Fishponds Voice March 2015 by Fishponds Voice

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for people and businesses in the Greater Fishponds Area

March 2015 — Issue 2

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What’s on in and around the area: Page 26 | Business of the month, Page 24

FishFest is taking a break

Frome Valley homes plan Concerns grow over a plan for homes in the grounds of Colston’s School in Stapleton.

Page 3 Library faces closure threat Eastville library is one of seven in Bristol that is facing closure.

Page 6 Campaigners look to future Campaigners who stopped a planned McDonald’s decide their next moves.

Pages 12 & 13 ORGANISERS of the annual FishFest are calling on the community to have their say on the future of the festival after it was revealed this year’s event will not take place. They say they will take 2015 off and look at options for how the popular community event will take

shape next year. Fishponds residents are being urged to register their thoughts via the FishFest Facebook page. FishFest, which attracts more than 1,000 visitors, is organised by a core team of just five people, headed up by resident Kate Brooks.

She said there were various reasons behind the decision not to hold a festival this year but she hoped, with the support of the community, the event would come back better than ever next year. Full story, pages 18 & 19

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FOR pEOplE aNd busiNEssEs iN THE GREaTER FisHpONds aREa

What’s on in and around

March 2015 — issue

the area: page 26 | business

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FishFest is taking a break

Frome Valley homes plan

March, 2015

Thanks for such a warm welcome

Concerns grow over a plan homes in the grounds of for Colston’s School in Stapleton.

Page 3

Library faces closure threat

Eastville library is one of seven in Bristol that is facing closure.

Page 6

Campaigners look to future

Campaigners who stopped planned McDonald’s decide a their next moves. ORGANISERS of the annual are calling on the communityFishFest have their say on the future to festival after it was revealed of the this year’s event will not take place. They say they will take 2015 off and look at options for how the popular community event will take

Pages 12 & 13 shape next year. Fishponds residents are being urged to register their thoughts via the FishFest Facebook page. FishFest, which attracts more than 1,000 visitors, is organised by a core team of just five headed up by resident Katepeople, Brooks.

She said there were various reasons behind the decision not festival this year but she to hold a hoped, with the support of the community, the event would come back better than ever next year. Full story, pages 18

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HERE we are with the second edition of our monthly free newspaper – we hope you like it as much as the first! Everywhere we have gone this month we have been greeted with compliments. The community of Greater Fishponds seems to be delighted to have a publication that supports their local businesses and brings them news about people and places they know. One reader told us: “I was impressed. There was a good balance of interesting articles and

fishpondsvoice Publisher Gary Brindle 0117 907 8585 07799 461169

AD V E R T ISI N G sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk Tel 07453 954261 Tel 07799 461169 E DI T O R IAL news@fishpondsvoice.co.uk Letters to the publication can be sent to the above e-mail address or by post to Letters, Fishponds Voice, 6 Elkstone Walk, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6JT. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter. D E ADLI N E S Our April edition will go to print on Monday March 30. To ensure your news or letter is

adverts.It was attractive and easier to read being in colour. I look forward to the next one.” Many thanks for giving us such a warm welcome. We hope to get to know more of you over the coming weeks and months – so if your organisation has not been covered yet, please get in touch. If you are organising an event, we will be happy to list it free of charge in our What’s On pages. If you have a story to share, please email news@fishpondsvoice.co.uk. We’d love to receive photos too. FishFest might be taking a well-earned break but there are no doubt many other activities planned for the spring and summer. Between editions, you can follow us via Facebook and Twitter. Our website is under construction!

Journalist Linda Tanner 0777 0700579

Journalist Jayne Taylor 0788 0731148

included, please contact us at the latest by Wednesday, March 25. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date. LOCAL INFORMATION Bristol City Council http://www.bristol.gov.uk 0117 922 2000 Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk general enquiries: 101 Emergency: 999 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061 Emergency: 999 NHS Direct 0845 46 47 Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ fishpondsvoice

Sales Caroline Galvin 07453 954261

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 Fishponds 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.

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March, 2015

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OPPOSITION is growing rapidly to a plan by Colston’s School in Stapleton to build up to ten homes in part of its grounds. It is being led by those living close to the site, who say their objection is not just Nimbyism (not in my backyard) but is driven by a desire to protect the Frome Valley for everyone. The school has joined forces with Bristol-based Woodstock Homes to look at developing the houses off Welsford Avenue and says it will be consulting neighbours very soon. No planning applications has yet been submitted. The objectors have already organised their own public meeting, which will take place at Glenfrome Primary School on March 9 at 7pm. Christopher Faulkner, of Welsford Avenue, said: “The landscape and beauty of the Frome Valley is something that belongs to all of us. We have a fundamental objection to any building on protected land and are very worried that this could be the thin end of the wedge.” He said there had been a huge response to a Facebook group set up to fight the proposals. People were appalled at the threat to the landscape and concerned about the impact on natural habitats. The site is designated as a conservation area, a park and garden of historic interest, and important

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Homes bid near Colston’s ‘puts Frome Valley landscape at risk’ open space and a wildlife corridor, he added. The school said the proposed development would be on a very small portion of its 30-acre grounds in an area of unused wasteland. It said the plans were at an early stage and could be altered to reflect neighbours’ comments. People living nearby would be invited to an event to view the plans and talk to representatives of the school and the builder. “Colston’s School and Woodstock Homes both understand that proposals to build new homes often cause concern among residents, and will listen respectfully to the views of the community,” the school said in a statement. Headmaster, Jeremy McCullough,

said: “I am extremely aware that the proposed development will bring change to the local area and appreciate that the local community will be nervous about the impact. We trust however, that by working

closely with our neighbours,the local community and its representatives and, by listening to and taking in to account their views, any impacts, perceived or actual, will be minimised.”

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March, 2015

Can we fix it? Yes we can: at Bristol Repair Cafe

‘THEY don’t make ‘em like that any more.’ How often have you heard that phrase? And while it certainly may be true of many of our every day life props like washing machines, toasters and even fashion, it doesn’t mean modern stuff should be consigned to the scrap heap at the first hiccup.Yet as a nation, we have developed a mentality that if something stops working or breaks, we bin it and buy a replacement. Bucking this consumer-led trend, is the Bristol Repair Cafe based in Fishponds. On the first Saturday of each month like-minded people get together to bring their broken electrical appliances, toys, crockery, clothing - in fact anything which no longer works and appears to have seen better days. There they will find everything they need

to get their item up and running again - and best of all, it’s free. Tools, materials, books on DIY and volunteers armed with expertise and enthusiasm are in abundance along with tea, coffee and cake. It’s very much a muck-in and help atmosphere where great friendships have developed since the first event in December 2013. While there are a few Repair Cafes in the UK, there is only one in Bristol and was brought to our fair city by Fishponds resident Kate Jerrold. And like many good ideas, it was born of necessity. “I was very irritated one Sunday morning when my dishwasher broke,” explained Kate. “I Googled it and realised the broken part was quite a simple part but I was put off by the cost of getting someone out and the hassle involved.” Kate, 44, had been impressed by a blog written by Jen Gale called My Make Do and Mend Year where the author vowed not to buy anything new for a whole year and was intrigued when the blog led her to an organisation in Holland called the Repair Cafe. “I thought it was a really amazing idea. I pondered on it and wondered why there wasn’t one in

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Bristol. Then I thought ‘just go and do it yourself!’” After Kate put out a message on Facebook to ask if anyone was interested in getting involved, she found herself meeting up with a group of people at Cafe # One in Fishponds Road. “There were about 10 of us and we decided that this was something we wanted to do. One of the barriers was where we could set up but luckily a couple of people had links with All Saints Church which was already running a coffee morning. It meant we didn’t need to worry about tea, coffee and cake as that was already there!” Kate, who runs a reclamation business, assumed the majority of people who would come along wanting repairs would be the elderly, having grown up with the make do and mend ethos. But she has been pleasantly surprised to see the number of younger people there. “They are fed up with the idea of buying something only to have it work for maybe six months or a year and then have to go out and buy another one. They decided they were going to take the back off something and try to mend it themselves. “It’s also important we get really young people coming along with

their parents. If they can watch something getting fixed it’s more likely to lead to them believing they don’t have to throw everything away.” Kate said many of the repairs which are carried out are really simple but can save a fortune. “About 99 per cent of the items which turn up like digital radios or coffee machines just require a little bit of soldering or a plastic washer. It’s not the item itself which has gone. It’s far more environmentally friendly and cheaper. Who wants to buy a printer every six months if we can fix it very simply?”

“

Who wants to buy a printer every six months if we can fix it very simply?

“

Make do and mend may be an old fashioned concept but here in Fishponds it’s gathering pace. Jayne Taylor meets the Queen of Green Kate Jerrold who has started a quiet revolution helping neighbours save pennies and form lasting friendships

Kate said the concept has developed since its inception and uses an example: “It’s not just people coming in with a broken zip and wanting it repaired. Quite a lot of people say they have been given a sewing machine and they just don’t know how to use it. We have several people on hand who earn their living from sewing and know a sewing machine inside out so it

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March, 2015

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becomes like a bit of a class.” There are also trained electronics people available as well as those who have a passion for just tinkering around, only too happy to cast their experienced eye over your old CD player or Teasmaid. “We can cater for every level,” said Kate. “If you want to learn how to put a plug on, we can teach you. But if you want to take off the back of your PC, we can help you with that too.” Amazingly, Kate has only seen three items which volunteers have been unable to mend and one of those was a microwave, a notoriously tricky and potentially dangerous electrical item when administering repairs. And although her dishwasher was too big to bring along, Kate met a local repair specialist at the Repair Cafe who came to her home to carry out the repair for a reasonable price. “We’re not trying to compete with repairers. We encourage them to come along and give out their business cards. The Repair Cafe is also about making people think about taking that extra step to find a repairer instead of throwing things out.” When communities were tighter, people were familiar with their neighbours and their trades so they knew who to turn to to help them fix something. The Repair Cafe is

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having a similar effect by helping people meet their neighbours and form friendships. “There’s no better way to meet someone than by them helping you fix something,” said Kate. “When someone does something for you for free, it builds communities.” And it can’t be too bad for the environment either? “I’ve noticed a lot of ‘green’ events can be very worthy, telling people to change their lifestyle but we can make such a massive impact by not really changing much. Most of us aren’t able to cycle everywhere or aren’t able to put solar panels on our roofs but we all buy things that break. Sustainability is about looking at ways to continue to do things in a better way and surely sharing the skills we’ve got is one of the best ways to do it.” Kate remains modest about her

not inconsiderable success story. “I couldn’t do it on my own. It’s a success because of all the people who turn up every month - the people who bring their stuff to get mended and the people who turn up to mend things. It’s a celebration of Fishponds as a community as much as anything else.” • The next Bristol Repair Cafe

takes place on Saturday March 7 from 10.30am-1pm at All Saints Church, Grove Road, Fishponds, and continues on the first Saturday of every month. Entry and repairs are free and people with repair skills are encouraged to pop along and lend a hand. To find out more visit Bristol Repair Cafe on Facebook.

