Emersons Green Voice March 2021 by Emersons Green Voice

emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2021 Edition—Issue 50

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SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

Council unveils recovery budget SOUTH Gloucestershire Council has agreed a budget of more than £400 million to deliver public services next financial year, focusing on helping people to recover from the pandemic and rise to meet the challenges of the future. The Recover and Rise budget will further the council’s key priorities of improving school standards and outcomes for young people, improving infrastructure within local communities, and delivering value for money. The budget is balanced, despite the tough financial climate.

Vital support

The budget allows for vital support for residents hit hardest by Covid-19. It includes a £1 million resilience funding package to widen the support net for those who had previously been ineligible; £102,000 “surge funding” for expanding welfare debt advice; more support for domestic violence victims, and a pay boost targeted at the lowest paid council staff.

Children and young people

Improving school standards remains the council’s top priority. Following last year’s launch of its trailblazing Recovery Curriculum, the budget includes a £1.2 million investment to launch phase two. This phase will continue the essen-

tial work to help schoolchildren to catch up on lost learning and support their general wellbeing. The council’s capital investment into school buildings hits a new record with funding committed to ensuring new primary school buildings in Winterbourne, Frenchay and Lyde Green are low carbon, reflecting the council’s climate emergency commitments. Elsewhere, upgrades and improvements to buildings are planned across the district.

Adult social care

The council tax rate will rise by 4.99 per cent, which includes three per cent to be focused on boosting adult social care services. As normal life returns, the pressure on adult social care services will continue. The remaining 1.99 per cent increase will go towards protecting wider services. This means the South Gloucestershire Council element of Council Tax for a Band D property for 2021/22 will be £1,620.39 –an extra £1.48 per week.

Boosting communities

The budget includes investment in major projects such as purchasing the Thornbury Hospital site for plans for a brand-new healthcare facility for the town; £25 million regeneration plans for Kingswood Town Centre and completing the new Yate Park and Ride, due later this year.

Getting around

Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Employment Cllr Erica Williams at Courtney School in Kingswood

The council will continue its record investment in the local highway network, with millions more to be invested in resurfacing roads and filling potholes across South Gloucestershire. It is also supporting sustainable travel options and improving cycle and pedestrian routes.

Platinum Jubilee

To mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the council has

View from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Toby Savage

WELCOME - We’re proud to partner with The Voice, a great local business, for this special edition that brings you our latest news. It focuses on our new ‘Recover and Rise’ budget, designed to help you overcome the challenges of the past year. At the same time, we’re prudently managing our finances on your behalf. The pandemic is particularly tough on children and young people. For this reason, we’re launching the next phase of our trail-blazing Recovery Curriculum, a new Youth Employment Hub, and we’re significantly increasing record investments in school buildings including rebuilding Frenchay Primary School. The budget also triggers infrastructure projects to further improve local communities, including regeneration of Kingswood Town Centre, purchasing the Thornbury Hospital site to secure its future, and the completion of the Yate Park and Ride. We will also continue record investment in highways and improve how we get around the area. allocated £50,000 to prepare an activities programme across South Gloucestershire.

More to help Cllr Toby Savage, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “This last year has changed our day-to-day lives and the council and our services have had to adapt

to meet the needs of residents, businesses and communities in the wake of Covid-19. I am proud that through this budget we are doing even more to help residents and their families recover and to rise above the challenges over the past year, widening the safety net to offer much-needed help to more people. “

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

Financial support

Protecting wellbeing SOCIAL distancing and self-isolating can be daunting for all of us so it’s really important that we look after our mental and physical health. The South Glos One You service for adults, offers advice and support to help keep well, covering a range of topics, from how to stay active at home, to maintaining mental health, tips on sleeping well, quitting smoking, healthy eating and getting enough to eat. The website

is oneyou.southglos.gov.uk or people can call 01454 865337. The South Glos Mind You website www. mindyou.org.uk has advice and information on mental health for young people and children and their parents and carers, including videos and webinars, and contact details of where to get more help.

MANY people are struggling financially at the moment. It’s important to know that there are benefits and grants available. For support on looking at which options are available, please book an appointment to speak to one of the South Glos One Stop Shop customer advisors www.southglos.gov.uk/ contactus or call 01454 868009.

Successful local vaccination rollout LAST month (February), saw the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire area reach a major milestone, as all care homes had been offered the Covid-19 vaccination. As of 18 February, in the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) area, 200,000 people had received their first dose. That success continues. To keep up to date on the rollout, please visit the BNSSG Healthier Together’s website bnssghealthiertogether.org.uk. When you qualify for a vaccine, you can book online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week. At the time of going to print, those aged over 65; clinically vulnerable adults with underlying health conditions and those who work in social care, providing hands-on support to those vulnerable to Covid-19, are eligible for a vaccine. Remember that no one will be asked to provide personal details as part of this process and no payment is required.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adults and Housing, Cllr Ben Stokes visiting the Vaccination Clinic at West Walk Surgery in Yate

Free support for South Glos businesses SMALL Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Gloucestershire, and residents considering setting up their own business, can get up to 12 hours of free business support from the South Gloucestershire Business Support Service. It is offering group webinars, and

one-to-one business coaching (subject to assessment and availability). The publicly funded programme forms part of Universal Business Support – a West of England Combined Authority initiative, delivered in partnership with the council.

Webinars cover topics such as starting and planning a business, business strategy, digital marketing, social media, finance and more. All the webinars can be viewed on this webpage: www.coolventures.co.uk/ training/

emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2021 Edition—Issue 50

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FREE EVERY MONTH IN EMERSONS GREEN, LYDE GREEN, SHORTWOOD & PUCKLECHURCH

Nick notches up miles for charity Nick Look, 39, from Pucklechurch, is riding the 840mile John O’Groats to Land’s End distance on his exercise bike for charity. PAGE 15 Retired headteacher Christine Marshall enjoyed Christmas with her grandsons George, seven, and Jacob four, who live in Lyde Green, but fell ill with Covid after new year. After 18 days in intensive care at Southmead Hospital, she died, aged 68. Her son Andy has raised more than £5,000 for the hospital charity in her memory. Full story: Page 7

Green light for £26m school A NEW secondary school for the Emersons Green area has been given the go-ahead by the government – after a campaign lasting nearly 20 years. The Department for Education has announced that the 900-place school for 11 to 16-year-olds, to be built alongside a new primary

school in Honeysuckle Road, Lyde Green, will be funded through the free schools programme. The school will be run by SGS Academy Trust, which is sponsored by South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, and will be called SGS Parkfield after the nearby coal

mine, which closed in 1936. The government's agreement to fund the £26 million school means South Gloucestershire Council can press ahead with building plans for the two schools, which it wants to open in September next year. Turn to Page 5

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emersonsgreenvoice School gets the go-ahead n NEWS

Publisher Gary Brindle 0117 907 8585 07799 461169

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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 April edition deadline is March 17. 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

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From Page 3 SGS Academy Trust says the new school will “offer a curriculum which emphasises engineering and digital technology across all age groups, and children focused on developing their employability skills”, adding: “To this end, the school will work very closely with SGS College to ensure employers inform a curriculum which will equip young people for the world of work after further education, an apprenticeship or higher education.” The trust, which also runs Pegasus School in Patchway, for children with autistic spectrum disorder, says the new school will “provide an inclusive environment for children with autism who are suitable to progress from specialist schools into a mainstream environment”. The site will also house a new primary school, which South Gloucestershire Council

is funding using its £4.1 million ‘basic need allocation’ - money it is given by the government to ensure there are enough school places in the area, plus money paid by developers to secure planning permission for nearby homes. An operator for the primary school has yet to be announced. Council leader Toby Savage said: “It is wonderful that all of the hard work of the partners involved in making the case and designing this new secondary school has paid off. “I am especially excited about the focus of the curriculum offer and supporting young people to develop essential skills so that they are well placed to take advantage of opportunities in the future.” Calls for a new school to serve the area were first made around the turn of the millennium. In 2003 Emersons Green was proposed as the site of a new

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. Fishponds 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@fishpondsvoice.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 here, or can be obtained by contacting the Publisher.

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emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2021

- 20 years on joint Catholic and Church of England secondary school as an existing Bristol Catholic school, St Thomas More, faced closure. But the plan never came to fruition as the council did not have the money to build one. Emersons Green ward councillor Colin Hunt said at the time that a secondary school was an “absolutely vital component” of the new community then developing in Emersons Green, and said parents were having “terrible problems” finding places. Speaking after the secondary school was given the go-ahead in February, Cllr Hunt said: “I am delighted we are finally able to say we have been successful in getting funding to finally deliver a brand-new secondary school in Lyde Green. “Some campaigns are short and can take a matter of months, while others can take years or even decades and, having first started calling for this to be a feature almost 20 years ago, when plans for Lyde Green were first being talked about, it is fantastic to see this vision become a reality. “It has been an incredible team effort to get this over the line and I am truly grateful to the council’s administration and officers for their work in getting this bid secured, as well as our local MPs for their lobbying

efforts to support the bid. “This is a success that will make an unbelievable difference to the residents in Lyde Green and I cannot wait to see the doors open.” Cllr Hunt and his fellow ward councillors Rachael Hunt and Judy Adams said the funding would “ensure Lyde Green has sufficient school places as it continues to grow, so that local children don’t need to travel to get to school”. Since 2015 councils have had to apply for permission from the DfE to create new secondary schools under the Free Schools programme, and must find an educational trust prepared to run the school, as local authorities are not allowed to make their own applications. An earlier bid to fund an allthrough primary and secondary school was turned down in 2019 and the SGS Academy Trust reapplied to run a secondaryonly school in November of that year.

Castle School Education Trust, which runs nearby Mangotsfield and Downend schools, had also applied to run the new Lyde Green secondary school, but the government preferred the SGS bid. In September last year Cllr Savage and the council’s cabinet member for schools, Erica Williams, joined the two MPs whose constituencies cover Lyde Green, Chris Skidmore and Luke Hall, to press Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to agree to fund the new school. The MPs subsequently raised

the issue in Parliament with Education Minister Nick Gibb. Plans for the secondary school and primary school complex are still awaiting planning permission from a council committee. So far only three members of the public have commented on the plans, supporting the idea of building the schools but raising concerns over vehicle access and parking arrangements. The plans can be found at by searching for application P20/14136/RM on the planning section of the council’s website.

