Emersons Green Voice July 2022

emersonsgreenvoice

July, 2022 Edition — Issue 66

www.emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

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Vinney Green children’s home rapped over ‘repeated failures’ CHILDREN have suffered “unlawful, painful” physical restraint and "unjustified" use of solitary confinement at a secure home in Emersons Green, government inspectors have found.

Ofsted gave Vinney Green an overall rating of inadequate and criticised leaders for “repeated failures” over several years.

South Gloucestershire Council, which runs the institute for young offenders who are deemed too vulnerable to be placed elsewhere in custody, accepts there were “practices happening which shouldn’t have been” and says it has taken immediate steps to address the concerns.

In a report published on June 9, the inspectors said: “There are significant concerns about children’s care, safety and wellbeing."

Ofsted's three-day visit in April came a year after the regulator took enforcement action relating to previous unlawful physical restraint by staff. Its latest report said any Turn to Page 2

Cleve appoint new head coach Cleve Rugby Club has a new head coach, Nathan Huntley, pictured here with director of rugby Adam Sheppard and chair Simon Wilstead.

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Marathon cycle ride raises £12k A team of nine cyclists from the Emersons Green area have raised more than £12,000 for charity by riding 970 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

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Platinum Jubilee marked in style Children got closer to nature with a weaving workshop as part of this year’s Three Greens Festival in Emersons Green.

Picture: Drew Stiles of Misty Morning Photography.

Report and more pictures: Page 3

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People in Emersons Green, Lyde Green and Pucklechurch held street parties to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

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July, 2022

n NEWS

Green home is emersonsgreenvoice Vinney inadequate – Ofsted Publisher Gary Brindle 0117 907 8585 07799 461169

Journalist Linda Tanner 0777 0700579

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Journalist Ken McCormick 07715 770377 ADVERTISING sales@emersonsgreenvoice. co.uk Tel: 0117 907 8585 Tel 07799 461169 EDITORIAL news@emersonsgreenvoice. co.uk Letters to the publication can be sent to the above e-mail address or by post to Letters, Emersons Green Voice, 6 Elkstone Walk, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6JT. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.

DEADLINES Our August edition deadline is July 13.

LOCAL INFORMATION South Gloucestershire Council www.southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk general enquiries: 101 Emergency: 999 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061 Emergency: 999 NHS 111 Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582

Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk Environment/trading standards 01454 868001 Well Aware Health and social care information www.wellaware.org.uk Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252 PUBLISHER’S NOTE Emersons Green Voice is independent.

We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor.

Emersons Green Voice is distributed each month to local residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is welcomed, call Gary Brindle on 0117 907 8585 or news@emersonsgreenvoice. co.uk.

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

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

A member of the

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From Page 1 improvements had not been sustained.

The report said: "This demonstrates failure by the registered manager and leaders.

"The unlawful use of physical restraint, single separation and the use of physical restraint techniques that have caused pain have had a detrimental impact on the health and emotional well-being of children.”

Ofsted said five children suffered pain in 20 recorded incidents where staff used a technique called the “finger and thumb hold” from April 2021 to March this year.

“Physical restraint of children has also been used unlawfully to bring about children’s compliance with staff requests,” the report said.

“A child subject to an inappropriate compliance restraint, which was a serious breach of regulation, was then placed in single separation for two hours.

“Records show that the criteria for single separation were not met before or during the two-hour period.

“There are repeated failures in leadership at this home over a number of years that has impacted upon children’s rights, care and well-being.

“Some of the practices at this home are worrying and this brings into question the culture that is set by the registered manager and senior leaders.

“Inspectors remain concerned that the registered manager, leaders and staff do not understand the legal criteria for physical restraint and single separation.”

The report did say inspectors had observed “warm and nurturing interactions” and that planning for children to move on from the home was effective.

At a council cabinet meeting held days after the report was published, Sam Bromiley, the cabinet member for children and young people, said the situation at Vinney Green was already improving. He said Ofsted inspectors had been back to the home and a new report was

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expected to be published soon.

Cllr Bromiley said: “We take this feedback and the report very seriously, because our role first and foremost is to protect young people who live at Vinney Green.

"Between that inspection and today, staff across South Gloucestershire Council and Vinney Green have worked hard to embed improvements, and there’s an investigation ongoing into the issues raised by Ofsted.

“We have also secured external support from experts in the field, who will work with us and the staff at Vinney Green to change the culture in the home.

Vinney Green is full of hardworking dedicated staff.

"Working in a secure home is not easy, and we’ll work to ensure that staff have all the tools and knowledge they need to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

“We’re now almost two months since that original inspection and I’m confident that the improvements needed are already well underway."

Labour group leader Pat Rooney said: “This administration has criticised the Labour group for raising our genuine concerns about performance in children’s services, including Vinney Green, for years, including as recently as a few weeks ago at a council meeting.

"Now we read about unlawful restraints that have caused children genuine pain, illegal solitary confinement lasting three days, and staff entering children’s bedrooms without knocking first.”

Liberal Democrat deputy group leader Maggie Tyrell said: “We’re obviously deeply worried by the report, but also by the fact we’ve previously received reassurances that work at the unit was satisfactory and improving. Now we receive further reassurances that measures have been put in place, to address the issues that have emerged in this latest report.”

By Adam Postans and Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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Festival flourishes in spite of rain A FESTIVAL to celebrate the natural world in Emersons Green and Lyde Green has made a successful return – despite the weather refusing to play along.

The Three Greens Festival was first staged last year in Emersons Green Park, to bring people of the two areas together, with the third ‘green’ being the environmental theme.

Organisers the Friends of Emersons Green Park kept the parade, nature walks, workshops, stalls and music that had been a hit at the previous festival but also added circus skills and story-telling sessions to the programme.

Staged the day after the hottest weather of the year so far, the festival started under cloudy, cool and humid conditions, with the first rain arriving not long after the opening parade from the Langley Arms arrived at the park.

The rain turned heavier towards the end of the day and the turnout suffered as a result of the weather, but around 200 people still braved the elements, sheltering in tents or under trees as they enjoyed the music and took part in activities.

Lead organiser Chris Sunderland said that despite the conditions, people who came along had been had been “enthusiastic” about the festival.

He said: “The tent sheltered people as they enjoyed the Brigstowe Village Band, and then parties set out with Ed Drewitt to encounter the birds in the park, then to Green Lane, with Whispering Woods, who gave an extraordinary performance of the ancient Scottish story of Tamlin, complete with music and drums and the spectacle of acrobat Nina Bambrey swinging from a red sash, hanging from an old oak tree.

“Back on the main site Christine Griffiths and her team

A bugler starts the festival parade enjoyed a continual stream of people, weaving natural objects into wooden frames and taking them away with pride.”

Chris said a circus skills workshop, held under the shelter of lime trees to avoid the showers, had been a “magnet” for children attending the festival.

Performances from Mangotsfield School Choir and the Bristol European Jazz Ensemble also took place under canvas as the rain set in.

The main part of the festival finished in the nearby library, with judging of the festival’s nature art exhibition, before an evening concert finale at Emersons Green Village Hall, with locally-based professional musicians Duo Correa Andrews.

Chris said: “Our idea was to help us all encounter and appreciate the natural world, to appreciate the plants and creatures who share our park and our Earth, but also to engage with nature inwardly through music, art and story.

“The Earth, of course, had the last laugh as the rain impressed on us how weak we are in the face of the simplest of its troubles and warning us of the more serious issues bearing down on us.”

Lead organiser Chris Sunderland and wife Bobbie, of the Friends of Emersons Green Park

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All pictures by Drew Stiles of Misty Morning Photography

Acrobat Nina Bambrey performed hanging from a tree in Emersons Green as part of this year’s Three Greens Festival.

Learning to spin plates at the circus skills workshop

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July, 2022

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Artists move in at station art project THE first artwork has been installed at the old Mangotsfield station next to the Bristol and Bath Railway Path.

