fishpondsvoice October, 2016 — ISSUE 21
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Mystery woman saves day All the colours of the rainbow More than 700 runners took part in a 5k Colour Fun Run at Oldbury Court to raise money for the charity Julian House. PAGE 7
Tribute to a true hero of Fishponds Students from Bristol Metropolitan Academy had their belongings stolen while they performed songs from The Lion King on stage at the successful Make Sunday Special event in Fishponds A GOOD Samaritan has come to the rescue after students performing at a community event in Fishponds Park had their bags, cash and mobile phones stolen. Youngsters from Bristol Metropolitan Academy in Fishponds took to the stage at the Make Sunday Special free
community afternoon event. But while the boys and girls were showcasing their recent sell-out show The Lion King, their bags were snatched from a tent next to the stage. The three female victims were left distraught and the rest of the cast were in shock that such a thing had happened during what
was a fantastic community fun day. But a generous donation of £300 from a mystery woman who has asked to remain anonymous has helped restore the teenagers’ faith in humanity. Police, who had been stationed nearby in Beechwood Turn to Page 3
A blue plaque commemorating codebreaker Gordon Welchman, who was born in Fishponds, has been unveiled at St Mary’s Church. PAGES 10 & 11
The scarecrows are coming ... The popular FishFest event takes place this month, including the centrepiece scarecrow trail, which has the theme of Myths and Legends. PAGE 21
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October, 2016
So proud of our caring local community IF some of the terrible stories we hear in the national news have made you lose faith in humanity, this issue of Fishponds Voice is sure to restore it. While it’s undeniable that nasty things can happen on our doorstep as well as further afield, at least two of our stories this month prove that good can come out of bad. The mystery wellwisher who forked out £300 to reiumburse the Bristol Metropolitan Academy students whose belongings were stolen has given those young people far more than just financial recompense. They could easily have become disillusioned after becoming victims of theft when they had given up their time in support of their community but thanks to the donor’s generosity their faith has been restored. The family of attack victim Awais Ali must also feel
fishpondsvoice Publisher Gary Brindle 0117 907 8585 07799 461169
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LOCAL INFORMATION Bristol City Council http://www.bristol.gov.uk 0117 922 2000
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heartened by the money raised for them by people they have never met. Meanwhile, hundreds of people, many from the immediate neighbourhood, turned out for the Colour Fun Run at Oldbury Court on October 2 to support others less fortunate than themselves. Fishponds Voice is here to share news about our community, so please keep getting in touch with your stories and photos. We hand-deliver more than 7,500 free copies to homes every month and are increasing our circulation but we can’t go everywhere. So if you live outside our delivery area, look out for the paper in local shops, cafes and libraries. We have a website now - www.fishpondsvoice. co.uk – as well as a Facebook page and Twitter feed. Many people contact us through social media to share their news. We are trying to get out and about to meet more of our readers but in the meantime do get in touch by email: news@fishpondsvoice.co.uk. You can even write to us! The address is 6 Elkstone Walk, Bitton, Bristol, BS30 6JT.
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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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October, 2016
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n NEWS From Page 1 Road during the event on September 11, were quick to react and take forensic evidence from the crime scene. The handbags were later recovered from the public toilets in the park but valuables, including two mobile phones, cash and a bank card, had been stolen. The academy’s head of performing arts, Meesh Lambert-Vince, said she had received an email the following day from a woman who had been watching the students’ performance. She said: “The email was from a lovely lady who saw our performance and was upset to learn about the theft. “She very generously donated £300 to the three girls in hope their faith in the community would be restored. The lady wishes to remain anonymous. “The girls were overwhelmed and very thankful that a member of the community would do this for them. “Up until then, it had been a
wonderful day and the people in the audience were wowed by our stunning performance. Though the theft was a very horrible end to the day, we were so impressed by kind messages, the very generous donation, the support of our local community and the way they rallied around to help us.” Sam Teller, one of the event organisers, said: “I know the students involved because my son Zac goes to the same school and was performing alongside them. “I was gutted for them. It was
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an opportunistic crime which really hurts especially as they’re just kids who had given up their time on a Sunday to perform for the community. “The anonymous donor coming forward to give them some money shines a more positive light on what has happened and helps to restore people’s faith in human nature.” Sam said despite the thefts the feedback he had received about the event had been really positive. “We were blessed with good weather and the number of
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people who turned up exceeded all our expectations; instead of hundreds we had thousands. “Someone described the event as a really great family day and, other than the one awful incident, everything else was completely positive.” A police spokesmansaid: “We’re investigating after two handbags were taken from the back of a marquee in Fishponds Park on Sunday September 11. “The bags, which were taken between 2.15pm and 3pm, were later found by the victims in the public toilets. Both bags had been emptied and two mobile phones had been stolen along with a bank card and a small quantity of cash.” Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious, or who has any information, is asked to call 101 and give the call handler the reference 5216202406. • Despite the incident, visitors have given a resounding thumbs up to the event and hope another will be organised in the future. Turn to page 24 to see how a normal Sunday in Fishponds was made truly special.
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October, 2016
n NEWS Misery for commuters
Alison in line for national award A TEACHING assistant has won an award for her tireless work at Glenfrome Primary School. Alison Carpentier has been awarded South West HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) of the Year award 2016 for her outstanding services to the school and community. She will now go forward to the national finals in London in November. Head teacher Inger O'Callaghan said: "We are delighted that Alison won this award, it is thoroughly deserved. "Alison teaches every class across the school, and has built excellent relationships with our children and families. She is an inspiration to our children and always encourages them to aim high." Alison works relentlessly
Stoke Lane Action Group asks commuters to record their journeys.
for the school and has achieved many things for Glenfrome, including a third Eco Schools Green Flag Award which only a handful of schools in Bristol have. She organises the pupil eco council and liaises with the school's business partners DAS to take children on trips. Alison also arranges an annual community barbecue to launch Black History month, welcome new families and celebrate Eid. "The community barbecue has been a highly successful event at the start of the school year which brings the community together," said Ms O'Callaghan. Alison is also involved in other community events including a successful culture day, complete with Bollywood dancing and Jamaican cooking.