Colin Hunt, right, with Ian Morris in 2003, in the early days of campaigning for a secondary school for Emersons Green

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March, 2021

n NEWS

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

'I didnot realiseI wasEuropean' Pandemic toll tops 100 since start of 2021

HELP is on hand for EU nationals and their families who live in South Gloucestershire. They now have less than 100 days to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to be able to continue living and working in the UK. Home Office figures show that not everyone knows they need to apply: 11,360 EU citizens living in South Gloucestershire have made the application, out of an estimated 17,000. After applying, 98% of successfully achieved either pre-settled or settled status. The multilingual team at Southern Brooks Community Partnership is raising awareness and giving individuals across South Gloucestershire support with all aspects of the EU settlement scheme. EU Brexit Development Coordinator Tamara Smith said: "Time is running out. So far we've helped many successful applicants, but we see a lot of cases where people didn't realise they need to apply. "Today we ask friends, colleagues, employers and neighbours of EU nationals to highlight the urgent need to apply and their right to remain in the UK. "We can support individuals through their application, but after June 30, people who have lived here for decades are at risk of becoming irregular migrants overnight." One mother of two, who had moved to the UK from Germany as a child in the 1940s and is technically a German national, said: "I did not realise I was European; I would never have thought Brexit applied to me." Groups likely to be excluded include older people, young people in care, children born here to EU parents, domestic violence victims (including those with an EU ex-partner) and temporary workers. Free multilingual support with applications is available from Southern Brooks Community Partnerships for South Gloucestershire residents by calling 07929 787 473 or emailing euss@southernbrooks.org.uk.

WORRIED ABOUT

MORE than 100 people from South Gloucestershire have died with Covid-19 since the start of the year. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 103 residents who had recently been diagnosed with the virus had died – 63 of them in hospital, 38 in care homes and two at home – in the six weeks to February 12. The number for 2021 so far is already more than a third of the total of 276 deaths with Covid-19 registered in the area during the whole of 2020. Deaths peaked during the week to January 29, when 43 people died – 22 in hospital and 21 in care homes. Rates of coronavirus infection have been falling through February, as the government sets out the route away from the latest lockdown. During the week to February 18 – the most recent for which figures were available as the Voice went to print – there were 311 cases recorded in South Gloucestershire, a case rate of 109.1 per 100,000 people. That was down from 1,151 five weeks previously, when the case rate stood at 403.7 per 100,000. In Emersons Green there were 5 positive tests in the week to February 18, a case rate of 41.2 per 100,000. In the week to January 14 numbers were ten times higher, with 50 positive tests and a case rate of 411.7 per 100,000 people in the area. In the ONS Pucklechurch & Westerleigh area, there were 18 confirmed cases in the seven days to February 18, a case rate of 160.0 per 100,000 people. This was down from 48 five weeks previously, when the case rate was 426.7. A meeting of South Gloucestershire Council’s health scrutiny committee heard that outbreaks had peaked in January, after sharp rises in November and early December, with the most significant occurring in care homes, where deaths occurred two to three weeks after spikes of infection in the community.

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March, 2021

n NEWS

Andy raises £5k for hospital staff after mum's death A LYDE Green teacher who lost his mother to COVID-19 has raised more than £5,000 to thank staff at Southmead hospital. Andrew Marshall-Aherne, 36, wants the money to be used to support the well-being and mental health of nurses and doctors working tirelessly at the hospital. Christine Marshall, 68, was treated on a ventilator in the intensive care unit for 18 days but couldn’t be saved. Her whole family caught the virus at new year but only Christine, who was healthy with no underlying conditions, became ill enough to be hospitalised. Within days of catching covid she was unable to stand or move, was fighting for breath and had a temperature of 40C. After being rushed to Southmead Hospital she developed secondary pneumonia and a lung infection. Andrew said the care and compassion his family received from the hospital was exemplary. He said: “Despite the fact the hospital was so full, the staff never made you feel rushed. “It was reassuring to see the patients being cared for so well. It was busy yet all the staff were calm. “At the end my dad and I were able to be with my mum at the hospital. “The staff even made some handprints of my mum to give to my children to remember her by.” Christine’s grandsons George, seven, and Jacob, four, pupils at Blackhorse Primary School, are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their beloved granny,

Christine Marshall with her son Andrew

who devoted hours to baking with them at her home in Coalpit Heath. Andrew said: “We’ve been to see my dad, Richard, because he’s on his own for the first time after 40 years of marriage. The boys saw my mum’s car outside and couldn’t understand that she wasn’t there too. “They chose a flower arrangement that looked like a cupcake for her memorial because that’s what they associate with her.” Andrew, a former pupil at the Ridings High School in Winterbourne, began his fundraising when his mother was admitted. Despite not being a regular runner, he vowed to run 10k every day until she came home. He began pounding the pavements in Emersons Green and Downend during the dark winter evenings and ran well over 100 miles before completing

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a final run on the day she died. Since her death, he has been amazed that 300 people have contributed to the fund and left kind messages for him and his family, including their memories of his mother. Christine was a headteacher for 30 years before setting up a school improvement business and carrying out voluntary roles for schools. She also spent time volunteering for Bristol charity CCS Adoption. Andrew said: “I was so proud of the work she did and it inspired me to go into teaching myself. “She was so supportive when I was growing up. I swam competitively for Southwold swimming club in Yate, then later for Gloucester County, and every Saturday she would give up her day to drive me around to competitions and watch me. “I used to speak to her all the time and her death has left a

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huge hole in my day-to day-life.” Instead of a standard funeral, Andrew and his brother, Nick, also from Lyde Green, organised a celebration of Christine’s life. The 30 permitted guests were asked to wear bright colours and many more people attended via video link. In the evening friends and family were asked to light a candle in remembrance and listen to music by Coldplay, Christine’s favourite band. They’re hoping to organise a bigger celebration in July, on what would have been Christine’s 69th birthday. Andrew was given compassionate leave before starting back as assistant principal at King’s Oak Academy in Kingswood and received supportive messages from fellow members of staff and the CEO of Cabot Learning Federation, which runs the school. He said: “The school has been amazing. Even though I only started there last September it feels like I’m part of a family.” Andrew said he’d agreed with the Southmead Hospital Charity that the funds would support the well-being of the front-line staff he’d seen working so hard with Covid patients. He said: “They have been working at this level for a year and must be exhausted. My husband, Craig, works at Royal United Hospital in Bath and I’ve seen how hard things have been for him and his colleagues. I hope this goes some way to saying thank you for the amazing care they gave my mum.” Andrew’s fundraising page is at justgiving.com/fundraising/ Andrew-marshall-aherne

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emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2021

n MANGOTSFIELD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION IT’S easy to forget that, despite the current situation, there are people who quietly “do their bit” for the local community. They aren’t asked to do it; they just feel that it’s the right thing to do. All too often their efforts go unnoticed or are taken for granted. Well, a local resident felt that their efforts should be noticed, and asked the Staple Hill Partnership and the Mangotsfield Residents Association to help. To that end, we have started up a 'community award' as a way of saying thank you. We have given two so far: • To Edward Stevens, who has single-handedly and tirelessly been looking after Narrow Lane in Staple Hill, which is an historic public footpath between Seymour Road

Saluting quiet heroes and Gloucester Road. He conducts regular litter picks and, more than that, has been maintaining the vegetation to make this a valuable nature corridor. At his own expense he has been landscaping the path including planting native trees and shrubs and ensuring that this hidden footpath is enhanced as a sanctuary for local wildlife. • To the Mangotsfield Spar and Post Office, who work long hours and are always polite and helpful. The shop/post office has been an important community hub for local residents during difficult times.

We are sure there are many other people deserving of recognition, so if you know of anyone you think should have a public thank-you for “doing their bit”, then please email us at MangotsfieldRA@gmail.com or Katie.cooper@southglos.gov. uk stating who you are, who you are nominating and why you are nominating them. We’ll do the rest. As this edition of the Voice hit the streets we were about to hold the latest Staple Hill, Mangotsfield and New Cheltenham Community Engagement Forum, on February 25. The CEF is “an open virtual forum for residents to discuss

and address neighbourhood matters and help build a stronger community”. If you’d like to attend a forum then please contact communityengagement@southglos. gov.uk. I think we can be cautiously optimistic that we will soon be able to get back to a more normal life. There are many things the MRA want to do, and it would be lovely to get started again. We’d love more people to get involved, so if you’d like to – or you need any help – then please get in touch at MangotsfieldRA@ gmail.com, via the ever popular Mangotsfield Matters Facebook page or telephone 07507 168700. In the meantime, please stay safe, and look out for one another. Chris Amos

Spring Update – New Growth! Thank you to those of you who applied to our recent councillor vacancies – it was great to see such a strong field of candidates. At the Full Council meeting in January, councillors coopted two new members to the Town Council: All Town Council meetings are open to members of the public and are currently held remotely by Zoom or Skype. Please see our website for meeting agendas, including joining instructions, or contact us on clerk@emersonsgreen-tc.gov.uk Planning Committee meetings 10.30am 1, 15 & 29 March Full Council meeting 7.00pm 11 March Finance Committee 7.00pm 25 March

Councillor James Dowling “I live with my young family in Emersons Green. My daughters attend primary school, where I am also a Parent Governor. I have a strong passion for my local area, where I grew up, and am excited and honoured to become a councillor for the Town Council. In my day job I manage the Signals & Traffic Control Team at Bristol City Council. I hope that some of my skills that I have learned working within the local authority over the years will benefit, Emersons Green Town Council. In my spare time I enjoy travelling, reading and various sporting activities such as cycling, football, and tennis. I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and also walking our puppy around the various lovely open spaces in South Gloucestershire”

Councillor Bobbie Sunderland

YOUTH CONSULTATION

“I have lived in Emersons Green for 22 years. I am a retired accountant having previously worked in financial management for Bristol City Council. I am on the Management Committee of the Friends of Emersons Green Park and have helped with the Community Orchard in the Park since the orchard was created in 2011. I love gardening at home, in the park and on our allotment. I also enjoy walking and am often seen out with my Golden Retriever. Caring for the natural world and learning more about it, is very important to me”. If you wish to contact one of our councillors directly, all councillor contact details are available on our website: http://www.emersonsgreen-tc.gov.uk/towncouncil/councillors/