Artists Lucas Antics, aka Alex Lucas and Paul Fearnside, installed a mural at the site on June 15-16 to launch the oneyear Mangotsfield Folly project, funded by Arts Council England and Emersons Green Town Council, working with transport charity Sustrans, which oversees the cycle route.

The installation follows a rough start for the project, which suffered damage to its wooden framework from vandals, soon after it was built in April.

But events have now started in earnest, with nature-focused sound recording, drawing and walking sessions held during the third week of June, and signposts put up to direct visitors to the site.

Project manager Suzanne Heath said: "The mural design at the Folly features the tiny,

Paul Fearnside from Lucas Antics puts some finishing touches on to the artwork. Picture: Charles Emerson everyday creatures and wild plants including goldenrod, Timothy grass, buttercups and nettles that live along the Railway Path. But there’s a twist – the cockchafers, zebra spiders, slugs and snails are riding bikes, playing musical instruments and showing off their circus skills.

"Alex Lucas was inspired by the anthropomorphised 19th century illustrations of the

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French caricaturist Grandville featured in ‘Scenes de la vie privee et publique des animaux’ published in 1842.

"The artists are keen for children and families to visit the installation and see if they can spot and name all of the creatures and plants.

"Lucas Antics are one of six artists commissioned for Mangotsfield, including poet

and writer Holly Corfield Carr, printmaker Letterpress Collective, photographer Charles Emerson, The Straight & Narrow Sign Co and Feral Practice, an artist who creates installations and audio-visual works.

"Artist and researcher Fiona MacDonald (aka Feral Practice) has been back at Mangotsfield to continue her residency, speaking to local experts to learn more about the biodiversity of the site. "Fiona is making Listening Station, an audio drama inspired by the stories of local people: their arrivals, departures, meetings and partings – with human and other beings."

As well as the folly structure, Chippenham-based architects Artel 31 plan to install an outdoor table and bench at the old booking office foundations later in the year.

For more information visit www.mangotsfieldfolly.uk or follow the project on Instagram @mangotsfield_folly.

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Battery likely cause of recycling centre fire A FIRE that forced Mangotsfield's Sort It waste and recycling centre to shut is likely to have been caused by a battery thrown away with household rubbish.

An investigation by Avon Fire and Rescue Service, reported to a meeting of the area's community engagement forum, found that the blaze was "most likely" the result of "careless disposal of lithium ion batteries".

Li-ion batteries are rechargeable and used in products from laptops and mobile phones to cameras and e-cigarettes. They can also be found as rechargeable regularsized batteries such as AA and AAA. The fire service report to the CEF meeting on June 15 said people need to be aware of the potential dangers involved in throwing batteries away rather than recycling them.

Staff and people using the Sort It centre in Carsons Road

Firefighters outside the Mangotsfield Sort It centre had to be evacuated after the blaze broke out on May 17, with nearby residents advised to shut windows as smoke was blown towards the Siston Hill estate.

Firefighters were called in from eight different stations as far away as Portishead, Avonmouth and Yate to tackle the blaze.

The tip was out of action for two and a half days afterwards as contractor Suez, which operates it on behalf of South Gloucestershire Council, assessed the damage and did safety checks. The contractor is meeting the cost of repairs, which has not been revealed.

A council spokesperson said:

"We are grateful that Avon Fire and Rescue Service came and dealt with the fire so quickly, and for the hard work of staff to get the Sort It Centre reopen again to minimise any disruption.

"Residents can help us to avoid incidents like this by sorting their waste and making sure no recycling is put in the black bin at home or area for mixed, non-recyclable waste at the Sort It recycling centres – particularly electrical items, batteries and gas canisters, which all pose a fire risk unless disposed of properly.

"Many shops and supermarkets have containers for recycling batteries.

"South Gloucestershire residents can put batteries (in a plastic bag) and small electrical items out with their weekly recycling collection."

More information on what to recycle and how can be found at www.southglos.gov.uk/ recycleweekly.

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New slip road plan approved REVISED plans for a new dedicated slip road to the Sort It recycling centre in Carsons Road have been approved.

South Gloucestershire Council had to redraw plans given permission last year, due to "ownership issues" relating to common land that was part of the scheme.

Work on the new slip road, which is designed to prevent queuing during busy periods affecting roads surrounding the tip, is due to start in the autumn.

The main difference for residents using the site is that there will no longer be access from the Mangotsfield direction – the slip road will lead directly off the traffic light junction of Carsons Road Link, from the Avon Ring Road, and Carsons Road.

The council says public access to the recycling centre will be "maintained wherever possible to minimise disruption" during the work.

The plans include measures aimed at protecting wildlife, including a new hedgerow, bird boxes, insect hotels, reptile and amphibian shelters, as well as drainage improvements.

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July, 2022

Proud legacy as training succeeds

Civic role for Judy EMERSONS Green councillor Judy Adams is the new vice-chair of South Gloucestershire Council Councillor Adams will deputise for new council chair Sanjay Shambhu representing the council at civic functions and chairing council meetings.

The role is a ceremonial and ambassadorial one, rather than a political leadership role such as council leader or cabinet member.

Councillors generally serve a year as vice-chair before moving on to become chair.

Charlton and Cribbs councillor Shambhu said he was "honoured and humbled", and proud to be the first British Asian chair of the council.

A NEW study has shown that training introduced into the NHS following the death of an Emersons Green teenager at Southmead Hospital has had a "positive impact" on staff knowledge, skills and confidence.

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism was introduced after a long campaign by Oliver's parents, Paula and Thomas.

All health and care staff will be trained on caring for people with a learning disability or autism after Health Education England said the two-year trial, involving more than 8,300 health and care staff across England, had been successful.

Oliver, who was 18 and had autism and a mild learning disability, died in 2016 after being given antipsychotic drugs,

Oliver McGowan despite both him and his parents warning hospital staff he had previously had an adverse reaction.

Paula said: "Together we are beginning to change culture, hearts, and minds. There is a lot more work to be done, but that journey has now begun. Oliver would be so very proud."

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It is one of five firms being given a combination of financial support, technical support and access to the region’s UMBRELLA network for testing of products and services, funded by the Government and administered by South Gloucestershire Council.

Aware Technologies founder Leonard Carey said: “We are looking forward to working with the housing sector and contribute to solving a problem that could help society understand how to create good quality homes and accelerate our journey to net zero.”

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July, 2022

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n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Posture: more than meets the eye!

Did you know your posture is directly linked to the health of your body and brain?!

We at Sutton Chiropractic in Downend specialise in, postural correction, pain relief and performance.

A recent study found that as our posture slumps forward, markers of good health deteriorate, and we become less mobile (ref1). Along with this, a landmark study in 2022 of 411 patients over 50 years old, found even minor hunching forward of posture was directly linked to a decline in cognitive (brain) function!

This research is now being used to help delay dementia onset or prevent it all together (ref2).

In a nutshell, our posture is paramount for a healthy body, brain and life.

With this in mind, we have put together 2 case studies to highlight how we can help you with your postural health, regardless of what stage of life you find yourself in.

Case 1

Case 2

(Left image) Here we can clearly see this gentleman in his late 80’s has developed a significant forward hunch and his head held 11” forwards of where it should sit. This is putting a strain of 35kgs through his neck instead of the normal 7kg’s!

He was told nothing could be done for the neck and head aches this caused, due to his posture and age he would have to live with it. We did not agree.

(Right image) Midway through his course of chiropractic care his head position has shifted back 3.5” easing the strain on his neck to 15kgs, the headaches have disappeared and minor neck stiffness is all that remains.

This started with a small postural change that went un-noticed and progressed to the larger issue we see here, thankfully we have managed to help improve his situation vastly even at this stage in life.

This gentleman in his midlife years, has more subtle postural imbalances (Left image) which would have been missed if he had not undergone a professional postural assessment.

These imbalances resulted in large amounts of lower back pain, but as he went through his course of care this subsided, his posture returned to normal (for the first time in many years) and he started competing in long distance swimming again (Right image).

Small changes that go unnoticed cause problems now or later, so do come in and have an assessment to avoid problems or simply improve your health and performance.