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THE battle has begun to save Eastville library, one of seven in the city at risk under city council plans to modernise the service. Fishponds library is not under threat but there are also concerns about Hillfields library, where the site is not considered fit for future or suitable for investment. The council has come up with the proposals following a citywide consultation about its 28 libraries, prompted by figures that show only six per cent of people regularly borrow books. The service is a “model which has not kept up with the changing needs of our communities, or the changing way in which people now choose to access information and knowledge in their lives,” the authority says. The planned changes – which could also include reduced opening hours, more self-scanning of books and changes to buildings - would save £1.1m from a budget of £5.6m and would lead to dozens of job losses. People have until the end of May to comment and to come up with possible alternatives. A final scheme will then be decided by Mayor George Ferguson and his cabinet in July. The other libraries earmarked for possible closure are Redland, Wick Road, Clifton, Marksbury Road, Westbury and Sea Mills.

March, 2015

Battle begins to save library In the case of Hillfields, the council report acknowledges that there is a geographic need for a library and suggest considering the use of other buildings and working with community organisations. Fishponds library, which opened in Robinson House three years ago alongside a Citizen Service Point, “offers efficient delivery and good access to council information,” the report says. Abdul Malik, who will contest Bristol East for the Liberal Democrats at the general election in May, said Eastville library was well used by local people. “Libraries are an important and valuable source of information and education. They can be a great community facility if used well. It would be very disappointing if locals lose this valuable facility,” he said. “I think the council should do more to encourage people to use local libraries especially in a time when young and old people need to be more active and in an age of modern media where we are becoming more and more bound to our phones and armchairs. It’s very disheartening that rather than encouraging such community activity the local leaders are considering closing our libraries.”

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Mr Malik said he would meet council officers and residents to try to protect the library and other local assets and he invited anyone with any thoughts on the matter to contact him via email at abdul@abdul4bristoleast.co.uk An online petition in support of Eastville library has been launched by the Conservatives, who say saving money should not be the priority when modernising the library service. Bristol North West MP Charlotte Leslie said: “We will be doing everything we can to pressure the Mayor into reversing this budget cut. “It is true that some of our libraries are underused – but they are not undervalued.” Residents who were among the first to sign the online petition agreed. Comments included: “This

library is vital to the local community. Maybe thought could be given to additional uses for the building.” “Libraries are where the poorest and most vulnerable can get access to education and high quality leisure through reading, as well as internet access. Without my local library I would have had a much poorer life and education. I would like to argue for this right for those in generations to come.” “This is a wonderful small-scale library that is an essential service to the local community. I had hoped the consultation on libraries would be an opportunity to increase their use and not as an excuse to shut them down.”

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March, 2015

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Outcry as First changes Fishponds bus service again

FURTHER changes to Fishponds bus services will not meet the needs of some elderly people in the community. That’s the fear of Councillor Lesley Alexander, who is seeking an urgent meeting with bosses at First. The bus company has announced that from March 29 the number 5 service will terminate at Oldbury Court, rather than continue to Bromley Heath and Emersons Green. It says it is making the change to improve punctuality and reliability. The proposed route will be Straits Parade,Vassall Road, Gill Avenue, Frenchay Road, Overndale Road and Downend Road back to Straits Parade. Mrs Alexander wants to see the former route of the number 5, which had a direct link to Downend village centre, reinstated. It was popular with residents who could go to Downend for the doctor, bank, dentist and shops. “There are a lot of older people at this end of the ward and they cannot manage the walk up hill to catch the No 48 on Downend Road,” said Mrs Alexander. Instead, they will need to catch the number 5 back to Fishponds and then the 48 to Downend. The number 5 route was

changed last year at the same time as the number 4 service from Downend through Frenchay, Begbrook and Stapleton to Eastville, was axed following the closure of Frenchay Hospital. Mrs Alexander is continuing to campaign for that route to be reinstated to give people a direct link to the Eastgate Shopping Centre. Changes are also being made to the X49 Bristol to Yate route through Fishponds and Staple Hill, again to improve reliability. More double-deckers will be provided to meet demand. First is introducing a new X48 route which will link the city centre with the new Lyde Green development and the Bristol and Bath Science Park via the M32. James Freeman, managing director of First West of England, said: “We are changing part of the number 5 route in a real effort to make the service – which has historically suffered from poor punctuality – run on time. We understand that people may not welcome these adjustments, but we’re doing what we can to both explain what’s happening, and minimise the impact on local people by altering other services too.” The terminus for the number

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5 will move from Rupert Street to Lewins Mead. First says this will reduce the amount of congestion that buses get caught up in the centre, and will mean that buses are more able to keep to time. First is recruiting up to 70 drivers to deliver the improved services. The company says that the revised timetable takes into account changes in the traffic conditions such as the rollout of 20mph zones

as well as responding to increased passenger numbers. For more information about the changes being made, or to view the new timetables for the affected services, log on to: www.firstgroup. com/bristol. The new timetables will be uploaded (under Journey Planning / Timetable Booklets) by early March, and will be available in hard copy format by mid March (from Travel Shops).

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A POPULAR stationery shop which closed down after its owners went into administration is up and running under new management. Osbornes Stationers in Fishponds Road, which was part of a 200-year-old nationwide chain of stores, shut its doors in January 2014 after administrators were called in. But nearly a year later, the shop has reopened after being taken over by Mark Harris, who runs the Lunch Box cafe next door.

March, 2015

A new page for stationery shop Most of the store’s interior fittings had been removed in a bid to pay off creditors so Mark had to completely revamp the 60sq ft shop. He has also given over floor space to Fishponds Flowers after carrying out research within the community to see what type of shops people wanted to see in the area. It soon became clear people had sorely missed the stationery shop, so Mark is offering all the types of products which had been for sell originally as well as new lines and additional services. Mark, 31, decided to tweak the name slightly - it’s now know as Osbornes Stationers South West - to avoid confusion with the national chain, which still operates some stores in the Midlands. Mark said: “The shop had been closed for ages but as so many people wanted stationery, I decided to take it on. “Before we opened we did an unofficial poll about what people wanted and as well as people saying stationery, a lot of people

said a florist. I just happened to know a florist who was looking for a shop so we offered them part of this one! “The people who wanted to claim the money back literally took everything from the shop. It had to be gutted and now looks completely different. We still haven’t finished yet but we’re getting there.” Amongst the racks customers will find pens, pencils, art supplies, folders, notepads, diaries, printer paper and ink and even printers, office chairs and desks. The store’s piece de resistance is a top of the range £12,000 photocopier which gives high quality reproductions, at the same prices the original store had set. “We’ve tried to offer a few more services than the shop used to. We’ve got a design and print service and offer books including puzzle books and novels as that was what people were asking for.” Mark has just signed a contract with mail company DHL which means, in a few weeks’ time,

people will be able to drop off parcels there. Items which can’t be delivered to home addresses can be delivered to the shop where people will be able to pick them up. Mark said: “The community keeps popping in to wish us luck and say how good it is to have a stationery shop again. The response has been really positive.”

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Check your daughter has had vaccine A CAMPAIGN has launched across Bristol this month urging parents and carers of girls aged 13 to 18 to check their daughter has received the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccination, which helps protect against cervical cancer. In the UK, cervical cancer kills an estimated 18 women every week and the vaccination can help protect against the two types of HPV that cause around 70 per cent of cervical cancers. HPV is an extremely common virus and is the most widespread sexually transmitted disease. It is estimated that around 400 lives could be saved every year in the UK as a result of vaccinating girls before they are infected with HPV. The HPV vaccination is free and all girls are routinely offered the first dose of the vaccination when they are in Year 8 at school However, around one quarter of 13-18 year olds in Bristol have incomplete HPV vaccination schedules and the city has the third lowest HPV vaccine uptake rate in the South West.

March, 2015

Farriers remains as dry as ever MYSTERY continues surrounding the future of the historical Farriers pub on Fishponds Road. The community pub has lain empty since October 2010 despite calls from ale lovers to see it restored and reopened. The pub was purchased by supermarket Morrisons shortly after its closure and plans were then submitted to the city council asking to demolish it and replace it with an extension to its nearby store. The planning application was withdrawn following an uproar from the community but since then there has been no news on the future of the 300-year-old building, which had been a pub since 1872. When Morrisons was contacted by Fishponds Voice, the supermarket issued a statement shedding no light on the situation. A spokesperson told us: “We continue to review viable options for this site and will provide an update should things progress.” The Bristol Pubs Group, which is a branch of Camra - Campaign for Real Ale - has been fighting to see

the pub restored to its former glory, complete with original stone walls and 17th century fireplaces. The group objected to the planning application and lobbied local MP Kerry McCarthy and local councillors to garner support to oppose the proposals. They say they

believe the pub could once again become a thriving hub within the community. The Farriers became a pub after a licence was granted to a blacksmith. The building is listed on old maps as a ‘smithy’.

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Victory on McDonald’s - now what? committee chairman Councillor Peter Abraham, for her concise speech expressing concern about the road safety risks, increased air pollution and litter. “We think this plan sends out the wrong message about diet, obesity and the environment. We think this is a hefty price to pay for a Big Mac. We think this plan stinks,” she said. The committee was told that Sally Apps, principal of the 800-student Bristol Met, was among the objectors on health and transport grounds. Many people were worried about the proximity of the site to three schools, but officers said none of the schools was less than 400 metres away – the distance set in national planning guidance. The refusal of permission was for two reasons: “unacceptable highway safety conflicts” and lack of information about the impact of noise, smells and light pollution on neighbours. Officers said that traffic turning right into the site would present dangers for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. They were also concerned about the potential conflict with the bus lane, the number of parking spaces on the site and arrangements for service deliveries.

CAMPAIGNERS are looking to the future after persuading councillors to throw out a plan for a McDonald’s drive-thru and takeaway in Fishponds. Members of Bristol’s development control committee voted unanimously to turn down the application for the former tile warehouse in Fishponds Road after being told that more than 500 people had objected to the proposed two-storey restaurant and takeaway. McDonald’s told the Voice last week that it was still considering all options, including the possibility of going to appeal. Meanwhile, the residents who came together to fight the scheme said they wanted to see a redevelopment of the tile centre in a way that would benefit the community. They also hope to work together to give local people more of a say about future developments in Fishponds. Their campaign lasted eight months and culminated at City Hall in Bristol on February 4. A number of leading opponents addressed the councillors, among them 11-year-old Ella Hassell, a student at Bristol Metropolitan Academy, who won praise from

Campaigner James Tromans said the residents’ own traffic surveys showed a higher volume of traffic on the congested Fishponds Road than the McDonald’s study, which had been carried out in late July. Other residents who spoke were Clare Fowle, Grant Hudson, Pauline Shaw and Tom Rowe, as well as local councillors Mhairi Threlfall and Mahmadur Khan. Mike Williams, from McDonald’s, told the meeting that the company believed Fishponds Road was an excellent location and said independent traffic, noise and air quality studies had shown that the restaurant would have minimal impact.

