Emersons Green Voice March 2024

EMERSONS GREEN, LYDE GREEN, SHORTWOOD & PUCKLECHURCH

New MP promises different politics

KINGSWOOD’S new MP has promised to show his new constituents that “politics can be different” after his by-election victory.

Labour’s Damien Egan overturned a Conservative majority of more than 11,000

to win the seat, which includes Emersons Green.

He won the poll with a majority of 2,501 over Tory candidate Sam Bromiley, defending the seat after Chris Skidmore resigned in January.

Mr Egan said his first priority

would be to “get to work” quickly on issues that had come up on doorsteps during the campaign, including access to NHS dentists and doctors, crime and the cost of living.

Turn to Page 3

‘Stop parking on the zigzags’ call

Parking on the zizags at the crossing near Emersons Green Library is putting lives at risk, a resident says.

PAGE 7

A glimpse inside £70m research HQ

The engines, motors and fuels of the future are being developed at a £70m centre at Bristol & Bath Science Park. We take a look behind the scenes.

PAGE 8

Housing plans come under fire

Parish councils have submitted detailed and scathing objections to council proposals for housebuilding in Shortwood and Lyde Green.

PAGE 10

The new Labour MP for Kingswood, Damien Egan, gives his victory speech after the result is declared

emersonsgreenvoice

ADVERTISING

sales@emersonsgreenvoice. co.uk

Tel 07799 461169

EDITORIAL

news@emersonsgreenvoice. co.uk

Letters to the publication can be sent to the above e-mail address or by post to Letters, Emersons Green Voice, 6 Elkstone Walk, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6JT. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.

DEADLINES

Our April edition deadline is March 13.

LOCAL INFORMATION

South Gloucestershire Council www.southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009

Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk

general enquiries: 101

Emergency: 999

Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk

General enquiries: 0117 926 2061

Emergency: 999 NHS 111

Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk

01454 868009

Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582

Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk

Environment/trading standards 01454 868001

Well Aware

Health and social care information www.wellaware.org.uk Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Emersons Green Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Emersons Green Voice is distributed each month to local residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is welcomed, call Gary Brindle on 0117 907 8585 or news@emersonsgreenvoice. co.uk.

COMPLAINTS

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

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

A member of the

Hydrogen engine success

ENGINEERS at a hi-tech research plant in Emersons Green have run an internal combustion engine on hydrogen for the first time.

IAAPS described the successful test as a “significant breakthrough”, made using “green hydrogen” produced on site at the Bristol & Bath Science Park.

A spokesperson for the centre, which is owned by Bath University, said: “This development marks a milestone in IAAPS’ ongoing efforts to advance hydrogen technologies and plays a vital role in steering the wider transport industry towards sustainable propulsion systems.”

IAAPS says the breakthrough is good news for future projects both at the facility and the broader industry.

It is already involved in a number of other “ambitious initiatives” that can benefit.

IAAPS principal engineer at and project lead Dr Karl Giles said it meant hydrogen was being used as a viable fuel source.

He said: “This result underscores IAAPS’ dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation in the automotive industry.

“The ability to burn hydrogen safely in an internal combustion engine not only demonstrates the technical feasibility, but also brings us one step closer to a future where hydrogen-powered vehicles could play a crucial role in achieving sustainable transportation.”

IAAPS engineering director Professor Rob Oliver said the project was important to the global effort towards net-zero emissions.

He said: “This successful outcome is testament to IAAPS’ unwavering commitment to sustainable propulsion systems.

“As we continue to innovate, we are actively contributing to the global efforts to achieve net-zero emissions.

“This breakthrough not only opens new doors for the transport industry but also reinforces our role as leaders in advancing technologies that will drive us towards a cleaner, greener future.”

Inside IAAPS: Page 8

£1.6m for coal mine study

A STUDY to test the potential for former coal mines to be used to heat homes has been given £1.6 million in funding.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris announced the study, backed by the government’s Coal Authority and Historic England, to see if water warmed naturally deep underground in old mine workings by geological activity can be brought to the surface to provide viable domestic heat.

The process would involve using pumps to raise the temperature to the level required for heating and hot water.

In late 2022 South Gloucestershire Council said it was investigating the potential use of former mine workings in the district, including mines around Lyde Green, Emersons Green and south of Staple Hill, which had been identified as “areas of interest” by the Coal Authority.

Now Mr Norris has announced funding to see if the idea can be turned into reality.

He says there is the potential to heat more than 100,000 homes in the region, where almost a quarter sit above once-thriving coal mines flooded with water.

Mr Norris said: “I love the idea that coal mines could be repurposed to provide the clean energy of the future – it’s coming full circle.

The study will map the mine areas which have the greatest potential heat resource, leading to detailed ground investigation works.

Coal Authority head of heat Gareth Farr said: “The Coal Authority is committed to facilitating mine water heat networks across Great Britain.

“We hope that the industrial heritage of coal mining in the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority will also be able to support mine water heat networks in the future.”

Mining magnate’s 200th birthday: Page 15

Voters deliver blow to Sunak as Labour wins by-election

From Page 1

Speaking to the Voice at the count after his election was confirmed, Mr Egan said: “The fact that there’s no NHS dentists (taking on new patients) anywhere in Bristol is huge. People are also finding it really hard to get to a doctor.”

The new MP also said many people had raised concerns about policing and feeling unsafe, and about the cost of living.

He said: “The cost of living isn’t just a slogan, this is people’s lives, people telling me how they feel like they’re not living, but existing. People are working really hard, they’re doing extra hours, life is very tough for people at the moment.”

The Kingswood constituency is being abolished at the next general election, which has to take place in the next 10 months.

Mr Egan will be Labour’s candidate for the new Bristol North East constituency, which

includes Siston Hill.

Voters in Emersons Green and Lyde Green will all become part of the Filton & Bradley Stoke seat, currently represented by Conservative Jack Lopresti.

Mr Egan said he would not

ignore those constituents he might only be representing for a few months.

He said: “I think I’ve even got more responsibility for those people, making sure they’ve got a responsive MP representing and putting their voice in Parliament.”

In his victory speech after the count, Mr Egan said: “Thank you for giving me your trust, and for allowing me to serve the community that I’m from. It’s a trust that I promise to repay, to show you that politics can be different, and it can make a difference.” He said the last 14 years had “sucked the hope out of our country” but promised: “The work to give Kingswood its future back starts now.”

Conservatives lose seat held since 2010

LABOUR’S total of 11,176 votes in the by-election was smaller than the Conservative majority of 11,220 at the last general election, while the number of Tory votes was down by 19,037.

The turnout was 37.11%.

The final result was:

Damien Egan (Labour) 11,176

Sam Bromiley (Conservative)

8,675

Rupert Lowe (Reform UK) 2,578

Lorraine Francis (Green) 1,450

Andrew Brown (Liberal Democrats) 861

Nicholas Wood (UKIP) 129

Labour received 44.9% of the vote while the Conservative share fell fto 34.9%, representing a swing to Labour of 16.4%.

The decision of Chris Skidmore, who had held Kingswood for the Conservatives for nearly 14 years, to force a by-election placed the area in the national political spotlight and heaped more pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Mr Skidmore, a former energy minister and champion of the UK’s commitment to net zero carbon emissions, quit over the government’s Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill, which would “cause future harm” through the promotion of new oil and gas production.

The Conservatives chose their group leader on South Gloucestershire Council, Sam Bromiley, to defend the seat.

Cllr Bromiley left Thornbury Leisure Centre without giving interviews after the result was declared in the early hours of February 16.

He later issued a statement on social media, which said: “Thank you to all those who voted Conservative in the Kingswood by-election. I have thoroughly enjoyed the last few weeks meeting residents and hearing about their concerns and ideas for our area.”

Mr Sunak said the result “shows that we’ve got work to do to show people that we are delivering on their priorities”.

Reform UK, the successor to the Brexit Party, came third in an election the party had originally said it would not contest because of the cost to the taxpayer.

Candidate Rupert Lowe, received 2,578 votes – the first time the party had a share of 10% or more at a Westminster by-election. He said afterwards that those who voted for him had “sent Westminster a message”.

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said it had applied for £189,000 from the government to cover the total cost of running the by-election.

Tory candidate Sam Bromiley talks with party supporters before the declaration

Typical council tax bill to rise by over

COUNCIL tax bills for typical Emersons Green households will rise by £142 in April – almost £40 more than in neighbouring Downend.

The difference between bills in the two areas is down to a 90% increase in the charge made by Emersons Green Town Council for its services

When increases from South Gloucestershire Council, the town council, police and fire services are added up, a Band D homeowner living in the area covered by Emersons Green Town Council is set to pay an extra £142.20 or 6.63% this year, with their total bill now £2,287.67.