To enquire about our summer 2022 posture clinic for children, teenagers and adults please contact us on the details below. ref 1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16166889/ ref 2 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35589972/

Other Specialties at Sutton Chiropractic Contact us for: Headaches Posture Women's Health

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Athletic performance & recovery Paediatric care

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Christchurch Family Medical Centre, North Street, Bristol BS16 5SG T: 0117 214 1636 W: www.suttonchiro.co.uk FB: @suttonchiro E: reception@suttonchiro.co.uk

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July, 2022

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Reprieve for bus services A DEAL to keep the region’s subsidised bus services running for the next seven months has been hammered out by political leaders.

Behind-closed-doors negotiations lasting more than four hours between Metro Mayor Dan Norris and the leaders of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset councils succeeded in breaking a deadlock over who pays how much.

The rescue package means an initial seven-month extension to current contracts for 80 supported bus services which are subsidised because they are seen as important but are not commercially viable.

They include the 967 Westerleigh to Chipping Sodbury and Brimsham Green schools, which parents in Pucklechurch have been campaigning to have extended to their village.

The deal will allow time for an urgent review of where buses should run across the region ahead of new four-year contracts for services to be introduced from next April.

The political leaders agreed that supported services would be funded through a combination of contributions from the West of England Combined Authority and the three local councils.

They also agreed that any subsidised routes in future would be subject to a “value for money mechanism” - a suggestion which had seen talks being adjourned without agreement in May. Mr Norris had made this a “red line” in negotiations, after saying he was shocked to discover the 948 school bus, from Pucklechurch via Mangotsfield to Sir Bernard Lovell Academy in Oldland Common, was costing taxpayers £426 return, per pupil, per day.

Had agreement not been reached, a total of 26 services could have been axed.

Mr Norris said: “This is a victory for common sense. We now have a long-term plan, over a four-year period, that will offer stability for passengers and bus companies who want to invest.”

Mr Savage said: “Securing this agreement to protect our bus services while we conduct an urgent wider review is a really positive step forward, providing reassurance to our communities who would otherwise face sudden cuts – on top of cuts that have already occurred – at a time when we really need to be rebuilding confidence in public transport.”

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Bid for ring road ‘noise cameras’ A BID has been made to include the Avon Ring Road in a pilot scheme to tackle noisy modified cars and motorbikes.

The government plans to try out “noise camera” technology, using acoustic detectors to find vehicles breaking legal noise limits and recording evidence so drivers can be prosecuted.

The Department for Transport invited MPs to bid to be part of the £300,000 project and Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore, whose constituency includes a stretch of the A4174 through Emersons Green, Lyde Green and Mangotsfield, has made a bid for the funding.

He said: “I will be pressing ministers to consider our area for inclusion in this national trial.”

The Voice reported on an increase in noise problems suffered by residents during the 2020 lockdown, with scores of readers contacting us to share their complaints.

However Mr Skidmore’s bid is concentrated on the southern end of the road around Warmley, Barrs Court and Hanham, where he is working with ward councillors.

A spokesperson said that if the trial proved a success the technology could be extended further along the road.

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Red Elephant: "Students will exhibit alongside local artists and makers including Karen Davies of Mustard Cuts with her hand-cut paper art."

Free community event: Creative Arts Day at Mangotsfield Secondary School THE creative art departments at Mangotsfield secondary School are looking forward to a collaborative event with BSpoke16 artists on Saturday 9th July, 11am-4pm.

The school hall, art rooms and front outdoor space will be open to the public to visit the FREE community event; ‘Creative Arts Day and Makers market'.

The Creative Arts Day will also be incorporating Mangotsfield’s first Performing Arts Spectacular. There will be a range of sketches, musical performances, dance and magic acts to entertain audiences throughout the day on stage, competing for the 1st prize of vouchers to Bristol Hippodrome.

The school art leaders will have art stalls selling artworks made at home and in school. The school stall ‘Mango Prints’ will be selling a range of prints creating in response to music, abstract art, Eco Issues and natural forms. The money from the print sales and raffle ticket sales will be invested back into the art department to provide further creative opportunities for the students.

To extend experiences students will also be offering free craft tables for the visitors to create crafts on the day to take home.

There will be wide range of arts, crafts and refreshment stalls at the event, offering further opportunities for the students at Mangotsfield to work and learn from creative people in the local community.

Visit BSpoke16.co.uk to view the full list of exhibitors.

Creative Arts Day

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July, 2022 July, 2022

n TURNERS VISION

Coping with short-sightedness SHORT-sightedness – or myopia – is a very common problem where people cannot clearly see objects that are far away.

It affects millions of adults but usually starts in childhood. Signs your child might be struggling to see properly include: • difficulty making out words on the school whiteboard • sitting too close to the TV or holding their phone right up to their face • complaining of frequent headaches • rubbing their eyes There are things you can do to reduce your child’s chances of becoming myopic. Encouraging them to spend time outside and dragging them away from their electronic gadgets could help reduce the risk.

But, once you have a diagnosis of myopia, how do you know which management option is right for your child? Your first priority, of course, is enabling them to see clearly. But you also want them to be comfortable.

At Turners, we offer three options for myopia management and recommend the one best suited to the individual patient.

First up is Ortho-k. I’m a big fan of Ortho-k, in fact I was the first Ortho-k practitioner in Bristol. It works by popping specially made, ultra-thin contact lenses onto your eyes before sleeping. These lenses gently and gradually reshape your cornea overnight enabling the patient to see clearly throughout the following day, without need for glasses or contact lenses. Ingenious isn’t it? Over time Ortho-k (short for Orthokeratology) has been shown to slow progress of myopia and provides freedom from the daily glasses or contact lenses children can struggle with.

Next are soft contact lenses, which are very popular and renowned for comfort as they drape over the eye and are not really felt when blinking. The old worries about eye health are largely a thing of the past as lenses have evolved to allow more oxygen to reach the cornea.

Ours also have a special ultra glide coating to keep your eyes moist.

Soft contact lenses are good for children as they tend to stay put once in. Daily contacts are convenient with back-up lenses always to hand.

In short, contact lenses are a great myopia management option for all children whatever they’re up to – from sitting in front of a computer studying to throwing themselves around the rugby pitch.

Last but by no means least, are glasses – still very popular, especially for younger children where contact lenses may prove tricky. Some only need glasses for certain activities and others may need them all the time. Our special myopia glasses let the wearer see clearly both in the distance and up close, these popular glasses have been proven to slow down progression of myopia by as much as 60%.

Do take care of your eyes, and come to see us for your glasses, sunglasses and contact lenses. Our expert team is ready and waiting to give you the time you deserve to look after your eye health and vision.

Please call to book a time to come in. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Peter

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

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emersonsgreenvoice

July, 2022

11

n NEWS

Cross-country ride total tops £12,000

The MaD LEJOG team at John O'Groats CYCLISTS from Mangotsfield and Downend have raised more than £12,000 for five charities, with a ten-day ride the length of Great Britain.

The nine riders coveread 970 miles as they rode from Land’s End to John O’Groats at the end of May. The riders – Andy Chivers, John Davies, Mark Goss, Alistair Poole, Dave Herman, Shaun Chivers, Dave Ewens, Simon Hucker and Paul Sparrow – climbed a total of more than 55,000ft during their journey, contending with 40mph winds, rain, sleet, hail and cold temperatures in northern Scotland as they approached their final goal.

A support team of two drivers – Arris Cracke and Malcolm Chivers – brought spares, equipment and supplies.

The group is named MaD because most members live in Mangotsfield and Downend.

But members said it was an “appropriate banner” for the challenge of riding from the far south west of the country to the far north east.

Most members of the group are in their 50s, and have been cycling together for about six years. They regularly meet up on Sundays for rides of around 70 miles, and go on shorter ‘social’ rides of around 20 miles during the week, but the Lands End to John O’Groats ride was a “bucket list” challenge for many of them.

It had also raised more than £12,000 for five charities – Diabetes UK, Retina UK, Alzheimer’s Research UK and Prostate Cancer Research and the Terrence Higgins Trust – as the Voice went to press.

