucestershire.

“We believe this will have an impact in increasing the levels of literacy of all our children as well

items, unwanted by some but of interest to others.

We are looking forward to a full programme for 2025 and our February meeting is a visit from Rob Jones with an intriguing talk about ‘The Bristol Murder’.

We are a friendly bunch and give a warm welcome, so if you think this may be of interest to you, just pop in to the vestry of the Chapel in Main Road, Shortwood, on February 13 at 7.30pm.

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

Lynne Miller

BEECHMERE BELLES WI

WE’VE made it through January with all that frost and snow, and now the days are getting longer and signs of spring are everywhere.

Our first meeting of 2025 in January was “New Year, New You” with Laura, a local Pilates instructor, coming along to tell us a little about this wonderful exercise.

Google tells me it is “a type of exercise that focuses on core strength, flexibility, balance, and posture. It involves controlled breathing, precise movements, and muscle engagement”.

Of course, it wasn’t all listening – Laura warmed us up, took us

Pupils from Blackhorse Primary School with Alex Wharton at Emersons Green Library

as encouraging a love of reading.

“We know that for some families the process of joining a library can be a barrier to their child discovering the pleasure of reading and accessing free library services.

“By removing this barrier, we hope that every child in South Gloucestershire will be able to visit their library and see the benefits that library membership brings.”

For more details of the scheme visit www.southglos. gov.uk/mylibrarycard.

through some gentle stretches and then led us through a relaxing cool down.

In February our meeting is going to be an insight into the journey of a former police trainer, working on some of the biggest events of the 21st century.

Unfortunately, in the first quarter of the 2000s there have been far too many natural and man-made disasters, and we’re grateful that we’re only listening to this talk and not experiencing anything similar.

We have a lot more to look forward to in 2025, though, our programme is varied and we think it caters to all.

We welcome guests to any of our meetings.

It’s free for your first meeting (unless it’s a craft evening, when we charge £5 to cover materials used).

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.

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. Wendy

City driving charge to rise

MOTORISTS driving older, more polluting vehicles are likely to see the charge they pay to drive into central Bristol go up this year.

The current £9 daily fee to enter Bristol’s Clean Air Zone in cars with petrol engines made before 2006 and diesel engines made before 2016 has not increased since the scheme launched in 2022.

Now the city council is considering whether to ask the government for permission to raise it in line with inflation.

Council officers say the idea would bring in an extra £200,000 each year between 2026 and 2028. But the amount the council makes is expected to fall again in the following year, as more drivers switch to newer, CAZ-compliant vehicles that don't incur the charge.

Other budget proposals affecting visiting drivers include introducing charges for disabled parking bays to bring in £100,000 a year, and pay-and-display parking for the Downs, which would bring in £200,000.

More traffic wardens would be recruited to enforce bus-lane infringements so the council can “meet its sustainable transport goals”, earning the authority a net £100,000 per year.

The council has already voted to bring in charges in two Fishponds car parks. Councillors on the transport and connectivity policy committee voted 7-2 to introduce pay and display charges at Beechwood Road, Stoke View Road and eight other car parks.

The first hour of parking will still be free but motorists will be charged £1.50 for two hours, £3 for three and £4.50 for four. There will be reserved bays for health centres, at £5 per permit.

The Beechwood Road car park serves the nearby Fishponds Road shops, two surgeries at the Fishponds Medical Centre next door and the Beechwood Club.

Stoke View Road, behind Fishponds Road opposite Lodge Causeway, is close to shops, a mosque and McDonald's.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service\

Bus fares up by 20%

ADULT single bus fares in Bristol and South Gloucestershire have gone up by 20% - but the rise is smaller than in some parts of the country.

The £2 single fare cap introduced by the previous government in January 2023 was due to end this year, with fares returning to commercially-set levels.

As part of the Budget in October, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the cap was being extended until at least December of this year – but would rise by 50%, to £3, on January 1.

Shortly before Christmas Metro Mayor Dan Norris announced that in the area covered by the West of England Combined Authority –South Gloucestershire, Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset – the rise would be capped at £2.40 for journeys of under six miles.