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He stressed that the proposal was for 6am-11pm opening, not 24/7 and said the company would create jobs and would be a good neighbour. A spokesman for the fast food giant told the Voice: “A new restaurant would have enabled us to bring 65 new jobs and significant investment to the local area. We appreciate there were some concerns about the development and would have endeavoured to work with the local community and the council to address these. We will take time to reflect on the council’s decision before making a decision about whether to appeal.”

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March, 2015

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Clean-up at tiles site McDONALD’S campaign group are continuing their efforts to further grow and develop the local Fishponds community spirit. Recent activities include a clean-up of the front of the old site, additional traffic monitoring activities, uniting the local play out and street party initiatives and working with other national groups to understand how community ideas can be translated into reality. The group has also built links with other organisations that represent the Fishponds community view including working with Bristol City Council, supporting the creation of a local Neighbourhood Partnership Plan (further information is available on the Bristol City Council website). Anyone can become involved with the Partnership plan which aims to enable the local community to try to: • Make the Fishponds environment a healthy and pleasant place to live, with community facilities for people of all ages to enjoy. • Give young people the opportunities to develop and have wide range of experiences to prosper in life. • Make Greater Fishponds an area that is planned, developed and designed with due regards to the wishes of the local residents. • Encourage and promote community engagement. Campaigner Louise Lowman said: “Although the group achieved its initial goals of achieving a refusal, the threat of an appeal by the developers is still present and not forgotten! But in the meantime all efforts are being pooled to make Fishponds a place that people want to live in and best serves its community.”

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March, 2015

Graphic books fan Nick launches comic to help people learn English language A FISHPONDS man is turning his passion for sc-fi comics into an innovative business idea. Nick Xylas has just launched his own comic aimed at boosting adult literacy and helping immigrants get to grips with the English language. Under the publishing name of Parthenia Comics, Nick has just taken receipt of his first title, Jhaakob Comes to Earth, a colourful 36page comic strip in the tradition of the famous Marvel titles. The comic tells a story of Jhaakob, an alien who crash-lands in modern Britain and has to learn the skills necessary to adapt to his new home. Through striking artwork and simple language, the comic gives a brief overview of the British immigration system for new residents and information on where they can seek further help and advice. Nick hopes the comics will be taken up by educational establishments, charities, Citizens’ Advice Bureaus, government departments and even the army. Nick, 47, lived in the States with his American wife Joanna, a piano teacher, for six years. But when they returned to England, he decided he wanted to set up his own business. He said: “Personal circumstances forced us to move back here. I was having trouble finding a job so I enrolled on the Outset Bristol course which

helps people set up their own business. “I didn’t really have much of an idea of what I wanted to do but I had some background writing short informational articles as a freelancer. I mentioned that I like comic books and graphic novels and someone suggested the idea of combining that with the writing work I’d done. “I remembered from looking at the history of comics that the reason they took off so well in America specifically was that in the 1930s and 40s they were quite simplistic and a lot of immigrants used them to learn English. They had captions which pretty much described what was going on in the panel so people learning English could match the visuals to the words. It was a good way of learning English so that made me think of doing that in my comics.” Once Nick, a former civil servant, had come up with the idea, it took more than two years to develop and turn his vision into reality. “It’s not something that sprang up overnight. Between trying to raise finance, finding an artist and getting it drawn and printed, it’s been quite a long hard slog. Now it’s the scary part where I’m trying to get it out there and sell it to potential customers.” Nick said the aim had been to make the comic as user-friendly as possible. “The vocabulary is confined to 1,500 words, using the most common words in the English language. I wanted it difficult enough to be challenging but not intimidating. I tried to

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March, 2015

avoid any technical words or slang words that might be off-putting for someone who is learning to read or learning English. It doesn’t look like a text book, it looks like something people would read because they are interested in the story.” As well as being the publisher, Nick writes the comic and employs a freelance illustrator from Southampton, known simply as Pablo, to bring the characters to life. He is planning a series of selfcontained stories looking at various issues affecting immigrants such as housing, writing a CV, getting a job and driving theory tests. The next comic will explore the issue of anger management and will be geared towards the Prison Service, an organisation which Nick hopes will embrace his idea. “There’s a high correlation between literacy problems and offending because people who can’t read or write have fewer opportunities than the rest of us so are more likely to turn to crime to support themselves,” he said. Nick, whose favourite comic is the legendary British title 2000AD, said he hoped his comics would find a place in today’s society. “The main advantage is there’s nothing on the market like this. It’s unique. The closest thing would be the Dummies Guide but those are actual text books. Because of the comic strip form you can get a lot

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15 TV comedian Andy kicks off fundraising for community hub

rather than just seeing lots of words on the page.”

AN AWARD-winning comedian kicks off the next bout of fundraising events to raise money for a community hub. Crofts End Church, near the border of St George and Speedwell, needs to raise £1 million to transform its dated extension into a community space to cater for the growing number of people living in the area. TV comedian Andy Kind with be onhand at the men-only comedy and curry night at the church on Saturday March 7 from 7.30pm. There is a curry buffet available but alternative food is also on offer. Tickets cost £10. To find out more, call 951 3520. A further event is planned for Saturday March 14 where an indoor table top sale will take place from 1-3pm. This event will continue on the second Saturday of each month. Tables cost £5. To book call 0785 0476800.

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March, 2015

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Gill Calloway has launched Fishponds Play Cafe, a friendly space for under 5s and their parents

Please tell us a little about yourself I’m a local mum with five-year-old twins who have just started school. My charitable side has been spurred by my children who were born eight weeks early. We managed to raise £5000 in two years for the Cots for Tots charity, thanks to the generosity of local Fish ‘ponders’, family and friends.

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When my children were younger I found it really important to have local baby and toddler groups within walking (or bus) distance and to be able to chat to other mum and dads about different aspects of sleep deprivation, weaning, potty training and general parenting issues. All Saints Church on Grove Road is in a lovely peaceful spot just two minutes from the Fishponds Road and after the first FishFest

took place there, I always thought what a great community facility it was. My inspiration is other parents and carers who all have good days and bad days and all need to get out of the house, meet other parents and neighbours, find support or have ‘time out’. We hope to be able to use any ‘profit’ to support parents/families who are struggling or have additional needs and women suffering from post-natal depression and/or anxiety.

What is the aim of the Play Cafe? We want to be an inclusive, affordable, friendly place to bring babies and children, meet friends and provide a range of educational/ play opportunities for under 5s. We also want to be an information point for signposting families to other activities and support within Greater Fishponds, East Bristol and beyond. We are working in partnership with Little Hayes Children’s Centre which includes weekly visits from one of their family support workers to meet parents, provide information or advice and promote

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March, 2015

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parents and tots on good days and bad

the wide range of activities on offer for families in the local area.

What age is Fishponds Play Cafe aimed at? Our play equipment and activities are perfect for children aged four and under. We are open to children aged five who aren’t yet at school too. More activities are planned for the four to five age range.

Opening times and entry prices? We open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9.30am until 3pm (except last Tuesday of the month). Find us at All Saints Church, Grove Road (the side road by Fabio’s barbers at the bottom of Lodge Causeway) • Under six months – free entry • Six months to 18 months £2 • 19 months upwards £2.75 • Discount for childminders (if three or more children) • 50% discounts for twins, triplets and quads

What activities and resources do you offer? • Family friendly cafe with experienced chef serving healthy snacks, home made cake, vegetarian/ vegan and gluten free and dairy free options usually available. • Indoor and outdoor play space • Parking and disabled access • Inflatable playzone with ball pit, mini bounce, little slide and blowers. • Segregated baby and crawler area • Role play/dressing up/trains/cars • Lots of events and activities including theatre, junk modelling/ loose Parts Play, messy play and craft activities, story time/rhyme time, Forest School.

• Party hire For further information, visit www. facebook.com/fishpondsplaycafe or visit our website www. fishpondsplaycafe.weebly.com

Tuesday March 17 and Thursday March 19 – 1.30-3pm Family first aid workshop Wednesday March 18 – Easter themed photo shoot with Love and

Life photographyjk Thursday March 19 10.15 and 11.30 – Dragonbird Theatre shows – The Hungry Caterpillar

Special Events Wednesday March 4 – Mothers Day gifts with Inspiration Ceramics from Chipping Sodbury 10-2 pm Thursday March 5 – Mothers Day craft table (all day) Thursday March 5 - World Book Day activities Sunday March 8 – baby/toddler/ childrens Table Top Sale £10 per table free entry for buyers. Tuesday March 10-10am-noon Loose Parts/Scrap Play day - join children’s Scrapstore at the play café for a free loose parts play session and explore different ways scrap can be played and how you can use materials you already have at home as playthings

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March, 2015

Give us your opinions on the future of FishFest AWARD-winning FishFest is to be put on the back burner for 2015. The festival started as a small neighbourly get together six years ago but quickly snowballed into a huge affair. Last year FishFest changed format into a series of mini events across Fishponds over a two week period but now organisers say they are taking a break while they reevaluate the festival’s future. Chief organiser Kate Brooks, 48, said: “We started off in 2009 running a few community events for families in the area and it got to the point where we thought we would hold an annual festival. That went really well and it just got bigger and bigger every year. “It’s been really good fun to organise and it gets everyone in the community together but obviously it’s a lot of work and is pretty timeconsuming. It’s quite a responsibility and I tend not to sleep for a week before! On the last big FishFest, we stayed up for 21 hours - we were up at 5am and went to bed at 2am the following day. “We have to think of all the health and safety implications, portable toilets, organising the stall holders and making sure all the

Kate with some of the FishFest team picking up a community award in 2013. Left to right: Michael Linfoot, councillor Faruk Choudhury who presented the award, Kate Brooks and Cara Hayman activities work together. “As we run on donations and have to apply for lots of different

pockets of funding, it takes a lot of work getting the money. The funding is getting increasingly difficult to get

hold of so we couldn’t guarantee we would have the same amount of funds available this year.