Donations can still be made via the challenge web page at www. lejog2021.com.

Andy said: “The weather was not 100% kind to us but to be honest, when we finished we could have started riding home.

“I thought we would get more tired the more we did but it had the opposite effect – although I’m not sure everyone would agree!”

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July, 2022

13

n PLATINUM JUBILEE

Street parties mark Queen’s 70 years STREETS in Emersons Green, Lyde Green and Pucklechurch were among thousands across the country where residents stopped traffic, set up tables and threw parties to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Among them was Quarry Way, in Emersons Green, where around 100 residents met up on June 5.

Sarah Cole and neighbour Liz Leeson organised the party.

Sarah said: “During the first covid lockdown we started a WhatsApp group for the street to help each other.

“It was lovely and created a stronger sense of community.

After Covid restrictions were lifted Liz and I commented we should have a party to bring everyone together to celebrate our neighbourhood, and the Jubilee seemed a perfect excuse!”

Residents borrowed tables from Blackhorse Primary School, put up bunting and set up the party, which included games, music and plenty of cakes – with leftovers donated to local NHS

The party in Quarry Way

Emma Moore and neighbour Tessa Roy at the Sarum Green street party

Enjoying a cupcake in Quarry Way

staff and a church group.

Sarah said: “We had some games and activities for the children but they mostly enjoyed running around playing together, which was so lovely to see. The adults just enjoyed chatting, meeting old and new friends and putting faces to names they may have seen in the WhatsApp

group.”

Red, white and blue sandwiches were on the menu at the Sarum Green street party.

Around 100 people attended the party, with picnics and barbecues, a lemonade stall, a bubble machine and football matches for the party, which

started at lunchtime and continued into the early evening for some residents.

Organiser Emma Moore said: “Everyone wore red, white and blue. So many families had a wonderful day.”

Neighbours get together at Quarry Way

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n PLATINUM JUBILEE

July, 2022

MP, police and fire chiefs honoured

The Pucklechurch jubilee postbox topper

‘Topper’ is stolen A KNITTED crown and union flag placed on top of a postbox in Pucklechurch to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee has been stolen.

An anonymous villager spent many hours creating the topper for the pillar box at the end of Dennisworth.

But after it was left in place for the jubilee the decoration disappeared.

Many people commenting on the village’s Facebook page said the knitting had brought smiles to their faces and they were sorry that someone had seen fit to remove it.

Similar knitted and crocheted decorations in Downend and Kingswood survived the jubilee.

EMERSONS Green’s MP, Avon and Somerset’s chief constable and the area’s former chief fire officer are among those recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for the Platinum Jubilee.

Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore, whose constituency includes Emersons Green, part of Lyde Green and Mangotsfield, was made an OBE for Parliamentary and public service.

He said he was “extremely grateful and humbled”, adding: “I realise that compared to many people locally who work tirelessly for their community, I don’t deserve this, but I’m grateful for my work on the environment and in higher education out of ministerial office being recognised, though I am just doing my job.”

Mr Skidmore said he was dedicating the award “to the thousands of academics and campaigners who are working to achieve net zero” after working on the government’s 2050 target during his time as an energy minister.

Sarah Crew, who was appointed Avon and Somerset’s first woman chief constable last November, has been awarded a Queen’s Police Medal for her commitment and dedication to improving the policing response to rape and serious sexual offences, an area where she is the national policing lead, and improve policing in the region.

Former Avon Fire & Rescue Service chief fire officer Mick Crennell was awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal for distinguished service in recognition of his 30-year career as a firefighter, which included five years in charge of the region’s fire service.

Members of the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity critical care team are among the serving members of the emergency services, prison services and Armed Forces who have been awarded Platinum Jubilee Medals in recognition of five or more years’ frontline service.

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15

n PLATINUM JUBILEE

Schools in the party mood CELEBRATIONS of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee were held at schools in Emersons Green and Pucklechurch.

At Mangotsfield C of E Primary School children made crowns, decorated cupcakes

Traditional games such as hula-hooping were popular at the Pucklechurch Primary School picnic

and created bunting ahead of a whole-school party.

The occasion was also an opportunity to teach pupils about the events of the Queen’s 70-year reign.

Assistant head teacher Jo Sihag said: “We had a wonderful Jubilee celebration.

“We had a special whole school picnic at the end of the school day, to which families were invited and we shared our cakes.

“It was so amazing to have our whole community together to celebrate such a momentous occasion!”

Pucklechurch Primary School held events throughout the last week before the half-term holidays before inviting parents to the school for a garden party.

Year 2 teacher Sophia Miller said: “We started our celebration with a carousel of activities and then paraded throughout our grounds, where we waved flags and sang the National Anthem.

“Each class then performed songs, dances and poetry to their parents before finishing with a selection of garden party games.

“We also had a special visit from the fire service, who gave the children a special experience of seeing inside a fire engine.”

Children at Mangotsfield Primary School decorated cup cakes before eating them at a picnic with parents

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16

n NEWS FROM OUR MP

July, 2022

We need to start recycling more of our plastic

Chris Skidmore writes for

Emersons Green Voice

WE have a great level of recycling here in South Gloucestershire – one of the highest in the country – and that’s thanks to the incredible efforts of environmentally-mindful residents who sort their waste and recycling every week, diverting it away from landfill.

But there is still room for improvement, and the council are looking at ways to further improve on this, driving recycling up to 70% with zero biogenic waste to landfill by 2030.

There is a big gap in our recycling ability, as soft plastics are currently not collected as part of our waste service. Whilst cans, cardboard and glass all regularly line our streets on collection day, so many everyday items, such as plastic bags, crisp packets and pet food pouches are not collected.

Flexible plastic packaging in fact represents nearly a quarter of all UK consumer plastic packaging, but only 6 per cent is currently recycled.

This is why I am working with my fellow local MPs on our soft plastic campaign, with the support of the community, to secure this type of recycling for our communities so we drive up our recycling rates yet further.

Excitingly, South Gloucestershire Council have submitted a bid for our area to be included in a national pilot scheme that is due to be launched, which would see soft-plastic recycling trialled in our area, with collections from the kerbside. This would be a real, positive step to help reduce household waste and protect our environment.

I have also met with the Environment Minister in Parliament to raise the profile of our campaign, so we can ensure South Gloucestershire Council is part of this exciting programme.

Nationally, work is continuing to tackle plastic waste, and the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan has committed to work towards all plastic packaging placed on the market being recyclable or reusable by 2025.

Steps have also been taken to boost the market for plastic recycling, including the Plastic Packaging Tax in April 2022, which will see a charge of £200 per tonne on plastic packaging with less than 30 recycled content.

As your local MP, I will continue to champion action to protect our precious local environment.

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July, 2022

17

n NEWS

Music festival is back for more

A FOUR-day music festival is returning to Emersons Green and Mangotsfield this summer.

Most of the events in the Ham Farm Festival will take place in the half-acre garden at Ham Farm Cottage, off Emersons Green Lane, from July 28-31.

There will also be a concert at St James Church in Mangotsfield to celebrate the church's 800th anniversary and a show at St James Church Hall.

The not-for-profit festival was staged for the first time last year by professional musicians Emily and Francisco Correa in the garden of their home, and Emily said it was such a success that they will hold it every year from now on.

Emily is a flautist and mezzo soprano singer who teaches the flute at Downend School and works with many large orchestras, while Francisco is

a guitarist who teaches at Prior Park School in Bath and also performs as a soloist all over the country and in South America and mainland Europe.

The festival has received funding from South Gloucestershire Council, Emersons Green Town Council and Arts Council England.

Over four days and evenings it will include eight concerts, ranging from folk, world and classical music to pop and rock ’n’ roll, two children's shows, three free musicians' workshops, a masterclass and musical games and storytelling.

Many of the events will be free, and the ticketed ones with professional musicians will have a maximum price of £15.