Mr Norris said this meant "local passengers will benefit from some of the lowest fares in the country".

He said new proposals to extend the 'fare deal' planned in conjunction with main bus operator First would be introduced early in the year for discussion by WECA's committee.

Mr Norris said: "Keeping fares as affordable as possible for local people is crucial for our regional economy and the environment.

"This agreement will mean cheaper fares than the national average and a good deal for people living in more remote areas.

"Meanwhile we are continuing to get on with encouraging tens of thousands of new passengers onto our buses through Birthday Buses, as a key way to grow a sustainable bus network."

The raising of the national cap was criticised by Silviya Barrett, of pressure group the Campaign for Better Transport, who said: "Buses are our most used form of public transport, so they need to be affordable.

"The fare cap has proved popular with passengers and helped boost ridership, so the government must now look for a long-term replacement for the scheme from next year, to avoid any further rises."

Ending the scramble for GP appointments

IT has been great to hit the ground running again early this year, both locally and in Westminster.

From listening to thousands of you on your doorsteps and more widely, I know that access to NHS services is a top priority for us.

I regularly raise this, including in the House of Commons during the first week back after the Christmas and New Year break.

I was glad that Health Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed to me his plans to end the 8am phone scramble for booking GP appointments, including for those who do not

use apps and websites confidently.

This is part of wider NHS and social care reforms: the government is working to bring back the family doctor, with 40,000 more NHS appointments a week, see waiting lists fall by nearly half a million by March 2026, and establish a much-needed commission on adult social care.

This will inform vital work towards creating a National Care Service.

I’m part of the cross-party group of MPs sitting on the Water (Special Measures) Bill Committee, tackling the sewage scandal.

As legislators, we’ve been considering lineby-line this bill, which will clean up our rivers, lakes and seas through tough action against water companies and bosses who fail customers and our environment. It contains powers to ban bonuses and introduce new penalties –including prison.

I was pleased to meet with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson ahead of voting for the landmark Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

This bill will help us drive high standards in schools, put more expert teachers in classrooms, and save local families £500 a year through free breakfast clubs in all primary schools – pilot schemes are happening soon. There will also be new limits on branded uniform items, to further support families.

It was fantastic to visit St Michael’s Primary

School in Stoke Gifford to meet the team, talk with the pupils and answer their brilliant questions!

A huge thank-you to everyone who has supported the school following a fire there before Christmas, not least head teacher Pete Barnard and his staff.

I have also been visiting more local businesses, including The Mall at Cribbs Causeway and Aviva, and meeting local NHS leaders to discuss their work.

My new informal ‘Coffee with Claire’ events continue, this time in Stoke Gifford.

These are a great way to get together to share ideas on how we can make ours an even better place to live.

They are held in addition to monthly advice surgeries and regular door-knocking sessions, as I try to do politics differently and bring local people together.

Keep an eye out for events near you on facebook.com/ClaireRHazelgrove or my website, clairehazelgrove.co.uk.

As ever, I’m here to help: you can email me at claire.hazelgrove.mp@parliament.uk.

Chloe Rebecca

Claire Hazelgrove meets the St Michael’s Primary School council in Stoke Gifford

n MESSAGE FROM POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER

An exciting opportunity to bring plans to life

IN the last months of 2024 I finalised my Police and Crime Plan, setting the five strategic priorities for Avon and Somerset Police for my term of office.

You can read it on my website at tinyurl.com/2zxte625.

This lays out the focus for the work of Avon and Somerset Police and for my office, including strengthening neighbourhood policing, tackling violence against women and girls, and knife crime.

Central to the start of 2025 for me is bringing this plan to life, through developing an implementation plan.

The opportunity to build on the foundations of the last year is truly exciting.

An important part of creating the plan was the public consultation, not least because being the bridge between the public and the police is central to my duties.

This consultation was carried out through public meetings, focus groups and meetings with

communities and specialists, as well as over 1,000 online submissions.

Through these events I met with so many inspirational people who are quietly getting on with transforming other people’s lives.

