Emersons Green Voice October 2020

emersonsgreenvoice

October, 2020 — ISSUE 46

www.emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

FREE EVERY MONTH IN EMERSONS GREEN, LYDE GREEN, SHORTWOOD & PUCKLECHURCH Footballer Ryley signs for City

Meet the water babies

Ryley Towler, who led a football team from Mangotsfield School to great success three years ago, has signed a professional contract with Bristol City.

PAGE 12

Kelly and Steve Watson, who live in Lyde Green, have good reason to be grateful for the midwife-led birth centre at Cossham Hospital - their four sons, Jax, Harley, Logan and baby Reggie have all come into the world there through water births.

Full story: Page 6

Drug dealers sent to prison A couple who ran a business supplying drugs to university students from their Siston Hill home have been jailed.

PAGE 4

Our schools are needed now!

MPs and councillors are urging the Government to commit to funding a secondary school and a second primary school for Lyde Green.

As more and more families move on to the estate, the need for the two schools becomes greater but the Government has not yet given them the go-ahead.

While it waits to hear whether they will be approved under the free schools programme, South Gloucestershire Council has begun the process of

approval for the buildings on the site in Honeysuckle Lane. It is inviting people to comment on its application before it goes to the council’s planning committee.

Meanwhile, local MPs Chris Skidmore and Luke Hall and Toby Savage and Erica Williams from the council have met Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to press the case for funding the schools.

Full story: Page 3

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emersonsgreenvoice Publisher Gary Brindle 0117 907 8585 07799 461169 Follow us on Twitter @ emersonsgreenvoice

Journalist Linda Tanner 0777 0700579 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 November edition deadline is October 14.

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

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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

October, 2020

n NEWS

Have you seen this car?

OFFICERS investigating a burglary in Pucklechurch are appealing for help in tracing a red mini that was stolen.

Over the weekend of September 19-20, a house in Oaktree Avenue was broken into and the keys for the vehicle taken. The red racing mini was then stolen from the garage of the house.

The car is red, with a white roof and white wing mirrors. It has a large yellow, black and white circular logo on both doors. The registration is GV03 TDZ. Designated Investigating Officer from Operation Remedy, Alastair Binnie, said: “Understandably, the owner is distraught about the loss of his vehicle and is desperate to get it back. The colour and design of the vehicle makes it stand out, so it’s very recognisable. If you see the vehicle, please get in touch with us immediately.”

Anyone who sees the car or thinks they know where it is should call the police on 101 and quote the crime reference number 5220 214 163.

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.

NHS 111 Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk

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October, 2020

n NEWS SOUTH Gloucestershire political leaders have met the government to try to secure a commitment to funding two new schools for Lyde Green.

MPs and councillors met Education Secretary Gavin Williamson as parents in the area continue to wait to see whether new primary and secondary schools will get the go-ahead in the next wave of the Free Schools programme.

The council has submitted plans for the schools to its own planning department to begin the process of approval for the school site in Honeysuckle Lane.

Comments from residents are being invited on the scheme, which would see the primary school and secondary school share the same site in two and three-storey buildings.

Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore and Luke Hall, whose Thornbury and Yate constituency also includes parts of Lyde Green, called for the meeting with the Education Secretary.

They were joined by South Gloucestershire Council leader Toby Savage and the council's cabinet member for schools, Erica Williams, to press their case that a suitable site was ready for the school and plans in place.

They say that, with more than half of the 2,500 homes planned for Lyde Green have now been built, there is a growing need for the schools to be completed, joining the existing Lyde Green Primary School in Willowherb Road.

Two providers, SGS Academy Trust and Castle School Educational Trust, made applications to the Department for Education almost a year ago, under the free school programme.

SGS Academy Trust had an application for funding turned down under the previous wave of applications last year.

Mr Skidmore said: “Lyde Green is a thriving new community, with many families choosing to move to the area recently to make it their home. Having the appropriate education provision in place is

3

Funding for new schools needed urgently, MPs say The main entrance to the schools in the new plans

therefore crucial to ensure that the growing number of children can be educated locally.

Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall said: “With more houses being built in South Gloucestershire, I am pushing to secure this new school for the many young families living in Lyde Green and across South Gloucestershire."

Emersons Green ward councillors Rachael Hunt, Colin Hunt and Judy Adams said: “We are delighted that our local MPs are continuing to push Government to back plans for a new secondary school for the flourishing community of Lyde Green.

"We are keen to see our area get the best possible facility it can and with it being taken directly to the Secretary of State, it has an even stronger chance of becoming a reality."

Earlier this year the DfE said a decision on the applications for funding would be announced in the autumn.

When asked to clarify this by the Voice in September, a spokesperson said there was no firm date set for the announcement, although it was still due to be made in the autumn term.

The council has submitted 58 documents in support of the scheme, including site pans, images of how the buildings

would look, design statements, surveys and several documents on access and travel to and around the site.

There have already been a series of comments from public bodies and individuals, including Emersons Green Town Council, which has raised no objections to the plans.

Three residents had made

comments on the plans as the Voice went to print, all raising concerns about plans for access to the site by vehicles.

One neighbour said he supported the new school but said the transport plan needed to be revisited due to the "massive volume of traffic" that would be using Honeysuckle Road to get to a single site entrance, a point echoed by two fellow residents.

One of them also questioned why the plans appeared to show a coach and visitors' car park for the school on an area of land which had previously been earmarked for a local retail centre.

The plans can be viewed and commented on by visiting the planning section of South Gloucestershire Council's website and searching for application

The primary school

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emersonsgreenvoice

n NEWS

Drug dealers sent to prison A COUPLE who ran a business supplying drugs to university students from their Siston Hill home have been jailed.

Ashley Hawkins, aged 32, and 26-year-old Rebecca Withey, both of Stanier Road, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine between November 2015 and May this year.

Hawkins also admitted possessing a stun gun and a knuckle duster. He was jailed for seven years and two months, while Withey was given a two-year prison term.