She said: "All money goes back into festival running costs and musician's fees. We run this festival for the love music of sharing music with our local

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String quartet Bowjangles will perform Dracula in Space, a scripted and choreographed play with physical comedy and action, suitable for all ages, at St James Church Hall on July 29 Picture: Steve Ullathorne community.

"However we really want the festival to be accessible to everyone, so if anyone is struggling financially and would love to come to an event they can contact us through the website to request free tickets.

"One of the most exciting events this year is the Misa Criolla concert, on July 31 at 5pm in St James Church.

"This is a collaboration between Ham Farm Festival and St James Church, to put on an extra special concert to celebrate their 800-year

anniversary. We have collected a choir of 50 local singers and will also have a professional ensemble and soloist to perform Ariel Ramirez's Misa Criolla, an Argentinian Mass with four part choir and indigenous Andean instruments."

People volunteered for the choir after a call for singers in the Voice earlier this year, and started rehearsals in May. Emily said: "It's sounding fantastic already!"

For more information visit the festival website at www. hamfarmfestival.com.

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18

July, 2022

n WHAT’S ON July 2 n BRISTOL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA CLASSICAL SUMMER CONCERT Saturday July 2nd 7.30pm at Frenchay Parish Church on the common BS16 1LJ. Contact 0117 9562106. Tickets £15 on the door, £12 in advance, Students £5 Children free. Interval drink included.

July 5 n MANGOTSFIELD AND CASTLE GREEN UNITED REFORM CHURCH invite you to their monthly COFFEE MORNING from 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon. Come along for a warm welcome and a cup of coffee.(plus cakes and biscuits! For further details please telephone June Watts on 0117 9566625.

July 9 n FRENCHAY FLOWER SHOW. Frenchay and Hambrook Horticultural Society and Frenchay Village C.I.C. are delighted to announce the return of this popular flower show after a two year break.

The show will be held on Frenchay Common by the Friends’ Meeting House on Saturday 9th of July with a selection of plant, charity, and food stalls open from 12.30 and the show tent opening at 1.30.

The Frenchay Vintage & Classic Vehicle Show will be on the main showground in conjunction with the flower show. Cream Teas will be available in the Village Hall provided by the WI. Admission is £2.50 for adults, with children under 16 free. For show details, a full list of classes and, entry forms please visit www.frenchayflowershow.com.

July 16 n JUMBLE SALE (UPCYCLING) IN AID OF UKRAINE, 2pm in Christ Church Parish Hall, North Street.

Refreshments available. Everyone is welcome. All profits to local charity ‘Little bit of Love from Bristol to Ukraine’.

July 23 n FREE SINGING SESSION WITH CONDUCTOR IAN HOLMES, Lincombe Barn, 2-4pm. Ian is a former director of UWE’s Centre for Performing Arts and is conductor of the Lydbrook Band. One-off event, limited numbers so to book a place email sing23july@hotmail. com.

August 4-7 BEYOND HEDONISM’ THE GREEN GATHERING 2022, award winning, family friendly, off grid festival, 4th - 7th August, Piercefield

Park near Chepstow. This is the annual fundraiser for the Green Gathering Charity, which promotes ecology and sustainability through education and the arts. Tickets and info at: http://www.greengathering. org.uk.

REGULAR EVENTS Monday n MEDITATION SESSIONS IN FRENCHAY Come along to the sessions that run from 3rd Monday each month at 7pm Frenchay Unitarian Chapel BS16 1ND from 20 Sept for the Person-centred Group Meditation and 1st Wednesday at 7pm from 6th Oct for the Kundalini movement meditation. Blessings to you. For more information contact Andrea on 07791119658 homewards.ma@btinternet.com. n MESSY SPACE AT BADMINTON ROAD METHODIST CHURCH, 10.00-11.30am. This is a term-time group for babies and toddlers with their carers: play, crafts, story, refreshments. More information: www.badmintonroadmethodist.org. uk or 0117 239 3875 n PUCKLECHURCH SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB Meet every Monday, Wednesday evening 7.30 - 10.00 and Sunday 2.30 - 5.00.

Refreshments inc. All levels really Welcome. Ring Kath 07517 1297 n LONGWELL LIGHTNING NETBALL CLUB is looking for members with experience of netball, aged 16 or over for seniors and over 10 for juniors. Training Monday nights at Wellsway Way School, in Keynsham. For more information call Maisie Nash on 07920 443820 for juniors, Sandra Nash on 07479 015048 for seniors.

Wednesday n THE WOMEN’S SECTION OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION We meet the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 2pm at the old school hall now known as the YOU Foundation by the car park in Page Road Staple Hill. Speakers, quiz’s and handy craft afternoon finish’s with tea. If you are interested please telephone Madeleine Bills Secretary. 0117 9560805. n MANGO JAMS PARENT/CARER AND TODDLER GROUP meets every Wednesday at Lyde Green community centre, 9.15am to 11.15am. Warm and friendly group run by volunteers from St James Church. n DOWNEND TANG SOO DO meets at Christchurch Parish

To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

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

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

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

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

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

Warm and friendly group run by volunteers from St James Church: everyone welcome to attend. n PAGE PARK UKULELE CLUB, Bean Tree café, Fridays at 1pm.

All abilities welcomed. Places £4 each. For further details call or text ‘Ukulele’ to Ben on 07910 668258. n RAINBOW TOTS PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP meets at Emersons Green Village Hall every

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

WHAT IT IS WHERE IT IS WHEN IT IS in no more than 40 words:

email us at: news@emersons greenvoice.co.uk or call us on 07715770377

Friday morning in term time, from 10-11.30am. All welcome - for more info e-mail church.egbc@ outlook.com Saturday n BRISTOL SUGARCRAFT GUILD We are a small friendly group who meet every third Saturday of the month 2pm to 4pm at St Andrews Hall, Elm Park, Filton.

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

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

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

For more information contact: Revd Samuel Uwimana: 0117 239 5984 or www.badmintonroadmethodist. org.uk n MANGOTSFIELD AND CASTLE GREEN UNITED REFORM CHURCH are back holding 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 information contact Peter Redding (Ch. Sec.). on 0117 9657075

Got News? Call Ken On 07715770377

emersonsgreenvoice

July, 2022

n LOCAL HISTORY

19

Centuries of local history on display HUNDREDS of people visited the local history stall run by CHAP – the Community History and Arts Project – at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration in Page Park.

The stall told the story of Downend and Emersons Green from the 1200s right up to 2021.

Our voluntary group members enjoyed hearing local people’s stories and knowledge, and handed out our free historical map, which is also available on the website downendchap.org/ historical-map.

Visitors enjoyed looking at copies of ancient maps which showed what our area once looked like as a small village. They were surprised to learn about Edward Hodges Bailey, who was born here in 1788 and went on to become a famous sculptor, designing the statue of Nelson that tops Trafalgar Square in London.

People of all ages enjoyed handling and learning about some historical artefacts from World War Two – an incendiary device, a helmet, a child’s gas mask and a blackout lamp.

People also reflected on more

Seb Rana in the CHAP stocks at the stall in Page Park recent times, looking back at photographs of the lockdowns Downend and Emersons Green residents lived through during the initial stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some people said that felt like a lifetime ago, agreeing how

important it is to capture events as we live through them, because today’s everyday life will become tomorrow’s history.

But the most popular exhibit by far was the one about punishment.

Children and adults alike enjoyed trying out the stocks made by

Downend Men in Sheds.

Stocks like these used to be outside the Green Dragon in Downend when magistrates met inside the pub for the assizes (an early court) in the 17th century.

People found guilty of misdemeanours were put in the stocks and left to suffer whatever humiliation and punishment passers-by could throw at them.

Nowadays, thankfully, it was just a case of having their picture taken!

CHAP is a not-for-profit voluntary organisation that aims to produce a community history resource and encourage the local community to take part in all its activities.

The group aims to create a coherent identity for Downend and Emersons Green, built around interesting or significant places, people and events from the past.