South Gloucestershire Council is set to agree a 4.99% increase – the maximum allowed without calling a referendum – in its share of the bill, which will rise by £86.39 in the average Band D tax bracket, from £1,727.98 to £1,814.37.

The rest of the increase in council tax bills comes from

other public bodies.

Avon & Somerset’s police and crime commissioner Mark Shelford is raising charges for a Band D tax payer by £13 (4.88%) from £266.20 to £279.20.

Avon Fire Authority is raising its annual charge by £2.48 or 2.99% to £85.43 in Band D.

However the final amount paid by people living in different neighbourhoods varies according to the services provided by their parish councils, which are not subject to restrictions on how far they can raise charges.

Emersons Green Town Council has almost doubled its overall precept – the amount it raises from council tax payers – increasing it by 91% from £306,000 to £584,600.

Its charge to a Band D taxpayer has risen by £39.73, from £43.99 last year to £83.72.

By contrast the Band D charge levied by neighbouring Downend & Bromley Heath

Band D council tax bills 2024/25

Total

Parish Council has gone down by 37p, from £65.74 to £65.37.

The main reason for the big increase in Emersons Green is a 58% rise in its overall budget, from £404,600 to £640,250.

A cut in the money it receives from developers building in the area, via the Community Infrastructure Levy, from £90,000 last year to £46,000, means more of the increase has to be paid by taxpayers.

The council is allowing for a £65,000 increase in staff

expenditure, including the creation of a new youth officer role with a £25,800 salary, and is also allocating £23,700 to Emersons Green Village Hall and £35,000 to Citizens Advice, which were not funded last year.

Despite the big rise in Emersons Green, residents of Pucklechurch still face the biggest council tax bills in the area.

A Band D household there will pay a total of £2,337.51 from April - £131 more than last year.

The parish charge has risen by £27.63, to £128.99, to fund a 26% increase in the overall parish precept, from £96,896 to £121,896.

In Siston parish, which includes the Siston Hill estate, the overall precept has risen by 13.8%, from £40,000 to £45,500, the parish Band D charge is up by £3.05 to £26.39 and total bills are £109.14 more than last year.

The other element of council tax bills is ‘special expenses’ - a charge by South Gloucestershire Council for neighbourhood facilities it maintains, which varies from £24.95 in Emersons Green to £71.11 in Siston parish – the highest in the district.

Bills vary according to the size of a property – in Emersons Green Band A householders will face a total bill of £1,525.10, whereas a top Band H bill will be £4,575.34.

Charges and cuts to balance books

DRIVERS will pay an estimated £1.5 million every year in new parking charges being introduced by South Gloucestershire Council.

Despite most people who responded to a consultation opposing the new charges, council bosses are pressing ahead with the unpopular plan anyway.

The parking fees will first be introduced to council-owned car parks across South Gloucestershire, before on-street parking fees are brought in too.

Council-owned car parks include the Lyde Green Park and Ride, but the charges will not affect privately-owned sites such as Emersons Green retail park.

Over 1,800 people responded to a council consultation on its budget, and almost 70% opposed the new charges.

Council leader Claire Young has said some parking spaces will stay free, but added: “We can’t simply not do the parking charges without

providing alternative means of generating that income.

“The other charges that may have had higher satisfaction levels are absolutely minuscule in comparison to the amounts expected to be generated.”

The Liberal Democrat/Labour run council is hoping that the extra income means fewer cuts have to be made to essential public services.

However union Unison says spending cuts of £473,000 to libraries and £79,000 to the contact centre and One Stop Shops, along with £641,000 a year from council trading arm Integra, are “likely” to mean job losses, cuts to working hours and opening times.

Plans to introduce a £10 fee for disabled drivers to apply for or renew a blue badge, to raise an extra £46,000 per year, could “isolate an already isolated community”, disability group Equalities Voice has warned.

By Alex Seabrook & Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Council leader Claire Young and co-leader Ian Boulton during a debate on cuts

Welcome back Billie-Jo!

Spring is in the air, and with it comes an exciting update from us at Turners Opticians. We're thrilled to announce the return of our muchloved Dispensing Optician, Billie-Jo, who is back from maternity leave. As a mother of two wonderful boys, Billie-Jo's caring nature has made her a favourite among our patients, both old and new.

Billie-Jo started her career as a trainee with us over 13 years ago and has become an immensely important part of our team. She has become a highly respected and much-indemand glasses dispensing and lens expert, so feel free to ask her any questions you may have next time you’re in the practice.

Welcome back Billie-Jo!

Computer Vision Syndrome

Alongside Billie-Jo's return, we're thrilled to introduce a game-changer in eye care – our computer glasses. Designed to shield your eyes when using digital screens, this nifty eyewear helps to protect your visual comfort and overall well-being.

So why might you need such a thing?

With the development of technology, a lot of us spend a substantial amount of time on digital devices. As convenient as these screens are, they can harm our eyes causing Computer Vision Syndrome (sometimes known as CVS or Digital Eye Strain). Many jobs now involve prolonged screen time on computers, but using e-readers and smartphones can contribute to these problems, too.

Extended screen time has given rise to CVS as people use both intermediate and near vision when focusing on these screens.

A study conducted by the National Library of Medicine suggests that 90% of us who use computers for more than three hours a day should be doing more to protect our eyes. When we consider how long we use screens over a 24-hour period for both work and leisure, this statistic is rather striking!

Some common symptoms of CVS include:

· Tension headaches and migraines

· Temporary blurred vision and difficulty focusing on distant objects

· Dry and irritated eyes from reduced blinking

· Neck and shoulder pain from poor posture when using digital devices

Helping You Care For Your Eyes

Our computer glasses are a must for anyone who regularly sits in front of a device or display screen. What sets our computer glasses apart is not just their cutting-edge lens design but also the use of our clear comfort material. This winning combination ensures that our patients experience unparalleled clarity and comfort while looking at their screens.

At Turners Opticians, our priority has always been the eye health of our patients. We use innovative technology to thoroughly assess your eyes and identify any vision problems you may have.

If you would like to find out more about our computer glasses, call our Henleaze team on 0117 962 2474 or Fishponds team on 0117 965 4434, or visit our website www.TurnersOpticians.co.uk.

Zigzags parking ‘puts children at risk’

CHILDREN are being put at risk by drivers parking on a busy pedestrian crossing in the heart of Emersons Green, a resident has warned.

Drivers of cars and vans are frequently parking on the zigzag lines either side of the zebra crossing on Emerson Way between the library, village hall and retail park.

The situation has been highlighted by Denis Connolly, who says some companies regularly use the zigzags to make routine stops.

Parking or overtaking on zigzag lines is strictly prohibited by the Road Traffic Act, carrying a three point penalty with a £100 fine. They are there to provide oncoming traffic with a clear view of the crossing, to ensure drivers can see pedestrians as they approach.

But Denis, who regularly uses or passes the crossing, said parking on the lines has become increasingly common on Emersons Way in the past 18

months, with many motorists using it as an extension of the small on-street parking bay opposite the village hall.

He said: “Over 50% of the time I pass there will be somebody parked on the zigzags.

“The Royal Mail seem to do it every time they come to empty the post box outside the library.

“It’s also people nipping in for a quick shop and treating it as a free space.

“There’s no excuse for it.”

Denis has raised his concerns with the police. He says one van driver threatened him after seeing him take a picture, while another, in a security van making a cash collection, incorrectly told him: “I’m a security guard in uniform, I can park where I like.”

Denis believes the parked cars are creating an “appalling” risk to children using the crossing, which links the shops and Emersons Green Park.

He said: “It’s a potential disaster.”

Avon & Somerset police are

investigating Denis’s reports.

A spokesperson said: “Our neighbourhood policing team has been working to proactively police parking in the Emerson Way area of Emersons Green following concerns raised by residents. The area is regularly patrolled by the team – along with other areas of the village – parking prevention measures have been put in place, education

given to drivers and collaborative work done with the local authority parking services.

“These parking restrictions are in place for a reason and anyone seen to be ignoring these will be dealt with when possible.” A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “It’s very important the Highway Code is followed by our employees. This incident will be raised with local management.”

Driving your car into the future

The engines, motors and fuels of the future are being developed and tested at a research centre at the Bristol & Bath Science Park. The Voice found out what's happening at IAAPS.

FROM the outside there's not much to see.

Aside from the sign spelling out its name, IAAPS is an anonymous-looking building, all grey panels and glass.

But what's going on inside could change the way the car you drive in ten years' time is powered, along with future generations of lorries, tractors, ships and even aircraft.

Engineers at the research and innovation centre in Emersons Green work with private companies and university researchers to turn new ideas and concepts into tested, working systems that can be made production-ready by a manufacturer.