They were charged after a police raid in May this year uncovered drugs worth thousands of pounds on the street, thousands in cash and expensive goods including Rolex watches at their home in the estate, off Carsons Road.

Hawkins’ 26-year-old brother Alexander Hawkins, of Heather Road, Lyde Green, was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and given an 18-month community order after pleading guilty to possessing criminal property.

All three were sentenced on September 8 at Bristol Crown Court.

Afterwards Detective Constable Laurence Castle said: “Ashley Hawkins established a drug dealing operation over several years, targeting university students. He had no hesitation in involving

Rebecca Withey those close to him in his enterprise, and paid no regard to the harm illegal drugs cause in the community.

“He was prepared to carry dangerous and prohibited weapons with him in order to continue his offending and blatantly advertised his services on social media.

“This was a complex investigation which resulted in the recovery of thousands of pounds worth of drugs and cash and demonstrates that we will tenaciously pursue those who choose to deal drugs in our community.”

Proceeds of Crime Act hearings will now take place to confiscate the cash and valuables Hawkins and Withey gained through their crimes.

Ashley Hawkins

Help at hand

VOLUNTEERS from Emersons Green and Lyde Green Together are reassuring vulnerable residents that they are available to help as coronavirus restrictions increase.

The team can help with shopping and prescriptions and anyone who needs help or support because of Covid-19 is encouraged to call, message or email the team’s volunteers and trained workers.

The group, which formed from the Facebook group Covid-19 Help, Support and Volunteering - Emersons and Lyde Green, is supported

by Lyde Green Community Association, Emersons Green Town Council and Sovereign Housing Association.

It can be reached by calling 07714 581366, emailing emersonsgreencagmail.com or visiting facebook.com/ groups/EandLG.

Cash seized

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October, 2020

n NEWS CORONAVIRUS cases are on the rise in the Emersons Green area, with 21 positive test results reported in the space of a week.

Official figures for the week to September 16, the most recent available as the Voice went to print, showed three new cases in the Office for National Statistics' Staple Hill North area, five in Downend South, four in Mangotsfield, three in Emersons Green and six in Pucklechurch and Westerleigh.

The ONS divides the country into areas with equal populations of 7,200 and only flags numbers of cases above two, so lists the Downend North, Frenchay & Great Stoke and Staple Hill South & Kingswood North West areas as having "0-2" cases.

The figures are in contrast to a month ago, when there had been no new cases in the whole of South Gloucestershire between August 11 and 18.

In total, since the outbreak of the pandemic, there have been 945 confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Glos – an infection rate of 332.2 per 100,000 people – with 171 deaths reported with the virus. The number of confirmed

5

Appeal to parents as cases of coronavirus rise again cases had risen by 148 in South Glos compared with four weeks earlier.

In Bristol there have been 1,694 cases – an infection rate of 365.6 per 100,000 population – and 254 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

The overall infection rate for England is 603.9 per 100,000, from 339,901 cases.

There was one death with Covid-19 in South Gloucestershire in the four weeks to September 4, and two deaths in Bristol over the same period.

The most recent figures for deaths in each ONS area go up to the end of July and show that during that month, no one in the Downend, Staple Hill, Mangotsfield, Emersons Green or Frenchay areas had died with Covid-19.

Parents have been urged to

continue sending children to schools where no cases of the virus are confirmed or suspected, while South Gloucestershire Council has confirmed action will continue to be taken where a pupil is “absent without good reason”.

As the Voice went to print, two schools in the district have sent pupils in year group 'bubbles' home to self-isolate: Kings’ Forest Primary School in Kingswood, where 28 pupils were sent home on September 10 after a child in Year 1 tested positive, and Culverhill special school in Yate where 71 children in years 7, 8 and 9 were advised to stay at home from September 15 after a pupil in Year 8 reported symptoms and later tested positive.

A council spokesperson said: “We know that our trusts

and schools have worked exceptionally hard to put in place measures to ensure the safety of our children and young people.

“We are asking our schools to work with parents, carers and communities in achieving the successful return.

“If parents and carers have any concerns, we do ask that they liaise directly with trusts and schools and are confident in the assurances they will be offering."

South Gloucestershire is the first local authority in the country to adopt a “Recovery Curriculum”, which aims to lessen the impact of Covid-19 on their learning experience.

Most schools in the distruct are using the framework, which attracted the interest of the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson and prompted a meeting with local MPs.

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n NEWS A LYDE Green family has welcomed the arrival of their fourth baby at Cossham Birth Centre in Kingswood.

Kelly and Steve Watson’s fourth son, Reggie, was born in August weighing 7lb 2oz. Kelly and Steve are full of praise for the midwives who have helped them over the past seven years.

Their first child, Jax, was born in September 2013 after the opening of the midwife-led unit, run by North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT). He was followed by Harley in July 2015 and Logan in December 2017.

All four children arrived via water birth, and Kelly said she chose Cossham because of the relaxed atmosphere.

“I wanted to avoid an epidural and liked the idea of a water birth,” she said.

“Cossham feels more like a hotel than a hospital and I liked that my husband could stay overnight.

“The midwives were brilliant at all four births. They made me feel relaxed and couldn't have done any more for me.”

“I was definitely going back, it’s so lovely. I recommend it to all my friends who have babies.”

Cossham Birth Centre is suitable for healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies.

2,466 babies have been born since it opened its doors in 2013.

If complications arise during labour, mother and child will be transferred by ambulance to Southmead Hospital, which has emergency facilities.

NBT says women giving birth at Cossham can now expect a named midwife throughout all

Wonder of water births at ‘hospital more like a hotel’

Reggie Watson, who weighed in at 7lb 2oz stages of pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. They will be seen by a team of up to eight midwives, including their named midwife and have a point of contact 24 hours a day all week.