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It took my daughter 2 hrs 15 mins to get two buses, Stoke Lane to Filton College. It’s not fair on youngsters trying to be independent!! ONE HOUR to get from Fishponds (Lodge Causeway) to UWE Frenchay - ridunculous! I could have walked faster. Grrrr! I gave walking a go - Manor Rd to the Sainsburys by Parkway about an hour. At least I felt a bit more in control and less stressed Downend, Bromley Heath, Frenchay, & Stapleton just one giant car park Once more unto the Briefs dear friends, once more There’s no Brief Encounter for people getting to work/school. Endless hours wasted. Not everyone able to cycle or walk UWE should issue us with jetpacks! 50 mins from Knowle this morning … most of it between junction 3 and UWE Bus services disrupted, diverted & delayed are driving us to the wall Losing precious hours at works, precious time with children and precious money.... This is ruining lives I am so drained from my daily commute at the moment. Normally a 45 minute journey and it’s now taking 1.5 hours!!! Stressful .... Stapleton to Wallscourt school on Cheswick estate ... 58 MINUTES!!!
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October, 2016
5
n NEWS
Metrobus project is pants, say campaigners CAMPAIGNERS are calling for work on the £200m MetroBus to be speeded up to bring an end to traffic chaos in Fishponds and the surrounding area. They made their views clear about the chaos being caused by preparation for the new rapid transport network last month by staging a humorous “Metropants” protest. Some of the problems facing commuters were written up on giant pants and displayed near Stoke Lane, which is closed to northbound traffic while a retaining wall is built as part of work to create a bus-only junction on to the M32. When the closure began in June, Stoke Lane Action Group predicted that it would be in September that the full impact would be felt, once everyone had returned to work, school, college and university after the holidays. They have been proved right. While they were told that transport modelling forecast
only an extra three minutes on northbound journeys, campaigners say their evidence suggests it is nearer 45 minutes. Many people who cannot use public transport or travel at different times because of childcare commitments and other constraints say they are at their wits’ end, as are people
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whose homes are on the route. Traffic in Fishponds and Stapleton is also affected, as commuters try to find alternative routes. This might even become worse this month, as work is due to begin on a seven-month project to extend the M32 bus lane into Bristol. Contractors will
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be removing and replacing the central reservation, upgrading drainage and ducting, and installing Average Speed Cameras. The Stoke Lane closure is scheduled to last six months, but the MetroBus team said the situation would be kept under review.
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October, 2016
n NEWS
War memorial campaign on award shortlist
THE successful effort by school children to have the war memorial in Fishponds Park officially listed is in line for a national award. Pupils from Fishponds CE Academy persuaded Historic England to designate the memorial as a listed building so it is protected by law and cannot be altered without consent. Now the children’s campaign has been shortlisted by Historic England for its Angel Awards, which celebrate people who have helped save important buildings and places. It is one of four contenders in the young people’s contribution to heritage category of the awards, which were founded by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. A panel of experts will decide
the winners, which will be announced on October 31. An overall favourite award category is being decided by a public vote. You can support the academy on the Angel Award page on the Historic England website. Voting closes on October 12. The Fishponds children started working on the project in 2014, the centenary of the beginnng of World War One. They worked with Michael Gorely, Historic England’s local education manager, and Bristolbased military historian Jeremy Banning to investigate the stories of the names on the memorial as part of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Living Memory project. They also carried out a condition survey of the
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memorial, a bronze statue of an infantry soldier set on a granite plinth, which was put up in 1920. The children wrote persuasive letters to Historic England urging that the memorial be included in the organisation’s bid to add 2,500 war memorials to the National Heritage List for England. Fishponds was the first school in the country to make a successful application to the list. Representatives also attended
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the All Party Parliamentary Group for Civic Societies at Westminster to tell members about their project. Mr Gorely said: “The children demonstrated a true commitment to the project in their impressive presentation.” Pupils at May Park Primary in Fishponds are now engaged in a similar project with the CWGC to research their local war memorial.
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October, 2016
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n NEWS
Voice team join in the Colour Fun Run A STAFF team from Fishponds Voice were among the hundreds of people who turned up to take part in this year’s Colour Fun Run at Oldbury Court estate. More than 700 individuals donned white t-shirts and prepared to get splattered with colourful power paint during the 5k run. The event, which took place in glorious sunshine on Sunday October 2, was in aid of homeless charity Julian House. Along every kilometre of the route was a paint station where race marshals covered participants with washable paint. The run was untimed which meant people could choose to run, jog, walk or even dance their way around the paths, woods and rivers of the estate. Fishponds Voice publisher Gary Brindle said: “We were extremely lucky with the weather; we really couldn’t have asked for a better day. “The atmosphere was one of
fun where children could take part alongside mums, dads and even grandparents and, as it was untimed, it meant no one was under any pressure. “It was a great event for a brilliant cause and I would encourage anyone to sign up and take part in next year’s Colour Run.” Joanne Bamford, events fundraiser at Julian House, said: “We had nearly 750 people take part and have raised just over £15,000, with more sponsorship money coming in. “There was a great turnout from the local community and good support from local businesses. Everyone was really pleased with how it went and it was fantastic to see so many happy faces. We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part.” Keep visiting www. thecolourfunrun.co.uk for details of next year’s event.
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The Fishponds Voice team before...
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. . . and after
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October, 2016
n NEWS
£15,000 boost for community hub plans NO wonder pastor Andrew Yelland is smiling - he’s just received a £15,000 boost to his fundraising project for community facilities. Andrew, from Crofts End Church, was handed a cheque from the All Churches Trust towards creating a £1.5m community hub to serve people living in Fishponds, Speedwell and St George. The recent windfall brings the current fund to more than £551,000. Church leaders say the population around the church in Crofts End Road, St George, is expanding rapidly but there are no community facilities in the area to cope with the demand. The ambitious proposals include a building which will incorporate a new church on the first floor and coffee house and community space on the ground floor. There are plans to provide a lunch club for the elderly, a play space for toddlers and rooms for counselling services. Also in the
pipeline are more opportunities for community youth work and health and well-being activities, such as fitness classes. The plans will enable the church to re-lease the recently renovated original Mission Hall as a full-time community centre. Building work is expected to start in January. The All Churches Trust is a charity which distributes some of the profits from the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group to worthy projects around the country. Andrew said the church was really grateful to the All Churches Trust.