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The Youth Consultation, run in partnership with Creative Youth Network, will conclude at the end of March. It is not too late to get involved! If you are aged between 11-19 living within the Town Council area, please complete the online survey to make sure your voice is heard. https://www.creativeyouthnetwork.org.uk/emers ons-green-youth-survey

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March, 2021

ADVERTISING FEATURE

n NEWS

40,000 take Covid surge tests

Cars queue at the Bristol & Bath Science Park on the day it opened for surge testing. Picture: South Gloucestershire Council. MORE than 40,000 people took Covid-19 tests as part of a twoweek ‘community surge testing’ programme to detect a new variant of the virus. People from Emersons Green, Lyde Green and Pucklechurch were among those who attended mobile testing units or collected home self-testing kits after the coronavirus mutation was detected in the area. Mobile testing units were set up at the Bristol & Bath Science Park in Emersons Green and five other sites in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. People who had no symptoms of coronavirus were encouraged to attend and have a test in order to better trace the virus’s spread. Emersons Green Library, Pucklechurch Community Centre and Westerleigh Village Hall were among the sites which served as ‘collect and drop’ centres, where people could pick up a kit to carry out a test at home, then drop it off to be taken away for analysis. Over the first three days of the campaign, from February 7 to 9, a total of 7,600 tests were carried out at the mobile test sites, with 7,500 kits collected for home tests. Over the two-week programme more than 40,000 tests were completed at mobile test units or using home kits. The programme was launched by the NHS to trace the VOC202102/02 variant of the virus, which was first detected in the UK in December. It has been designated as a “variant of concern”, because it contains a mutation which some scientists think could make it more easily spread and more

resistant to vaccines. A Public Health England spokesperson said all positive tests found during the surge testing programme were sent for genomic sequencing, a test to establish whether they are cases of the new variant. The process takes around two weeks, and as the Voice went to press, PHE was still waiting to find out how many cases of the variant had been found during the surge testing programme in the area. However, South Gloucestershire Council’s director of public health, Sara Blackmore, said further cases of the variant had been identified in the area from testing of people with symptoms, which are carried out separately to the community surge testing programme. People who took tests under the surge testing scheme were, however, told whether they had tested positive or negative for Covid-19 within a few days. Anyone receiving a positive test result had to self-isolate for 10 days, along with everyone in their household or support bubble. After the first week, about one per cent of tests were found to be positive. The testing was only being carried out on people living or working in 24 specific postcode areas, which included the BS16 7 and 9 postcodes covering Emersons Green, Lyde Green and Pucklechurch. Ms Blackmore said: “The response to our community surge testing programme has been nothing short of incredible.”

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Local Apprentice Opportunities Plummet “MUST DO BETTER”: is the message from Labour’s Metro Mayor candidate Dan Norris who has condemned the Conservative West of England Metro Mayor for failing on apprenticeships. Latest figures show that during the current Metro Mayor’s term of office the number of new apprenticeships in the West of England has plummeted. There are 1630 fewer in South Gloucestershire, North East Somerset, Bristol and Bath than when the Tory Mayor came to power. The Metro Mayor is responsible for apprenticeship cash and policy but around 65% of small businesses across the West of England have never used apprentices. Dan Norris said “Apprenticeship opportunities in the West of England are at their lowest level in 5 years. That’s not good enough. The Metro Mayor is failing to create the opportunities local young people need. Investing in training will be central to rebuilding our economy after the pandemic. If elected I will be a ‘jobs first’ Metro Mayor.”

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Promoted by Paul Tucker on behalf of Dan Norris both at 136a Walcot St, Bath BA1 5BG

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March, 2021

n NEWS

Villagers rally round after school fire MORE than 200 people rallied round a primary school damaged by arsonists to raise £8,000 towards repairs. Pucklechurch Primary School’s Year 1 classroom was damaged in the blaze and other classrooms were affected by smoke after vandals set a shed on fire in a garden area next to the school building on the afternoon of January 30. The schools had to close to key worker and vulnerable pupils in reception, Year 1 and Year 2 in the days after the fire. But staff and governors say they have been “overwhelmed” by the generosity of people who made donations to a JustGiving crowdfunding page set up in the aftermath of the fire. It had raised £8,020 as the voice went to press, most of it within days of the blaze. Staff and governors sent a message to those who had donated on the page, saying: “We have been overwhelmed by your generosity and feel so thankful to be part of such a wonderful community. We will overcome this adversity and move forward, together.” Head teacher Alex Capel also sent supporters a message, saying: “Your generosity on the fundraising page is overwhelming, along with the offers of the help. “I am very upset that this could happen to our beautiful school but our school family will get through this as we always do.” Mrs Capel praised the “absolutely amazing” firefighters

Photo: Mark Seacombe

and police who had attended the incident and said: “We have to be thankful that no one was hurt in this.” Avon and Somerset police have issued an appeal for information about three people who were seen in the area around the school in Castle Road around the time of the fire, which was started between 4.30pm and 5pm. They are described as being in their late-teens or early 20s and white. One was male, of average build and about 5ft 10in, with short dark hair and some facial hair. He was wearing dark clothes. Another was male, slim and shorter, wearing a woolly hat and dark clothing.

The third was female, slim and about 5ft 5in. She was wearing a light jacket and dark clothing. Anyone who saw what

happened, or thinks they have CCTV or dashcam footage that could help the investigation, should call the police on 101, quoting crime reference number5221 021 395. Two fire crews, from Bristol and Yate, tackled the blaze. South Gloucestershire Council will be organising the repairs. A spokesperson said: “We are in the process obtaining quotes for the repairs and are doing everything we can to ensure the work is done and the affected areas are thoroughly cleaned. “The school is already open to pupils whose parents are critical workers or where pupils are in an identified vulnerable group. “We want to be in a position whereby the school can be fully operational for the March 8 return for all pupils.” The fundraising page can be found online at justgiving. com/crowdfunding/ pucklechurchprimaryschool.

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March, 2021

n NEWS

Council tax bills reach nearly £2,000 AVERAGE council tax bills in Emersons Green have reached almost £2,000. In neighbouring Pucklechurch, increases in charges from bodies including South Gloucestershire Council, the parish council, police and fire service have pushed the bill for a median Band D council tax payer above the £2,000 mark. South Gloucestershire Council’s share of the bill is going up by 4.99%, the maximum allowed, to £1,620.39, from £1,543.37 last year. Of that rise, 1.99% will go to general services, such as street lighting, libraries and repairing potholes, and 3% will cover some of the growing costs of adult social care. The other major element of the increase is in policing. Band D taxpayers will pay the police £241.20 in 2021/22, up £13.39 or 5.88 % on the previous charge. But that increase is a compromise on the £15 rise originally proposed by police

and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens, which was vetoed. Avon Fire Authority’s charge of £76.43 is £1.49, or 1.99%, up on last year. Overall bills vary according to the size of a property – in Emersons Green they vary from just over £1,300 in Band A to around £4,000 in the highest Band H. The amount residents pay also varies according to the size of the precept parish councils charge for their services, while there are also “special expenses” for neighbourhood services specific to each area added by South Gloucestershire. The more services provided in each area, the higher the bill. Emersons Green Town Council’s total tax income will go up by 4.17% from £245,975 to £256,232, and its £39.59 precept is only 19p higher than last year’s £39.40, with the extra coming from new households added to the tax base.

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In Pucklechurch the £84,476 tax revenue is up by 14.9% on last year’s total of £73,500. The £88.81 precept charge to Pucklechurch Band D tax payers represents a 15% increase on last year’s charge of £77.25. The South Gloucestershire budget was described as the “most important in its 25-year history” by council leader Toby Savage when it was agreed in February. The Conservative administration says the more than £400 million spending agreed for the coming financial year puts the district on a firm footing to “recover and rise” from the pandemic, with a wide range of support for communities, families and young people. The proposals were formally accepted at a meeting of the full council on February 10, with a late amendment by the majority Tory group voted through to divert £120,000 from reserves – including an unspent £100,000 from its Brexit Preparedness Grant – to high streets, focusing on Downend, Filton and Chipping Sodbury. Labour joined the Conservatives in voting to

Budget meeting reporting by Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Band D council tax bills 2021/22 Parish/ area

Parish budget

Emersons Green

£256,232 £39.59 £17.74

£1,995.35

Pucklechurch

£84,476 £88.81 £22.62

£2,049.45

Unparished (Staple Hill & Mangotsfield)

n/a

Downend & Bromley Heath

£304,500 £66.37 £18.37

Parish precept

Special expenses

Total council tax*

n/a £30.44 £1,968.46 £2,022.76

*Total bill is parish and special expenses charge, plus South Gloucestershire, police and fire charges. Figures from South Gloucestershire Council and Local Democracy Reporting Service

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approve the budget while the Liberal Democrats abstained. The Lib Dems proposed giving the climate emergency greater priority, in an amendment supported by Labour but voted down by the majority Tories, who also rejected a Labour amendment starting moves to ensure the council’s lowest paid staff receive the Real Living Wage. The budget includes a £1m council tax support package for those who have missed out on previous help, £102,000 of “surge” funding to expand welfare debt advice, more support for domestic violence victims and £1.3m to increase wages of zlowest-paid council staff. It also devotes £1.2m to launch phase two of the council’s Recovery Curriculum preparing schools for the return of classes after lockdown. The authority will be hiring consultants to come up with ways to plug a £16.3m financial black hole by 2024/25.