There is also a continuity of care team at Southmead Health Centre and at Cadbury Heath Healthcare. The specialist Cedar team for women who need extra support is being developed, with more teams being rolled out across NBT maternity services.

Cossham senior midwife, Victoria Fallows, said: “It is so lovely that the Watsons have had all four of their babies at Cossham since we opened. It’s wonderful that Kelly has had

Steve and Kelly Watson after the birth of their fourth son such a great experience with her births here and is recommending us to her friends.”

Sandra Reading, NBT’s director of midwifery, NICU and gynaecology, added: “We get such great feedback from women who have had their babies at Cossham’s midwife-led birth bentre and we know they find it a very special place. If you think

you might like to have your baby with us at Cossham speak to your midwife.”

For more information about Continuity of Care visit www.nbt.nhs.uk/ news-media/latest-news/ nbt-now-providing-women-anamed-midwife-throughouttheir-pregnancy-journey

You can read us online too: www.emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

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October, 2020

emersonsgreenvoice

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n MANGOTSFIELD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

Still a long way from 'back to normal'

W

HEN the main activities of the Mangotsfield Residents Association were suspended back in February this year, I think we all hoped that we would be “back to normal” by now.

We have spent some time trying to work out how we can move forward with a number of our initiatives but it hasn’t been possible, as we are often reliant on other agencies who have been hard hit in various ways by recent events.

We proposed to start meeting again on September 25, our AGM, but that isn’t possible now, for obvious reasons. We haven’t yet gone down the video call route but are thinking of doing so.

It has been decided that the annual Remembrance service (pictured), will not take place at the war memorial this year, rather it will be a virtual service, similar to that put together for the recent VJ Day commemorations.

I know it’s still a few months away but we are determined to build our Christmas Nativity again this year and improve on the lights we put up on the tree in the village.

Hard to believe that this time last year we were actively raising funds to make it happen in 2019.

Some of you may know that we are actively involved in the South Gloucestershire Council community engagement forums (CEF). These have been on hold but are restarting again, albeit via video calls.

There are two that are relevant to our area: • Downend, Emersons Green and Frenchay virtual CEF – Wednesday

October 7 from 7pm-8pm.

• Staple Hill, Mangotsfield and New Cheltenham virtual CEF – Tuesday October 13 from 7pm-8pm.

So what are they all about? It’s all on the council website at bit. ly/3cbTEs9 but I quote: “Community Engagement Forums (CEF) in South Gloucestershire are about listening and responding to local people’s real issues. People in their communities know best what works for them and what their real needs are."

The CEF aims are: • To promote pride in the local area as a safe, thriving and pleasant place to live, work and play • To reduce crime, disorder and drug and alcohol misuse in the area • To empower local people to have a greater voice and influence over local decision making and service delivery by increasing the strength, capacity and engagement of the local community • To improve the quality of life of people in the local area by identifying community aspirations, needs and local priorities.

CEFs also support groups trying to make a positive difference in their own communities, by supporting "community engagement initiatives".

Joining details will be available shortly via the CEFs section of the council website. It would be great to see lots of people attend.

CEFs are not designed to replace day to day activities.

Our local councillors and other agencies do a fantastic job and

should always be contacted as and when required.

Finally, the more people get involved, the more we can do, so get in touch via mangotsfieldourvillage@gmail. com, Mangotsfield Matters on Facebook or call 07507 168700.

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8

n NEWS

John Hunt mourned TRIBUTES have been paid to former councillor John Hunt, who died last month.

Kingswood Labour said he would be much missed.

“John actively worked on behalf of the Labour movement all of his life and practically held virtually every role possible locally, both in the Labour Party, and as a councillor on Avon County Council and South Gloucestershire Council. John only resigned from Siston Parish Council three days before his death and he was advising us on complex planning law until the end. John’s knowledge of planning law was unparalleled.

John was a great mentor and friend to many of us.”

October, 2020

'School Street' plans delayed A SCHEME to ban traffic outside a Mangotsfield primary school at drop-off and pick-up times has been put on hold.

South Gloucestershire Council had planned to introduce an experimental traffic order to stop traffic entering Barley Close from 8.30-9.20am and 2.30-3.30pm every Monday to Friday during term time.

The intention was to make it safer for children and parents enter and leave Barley Close Primary School, to enable easier social distancing and encourage more families walk or cycle.

But the plans hit a snag when residents whose garage access comes via a back lane off Barley Close pointed out that they would be unable to drive to and from their homes during the closure, when the junction of Barley Close and Royal Road would have been sealed off with bollards.

It meant that as well as homes in Barley Close the

scheme would also affect many residents of Royal Road and Greenside.

The experimental order had been due to take effect on September 1 and stay in force until March next year while the council assessed whether the scheme worked.

But an initial consultation, which was not widely publicised, had a strongly negative response, with 64% of the 22 people who responded saying they disagreed with the scheme and only 18% in favour.

News that the scheme was being shelved until after the October half-term holidays was revealed by Staple Hill and Mangotsfield ward councillor Ian Boulton, who said the council had decided to address "a potential issue with access to a large number of properties who have back lane access off Barley Close".

Council officers are considering "ways forward"

such as changing the time of the scheme or access permits.

Letters were due to be delivered to residents with the amended scheme being introduced from November rather than being "rushed through".

A council spokesman said: “We have decided to temporarily hold the roll-out of the scheme until October half term, following feedback received during the consultation on the proposals.

“We are reviewing all of the comments to ensure that residents aren’t significantly affected by the measures and that the scheme can be introduced to enable children and families to adhere to social distancing, while providing a healthier and safer environment for all.”

A second consultation on the scheme is open on South Gloucestershire Council's website at bit.ly/3kLlSgz.

Sculpture to be unveiled later this month A SCULPTURE commemorating a school's former home will be officially unveiled later this month.

The figures of two children have been created by sculptor Tom Whitehead to mark the site occupied by Mangotsfield Church of England School for more than a century from 1876 to 1999.