Some of the excitement of the coming year is that I will be able to continue to work with them and with new people and organisations that provide support, change behaviours and generate opportunities for those around them.

The plan sets the strategic priorities for policing and crime prevention, but I am also responsible for the wider governance of Avon and Somerset Police, to ensure they deliver an efficient and effective service to everyone in all parts of our area.

As with so many of our public services, policing suffered through cuts over recent years but, despite this, we still benefit from our biggest asset – the people who are dedicated to delivering our police service.

Every day, officers and staff work to protect our communities and make people safer – they are often the first people our community members turn to in times of need, offering support during moments of vulnerability and crisis.

Examples of their impressive impact include delivering lifesaving first aid to a victim of knife crime, designing a fraud prevention tool to protect the most vulnerable from organised criminality and delivering justice for a survivor of sexual assault across a four-year process.

Policing is also fortunate to benefit from a committed group of volunteers, including special constables and police staff volunteers.

In addition, there are volunteers who directly support the work of my office, who help to scrutinise Avon and Somerset Police, making a real and tangible difference to the standards of policing the public receives.

If you’d like to become involved during 2025, you can find out more

With Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody

in the volunteering section of my website at tinyurl.com/4vdn455v.

I am committed to working alongside these dedicated staff and officers, holding them to account when needed, to make sure the public receive the police service they need.

Please feel free to reach out to me and my office with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have at www. avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk.

Writer Helen’s film awards

AN Emersons Green-based writer has started this year’s movie awards season with two prizes for her screenplays.

Helen Rana won the Best Women’s Film Phenomenal Attainment Award at the Dreamz Catcher International Film Festival for A Good Return, and Best Feature Screenplay at the PyraMax Film Awards for Shelley Can’t Sing.

More of her screenplays are in consideration for film awards later this year.

A Good Return tells the story of a woman from an impoverished Caribbean island who spends years working in low-paid jobs in London to send money back to her family, only to return and find her community changed forever by tourism.

Shelley Can’t Sing is a romcom about a lonely teenager who unintentionally stirs up resentment at her new school, so pretends to be bad at things to fit in – only to learn that lying creates more problems.

Last year Helen won awards for film scripts including The Trouble with Superpowers, about world politics, A Proper Killing, about Death Row in an American jail, a historical comedy about 18th century English aristocrats called One-Upmanship and 70’s London crime caper Heist Counter Heist.

Helen said: “My aim this year is to get one of my screenplays made into a film.

“I’ve been working hard to develop my skills as a

screenwriter, trying out different genres, attending film festivals and taking advice from professionals in the industry. These awards prove that I’m heading in the right direction, so I will keep going.”

Helen is a member of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, her short stories have been published in anthologies, and has previously been a creative writing associate at Bath Spa University.

She also works as a strategy, research and fundraising consultant for museums, historic houses, heritage organisations and universities, and writes for the Downend Community History and Arts Project (CHAP).

More details of her work can be found at www.helenrana.com

with CHAP

Local dishes

MEMBERS of CHAP, the Downend Community History and Art Project, have been discussing local dishes.

We have heard of the following:

• Gloucestershire Squab Pie, which contains lamb and apple, with onions and potato and swede mash.

• Colston Bun – a sweet tea bread containing grated orange rind, dried fruit and spices like cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg, apparently named after Edward Colston.

• Fowl Pie – layers of fowl, eggs and gravy covered with a pastry crust.

• Oldbury Tarts – gooseberry tarts from Oldbury-on-Severn.

• Badminton Eggs – boiled, stuffed eggs

What traditional Bristol or South Gloucestershire recipes do you know?

Please email your favourites to Janet Biggin at big.gin@talktalk.net, and CHAP will publish them on our website, www.downendchap.org, and in a future issue of the Voice

Helen Rana

Helen Rana with her Dreamz Catcher Award

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Free Will Review

own: You choose who you want to inherit from you

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“You

Michelle Baden-Daintree

THE region’s Liberal Democrats have chosen a councillor from Bath to be their challenger for the role of Metro Mayor.

Oli Henman has represented the Walcot area of the city on Bath & North East Somerset Council since 2023.