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“Because it’s only a small band of neighbours who organise it, and because we all have lives and kids, we thought we would have a break and focus on small events again. It will be like going back to the old days for a bit.” A few community events will take place this year including a 1940s night and GroveFest, a mini festival run by Grove Road Youth Club. A cocktail evening at All Saints church hall - known for the night as Thingwall’s Night Club took place just before Christmas, with Fishponds-themed drinks including Funky Fishponds and Cosmoponditans. Originally held in the grounds of All Saints Church, FishFest moved to Fishponds Academy where the grounds were bigger and could hold the 1,000 plus visitors it attracted. In 2013, FishFest won the Thriving Bristol award as part of the ‘Voscurs’, Bristol’s voluntary and community sector awards. Last year FishFest diversified from one huge festival to a series of smaller events held around Fishponds from September 13-27. The aim was to allow people to hold their own events across the area and included a scarecrow trail and family fun days. Kate, who lives in Fishponds with husband - and FishFest compère Mark Neath and their 13-year-old

fishpondsvoice

daughter Eleanor, said: “FishFest was getting bigger and bigger so we had to think about whether we wanted to go really huge or try to spread it out. We decided to spread it out which means events weren’t limited and other people could do what they wanted. Although we weren’t organising the events ourselves, there was still a lot of work involved in coordinating the events, advertising them and helping out.” Organisers are now in a quandary on which style FishFest to resurrect for 2016 and this is where they would like to hear your thoughts. Kate said: “We would like people to tell us what they think - whether we should hold it as one big day or whether we do it as a fortnight or week of smaller events across Fishponds. “Some people told us it was great to have it over two weeks as if they weren’t around for one of the days they could go to other events on other days but others said they really missed having a big day where everything was in one. There are pros and cons to both.” Kate said she was optimistic this wouldn’t be the end of FishFest. “I would really hope it would carry on next year after we’ve all had a bit of a rest. There is such a fantastic community spirit in this area. There are lots of people who

are really interested in making the community a positive place and we are really keen to bring all this together and give people a chance to meet each other. It would be great to get feedback from the people who FishFest is for.” • If you would like to voice your opinion, you can post messages on the FishFest Facebook page.

The responses will be analysed towards the end of the year before organisers regroup and make a decision on what to do in 2016. Organisers are also hoping to hear from people who would like to help them in putting on FishFest 2016. Again, you can contact them via the Facebook page.

Worry over loss of funds A POPULAR youth club which receives an annual donation from FishFest is looking for sponsorship as its budget will be dented this year. Oversubscribed Grove Road Youth Club is run by local parents and relies on fundraising and donations to exist. Although members of the club are organising a mini festival this year to boost funds, they would love to hear from people who would be able to provide business sponsorship or volunteer to run workshops such as arts and crafts, sports and drama. The club, which is also looking for a youth worker, meets at All Saints Community Hall in Grove Road on Friday evenings. The club offers youngsters aged from 10-16 a safe place to hang out and take part in activities. It attracts around 30 boys and girls each week during term-time. Kate Brooks, who runs the club, said: “We are always worried about keeping the club afloat. It’s such a popular and valuable resource in our area and we have members who come every week who’ve been coming since we opened four years ago.” If you can help out or would like to find out more, you can contact chair of the committee Mark Neath on 965 2691.

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Lungworm awareness

here has been much more awareness surrounding lungworm recently with it becoming more and more prevalent in the UK, so we thought we should offer some guidance. Lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) is a worm which affects dogs and foxes. It is picked up through contact with slugs and snails as this is where part of their life stage occurs. Although dogs that eat slugs are clearly at risk, even drinking from an outside bowl of water that snails have moved over can lead to infection. Lungworms live in the heart and in the blood vessels of the dog’s lungs, and can cause problems such as coughing, difficulty keeping up with normal exercise and in later stages clotting problems. Whilst lungworm is rarely seen in comparison to other parasites, unfortunately signs can be very subtle until it is too late, so we always advise prevention as part

March, 2015

Opportunity to have a new pet for 2015

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of routine parasite treatment. This March Bayer are launching an interactive lungworm map at lungworm.co.uk, so you can check where your nearest cases are. Currently, vets are the only ones who can prescribe treatments that have been licensed to kill lungworm. If you contact your vets they will not only be able to prescribe your dog a good quality treatment, but will be able to advise you on the best parasite prevention for your pet based on their lifestyle so you know all the important things are covered! We hope this is of help to dog owners, and should you have any further questions we would be more than happy to help.

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MEET Barney and Nibbles. They are a year old and are a bit nervous but friendly, Guinea pigs can live up to eight years and therefore you could have many happy years with them. Rylan and Bella are a bonded pair of rabbits (both neutered) – they have been at the rescue for many months and really deserve a new forever home now. They are friendly but would need a large space to live in and to not be over handled as Rylan isn’t keen on being picked up. For further information on rehoming or fostering rabbits or guinea pigs please contact us on 0117 956 1981 or check out our website www.thelittlestrescue. org/ We have new animals coming in all the time and may have the perfect pets for you.

Volunteers needed A CHARITY based at the Vassall Centre in Fishponds is looking for people to lighten the load for carers. The South Gloucestershire Sitting Service is looking for people who can offer two to three hours of their time, weekly or fortnightly, to spend with a cared-for person so that their carer can take a break The charity says carers often find their own health and well-being suffers due to the pressure of caring, so having a regular short break can make all the difference. Volunteers will have a comprehensive induction, regular training and support. Travel expenses are paid and there are regular social events for all volunteers. They particularly need more men to get involved, and age is no barrier – as long as you’re over 18. The sitting service is part of the Carers’ Support Centre which provides support, information and advice to carers of any age living in the Bristol and South Gloucestershire areas. For more information about the role, please contact Marilyn Crump, sitting service coordinator, for an informal chat on 937 5622/0772 2283672 or email marilync@carerssupportcentre.org.uk.You can also find out more by visiting www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk

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March, 2015

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Fire chief’s pledge after Speedwell station shuts Kingswood Fire Station has opened its doors after a nine-month refurbishment programme. The station in Tennis Court Road closed in May 2014 when work began to expand and upgrade facilities. It is now home to two fire engines, a command unit and a command support unit and also includes a safety centre for use by the community. Firefighters moved in on February 10 and responded to 999 calls immediately. The expansion of the station was carried out to enable its merger with Speedwell Fire Station, which is now closed. The move is part of Avon Fire & Rescue Service’s Investing for the Future programme aimed at making savings and becoming more cost efficient. Construction company Willmott Dixon carried out the work at a cost of £1.6million, a substantial amount of which will be paid for by a £1.050 million grant from the Government. Chair of Avon Fire Authority, councillor Terry Walker, said: “Avon Fire Authority made the decision last year to merge Kingswood and Speedwell fire stations as part of a

wider programme of improvements that would reduce our expenditure. “Since 2010 we have made £6.6million of savings and efficiencies with further annual savings of £4.5 million needed in order to deal with the reductions we face in our budget over the next few years. “We have so far been able to make these savings without the need for compulsory redundancies and ensuring that frontline services are protected. Through our Investing for the Future programme we are committed to ensuring we continue this pledge. Avon Fire & Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer, Kevin Pearson, said: “The station has been brought right up to date to provide a great working environment for our staff. It also has a community room which offers free meeting space. “Although Speedwell Fire Station has closed I would like to reassure members of the local community that the response standards for the area remain unchanged. Fire engines will continue to respond to all 999 calls within eight minutes. “The Speedwell Fire Station site has been sold to Bristol City Council and their plan is to build an educational establishment there.”

Call for M32 noise curbs PEOPLE living close to the M32 have launched a campaign for noise barriers. They say traffic noise has increased dramatically and is having a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of residents in Stapleton, Easton and Eastville. A recent survey conducted by Defra on noise pollution along the M32 shows it can reach 75 decibels in some areas. Bristol is the only city in the UK with a motorway that goes straight into the city centre, and at 7.4km, the M32 is one of the shortest. In other parts of the UK and Europe, noise is mitigated by barriers near affected homes homes but this has not happened in Bristol. One homeowner in Island Gardens said the noise had got worse because vegetation which acted as a minimal barrier had been removed. Residents from the Duchess estate, Welsford estate, Bailey’s Mead and Island Gardens met their local councillors Mhairi Threlfall and Mahadmur Khan at the Merchant Arms on Bell Hill to discuss what they could do. They agreed to urge the Highways Agency to ensure that as part of its investment in the M32 to strengthen crash barriers and improve lighting it also take measures to reduce noise and air pollution for those with homes near the motorway. The residents want to see the road resurfaced with noise-reducing material and noise-limiting barriers installed to shield residents. They are also calling for an air quality monitoring station to be built near Stapleton village to measure pollutants. “Noise and air pollution create stress and health problems and make life very unpleasant for those affected,” said councillor Threlfall. The residents have started an online petition on the city council website: http://epetitions.bristol.gov.uk/epetition_core/community/ petition/2864

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Air Balloon Hill school rated Good AIR Balloon Hill Primary in St George is celebrating after Ofsted rated the school as good. Inspectors were particularly impressed with the school’s strong leadership, high quality teaching and positive relationships between staff and pupils. Head teacher Rob Worsfold said he was delighted that Air Balloon had moved from a judgement of “requires improvement” to “a good school with real strengths”. “We have an excellent team working in school and this is justification of all their hard work and good intentions,” he said. “We have been through amalgamation, building works and expansion in size. It has been a difficult and challenging few years but we all feel now that we have ‘come out the other side’. “We have a fantastic building, wonderful children, an amazing set of staff and governors, supportive parents and we all truly believe that Air Balloon has a rosy and exciting future." Paul Jacobs, of Bristol City Council, said: “It is clear that everyone involved in the school is committed to the ideal that all pupils should achieve well.”

March, 2015

Tristram pays pupils a visit CHILDREN at Glenfrome Primary School in Eastville had an impromptu history lesson when the Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt paid them a visit. On meeting a pupil from Pakistan, Mr Hunt, who is a historian, talked to him about the origin of his country. He also chatted to some of the youngest pupils about the rainforest during his tour of the school, which included its £3.9 million new classroom block. Mr Hunt learned about the success of the school, whose 360 children speak more than 30 languages between them. He also praised head teacher Inger O’Callaghan and her team for bringing about rapid and continuing improvements. He was accompanied on the visit by two people aiming to become Labour MPs at the general election – Thamgam Debbonaire (Bristol West) and Darren Jones (Bristol North West).

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March, 2015

fishpondsvoice

Salt Cod Beignets

with Lee of Kingfisher Cafe Ingredients 250 g butter 750ml water 375g plain flour seasoning 2 eggs beaten salt cod parsley finely chopped Method put the water and butter into a pan. bring to the boil. add the flour and beat until a smooth ball of paste that leaves the sides is achieved. remove from the heat and stir in the eggs one at a time beating all the time until you have a smooth paste. mix in seasoning, salt cod and parsley. using a piping bag pipe into a hot fryer and cook till golden brown and crispy.