The site off Richmond Road was redeveloped for housing after the primary school moved to its new home in Church Farm Road, Emersons Green.

Developer Cotswold Homes has paid for the sculpture, which stands in

Richmond Grove.

Two former pupils who attended the old school will be among the guests at the ceremony, which is due to take place on October 12 at 11am, along with ward councillor Michael Bell and residents' association chair Clive Heath.

The unveiling group has been limited to six people – anyone who would like to see the unveiling will need to attend as part of a group of six or less people and observe social distancing from other onlookers.

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October, 2020

9

n NEWS

Phone signal restored PHONE company EE has been blasted by Mangotsfield residents for its response to a fault in a phone mast which left people without a signal for up to two weeks.

The problem started when the company, whose network is also used by BT Mobile, Plusnet Mobile, Asda Mobile and Virgin Mobile, carried out upgrade work on a mast next to Mangotsfield United's ground in Cossham Street in late August.

EE said the work caused an issue with coverage which then took longer than expected to resolve, in part due to high winds which meant it was unsafe for engineers to work on the mast.

Mangotsfield Residents Association chair Clive Heath and Staple Hill and Mangotsfield ward councillor Michael Bell took residents' concerns to the

company and people aired complaints on social media groups.

Clive said: "Many users, including me, had no signal for two weeks.

The signal is back now but still very weak, and some I believe still do not have one. We never really got to the bottom of why this happened as there was no real communication from EE – just false promises of remedial dates and times."

The company has apologised and says it will consider compensation on a case-by-case basis. A spokesman told the Voice: “We’ve resolved a signal issue that affected some of our customers in the Mangotsfield area following extensive upgrade work on a local mast. We’d like to thank our customers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience."

Connected at last RESIDENTS of a Pucklechurch care home can video-call their families for the first time after thanks to a new ultrafast broadband connection co-ordinated by the NHS. Park Farm House in Parkfield was locked down for 20 weeks earlier this year to protect its residents from the risk of coronavirus. The residents , who have dementia, could not see the faces of their loved ones between March and August because the broadband connection at the 10-bed home was too slow to allow video calls.

The poor speeds also prevented staff from using video communication tools with GPs and from accessing online training and information.

After owner Margaret Hanney contacted the NHS for help, the home has seen its broadband speed increase from 3 Mbps to 75 Mbps with the support of NHS Digital, the service's national information and technology partner.

Mrs Hanney, 81, who has run the home for 26 years with her husband Jeffrey, said they were delighted to have got the ultrafast connection, which they had previously been told was not available in their rural location.

“It’s making a huge difference. We have bought a tablet and residents can video-call their families, as visiting is still limited and strictly controlled. My wonderful team of staff are so pleased they can now help residents to keep in contact with their loved ones when they’re unable to visit the home.”

Patrick Clark, from NHS Digital, said: “I’m delighted that our Access Logistics Hub was able to help Park Farm House obtain ultrafast broadband connectivity that will be so beneficial.”

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n CRAFT COLUMN Book Bag Tag Here’s our monthly make: With schools having gone back, why not create the little ones in your family a personalised book bag tag with their initial or favourite animal so their book bag can be recognised easily?

1. Take your circles of felt and place your embellishments on one side of one circle. Stick embellishments in place with fabric glue.

You will need: 2 circles of felt (same size) 15cms of ribbon x 2 Felt and embellishments Sewing needle

2. Now take your lengths of ribbon and embellished circle, and with fabric glue, attach them to the top middle of the reverse side. Take your plain felt circle and spread fabric glue around the edge, then stick to the reverse of the embellished circle. Leave to dry

Contrasting colour thread Fabric Glue Fabric scissors

3. You are now going to blanket stitch around the edge of your two joined circles. Thread your sewing needle with cotton thread using three lengths of thread to make the stitches thicker.

Bring your threaded needle through to the front of your circle, approximately 0.5cms from the edge. Pull the thread through and when the thread is almost through, put the needle into the loop and pull tight. Repeat all the way around the circle (you can access tutorials of this stitch on YouTube) ensuring that you have stitched through the top ribbons to secure them in place.

4. Fasten off your thread at the back of your circle. You have now made your book bag tag!

Have fun creating tags for your friends and family, and being creative.

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12

n LETTER Put power points at the shops I FAIL to see the reason why these charging points are being put in the Science Park.

Surely they will all be snapped up for use by the people that work there. It would be far more useful to situate them where there are people passing through, e.g. a retail park - Sainsbury's.

Further to all the letters in the previous Voice about speeding on the ring road, there is no evidence that anything has been done about the problem. Recently I was waiting at the pedestrian crossing opposite the Premier Inn by the Lyde Green Roundabout to cross the ring road going towards the Premier Inn. The pedestrian lights changed to green and I was about to start crossing when a car came speeding from the roundabout and just whizzed past me, obviously ignoring the traffic lights.

Do you have to wait for a fatal accident before anything is done?

CM Roy

n NEWS

emersonsgreenvoice

October, 2020

School football star Ryley signs professional contract

A FOOTBALLER who captained an all-conquering Mangotsfield School team has signed a professional contract with Bristol City.

Ryley Towler has become part of City's Under-23 squad and has also made the bench for the first team, as he moves on to the next level of a promising career in the sport.

The 18-year-old midfielder was skipper of the Mangotsfield Year 10 team which won the Woodcock Shield, the annual Bristol Under-15s schools competition, back in 2017.

Training with and playing for Bristol City's Academy sides during his school years, he went on to a full-time scholarship with City when he left Mangotsfield in the summer of 2018.

Gaining experience on loan moves to Frome Town and Taunton Town over the past

Ryley Towler in his Bristol City kit two seasons, Ryley was one of 11 young players to sign their first professional contracts with City ahead of this season.

Mangotsfield School head of PE Tristan Hawkins said Ryley "was a fantastically able student and is a credit to the school".

He said: "Ryley was an outstanding athlete at Mangotsfield School, who immediately caught the eye.