He works as a coordinator aiding community organisations with sustainability, and last year he addressed the UN General Assembly for its ‘Summit of the Future’ action days.

Cllr Henman will be aiming to better the result of former Bristol MP Stephen Williams, the party’s candidate in the 2021 election who came fourth out of four.

He says he wants to use his experience to engage and involve local communities in the work the West of England Combined Authority does if he is elected Metro Mayor on May 1.

Cllr Henman said: “I’m committed to cutting waste and red tape in the Mayor’s office and putting power back where it belongs: in the hands of local communities.

“The West of England Mayor has a key role to play in delivering affordable and accessible transport, sustainable housing and the jobs of the future.

“The crucial funding available for transport must be better allocated.

“We have seen that funds for bus service improvement have been wasted on unnecessary gimmicks like the ‘birthday bus’ scheme.

“I want to ensure our communities are at the heart of decision making and that the region becomes more accessible for everyone.

“The West of England deserves leadership that listens, collaborates, and delivers for

Greens switch Metro Mayor pick and Lib Dems go for Oli

residents in these challenging times.”

Cllr Henman said that whether he would carry on as Walcot councillor if elected as metro mayor would be a matter to discuss with his party. His selection was announced days after the Green Party said it had changed its mayoral candidate.

The party unveiled Bristol City Council deputy leader Heather Mack as its candidate in November.

However in January it announced that Cllr Mack had stood down from the candidacy “to allow her to focus on her council role”.

In her place the Greens have named Mary Page, who was the party’s candidate in the Bristol North West constituency at the last general election, finishing runner-up to Labour’s Darren Jones.

A media and marketing specialist, Mary was previously a member of the Liberal Democrats and was selected in 2019 as the Lib Dem candidate for the role of Bristol Mayor, on a platform of abolishing the post.

She later stood down from

the candidacy for personal reasons, but then led the ‘It’s Our City Bristol – Scrap the Mayor’ campaign in 2022, which won a referendum to abolish the role then held by Labour’s Marvin Rees.

Mary said: “Our party offers real hope and real change to all those who feel they have lost their political home or lost faith in our democratic system.

“This is such an important moment for our country and our region.

“We need housing that builds rather than breaks communities, the opportunity to train and upskill for permanent, quality jobs and sustainable transport for our cities and our rural areas.

“The Green Party is committed to those things and that’s why I am so delighted to be representing us in this West of England regional mayor campaign.”

Labour and the Conservatives have both selected former Bristol city councillors, Helen Godwin and Steve Smith respectively, for the election.

WECA covers South Gloucestershire, Bristol and B&NES, with North Somerset currently applying to join. It is run directly by the Metro Mayor, with council leaders having a vote on some issues.

Metro mayors are set to gain new powers under the government’s new devolution plans. Current Metro Mayor Dan Norris was elected as the MP for North East Somerset & Hanham and cannot stand for re-election because of a Labour Party ban on MPs having second jobs.

Reform UK had yet to announce a candidate as the Voice went to print.

Includes reporting by John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Oli Henman Mary Page

Love is . . . tackling our potholes

FEBRUARY is a month of red roses, chocolates, and declarations of love.

So, naturally, I thought I’d start by writing about potholes.

Yes, potholes. Stick with me, it’s a story of devotion. After all, nothing says love like smooth, safe journeys.

Just before Christmas, the West of England received a government love letter in the form of an extra £6.7 million to tackle potholes.

This record funding – nearly 50% higher than last year – will be music to motorists’ ears.

It’s not just the funding that will warm hearts: with stricter rules and penalties for companies dragging out roadworks, drivers can look forward to smoother roads and fewer delays.

Because when it comes to our roads, we’re committed to a long-term relationship – no break-ups or breakdowns in sight.

Another heartfelt gesture arrived in the form of £17.2 million to tackle rough sleeping.

This significant boost will help prevent homelessness, provide more warm beds and shelters, and support rough sleepers into longer-term accommodation.

It’s the biggest funding of its kind for our region and shows a shared commitment to

caring for those most in need.