On the day the Voice visited the £70 million facility, a new tractor engine was being put through its paces.

The hybrid diesel engine powertrain was sitting on a rig connected to a dynamometer, a piece of highly sensitive equipment that can record and analyse up to 5,000 channels of data from components, measuring variables including power, energy, torque, speed and temperature. It also replicates the voltage and current of a battery going into the powertrain.

Wires linked to controls and gauges that would be found on the dashboard of a working vehicle are spread across the testing cell, like a real-life exploded diagram.

Engineering director Professor Rob Oliver said the system on test started as a concept about three years ago, and is another three to four years from being ready to go into production in a vehicle.

Projects for the aerospace sector could be ten or more years from production.

Rob said: "We're an incubator, where one or two people with a good idea can get help to prove it is useful and can be put into

production.

"The real core of what we do is measuring an awful lot of data very completely and repeatedly in controlled conditions."

Robot drivers can be placed at the controls and replicate different driving styles, from aggressive to laid-back, while engineers measure how they affect performance.

Emissions testing devices sample exhaust gases before they are safely removed using a system which also captures heat – up to 90% of power used in the building is recovered and used again.

In another of the centre's 18 testing 'cells' was a hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine big enough to power a truck; a third contained a smaller electric motor driven by hydrogen fuel cells.

All the hydrogen is made on site: 10kg per hour is produced by electrolysis, using electricity to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen.

As well as being used in testing, the hydrogen powers two of the centre's three heating boilers.

The oxygen is currently vented, as there is no economically viable way to recover it.

The centre has a 400KW solar panel array producing electricity to offset the "green mains supply" used to carry out electrolysis, as the panels can't provide a consistent current in all weathers.

IAAPS projects can benefit today's vehicles: when the Voice visited, a three-yearold Transit van was ready to test a new type of engine oil aimed at improving efficiency, fuel consumption and emissions in current diesel engines.

The ability to work across different alternative forms of propulsion – described by Rob as being "tech-agnostic" - means the centre embraces battery systems, fuel cells and alternative fuels such as methanol, as long as they bring transport closer to the goal of producing 'net zero' carbon dioxide emissions.

IAAPS, which held its official opening ceremony last September, is a wholly-owned

subsidiary company of Bath University.

As well as the testing cells it has workshops and machining rooms, meeting rooms and a large 'collaboration space' where people from its "partner organisations", from think tanks and start-ups to large corporate clients, can plug in laptops and work or discuss ideas.

IAAPS stands for Institute of Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems, but the centre no longer spells out the acronym, as its focus is now "beyond automotive".

Executive director Professor Chris Brace said: "The strength of this place is its open, collaborative nature.

"We can be the interface between a large and a small company to integrate new technology into vehicles and give them access to state-of-the-art facilities and people that can make it work.

"You can go from an idea to being on the verge of manufacturing, all under one roof."

At the moment around 40 people work at IAAPS but this is expected to reach 120 permanent employees within five years, with up to 120 more university researchers and partner companies on site at any time.

Off-site work on projects developed at IAAPS is expected to make the eventual number of jobs supported around 1,900.

Electric cars are increasingly common on our roads but current limitations on power and range mean that hydrogen is seen as more practical in areas such as road haulage.

Chris and Rob say it's difficult to predict where the crossover between the two will be and whether battery or hydrogen-engined cars will eventually dominate but, with IAAPS working in both areas, Chris says: "Either way, we're happy."

Rob says that, after 80 to 90 years of mainly focusing on making petrol and diesel engines more efficient, propulsion research and development has now opened to technologies that weren't around five years ago.

He says: "It's a really exciting time to be working in this field."

Professor Rob Oliver in a testing cell at IAAPS

A car connected to a dynamometer in an IAAPS testing cell

A DANCE group based in Emersons Green celebrated its 18th birthday in style, with a show featuring more than 250 performers.

3D Dance was founded in 2006 and holds weekly training sessions and classes at Emerson’s Green Village Hall. But with a huge cast of dancers to accommodate on stage and a sold-out audience of 800 family members and supporters, the show was held at a bigger venue,

250 dancers in birthday show

Trinity Academy in Lockleaze.

Pupils as young as four took part in the event, showing off routines they had been practising at their weekly classes for months.

Dance teacher Louise Hopton said: “All of our pupils and staff worked so hard to put together a fun show, to entertain our

audience and celebrate our 18th birthday in style.

“It was a showcase of routines from all classes.

“We are a Street Dance School but we also included our theatre classes in our show this year.”

The dance school also runs adult dance classes and exercise sessions for older people.

The 18th birthday show came only one year after the dance school staged a 15th anniversary show, which had been delayed by two years because of the pandemic.

For more information about the dance school, call Louise on 0775 403 9059 or visit the 3D Dance Bristol Facebook page.

Villages blast development plans

A BLUEPRINT that involves building thousands of homes on greenfield sites between Shortwood and Warmley over the next 15 years has been condemned as “unimaginative and inward looking”.

The accusation comes from Pucklechurch Parish Council, which says South Gloucestershire Council’s proposed Local Plan “is not proportional, is extremely destructive and does not present the best options for a prosperous future”.

In its response to the ‘emerging preferred strategy’ for development in the district, the parish council, which includes Shortwood within its boundaries, says the proposals concentrate too much development in east Bristol, close to the already congested Avon Ring Road, rather than spreading new housing more evenly across the whole district.

It says: “While 60 homes at Pucklechurch can be viewed as

a proportionate to its facilities, building in excess of 5,000 homes in or adjacent to the settlement of Shortwood is obliteration.

“The parish council does not believe there is enough evidence to support the proposed release of green belt on the scale being promoted.

“Overall the feel is of plans being driven by investor profit and what the powerful large developers want, rather than what is in the best interests of your electorate, the people who call South Gloucestershire home.”

The parish council says there is “already constant pressure on the local rural road networks around the Pucklechurch and surrounding area”, particularly when there is congestion on the A4174.

All of the parish councils which cover areas where new housing is proposed have written to oppose the Local Plan.

Emersons Green Town Council has submitted a 25-page statement of “formal objection and concerns”, in which councillors say they “share the same view” on the majority of the response from Pucklechurch.

The town council criticises the small number of homes proposed in some other areas, such as Thornbury and Yate, and says the plan is “defending ‘not in my back yard’ for some towns whilst allowing the destruction of large swathes of green belt with the resultant loss of agricultural land, damage to vital strategic green corridors and loss of habitat and bio-diversity”.

It says the development proposed on Green Belt land next to Shortwood and north of Lyde Green”opens the floodgates to Bristol expansion”.

In a statement on behalf of Siston Parish Council, which covers the Siston Hill estate near Mangotsfield as well as Warmley, Bridgeyate and Siston

itself, chairman Andrew Stacey said: “Siston Parish Council and its residents feel the number of homes planned for the parish is wholly disproportionate to the total number of houses required across the whole of South Gloucestershire.”

He said residents, who attended a public meeting called by the council in January, wanted to see the “rural identity of the area” protected and said the road infrastructure was already “inadequate” for current traffic levels.

Staple Hill & Mangotsfield Parish Council also said the area lacked the roads, public transport, schools and health facilities to support new development.

The council said: “Lots of land has already been given up by Mangotsfield with the Emersons and Lyde Green developments.

“Mangotsfield does not want any more development.”

Campaigners hand over petition

MEMBERS of a group formed to fight proposals in South Gloucestershire Council’s Local Plan to allow building on Green Belt land have handed over a petition of more than 2,000 signatures.

Save Our Green Spaces gathered 2,239 supporters for its petition on the change.org website calling for the council to reconsider the proposals in Phase 3 of its plan, which includes 7,813 homes on greenfield sites outside the existing urban area and towns, much of which is currently designated as Green Belt, giving it protection from development.

The council says it has to find new sites for 9,260 homes to help meet a target of 20,490 new homes in the district over 15 years.

Three sites east of the Avon Ring Road, surrounding the village of Shortwood, appear on what the council calls its ‘emerging preferred strategy’. Between them they could accommodate 1,480 new homes – surrounding a village which currently has only 90 houses.

North of Lyde Green, an area of land between the M4 and Westerleigh Road could be earmarked for 800 homes by 2040.

Another 260 could be allowed on two sites in Mangotsfield and Pomphrey Hill, with 60 at a site east of Pucklechurch.

They are part of a wider swathe of Green Belt land east of the Avon Ring Road, which has been

proposed as an area where thousands of homes and new employment premises could be built.

As the campaigners handed over a giant cheque representing the petition on February 15 they issued a statement, which said: “We, the local people of Oldland Common, Siston, Warmley, Shortwood and the Eastern Fringe reject in whole any plans to build on our protected Green Belt.