Downend and Fishponds Voice quarter page artwork.pdf 1 12/02/2015 10:23:05

The Kingfisher Café

“Strengths throughout the school include outstanding spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and outstanding behaviour.” Ofsted

17-18 Straits Parade, Fishponds, Bristol

Tel: 0117 965 1001 The Kingfisher is a friendly, independent café created by Fishponds locals, Jane Rose and Sarah Baird. It provides a welcoming comfortable environment where you can relax with friends and family. We serve a range of delicious homemade cakes, breakfasts, lunches, daily specials and Sunday lunches. We hold regular events for all age groups! The Kingfisher is currently hosting Songs for Little People by local Richard Lobb every Wednesday morning. Age: Pre-school Time: 9.45am - 10.30am Cost: £4 per little person (6 sessions for £20). Siblings £2

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March, 2015

Congratulations from Cliff and a bottle of stout Some readers’ memories of Wendover maternity hospital, which is becoming a day nursery My daughter Jane Louise was born on Saturday 6th April 1968 in Wendover Maternity Hospital. There was snow on the ground as it had snowed the day before and we had a leak in our roof. My husband and our neighbour were bringing buckets of snow down from our roof for many hours on 6th April. My waters had broken soon after lunch and as my husband was working on the roof I didn’t trouble him to take me to Wendover. I actually didn’t feel too bad and had only a few little twinges. Saturday 6th April was also Eurovision Song Competition and Cliff Richard was singing “Congratulations” as the English entry. I wanted to watch this on our black and white T.V. that evening. Time went on and we had our meal but by then I knew contractions had started. Even though this was my first baby I didn’t panic, and still thought I could watch T.V. and then go to Wendover. We lived in Mangotsfield, so it would not be far to go when the time came. By the time Eurovision was due to start I realised I was being foolish and was in a little pain so I phoned the hospital, who said come on in. When we arrived at Wendover my husband left me and went home (men weren’t invited to stay in those days). The nurses examined me and said that I had left it a little late as this was my first baby. Jane was born at 10.35pm and weighed 7lbs 15ozs. She was delivered by Sister Winter and the doctor was DrBarnard. I could hear Cliff Richard singing on TV in a room down the corridor. He came second with Spain coming first and I could hear nurses singing along with him. I have photos of Jane and myself in bed taken when she was sixteen hours old and the best photo is of myself and baby outside the main door of Wendover about to

go home on Easter Monday, 15th April. (In those days you could stay in Maternity Hospitals for ten days after having a baby). I will just mention that in 1968 if a baby was born on 5th April or just before, the parents were due a large tax rebate for the whole year – our baby was born on the 6th April – (No rebate). We do joke with her that she has been late ever since for many things. I do remember that while in Wendover a nurse came around with a trolley after every evening meal and encouraged all the new mums to have a bottle of stout. I believed it contained iron, which was good for us. In the afternoons the tea trolley came around the ward, always with home made cakes, sometimes sliced fruit cake, fairy cakes or slices of sponge. The kitchens, I remember, were down two flights of stairs, in the basement and all food was prepared and cooked there. All new mums were persuaded to breast feed their babies. I refused and was told that I would have to prepare my own bottles of milk in the basement kitchen. This was supposed to put new mums off as it was a walk two floors down. There were no lifts in Wendover in 1968 and that was quite a walk, there and back every four hours. There was also a very large cat that roamed around the building all day. Two of the other new mums in the ward with me were Pat Beale, who had a little girl and Kathleen Mogford, who also had a girl. I also still have my daughters hospital wrist band. My daughter Jane is married and also lives in Downend. Lynda Stone My husband was born on 25th July 1970 at Wendover and his name is Ian Hulin. I was not born there but transferred a day after my birth. My mother and I stayed there for five days. I was born on 27th March 1980.

Lynda Stone with her newborn daughter Jane Louise My mum said the nurses were very kind there but quite strict. She said she was trying to watch a TV show when she first got there after having me and a nurse came into the room and and reminded her that she was a new mother now and did she realise that her baby was crying and that she couldnt sit around and watch television! My mum said that was her first glimpse into the world of what it was going to be like to be a mother and have to put somebody else’s needs above her own! April Hulin I read with interest your article on Wendover Hospital. I was born in this hospital on the 29th September 1952. 27 years later my son was born there on 4th August 1979. My experience was that of a friendly place with a family atmosphere. What a shame it had to shut and there are not more places like that still around today. Julie Oliver I was born at Wendover December 27, 1963, I don’t have any pictures from that time, the only memories from what my mother told me was that it was a wonderful place and she spent ten days in there after having me which was I believe was

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I spent time at the old Wendover Hospital in early 1970 when I was expecting the birth of my second child Natalie. I was lucky to have a friend who was expecting at the same time, unfortunately for both of us we were both overdue by nearly two weeks. The nurses used to encourage us to run up and down the stairs just to get our waters to break which we found hilarious. In the end I won and Natalie was born two weeks overdue. My friend Lynne Marsh quickly followed suit and gave birth shortly after me. Doreen Marsden

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quite normal back in the sixties. Things were done so differently back then. The nurses looked after all the babies nearly all the time, the babies were only given to the mothers at feeding time. This was so the mothers could rest properly after giving birth and the fathers were only allowed to visit once a day during the evening for a couple of hours. I can remember my mum telling me that her midwife was called Sister Alsop. Lorraine Bracey

tel 0117 9568606

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March, 2015

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EDA — from store to door in 24 hours EDA is a family run business that started trading in 1987. The proprietor, Rick Rann has been involved in domestic appliances since the late sixties so is a bit of an expert by now! EDA sells a varied range of brand new domestic white goods from washing machines to ovens and hobs and aim to be competitive in all areas. They have over 200 appliances on display at all times, but as they deal with numerous wholesalers any product can be sourced quickly. There is also ample parking for the showroom. All stock is, of course, fully guaranteed. Delivery is often a stumbling block with bigger organisations, but as EDA control their own warehousing and delivery team, very speedy delivery and installations can be effected. They also take away the old product, and all wrapping and packaging. Another problem can occur when a customer is expected to stay in all day waiting for delivery. EDA can usually time a delivery down to a two hour period to suit the customer. They also offer the facility of Saturday delivery. Another fairly unique service they offer is to deliver freezers and fridge freezers ready frozen down, so the customer can transfer their food immediately and the old product can go straight back on the van. No need to clean or defrost the old one. Some larger organisatiions object to stairs or other ‘awkward’ deliveries, EDA’s motto is “If it will go in, we’ll get it in”. In an era that has seen many big names

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AT’S

March 5 n Mother’s Day cardmaking and photo session, Fishponds Play Cafe March 6 n Tea Dance, Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, (1.45-3.45 pm) Pay at door. March 7 n Church Open Coffee Morning at All Saints Church - including Repair Cafe 10am March 7 n New Harmony Ladies Choir, Bristol, in concert with The Allen Valley Singers from Cornwall, St Stephen’s Church, Soundwell, 7pm. Admission £6, children free. March 10 Talk – Peter Girling – The Bristol University Botanic Gardens. Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn. 10 for 10:30 am. Pay at door, including coffee. March 13 n Activate Fishponds drop-in lunchtime concert featuring Henleaze Ladies Choir 1-2pm, Fishponds Methodist Church, Guinea Lane, Fishponds. Free admission, tea/coffee available, retiring collection. March 14 n A Night at the Musicals performed by Bristol Amateur Musical Singers at Staple Hill Methodist Church, 7.30pm. Tickets £8 or £6 concessions. Come and be entertained with music from your favourite musicals including Evita, Wicked, Miss Saigon, Les Mis and many more. All proceeds going to the ‘raise the roof’ charity fund. Call 07967190488 or message to book. March 14 n Cossham Hospital League of Friends holds an Easter Mini Market from 10am to 1pm in the hospital’s seminar room, to the right after entering the main entrance. March 17 n Downend Local History Society:

March, 2015

Have you got an event you would like to publicise? Or do you run a club or society in the Fishponds area?

Send details of your events and activities to

news@fishpondsvoice.co.uk or call us on 07770 700579 / 07880 731148 and we will make sure thousands of people in the area know about them.

From Pillar to Post – Street Furniture in Bristol and District. Talk by Cyril Routley. Lincombe Barn at 7.30pm.Visitors welcome. £3. March 21 n (changed from February 14) Table Top Sale. Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn. Open 2 to 4 pm – Entrance free. Table £5, advance booking from office (0117 956 23 67) – Available to set up 1pm March 20 n Fashion Show by Daisy Lane fashion boutique at Badminton Road Methodist Church in aid of church refurbishment. 8pm. Tickets £3 including coffee, from Daisy Lane boutique, from Sue Fenton 0117 9561106 and on the door March 25 n Walking for Health 2.5 mile walk from Badminton Gardens in Beaufort Road, Downend, starting at 2pm.

Regular events in the Fishponds area Mondays n 9am Holistic Massage - St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10:30am Tiny Tots - All Saints Community Hall n 11am Bereavement and Wellbeing support - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Computer Group - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Ping Pong (Table Tennis) for over 55’s - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Welcome Club for Retireds+ - St Aidan’s Church Hall n 3pm Messy Church - St John’s Church

Fishponds and Hillfields Library What’s On What’s On in Local Libraries on a regular basis Tuesday Pre-school Storytime/Rhymetime, Fishponds Library 2.15 – 2.45 pm Thursday Knit & Natter, Fishponds Library 5th & 19th March all welcome 2-4 pm (fortnightly) Friday Rhymetime for babies and toddlers, Hillfields Library 11.30-12.00

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

n 6:30pm Prayers - St John’s Church Tuesdays n 9:15am Morning Prayer - St John’s Church n 9:30am Fishponds Play Cafe - All Saints Community Hall n 9:30am Foot Care Sessions - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 10am Coffee and Craft Morning St John’s Church n 10am Sing and Sign for babies / toddlers - All Saints Community Hall n 10am Level 1 Walking Group - starting at St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 10:30am Music for Toddlers - St Mary’s Parish Rooms n 12:30pm Lunch Club - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Film Club for over 55’s - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2.15-2.45 pm Pre-school Storytime/Rhymetime, Fishponds Library n 3pm Eucharist with signing for the Deaf - Hillside Court, Batten Road, St George, Bristol, BS5 8NL n 3:15pm Messy Church Fishponds CofE Academy n 6pm Woodcraft - All Saints Church Hall / Link n 7pm Evening Prayer - St Aidan’s Church n 7pm Evening Prayer - St Ambrose Church n Townswomen’s Guild, 2pm, first Tuesday of the month, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds. n Frenchay Parent and Toddler group, upstairs in the Frenchay Village Hall, 9.45-11.45am Wednesdays n 9:30am Fishponds Play Cafe - All Saints Community Hall n 9.45pm Songs for Little People – The Kingfisher Cafe. £4 per little person, siblings £2. n 10am Eucharist - St Ambrose Church n 10:30am Arts and Crafts - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 10:30am Coffee Morning - St Ambrose Church n 11am Tai Chi - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 1pm Level 3 Walking Group starting from St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 1:30pm Arts and Crafts - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Punjabi Dance and Song - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Support and Activity Group - St Ambrose Beehive Centre

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

n 2pm Chair based exercise class St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2:30pm Ladies Circle - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2:30pm Wives Group - St John’s Church n 3:30pm Messy Church - Air Balloon Primary School, Hillside Rd, St George n 6:30pm Home Group - Location varies Thursdays n 9:15am Morning Prayer - St Aidans Church n 9:30am Fishponds Play Cafe - All Saints Community Hall n 10am Coffee and Craft Morning St Aidan’s Church n 10am Free Beginners Computer Classes - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 10am Eucharist - St John’s Church n 10am Eucharist - St Mary’s Church n 10am Parent and Toddler Group St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 12pm Ballroom Dance Class - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Exercises and Sing-a-long Activity Session - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Fit Steps - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2-4 pm (fortnightly) Knit & Natter, Fishponds Library n Frenchay Parent and Toddler group, upstairs in the Frenchay Village Hall, 9.45-11.45am Fridays n 9:30am The Friday Playgroup - All Saints Community Hall n 10:30am Line Dancing - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 11.30am-noon Rhymetime for babies and toddlers, Hillfields Library n 12pm Senior Citizens Bingo Club with optional fish and chip lunch St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm The First Friday Film Club All Saints Church Hall n 5:30pm Taekwondo - St John’s Church Hall n 6pm Silent Meditation - St Mary’s Parish Rooms n 7pm Grove Road Youth Club - All Saints Community Hall Sundays n 8am Eucharist - All Saints Church n 9:30am Eucharist - St Mary’s Church with Giggle Sunday Club in Parish Rooms n 10am Eucharist - St Ambrose Church n 10am Eucharist or Lay-Led Service - St Michael’s Church n 10:30am Eucharist or Lay-Led Service - St Aidan’s Church n 10:30am Eucharist or Lay-Led Service - St John’s n 11am Eucharist or Lay-Led Service - All Saints Church n 6pm All Sorts Youth Group (fortnightly) St Aidan’s Church hall n 6:30pm Evensong - St Mary’s Church n Staple Hill Methodist Church invite you to join them in worship at 10.30am and 6pm every Sunday. A creche is available for little ones and Sunday Club. Taize Worship is held on second Sunday evening of

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

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March, 2015

the month and communion is taken on first morning and evening of the month. All are welcome, come and join us on the High Street. If you would like any further information please ring 0117 9575221 and leave a message and someone will get back to you.