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“We thank them for believing in our project and for helping us along the way,” he said. The church is still a long way off its target and leaders are encouraging people to make donations via www.give.net/ cecnewbuild NO wonder pastor Andrew Yelland is smiling - he’s just received a £15,000 boost to his fundraising project for community facilities. Andrew, from Crofts End Church, was handed a cheque from the All Churches Trust towards creating a £1.5m community hub to serve people living in Fishponds, Speedwell and St George. The recent windfall brings the fund to more than £551,000. Church leaders say the local population is expanding rapidly but there are no community facilities in the area to cope with the demand. The ambitious proposals include a building which will incorporate a new church on the first floor and coffee house and community space on the ground
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floor. There are plans to provide a lunch club for the elderly, a play space for toddlers and rooms for counselling services. Also in the pipeline are more opportunities for community youth work and health and well-being activities, such as fitness classes. The plans will enable the church to re-lease the recently renovated original Mission Hall as a full-time community centre. Building work is expected to start in January. The All Churches Trust is a charity which distributes some of the profits from the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group to worthy projects around the country. Andrew said the church was really grateful to the All Churches Trust. “We thank them for believing in our project and for helping us along the way,” he said. The church is still a long way off its target and leaders are encouraging people to make donations via www.give.net/ cecnewbuild
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October, 2016
9
n NEWS
Money raised for ‘race attack’ boy WELLWISHERS have raised nearly £1,000 for a ten-year-old boy from Fishponds who was the victim of an alleged racist attack. Awais Ali was treated at Bristol Children’s Hospital for injuries to his head, back, body and arms after the incident in Station Avenue South last month. Avon and Somerset police said it was being treated as a racially motivated crime because of words used during the assault. Two boys, aged 11 and 12, have been interviewed and the details have been passed to the youth justice panel. Awais and his family, who are of Pakistani origin, told the national media that it happened in daylight when he was walking to a friend’s house. The boys demanded money and when
Awais said he did not have any he was beaten with a stick and a pipe. His mother said Awais, a pupil at Begbrook Primary Academy, had been having trouble sleeping since the assault. Neighbours were horrified to hear about the incident. Fishponds resident Caryl Rundle set up an online giving page with the intention of collecting £200 for the family to have a day out. At the time Fishponds Voice went to print, the total was at £924. The message on the fundraising page reads: “Local people are shocked and appalled at what has happened and want to raise some money for the family, showing that the people of Fishponds really do care.”
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October, 2016
n NEWS
Gordon Welchman, no longer a
THREE quarters of a century after his crucial work saved thousands of lives in the Second World War, Gordon Welchman has received official recognition. A blue plaque has gone up in his birthplace of Fishponds in a ceremony led by Robert Hannigan, the director of the Government communication headquarters GCHQ. Welchman worked at the Government Code and Cypher School Bletchley Park during the war alongside Alan Turing and others, deciphering encrypted German military signals. After the war he moved to America where his work at the forefront of computing paid a key role in the Cold War. In the early 1980s, he wrote a memoir of his time at Bletchley Park, The Hut Six Story, which was published first in the US and then in the UK. The authorities took exception to the book, forbade him to publicise it and
withdrew his security clearance, meaning that Welchman spent the last three years of his life trying to clear his name. Mr Hannigan acknowledged that GCHQ had criticised Welchman 30 years ago for lifting the veil on British security but told the ceremony that “the world was a different place” then. He paid tribute to Welchman, who he said had been ahead of his time. “He made an immense contribution – thousands
of Allied lives were saved by his codebreaking. He was a giant of his era and part of an extraordinary group of people who shortened the Second World War. We have a huge amount to thank them for. “I’m honoured to share today with his family and represent the organisation his work and his values helped build. “Gordon Welchman and his colleagues set the standard for GCHQ. Our current staff look to follow that lead and work with the same ingenuity and passion to keep Britain safe.” Gordon Welchman was born in St Mary’s vicarage in 1906 in Fishponds where his father was the canon. His blue plaque, provided by Bristol Civic Society, is on the wall of St Mary’s Church. The vicar, the Rev Lizzie Kesteven, whose maternal grandparents both worked at GCHQ, hosted the tribute
Rhoda Amine
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event, and said it was wonderful to think that gifts and talents nurtured in Fishponds could go on to serve the country and the world. She said he would be an inspiration to the children of Fishponds CE Academy, who were taking part in a codebreaking workshop in the church room as part of GCHQ’s schools outreach programme. Among the guests was Welchman’s daughter Susanna Griffiths, who said: “I’m very proud of my father and everything that he achieved. Fishponds and St Mary’s was such a big part of his life and to now be indelibly linked here is very special. “He was a man of huge intellect and integrity and this plaque is a great honour for our family, and something I’m sure he’d say he didn’t deserve.”
n The ceremony for Gordon Welchman brought back memories for one guest, 97-year-old Rhoda Amine, who lives in Frenchay. She worked for three years during World War Two at GEC research labs in Wembley that were associated with Bletchley Park. Her job was to convert German communications from AM to FM frequency. Like those who worked at Bletchley Park, she was unable to talk about her work for many decades, having taken a vow of secrecy. Rhoda married an Egyptian and lived in Cairo for many years, moving to Bristol recently to be near family.
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fishpondsvoice
October, 2016
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n NEWS
forgotten hero
Cracking the code GORDON Welchman was head of Hut Six at Bletchley Park, which was responsible for breaking German Army and Air Force Enigma codes. He was one of the group that famously made a successful request to Winston Churchill in 1941 for more resources to carry out their work. Welchman’s work centred on analysis of the “traffic” of messages, which he recognised could be more useful than simply decoding them. Welchman also devised an adaptation to Turing’s machine, making it much more efficient in breaking Enigma codes. Robert Hannigan, director of GCHQ, said Welchman’s ideas were revolutionary and transformed GCHQ. A mathematician, he helped the organisation realise that it needed to recruit people with
An Enigma machine on show at St Mary’s different skills to enable it to keep the country secure. Welchman’s legacy includes the establishment of a national security system, Mr Hannigan said.