Tackling the housing crisis is no small challenge, but with this cash boost, we’re making progress – and proving that our love for the West of England is about leaving no one behind.

Of course, Valentine’s Day is also a time for giving thoughtful gifts, and I can’t think of a better one than Birthday Buses.

Back by popular demand, this unique initiative gives each resident in our amazing region free bus travel for the entire month of your birthday.

In December alone, more than 100,000 free journeys were taken, doubling last year’s numbers despite the disruption of Storm Darragh.

Since Birthday Buses relaunched, 45,000 people have signed up.

They will save up to £100 each, and almost 40% of them are under 21.

If you're lucky enough to be that age, you can now get free bus travel for the whole of your birthday month, plus the following one, if you apply before your 21st birthday.

It’s fantastic to see the next generation of bus passengers getting on board, embracing more sustainable travel, and shaping a greener future for the region.

Over 8,000 people already had free passes

Loft Boarding & Insulation

for January. Those with March birthdays should sign up at BirthdayBus.co.uk by February 19 to ensure a whole month of free travel.

If your birthday is in February you can still apply, right up to the 15th.

At its heart, my job as Mayor is about connection, whether that’s connecting people to places via buses and better roads, or connecting people to opportunities, homes, and leisure.

It's also about taking tough decisions, even when they're not always easy or popular.

After all, we all know love means telling it like it is and being honest.

Although, top tip: your partner always looks amazing on Valentine’s Day, whatever you think!

MANGOTSFIELD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

WE hope 2025 is going well for you so far.

Our Dame School Nativity and the Christmas lights were well received again, and we had another good attendance at our Dame School Carol service in December – we think about 60 people came along.

As ever, thanks to all who made it happen: we could try to list you all, but we might forget someone and that would be wrong. It’s much appreciated and the village should be grateful for your efforts.

But there is a sour note! Over the Christmas period, someone helped themselves to some of the contents of the Dame School Nativity donations bucket.

We don’t collect a huge amount of money but what we do collect helps us provide the Nativity scene every year.

Sharing a love of films

MANY Bristol u3a interest groups start informally as a social activity.

One such group is the Eastside Cinema Group, which typically attends daytime screenings in Longwell Green, Bath or the Watershed in Bristol.

The day of the week can vary, but there is usually a film choice each week.

Selected films are communicated by email, and everyone is responsible for buying

Taekwondo master celebrates 35 years

A MARTIAL arts instructor who teaches students in Lyde Green is celebrating 35 years in taekwondo.

Master Vaughan Buxton, who started the sport when he was seven and earned his black belt by the age of ten, has since gone on to train over a dozen champions.

So, to whoever took it – hope it was worth it?

We provided a tree for the St James Church Christmas tree exhibition.

It’s the first time the church has run this event and it was great to see the number, variety and quality of all the trees: well done, everyone.

The first Red Lion Coffee Morning of 2025 in January was well attended, which was great to see.

Our next monthly coffee morning will be on Wednesday February 5, at 10am, and all are welcome.

We will need your support over the coming year to raise funds to carry on the work we have done and are doing.

If you can help us with that, or make a donation, that would be very much appreciated.

their own tickets. In addition to emails from the group leaders, there’s a WhatsApp group where members can suggest impromptu cinema visits (help will be given if you are unfamiliar with WhatsApp). There’s no obligation to attend every film – you simply go along when it suits you.

If you’re interested, send an email to me (Lindsay Gough) at the address below and I’ll forward your enquiry to Mary and Lorraine, who run the group.

Bristol u3a (you in your Third Age) is for anyone with some free time for themselves. There’s no lower age limit, but most of our

Vaughan said: “When I started taekwondo, I was a small, geeky child who got bullied.

“Taekwondo helped to build a new friend group, which in turn allowed my confidence to grow.

“Its tenets teach respect and perseverance. It improves people’s confidence, as well as creating everlasting friendships.”

Vaughan, who is also a violinist, won his first gold at the Taekwondo Association of Great Britain Welsh Open in 1995.

He also won in his category at the Clash of the Titans, which brought a range of martial arts styles together at the UK tournament in Huddersfield, for three years running.