Packed timetable AVON Valley Railway has a packed timetable for 2015, including special events for Mother’s Day and Easter. The heritage diesel railcar will be carrying passengers along the historic line from Bitton Station into Avon Valley during half-terms, at Easter and over the summer. A “first-class” Mothers’ Day Lunch will be held on board the Steam ‘n’ Cuisine Dining Train on March 15 (not to mention a Fathers’ Day Lunch on June 21). Richard Shacklock, Avon Valley Railway commercial manager, said: “Avon Valley should be the first stop for families throughout the school holidays, with plenty going on to entertain the youngsters as well as their parents and grandparents.” For more information on Avon Valley Railway and its programme of events, visit www.avonvalleyrailway. org or call 0117 932 5538

fishpondsvoice

FISHPONDS Church of England Academy welcomed the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Alastair Watson, as part of a citywide effort to celebrate reading. Children who are taking part in the Reading Recovery programme had the chance to read to councillor Watson and to the Lady Mayoress Sarah Watson. Among them were Delano Grant and Eni-ola Adeyemi. It was all part of Read Aloud week, in which leading figures from the city visited classrooms. Some children also recorded videos of themselves reading to send to celebrity supporters of the campaign. Among them were Amari McLeary and Mahima Murshad from Glenfrome Primary, who sent a clip to footballer Gareth Bale. Reading Recovery helps children who have been struggling to learn to read to catch up with their classmates. Brenda Massey, Assistant Mayor for Education said: “The Reading Recovery programme shows how vital it is to help children to become successful readers. Read Aloud celebrates the success of children in overcoming their difficulties to become better readers.”

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Join us at the Hillfields Community Trust We are a community group for the good of Hillfields Ward, we have hosted a number of events ranging from a Diamond Jubilee in Hillfields Park to Harvest events in Hillfields Library, Winter Wondland in Hillfields Youth Hub through to Coach Outings locally and nationally for disadvantaged families from Minerva Primary Academy and Hillfields Ward. We are always looking for new members to join us and make a great difference for Hillfields in Fishponds. All ideas are good ideas, people from all backgrounds, faiths and cultures are very welcome.

Please email george@hillfieldscommunitytrust.org.uk Tel our mobile: 07954416465

We would love to hear from you

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OUG

H T

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T H

E MO

With

Paul Donovan Pastor of Pendennis Evangelical Church,

March, 2015

What voices do you respond to?

y family enjoys watching The Voice and I am pleased that Fishponds is getting this helpful Voice of their own but what interests me about voices is our response

is that God chose to enter into it himself - to speak in person. Jesus was the Word that became flesh.4 Twice the Bible records the voice of God saying, ‘This is my Son… Listen to him!’5 Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”6 We all are like vulnerable sheep who need to listen to the good shepherds voice and follow him to security.7 The creator God of the Bible is God who communicates with those he has made. His is the voice of authority, power, grace and love. His message is one of full and eternal life through Jesus. It is a voice we will all respond to one day but he calls now for you to hear his beautiful voice, press the button of your life and joyfully turn towards him. It’s an easy choice that you will never regret. Don’t just take my word, read his (references below). If you would like a Bible or to talk, we would be delighted to help. 1 Psalm 33 verse 9; Genesis 1. 2 Psalm 19. 3 Romans 1 verse 19,20. 4 John 1 verse 14. 5 Matthew 3 verse 17; 17 verse 5. 6 John 5 verse 24. 7 John 10 verse 27

to them. Sir Tom and his crew have to decide if they like what they are hearing - will they turn towards the voice? And we the public will respond in different ways to the various ‘voices’ included in publications such as this. Indeed, there are voices all around us today probably more so than at any other point in history. Texts, Skype, newspaper, books, magazines, TV, radio, music, social media, blogs, endless websites and even possibly a face to face conversation! Family, friends, teachers, celebrities, doctors, broadcasters, politicians and faith adherents. It can be quite bewildering can’t it? Who do you believe, what voices should you listen to and turn towards? There is however the voice of One who ‘spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.’1 The voice of infinite power, wisdom and authority who brought this world of awesome wonder, bounty and order into being. The Bible teaches that the created world itself is a voice, that the skies ‘pour forth speech’2 so that God can be heard by everyone, everywhere.3 More astounding than the created universe itself

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March, 2015

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Meet wrestler Molly, queen of the half nelson SHE may only be 5ft 3ins and weigh less than nine stone, but Molly Winstone certainly knows how to throw her weight around. For the 17-year-old from Staple Hill is the current English and British junior wrestling champion. If your memory of wrestling conjures up images of Big Daddy throwing chairs at his terrified opponents courtesy of Saturday afternoon World of Sport, you might be surprised to hear Molly’s sport is somewhat different. “Not many people know about freestyle Olympic wrestling which isn’t staged like WWE wrestling,” Molly said. “It’s not held in a ring and people don’t hit each other with chairs! You’re not allowed to kick or punch so it’s a lot more civilised.” Molly was inspired to wrestle at the age of 11 after watching her brother Jake compete in the sport for GB. An injury meant he had to retire so he started to coach instead. “I went along to one of his sessions and I just stayed there. I enjoyed it. Wrestling is a challenge. It’s not a sport where you just go in and know everything and do well at it straight away. It’s something you have to work on.” As Molly is now 17, she can compete at both junior and senior level. But her first international senior level competition in Austria last month, proved a tough lesson. “The competition was really good and it was very well organised

but I didn’t do too well. I lost my first fight in about 50 seconds when my opponent pinned me which meant I didn’t proceed because if you lose you’re out. “I didn’t realise how good the level of wrestling is in Europe. It’s showed me I have to work harder if I want to continue competing internationally.” Molly’s favourite technique is the half nelson: “I’m good at that at junior level but the seniors know how to defend it. I have to try to work around it and try to learn a few more moves to I can get past them.” Training can be a problem, Molly admits because the South West isn’t really geared up for wrestling like the north of England, where the sport is really popular. This means Molly and dad Steve have to travel most months up to Manchester where the National Talent Squad meets. “Up north there are a lot of clubs and some really good wrestlers. There’s a place called Middleton which has one club and most of the children there train in wrestling! But down here there’s nothing. Not many people seem to know about Olympic wrestling.” Molly admits her peers at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College in Filton where she is studying a BTEC in sport and exercise science are taken aback when they find out what their fellow student gets up to in her spare time. “They are often shocked when they first find out but after they are interested and ask me lots of questions.” After Molly finishes college this summer she plans to go to uni but wants to study up north where she will have more choice of wrestling clubs. “I want to keep training because my ultimate goal is to get to the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Wrestlers are being watched all the time but a year before the Games the ones who will be selected are told they are on the short-list.” Molly’s biggest supporters are her parents, Steve and Nikki, and her

five siblings Sam, 25, Jake, 23, Charlie, 18, Harry, 16, and Lily, 15. “My family support me all they can. My dad drives me everywhere and pays for what he can. I think

they’re quite proud of me.” Molly will defend her English title on March 7 at the 2015 English Junior & Senior Championships in Bolton.

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Donations given to charities by St Mary’s Players ST Mary’s Players have made donations to five local charities following their two successful productions last year. The Players presented The Sound of Music at the Redgrave Theatre in April and an Old Time Music Hall at Page Hall in the autumn. The charities to benefit were: Jack Banks Star Tribute Fund, Look Good, Feel Better and Charlton Farm Children’s Hospice, which received £250 each; and Richard Bright Renal Unit at Southmead and Friends of Warmley Park School Playground Appeal, which both received £150. SMP’s spring 2015 production is South Pacific, with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. The story is based on James A. Michener’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 book, Tales of the South Pacific, about an American nurse and her colleagues stationed on a South Pacific island during World War II. She falls in love with an older expatriate French plantation owner, who has more than one secret. It includes memorable songs as Some Enchanted Evening, There Is Nothing Like A Dame and Younger Than Springtime. It will be performed at the Redgrave Theatre in Clifton from Tuesday April 7 to Saturday April 11 at 7.15pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.15pm. All tickets are £12.50 and can be obtained from the box office: 0845 5199048 or online via www.smpmusicaltheatrecompany. ticketsource.co.uk You can find more information about SMP at: www. smpmusicaltheatrecompany. co.uk, on Twitter: @ StMarysPlayers or Facebook: SMPMusicalTheatreCompany

March, 2015

Granny Dawn shares stories DAWN May was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2012 – the same year she became a grandmother for the first time. Although little Luca is still too young to understand, Dawn is determined that her grandson will not be frightened by her symptoms. She has always been open with him and her family about the illness and its impact but she has discovered that some people find it difficult to share awareness with their nearest and dearest. Yet keeping quiet means that sometimes children may not realise what’s happening until their grandparent becomes quite scary. “I didn’t want that to happen to me and I wanted to help others who might be in the same situation so I decided to write some children’s books about Parkinson’s,” said Dawn, 62, who volunteers at a school in Horfield and lives in Clifton with her husband David, a professor of computer science. The result is a series of five gentle stories, beautifully illustrated

by Phil Goss, which are being sold to raise money for the charity Parkinson’s UK. Dawn self-funded the first, Does it hurt, Granny? published in 2013 and crowdfunded the second, I’ll do it, Granny, which came out late last year. The others are written and will be published in due course. The books feature a little boy called Jake and show how he and his granny can still enjoy each other’s company, even on bad days. Dawn hopes people in the Fishponds area will will buy the books for people they know with Parkinson’s or will consider purchasing them to give to local schools in time for the charity’s Use Your Head awareness day for primary schools on April 24. Dawn, a former French teacher and student adviser, has given to talks in schools about the illness, which affects about 127,000 people in the UK. There is currently no cure, but drugs and treatments are available to manage many of the symptoms.