"His year group and football team were exceptionally strong, and had a couple of other City and Rovers academy players in.

"Ryley captained the school football team from Year 7

through to Year 11; under his leadership they were undefeated in the county for the first four years, winning nine trophies – the highlight being winning the Woodcock Shield at Ashton Gate.

"He was recently named on the bench for the first team, and he told me how fantastic the experience was and how motivated it made him feel to be involved at first team level. We wish him every success."

Ryley's impressive performance in Mangotsfield's 5-2 victory in the 2017 Woodcock Shield final at Ashton Gate stadium included two goals, one of them a 35-yard free kick.

He was a regular member of City’s Under 18 squad and featured for the Under 23s before joining the squad as a pro in August.

Bristol City Academy Manager Gary Probert said of the club's new professionals: “Congratulations to all these young men, who have all shown great application and diligence to earn their contracts and scholarships, and we are looking forward to supporting these players in the next stage of their development.”

Fireworks display cancelled DOWNEND'S biggest outdoor event of the year has been cancelled.

The Downend Round Table fireworks display on King George V playing fields regularly attracts up to 12,000 people.

But the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing rules to tackle the spread of the disease meant that the event, which had been due to take place on November 6, was not viable.

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Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

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emersonsgreenvoice

October, 2020

13

n AROUND THE WIs Beechmere Belles WI IT’S been a while – well, actually it’s been months and months – but Beechmere Belles are still very much alive and kicking.

The hardest thing we have found is not being able to physically meet in one place as a group. Technology is a fantastic thing and in these unprecedented times it really has come into its own. Email and social media have made it easier to stay in touch and keep the much-needed line of communication open.

Our brilliant committee came up with various things for our Facebook page.

One of the posts was: “Once all this is over and you are allowed a dinner party. You can invite four famous people, dead or alive: who would they be and why?”

We had some brilliant answers and I wanted to change my line-up constantly, however after I had posted my answers, one of our lovely members came back to say

Captain Tom Peakes was holding a Facebook Live Chat and sent me the link. I set up a reminder, informed my boss that I couldn’t possibly stay past my finish time as I had a date with a very interesting man, rushed home set up the laptop and enjoyed my time with Tom. It was brilliant, I wouldn’t have known anything about it, if we hadn’t been asked the question.

We posed another question: “What is the scariest thing you have ever done?”

Some of our members have done some truly terrifying things: scuba diving at night – I don’t like going to the bin at night!

One member is either truly awesome, or just plain barking, running off a mountain at 6,500ft to paraglide was her first answer but then she decided caving and potholing was even more scary.

It was brilliant learning so much about each other just by asking simple questions.

Our 2020 programme was well planned but unfortunately

only the first two months were actioned. Each month the committee did some research on the planned meeting, found out fun and interesting facts about the topic, which then culminated in an interesting but light-hearted monthly email.

I would like to thank again the members that responded to a shout out from Cossham Hospital for newborn baby hats. Their donations had slowed up due the lockdown: as soon as was possible the hats were delivered, and they were much appreciated.

Zoom. I’m sure everybody now knows about this app. We had a singing evening led by the Great Day Choir: I was not looking forward to this event at all and if anybody has heard me sing – take that word lightly – they would know why. Then it was mentioned that we would be on mute and I was there singing my heart out; not sure what the neighbours thought but they are all still talking to me.

At last we could meet up

outdoors. We arranged a picnic in the park, only to have it rained off! After all the lovely weather we had been having, it was a bit disappointing. We rearranged and it was lovely to sit and talk to each other again. This event was quickly followed by a walk around Emersons Green led by our lovely treasurer. The weather was perfect and the evening was enjoyed by our members and their four-legged friends. A quick drink sat outside a local pub rounded the event off.

As we go to print the government has just made a statement stopping meetings of more than six people, which has been a huge blow to us, as Emersons Green Village Hall had just opened up the upstairs rooms.

We had managed to secure a speaker for the evening, and we had made plans to ensure we met all the guidelines to ensure a safe and successful meeting. So back to Zoom it is. Stay safe everybody.

Beechmere Belles – Emersons Green & Lyde Green WI

Send us your group’s report: news@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

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emersonsgreenvoice

14

nW HAT’S ON GROUPS organising events in the Downend, Mangotsfield, Emersons Green, Lyde Green and Pucklechurch areas are being invited to tell readers about them. Our popular What's On section was suspended at the start of the lockdown, as community events and meetings were cancelled indefinitely.

Now some groups are planning events again, we offer free space to publicise non profit-making activities once more. Clubs, charities and societies can send details of events to the Voice by email at news@ emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk.

Businesses staging profitmaking events and paidfor classes in the area can advertise in the What's On section for a small charge every month, by contacting sales@downendvoice.co.uk.

Because of the many changes since March, regular entries are not automatically being reused.

October, 2020

n LYDE GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION WELL, it has been a strange few months for everybody and here at the LGCA we are glad to be getting back to some kind of New Normal.

Although the lockdown and new restrictions have put some challenges in the way, we are continuing to find new ways to pull together as a community and keep the community spirit we are so proud of in Lyde Green going.

We have been supporting some amazing work by the new group of volunteers “Emersons & Lyde Green Together” and are really pleased with the positives that have come out of the lockdown and beyond.

The volunteers want to assure everyone that they are still active and ready to support anyone who should need it. For more information please see the Facebook Group; COVID-19 Help, Support and Volunteering – Emersons Green and Lyde Green or contact by email at emersonsgreenca@gmail.com.

Over the lockdown period, we presented an online timetable of events usually taking place at LGCC and now that we have been able to open our doors again, we continue to support a huge range

of community led groups to put on their activities in a new Covid Secure and safe way.

It has been great to see people coming back to the centre and also popping in for a coffee, as our resident café Coffee@Lyde has also been able to reopen.