He was the number one seed when he qualified for entry into the World Championships in

If you want to get in touch then please do so by email at MangotsfieldRA@gmail.com or via the ever-popular Mangotsfield Matters Facebook page.

members are retired or semiretired.

Everything we do is by members for members. We have no staff, so everyone chips in with ideas for one-off social activities or brand new 'interest groups', of which we have around 35 locally.

Single membership of Bristol u3a costs £20 a year and includes access to all 175 interest groups across Bristol.

Once you’ve joined, almost everything else is free, apart from tickets, refreshments, travel or any special equipment required for a group. Bristol u3a subsidises the cost of community hall hire,

2004, winning all 10 of his bouts – on his 21st birthday.

He then went on to fight a half dozen tough rounds to be crowned welterweight World Champion in the sparring division in the sport’s birthplace of Korea.

Student and friend Stuart Leppard, 58, who has achieved his 5th and 6th degree under Vaughan’s instruction, as well as reaching two World and two European Championship finals, described him as a ‘star fighter’.

Vaughan was promoted to 7th Degree in May 2021, and his competing days officially came to an end.

But he continues to instruct the next generation at the club he opened, which is now known as South West Taekwondo

can also call our chair, Clive Heath, on 07507 168700 or me on 07918 701881.

so you’ll only be asked to make a contribution if annual costs exceed the subsidy.

If you are curious to find out more, come along to an informal social to enjoy a cuppa and a chat with some current members.

You’ll find us on February 3 at the White Lion in Frenchay (flat access), on February 17 at the Market Café and Lounge in Kingswood (stairs) and on February 19 at the Crafty Egg in Fishponds (ramp), from 2.30pm each day. For more details email learnlaughlive@bristolu3a.org.uk.

Lindsay Gough

(SWTKD) and holds training in Lyde Green.

For more information, call 07500 764276 or visit www. swtkd.co.uk.

Angela Belassie

BRISTOL u3a

You

Chris Amos Secretary

The Dame School carol service

Vaughan Buxton

Preparing for the slopes: a chiropractor’s guide to skiing success

As winter fully sets in and the ski season picks up pace, many of us are gearing up for snowy adventures. For me, the excitement is double as I prepare to join the British Chiropractic Association’s ski trip to Switzerland. This unique event combines the thrill of skiing with chiropractic training, and with 35 chiropractors on hand, it promises to be a trip filled with fun, learning, and plenty of support—especially if anyone takes a tumble!

For those planning their own ski holidays, preparation is key to maximizing enjoyment and minimising injuries. Skiing is physically demanding, and whether you’re a seasoned pro or strapping on skis for the first time, getting your body ready is vital. Here are my top tips, including three essential leg-strengthening exercises to help you make the most of your trip and stay injury-free. Strengthen Your Legs for the Slopes

Skiing places a lot of stress on your legs, especially the quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and glutes. These muscles help you maintain balance, absorb shock, and control your movements on the snow. To ensure your legs are ready, incorporate these exercises into your routine in the weeks leading up to your trip:

1. Wall Sits

• How to Do It: Stand with your back flat against a wall and your feet about two feet away from it.

Slide down until your knees are at a 90-degree angle, keeping your back straight. Hold this position for as long as you can, aiming to build up to a minute or more.

• Why It Works: Wall sits target the quadriceps and build endurance, mimicking the posture needed for skiing.

2. Lunges

• How to Do It: Step forward with one leg, lowering your body until your front knee is bent at a 90-degree angle and your back knee nearly touches the floor. Push back up to the starting position and repeat on the other leg. Perform 1012 repetitions on each leg.

• Why It Works: Lunges strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes while also improving balance and stability—essential for navigating uneven terrain.

3. Calf Raises

• How to Do It: Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Lift your heels off the ground as high as possible, then slowly lower them back down. For added difficulty, perform the exercise on one leg or hold weights. Aim for 15-20 repetitions.

• Why It Works: Calf raises help build strength and endurance in the calves, which are crucial for maintaining control during skiing.

By incorporating these exercises into your weekly routine, you’ll not only improve your strength and stamina but also reduce your risk of injury on the slopes.