Lining up at the plaque unveiling at St Mary’s in Fishponds are Susanna Griffiths, Gordon Welchman’s daughter; Robert Hannigan, director of GCHQ, Bristol Deputy Lord Mayor Chris Davies and Lori Streich, of Bristol Civic Society
Gordon Welchman © Welchman
family
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October, 2016
n FISHPONDS FACES
Meet the new head teacher of Fishponds CE Sarah Heywood meets Debbie Coker, the new head teacher at Fishponds CE Academy. Debbie used to teach at St Michael’s CE VC Primary School in Stoke Gifford, where she was also the Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-ordinator. How long have you been in Fishponds? My first teaching job was in 1997, at what is now the Minerva Primary Academy in Hillfields. My husband and I lived in Victoria Park, just off Manor Road – the parking was terrible! We then moved to London but eventually came back here and now live in Downend with our two boys. I’ve been at Fishponds Academy for just over a month.
everything! You’re expected to know everything when you don’t even know where the toilet rolls are! The best thing has been meeting the children and parents. I love how different everyone is. We have a whole range of families, from different faiths and walks of life, all coming through the same gate, here for the same reason. Favourite local spot?
What have been the best and worst things about your first month as headteacher?
The Porto Lounge. I like the intimacy of it. It looks really pretty in the evenings with all the candles. The menu’s great and the staff are friendly too.
The worst thing is suddenly realising you’re in charge. Of
What would you like to see more of in the area?
It sounds cheesy but, I read about the less pleasant incidents that have taken place nearby, and I just wish that our school ethos could radiate out to the whole area. The children here are all thoughtful and caring - they have an attitude of real respect and tolerance. I want Fishponds to be a community of people that look after each other no matter who or what they are. Favourite treat?
Do you think Fishponds has an identity as an area? I do. It’s one of the few places in Bristol where you’ve got a mix of absolutely every type of person. Pokemon Go? I’m a bit old for that aren’t I? *laughs* My children explain to me what it’s about. [Ahem. Level 22, age 39, SH] What do you do to relax?
It’s got to be Fairtrade chocolate and a nice glass of red. What hope do you have for the school? My vision and passion is that the Academy continues to improve and becomes a great school, so that anyone who lives here would be proud to have their child attend.
I tend to sit down with a good book – the novelist Dorothy Koomson is one of my favourite authors. Her book ‘The Rose Petal Beach’ is a great thriller. I love Westonbirt Arboretum too – it’s so beautiful - we enjoy going walking there as a family. There are moves afoot to bring in Christmas lights for
Food
Music
Arts
Fun
Fishponds’’ Very Own
Community Festival th 8th -15 October
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October, 2016
fishpondsvoice
Ageing is awesome!
E Academy
CHARITIES in Bristol have worked with older people to produce a booklet entitled ‘The Little Book of AWE – Ageing Well Everyday”. It shows examples of activities older people can do in Bristol that would have an impact on their wellbeing, such as spending time with others, doing what they love the most, learning about nature at Bristol Zoo, joining a local walking group, volunteering at the local library, and visiting parks and green areas in the city. The booklet was funded by Bristol Ageing Better (BAB), a partnership working to reduce social isolation and loneliness, and produced in collaboration with Happy City. The Little Book of AWE will be made available for free at community centres, libraries and voluntary organisations. To receive a copy, contact Bristol Ageing Better on 0117 928 1539.
Fishponds High Street this year. What are your thoughts? I think it’s a great idea! I love Christmas lights and love that time of year. I’m looking forward to seeing how this school celebrates it. I like to see the live Nativity scenes where everyone is dressed as the different characters in the Christmas story. And finally, what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received? There’s always a way to solve something, you’ve just got to find it.
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14
October, 2016
n NEWS
BRISTOL Metropolitan Academy in Fishponds hosted the UK launch of the Airbus Flying Challenge. It’s a year-long mentoring programme that gives young teenagers the chance to work with Airbus employees, learning skills and gaining practical experience. Thirty Bristol Met students will attend 20 weekly sessions at Airbus where they will get “behind the scenes” access to aviation design and test experts and facilities on the Filton site. They will also visit other aviation organisations in the Bristol area including Rolls-
We’re off to a flying start Royce and Bristol International Airport, where they will have a flying lesson. By the time they graduate from the Flying Challenge, run by the Airbus Foundation, the students will have undertaken a range of aerospace experiences, worked with employee mentors, completed a skills portfolio and worked towards a nationally recognised qualification. The programme is being supported by two local charities,
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Ablaze and fly2help. Trevor Higgs, UK head of engineering at Airbus, said: “This cohort of students will be the UK’s first to embark on the journey. We at Airbus in Filton are proud to be a part of these students’ lives, and look forward to seeing their talents develop over the coming year.” Phillipa Evans, design and technology teacher at BMA, said the launch event, which featured Olympic athlete Kriss Akabusi
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and French astronaut Claudie Haigneré talking about the hard work and effort that took them to the top of their professions, had been truly inspiring. “Our students are really excited and looking forward to this huge challenge,” she said. Since the start of the Airbus Flying Challenge in 2012 around 1,460 students in France, Spain and the USA have completed the programme, mentored by 585 Airbus Group volunteers.
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fishpondsvoice
October, 2016
15
n NEWS
Up Pomphrey -and then up the aisle WHAT do most couples do on the morning of their wedding day? Have a relaxing bath? Get pampered? Maybe sip a little glass of bubbly? Not so for Liam Royle and bride-to-be Laura Sturgeon. For the sporty couple chose to take
part in their favourite pastime the Pomphrey Hill Parkrun. Liam turned up for the 5k run at 8.45am wearing a jacket, top hat and bow tie. Not to be outdone, Laura donned a tutu and veil for the run, which was well attended by family and friends wanting to wish the couple well. As Laura had hurt her foot, the pair volunteered as time keeper and tail runner. Laura, 31, received huge support from her pals at Bristol Vegan Runners who turned up in force to give their support. The couple, who live in Kingswood, started attending the parkrun shortly after meeting two years ago. "It was Laura's idea," said Liam, 26. "She just said 'Would you like do the parkrun on our wedding day? We can get dressed up and run together'. I thought it was a really nice idea." The couple left Pomphrey
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Hill around 10am - with plenty of time to spare to get ready for their wedding at 3pm at the Battleaxes in Wraxall. "We scheduled a late ceremony so we could fit the run in!" said Liam. "It was a really nice day and everyone was so supportive. So many people caught us going
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round to wish us luck for the afternoon. " Running together is really important to us so it was really lovely and a nice way to start the day." The couple, who tied the knot on September 17, are now looking forward to their honeymoon in Costa Rica in January.