We are also pleased to introduce a new staff team – we now have Helen Crew, who has joined us as LGCA Charity and Centre manager, so do pop in to the centre and say hello.

Helen comes from a local housing association and has a background of housing management and community spaces.

She said: “I’m delighted to be working with the team at Lyde Green Community Centre – re-opening as a Covid Secure venue and working with all our hirers to support activities in a safe and structured way has been challenging but fun.”

Helen is working hard with her team to keep all the hirers of the centre up to date with the latest government guidance and to ensure all users of the centre are safe, with a track and trace system

also in place, so don’t forget to scan our QR codes when you make a visit. LGCA has its core vision at its heart, which is to provide a trusted voice for the residents of Lyde Green, in order to connect the community together. Through the pandemic we have started to reach out more to the community and we recognize that now is a critical time when we need to offer more support and enable the community to strengthen and grow.

We are taking a positive step towards this with the recent recruitment of our very first community development worker.

We hope, once in post, this person will be at heart of connecting people within the community to both each other and local support services.

LGCA is always looking for more volunteers, so why not come join us?! Just pop us an email to info@ lydegreenca.org or come in to the LGCC and see how you can get involved.

We are particularly looking for a treasurer, so do get in touch if you think you can help.

Louise Thomson

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emersonsgreenvoice

October, 2020

15

n LYDE GREEN NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH n LIBRARY

T

HIS year the Lyde Green Neighbourhood Watch annual general meeting was online for members and residents due to the Covid-19 restrictions in force.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the meeting on Monday September 14, we encourage any and all local residents to take part in our regularly-scheduled events to keep up to date with what is going on and how they can help the Watch.

After a disrupted year (due to restrictions on events and meetings), sadly we bid farewell to chairperson Adam Harrison and secretary Cate Biggs, who have been instrumental to the watch’s growth and development over the last few years.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to them both for the time and effort they have put into bringing the Lyde Green Neighbourhood Watch to life, and the continued support they have offered the team.

At this year’s AGM, thanks to a deluge of local support, we have been able to reform the LGNHW committee and are extremely pleased to be able to present our new committee: Philip Keith – Chairperson Emma Poole – Secretary Iain Parkes – Treasurer Dan Whitton – Social Media Administrator Ursula Shepherd – Events Coordinator In addition, we have had many volunteers join the team and become our Lyde Green Zone Coordinators.

This year we would like to introduce: Ursula Shepherd – Zone 1 Lynn Han – Zone 2 Penny Swift – Zone 3 Colin Dixon – Zone 6 Iain Parkes – Zone 8 Phil Beresford – Zone 9 Katie Hodges – Zone 10 Gary & Jo Cox – Zone 11 Akin Akande – Zone 12 Sophie Norcott – Zone 14 Lisa Gristock – Zone 14 We would like to extend a massive thank you to all our volunteers for this year – and welcome back to those wonderful people who have decided to remain with us.

The LGNHW still has a few roles left to fill, so if you would like to join us and make a difference to your local community please get in touch via email at info@lydegreennhw.com or Facebook (@LydeGreenNHW).

We are always looking for fresh ideas and new people to join the team to help us develop the watch and help protect our local residents.

We look forward to making this year our most successful ever – by continuing our local community outreach, bringing together a network of local residents and growing our team, we can create a safer neighbourhood for us all.

Philip Keith

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Open for browsing again From September 7 customers have been able to drop in to browse the books at Emersons Green Library again.

The number of people using a library at one time is limited. IT users are encouraged to book in advance by phoning 01454 865022 to ensure a PC is free at the time they want to visit.

The Click and Collect service will continue to operate for people who would prefer not choose their own books but have them selected by the staff. We have received some lovely comments from our users who have appreciated the service, especially in helping children continue their reading and linked to the annual Summer Reading Challenge.

“Just a quick Thank You for my two recent Click and Collect bundles.

From your selections I have tried new authors, read new books from old favourites and even started a tapestry project! Many thanks for your choices.” “ My five-year-old to read some more challenging materials, and my toddler loved the craft. She was so excited by the books that she read them all in one sitting when we got home from the library - it is very rare for her to sit still for so long.”

Cabinet member for communities, Cllr Rachael Hunt said” I am so happy to see our libraries returning to a more normal service, we were so sad when we had to close the libraries in March. Throughout the closure the service has supported people through delivering books, providing a Click and Collect service and extending the online services to include daily newspapers and extended our e-book and e-audio collections. The service has planned re-opening carefully, taking into account the safety of both staff and the public. We have trained staff and risk assessed our buildings in line with Government guidance which includes requiring customers to wear face coverings. “ Please see our website for full details of any further change and our opening hours www.southglos.gov.uk/librarychanges

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emersonsgreenvoice

16

October, 2020

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So autumn is here again, it remains one of my favorite seasons, and the time we get to press a few apples at home and pretend we can make decent cider! The thing that is definitely more popular in our house is the delicious apple crumble my wife Jo makes. This year she’s adding blueberries, which are one of the superfoods that if eaten regularly has been reported to help maintain good eye health, so our yummy puddings now look after our eye health and vision too!

In line with my generally positive viewpoint, I’ve decided that rather than worry about when we’re returning to what most of us would consider normal, I’m accepting our new routines. I think having our children in school and their activity clubs returning, albeit some remaining virtual for now, is giving the routine to our lives that has been missing since March.

The key focus for so much of my working life has been the routine eye exam. That is one thing that is yet to fully return.

I’ve quite enjoyed some (but clearly not all) of the challenges of the last few months. Our work was focussed around the needs of our patients for so much of lockdown, and please be reassured that our patient focussed care continues as it has for over 80 years. I’d never use the R word for my work though, usually interesting, fascinating maybe, but never routine!

It was interesting that aspects of our normally extensive range of eye care services were considered non essential, and effectively stopped for months. Some of our contact lens work was affected by this ruling. I’m sure many of you who regularly wear contact lenses may disagree with that view, but the powers that be set the rules and the rest of us get to follow (and perhaps occasionally work around) them! The return to almost normal contact lens work has been welcomed by many.