“Whilst we appreciate the need for additional housing, until all brown field sites, empty office blocks, derelict houses and in-fill is utilised, our Green Belt must remain sacred.

“If the Green Belt status can be removed by a simple consultation, what future lies in store for the protected green spaces across the UK?”

The group also organised a collection of 200 objection letters for people who were unable to respond to the council’s online consultation, which closed on February 16.

Book your trip to the tip

RESIDENTS could soon have to book a visit to one of South Gloucestershire Council’s Sort It recycling centres.

The council says a new law limits how much DIY waste, such as rubble and plasterboard, people can bring to recycling centres without paying. This means the council has to start recording and limiting how much is disposed of, and it believes a booking system is the best way to do this.

People are being asked to have their say in the consultation section of the council’s website, which has more details on how the scheme would work.

It can be found at tinyurl.com/yc3fxj3u.

Anyone who is not online can call 01454 868009 for help in making a response, before the deadline of April 1.

Robot challenge

DOWNEND School’s Lego Robotics Club put their programming skills to the test in a competition for South Gloucestershire schools.

Students in the club build and code robots to perform different tasks to complete challenges. Two teams entered the annual event, following months of preparation.

Chris Worden, the computing and IT Teacher who runs the Lego Robotics Club, said: “The day trip to the University of the West of England was enjoyed by all and was a great opportunity for our students to learn new and alternative strategies that could be potentially used for our robots next year.

“The competition involves teams from various schools competing against one another to be crowned champions and move on to the national competition.

“Downend’s teams built and coded their robots to complete as many tasks on the game board within the time limit as possible.

“Both teams performed excellently against tough opposition and showed off great teamwork and determination.”

School drama tells story of love across race divide

ACTORS at Downend School brought popular young adult novel Noughts & Crosses to the stage.

Malorie Blackman’s tale of love across a racial divide featured students from Year 9 to Year 13 both acting and working behind the scenes for the production over tow nights in February.

Year 10 pupil Eloise Green shared the leading role of Sephy, a government minister’s daughter in an alternative Britain and a cross who falls in love with a nought, as society tries to keep them apart.

Eloise said: “We have been rehearsing since October, and have put so much effort into making the show come alive.

“There was a whole team feeling, even across the age range, it was almost as if we became a family.

“We learnt stage fighting

and used freeze frames in some of the scenes.

“The two show nights were spectacular and there was some great feedback from the public.”

Before the performances

some of the Downend actors had a workshop with a professional theatre company called Frantic Assembly, after watching them on stage at the Bristol Old Vic.

A scene from Downend School’s production of Noughts & Crosses

Match remembers knife crime victims

A MATCH to remember two Bristol boys who lost their lives to knife crime has been held at Mangotsfield United's Cossham Street ground.

The match was hosted by the Bristol Showmen's Guild to raise money for the families of Mason Rist, 15, and Max Dixon, 16, who were stabbed to death in Knowle West in January.

It came as a prison chaplain who helps mentor young people urged anyone at risk of getting involved with knife crime to reach out and talk.

The football match, held on February 12 between a Showmen's Guild team and a select Knowle West side, was attended by Max and Mason's families.

The two boys' mothers led the teams onto the pitch for a balloon release before kick-off, with a banner saying: "Only cowards carry knives".

Organiser Stevie Rawlings said the match was part of a drive to raise up to £8,000 for the families to help pay funeral

costs, and had already raised more than £4,000.

He said: "It's the least the Showmen's Guild can do, to raise some money and help them."

A total of 14 people have been arrested in connection with the killing of Mason and Max on January 28. Five have been charged with murder – teenagers aged 14, 15, 16 and 17, and a 44-year-old man.

Another teenager, 16-year-old

Darrian Williams, was stabbed to death in Easton on February 14. Two boys aged 15 have been arrested in connection with his murder.

As the number of serious knife crime incidents soars, prison chaplain Larry Harvey is calling on young people thinking of carrying knives, and concerned families, to call him for a "different perspective".

Larry has worked as a prison

chaplain for 20 years – 10 at Bristol Prison and 10 at the former Ashfield Young Offender Institution in Pucklechurch. He also works for a mentoring service for children and provides animal therapy sessions in Lyde Green.

Larry, of Coalpit Heath, said: "If you don't carry a knife you can't use it.

"Taking someone's life will cost you yours – 25 years, minimum, could be 35 depending on how you behave. There are no winners.

"Mates and girlfriends will disappear, meaning no visits or money being sent in.

"When you're finally released, if you are, you'll probably end up in a hostel or a bedsit at the very end of your life, on your own."

Larry has printed his message on cards and posters and is urging anyone who wants to talk to call him on 07825 321358. He is also looking for people to help distribute posters and cards to help spread the message.

Players from the Bristol Showmen's Guild and Knowle West teams and the mothers of Max Dixon and Mason Rist release balloons to remember the two teenagers

Exciting opportunityBecome a

Community Caretaker

Join Emersons Green Town Council as a Community Caretaker, driving Streetcare projects, and helping to transform our Open Spaces.

Competitive salary scale: £26,873 to £28,770 p/a (pro-rata – 22hrs), plus Local Government Pension Scheme, and Free Parking.

Key Responsibilities:

Patrol public spaces, identify areas in need of maintenance, cleaning, or improvement. Resolve issues related to cleanliness, safety, and functionality. Perform routine maintenance and cleaning tasks to improve the appearance of community spaces.

Requirements:

Full training will be provided. However, relevant experience, DIY Skills, and a track record of commitment to the community will be an advantage.

Benefits:

Equality of Opportunity commitment.

Flexible working hours available.

Time off in lieu for evening meetings and weekend events.

Formal interviews: 28th March 2024.

Anticipated start date: 22nd April 2024.

Apply now! Call Mr Reg Williams on 07494 760535 for an informal discussion and to access the Recruitment Pack and application form.

Closing date for applications: 12 Noon, Tuesday 19th March 2024.

Mangotsfield festival returns

THIS year's Mangotsfield Festival will take place on June 8, organisers have announced.

The festival will be held on the Pomphrey Hill North playing fields, off Johnson Road, Emersons Green, where it moved last year on its return after four years away.

A traditional parade from Mangotsfield Common, the green outside the Lamb, will start at around 10.15am led by The Sambistas, who are returning after a successful debut at last year's parade.

An opening ceremony at 11am will be followed by live music and dance in the main arena, a dog show, kids' zone and stalls, including games, food and drink.

Mangotsfield Festival Planning Committee are appealing for volunteers to help run the event and asking visitors to make donations to ensure the festival can survive.

Ross Janes, from the committee, said: "I think we can

all agree that last year's festival was a triumphant return to form, and a great success for the community. We had plenty of positive feedback and our aim is to ensure that a fun day is had by everyone.

"But we also want to ensure that the festival is financially viable for us to continue putting on a show year, after year. With the change in venue we have lost a major revenue stream, as we are no longer able to charge for entry; as with last year, we will be asking those attending to make a donation."

People attending are advised there will be no on-site parking.

The organisers ask anyone who would like to volunteer to email them at committee@ mangotsfieldfestival.co.uk.

Anyone interested in setting up a stall should contact stalls@ mangotsfieldfestival.co.uk. You can can also find updates on Mangotsfield Village Festival Facebook page.

Celebrating Handel Cossham

A CONFERENCE is being held to mark the bi-centenary of the birth of Handel Cossham.

The industrialist, philanthropist, educationalist and politician, who left money to found Cossham Hospital following his death in 1890, owned local collieries including Parkfield and Brandy Bottom, which lie beneath the area from Lyde Green to Pucklechurch.

The conference is being held in Thornbury, the town where Cossham was born in 1824, at Turnberrie's Community Centre in Bath Road on April 13 from 10am to 4.30pm.

Organised by Avon Local History & Archaeology and Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, places can be booked online at www.alha.org.uk, via Eventbrite or by writing to William Evans, 5 Parry’s Grove, Bristol BS9 1TT.

The Sambistas, who led last year's festival parade, will be back

Handel Cossham

Dessign a Christmas COMPETITION

Emersons Green Town Council are inviting primary school age children (4-11 years) in the Emersons Green Town Council Ward area to design a Christmas streetlight, for entry into our competition.

The winning design will be turned into a real Christmas streetlight that will be displayed in either Emersons Green or Lyde Green, along with our other streetlights.

The closing date for entries is: Sunday 14 April 2024.

For full details of the competition, and an entry form, please see the information on our website (www.emersonsgreen-tc.gov.uk), or on our Facebook page.

Entries can be dropped off to Emersons Green Village Hall or Lyde Green Community Centre, or alternatively can be sent in by post

Community nature reserve celebrates first year

A PROJECT to make Emersons Green a thriving haven for wildlife has celebrated a successful first year.