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March, 2021

n NEWS

Ryley impresses on Bristol City debut

A FOOTBALLER who once led an undefeated Mangotsfield School team to nine trophies has made his professional debut for Bristol City. Ryley Towler was named man of the match in City's narrow FA Cup 5th round defeat to Premier League side Sheffield United. The 18-year-old Bristol City Academy graduate, who played the full 90 minutes at left-back at Bramall Lane, said his mum had cried when she heard that he was going to play. Ryley told City's Robins TV channel: "I’m buzzing to make my debut as a Bristol boy, so to make my debut for my boyhood club is a dream come true. "Everyone was watching. I told my parents on the way that I was starting and they couldn’t believe it." Ryley has been with City since the age of seven and said his arrival in the first team showed there was "a clear pathway" for academy players to make their

Ryley Towler in action against Sheffield United. Picture courtesy of JMP UK mark at Ashton Gate. Despite the Robins losing the match to a highly controversial penalty, awarded following a VAR review, Ryley was the highest-rated player on either side in the BBC's match report, and the Sky TV commentators said his school should be proud of him. School head of PE Tristan Hawkins said: "Mangotsfield

PE department and staff are incredibly proud of Ryley making his professional debut at the age of 18; he is an example of what you can achieve with hard work and dedication. "He grew in confidence as the game developed, he was strong on the ball and made some key clearances in the first half. "We are positive this is just the start of a bright future

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for Mr Towler, and we will be supporting him and watching him every step of the way." Another Mangotsfield School footballer is now making his first steps into the professional game: Year 11 pupil Curtis Dunn has signed a two-year academy contract with Forest Green Rovers. Mr Hawkins said: "Curtis is a multi-talented sportsman who has represented Mangotsfield School for cross country and athletics and is currently captain of the Year 11 football team. He has a promising future in football and we wish him the best of luck with his exciting opportunity." Curtis said: "It took a lot of effort and there were lots of obstacles in the way but hard work and dedication paid off and got me there – I still can’t believe it’s happened. "I’m very proud to be given the opportunity and will work just as hard when I get there."

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March, 2021

n PETER'S VISION

Myopia matters myopia! Now I’ve not changed prescription since my mid teens, which as a 70s child does mean I have a superb collection of 1980s glasses - think big brown plastic (thanks Dad for that!) that I can still wear. Great for the retro look, or even the odd fancy dress party, but nothing I can wear to work under any circumstances! Seriously though, increasing myopia does matter. The risk of eye health problems increases if your myopia developes past a certain point. The exact dioptric value of the myopia is not as much of a concern as the growth and thinning of the key part of the eye, the retina. In the past there was not thought to be much that can be done about myopia development. The good news is that we now have more options to offer you than ever before. I’ve talked before about Ortho-K, the overnight vision correction, as well as daily disposable contact lenses that

ANOTHER month of lockdown goes by, and with the vaccine rollout gathering pace I can sense a feeling of hope in the air. Of course I think the usual signs of spring help us too! Whether it’s the new shoots from the bulbs, the warmth in the air or the lighter days I think taking time to appreciate the little things can make such a difference to us all. One thing that we’ve been aware of for many years, and is perhaps gaining traction as more treatment options are becoming available, is myopia. Now for those of you who haven’t swallowed an Optometry encyclopedia, myopia is short sight in everyday language. Those of us who are short sighted need glasses or contacts to see in the distance, which for example can be watching TV or driving. I really should add a note for parents here; just because your child can see an aeroplane in the sky or an animal in a field doesn’t mean that they don’t have a degree of

can help slow down myopia. The exciting news, drum roll please… is that we now have a glasses lens option too. This really is quite exciting news for our younger patients who decided against contact lens wear, and previously had no clear option to help slow their myopia progression. If you’d like to know more about this for yourself or those you love just visit our website and click the Myopia tab. We’ve a dedicated email address on the website you’re welcome to use to contact us if you have any concerns or questions about myopia. Don’t forget, whether you’re myopic or not, we’re still here when you need us six days per week. For eye care, advice, glasses and contact lenses just get in touch and we’ll be happy to see how we can help you. Times are tough for many of us, and as a thank you for choosing us for your eye care we’re continuing to offer to help

you in return with a glasses voucher with your extended eye exam. Just ask about our ‘look in to help out’ offer. To help us keep you all safe, we’re still asking you all to telephone first to book a time to come in. Please call our Henleaze practice on 0117 962 2474 or our Fishponds practice on 0117 965 4434. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Peter

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

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March, 2021

n NEWS

Nick tackles charity cycle challenge

WHEN Nick Look wanted to help a charity club he attends, he didn’t let lockdown stand in the way of a big challenge. Nick, 39, decided to cycle the distance from John O’Groats to Land’s End on an exercise bike to raise money for Keynsham Mencap, which provides leisure and social opportunities for 150 people with learning disabilities and autism. Nick, who has Down’s syndrome, is a member of the charity’s Club 25 for adults, and wanted to support them because he enjoys the events and holidays they organise. The charity has had to suspend its regular events because of coronavirus restrictions but is continuing to organise activities and fitness sessions over Zoom, and make sociallydistanced visits to members. Having started cycling for a couple of hours a day at his at his mum’s house in Pucklechurch to keep fit during lockdown, Nick decided to attempt the equivalent of the 840 miles it takes to cycle from one end of the country to another. He aimed to complete the challenge by Easter and raise £500 in the process. But not only is Nick pedalling more than 30 miles a day, he is racking up hundreds of donations,

and had already raised more than £3,700, including gift aid, as the Voice went to print. Nick, who is staying with his mum during lockdown but usually lives in his own flat, said he decided on the challenge because he was keen to continue to exercise, which had helped him lose five stone over the past two years. He said: “I don’t find it hard at all – my bum gets sore, but only occasionally!”

Nick has been boosted by the comments and good wishes he has had on social media, which he said made him cheerful and proud of himself. He said: “I am totally amazed at people who sponsored me, who have been so generous, giving so much money for Mencap.” Nick’s love of music, particularly from the 60s, and James Bond films has also been helping him through lockdown. His mum Rosemary said Nick had been a member of Keynsham Mencap’s “brilliant” volunteer-run clubs since he was eight or nine years old, and had carried on attending after leaving home to live independently 15 years ago. She said: “We are all astounded at people’s generosity.” Amanda Leonard, of Keynsham Mencap, said all the money raised would go straight to supporting members. She said: “This is an amazing amount of money and we are truly grateful.” To donate online, visit easydonate.org/ NICK For more information about Keynsham Mencap visit www.keynshammencap.org.uk

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emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2021

n NEWS

Litter busters A FATHER and son have been using their lockdown time productively by turning into litter busters. Nigel Richardson and 13-year-old Mangotsfield School student Tom purchased a litter-picking device after noticing how much rubbish was accumulating in and around Emersons Green. So far they have collected five huge bags full of plastic bottles and cans and are urging people, including car drivers, to think twice about how they discard their litter. Nigel said: “People are switching off to it. They discard rubbish, throw it out of their cars and aren't taking it home. It's everywhere – in roads, fields, hedgerows.” Ever since the first lockdown the pair have been walking on a figure of eight walk from their home in Emersons Green up towards Shortwood and back. “It's a reason to get us out, rather than just a walk. Tom thinks what we are doing is useful and productive. He likes protecting the environment. “We've been out five times so far and fill

Tom and dad Nigel pictured on one of their litter-picks up recycling clothes bags. Each time we count the number of cans so next time we try to collect more. We soon got up to 50 – it's an obscene number of cans and bottles that we find.

“Some of the bigger items like cardboard and polystyrene may have been blown from the refuse lorries that are using the tip but the cans and bottles must be coming from people dropping them or throwing them out of cars.” Nigel said he has noticed bottles full of what looks like urine, where people must go to the loo in their cars before throwing the containers out of the window. “We can't touch those. It's unfortunate but we have to leave them,” he said. Nigel said he has noticed an increase in discarded masks and takeaway packaging. “Going back to the start of lockdown we noticed the odd mask but now we easily see about five on a 30 minute to an hour walk. It's a real shame as you see pictures on the internet of animals with them wrapped around their necks.” Nigel urged people to think twice before recklessly throwing their waste away. “People are thinking 'I can't be bothered – the council will do it' and the situation just gets worse and worse. “We have met other people out there who are doing the same as us; it's commendable. People who discard litter should appreciate there are people in the community who want the environment to be looked after who are picking up litter as well as the council. They need to take their litter home and recycle it.”

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emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2021

n NEWS A DOWNEND dad who blew £15,000 of winnings with a wrong answer on Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? is looking on the bright side. Justin Beattie's shocked fourletter response to being told he had got the £32,000 question wrong – and lost most of the £16,000 he had already won – had to be bleeped out by the ITV show's producers, with host Jeremy Clarkson telling him: "That's a first. Nobody's ever said that." But Justin is happy to have come away with £1,000 and an anecdote for his next trip to the pub – whenever it opens. Justin, who was a Royal Navy submariner for 25 years and now works for a Bath-based engineering firm liaising with MoD Abbey Wood, says one of the worst things was not being able to talk about what happened to anyone – except his family and "phone a friend" nominees – between filming last September and its screening in January. He said that once the show was screened, "all my ex-Navy

You’ve just LOST £15,000!

Justin Beattie in the Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? hot seat Picture Stellify Media

colleagues were about as sympathetic as you'd expect them to be". The question was: "Which sportsman retired aged just 26, before making an unsuccessful return to competition eight years later?" The options were tennis player Bjorn Borg, racing driver Alain Prost, boxer George Foreman and athlete Carl Lewis.