Ski Smart: Tips for Beginners and Beyond

If you’re new to skiing, lessons are non-negotiable. A qualified instructor can teach you the fundamentals, helping you build confidence and

develop good habits from the start. Even experienced skiers can benefit from a refresher or advanced technique coaching to fine-tune their skills.

Beyond lessons, remember to:

- Warm up and stretch before hitting the slopes.

- Stay hydrated and take regular breaks.

- Listen to your body and know when to call it a day.

Chiropractic Care: Before and After

A visit to your chiropractor can be a game-changer for your ski trip. Before you go, a chiropractic adjustment can ensure your body is in optimal shape, improving your mobility and reducing your risk of strains or imbalances. Post-trip, a session can help address any aches, pains, or misalignments caused by the physical demands of skiing.

As chiropractors, we understand how the body works and how to keep it functioning at its best. Skiing is a fantastic way to stay active and enjoy the great outdoors, but preparation and recovery are crucial to getting the most out of your experience.

See You on the Slopes!

I’m looking forward to an incredible trip with my fellow chiropractors in Switzerland, blending our shared passion for skiing and healthcare. Whether you’re hitting the slopes for the first time or returning for another season, make the most of your trip by strengthening your body, skiing smart, and prioritizing your health with chiropractic care. Here’s to a fun and injury-free ski season!

Will Writing

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Glorious win in the mud for Cleve

CINDERFORD II brought a strong team to the Hayfields, a tribute to the reputation Cleve are now forging in this league.

It was no surprise that the visitors started well, keeping Cleve pinned in their 22.

The deadlock lasted for the first ten minutes, until Matthew Jarvis unlocked the situation by some great game management, kicking Cleve into a position close to Cinderford’s line.

A catch and drive saw the forwards drive over and score, with the try converted for 7-0.

Cinderford then went on the offensive and moved the ball close to Cleve’s line.

Cleve were putting in a great deal of effort to drive the ball forward. Tom Pool made a decisive break that ended up with a telling pass to Josh Davies, who went over the try line for 14-0.

Cinderford again responded but Cleve hit the rucks hard, with the two second rows Rich Bullough and Will Callaghan putting some real effort into halting Cinderford’s advance.

In fact, Will got hold of the ball and made a great break. The

ball was moved wide and the winger scored.

Matthew Jarvis continued to be Mr Reliable with his kicking duties, again not missing at all as Cleve went 21-0 up.

The start of the second half saw Cinderford again mount a challenge on Cleve’s line.

The game was being played

Mangos up to second in league

MANGOTSFIELD United have moved up to second place in the Hellenic League Premier division, as they catch up on home fixtures on their new 3G pitch.

A series of tough games over the festive period started with a hard-fought 3-0 home win against Hereford Pegasus.

Goals either side of half time by Kyrese Hasani Morrison (39 minutes) and Joe Porton (51) were very timely, but it was only when Morrison added a third goal on 66 minutes that the points were secured.

Next came a much-anticipated Gloucestershire FA Senior Challenge Cup semi-final against Bristol City Under-21s, switched to Cossham Street from City’s Failand academy ground.

The night proved to be a disaster for the Mangos, and City’s youngsters won with ease. The home side took the lead with an early goal by Joe Cattermole, but Kai Churchley netted twice before the break to put City 2-1

on the Second team pitch. It was a lot muddier and didn’t have the width of the first team pitch.

A veteran player in the crowd said: "This is like old time rugby, everyone is getting muddy!"

Jarvis made another fine break that led to a ruck, which eventually put second row Rich Bullough in under the posts.

ahead. Archie Taylor and Zack Ali scored soon after the break, with Churchley, Tom Chaplin and Trayvion Jackson adding three more goals to complete a 7-1 rout.

The Mangos appeared to have a cup hangover when they lost 2-0 to fellow play-off hopefuls Sporting Club Inkberrow three days later.

After Christmas they bounced back to winning ways with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Worcester Raiders, courtesy of a thirdminute goal by Kyrese Morrison, in front of an excellent crowd of 352. It was not an easy win, though, with Raiders going close on a number of occasions, particularly as the game drew to a close.