Emersons Green Community Nature Reserve was set up last January to encourage people to care for wildlife in gardens, parks, greens and verges across the area covered by the town council.

Deputy town mayor Bobbie Sunderland, who is also a member of the Friends of Emersons Green Park, said the project had seen a “fantastic response from the community”, with 243 gardens registered for the scheme so far.

Bobbie said: “‘It has been a remarkable year, not only for the number of gardens involved but also for the very real transformations reported.”

A gathering at Emersons Green Village Hall to celebrate the project’s first anniversary was attended by 30 people.

Bobbie told the event some success stories from the project, including from resident Sharon Townson, who had changed her whole approach to her garden to think about what plants birds preferred and how to change the architecture of the garden to

encourage nature.

Bobbie said: “She said that her pond was like the village hall for her wildlife, with everything visiting it, and recalled how once she had simply sat by her pond to watch for several hours as a dragonfly larva hatched out.

“There was also a report of a whole garden transformation from just grass and fence to a remarkably diverse and interesting habitat, while another told of making the simple, but important step, of removing artificial grass and replacing it with a clover lawn.”

The event also included a talk from South Gloucestershire Council ecologist Sally Pattison and a celebration complete with birthday cake.

Emersons Green Community Nature Reserve is encouraging more people to register their gardens with the project and is organising events, which will be announced through the town council website.

Information is also being shared via the EGTC Community Nature Reserve Facebook group, which has more than 200 members.

The project has recently relaunched its Community Seed Bank, a facility for people

to bring seeds from their garden to swap for other varieties of flowers, vegetables and herbs, or to take home in return for a small donation to the Friends of Emersons Green Park.

The seed bank is being stored at Emersons Green library, where people can access it by asking at the desk during staffed opening hours, and will also be taken to Community Nature Reserve events.

Bobbie Sunderland cuts the birthday cake at a celebration of the first anniversary

25% OFF during Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) Month

With Money Expert, Martin Lewis saying LPAs are even more important than Wills, March is the time to put them in place with this special 25% off offer from Simpson Solicitors.

Book a FREE (no obligation) review meeting to work out the best way to set them up for your circumstances. QUOTE LPA25 when booking to get this special readers’ offer.

WHEN: If you had a serious accident or a routine operation went wrong or you had a stroke or developed dementia – you need

to have LPAs in place, appointing those you trust to help you if you lost mental capacity.

WHAT: LPAs need to be put in place now; whilst you are well. So those you trust can help you pay bills, sort your finances and speak up for you with medics and carers to make sure you get the treatment you would want. 1 for Money issues and 1 for Health issues.

“With us it is so much more than drafting the legal forms. We advise on the best options for you, we act as your Certificate Provider

as to mental capacity, we check everything is right and get them through the lengthy Court (OPG) registration process, and then we provide an after-care service to help and support your Attorneys activating them when they are needed. This is all included in our price without hidden extras”

SOLICITOR CERTIFED COPIES: John from Simpsons say, “To use your LPA, your Attorney is likely to need a copy of your LPA certified by a solicitor. With us this is not an extra burden for your Attorneys, with us it is provided and included in our price”.

MARCH IS LPA MONTH AT SIMPSON SOLICITORS. They offer our readers 25% off the full cost of their best selling Complete LPA Service. Even if your meeting is not until April, to qualify call them on 0117 960 8594 or pop into their Kingswood Office by 31 March and quote LPA25 to get this special price.

School show brings Matilda to life

MORE than 60 pupils from Mangotsfield School took part in a production of hit show Matilda the Musical.

Teachers 'double-cast' the lead roles to give more students the opportunity to perform in the show, which is based on Roald Dahl's classic story of a schoolgirl with magical powers who takes on a tyrannical headmistress.

The show was performed to parents as well as children from nearby primary schools, including Barley Close.

School head of drama Helen Garner said: "I was really impressed with how the students supported each other throughout the rehearsal and production period.

"Well-known numbers such as Revolting Children, When I Grow Up and Naughty wowed audiences, along with excellent comic performances.

"The set design was an array of colourful letters, which would cleverly be moved by the cast to spell out words appropriate to different scenes.

"The first large-scale production since covid, this was a real team effort, with staff and students pulling together to get the show on the road –rehearsing, painting and building in the evenings and weekends.

"We hope this will now continue the tradition of regular and top-level drama productions at Mangotsfield School."

Saddle up for hospice

CYCLISTS are being encouraged to sign up for the area's biggest charity bike ride, the Tour de Bristol.

The event in aid of St Peter’s Hospice, challenges riders to take on one of three different routes – 40km, 65km or 100km – across Bristol and South Gloucestershire, all starting at UWE’s Centre for Sport at the university's Frenchay campus on April 13.

Cyclists can also take on a virtual challenge by choosing a route and date to suit themselves.

People can join in by registering at www.tourdebristol. co.uk.

St Peter’s Hospice fundraising manager Hayley Ali said: “It's the Hospice's largest event and an incredible day of fundraising, with cyclists of all ages and abilities coming together from across Bristol and beyond.

A performance of Mangotsfield School's production, Matilda the Musical

The sweet sound of spring

MARCH is upon us, and that means spring is on its way.

Winter has been a relatively warm one, and it’s been hard battling the litter during the windy spells.

Did you know Lyde Green has its own litter picking group, that meets once a month on a Sunday to help keep Lyde clean?

They have made a real difference over winter, with regular clean ups. It’s fantastic to see, and many thanks to them all.

Nesting season is well underway so we ask that, as March is generally a good time to prune your garden, please check before any works are carried out.

The South Glos ‘Common Connections’ team are continuing their fantastic work, and plans for this year are well underway across our corridor.

There is talk of widespread native wildflower planting in and around the common.

Alongside recent footpath works from Karen and the public rights of way team, it

is so pleasing to see a continued program of works within our valuable asset, the common land.

We urge you all to get out to the common to make the most of the area at different times of the day.

An early dawn walk to the common and you may spot the deer wandering around, alongside the sights and sounds of the vast array of birdlife making the most of the natural habitat.

March is also a great time to get in the garden and get those jobs going that will help over spring. As mentioned, gentle pruning will be a benefit and a good dig up and turn of your plant beds will also benefit.

Why not make yourself a wormery?

Fantastic for your garden, and food waste that will add much-needed nutrients to your soil when the compost is applied.

We want you all to get involved in Lyde Green and its beauty, so if you have an idea that involves nature, do let us know.

We will be looking to arrange a community

litter-pick, where you can all do your bit to keep Lyde Clean – keep your eyes peeled on our socials for more information soon.

We always need your help so we can keep Lyde thriving, so do get in touch with us for any information regarding the ‘behind the scenes’ work and many admin duties we have available for you.

We will be doing our best to keep active this year, so all help is appreciated.

Thank you all for your continued support!

To get in touch, email lgopenspace@gmail. com or visit our Facebook page.

Laurence Binks Chair, Lyde Green OpenSpace Group

Signs of new life around the village

WE are entering into spring time: looking around the village you will see all the bulbs and plants coming to life.

At the memorial park, the Dame School and on Mangotsfield Common opposite the Lamb, where we planted 1,300 or so bulbs, there are signs of new life.

Our village does look lovely when in bloom, not forgetting our planters - if any one has any spare plants and would like to help, please let us know or indeed add to the planters yourselves.

Help us to keep our village as bright and colourful as possible - it does help raise people's spirits.

A big thank-you to our volunteers, who help to achieve this. We are looking for more people to join us.

As mentioned last month, we have plans in progress for this year - perhaps some more work at the Dame School and other things to

improve our area.

We are always open to suggestions, and at the moment we do have funding available to us.

Once our plans are in place, we will let you know the details here and via the Mangotsfield Matters Facebook page.

We had to change the date of February's ever-popular coffee and

cake morning at the Red Lion, but as from March it will revert back to being the first Wednesday of the month from 10am: always a lovely couple of hours with great people, and all are welcome.

Mangotsfield Scout Group is looking to recruit more leaders and helpers; the group now has vacancies for young people aged

from six to 18 to join.

For more information, please contact leader Simon Budd at simondbudd@gmail.com.

He would love to hear from you.

Quite recently several of our members and local councillors enjoyed a tour of the National Composites Centre at Emersons Green and found it very interesting: thank you to Michael Bell for organising this.

I conclude with a reminder to make sure all your property, including garages, sheds and cars, is locked and secure when not in use, as we have again suffered a few incidents.

Please be aware and keep an eye on other people's property, especially those who may be vulnerable.

Watch this space, as they say, for our future plans to improve our village, and have a good and safe Easter time.

If you want to get in touch with us, please email MangotsfieldRA@ gmail.com, use the Mangotsfield Matters Facebook page, or call either our secretary Chris Amos on 07918 701881 or me 07507 168700.