The correct answer was Borg but Justin confidently gave Lewis's name. Getting the answer wrong meant that not only did Justin have to leave the hot seat, but his winnings were reduced to the lowest 'safety net' of £1,000. And that put on hold his plans to use a big prize to fund setting up a micropub in Downend. Justin is a fan of the small-

scale, no-frills beer-focused boozers, such as the Wooden Walls in Staple Hill and Snuffy Jack's in Fishponds. He would like to set one up in the Downend and Bromley Heath area and says he already has a name chosen: The Four Graces – after faith, hope, charity and WG Grace. But after Justin mentioned his love for micropubs on-air, he received a little thank-you from Snuffy Jack's: they delivered him and partner Sarah, who live in Downend with four of their seven children, a pint each. Justin is something of a TV show veteran. He was a quarter-finalist in the 2019 series of MasterChef and has been a contestant on Tipping Point and Mastermind. ITV were unable to confirm whether Justin's use of the s-word really was the first time a losing contestant had sworn during Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Excitingdevelopmentsat Abacuspre-school ABACUS pre school in Mangotsfield continues to thrive and invest in their facilities for all the children to enjoy. They have just developed a new ICT area which includes 4 kindles and a mini laptop with a larger monitor for the children to access with adult support. As well as developments inside, the garden has also been updated. The fabulous garden is safe and secure and includes a water wall, a music wall, a construction area and a fully accessible mud kitchen We provide an enhancing environment for the children to play, learn and develop within. Our site consists of one large room based within the church hall, an adjacent small room used for small group activities. We have the use of two outside areas within the grounds providing an opportunity to offer various outside activities. which we use all year round. Plus they offer up to 30 free funded hours for 3-4 year-olds. Check out the website for full details on Abacus and read our

testimonials to help give you peace of mind when registering your child with us. "Very welcoming and supportive team and I’m so please I Chose Abacus. Tapestry is amazing it’s so nice to see my child interacting with others. My child as learnt so much, her vocabulary has improved so much since joining." "I like the personal feel and

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"Love the resource bags and treasure box ideas."

and although my son has only just started I can already see developmental chang – he has started speaking more English and is more sociable." Please feel free to contact us to find out more information and arrange a visit.

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how activities are developed for each individual. The atmosphere is friendly and cosy. Great range of things to play with which are set out in a thoughtful way."

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emersonsgreenvoice

n NEWS FROM OUR MP

Chris Skidmore writes for

Emersons Green Voice

THIS month I am writing this column jointly with my colleague and neighbouring MP for Thornbury and Yate, Luke Hall. After a hard-fought local campaign, the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, has announced that we have secured the vital Government funding for a brand new £26 million secondary school in Lyde Green. As local members of Parliament, each representing half of the Lyde Green community, we are both absolutely delighted with this. This new school, with an estimated total cost of £26 million, is much needed to help keep up with the rate of housing growth in South Gloucestershire, take pressure off of our surrounding school systems and provide greater choice for parents. The school - to be built adjacent to the second Primary School serving Lyde Green - will have 900 secondary places and will ensure local people can attend a new school nearer home. The school facilities, including its

March, 2021

sports pitches, will be available for community use outside of school hours and the buildings will be low carbon. The school facilities, including its sports pitches, will be available for community use outside of school hours and the buildings will be low carbon. With the community’s support, we took this campaign straight to the top to get the bid over the line. Firstly, we took the fight to Parliament and raised the issue with the Secretary of State Gavin Williamson during a face-to-face meeting. We have consistently made the case for the new secondary school to be built as soon as possible, to ensure pupils currently in primary school are able to move to a suitable secondary setting in September 2022, the target opening date, within their Lyde Green community. We then secured a debate in the House of Commons with schools minister Nick Gibb, with both reacting in a positive way to the campaign. The minister even

agreed with our campaign, stating that there is “an increasing need for places for secondary schoolage pupils in this part of South Gloucestershire”. Now, as the funding is confirmed, and following the overwhelming local support for the new school throughout public consultation, the next step is securing the planning permission, which is set to be decided shortly. Building this Lyde Green secondary school is a key part of our positive plan for schools and family life in South Gloucestershire, which included a successful campaign in 2014 for the £5.7m funding to build Lyde Green Primary School, improving special needs provision and delivering £79m of repairs and upgrades for schools across South Gloucestershire. With the funding for this new Lyde Green all-through school now in place, we have taken a big step forward on the path towards improving education locally. We will continue to keep you all updated.

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emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2021

n LYDE GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION WORKING with Coffee At Lyde, Lyde Green Community Association were pleased to be able to facilitate the community with free school meals food boxes over February half-term. These helped to support families who would usually receive free school meals and might be finding things tough during the school holidays. The food was funded by a crowd funder appeal and boxes were put together by Coffee at Lyde staff, the centre staff team and some fabulous volunteers. One of the recipients of the boxes said: “This makes a huge difference to eating or not.” They were really grateful. Both Coffee at Lyde and Lyde Green Community Association are glad to do our bit, to help where we can. We are also very excited to now have a community noticeboard located outside the centre, facing Willowherb Road. We hope to have a wider reach within the community, especially to those who are not necessarily online. We will advertise local services that can support the community.

Listening to our neighbours

The new noticeboard What do you love about living in Lyde Green? Would you change anything? Lyde Green Community Association is currently running a listening campaign to find out how life in Lyde is going over the pandemic. We will use these anonymous conversations to help grow and

improve the community. If you fancy a one-to-one chat, please get in touch with Bella on 0117 957 0410 or via email at bella@ lydegreenca.org. She would love to hear from you! We are still proud to be open for exempt activities which comply to government guidance. These include blood donations

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(bookings only), religious services, mental health support groups and tutoring for at-risk children. We consider these activities essential to support the local community and the surrounding areas in these difficult times. We are looking forward to when we can reopen the centre again to the public, allowing us to continue to do the work that we do in the community. Please check out the Lyde Green Community Association Facebook page @ lydegreencommunityassociation and website www.lydegreenca.org for information on how you can help in the community and more.

Boxes of food given to families over February half-term

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March, 2021

n NEWS

School to become centre of excellence for training

Policeman Craig turns author A DOWNEND police officer has discovered a new talent – for writing and illustrating children's books. Craig Davies has invented bedtime stories for his two children for years and also likes to draw sketches when he is not on duty. He has combined the two to create an ebook, Fisherman John, which he has made available to download free. Craig said: "It all started on a holiday to Ireland in 2017, when my two children and I would draw silly sketches of all sorts of things when they were bored. I drew a number of cartoon zombie creatures and began putting words to the story. This formed the basis of the first book I've written – that one hasn't been published yet, so watch this space. "I have always enjoyed drawing and reading to the children and I would often make up fantasies and adventures at bedtime. "Things evolved and Fisherman John, who is based upon a real person, was born. My children are still interested in illustrating and sketching and tell me they are excited by me writing books for everyone to read." Craig, who has been a police officer for more than 20 years, says writing stories provides a "complete change of pace" to his job. The book can be found by searching for Fisherman John at the Google Play store or direct at tinyurl.com/14kezmxl. To find out more about the book, search for Fisherman John Book Series on Facebook.

A PRIMARY school has been picked to help provide high quality professional training for teachers. Mangotsfield Primary School, in Church Farm Road, Emersons Green, will become a Teaching School Hub, the Department for Education has announced. The school will work with the Cabot Learning Federation and other partners to provide initial teacher training, leadership qualifications and other forms of professional development after being named the South Gloucestershire and B&NES Teaching School Hub. Mangotsfield Primary’s Head of Teaching School, Sian Kinder, said: “It is an honour and privilege to be able to build upon the partnerships grown and sustained over the past number of years in this region and beyond, to harness the expertise and experience to ensure the new Hubs are successful.” Head teacher Faye Kitchen said: “Our passion and vision are centred around the value of excellence and each and every young person having the best chances in life. “The Teaching School Hub collaboration will certainly make that difference.” The aim of the hubs is to drive school improvement by providing high quality training. They are part of the Department for Education’s recruitment and retention strategy to change the provision of education training and development “to ensure all children and young people experience excellent teaching in schools led by excellent leaders”. The 11 Teaching School Hubs for the South West announced by the DfE replace 83 Teaching Schools currently in operation.

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March, 2021

emersonsgreenvoice

n NEWS

Slip road plan

M32 park and ride 'four years away' A PARK and ride to ease traffic on the M32 is at least four years away, says a senior Bristol transport official. The scheme is included in the region's Joint Local Transport Plan, published last year, and was also part of Bristol City Council's Clean Air Zone plans to cut the number of vehicles in the city centre. But finding a site for the scheme has been an ongoing issue, with agricultural land near the Bristol/South Gloucestershire border at Sims Hill ruled out in 2019. Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said at the time that his "clear preference" was for a site further nearer the M4 junction at Hambrook, putting the site in South Gloucestershire and making it dependent on an agreement between the two councils, which has so far failed to materialise. The city council’s head of strategic city transport, Adam Crowther, said that, “being realistic”, the park and ride, which could be used by commuters heading from South Gloucestershire into Bristol, would not be built until after 2025. Mr Crowther was updating city councillors on the council’s latest plans for a Clean Air Zone earlier this month. The M32 P&R was originally

part of those plans but had to be removed because it would not be ready in time to help the council in its legal obligation to reduce Bristol’s levels of pollutant nitrogen dioxide by 2023. Mr Crowther said: "Looking at when we might deliver a park and ride, I think it’ll be kind of post 2025, being realistic. I’d like to bring it forward quicker than that but we have to work with the other authorities and we also have the maintenance scheme planned around the Eastville viaduct as well.”. • A ban on some turns at the Hambrook traffic lights looks set to stay in place for longer, due to the effect of the pandemic. Changes to the junction of the A4174 Avon Ring Road and B4058 Bristol Road to Frenchay and Winterbourne were first introduced on an experimental basis in August 2019. The order preventing traffic from Frenchay and Bromley Heath accessing Bristol Road towards Winterbourne was due to stay in place for up to 18 months while the impact of the changes was assessed, which would have meant it ran out this February. But the steep drop in traffic levels since the first coronavirus lockdown last March has made it impossible for officials to assess the impact of the changes.

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PLANS for a slip road to ease traffic problems at the Mangotsfield Sort It centre have been submitted. South Glos Council bought the land for the slip road last year for an undisclosed sum. Niall Kelly, planning manager for council waste contractors SUEZ, said in the application the slip road would "alleviate issues associated with traffic queuing to access the site" by separating vehicles waiting to get in to the tip from traffic heading to Siston Hill and Mangotsfield. He said: "No increase in traffic into the site is proposed as a result of the development." The council also wants to relocate its recycling lorries and dustcarts to Mangotsfield from their base in Cowhorn Hill in Warmley. If the plans are given Craig Davies with permission work on slip road thethe children's would begin during thehe autumn. ebook wrote To comment and on the plans, illustrated, visit the planning section of the which can be council websitedownloaded and search for free application P21/00540/F.