For more information visit www.downendchap.org, email downendchap@gmail.com or write to CHAP, 49 Overnhill Road, Downend, BS16 5DS. Helen Rana CHAP

n MANGOTSFIELD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

Looking for a place to store the community's stuff FIRST things first. A huge thank you to everyone who helped organise and run all the events and activities, big and small, for the Jubilee weekend: it was a great success.

We might not realise it now, but this was a unique occasion, unlikely to happen again.

On Friday June 10 we held our latest meeting.

It was not that well-attended but we did welcome some new faces.

One topic that did generate some discussion was around a community storage facility and the sharing of community resources.

Many local voluntary groups need equipment or “stuff” from time to time, to help them run events.

If we had a secure community store we could perhaps encourage the sharing of equipment and “stuff”.

This saves groups having to buy or hire at commercial rates, which means more money goes to the cause they represent.

But we’ll need a lot of help to get this off the ground, so if you think it’s worth doing and want to help, then please get in touch.

About this time we would normally be commenting on what a great time people had at the Mangotsfield Festival, but it's no secret that was cancelled again this year.

To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

However, there are lots of local summer fairs happening over the coming weeks, so please give them your support – they all bring the local community together and help make it a better place.

Our local South Gloucestershire Council community engagement forum took place on June 15.

One thing that keeps coming up is the reporting of crime, including anti-social behaviour, so a reminder: please report it to the police and not to social media.

And finally, we were recently reminded that covid has not gone away. One of our members' family spent a few nights in hospital as a result of contracting it.

They are now home and recovering, thankfully.

Please take care – you all know the score by now.

As always, we’d love more people to get involved, so if you’d like to or you need any help, then please get in touch via MangotsfieldRA@ gmail.com, via the ever popular Mangotsfield Matters Facebook page or call our chair, Clive Heath, on 07507 168 700 or me on 07918 701 881.

Chris Amos

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

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21

n LYDE GREEN OPEN SPACE COLUMN

Everyone can help keep Lyde clean THE Platinum Jubilee events in Lyde Green were a fantastic success, with everyone coming together to celebrate in style.

We too were celebrating this month, as Lyde Green Open Space took delivery of a #2minutelitterpick litter station for everyone to use, which is now sited at the community centre.

This was kindly donated from ALD Automotive in Lyde: we are really pleased to be working in partnership with our local businesses and excited that they share our views and passion about keeping Lyde clean – a massive thank you to Stewart and the team at ALD for making this happen.

ALD have purchased another station, which will be moved around Lyde over the summer months to help everyone keep the open spaces and parks clean.

Another little celebration for us was the planting of some oak trees on the common.

Community centre manager Helen Crew asked if we could help plant some trees in Lyde as part of the Queen’s green canopy initiative.

After discussions with South Glos connections project manager David Tibbatts, it

was noted that we should order seven English oak trees, one for each decade of the Queen’s reign, and plant four in the west field and three in the east.

A massive thanks to Helen for receiving some funding from the National Lottery to purchase the trees.

This will make a huge difference in years to come as English oak trees are amongst the most ecologically valuable trees, supporting hundreds of different species of insects, birds and mammals.

The footpath restoration has begun and a new entrance crossing at Roman Road has also been installed, so things really are starting to take shape on the common.

July marks the start of assessments for the Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ scheme, for community groups who want to ‘green up’ local areas, and in light of this we want you all to show off your front gardens to impress the assessors when they have a tour through our lovely Lyde.

Let’s show them what we can do and fill our lawns and boxes with plenty of flowers for the butterflies and the bees.

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see our media pages and get in touch as we are running a summer long project with Sovereign to help residents love their gardens!

Finally, during the hotter weeks we advise plenty of water for your plants and trees.

A bowl of used washing up water would be great for the trees – instead of throwing it down the drain, why not throw it outside?

Thank you all for the support in Lyde Green: it does mean a lot to see all you lovely volunteers getting stuck, in making things pretty!

We are always on the look-out for volunteers. In particular, we urgently need a treasurer to oversee our accounts, so if you can help, please get in touch.

Send us an email to lgopenspace@ gmail.com or ping us a message on social @ lydegreenopenspace.

Thank you for your continued support.

Laurence Binks , Chair Lyde Green OpenSpace

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

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

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emersonsgreenvoice

n NEWS

23

Quilters help care leavers Pucklechurch Primary School pupils researching for their Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month project

Pupils learn about traveller history

A GROUP of quilt makers are helping young people to make a home after leaving care.

Emersons Green Quilters, who meet at the Christ Church Centre in Quakers Road, Bromley Heath, dedicated their June meeting to working together to make stitched blocks, to be made into quilts for the charity Quilts for Care Leavers.

The quilts will be given to young people aged 16 to 25, as they start living independently after spending time in the care system.

The group meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7.30pm, and welcomes newcomers of all ages, backgrounds and sewing abilities, either as members or visitors.

The next meeting is on July 14, with expert speaker Dawn Cameron Dick sharing ideas and skills.

For more details visit the website emersonsgreenquilters.weebly. com, the group’s Facebook page or email emersonsgreenquilters@ gmail.com.

PUPILS at Pucklechurch Primary School have been learning more about travelling communities with a special research project.

The school’s ‘equities crew’ have been carrying out research and activities as part of Gyspy, Roma and Traveller History Month, which takes place every year in June.

Year 6 teacher Suzie Bingham-Green said the pupils started by watching a video then investigated further sources of information before creating information posters and a question and answer display.

They found out about how well known the three groups were and about their travelling lifestyle.

Miss Bingham-Green said: “We also invited an expert on GRT History Month to come and speak to the school.”

One of the finished quilts produced by Emersons Green Quilters

0117 956 2834

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24

n AROUND THE WIs BEECHMERE BELLES WI THE committee outdid themselves for our celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

All members were formally invited to attend an afternoon tea.

Tables were laid out beautifully with Union Jack tablecloths, beautiful flowers, fruit skewers, and all the other wonderful things that make an afternoon tea.

The scones, jam and clotted cream were to die for, and of course there was the age-old conversation on how to pronounce scone and whether it is jam or cream first.

As the national anthem played, we raised a glass and toasted the Queen’s 70-year reign.

Food over with, it was heads down for a right royal quiz, pin the tail on the corgi and roll a pound coin for a large bottle of bubbly.

I need to add here that no corgis were harmed in the pursuit of giggles!

We used this meeting to help the local charity we support, the Resound food bank. Our wonderful members donated food, treats and washing-up liquid.

It’s funny we think of food when we read about food banks but actually it’s all the other bits as well: deodorant, female products and shower gel.

Beechmere Belles will continue to help as much as we can.

We had a craft evening for sign-up night, where beautiful paper flowers were made and it was lovely to see new faces on the evening.

It wouldn’t be a WI without learning a new craft, and we have an extra event planned on a Saturday morning in the not-toodistant future. The last one we organised pre-covid was brilliant: I returned home and promptly ordered all the materials for future creations.

Our cinema club is struggling to decide which film to choose, as there are so many good ones due for release – maybe we’ll go twice.

The long nights are here and the weather is improving; we like to arrange local walks at this time of year.

We will be hearing from a gentleman at our next meeting about our local area, Emersons Green and hopefully find out where the name Beechmere came from. I’m sure he will be able to give us some hints and tips of places of interest right on our doorstep.

Our doors are open every

July, 2022

n LIBRARY NEWS fourth Thursday of the month, at 7.30pm at Emersons Green Village Hall.

We meet in the Willow room upstairs. There is always tea, coffee and cake, so please drop in to say hi and see what the WI is all about.

If you would like more information check out Emersons Green & Lyde Green WI Beechmere Belles, Facebook page or email us at beechmerebelles@gmail.com.

SHORTWOOD VILLAGE WI WE hope you all enjoyed the Jubilee celebrations and the extra bank holiday.

That weekend we hosted our annual cream tea event, but this year the general theme was ‘The Jubilee’ so our marquees were adorned with red, white and blue, and Diane dressed her garden with lovely flowers of the same colours.

Luckily, the weather was very kind to us, unlike the previous evening when we got drenched erecting the marquees. The event was very well supported, and our charity of choice this year is Southmead Hospital, which we are sure is close to many hearts.