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October, 2016
n NEWS
Family’s gratitude A NURSING student from UWE has been treated to a night out by the family of a woman whose life he saved while at the theatre. Kristian Keyte was invited on an evening out by the family of Judith Mansfield, who went into cardiac arrest in the audience before the start of the musical The Bodyguard at the Bristol Hippodrome earlier this year. They revisited the scene where quick-thinking Kristian performed CPR on the fellow theatre-goer when they returned to the venue to watch Sister Act. Kristian, who graduates next month, has since become great friends with Judith’s family and with Bodyguard star Alexandra Burke, who also plays the lead in Sister Act. He said: “Nurses don’t get thanked enough today so it’s really lovely that the family are showing their appreciation in this way.”
Begbrook Retirement Club raised more than £300 for Macmillan Cancer Support with an event at Greenfinch Lodge. Members enjoyed tea and coffee, cakes and scones and took part in a raffle. The amount raised for the charity was more than double the sum for 2014 and 2015.
Blackberry Hill plans go on show GALLIFORD Try, the developers of the Blackberry Hill Hospital site, are about to submit a planning application to Bristol City Council for hundreds of homes. They unveiled their plans for the 21-acre site at an exhibition
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at Fishponds Library last month. The intention is to convert some of the old buildings into apartments and build new homes on the brownfield site off Manor Road, which was bought by the Homes and Communities Agency from North Bristol NHS
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Trust in 2009. As revealed by Fishponds Voice in December, Curo, which was to have developed affordable homes on the site, pulled out of the venture because of “escalating costs and complexity”.
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October, 2016
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n NEWS
Lord Mayor opens new garden at pre-school BRISTOL’S Lord Mayor was on hand to cut the ribbon to open a new garden at the Happy Dayz Pre School in Fishponds. Cllr Jeff Lovell joined pre school staff and their families, fellow councillors and the city council’s Early Years team in a special ceremony to declare the garden officially open. The garden, funded by a council grant, has been completely transformed from previous wasteland. It now boasts various tiers, decking area, outdoor log cabin, sensory garden, sunken sand pit, mud kitchen and planting areas with fruit trees. Happy Dayz Pre School forms part of the Harry Crook Centre in Moorlands Road.
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October, 2016
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n NEWS
Remembrance Day at Queen Square BRISTOL’S main war memorial, the Cenotaph, will not form part of this year’s Remembrance Sunday service due to building work at the city centre. An earlier agreement had been reached to hold the November 13 event outside the Memorial Gates of Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Stadium. But following talks between the club, Bristol City Council and representatives of the Armed Forces, a decision has been made to opt for Queen Square. The service, to be held at 11Councillor Jeff Lovell, Lord Mayor of Bristol, said: “Due to the ongoing redevelopment of the area around the Cenotaph we’ve known for some time that another venue was needed for this year’s act of remembrance. “A number of alternative options have been suggested and I was delighted to hear that the football club were supportive of
holding the service outside the Memorial Gates, a focal point of local remembrance. I’d like to thank the club for that offer. “After much discussion between the council, the club and the Armed Forces, it has been decided that Queen Square would be used for this year’s act of remembrance. This means that the parade and service will continue its association with the city centre following almost exactly the same route and itinerary as previous events.” Bristol Rovers chairman, Steve Hamer, said; “We were happy to offer the use of the Memorial Stadium for the Remembrance Sunday service and parade. We understand though that an alternative venue has now been selected and we hope the day is successful and we will be only too happy to help the city council out if they require our services at any point.”
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Paws for thought ... A SISTER and brother have helped raise £50 for Paws charity in Staple Hill by organising a dog show. Thirteen-year-old Fiji Willetts and her brother, Zen, 11, ran the event in the summer holidays at a village fete in Feckenham, Worcestershire, where their father lives. The show had seven categories, including prettiest eyes and best child handler. A good number of owners took part with their pooches, competing for rosettes and a doggy goody bags, and the event raised £50. Mother Madeline Willetts said: “ I am very proud of both my children who worked so hard to make their event a success and to try and raise as much money as possible for Paws.”
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October, 2016
21
n NEWS
The Big Scarecrows ahoy! Sing HAVE you ever wanted to join a choir but find you don’t have the time? If so The Fishponds Big Sing could hit the right note with you. The event, which forms part of FishFest, involves rehearsing and performing in just one week. Rehearsals take place on Saturday and Sunday October 8 and 9 at All Saints Church, with performances on Friday October 14 at St Mary’s Church and Saturday October 15 at All Saint’s Church. For more information, or to book tickets for the performances, please call 0117 958 6412 or visit www. allsaintsfishponds.co.uk
ORGANISERS of this year’s FishFest Community Festival say they can’t wait to see the ‘Myths and Legends’ themed scarecrows around Fishponds. The Scarecrow Trail, on October 8-9, marks the start of the seventh annual community festival, run by a small group of neighbours. This year’s events have a well-being theme, with talks and demos on health and nutrition, a locally-sourced supper club at the Kingfisher Cafe, as well as story-telling at Fishponds Library, and a family fun day at the Steiner Academy Bristol with treatments, forest school activities and music. There’s also music to be found at the Folk Around Fishponds special event at the Cross Hands on Tuesday October 11, and a three-day folk festival special at the Star Pub the following weekend, with live
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music from a range of bands and musicians. The Fishponds Big Sing will be performing too at All Saints and St Mary’s Churches. For something a bit different, Grove Road Youth Club offers a Sunday Cinema Special showing of The Creature from The Black Lagoon, which takes place on Sunday October 9 from 4-7pm. Tickets for this retro sci-fi family movie are £2 on door. There will be a wood-fired pizza van on site for snacks as well as a bar. Kate Brooks, one of the organisers, said: “The film, a 1954 cult film about a mysterious prehistoric beast fits in well with the scarecrow Myths and Legends theme- although some of the scarecrows may be better made and more convincing!” For further information on timings and tickets see www. fishfestbristol.org and Facebook/ fishfestbristol
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Drama call A DRAMA group based at the Royal British Legion in Staple Hill is looking for new members for their spring show. CHAPS has been going for more than 20 years but has only recently moved to the Legion, which has a stage. It plans to perform two one act plays followed by a supper before showcasing a production in the spring called Prepare to Meet Thy Tomb, a murder mystery by the late Norman Robbins. It is holding an open evening on Tuesday October 11 at 7.30pm. For more information call 0117 960 2103 or 0117 956 0805.