Certainly our younger patients

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

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keen to get going with contact lenses for the first time now can, and are enjoying clear and comfortable vision through their new lenses.

As always when you come and see us you can expect the usual high standards of personal service, professional expertise and hygiene excellence you’re used to, from your local independent opticians. You & your loved ones are most welcome to come and see us for your eye care and new glasses or contact lenses. We just ask that you telephone first to book a time to come in, to help us keep you all safe.

Whatever your eye care needs, whether routine or otherwise, our expert team is ready & waiting to help you! To book an extended eye exam, contact lens consultation or frame style visit for yourself or those you love, 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.

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

emersonsgreenvoice

October, 2020

17

n NEWS FROM OUR MP

Eating out really did help out

Chris Skidmore writes for

Emersons Green Voice

THANK you to everyone who supported our local hospitality businesses through the government’s innovative Eat Out To Help Out scheme over the summer.

A total of 40,000 meals were claimed across the Kingswood constituency. 43 eateries signed up, among 764 in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire and 6,671 across the South West.

Over £253,000 was claimed in discounts across Kingswood.

On average, each registered restaurant in Kingswood claimed £6.33 average discount per meal.

After a challenging few months because of coronavirus, the scheme has helped to protect jobs locally, with restaurant bookings significantly up on the previous year.

Eat Out to Help Out was just one part of the government’s Plan for Jobs, an ambitious

£30 billion strategy to create, protect and support jobs as the country bounces back from coronavirus.

As the local MP, I am pleased that the government will continue to support the hospitality industry with a temporary discount to VAT, from 20% to 5%, until 12 January 2021. This is another part of the Chancellor’s Plan for Jobs and we will continue to protect, support and create jobs to ensure we come back stronger as a nation.

As well as heavy discounts and targeted tax cuts, there is also a new job retention bonus, which aims to reward and incentivise employers who bring staff back from furlough with a one-off payment of £1,000 for every furloughed employee who remains continuously employed through to the end of January 2021.

For local youngsters, a

kickstart scheme will create six-month work placements for those aged 16-24. Funding made available for each job will cover 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus other costs. There will also be new payments for businesses for hiring apprentices and new funding for traineeships.

From protecting local jobs and businesses to protecting our precious local environment – I was delighted to participate in the Great British September Clean and lead litter picks across the constituency, from Longwell Green to Emersons Green.

The Great British Spring Clean had been due to happen during March and April, but was delayed because of coronavirus and I would like to thank all those who have given up their time to help keep their local neighbourhoods clean and tidy.

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emersonsgreenvoice

18

n SPORT THE end of was a short but successful season came all too quickly for Carsons and Mangotsfield Cricket Club.

As there were no formal leagues the decision was taken to give youth a chance in both the 1st and 2nd teams. This decision paid off, with the 2nd team winning their pod.

As well as strong performances on the pitch, the highlight for the club was the creation of a 4th team, and on the last Saturday of the season having 50 players available for selection. This was a significant achievement, given that four years ago the club struggled to field two teams.

With club membership thriving and more cricket due to be played on the club’s second square, in addition to the club’s plans to have a women and girls section in 2021, the club applied to Emersons Green Town Council for a grant of £2,950 to have their artificial wicket taken up. Unfortunately, the artificial wicket had been vandalised by people having barbecues on it. The damage caused meant it was unusable and dangerous.

Following the last weekend of

October, 2020

Club's getting set for 2021

the season the artificial wicket and the stone base was removed by excavator. To fill the void, 16 tons of soil was delivered to the ground on a lorry.

Club chairman Andy King said: “We were concerned that the lorry wouldn’t make it up the embankment, as on the day of delivery the ground was wet and soft. Thankfully, after several attempts, the lorry made it up on to the top pitch. The alternative was to move the soil by hand, which wasn’t appealing!

"The club would also like to thank Emersons Green Town Council for the grant, which we believe will benefit the community.”

Work under way to remove the artificial wicket on Pomphrey Hill, right, and the re-seeded square, above

After several days of hard work by club members, the soil was levelled off and then reseeded.

The work was done in conjunction with the regular end-of-season

renovation work. By removing the artificial wicket, the club now has six wickets on the top square.

Ian Coles

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emersonsgreenvoice

October, 2020

19

n SPORT

Cup and league defeats for Mangos MANGOTSFIELD United kicked off the season proper with a trip to Toolstation League side Tavistock in the FA Cup Preliminary Round.

They had concluded their pre-season programme with home wins over Longwell Green (2-1) and Stonehouse Town (4-0), which useful game time for the young squad.

The boys were particularly impressive against Hellenic League side Stonehouse Town, racing into a 3-0 half time lead, with some scintillating football and superb goals.

But the trip to Tavistock on September 12 was always going to be a stern test, despite the hosts being a lower-league side.

Tavistock, like a few other of the Devonbased Toolstation League sides, have put together a strong squad this season.

The Field enjoyed the majority of the play in the opening ten minutes, but neither keeper was really tested until Tavistock’s Tyler Elliott

scored from 20 yards, to give Tavvy a first-half lead.

A double substitution around the hour mark changed the way the Mangos were playing, and paid dividends as substitute Marcus Kelly passed two Tavistock defenders to fire home on 65 minutes.

However, eight minutes later Tavistock regained the lead through a penalty. Keeper Jakob Glover saved Jack Crago’s initial shot, parrying the ball back into the 18-yard box, but Crago netted from the rebound.

The Devon side then stood firm to hold on for a 2-1 win and a place in the next round.

Fixtures in the Pitching In Southern Football League began in front of 220 spectators on September 19, when pre-season promotion favourites Frome Town took all three points away from Cossham Street, thanks to a second-half strike by Rex Mannings.