New Year’s Day saw a 4-0 win against Hereford outfit Westfields, courtesy of a hattrick by Lewis Powell (10, 16 & 59 minutes), plus one right on half time by Michael Barry. Westfields kept plugging away through the whole game, and the Mangos had Stuart Tovey red-carded on 87 minutes, but it made no difference to the final result.

The next two games saw current league leaders Hartpury University and play-off hopefuls Roman Glass St George arrive at Cossham Street within the space of four days, providing a real test of promotion credentials.

The Hartpury University match was a tough one indeed. Jacob Towns put the visitors ahead on 54 minutes, but the Mangos kept battling away and were rewarded with

Cleve were now beginning to enjoy themselves. Jarvis used a penalty to put Cleve in the corner. After some accurate passing in the backs, Pool made an outrageous dummy that allowed him to score, with the try again converted to make the final score 35-0.

The game featured some milestones, with Louis Morgan playing his 99th game for this team and Will Callaghan playing 50 times.

Cleve have started the second half of the season with the same good feelings the club had at the end of 2024, chalking up their 13th straight win in the league, following a 68-22 win over Bridgwater & Albion and a 63-5 defeat of Chosen Hill Former Pupils.

The second team also started 2025 well, winning 67-0 against Whitehall.

In December, Cleve's youngsters were flag bearers at Bristol Bears' Champions Cup clash with Leinster at Ashton Gate as part of the Club Connexion programme.

Steve Bateman

an equaliser by Harrison Kyte on 90+3 minutes.

Mangotsfield were then able to concentrate on the visit of near neighbours and fellow promotion hopefuls Roman Glass St George, who have been a bogey side in recent years, but a strong performance saw the hosts run out 3-0 winners in front of another 300-plus crowd on a bitterly cold night.

Olly Sully (30 & 68) & Kyrese Morrison (78) were the goalscorers for the Mangos.

Mangotsfield then entertained Fairford Town in the Marsh Cup, but exited the tournament on penalties following a 1-1 draw. Archie Morris scored the Mangos' goal on 56 minutes to take the game to a shoot-out, which they lost 4-3.

Dave Smale

Upcoming fixtures (home unless stated):

January 25: Highworth Town

February 1: Cirencester Town

February 8: Corsham Town

February 11: Tuffley Rovers

February 15: Brimscombe & Thrupp

February 22: Malmesbury Victoria

February 25: Malmesbury Victoria (away)

Cleve enjoy some ‘old time’ muddy rugby against Cinderford II

Bristol-based The Window Hub progresses on green goals

Bristol-based home improvement company, The Window Hub, is aiming to plant 3,000 trees over the next three years as part of its commitment to being a climate conscious business.

The trees will be planted at Boyd Valley Lake, which is located in Bitton. This is in addition to continuing its policy of recycling all old frames so they don’t end up in landfill.

The window installation company was launched during lockdown in 2020 by seasoned industry professional Danny, who wanted to create a business that was “built on quality rather than greed”.

From humble beginnings, The Window Hub now operates from a head office and showroom in Staple Hill in Bristol with offices, showrooms and installation depots across the South West.

In fact, a new showroom is scheduled to open this month.

Danny launched The Window Hub because he wanted to be much more than just a double glazing company.

“We know that choosing new windows and inviting someone

into your home can be stressful, so we have introduced as many initiatives as possible to be fair and reasonable in our approach to give our customers the best experience possible,” he said.

“Sales begin and end with treating customers properly. And

you know what? It is so easy to be amazing if you don’t cut corners.”

And the Window Hub has the customer reviews to prove it –90% of reviews for The Window Hub on Trustpilot are for five stars, with customers celebrating the company’s professionalism, friendliness, tidiness, and attention to detail.

The hard work of Danny and his company was also recently recognised and commended, with The Window Hub being named the ‘Best in the South West’ at the G24 Awards last year.

In 2025, The Window Hub will grow to cover domestic homes between Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and Lands End in Cornwall.

For more information, please visit TheWindowHub.co.uk.