God bless.

Clive Heath

n Councillors and members of the Mangotsfield Residents Association were given a guided tour of the National Composites Centre. Picture: Michael Bell

SHORTWOOD VILLAGE WI

OUR February meeting started with a visit from Amy Grimsby, who showed us felting techniques. We all enjoyed following instructions and ‘had a go’ at constructing a bumble bee, which ended up as the centre piece of a lovely card complete with envelope.

We has a discussion concerning this year’s resolutions to the National federation of WIs, and voted on the one we felt most passionate about.

Our skittles win against Iron Acton WI may be the first time we have got past the first round, and the only time we have actually had a cheerleader! Our next match is against Falfield WI, so lets hope we are on a winning streak.

Here’s a poem about the WI, called Misconceptions:

Will you be singing Jerusalem, she asked with scorn?

Well, on special occasions, but it is not the norm

I expect you’ll be learning to make jam and curd?

Not really, I don’t know what it is you’ve heard

I know the WI is about all that is twee

You clearly have no idea, it seems to me

Our membership covers all ages, young and old

We welcome all women into our fold

The stuff we do is interesting and fun

To be honest, I believe we can’t be outdone

For thought provoking speakers, fantastic crafts

Amazing parties and lots of laughs

We campaign about things that really matter

And of course, love cake and a good old natter

The WI is about friendship, I’m sure you’ll agree

So please forget what you’ve heard, just come and see!

We are a friendly bunch and give a warm welcome to new visitors.

We meet on the second Thursday evening of the month in the Chapel vestry, in Main Road, Shortwood. Our next meeting is on March 14 at 7.30 pm.

For more information email millhousejoinery@aol.com with the heading Shortwood Village WI.

Lynne Miller

BRISTOL U3A EAST & NORTH-EAST BRISTOL

A LOCAL author has set up a u3a group to inspire and encourage people to write up their family stories, recipes or gather and name their photos for their community, living family or descendants. Called Writing Family History, it meets monthly in the local area – contact Helen ParkerDrabble at h_parker_drabble@hotmail.com for more details.

Have you been researching your family? For many, exploring family history is a journey of self-discovery and connection.

It links us to the broader human experience and provides a context for our challenges and triumphs.

It can give us a sense of place, purpose, and continuity.

Understanding our family allows us to appreciate the resilience, experiences, and cultural heritage that have shaped our existence and can help us find peace with our own story.

It’s like sitting down with a photo album and realising every picture, every memory, contributes to the person you’ve become.

But why stop there? Leaving a legacy can enable us to contribute meaningfully to our community, or family narrative, creating a bridge between past and future generations.

Your legacy could be a printed photo album, including family stories, recipes, mini biographies of your ancestors, a collection of your memories, or a quilt made up of your late parents’ clothes.

You can make your legacy as simple or as complicated as you choose.

Bristol u3a (you in your third age) is a local charitable organisation dedicated to life-long learning and is open to anyone with some time to spare.

Writing Family History is just one of the 150-plus diverse interest groups running across Bristol. Annual membership is just £20, with no additional costs for joining multiple groups.

Find out more by contacting learnlaughlive@bristolu3a.org.uk.

Lindsay Gough

Craig Anthonys

HAIR DESIGNERS

Here at Craig Anthonys we pride ourselves not only on the styles but also the advice that we can provide. Our award winning team with years of experience in colouring and cutting can provide a style unique to suite you. To arrange a no obligation consultation pop in or give us a call.

MANGOTSFIELD DOLLY MIXTURES

FEBRUARY is a very busy month for us.

Our speaker at our meeting was Jackie, who gave us a talk and presentation on helping us to make our skin and bodies beautiful.

She can help with the colour of our skin, enhancing how we look and feel and many other treatments that are available. The presentation was very interactive, with individual and group conversations to discuss options.

When she got home she sent a lovely message saying how she enjoyed the evening.

As usual we will be meeting at the Lamb in Mangotsfield for our pub lunch and also have a curry night at the Cinnamon Tree in Burley Grove.

We have organised a 50s evening of rock’n’roll, jump jive and swing with Cadillac Xpress.

Their band leader, Jeremy Huggett, is also president of Bristol Jazz Society.

The event will be held in our meeting place on June 8: doors open at 7pm, music starts at 7.30pm, finishing at 10.30pm. Tickets cost £16.

There is plenty of room for dancing and it is a BYO evening with a raffle.

For more information contact carol@applause. co.uk.

We are also supporting Bristol Jazz Society’s boat trip on July 30. The society supports young musicians and local jazz clubs.

Carol Coombs

LYDE GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

MARCH is set to be yet another busy and fun month at Lyde Green Community Centre.

We have a huge variety of hirers using the centre each day, from martial arts to Pilates, yoga, Zumba, Slimming World and a great range of dance classes, for both adults and children.

We currently have a fabulous variety of children’s activities: fun, educational, artistic, sporty and improving. Do check out our classes on the website at tinyurl. com/33y59m7v.

There are classes and activities to suit everyone and most of our hirers offer free taster sessions.

Current hirers for activities for the little ones include Baby Sensory, Tuneful Tigers, Music with Mummy, Sing and Sign, Talking Tots, V Dance Academy, and beavers and cubs.

We also are delighted to continue to host the Wednesday morning playgroup Mango Jams, a really friendly session which always offers a warm welcome!

With all the upcoming events, we are always on the lookout for volunteers to help in and around the centre: if you would like to help with any events or projects we have coming up, please pop in, call or visit us online to find out what we have going on.

We are delighted to see Little and Bigger Pickles Market at the community centre. Do keep an eye out for the Sunday dates that they will be at the centre throughout the year.

We continue to be on the lookout for a treasurer and secretary to join our board of trustees: if you would like to join the team, we would love to hear from you.

Why not have a chat with one of our trustees to see what’s involved? Email Laura on laura@lydegreenca.org to arrange a time to talk.

You can contact us via Facebook, by email at info@lydegreenca.org or by calling the office on 0117 957 0410.

Helen Crew

March 9

n AVON HARMONY A Cappella one-day workshop for women: learn a song in a day. Glenfrome Primary School, 10am to 4pm. Cost £15 for the day. More details and booking information at www. avonharmony.com/singday.

March 12

n SODBURY AND DISTRICT FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

SOCIETY AGM, 7.30pm. Practice class, creating a ‘Spring Garden’ in a landscape design, March 26. Meetings take place at the Old Grammar School Rooms, Chipping Sodbury. For more information call 0117 937 3836 or email rosemary. cummins2@gmail.com.

March 24

n FRENCHAY CRICKET CLUB taster session for Under-9 girls’ team, Downend Sports Centre (indoors) at Downend School, 2.30-3.30pm. For further details or to book a place email frenchaycricketclub@gmail.com.

March 29

n MESSY EASTER – event for primary school-aged children and their families, Christ Church Downend, 10-11.30am. Activities, messy crafts, games, refreshments and exploring what Easter is all about. Free event (donations welcome).

March 30

n EASTER CELEBRATION CONCERT, Christ Church Downend, 7pm. A journey through Easter in words and music. Free concert with refreshments in the interval.

REGULAR EVENTS

Monday

n PUCKLECHURCH SHORT

MAT BOWLS CLUB Meet every Monday, Wednesday evening 7.30 - 10.00 and Sunday 2.30 - 5.00. Refreshments inc. All levels really Welcome. Ring Kath 07517 1297

Tuesday

n RIDGEWAY BADMINTON CLUB meets every Tuesday Evening from 8-10pm at Downend Sports Centre for informal badminton doubles/

singles matches between adults of all ages. First visit free. More info from Graham on 07968 050320.

n PUCKLECHURCH FOLK

DANCING CLUB Pucklechurch Community Hall.Abson Road every other Tuesday from 7.30 to 10.15p.m. All welcome either with a partner or solo. Enjoy an evening with us. Call Sue on 07742114566 or Linda on 0784324014.

n TAI CHI

Tuesdays 7.30-8.30pm, Downend Folk House, £7 - please contact Georgina Green on 07845 748568 georgegreen23@hotmail.com.