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n NEWS

emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2021

School leads way in helping young carers A PRIMARY school in Mangotsfield has won an award for its work ensuring young carers do not miss out on their education. Barley Close Community Primary School is the first in the area to win a silver Young Carers in Schools award from Bristol-based charity Carers Support Centre. The charity's Young Carers in Schools programme helps primary and secondary schools support children who have to help care for family members at home, and the awards celebrate good practice. Young carers can struggle to keep up with their schoolwork, are often bullied at school, and on average have significantly lower educational attainment than other children, with three quarters having to take time off school due to the physical and mental toll their responsibilities take on them. The last census found there were more than 1,300 young carers in South Gloucestershire and Bristol, looking after people with a physical disability, mental health or substance misuse issue. Barley Close young carers say the school's dedicated group makes them feel "safe and happy" and provides "a comfortable environment where everyone can be themselves".

Young carers at their dedicated group at Barley Close school The school's special educational needs coordinator and inclusion leader, Alison King, said: "Young carers are just children, and yet they take on huge responsibilities looking after someone at home. "I am so proud to receive the silver award for our school. "It shows the high level of thought and commitment that our staff show when supporting vulnerable children, such as young carers.

"Our dedicated young carers group, ‘Funtime Players’, has been able to continue throughout the lockdown periods thanks to access to online learning platforms. "Gaining the silver award demonstrates our ongoing commitment from all school groups, including school governors, teachers and teaching assistants to make sure that all children, regardless of their circumstances, are happy and able to thrive in school." Carers Support Centre helps schools with training for staff, governors and pupils to set up support groups, homework clubs and drop-in sessions for young carers. Carers Support Centre young carers manager Joss Tagg said: "To achieve their Silver Award Barley Close Primary has demonstrated that it supports young carers in many ways, including awareness raising with pupils and staff, and by building links within the local community. "Young carers are consulted with, and vital information is made available to pupils and families, letting them know where to go for help." School can find out more about the programme by emailing Vicki Houselander at VickiH@carerssupportcentre.org.uk or visiting www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk.

n SPORT

Cricket club prepares for lockdown lifting CARSONS and Mangotsfield Cricket Club had planned for a quick start to the New Year, supporting the Gloucestershire Cricket Board coaches at Lyde Green and Blackhorse schools. Unfortunately the lockdown prevented this from happening but the club are still hoping that there will be further opportunities as and when the schools reopen, which can then link into the Friday afternoon sessions we are due to be running at Mangotsfield School during March, for school years three to six. After sessions for girls were publicised in the December issue of the Voice, club chair Andy King has confirmed that the club has already recruited some members for its new girls’ team, as well as a female level 2 coach. The club was due to be having winter nets, but these have been put on hold and will probably be cancelled. Subject to the guidelines and weather, it is hoped Carsons and Mangotsfield can start using their outdoor nets as early as possible. They are also looking to start fitness sessions when guidelines allow. Andy is optimistic for the season ahead, with several new players joining the club at 1st team level, in what is a young team. There are also more youngsters feeding through the academy into the senior section: the numbers do look healthy. Carsons and Mangotsfield are also delighted to announce that DFCA will be running junior coaching sessions on Saturday mornings from May 1 to July 3. They will take place from 9am to 11am, including hard ball sessions for 9-10 year olds and 11-12 year olds.

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Tockington Manor School and Nursery for boys & girls aged 2 - 13 Limited spaces for Reception 2021 and 2022. Join us for Year 7 and 8 and benefit from our enviable success in delivering entry into first choice senior schools

We are offering personalised tours of the school and nursery from the comfort of your own home. Discover how Tockington could be the perfect fit for your family with our small friendly classes, excellent distance learning programme, family approach to education and wrap-around care. Contact us to book your 1-2-1 video call and tour with our Headmaster at a time convenient for you. 01454 613229

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emersonsgreenvoice

n NEWS

RedX Dance appear on national TV

LOCKDOWN hasn't stopped youngsters from a Staple Hillbased street dance company from showcasing their talents to a huge audience. RedX Dance members Molly May Tutton, Phoebe Ripard and Madison Bragg have all appeared on national television after submitting home videos of them busting their moves. The videos were used in the CITV programme Scrambled which broadcasts on Saturday mornings. Phoebe, 10, and Madison, seven, appeared in the new talent show Scrambled Got Talent where they had to impress judges Harry Smiles, Billie Eyelash and Will.I.Phone. And Molly May, six, showcased her dance routine in the Kitchen Disco Hub where the presenters learnt her impressive moves and encouraged viewers to do the same. RedX dancers were invited to send videos of them dancing at home, with three of the girls so far selected to appear on the show. RedX Dance was set up by sisters Gabriella and Jasmine and Sorisi-Thomas in 2012, when they were just 17 and 16 years old respectively. The duo originally held dance classes at Stanbridge Primary School and Emersons Green Hall but, as the troupe's popularity increased, they moved to premises in Page Road, Staple Hill. Gabbi said the children relished the opportunity to appear on national television: “The children were excited to take part in Scrambled and over the moon to have been selected. We felt very proud that our students had appeared on TV dancing!” Jasmine said it was very much business as usual despite restrictions: “Whilst we’ve not been able to attend dance classes in person at the RedX Dance Studio, we have been keeping our children dancing each week with classes on Zoom. “We’ve had a great response from our children who have joined in weekly classes and challenges. “During the first lockdown we were able to supply free lockdown t-shirts to the children who took part in classes as well as put on a lockdown performance for family and friends, which was very special. During the second lockdown, the children obtained commemorative lockdown medals to mark the occasion. The children are now working towards getting back to the studio and performing in a live show when restrictions are lifted.”

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March, 2021

n CRAFT COLUMN Cute snail mail With Liz Freke of Hattie’s Hooray’s FROM telling our friends and loved ones we are thinking of them to giving a little gift to put a smile on someone’s face, these little snail mail notelets will brighten the day of all who receive them! This is also a fantastic make for involving the children. You will need: Strip of felt 35cm x 3cm Strip of paper 28cm x 2cm Fabric scissors Fabric glue Googly eyes Embellishments Pen Small piece of Velcro

1. Take your long strip of felt and round off one end to make the snail ‘head’

2. Add googly eyes to the head of your snail.

3. Now write your note to a loved one along the strip of paper and glue the strip of paper down the centre of the strip of felt with fabric scissors – allow to dry.

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4. Peel your Velcro apart so that you have the rough and furry side. Using fabric glue, stick the furry side of Velcro approx 5cm from the end of the snail’s head, just behind the snail’s eyes.

5. Now, starting from the opposite end, roll up your felt and paper strip towards the snail’s head. Using your fabric glue, attach the other half of the Velcro onto the snail ‘shell’, where it meets the fluffy side of Velcro on the snails head. Unroll your snail to allow the Velcro to dry. 6. You are now ready to embellish your snail! Roll the snail back up into its ‘shell’ and use pompom, diamanté and any other embellishments to finish your snail mail – then post or give to a loved one for them to unveil your special note. We do hope the recipients enjoy receiving their snail mail!

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emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2021

n AROUND THE WIs MANGOTSFIELD WI IN the last edition we said that our January meeting would be a triple Zoom event – and indeed it was: coffee catch-up at 10.30am, tea'n'chat at 2.30pm and tipple talk at 7.30pm. We had lovely support to all three events and it was great to connect with members at differing times of the day. Some members attended all three! There was an introductory talk at the beginning of each session, relating to the history and origins of coffee and tea. In the evening, as it was Burns Night the theme was a Rob Roy cocktail named after the noted Scottish outlaw Robert MacGregor and created in 1894 by the mixologist at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan. March 20 is the official start of spring, with Mothering Sunday on the 14th and clocks going forward on the 28th – all things to cheer the mood after what has been a pretty dark winter. Although vaccinations are now well under way, it is likely that we are still a few months away from getting

together in the hall, so we are currently planning further Zoom events, drawing on some of the many interesting presentations and talks that are now becoming available. If you are not a member but would like to join us, please let me know by emailing carol@applause. co.uk. Carol Coombs

BEECHMERE BELLES WI OUR first meeting of 2021 was an introduction to facial massage and relaxation via Zoom, with a lovely lady from Body and Mind Holistics. It was a lovely meeting for the beginning of the year, although a little different from a spa: we all sat in front of our laptops with lovely smelling oil and were guided through the process of how to give ourselves a neck, shoulder and scalp massage. I was a little sceptical as to whether I would feel any better but wow – what a difference just 45 minutes made! I have to say I slept very soundly that night.

The pandemic is determined to keep us from meeting up, which most of us are finding really hard now. The purpose of the WI is to bring ladies together to enjoy, not only a monthly social evening, but also the chance to learn new things, discover new talents but most of all build new friendships. If you think about it, that was some ‘girl power’ back in 1915, when the WI was formed. Most people think girl power was invented by a well-known girl band. It seems the WI has more staying power. We have our meetings planned for the coming year, fourth Thursday of every month, however the committee meets virtually two weeks before, to talk about how we can make them happen in the event that we are still in lockdown situations. Zoom, as always, is the way forward and I think we have finally got to grips with not all speaking at once – well, maybe not me but I am trying. Some of the speakers that were unable to join us last year have adapted the way they are giving their talks, and can now make it

work virtually. Last year East Bristol Auctions gave a talk about all they do and said at the time it was not an easy way of speaking to large groups. There is no instant feedback or people spontaneously joining in, so it is great that more speakers now feel they can hold an audience this way. I am really looking forward to each and every month. Our March meeting is all about bees: a lady from Hives and Herbals will be talking to us about what she does. I wonder if Bee Lady will be dressed in her bee outfit? No, I don’t mean a yellow and black stripy top with wings, I mean her beekeeping suit, with bees crawling over her while she tells us all about the wonderful jobs they do and how we can help to attract them back into our gardens. Whatever happens in 2021, Beechmere Belles will still be here trying to keep our members entertained and involved in the WI. As the song goes, “we’ll meet again” - we know where, we just don’t know when, yet. Beechmere Belles

DISCOVER WHAT COLSTON’S CAN OFFER YOUR CHILD Join our

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emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2021

n VETS’ ADVICE

VETERINARY practices have been remaining open during the pandemic in order to service the nation’s pets, however we have had various restrictions in place. During this current lock down, the RCVS and BVA state that veterinary practices in England should only be undertaking work and seeing patient’s in person for essential animal health and welfare reasons. What does this mean for our pets and vets? Fundamentally our clinical team have to remotely triage all cases in order to determine if we need to see the pet in practice, or if we can Your remotely Vet and prescribe treatment, or if treatment can wait until lock down Practice Owner: eases. Carla Puime CostoyaEmersons Here at Vets4Pets Green we have introduced a new MRCVS communication platform called PetsApp. This is a messaging app which incorporates the ability to send and receive photo/video e Pets atmessages. Home, We use the platform to carry out video consults, our Green, Bristol, BS16can7AE Clinical team carry out consults via the App, whilst clients and com/bristol-emersons-green pets remain at home, this allows us to remotely triage the pet, and 5pm Sat, 10.30am - 4.30pm in some scenarios allows upSun to prescribe medication.