For our June meeting we had a visit from Tim of the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways Society Bristol Branch, who gave us a passionate and fascinating insight into the “best way to see Snowdonia”, by train.

If you love or want to see Snowdonia this has to be added to your bucket list. All the trains have a history and have been renovated to a very high standard.

Next was cuppa time and the news and views bit of the evening, which included discussion about the trips we have coming up and various other WI events in our area, which are many and varied to suit all tastes.

This was followed by a quiz set

by Jo which asked us to identity the many national parks in the UK. We meet on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the chapel or vestry in Main Road, Shortwood, and our next meeting is on July 14.

We are a friendly bunch and will welcome new members, so just turn up for a complimentary visit and see what the WI has to offer.

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

To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

Lynne Miller

News from Downend, Emersons Green & Staple Hill libraries Visit Downend, Emersons Green or Staple Hill library and become a Gadgeteer with the Summer Reading Challenge 2022 - it’s FUN and FREE! All children aged 4 – 11 are invited to take part! Children read books over the summer holiday and collect stickers (including some stinky ones!) to complete their special Gadgeteers poster and get a medal and certificate.

Join Gadgeteers, Summer Reading Challenge 2022 at a South Gloucestershire library from Saturday 9 July to Saturday 10 September and pick up your FREE bag of Gadgeteer Goodies* and see the difference the Summer Reading Challenge makes to your child’s reading: ‘Wonderful. Really got our daughter engaged and excited about reading.

Great idea to keep them reading over the summer’ Parent, Emersons Green ‘…I’d like to do this every day of my entire life!’ Child, Staple Hill Children love taking part and there are lots of awesome FREE activities: Fizz Pop Science workshops and Gadgeteer themed crafts and Lego clubs.

Find out more at www.southglos.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge or like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/sgloslibraries for the latest updates.

n LYDE GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Jubilee Extravaganza was truly a day to remember WE wanted to thank everyone that was involved in our Jubilee Extravaganza, from team members to volunteers, from trustees to everyone in the community and further afield that attended.

We had some great feedback and would welcome more feedback from anyone that did attend.

One person said: “Really amazing event! We had been looking forward to it all week. The kids had so much. Thank you so much for all of the effort and hard work that went into planning and running this event. What an amazing community!”

Another said: “Amazing event for the kids, so much to keep them entertained, best event we’ve been to, thank you so much for organising.”

We had plenty of fun activities to do and wanted to thank Bristol Fun For Hire for providing the inflatables which kept the kids busy.

Thank you to Bee Painted for providing a face painting session and to all the music and entertainment provided by Occasional Brass, Ariella, JJ Harbour, Jenny O’Brien, Steve O’Brien and DJ BobTastic.

Also, thanks to all the stall holders and Coffee at Lyde for keeping the community supplied with food and drink throughout the day.

We are grateful that this project received funding from the National Lottery and South Gloucestershire Council.

If anyone would like to volunteer for future events then please get in touch with us via Facebook, email info@lydegreenca.org or call our office on 0117 957 0410.

For party or event bookings email Bookings@lydegreenca.org.

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Ken On 07715770377

emersonsgreenvoice

July, 2022

25

n GAMING

What’s new so far in 2022

By Emersons Green-based gamer Conor McGeachie

DESPITE a slow start to the year, the video game scene has boomed recently.

It’s safe to say that many companies have taken these last two years to cook up some amazing titles to tide gamers over for the rest of the year, using events such as Nintendo Direct and the Summer Game Fest to announce them.

The first event of the year was Nintendo Direct, which famously showcases some of the Japanese gaming giant’s biggest first-party titles and even some surprises.

One of the stand-out announcements was Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2, with a two-minute trailer documenting new cutscenes and gameplay mechanics to the world.

However, the lead director of the game stated that the release date for the game was now pushed back until Spring 2023, and so it was with a heavy heart that I accepted I’d have to wait.

Another major announcement was the release of Mario Kart 8 deluxe booster course tracks. This came as a big surprise, as this eight-year-old title was just now getting paid downloadable content (DLC) offered to players. The first wave of DLC tracks was released on March 18 and is great for families and friends alike.

The next event, which took place on June 9, was the Summer Game Fest 2022.

This is an online event, hosted by video game journalist and presenter Geoff Keighley, which a variety of video game companies attend to show off their latest and greatest creations to the world.

One of the biggest announcements was The Last of Us remake for PlayStation 5.

The original game was released over nine years ago on the PS3, but now it has been remade with new graphics, gameplay mechanics, and volumetric lighting. It is set for release on September 2 and is sure to be a huge success.

The last major showcase to discuss is Goat Simulator 3, which is the sequel to Goat Simulator 1.

Yes, you read that right, the company never officially released a second one, but decided to name it the third instalment anyway.

Essentially, it’s a fun, random, and buggy sandbox to play in, which is great for adults and kids as it offers chaos and comedy in a family-friendly package, and is set to release in autumn of this year.

It’s fair to say that there is a lot to look forward to in the world of video games, catering for all ages and interests!

Anniversary book A NEW booklet celebrating the 800th anniversary of St James Church in Mangotsfield has been published.

The church is marking the milestone this year and the new booklet covers its history from 1222 to the present day.

Copies are available, for £5, in the church, and can also be ordered from Staple Hill & Mangotsfield councillor Michael Bell by calling 0787 563 1817 or emailing michael.bell@ southglos.gov.uk.

He said: "It is full of facts and photos, and should be of interest to everyone."

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26

n SPORT

emersonsgreenvoice

Downend School footballers win title DOWNEND School's Year 8 football team have been crowned this year's Bristol and South Gloucestershire champions.

The team won the title in May, and qualified for the Gloucestershire Schools FA county cup final.

Downend's Year 8 squad Downend narrowly lost the final, played at Hartpury College, near Gloucester, to St Peter's High School from Gloucester.

Describing the match as a “hard-fought game of football”, which Downend lost 2-1, a school spokesperson said: “It was a spirited performance, against a very physical side.

“The boys who have played in this competition this year have been amazing and have been a credit to both the school and their parents.

“Despite this the boys are still the Bristol and South Gloucestershire champions, an achievement which is very welldeserved.”

Mangotsfield School's Year 9 football team also made the county cup final for their year group, again facing St Peter's of Gloucester, who won 3-0.

July, 2022

New home for 3rds A VILLAGE cricket team has found a new home - at a historic ground ten miles away.

There were fears that Pucklechurch 3rds might have to pull out of league competition when they found themselves without anywhere to play.

Chairman Dean Freestone said: “We decided to relaunch our 3rds for this season as our numbers were so strong and thought we had somewhere to play, only for that ground to fall through.

“Denise Young, our treasurer, was straight on the case, contacting all the parish councils she could think of to see if there was anywhere that could host us. And the first one to get in contact was Badminton, asking if we might be interested in their cricket ground.”

Badminton have not had a regular side for at least ten summers, but the occasional match is still played on a square which once hosted star-studded XIs put together by the Duke of Beaufort to face Gloucestershire, as well as Lord’s Taverners sides featuring celebrities such as Mick Jagger and Jools Holland.

Dean added: “The first time we came up, we weren’t exactly sure where the square was because the grass was so long! But a few of us got to work with the mowers and we then hired a roller.

“The end result is four strips which we can use for our league games this summer.”

Dean is delighted with the way the whole project has panned out.

He said: “It’s such a pretty ground, and 22 people ended up playing here who might otherwise have found something else to do. The age range of our side went from 17 to 62, and included the new village vicar.

“We’re very grateful to Badminton Parish Council for their help while we’ve also already picked up a couple of new players from Badminton.”

Steve Hill

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July, 2022

n SPORT

emersonsgreenvoice

27

Carsons build on good start New manager for Mangos THE good start to the season has continued across Carsons and Mangotsfield Cricket Club.

There have been a number of highlights: on a team front it was great to see the U13 girls playing their first hard ball match, and winning.