Wednesday

n THE WOMEN’S SECTION OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION We meet the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 2pm at the old school hall now known as the YOU Foundation by the car park in Page Road Staple Hill. Speakers, quiz’s and handy craft afternoon finish’s with tea. If you are interested please telephone Madeleine Bills Secretary. 0117 9560805.

n WEDNESDAY CAFE FOR SENIORS, at Badminton Road Methodist Church (BS16 6NU) every Wednesday 10am to 12 noon. All Welcome – just come along – make new friends over a cuppa and cake. Information: 0117 239 5984

n MANGO JAMS PARENT/CARER AND TODDLER GROUP meets every Wednesday at Lyde Green community centre, 9.15am to 11.15am. Warm & friendly group run by volunteers from St James Church.

n WARMLEY JAZZ CLUB, every Wednesday £5 on the door. Cadbury Heath Social Club. Doors open 7.30pm. More details at warmleyjazz.co.uk.

n FRENCHAY FOLK DANCE CLUB meets alternate Wednesdays, English and American folk dancing to live music, 7.45-10.15pm, Frenchay Village Hall. New dancers always welcome. More details at

NEWS FROM THE LIBRARIES

Whats On at Downend, Emersons Green and Staple Hill libraries : March 2024

Saturday 2nd March : Lego Club at Staple Hill Library, free fun drop-in activity suitable for 4-10 year olds, starts at 10.30am.

Tuesday 5th March : A special World Book Day story time at

Staple Hill Library where children’s book character Hugless Douglas will be appearing at 4pm. Hugless loves a story and having his photograph taken, so why not pop along and see him ?

Thursday 7th March : Its World Book Day! www.worldbookday. com. We will be celebrating WBD with Rhyme Times at 9.30am, at Staple Hill and Emersons Green libraries. No booking required all pre-school children welcome.

www.frenchayfdc.co.uk or email FFDCSecretary@gmail.com.

Thursday

n NEXT DOOR BOOKS welcomes new members. Book club meets on the last Thursday of the month at 11am, depending on numbers. Normally meets at Emersons Green library, email jessica.callaway@ hotmail.co.uk.

n COFFEE, CAKE AND COMMUNITY MORNING at Emersons Green Village Hall, 11am1pm. Free tea, coffee and cake - all welcome. Supported by Emersons Green Town Council.

n WALKING WITH FRIENDS, free group walks at a gentle pace around Siston Commons. Start and finish at Kingsmeadow@ Madeforever Community Centre, Fisher Road, BS15 4RQ, 1-2pm. For more details email kingsmeadowmade4ever.org.uk or call 0117 301 8739

Friday

n PAGE PARK UKULELE CLUB, Bean Tree café, Fridays at 1pm. All abilities welcomed. Places £4 each. For further details call or text ‘Ukulele’ to Ben on 07910 668258.

n RAINBOW TOTS parent and toddler group meets at Emersons Green Village Hall on term-time Friday mornings, 10-11.30am. All welcome. For more details email church.egbc@outlook.com.

n MANGOTSFIELD AND CASTLE GREEN UNITED REFORMED CHURCH regular coffee mornings, held on the first Thursday of the month, 10.30am-noon at the church in Cossham Street. Coffee, cake and a chat.

n LATER LIVE MUSIC, Resound church, Blackhorse Road, Mangotsfield. Every second Friday monthly, except August & December, 8-10pm, £2.50. More details at facebook.com/ lateratresound.

Saturday

n STAPLE HILL METHODIST CHURCH Coffee mornings in our beautiful building every Saturday

Hugless Douglas will then be appearing at a special WBD Storytime at Emersons Green Library at 4pm. If you would like your photo taken with him please come along.

Saturday 9th March : Lego Club at Downend Library, free fun drop-in activity starts at 10.30am. We know that reading can be whatever you need it to be –relaxing, escapism, challenging, stress relief, fun! Our library

10.00-12.00 in aid of church funds or charities. Enjoy Fairtrade coffee, tea and cake, and stalls.

Sunday

n BADMINTON ROAD

METHODIST CHURCH In-person Sunday worship continues weekly at 10.30am, all are welcome. For information contact: Revd Samuel Uwimana: 0117 239 5984 or www. badmintonroadmethodist.org.uk

n MANGOTSFIELD AND CASTLE GREEN UNITED REFORMED CHURCH hold regular weekly Sunday morning worship at Cossham Street. Services start at 10.30 a.m.with different speakers each week. New members very welcome. For more details please contact Peter Redding (Ch.Sec.) on 0117 9657075.

n STAPLE HILL METHODIST

CHURCH, High Street BS16 5HQ Sunday services 10.30am + Sunday Club for ages 5-17. Holy Communion 2nd Sunday of the month – all invited. Taizé worship 6.00pm 3rd Sunday of the month. Contact Rev Dr Aboseh Ngwana 07482 550888, Philippa Church Liaison at staplehillmethodist@ hotmail.co.uk or www. staplehillmethodist.com

n EMERSONS GREEN BAPTIST

CHURCH services are held every Sunday morning from 10.3011.30am at Emersons Green Village Hall, Emersons Way. We also hold regular craft services. Contact Simon on 07765 201435, visit www.emersonsgreenchurch.org or Facebook page for more details.

n LYDE GREEN LITTER PICKERS meet at 10.30am on the first Sunday of the month outside Lyde Green Community Centre, Thistle Close. Spend an hour litter picking to help make Lyde Green look more tidy and beautiful! See www. cleanupuk.org.uk/groups/lydegreen-litter-pickers for information.

catalogue (www.librarieswest.org. uk or use the Libraries West App) gives the choice of 2.5 million items to reserve and borrow for FREE from any South Gloucestershire Library.

Friday 29th March to Monday 1st April– no staffed hours over Easter weekend but Open Access available throughout the weekend 8am – 7.30pm.

LOCAL HISTORY with CHAP

WHEN you start your working day, or keep up with local developments like the new AI supercomputer being built at the Bristol & Bath Science Park, do you ever wonder what work would have been like in days gone by?

There are clues all around us.

The first jobs in Downend and Emersons Green were on farms, in quarries and mines. Some old farms are still standing, including Lincombe Barn, which was probably built in around 1750, and Baugh and Vinney Green Farmhouses, both from the late 1800s.

The bowl-shaped dip in the landscape from Westerleigh Road into Stockwell Drive and Springfield Avenue is the scar of a limestone quarry used from the mid-17th century.

Limestone was made into lime in lime kilns and used as a soil conditioner, reducing acidity.

Lime was used for building, including in lots of the walls around Downend, and to make cement and aggregate.

It was also used in glass making, iron foundries, paper, animal feed, and even to help reduce explosions in coal mines, as the powder suppresses methane.

A history of hard work

Coal was recorded locally as early as 1228, and mining went on from the 1500s to the late 1800s. You can still see the mine engine house in Collier’s Break, and spot place names containing the name of one wealthy local mine owner, William Player.

In the 1700s and 1800s people travelled by horse and carriage at about 5mph, stopping to eat and rest at local inns like The Horseshoe

Life is getting worse, say residents

ALMOST half of survey respondents say South Gloucestershire became a worse place to live over the past two years.

Just three per cent of people said the district had become a better place to live, as new figures show a stark decline in satisfaction with local services and living standards.

Two thirds of people responding to a budget consultation from South Gloucestershire Council said they were satisfied with the area, down from over three quarters two years ago, and 85% a decade ago.

More than 1,800 people took part in the consultation on the budget.

Liberal Democrat council leader Claire Young said the grim figures were due to a national trend that the public believe the “world as a whole is going downhill”.

During a cabinet meeting on February 5, she was asked why residents’ satisfaction was declining.

Conservative Emersons Green ward councillor Rachael Hunt said: “The proportion of residents who say they are satisfied with how the council runs things is down almost 10 per cent on last year.”

The Liberal Democrats have been in power in a coalition with Labour since last May, taking over from the Tories, who had run the council since 2007. Figures in the consultation report show a steep decline in satisfaction since at least 2013.

Cllr Young said: “I think that reflects a national trend. I think there is a general public perception that the world as a whole is going downhill. I think this fits into that national trend.”

Asked why South Gloucestershire has become a worse place to live, survey respondents most often mentioned the “worsening condition of the roads”, followed by “too much housing without adequate infrastructure”.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

in Downend.

Trades such as blacksmiths, wheelwrights, ironworkers and timber yards set up nearby.

By the 1900s life must have been very noisy, smelly and grimy, as all sorts of other items were being made here: boots and shoes, nails, buttons, combs, bricks, lace, wire, candles and soap.

Much work was done at home, and was called ‘piece work’ because people were paid by how many pieces of work they produced.

There were also factories where children worked alongside adults, which were dangerous places.

There were hundreds of small workshops and factories, including hat makers at Buckingham Place in Downend.

In fact, felt hat making went on in our area from the 1500s until the 20th century.

The work was extremely hard, and hatters had a reputation for heavy drinking.

The fibres in the air caused asthma and other bronchial complaints, whilst chemicals including toxic mercury led to

brain diseases (leading to the expression ‘as mad as a hatter’) and early death.

But hatters didn’t just put up with this. They were amongst the first groups of workers to form trade unions, and went on strike as early as 1768.

There was also a pin-making factory close to the Green Dragon. The metal grinding process created dust, which was made worse by the damp conditions and the toxicity of the materials used.