Adapting during the pandemic

s Green

In order to reduce and manage the volume of clients entering the practice, we have introduced a medication collection service at our back door, as well as the ability to post medication out to clients. To protect the team and clients we have invested heavily in making our practice Covid secure, we only let clients in the building who have

pre-arranged appointments (or emergencies) and have installed various screens throughout the practice, so that we can continue to work effectively. For some consults, clients are welcome into the consult rooms, where we have wall dividers, extra ventilation, air purifiers and intercom systems. The type of work we carry

out, means the team are in close contact with each other, and although we have reduced the amount of time we spend together, we all wear Full PPE, Reducing the chances of the team having to isolate should a member of the team contact Covid-19. Like the whole world, we’re really looking forward to the time we can ‘go back to normal’ but until then we are adapting and changing to make sure we can remain open, and look after our communities pets. If you would like any further information on our services or need us, why not try our new app, search and download - PetsApp Stay safe – The team at Vets4pets Emersons Green

Vets4Pets Bristol Emersons Green Inside Pets at Home, Emersons Green Retail Park, Emersons Way, Emersons Green, Bristol BS16 7AE

Call us 0117 910 9352

or visit vets4pets.com/bristol-emersons-green

Vets4Pets Bristol Emersons Green

Your Vet and Practice Owner: Carla Puime Costoya MRCVS

Inside Pets at Home

We’re open 7 days a week!

Vets4Pets Bristol Emersons Green

Inside Pets at Home, Emersons Green Retail Park, Bristol, BS16 7AE

Call us: 0117 910 9352 or visit: vets4pets.com/bristol-emersons-green Open 7 days a week: 8.30am - 7pm Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm Sat, 10.30am - 4.30pm Sun

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emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2021

n ON THE TREATMENT TABLE

Springis springing IT’S getting to that time of year again when the light lasts for just a few minutes longer each day and everything seems to be waking up from the dark slumbers of winter. Somehow this seems more appropriate than ever for the times in which we are living – and the whole country appears to be ready for a new wave of positivity. Vaccination numbers are up, Covid cases are down. There are rumours of summer holidays and schoolchildren being allowed back in the classroom. Like most parents, I’m constantly amazed by the innocence of young children and how they can help you stay grounded, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Oscar, the youngest addition to the Button family, has learnt the word “horse” or “orse”, as he puts it, and lets us know every moment of the day – he even shouts it out in his sleep. It reminds me that, at Cleve Chiropractic, we treat local “orse” riders on a regular basis. I’m so pleased that the lovely riders have been allowed to carry on

exercising their beautiful animals and we can still treat them when they fall off! Despite all the falls, kicks or bites they suffer, riders always seem capable of keeping a smile on their faces when it comes to the joy of caring for and riding their precious horses. I wonder if any of them will help me show Oscar a real “orse” one day? I hope so – and I can’t wait to see the look on his little face. With the advent of spring comes the welcome arrival of two new faces at Cleve Chiropractic. Dele Bamisaye is someone I know only too well as he used to be one of my patients. He worked as a radiotherapist in the NHS for 10 years before switching his focus to the private sector. As an athlete, Dele competed at a national level and saw the benefits that chiropractic had on his training, recovery and performance. He’s taken that interest a step further by completing a chiropractic masters degree and the International Certificate in Sports Chiropractic (ICSC) qualification, which allows him to treat athletes at the highest

level of their sport. Now Dele is ready to help you achieve your goals and fulfil your potential. His experience and expertise are just a phone call away. I’m so pleased that Dele has agreed to come and take over Mike Jordan’s full-time duties, although Mike is staying on with us, working every other Saturday. Our second newcomer is acupuncturist Jennie Abraham, who adds another important dimension to our health and fitness portfolio. Her skills can help with chronic and acute pain that you might suffer in your joints or muscles, or as a result of a sprain, for example. Apart from assisting with general well-being, acupuncture can be beneficial for arthritis, headaches and migraines, regulating the menstrual cycle and PMS, fertility, stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, IBS and other digestive issues. It's also fantastic for helping to keep the body in balance to prevent illnesses and pain. Finally for this month, a reminder that Cleve Chiropractic remained open throughout the

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

0117 957 5388

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

latest lockdown. We’re Covid safe and have all the necessary PPE and sanitization protocols in place. Please stay safe and remember that we’re here to help whenever you need us.

A Team approach to healthcare.

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Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Back & Leg Pain, Sciatica Sports Massage Headaches & Migraines Trapped Nerves Repetitive Strain Injuries Occupational Injuries Sports Injury Specialist Competitively priced

The practice of pain relief Member of the British Chiropractic Association

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

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emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2021

n LOCAL HISTORY

Handel Cossham: preacher, educationalist andpolitician

A bust of Handel Cossham stands in the hospital funded by his legacy and named in his honour

Last month Mangotsfield Residents Association member and historian David Blackmore looked at the early life and industrial success of Handel Cossham, who owned mines which now lie disused under the area, and land on which thousands of our homes are now built. But how did his name end up on roads, a hall and even a hospital? This month, David looks at his public life and legacy. AS Handel Cossham grew up in Thornbury, he listened to some of the most celebrated nonconformist speakers and ministers. At 16 Cossham himself became a teacher in the Thornbury Congregationalist Chapel's Sunday school. By 18, he was addressing temperance meetings, and became a school teacher and a lay preacher. It was only the start of a lifetime of service, which would see him continue to preach, found schools and eventually lead to him becoming an MP – and a benefactor for the public good after his death. The 1858 Primitive Methodist magazine gives an account of the opening of Mangotsfield Primitive Methodist chapel, which had operated from a single room since 1836.

Cossham's memorial in Avonview Cemetery, St George

Cossham became very interested in the church, and his drive and enthusiasm bought new life into its activities. A revival in January 1857, with 60-70 new members, made more room essential and the foundation stone of a new chapel was laid by Cossham, then living at Shortwood Lodge. It was built by local preacher Mr Lambert and opened that November. A Sunday school was added and it eventually became Cossham Street Methodist Church. Education was of huge importance to Cossham, and he helped set up the British School (to provide Christian but non-sectarian education) near the colliery in Thornbury in 1850, before establishing an infants school at Pucklechurch, and British Schools at Mangotsfield, Staple Hill and Gillingstool, Thornbury, which was built in 1862. He also started schools for his colliers' children in Yate and Parkfield, between Pucklechurch and Lyde Green. Cossham was involved in the temperance movement to curtail alcohol consumption from the age of 13 and it was a fundamental part of his lifelong beliefs. In his later life it was reported that Cossham said of his 1,500 employees that "if total abstinence prevailed, wages would be raised 25 per cent without strikes or agitation, and with injury to no one". When he bought the old Wesleyan Chapel in Thornbury for £150 in 1888 and donated it to a group of trustees for use as a public hall – later to be named Cossham Hall – he stated that “liquors and tobacco shall not be sold or supplied”. The hall was to be used for “philanthropic, religious, moral, political, educational, musical and general purposes”.

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In the 1860s Cossham entered politics, becoming a Bristol city councillor for the St Paul’s ward, where he defeated the Conservative candidate by a large majority, and he then turned his ambition towards Parliament, standing unsuccessfully at Nottingham in 1866, Dewsbury in 1868 and Chippenham in 1874. From 1882 to 1885 he was mayor of Bath and, in November 1885, became the first Liberal MP for the newly-created East Bristol constituency. The November 28 edition of the Western Daily Press recorded the celebrations on a dark and wet night on Troopers Hill, saying: "A large crowd of three or four thousand persons assembled, and the utmost enthusiasm prevailed. Numerous tar barrels were placed together and ignited, and the bonfire might have been seen from the greater part of Bristol." During his time in Parliament Cossham contributed to 272 debates and it was in London that he died of a heart attack on April 23 1890, either at the National Liberal Club in Whitehall or in the House of Commons, according to conflicting reports. At the time of his death his home was Holly Lodge, in Holly Lodge Road, St George, where he

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had served on the local and school boards. On the day of Cossham's funeral an estimated 50,000 people were present at the St George Cemetery – now Avonview – or lined the route. Cossham was a staunch advocate for a local park, with St George Park eventually being laid out after his death, on 38 acres of land at Fire Engine Farm in 1894. Having no children, in his will he directed his trustees to build and endow a hospital near Kingswood Hill for the treatment and relief of the sick and injured. The hospital cost £30,000 to build and furnish, with a further £90,000 invested in an endowment to maintain 50 beds. Cossham Hospital eventually opened in 1907 on Lodge Hill, on the border of Fishponds and Kingswood. Cossham dedicated it to the working people of East Bristol and South Gloucestershire, "that I may hereafter be remembered by the sick and suffering as a friend who, in death, as well as in life, felt it his duty to try to lessen human suffering and increase human happiness". *Elements of this article were produced with the help of Thornbury Roots website, www. thornburyroots.co.uk

Cossham Hospital was paid for by a bequest in Handel Cossham's will

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emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2021

Emersons Green Voice

LOCALSERVICES Advertise your business

Give Gary a call on 07799461169 CLEANING

AERIALS

www.theaerialman.co.uk

• Digital Aerials • Fully Guaranteed • Repairs • Satellites • Free Quotes • OAP Discount • Additional TV Points • Humax Recorders

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Affordable Prices - Reliable Service

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0117 967 9028

ELECTRICIANS

MARK EVANS

Electricians & Alarm Specialists

Vinney Green Farmhouse Emersons Green BS16 7AF

Experts in

Full housge rewirrainnteed at a all work gu ces s the be t pri

Our electricians can also provide extra sockets, low voltage halogen lighting, electrical testing, landlord certificates, kitchen and bathroom electrical work, garden lighting and all your electrical needs

0117 956 0695 / 07770 233475

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enquiries@markevanselectrical.co.uk

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Trusted Trader

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BATHROOMS & KITCHENS

DECORATING SERVICES

SJM DECORATING

Bathroom & Kitchen Specialists

Professional Decorating Local Qualified tradesmen Internal & External Decorating Fast, reliable & friendly service Fully insured

All work carried out by us

One call is all you need Book now for your makeover

Free Quotations

OSBORNE & SONS

Call Scott 07515 523 623 0117 3824411

All work guaranteed.