“I was 59 when I was diagnosed. I was troubled by my own prognosis but I was not in any pain. Usually people do not deteriorate too much in the first ten years or so,” she said. Dawn, who has three adult sons, is determined to continue enjoying her life in spite of the illness, which causes her some difficulty with walking and with fine motor skills such as doing up buttons. She enjoys cycling and is an active member of the Bristol branch of Parkinson’s UK. “There is a long gap between diagnosis and when things become frightening,” said Dawn. “ Luca has not noticed anything yet, but when he does he will have heard the word Parkinson’s.” Dawn hopes local people will “buy and donate” books to schools through her website dawnmay. com (two books for £12) so that teachers can use them as a gentle introduction to the age-appropriate materials issued by Parkinson’s UK. For details of Use Your Head day, visit: www.parkinsons.org.uk/ content/use-your-head-parkinsons

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March, 2015

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Harry Potter night at school CHILDREN had a magical time when a Fishponds school took part in the first Harry Potter night. They dressed up as characters from JK Rowling’s stories and staff read to them from the seven popular books. Guests at the event were put into houses by a sorting hat and stalls sold potions and magical foods. Pupils in Year 4 also paid a visit to Harry Potter World in London.

Jadan Barrett-Lewis as Harry

Dumbledore, aka head teacher Tony Phillips, with Mia Barrett-Lewis and Rhys Galvin

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RELATIVES of a couple who were killed while riding their tandem in Hanham have met David Cameron to discuss their campaign for a change to dangerous driving laws. The Prime Minister said he was sympathetic to the case presented by the family of Ross and Clare Simons and said he would bring it to the attention of the Justice Secretary Chris Grayling. Ross’s sister Kelly Woodruff said the family wanted an increase in the maximum jail sentence for death by dangerous driving, currently 14 years. Nicholas Lovell, who killed Ross and Clare Simons in Lower Hanham Road two years ago, was given the maximum sentence, but he may be out of jail in five years due to early release conditions. Lovell had 69 previous convictions and had been banned from driving, having had 11 dangerous driving convictions. Kelly said: “We hope that we can get some more progress in our campaign to change the law, and to increase the maximum tariff for death by dangerous driving. We want to ensure that we do all we can to keep persistent dangerous drivers who kill off the roads, and to help save future lives that could be lost.”

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Creative project planned as part of Green Capital A CREATIVE project to bring together Eastville with the rest of Greater Fishponds is planned as part of Bristol’s year as European Green Capital. Artists are being invited to put forward their ideas for the £10,000 scheme, which could involve creating some public artwork. The aim will be to involve community groups and residents from all over Greater Fishponds and make people in Eastville proud to be part of the area. Greater Fishponds is one of the first six Bristol areas to launch the Green Capital Neighbourhood Arts Programme. Artists have until the beginning of April to submit suggestions for a brief that has been drawn up after public consultation. A Creative Brainstorm session is being held from 2-5pm on Saturday March 7 at the Bristol 2015 Lab Space on the Harbourside for anyone seeking further information. To find out more, ‘like’ the Neighbourhood Arts Programme on Facebook and follow @Bristol_2015 on Twitter.

March, 2015

Cafe Grounded taking shape

News in brief . . . NEWSREADER Alex Lovell boosted patients and staff when she visited Bristol’s St Peter’s Hospice. Alex said: “I often hear people talking very fondly of their experiences with St Peter’s Hospice so it’s great to come and see it for myself. The doctors, nurses, staff and supporters here are very inspirational people and the spirit of the patients is undeniable.” Head of supporter relations at St Peter’s Hospice, John Flanagan said: “Collectively hospices in the UK care for around 360,000 people every year and the service we provide really does change lives, providing care, dignity and compassion for people facing the end of their lives. It is lovely that Alex is helping us to spread the word.” n

THE Crohn’s and Colitis UK Avon & North Somerset group is holding social events at Coffee #1 in Fishponds on May 9, August 8 and November 14. All start at 10.30am. The group has 470 members across the area. It is organising a number of free events this year for people with the conditions, including a medical meeting for people with IBD on March 21 in North Petherton. For further information email ans@groups.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk or phone 0845 434 8513 n

PATIENTS at The Fishponds Clinical Practice are supporting activities for young disabled people. Collections at weekly flu clinics at the surgery raised £190 for the organisation WECIL. A spokesman for WECIL, which used to be at the Vassall Centre and is now based in Kingswood, thanked the patients for their generosity. WECIL supports disabled people to live independently in and around Bristol. It offers services such as peer support, direct payments support services, advocacy and youth clubs. n

A RESEARCHER at UWE Bristol is carrying out a project funded by Breast Cancer UK on whether expressive writing can help patients affected by hair loss. Taking part in the study involves writing for 20 minutes each day for four consecutive days on a topic given by the research team, and completing three questionnaires. To find out more or to volunteer, email Melissa.Pilkington@uwe.ac.uk

We need your news Do you have a story you would like to share - email us at

news@fishpondsvoice.co.uk To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

WORK is progressing on the Cafe Grounded cafe bar in Fishponds Road and bosses say they hope to be open in the spring. Spokeswoman Katie Taylor said: “We’re really looking forward to becoming a central part of the vibrant community in Fishponds. Grounded will complement the existing businesses on Fishponds Road, while offering something new.” Grounded will open in the former Co-operative Bank building. In the evenings, it will serve stone-baked pizzas and showcase local live acoustic music.

Kathleen shares her story to help others quit smoking A FISHPONDS woman has shared the story of how she quit smoking in the hope of inspiring others. Kathleen Butt started smoking at the age of 11 and continued for the next 56 years, by the end of which she was smoking 70 roll-ups a day. “Every six months I would buy 100 pouches of tobacco just for my own consumption. It was only when I counted all of them up that I realised how much I was smoking,” she said. Kathleen tried smoking e-cigarettes to curb her addiction to tobacco but found herself becoming addicted to these too. She called the organisation Smokefree Bristol and found that they were starting a new Stop Smoking group at the Fishponds Primary Care Centre that very night. Kathleen decided to attend. Last January she was prescribed

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patches and managed to stop smoking completely by May. Sheer determination, willpower and support from Smokefree Bristol’s stop smoking group had got her through. Bristol’s asistant mayor for public health, Daniella Radice, said: “Kathleen is a great example of someone who has overcome her addiction. I hope that other people will see her as an inspiration to quit smoking themselves.” Smoking still remains the biggest cause of premature death in England, accounting for 80,000 deaths a year with half of all longterm smokers dying early from a smoking related disease It’s National No Smoking Day on March 10. For more information on how Smokefree Bristol can support you to quit smoking for good, visit www. smokefreebristol.com

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

E: news@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

OOK

March, 2015

E MO

Book reviews from the staff of Fishponds and Hillfields libraries

Electricity By Ray Robinson Mr Robinson’s debut novel, this

fishpondsvoice

was made into a film in 2014. The narrator, Lily, in her own words, ‘…. happens to have epilepsy … but it’s not who I am’; she is certainly not ‘an epileptic’. That assertion does not detract from the fact that the condition is a very significant and debilitating part of Lily’s life - it may not be comfortable, it certainly does not define her, but it’s familiar and has been with her since early childhood. Lily is a strong, likeable, vibrant character who, having put her past behind her, is forced to revisit it upon the death of her abusive mother. Lily is reunited with one of her brothers, and embarks on a quest to find her other missing brother. To this end, Lily travels to London, a crowded, busy and indifferent environment compared to her native Yorkshire. Already out of her depth, she has to contend with a change in medication which causes her symptoms to become more lucid and skews her experience of reality. Lily’s perceptions are described with an explosion of colour and energy which conjure up a wealth of imagery. Despite her challenges, Lily is a survivor, a strong woman, who has learnt to ‘thrash, get up, get on with it’. A ‘grown-up’ read, full of sensation: recommended. Look out

for the unusual use of icons. Anne-Marie.

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton This is the first novel by Jessie Burton and it begins on an autumn day in 1686, eighteenyear-old Nella Oortman knocks at the door of a grand house in the wealthiest quarter of Amsterdam. Nella has come from the country with her parakeet Peebo to begin a new life as the wife of a wealthy merchant trader Johannes Brandt, Johannes is not at the house to meet his new wife and Nella is met by his sharp-tongued sister Marin who runs the household. Only later does Johannes appear, though curiously distant towards his new bride he presents Nella with

an extraordinary wedding gift, a cabinet-sized replica of their home. It is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist, whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in unexpected ways. Nella is at first mystified by the closed world of the Brandt household, but as she uncovers its secrets she realizes the escalating dangers that await them all. The miniaturist seems to hold their fate in her hands and does she plan to save or destroy them. The author seems to have done considerable research to get her 17th century details correct. I found the characters interesting but I was a little disappointed that Nella never did meet the mysterious “miniaturist” It was slow to start but I kept with it as I was intrigued by its title, I found it to be a mix of mystery, love, secrets, betrayal, identity and revenge and as first novel I did enjoy reading it.

Cynthia

Any of the books featured can be reserved free of charge at your local library

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The Lunch Box Mark Harris & Hiu Ying Chu, the couple who are partners in the company

Tell us about your company? The Lunch Box is a place born just over a year ago after we had changed from the bar scene and decided to open a café, We employ two people who are Berny during the week and Anabelle who works weekends

What service do you provide to the people of Fishponds?

We provide Fishponds with just a normal café with normal café food, We tried to stay away from Porto Lounge and now Grounded in a way that we offer great quality food with real value, and the value part is very important to us. If you get

in early enough all our coffees are only £1. We also provide a great value Sunday Roast. We used to be closed on Sunday until a customer suggested we opened for the roast and we have opened ever since. We try to make it a community place where we listen to the customers’ wants. Another example is a customer wanted a slice of cake with their coffee which we didn’t have so we got out our cookbooks and started and now Hiu has to make a cake every two days to keep up.

What is the best part of running your business and working in the area? The best part of running a business

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in Fishponds is most definitely the people we meet. Our regulars make me laugh every day with their daily tales of what they get up to in the town; we truly make every person who walks through the door as welcome as our best friends and family and that is key to making The Lunch Box a success

What makes your service different from other companies? I think what sets us apart is the fact we’re a small family run, value for money café not a chain where things are so regimented and expensive for the customer. Just because we’re cheap, that does not mean we don’t provide top quality amazing food, because we

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use the same produce as everyone else, we just don’t have 10 bosses above us we also need to pay for.