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n NEWS
fishpondsvoice
October, 2016
Pride as pupils join big first aid exercise PUPILS from Gracefield School in Fishponds joined the Big First Aid Lesson Live, organised by St John Ambulance. It was streamed live into schools across the country to teach children life saving skills and confidence.The event included live demonstrations, real life stories and opportunities to ask questions. Children learnt how to react to a range of first aid scenarios including choking, seizures and insect bites.
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Each child taking part gained a certificate of awareness from St John Ambulance. Headteacher Elizabeth Morgan said: “Having a basic knowledge of first aid techniques gives our children an important life skill and we are very proud of our Key Stage 2 children who all took part and gained a certificate from the organisation.�
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fishpondsvoice
October, 2016
n NEWS POLICE are reassuring the community following concerns about drinkers and anti-social behaviour in Fishponds Park. Officers say they understand residents’ worries and are working hard to address the issue, including carrying out more patrols of the area. Neighbourhood Sergeant Anthony Westwell said: “Many of these people are vulnerable and have complex needs, such as addiction, mental health issues, homelessness, or a combination of these things, so we are working with our partners to help to get the support they need. “However, we will use our powers when necessary. We have upped our patrols of the area and want to take action but at present we are fairly limited in what we can do. We can seize alcohol and if a person is causing someone to feel harassment, alarm or distress then we can move them on. In order to do more, we need to build up a body of evidence. “We know there are complaints and grumbles about this issue on social media groups, but anecdotal accounts on
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Don’t moan online - report problems to us, say police
Facebook won’t solve anything. “We need specifics, so please report every incident of anti-social behaviour and street
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drinking to us online or via 101, so that we can build up a case file. The more reports we receive,
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the more likely we will be able to work with Bristol City Council to take positive action.”
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October, 2016
Ella and Casper watch the graffiti workshop
PC Jo Sibson, Jenny Rogers Beat Team’s e
Make Sunday Special
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review by Fishponds Voice columnist Anna Blightman
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Beechwood Road the food stalls did a roaring trade with Indian masala selling out by 1.30pm, to which they prepared a brand new curry, Mission Pizza selling out of pizzas and Dayzeeks cooking and selling an entire goat! The Wetherspoon’s Van Dyke Forum set up a very popular hot dog stand, making a donation to the event with their profits. From an acoustic set from buskers which had stallholders and the public dancing in the street to graffiti boards for visitors to express their creative talents, there really was something for everyone. In Fishponds Park children were invited to contribute to the designs of the soon to be renovated play area using Lego with the Friends of Fishponds Park, and conveniently situated behind them was the beer tent from The Star for adults! Andy Ford kicked off proceedings on and around the main stage introducing the event and a Taekwondo performance. Riff Raff choir were up next and were pitch perfect with their rock and pop covers. Later, the stage held one of the most impressive performances seen in Fishponds to date - Bristol Metropolitan
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Academy’s performance of The Lion King was outstanding. Proud parents and proud residents watched with admiration as the children performed their songs. A truly remarkable moment! After 4pm the focus moved into the park and onto the stage, as the bands starting performing. Red Ray & The Reprobates got the crowd dancing with their toe-tapping Americana country music, followed by Hey Bulldog who cheered everyone on with covers from The Kinks, The Beatles and other acts from the 60s and 70s. A raffle ensued which managed to raise more than £500 and included some fantastic prizes. As the day turned to evening the bands ramped it up on the main stage, with both George and The Dragons and Marvin and the Gayes playing to a receptive audience, several of whom got their dancing shoes on and made it a night to remember. The whole event was a huge success and plans are already in place to start talking about the next one. The day was run as a not for profit event and all money raised has gone to cover costs. Fishponds, you truly made Sunday Special!’
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The Make Sunday Special event took place on September 11 in glorious sunshine across two locations in Fishponds. And what a day it was! Not only did the weather make the day amazing but the hard work and dedication from many of the local residents really pulled the event together to make the Sunday truly special. From early on Sunday morning the team of organisers and volunteers were down in Fishponds Park and over on Beechwood Road setting up stalls, erecting marquees, ensuring stall holders had power, settling the bands and performers in, and bringing in hay bales. Most importantly, this was all done with huge smiles plastered across faces! At midday the event opened up to the public, and in they came. From all walks of life and all corners of Fishponds, visitors young and old came out to celebrate the local area, support local businesses and crafters and to join in the festivities. Cheery volunteers were distributing free goody bags to the first 200 guests into the park, which included over 50 vouchers from local businesses, an “I heart Fishponds” badge, pens and other promotional goodies. Along
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fishpondsvoice
October, 2016
Evie Wright, 12, from Bristol Metropolitan Academy and pal Tasha Wines, 11, from Bristol Brunel Academy, enjoy life in the fast lane
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James Stansfield and Ho llie Pajak from Fishponds Planni ng raise a toast to a successful eve nt
Lilee-Mary, aged five, is in the pink
PC Rich Glanville and PCSO s showcase one of the Trinity electric bikes
Danielle Lloyd, a volunteer from the Littlest Rescue, gives April a wellse de rved cuddle
officer for the neighbourhood Lush Georgie Bryant, along her pooch ok to ip, sh er rtn Pa od ho ur bo Neigh
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IF you would like more information about the event and any future plans, you can contact organisers via the Make Sunday Special in Fishponds Facebook page. Donations are welcome. A survey, which takes 10 minutes to complete, is available by visiting http://www.smartsurvey. co.uk/s/mss-2016/
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n FISHPONDS MUM
Eye Blog . . .