Call Tony 0777 6188595 tony1osborne@yahoo.co.uk Find us on Facebook osborneandsons

CARPENTRY & INTERIORS

www.sjmdecorating.freeindex.co.uk

CARPENTRY

ELECTRICIANS

PHILIP PERKINS

General Carpentry & Floor Fitting Kitchens, all wood flooring, LVT flooring, Door hanging

A family run business Contact Alan on 07411834534 or 01179374887

Carpentry General Carpenter/Kitchen Fitter (Member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen)

• Kitchens supplied & fitted or supply only • Full kitchen or fronts only • Worktops • Fitted Wardrobes • Door Hanging • Skirting • Stairs & Balustrades • Laminate & Wood Flooring • All aspects of general carpentry work

Call Nick on 0117 2872371

CALL FOR A QUOTE - NO JOB TOO SMALL

0117 9373941 OR 07788 115945 To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

0117 303 9000

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

emersonsgreenvoice

30 GARDEN SERVICES

March, 2021

OVEN CLEANING

PLUMBING & HEATING

D. ATTWELL LANDSCAPING & TREE SERVICES All Garden Works Undertaken All Foliage Removed – Roots Destroyed Patios Laid – Slabbing – Decking Block Paving – Gravelling – Fencing Wood Chippings – Clearance – Garden Walls Drives & Patios Jetwashed & Resealed

CREST HEATING & PLUMBING

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BOILERS, BATHROOMS AND GENERAL PLUMBING

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OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE HONEST & RELIABLE

• FULLY INSURED • LICENSED WASTE CARRIER

For a FREE quote call 07960 681 921

TEL: 07765 250816

d.attwellgardenservices@hotmail.co.uk

GARDEN SERVICES & FENCING

FENCING

DAMAGED OR NEED REPLACING For all your Property and Garden Maintenance Give Todd Marsden a call on

PLUMBING & HEATING

PLUMBING

Tel: 0117 9676268 info@arheatingservices.co.uk

Boiler installation, servicing and repairs 10 Year Warranty’s available Finance also available

0797 6711 290 or 0117 935 2332 FOR A FREE QUOTATION

Mark’s Gutter Cleaning Gutter Clearing Gutter Cleaning Fascia Cleaning Call or Book online

www.marksguttercleaning.co.uk Tel: 0117 3708528 Mob: 07543056558 Based in Downend, Bristol

HOUSE & RUBBISH CLEARANCE

JJ PLUMBING BOILERS • BATHROOMS • KITCHENS MOBILE: 07989 072976 TEL: 01454 859474 www.plumber-in-bristol.co.uk

518308

PLUMBING

GUTTER CLEANING

* TAPS, WASHERS * BALL VALVES * LEAKS, WASTES * OVERFLOWS, DRIPS * LEAD PIPES * TOILETS, FLUSHES

Garden, Clearance House, Garden, Office Clearance House,House, Garden, OfficeOffice Clearance

House, Garden, Office Clearance - all Plus all other Plus All Your Other Waste Removal Needs too! House, Garden, Office Clearance -- Plus other House, Garden, Office Clearance Plus all other Plus Your Other Waste Removal Needs too! Plus All All Your Other Waste Removal Needs too! On-average Average cheaper than a skip. On cheaper than aa skip. OnAverage cheaper than skip. removal On average cheaper waste removal On cheaper than aa skip wastewaste removal -Average On average cheaper than than skipa skip

PLUMBING

Taps, Washers Toilets, Cisterns Leaks, Blockages Tanks, Overflows Lead Pipes, Stopcocks….etc… OAP DISCOUNTS and NO VAT

0117

957 5092

WIGS

Wigs Bristol

LOCATED IN DOWNEND

07592 003 Tel: 07592 506 003003 Tel: 07592 506 Tel:Tel: 07592 506506 003

We have been supplying all types of wigs and hairpieces for fashion and medical purposes for 45 years. Wigs can be purchased off the peg or made to measure in hair or synthetic fibre.

1/4 Load 1/4 £89 1/4 Load Load £89 £89 Half Half £139 Half Load Load Load £139£139 3/4 Load 3/4 £179 3/4 Load Load £179£179

We stock many styles and makes.

Full Load Full £199 Full Load Load £199£199

0117 956 6556

Please book an appointment on:

www.junkmonsters.co.uk www.junkmonsters.co.uk

To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

56746

www.wigsbristol.com

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

Getting around: Major project updates GETTING around in South Gloucestershire is set to be safer, quicker and greener, thanks to major projects which are currently underway. These include: • Cribbs Patchway Metrobus Extension: The bridge move, the heaviest ever bridge lift of its kind in the U.K, has now been completed as part of this project. Once the remaining works are finalised, the metrobus route will travel through the Cribbs Patchway New Neighbourhood, on the former airfield site, and link with Highwood Road at the San Andreas roundabout, next to the Mall at Cribbs Causeway • Wraxall Road roundabout: Work is underway on South Gloucestershire’s first through-about (a roundabout with lanes of traffic through the middle). The improvements will reduce traffic congestion and increase capacity at the busy junction on the A4174 Avon Ring Road • Yate Park and Ride site: Opening later this year, the £3.5 million park and ride on Badminton Road will help reduce traffic by encouraging people to use other travel options such as public transport, cycling or car sharing. It will include 192 parking spaces, 38 electric vehicle (EV) charge points, and secure cycle storage for 46 bicycles. Existing bus routes and

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Strategic Infrastructure, Cllr Steve Reade next to the new electric vehicle charging hub at Bristol and Bath Science Park in Emersons Green services, ahead of the expansion of metrobus services to the area, will take passengers into Bristol and Yate • Electric vehicle charging hub at the Bristol and Bath Science Park in Emersons Green: the council has installed a 12-charging bay hub complete with a solar canopy, with six EV charge points, as part of the Revive vehicle charging

Land purchased for new Thornbury healthcare facility SOUTH Gloucestershire Council is to purchase the Thornbury Hospital site to support the development of new healthcare facilities. In a landmark agreement with North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT), South Gloucestershire Council will secure the land to advance longterm proposals to deliver improved GP primary care, outpatient and social care services for Thornbury. This follows a £13.3 million bid to Government for the redevelopment of the site. It will also provide a new home for the town’s local GP practices, enhanced mental health support, social care and NHS beds and a proactive ‘frailty hub’ which would focus on the elderly community receiving care in their own homes.

network • Links between Lyde Green and Emersons Green: A £6.5 million project to improve pedestrian and cycling routes between Emersons Green and Lyde Green • Flood resilience: The Government has awarded £3.2 million to help improve the drainage of roads in South Gloucestershire. The council is also contributing a further

£500,000 to the scheme from existing maintenance budgets • E-scooters: Following the successful launch of the West of England e-scooter trial, the trial area for the ‘hop-on hop-off’ rental e-scooters is expanding to include areas such as Bradley Stoke, Stoke Gifford and Filton in South Gloucestershire.

Extra funds for Kingswood town centre project KINGSWOOD’S town centre regeneration project has received significant additional funding. The West of England Combined Authority has announced a £7.56 million investment, supported by a further £5 million from South Gloucestershire Council. Together, this matches the £12.5 million secured by the council through the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, announced in December. The funding will pay for: the pedestrianisation of Regent Street; the creation of a new public open space providing opportunities for markets, performance arts and cultural events; traffic re-routing; and promoting cycling, walking and access to nearby green spaces and Kingswood’s local heritage sites. It will also fund the full restoration of the historic Whitfield Tabernacle, which has lain derelict for three decades, to become a cultural and community venue. Finally, the funding will allow the council to invest in property and commercial premises that will directly contribute to the town centre regeneration at a time when the market faces considerable challenges. Local feedback has played a major part in developing a masterplan for Kingswood and the council aims to publicly consult on this more widely in the coming year.

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

Think NHS 111 first

Census 2021: Take part

IF you have an urgent but non-life-threatening medical need, make sure you use NHS 111 first rather than going straight to A&E. NHS 111 will help you right away. If you need urgent care, the NHS can book you in to be seen quickly and safely at an appropriate local service such as a minor injury unit or the out-of-hours GP. If you need an emergency ambulance, one can be dispatched immediately. Clinicians, such as nurses, doctors, pharmacists and paramedics, play an increasingly important role in NHS 111. In many cases clinicians in the service can assess patients and provide the advice you need over the phone without having to visit a physical service You should still dial 999 if you have a life-threatening illness or injury. Just think 111 first. When you think you need A&E, contact NHS 111 by phone or online.

HOUSEHOLDS across South Gloucestershire will be asked to take part in Census 2021 this spring. Census day is Sunday 21 March, it is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. Understanding the needs of the nation helps everyone from central Government to organisations, such as councils and health authorities, plan and fund public services across England and Wales. Census outputs inform where billions of pounds of public funding are spent on services such as transport, education and health. Results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations.

EU Settlement Scheme: reminder

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you and your family members need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK. To be eligible, you need to have been living in the UK by 31 December 2020. The deadline for applying is 30 June 2021. You can apply and find organisations that can help with your application on this website www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

Keep in touch with the latest South Glos news

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Covid-19 news for the local area and council service updates:  www.southglos.gov.uk/covid19newsletter If you are not online and would like a printed copy, please call us on  01454 868009

Businesses can also sign up for weekly updates on Covid-19, support grants, and other local resources and updates:  www.southglos.gov.uk/covid19businessupdates www.southglos.gov.uk/coronavirus