What are your plans for the future of the business? Our goals in the near future are to start looking at bringing out our new menu, boosting our business catering

The Lunch Box 802 Fishponds Road, Bristol BS16 3TE

07930 062320 www.lunchboxbristol.co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

follow us on Twitter @fishpondsvoice 35 fishpondsvoice Nursery makes changes Dragon fires imagination as after Ofsted report Chinese New Year is marked

March, 2015

E: news@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

A FISHPONDS nursery has responded quickly to an Ofsted inspection that judged it to require improvement. Mama Bear’s Day Nursery and Pre-School on Thicket Avenue in Hillfields, which has 56 children on roll, has made changes to its preschool garden and baby room since the Ofsted visit and their efforts have been praised by Bristol Early Years & Childcare Service. Owner Bev Driffield said: “Staff at the nursery are working on areas highlighted by the Ofsted inspector for improvement and are pleased that those improvements have been recognised in this latest report.” Ofsted praised the nursery’s safeguarding of children and its positive partnership with parents and said children enjoyed daily outdooor play. But the inspector, Julie Swann, said the quality of teaching was inconsistent. The second report, from the city council’s team, said “The pre-school is an exciting and motivating learning environment. “I thoroughly enjoyed looking around the environment and particularly the pre-school garden which is an exciting place for a

child to be. The nursery felt very warm and calm and it was good to see all the children engrossed with their play, supported by engaged practitioners.” Sophie Halls, manager of the nursery, which opened in 2004 and has been run by Mama Bear’s since 2010, said: “It is lovely to have such positive comments from the Bristol Early Years & Childcare Service. We work really hard to make our nursery a home-from-home environment for the children, so it’s great that our friendly relationship with parents was recognised by the inspector.” The timber-built Fishponds nursery is set in landscaped gardens designed to be full of areas of discovery and learning. Inside the nursery, there are four well-maintained rooms catering for different age-groups. Mama Bear’s runs 20 nurseries in Bristol and the South West.

CHILDREN, staff parents and carers at Little Hayes Children’s Centre celebrated Chinese New Year by creating a dragon model. The centre runs a huge range of activities to support families and carers with children under five in the Fishponds and Hillfields area. The centre works in partnership with teams such as midwives, health, social care and the family information service.

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March, 2015

Top coach opens new Elite Martial Arts gym TAEKWONDO star Seelan Rengasamy has opened a new martial arts gym in Staple Hill. The former Olympian visited the Elite Martial Arts Gym at Exhibition House in Hayward Road to coach some of the budding competitors there. Seelan, who helps coach world and Olympic ranked No. 1 Aaron Cook, conducted a four hour training session with former British heavyweight champion Dennis Robinson and current international competitor Luke Rengasamy. The gym, which has already produced and currently trains a number of British champions, were grateful to Seelan and his team

for taking time out of their busy international schedule to come and coach members, having just returned from international events in Belgium. Seelan said: “I was really impressed by the high standard of martial arts shown by members of the Elite Gym and would like to thank everyone for inviting me down. The seminar attracted members from both the England and Welsh national squads. I look forward to visiting again in the near future.” Carmello Laporta, whose sixyear-old son Marco trains at the gym, said: “I just want to say thank you for what the gym has done

Lee, Seelan and Gabby

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for Marco, who is still buzzing, and me more than him, after the praise Master Seelan gave him for his effort and abilities.” A film of Seelan and members of the Elite Gym can be seen on YouTube at https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=H14hJQE4aKA.

Marco and Seelan

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en .......3 Emersons Gre minutes ld ............3 Mangotsfie minutes ............... 6 Kingswood minutes .5 ............... Ring Road

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Kindergarten 2–3½ years Teacher-led learning zones, building Light open spaces indoor and out for ‘Amazing Twos’ to explore, grow and socialise.

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substantial outdoor space, Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School With lightand spacious areas, stimulating learning zones is truly a breathplay of fresh air! So, why not call 07876 654814 arrange a friendly showaround for yourself & Pre-School and substantialtooutdoor space, Red and BusseeNursery what all the buzz is about? is truly a breath of fresh air! So, why not call 07876 654814 to arrange a friendly showaround and see for yourself what all the buzz is about?

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Call us on 07876 654814 today Call us on 07876 654814 today or email downend@redbusnursery.co.uk or email downend@redbusnursery.co.uk

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Wendover House, 170 Downend Road, 170 Downend Wendover House, Bristol BS16Road, 5EBBristol BS16 5EB www.redbusnursery.co.uk www.redbusnursery.co.uk

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March, 2015

E: news@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

fishpondsvoice

Sponsorship opportunities at Downend Cricket Club DOWNEND Cricket Club has announced its 2015-16 sponsorship packages as part of the latest move to try to make the club more

financially secure. The club has created several options, from significant shirt and ground brand awareness, to

opportunities to get involved in match days and club events. There are also chances for businesses to make the most of this year’s Lashings 2015 match at the ground. Chairman Mike Richmond said: “As with many small sports clubs, Downend CC is struggling to secure its future financially. There is no financial reserve, grant opportunities are small or require significant amounts of match funding and the club’s small surplus is running very thin. The club is exploring many options to try and help – from the ongoing research into a potential move, to new school holiday coaching for juniors and events across the new season. “Sponsorship is a vital way of the club continuing its day to day activities, such as enabling local boys and girls from age eight upwards to benefit from qualified coaching and to play for our numerous junior teams. Sponsorship also has the potential to help us to achieve some of our bigger renovation projects.” The club hopes its ongoing association with top cricketing names, and continuing presence at the highest level of the south west’s amateur cricket competition, will bring new sponsors to this

forthcoming season. First team match day sponsorship, for example, could allow businesses the opportunity to be associated with contracted Gloucestershire and Somerset players at Downend CC. Many know that cricketing legend WG Grace was born just yards from the ground. Other past players of note also include Allan Border (Australian test captain), Chris Broad (Gloucestershire and England), James Averis (Gloucestershire), Martin Ball (Gloucestershire and England) and Richard Dawson (Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and England). World renowned cricketers continue to grace Downend CC, with the Lashings All Stars returning every summer since 2010 to help the club fundraise and give players and supporters the chance to meet their cricketing heroes. Past players at Downend have included Courtney Walsh, Herschelle Gibbs and Mark Eahlam. This year the Lashings All Stars will return on Friday June 19. More information on sponsorship opportunities at the club can be found at www. downendcricket.co.uk, or email downendcricket@gmail.com.

Dr Timothy Button MSc(Chiro) DC FRCC(Sports)

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CLEVE CHIROPRACTIC 20 St James's Place, Mangotsfield, Bristol BS16 9JB

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THEY’RE hairdressers’ cars, right? That’s what people say when someone declares they have an MX5, writes Andy Laurence. In some cases it’s true; Franco, the son in Vincenzo & Son Gentlemen’s Hairdressers on Gloucester Road used to have one. In this case, it’s not the car that’s the hairdresser’s, but the championship. Vincenzo & Son sponsor the MX5 Challenge run by Bristol Motor Club. The challenge consists of five events against the clock at Castle Combe, Llandow and Chepstow race tracks. The focus is on affordable fun, with standard cars both eligible and competitive and entry fees from £33 for a day of racing. The announcement of the challenge has led to Fishponds resident, Garry Hendy coming back to the sport after a few years off. Garry previously campaigned a Daihatsu Charade GTti and enjoyed pitching his £1000 car against far

March, 2015

Garry tempted by ‘hairdresser’s’ MX5

more expensive machinery and winning! Garry has purchased an MX5 and entered the first two rounds of the championship at Chepstow on March 1 and the Great Western Sprint at Castle Combe Circuit on March 21. The event at Castle Combe is the opening round of

the British Sprint Championship where V8 F1-powered single seaters provide the highlight, cresting Avon Rise at 180mph. Entry is free for spectators, including paddock transfer, and Garry would appreciate some local support. If you have an interest in racing cars, Bristol Motor Club organises

cost-effective events that you can get involved in as a spectator, marshal, organiser or competitor. The club meets on the first Tuesday of every month at Colston’s School. Search for Bristol Motor Club on Facebook, Twitter or your favourite search engine to find out more.

On the treatment table with Dr Tim Button of Cleve Chiropractic and Next Step Centre

ith the arrival of the Fishponds Voice it now takes the readership directly to my parents door, which at least saves me the hassle of saving them a copy each month. Why they or anybody for that matter want to read my ramblings is still beyond me but it reminds me that my (now retired) parents used to work in Fishponds. It is likely that a number of people reading this blog in Fishponds would have been taught by my parents at Whitefield School (as it was known, now it is the Bristol Met.) I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to any of these students that have been affected. My mum’s ability to crack the whip with my homework and my dad’s questionable sense of humour would undoubtedly leave students frazzled, if not a little dazed. The best bit of having teachers as parents however were definitely the ski trips. We were so lucky to grow up going on all of the ski trips that Whitefield went on. We went by plane and by coach to the Alps to all sorts of little resorts learning to ski on these long planks of iron. I remember when Snowboarding was invented and my brother and I tried it out. The boards were so hard to turn on that we just kept wiping out all the locals and getting shouted at so we quickly returned to skis. The next day full of confidence back on two planks my brother promptly skied into a stream. I still laugh now thinking about him waste deep in freezing cold water so angry that the water was steaming around him. Back to the present, we just got back in one piece from our little ski trip to Morzine this year.

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For all of those who went before us with poor snow conditions over Christmas I am very sorry to tell you that we arrived into some of the best ski conditions I have ever seen…snow and sunshine all round! We even bumped into former England rugby fly half Toby Flood enjoying his retirement. With regard to work we have increased the number of Pilates sessions available to accommodate the increased demand so please enquire if you would like to start Pilates in a small class of just 6 people with our highly qualified Physio Pilates instructor Chris at Next Step. I also made a slight error purchasing coconut water drinks to sell at the clinic. I love coconut water. People tend to love or hate the taste, but I love it. I love the health benefits of coconut water. This latest craze in drinks started in the USA (as these things often do), where I first found it working with elite athletes that drank it. They were the first to realise that the nutrients inside coconut water were very similar to the well know ‘branded’ isotonic drinks except instead of being man-made synthetic nutrients, they were all natural, allowing the body to absorb them all easily. Thus coconut water has become the world’s top heralded healthy drink. What’s more it is zero fat, low in calories all round and has the same osmotic pressure as blood plasma, meaning that it can be safely administered intravenously! The error that I made is that I saw it on special offer at half price so I bought 14 boxes of cartons of my favorite brand Gococo. When they arrived I now understand that they were half

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price because the go past their sell by date in 2 months instead of the usual 12. So if anybody loves coconut water or fancies trying some for the first time please, please pop in and pick some great value, half price Gococo up from me in Cleve Chiropractic in Mangotsfield. Sorry for the obvious plug but I think it’s interesting health news as well. Oh and Molly has started crawling. Everybody said that it was going to be a change, but I didn’t understand. She has become crazy, is this it? Is this what happens? They learn to crawl and go from being a little baby happy to sit and play to being a whirlwind who leaps towards danger with abandon. I feel like I have to defend the house from Molly. Things have definitely changed…now I understand…what happens when they can stand, walk and run?

Tim Button 0117 957 5388

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

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March, 2015

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