FISHPONDS
with Jonathan Best of Marian Blake Opticians
To see better is to live better TRUE or false: I can see well, so my eyes are healthy? If you answered “true,” then you’re one of millions who believe in this common eye health myth. Certainly it seems plausible that if your vision is in good order, then your eyes are ultimately healthy. In truth, many serious eye conditions have no early symptoms and often go undetected for years. What’s more, it’s in the early stages when these diseases are the most capable of successful treatment. As an Optometrist, I can tell you that the best way to maintain healthy eyes is by getting a regular eye exam. Eye conditions are sometimes referred to as “silent killers” because they can rob your vision slowly, steadily over decades. An optometrist or ophthalmologist can develop a map of your eye health during a regular exam and then track minute changes over a period of years. If detected early, many eye diseases can be controlled with medication; however, if an eye disease is caught once vision loss has occurred, more often than not the vision loss cannot be reversed. Three major diseases of the eye that can be slow to develop but treated if detected early through an eye exam include: Glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve, often due to increased pressure in the eye, called intraocular pressure (IOP). Macular degeneration is a physical disturbance that affects the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision, used when reading, driving, and performing other activities. Diabetic retinopathy is a concern for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics and is caused when high
blood sugar and hypertension (high blood pressure) damages the tiny blood vessels leading to the retina. Eye exams don’t just detect changes in your eye health — they can also be an important indicator of your overall health. Think of the eye as a tiny window into the body; its micro-blood vessels and delicate nerves can be the first pathways of detection for major health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Changes that may be slowly evolving in the body often present themselves within the eye’s fragile structure first — and can be found during a routine eye exam. Risk factors that can elevate your need for an eye health exam include: a family history of eye disease (especially macular degeneration and glaucoma), obesity, smoking and diabetes. Keep in mind that regular eye health exams are just as important in childhood as they are in adulthood; children should receive their first eye health exam before they begin primary school. Our ability to see affects everything we do, every day. Consider your risk factors and take the time to schedule a routine eye exam today. Do it for yourself and for your family. It’s an appointment that can make an important difference in your health — and theirs —- for years to come. At Marian Blake Opticians we are offering a discount on our private sight tests along with free retinal imaging to promote eye health this month. Book now on 0117 9651861 today.
Jonathan Best Bsc (Hons)MCOptom Optometrist ‘Jonathan qualified in Optometry from the University of Manchester and recently moved to Bristol to be closer to family. He lives with his wife and two small children in Staple Hill’.
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October, 2016
Mu m
Baby friendly? Let’s check it out BEFORE I had a child, I naively assumed that all the cafés in which I had previously lunched would be accessible and hospitable to me and my baby. How wrong I was! In some cafés, I can barely get my pushchair up the steps or between the tables, let alone find somewhere private to change clothes or a nappy. Being baby-friendly is a lot more than just providing access, however. Child-rearing can sometimes be chaotic and unpredictable so family friendly also means making parents and children feel welcome. Here are just a couple of cafés I have found locally who are subtly creating some great spaces for families. A firm favourite is The Kingfisher Café on Straits Parade in Fishponds. Run by local friends Jane and Sarah, it opened in December 2014 with the aim of creating a diverse, practical and creative space for the people of Fishponds and that it does. Not only are there toys to occupy under fives, but also a decent and good quality menu both for a permanently hungry parent and a baby just starting to try different foods. I have found the staff very flexible to children’s needs – more of this, less of that - seeming no trouble to them at all. The attitude of the staff is very friendly; no one cares if your baby is squealing or crying. In fact, because The Kingfisher is so welcoming, there is quite an age range in its customer base, which makes for a community café atmosphere where everyone feels accepted. The space is big enough for your child to play with some toys and read some books with some other children without feeling too crowded. The changing facilities are good and accessible, with no stairs, and it’s big enough to take a buggy. As well as an extensive menu, including a kids’ menu, there are local specialities, like honey and jam, and local artists exhibiting their work. There is a growing and tempting offer of workshops going on in the evenings and a calendar of events on their website. Overall, it is a lovely space and a guaranteed winner if you want somewhere to have a cup of tea and cake with toddlers entertained. The Kingfisher is open 9-4pm daily at 17-18 Straits Parade, Bristol, BS16 2L. www.thekingfisherbristol.co.uk. Parking is free on the main street for the length of a lunch and cup of tea. A different take on family friendly is The Faraway Tree Café that has been open for about a year and a half. It is half way up Church Road in Redfield and was opened by two friends who live locally. Family-friendly in The Faraway Tree Café means there are good quality, clean high chairs, a children’s menu that includes things a baby-led-weaned-baby might eat and changing facilities. I even saw some baby wipes and nappy bags to use and an actual changing table. In addition, there is a range of organic biscuits and various organic pouches available. There are opportunities for play through dressing up clothes, books and games at the back of the café to keep little ones entertained for the length of a lunch or cup of tea. It impressed me that food is sourced locally and that a range of local residents could clearly see the potential in having an accessible café like this. When trying to describe it, I found myself referring to the beatnik cool cafes in Barcelona or East Village in New York. Its cool music and décor and the warm, relaxed attitude of staff is a welcome contribution to the family friendly community. Open Monday to Saturday 9.30-3pm, Sunday 10-3pm. 136 Church Road, Redfield, Bristol, BS5 9HH. On Facebook too. We parked in Aldi car park (free for 1½ hours.
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October, 2016
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n NEWS
Austerity is a false economy - discuss! TO say it’s a challenging time for local authorities up and down the country is putting it mildly. We are all striving to meet a growing demand for services while at the same time facing huge financial pressures following years of government cuts. Bristol is no exception – our current working assumption is that we will need to save at least £60m - £100m between April 2017 and April 2020. This on top of the budget gap we inherited of around £30m this year. I believe austerity is a false economy. Taking money from the kind of early interventions and vital services Bristol City Council provides puts more pressure elsewhere in the system and has a profound and financially costly effects on many people’s lives. I have invited trade unions, other political parties and city partners to work with me in making the case to central government. With that said; I have to deal with reality.
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The Mayor’s View Each month Bristol mayor Marvin Rees shares his views with Fishponds Voice
I have to balance the budget. It would be reckless not to and financial officers or government-appointed commissioners would step in to run things, removing local democratic control. So I am asking you to join me in a city wide conversation about our future. In the next month or so I will be publishing proposals for how, where and
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when we’ll make savings and balance the books over the next five years. I want as many of you as possible to see this and have the chance to share your views, priorities and ideas. There are really tough decisions ahead. I need your input before these decisions are made. I want to keep my promises, maintain life-and-limb services and do all I can to improve people’s lives with the resources I’ve got. I want to do all I can to avoid the poorest and most vulnerable taking the biggest hit. Your views and those of our many partners around the city will help achieve this. To take part, keep an eye on http:// bristol.gov.uk/budget, where we’ll put all the details. You can also register now to hear about this and other council consultations at http://bristol.gov.uk/consultation. Over the autumn, information will also be available from libraries and Citizen Service Points and I intend to hold and publicise several events around the city as part of the budget conversation. You should also ensure your local councillors knows what you want. I will listen to feedback and, working with my cabinet, take real account of it. But do keep in mind the money has to be saved somehow – so I’d really welcome alternative ideas if you don’t agree with any proposals. Together we can make the best of a really difficult situation.