A spirited performance by Mangotsfield’s side, which included eight teenagers in the starting XI, meant there was very little to choose between the sides in the first half. The hosts then lost skipper Mircea Ilea to injury but continued to battle well.

Mangotsfield started brightly in the second period, with Andre Freckleton’s right wing cross falling just wide of the post and then Jai Semenyo heading a corner just wide of goal, with Frome keeper James Carey beaten.

However, the visitors began to up their game and take control of midfield, the breakthrough coming on 63 minutes when Rex Mannings converted a low cross from the left to fire home the only goal from five yards.

The next game at Cossham Street will be Willand Rovers on Tuesday October 6, 7.45pm.

Dave Smale

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emersonsgreenvoice

20

October, 2020

n VETS’ ADVICE

I

T’S time to start thinking about fireworks! With Bonfire night only a matter of weeks away, and with social distancing restrictions in place, more people may be holding smaller family events – meaning more fireworks.

Whilst this is an exciting time for most of us, it can be less enjoyable for our animal friends.

The loud noises associated with the fireworks can give rise to fear and even phobias. Your pet might shake, pant, salivate, urinate/ defecate inappropriately, hide or cling to you or try to escape for example.

Your VetIf and your pet is sensitive to loud noisesOwner: then it is usually best to Practice engage in long-term treatment Carlastrategies Puimethat Costoya will aim to desensitise them to their fear. This MRCVS can take several months to reach positive effect and so there are some short-term solutions that can help your pet to cope better, when firework season is looming, e Pets atthe Home, until appropriate behavioural Green, Bristol, BS16 7AE These advice can be sought. include things such as pheremonal com/bristol-emersons-green therapies, supplements or swaddling pet shirts to help reduce 5pm Sat, 10.30am - 4.30pm Sun anxiety (these are usually available over the counter at your veterinary

Fireworks and your pet ferrets inside after dark • Close all curtains •P rovide chews/toys & play with your pet • I gnore noises and act relaxed to avoid reinforcing the fear •A llow your pet a safe place/den •K eep the television/radio on at a louder volume Remember not to punish your fearful pet as this could make the situation worse.

s Green

surgery).

You can also help by reducing exposure to the noises and

providing distractions: • Walk dogs before dark • Keep cats & rabbits/guinea pigs/

Most importantly, don’t leave it too late! Please reach out to the team at Emerson’s Green Vets4Pets about how we might be able to help you and your pet during firework season.

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

Your local vet here to support you

Open 7 days a week

As social restrictions begin to ease, we are now able to offer most services you would normally expect, whilst adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Let’s help keep each other safe

Your Vet and Practice Owner: Carla Puime Costoya MRCVS

Vets4Pets Bristol Emersons Green

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

Call us: 0117 910 9352 or visit: vets4pets.com/bristol-emersons-green

To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

emersonsgreenvoice

October, 2020

21

n ON THE TREATMENT TABLE

Investing in new technology WHEN it comes to making people feel better and help them to get fitter, it’s important to leave no stone unturned.

That’s why I’m delighted to say that, at Cleve Chiropractic, we investigate and take on board any new technology that we think will benefit our clients. If you’re suffering from an injury that’s stopping you enjoying your chosen sport or pastime – or maybe you just need to get back to the gardening or DIY – you want to do so as quickly and safely as possible.

We’ll always do our very best to get you back on track, both with traditional and ground-breaking modern treatments and therapies.

The latest bit of kit added to our hi-tech armoury comes in the form of the LightForce laser – a revolutionary way to take away the pain that’s proved to be a huge success for Olympic and college sports teams across the United States, as well in Europe and Asia.

We were so impressed that we bought TWO of these clever little machines and the results for our local patients and sportsmen and women have been amazing. There have already been some great

advances in the treatment of wrist, hand and finger injuries.

Laser therapy is also very beneficial for shoulders and knees and we’ve recently achieved fantastic successes with people who have disc problems, dramatically reducing their pain.

So how do these treatments work and why are they so successful? Basically, laser therapy uses concentrated light to encourage a process called photobiomodulation (PBM). I know… it all sounds a bit like science fiction… but this simple process leads to an increase in cellular metabolism, which helps decrease pain and inflammation.

In turn, this speeds up the healing process.

Depending on the size, depth and severity of the injury, these high-powered lasers can deliver a degree of pain relief in a matter of a few minutes. Most patients will need between three and five sessions to see some serious results – but we think it’s well worth it.

Laser treatments must be applied direct to the skin so that the light gets to the tissue underneath – you can get a warm,

comforting feeling from this socalled “laser massage”, now being used by some of the country’s top sports teams, including our own Bristol Bears.

Just give us a call for some quick expert advice on whether this might be that special treatment which could make all the difference for you!

Don’t forget that Cleve Chiropractic also has two new diagnostic ultrasound machines we use for scanning soft tissue injuries and we offer an X-ray service. In short, we’re all geared up to give you the best possible chance to return to full fitness as soon as possible.

It’s great to see so many local sports teams getting back into action following the Covid-19 restrictions. Of course, we all still have to stick to the government guidelines and our clinic prides itself on the strict infection control procedures in place.

If you need assistance to overcome that niggling injury or

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

complaint, we’ll give you the best possible advice and treatment in a safe and friendly environment.

Rest assured, you can follow all the latest HANDS, FACE and SPACE guidance at Cleve Chiropractic!

Calling Year 8 footballers A DOWNEND football team is looking for new players after returning to training.

Downend Saints Tigers Under-13s are looking for players who are in Year 8 at secondary school.

The boys have recently returned to training at the 4G pitch at a Downend Sports Centre, which takes place every Thursday from 7pm-8pm.

Anyone who wants to join the team should contact Steve Nunley on 07854 053650.

Steve Bellamy Ctta eeetllsllaam S e myy S ev vre epB B

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Tockington Manor School and Nursery for boys & girls aged 2 - 13 Discover our small friendly classes, family approach to education, wrap-around care and our enviable success rate in delivering entry into first choice senior schools.

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