On an individual basis, the outstanding performance came from U16 player Max Buckingham, scoring his first century in a 2nd team match against Chilcompton. The innings showed an amazing amount of maturity for such a young player, always placing the ball into gaps and batting at a very quick tempo, which allowed him to score his century in 25 overs.

There have also been other individual performances from a number of young players, particularly in the 3rd team, which regularly has a majority of youth team players in it. Their performances have seen the team, at the time of writing, leading their division. This is a reflection on the boys' attitude and approach, as well as the time and dedication given by their respective coaches when leading the age groups.

The first team are currently sitting comfortably in mid-table, having won three of their five games to date.

After their promotion of two divisions last season, the second team are currently in second place. There have been a number of very comfortable victories for the team in excess of 100 runs. There have been a number of useful contributions from Alex Wallage, James Davies, Steve Sykes, Tom Smurthwaite and Will Thatcher.

Finally the club is also indebted to the fundraising efforts of John Douglass, who recently gave up his Saturday afternoon to undertake a 15km obstacle challenge. In doing this he raised over £700 towards club funds.

Ian Coles

MANGOTSFIELD United have appointed John Allen as the club's new first team manager.

John stood down as manager of Toolstation Western League Premier Division side Keynsham Town to take over the Mangos hot seat on May 31.

Former Keynsham Town assistant managers Russ Holt and Josh Bruton, and coach Rich Williams will join John at Cossham Street.

The new manager has made no public statements as yet in terms of his plans, or who will be wearing the maroon and sky blue shirts in 2022-23, but that will all follow once pre-season training gets under way by the end of June.

The following pre-season friendlies have been confirmed: Saturday July 9: Odd Down (away) Tuesday July 13: Wells City (home) Saturday July 16: Westbury United (away) More fixtures have been arranged but have not yet been officially confirmed.

One additional piece of news concerns one of the opponents in the Mangos’ Hellenic League campaign, which starts in August.

Following the resignation of Walton Casuals from the Southern League Premier Division, Merthyr Town FC have been given a reprieve and will not be relegated.

Cinderford Town, who had been due to join Mangotsfield in the Hellenic League after finishing one place and four points above them, will now remain in the Southern League Division One South, whilst Worcester Raiders have been given promotion to the Hellenic League Premier Division to fill the place vacated by Cinderford.

This will mean the Mangos will now have home and away fixtures against Worcester Raiders instead of Cinderford Town.

Dave Smale

A Team approach to healthcare.

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

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Contact

0117 957 5388

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28

July, 2022

n ON THE TREATMENT TABLE

Some common complaints CHIROPRACTORS can help with all sorts of common health problems and ailments – even the ones you probably thought we had no interest in!

When I was pondering what to talk about with you this month, it occurred to me that I have seen a lot of ‘classic cases’ recently, so I thought I’d share some of them with you. These involve areas of general health and well-being.

It’s clear that patients, GPs and other healthcare professionals are often unaware that chiropractors can get great results with these problems – as well as all the other aspects of health and fitness we deal with. So here goes…

Headaches Let’s start with a classic problem most of us have suffered with from time to time – headaches.

While we have all had a headache before, some poor patients suffer more than others. On a regular basis, patients come to see me about something completely different and only mention their headaches in passing. Many headaches, including migraines, stem from problems in the neck involving the joints, muscles and nerves.

Chiropractors are very well placed to use our hands-on care, exercise prescription and daily living advice to help you reduce or even eliminate this problem.

Some headaches can arise from complications with your jaw. If you suffer with headaches but also have a ‘clicky’ jaw or uneven bite, it’s possible that the two are

linked and can be easily treated.

Tennis elbow At the moment, I’m treating about five or six of these painful injuries each week. This is an extremely common condition that relates to pain in the outside of the elbow, often caused by gripping, twisting or repetitive movements like tennis or guitar playing.

Often, we can help tennis elbow by simply identifying the cause and taking appropriate steps to prevent repeats in the future.

However, that may not be enough to get rid of the current painful symptoms. A common treatment plan would include soft tissue work, gentle elbow manipulation, laser or shockwave therapy and kinesiotaping – which allows the free flow of blood and lymphatic fluid to cleanse and heal the inflammation – to protect the elbow between appointments. In these cases, it’s also important to check for any neck involvement.

Slipped discs & trapped nerves Technically, health professionals would call these disc bulges, herniations or radiculopathies, although most people might refer to them as slipped discs and trapped nerves. They commonly happen in the neck, giving arm pain, or in the lower back, resulting in leg pain. Rarely, they can occur in the thoracic spine – that’s the bit where your ribs attach. The most important thing is, these need to be diagnosed correctly with a thorough history and neurological exam.

Chiropractors are trained in doing this so are well placed to diagnose trapped nerves from disc injuries.

When radiculopathies (trapped nerves) are suspected, an MRI scan will confirm the cause, which is often a disc injury. I have seen other rarer causes including cysts, spurs and infections, so it can be helpful to rule these out.

Disc injuries can be extremely painful especially when they trap a nerve, so we will often co-manage patients with their GP for pain relief. We would teach them how to manage at home with techniques to sleep, stand and sit without pain. Then we explain how they can self-manage their condition alongside the care we provide. The number one treatment for discs is distraction or traction of the area with followup treatments of laser, soft tissue work and other gentle therapies.

Patients often enjoy this treatment as it can give shortterm pain relief quite quickly.

It is important to understand two things with disc injuries.

First, research shows that even a significant disc injury can be improved with traction, exercise and conservative care 80% of the time. Otherwise, more invasive treatments may be needed, including injections or surgery.

Second, disc injuries don’t just ‘pop’ back in, they take time to heal. This can take from weeks to months but with steady, conservative treatment you will have a better chance of avoiding surgery, dramatically reducing recuperation and disability time.

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

0117 957 5388

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

Policeman’s heel These are also known as heel bruises. They cause extremely annoying pains underneath the heel and are different to plantar fasciitis, which inflicts pain more in the arch. Policeman’s heel is often caused by inappropriate footwear, being overweight, walking barefoot on hard floor, or even a small stone in your shoe – which is what the pain then feels like!

The ‘fix’ involves one of my favourite treatment techniques, where we tape the heel so tightly that it creates a clever cushion underneath to take the pressure off the site of pain. The taping normally lasts 3-5 days and, all being well, we repeat it for around 3 weeks to give the heel bruise time to recover. Then ‘voila’, the heel pain has gone!

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emersonsgreenvoice

July, 2022

n SPORT

29

New head coach for Cleve RFC CLEVE RFC would like to welcome home Nathan Huntley.

Nathan played mini and junior rugby then over 200 first team games for Cleve.

It's great to have him back at the club in his new role as head coach, and we are looking forward to the new season.

Nathan said: "I've played for Cleve for 28 years and am honoured to be appointed head coach.

"I understand what it means to pull the shirt on and represent the badge.

"I'm really excited to get started and put my own stamp

on things.

"I want to introduce an exciting style of rugby that everyone understands and enjoys, creating an environment that both players and supporters want to be a part of."

Our senior players start back for pre-season training on July 5, and anyone interested is very welcome to come along.

Email us at cleve80@outlook. com for more details.

This season we also have colts rugby for under-17s and 18s, with Simon Clark and James Irvin leading the coaching.

Cleve's first-team season in

the Counties 1 Tribute Western North division kicks off with two home fixtures in September, against Cinderford II on the 3rd

and Old Bristolians on the 10th.

Adam Sheppard Director of Rugby

Cleve director of rugby Adam Sheppard and chair Simon Wilstead with new head coach Nathan Huntley. Picture: Evie Sheppard

Emersons Green Voice

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emersonsgreenvoice

30 CARPENTRY

CLEANING

July, 2022 ELECTRICIANS

MARK EVANS

PHILIP PERKINS

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emersonsgreenvoice

July, 2022 JET WASHING

31

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We have been supplying all types of wigs and hairpieces for fashion and medical purposes for 45 years.

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EAST BRISTOL AUCTIONS

B R I S T O L’ S LARGEST AUCTION HOUSE

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