Incidentally, the expression ‘pin money’ comes from a 14th century law which decreed that pins could only be sold in an open shop on two days in January each year.

This was because pins were expensive and in very short supply at that time.

Ladies flocked to buy them using their ‘pin money’ – an allowance from their husbands or families. When pins became more plentiful and cheaper, women branched out and spent their pin money on clothing, fans, books, scented soaps and other luxuries.

Helen Rana

n The engine house in Colliers Break. Picture: Helen Rana.

Mangos' away form raises play-off hopes

AFTER spending much of the season in mid-table obscurity, Mangotsfield United’s recent away form has hoisted them up towards the play-offs for the first time.

Although matches are beginning to run out in a season that finishes in March, and some teams around them games in hand, the Mangos' improved form offered hope that the club can have a real go at a grandstand finish to the season.

A 3-0 away defeat to Westfields in mid-January seemed to sum up the team's mid-table form but was followed by six wins on the bounce, including three successive away league wins.

The first was a 4-3 home win over Lydney Town at Cossham Street, perhaps the most thrilling match of the entire season so far, even more so because the Mangos were 3-1 down at one stage, and 3-2 down by half time.

A superb fight-back in the second half saw the Mangos not

only draw level, but also clinch the win.

Jaydn Crosbie and Will Ashton scored in the first-half, with Crosbie scoring again just after the break and Kyrese Hasani Morrison hitting the winner on 72 minutes.

But the game was watched by just 41 paying spectators, perhaps the lowest crowd at a Mangotsfield league match for many years.

Poor weather on the night, plus Bristol City v West Ham being shown live on national TV, certainly had a lot to do with that.

A mass of successive away games began well with a 3-1 Marsh Challenge Cup win at Roman Glass St George, who had become a bit of a bogey side in

Mud is all around

ANYONE would be forgiven for thinking crooner Marti Pellow had been hanging out in Downend of late, as it has truly been a case of "Wet Wet Wet"!

Our three women's teams and 19 girls' teams have all suffered with postponements due to waterlogged and unplayable pitches.

We have all been doing what we can to play when the conditions allow and, like everyone else, we are hoping that a warmer and drier spring is just around the corner.

Our premier women's team have now completed two-thirds of their league campaign and currently sit mid-table.

Although not yet mathematically safe from the dreaded relegation, head Coach Dean Giles will be hoping to rack up the two wins needed from their last six games to then focus on climbing as high up the table as possible, with a third-place finish still in reach.

Meanwhile our reserves and development teams have been plagued with numerous lengthy injuries that have affected availability for both sides, but they will each look to end the season strongly as key players return, to rise as high as possible in their respective divisions.

Behind the scenes at the club we are busily preparing for our fourth annual girls' and women's tournament, to be held at the Johnson Road playing fields opposite Pomphrey Hill on the weekend of June 22-23.

We still have places in many of the age groups, so if you are interested, please contact downendtournament2024@gmail.com for more information.

Duncan Gardner

recent seasons.

The Mangos played well & led 2-0 at the break, thanks to Kyrese Hasani Morrison (13) and Lewis Hutchinson (41).

Laurent Wilson got one back for the hosts on 48 minutes but was later red-carded, and Jack Nunn wrapped up the win with 5 minutes to go.

Next up was Pershore Town, and the Mangos came back with a resounding 3-0 win.

Luke Bence (13), Jaydn Crosbie (32) & Jack Nunn (35) got the goals in the first half and the team stood firm after the break to clinch the win, despite a lot of niggly play and a number of yellow cards being dished out.

Three days later, the winning run continued with a 1-0 victory away at Longlevens in Gloucester, the only goal coming from Jaydn Crosbie after 16 minutes.

That was followed by yet another away win up in Gloucestershire, this time by 2-0 at Brimscombe & Thrupp,

in another niggly game that saw seven bookings.

It was goals that mattered, though, and they came from Henry Ikeije on 64 minutes and Jaydn Crosbie, on 88 minutes.

Heavy rain and a waterlogged pitch then caused the postponement of the next away game at Cinderford Town, but after such a hectic spell of matches recently, hopefully the night off won’t have done the team any harm in the long run.

Dave Smale

REMAINING FIXTURES

February 27: Brimscombe & Thrupp (Home - Marsh Challenge Cup)

March 2: Slimbridge (Away)

March 9: Wantage Town (H)

March 12: Highworth Town (H)

March 16: Roman Glass St

George (H)

March 19: Worcester City (A)

TBA: Cinderford Town (A)

The importance of self-care in preventing pain

THROUGHOUT my years as a chiropractor, I've encountered numerous cases where people have ended up with neck and arm pain from seemingly small incidents, like awkward sleeping positions or even just picking up light objects.

Let me share a story about Liz, who lives locally.

Immersed in her desk-based job, she spent hours hunched over her computer.

She adored her work, but she didn’t anticipate the unwelcome arrival of some worrying neck and arm pain.

Liz had always been mindful of her posture, striving to sit upright all day. However, extended periods spent glued to her screen gradually took a toll on her physical well-being.

Initially, there was a slight neck soreness, an annoyance she dismissed as stress or the result of a restless night.

But as days turned to weeks, the discomfort spread, encroaching down her arm.

The pain escalated, affecting Liz's everyday life. Simple tasks,

like reaching for a cup of coffee or turning her head to chat with colleagues or family, became unbearable. The persistent throbbing in her neck and shooting pain down her arm made her worry and look for answers.

Feeling anxious and frustrated, Liz took up a friend’s suggestion to visit me.

She shared her concern about becoming short-tempered due to the pain, which I reassured her was a common reaction – pain can certainly fray one's patience.

I listened intently to her story, delving into her work habits, lifestyle and any past injuries.

Following a comprehensive examination, where I could replicate her symptoms by applying pressure to specific areas, I came to a familiar conclusion.

I explained to her that, while I could help alleviate pain, the crucial person in preventing its recurrence was Liz herself.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is empowering patients to take charge of their

well-being.

I emphasise that we're all human, often forgetting to keep up with exercises, or falling into bad routine habits, like slouching on the sofa.

What's important is realising that a little effort can go a long way. Many, like Liz and perhaps yourself, tend to swing between extremes – either doing too much or nothing at all.

I encourage patients to incorporate small, frequent stretches into their day, associating them with routine activities like making tea or taking bathroom breaks.

Our patients have found great results with an exercise device called the OptiNeck Balance Wedge. By adopting some easy lifestyle changes and topping up with our assistance, you can bid farewell to those pesky aches and pains.

After incorporating more regular stretching breaks, aided by increased water intake, Liz returned to work with renewed vigour and a fresh appreciation for self-care.

Thanks to her commitment to adopting better habits, she reclaimed a pain-free life and understood the significance of self-care.

But Liz is human, like you and I, and slips off the wagon from time to time – I’m here to help her to reset those good habits.

If you're looking to establish a self-care routine, our fantastic team is here to chat, set goals and help you achieve them.

We look forward to welcoming you to the clinic when you need us most.

Learn bowls

PAGE Park Bowls Club is holding its popular course to train new bowlers to basic level from April.

The course is open to anyone aged 12 and over, and will be held at the club for seven consecutive Saturdays from April 20, from 10am to noon.

Five qualified Bowls England coaches will lead the course, with all equipment provided except for flat-soled shoes, which people need to bring.

There will be an initial registration fee of £5 and a charge of £5 per session to cover costs.

To register your interest, please contact Don

Willcox on 07718 306623 or email donwillcox@ hotmail.co.uk.

People who take part do not have to join the club, but all members need to have completed the course.

Applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more details visit www.pageparkbowling. org.uk.

Check your skills

DRIVERS are being invited to check how their current skills and style compares with the time they passed their test.

Bristol Advanced Motorists is holding a free

Public DriveCheck Assessment Day at Longwell Green Community Centre on April 6, to share tips on safer, more skilful driving.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Taking just a few minutes out to concentrate on your driving style could give you a fresh approach to driving.

“We are all used to putting our car in for an MOT, so why not have an occasional test of our driving skills as well?”

Anyone who can read a number plate at 20 metres, has a current full driving licence and a vehicle with insurance and an MOT is eligible to apply for the free check.

Places are limited to 40, so pre-booking is advised. To book, call 01454 619289 or 0117 256 5555, or email marlenebaker@iam-bristol.org.uk.

•

•

•

•

• REPAIRS/BURSTS STOPTAPS

• TANKS, TOILETS

• TANKS, TOILETS

• TANKS, TOILETS

• TAPS, WASHERS • BALL VALVES

• TAPS, WASHERS • BALL VALVES

• TOILETS • BALL VALVES

•

•

•

• LEAD-PIPES

**NO

**NO

**O.A.P.

**O.A.P.

**NO

**O.A.P.