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fishpondsvoice
October, 2016
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n NEWS
Ryan's brave rescue act earns an award RYAN Becker, of Staple Hill, has been honoured for helping to rescue a man who had fallen on to a railway track. Ryan, 20, was a family party in Corsham last year when they heard a woman screaming. He and off-duty policeman Les Fletcher ran to a nearby bridge, where the woman told them her friend had fallen on to the mainline track. PC Fletcher realised it would be difficult for the ambulance service, which had been called, to get to the man because of the steep banks on either side of the railway. He made arrangements for the trains to be stopped then he and Ryan climbed down the bank in the dark to give first aid to the casualty, who had sustained serious injuries. PC Fletcher was awarded a commendation from Wiltshire's Chief Constable Mike Veale for his quick reaction in identifying the need to stop the trains and his decision to put his own safety at risk and attend to the casualty. Mr Veale also awarded a certificate of recognition to Ryan, saying that his decision to join PC Fletcher to attend the casualty, putting his own safety at risk, without doubt prevented further harm or injury to be caused.
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Catherine Spence at Kingswood Vets4Pets
Is your pet scared of fireworks?
E
VERY year we experience a surge of phone calls asking for help just before Bonfire Night. This can be such a stressful time for both pets and their owners. Why not prepare in advance this year? Top Tips: •K eep pets indoors and exercise them while it is still light outside. •C lose windows and curtains; turn on lights to reduce the effects of flashes. Keep the radio/television volume high to drown out the loud bangs. •A llow your pet to hide away somewhere safe: build a den by covering a pet cage with blankets. Cats feel more comfortable high up. •N ew toys or food treats can act as a distraction. • I f you know another dog that is not scared by noises, keeping them together may help them
realise that there is no need to be afraid. • Pets are reassured by a calm owner. Act normally and don’t comfort or fuss your pet as this can reinforce the fearful behaviour. • Move hutches or cages indoors. Provide extra bedding to burrow into. Helpful Products There are many helpful products on the market, but they must be used in conjunction with behaviour therapy to have any success. We have available: Adaptil products can help your dog cope with fear. It produces a scent that only your dog can smell, and mimics the pheromone produced by bitches when they suckle their pups. The effect is not immediate, so these products need to be used continually for up to two weeks before the scary event. Nutracalm is a fast acting natural supplement which is specifically formulated to calm anxious pets and to help reduce unwanted behaviour. For most pets it starts working within 60 minutes. These products can be bought over-the-counter at reception. For further advice please contact us.
Willowdean Court, 247a Charlton Road, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 1LT Telephone: 0117 961 6417 Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579
October, 2016
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n NEWS
New brain injuries hospital set to open MORE than 200 people were shown around a new hospital for braininjured patients at Frenchay before work started to move into the premises. The Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre (Frenchay BIRU) has a national reputation for excellence, providing specialist assessment and therapy. But with only 29 beds, it needed a new unit that could allow it to expand its services and meet demand for its care and treatment, both locally and throughout the South West. The new hospital is directly opposite the one it is replacing and has 52 beds Once services and patients have been switched over, the old unit will be refurbished and modernised to offer a service to up to 23 people who require a longer period of rehabilitation, treatment and support from the same team of experts. They will also be able to practice independent living in a safe environment. The open days were held for local residents, medics, past patients and those who refer people to the hospital. Typically, patients requiring the service are transferred directly to the centre after treatment in an NHS acute hospital to stabilise their medical condition. They are in the very early stages of recovery from their brain injury and many arrive with complex and profound cognitive and physical impairments. Hospital director Alison Woods said: “The team are delighted to see our long-held vision to expand our services finally come to fruition. With a new hospital here at Frenchay, we can now provide more much-needed beds for individuals with brain injuries.�
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The Rotary Club of Fishponds and Downend has presented Macmillan Cancer Support with a cheque for ÂŁ5,000. Immediate past president Mike Gay is pictured handing over the donation to Dinah Bernard, secretary of the Bristol Macmillan committee.
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fishpondsvoice
October, 2016
n MP COLUMN
Kerry McCarthy MP for Bristol East
writes for Fishponds Voice
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Time to take dementia seriously AT some point in life, nearly all of us will have a family member or loved one who suffers from dementia. My grandfather died earlier this year at the age of 93, and suffered from dementia in the last few years of his life. In total, there are around 4,600 people living with dementia in Bristol, though only two-thirds of these cases are diagnosed. Last month, I visited The Limes centre in Kingswood as part of an event to celebrate the facility’s 20th anniversary. This service, which is operated by the Alzheimer’s Society, is for people affected by young-onset dementia. It is one of only two such centres catering for younger people with the condition in the entire country. Many people think of dementia as an older person’s illness and a natural part of the ageing process – but only one
in three elderly people get it, and many in their fifties or even younger can be affected. People with young-onset dementia are diagnosed at a particularly challenging time in their lives, often while they still have childcare and employment responsibilities. It was clear from speaking to service users at The Limes and their families that they value the service greatly. Indeed, it is a vital lifeline for those affected by young-onset dementia. More than just a day centre and advice service, the facility functions like a social club: offering sessions like walking, gardening and tai chi. As well as facilities like this, the Alzheimer’s Society – which has just moved its regional office to Fishponds – does a lot of work around raising awareness of the condition. Even in relatively early stages,
people with dementia can have difficulty performing everyday tasks like going to the shops or attending appointments. I fully support Tony Hall from the Bristol Dementia Action Alliance in his efforts to make Bristol a dementia-friendly city by ensuring that businesses and public sector workers are trained about how to interact with people who have the condition. There also needs to be proper funding for facilities like The Limes and for scientific research into dementia. Recent figures have shown that conditions like cancer get thirteen times more research money than dementia. I will continue to push for the Government to ensure dementia research is properly funded, so we can start to make real progress towards curing this condition which affects so many people’s lives.
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fishpondsvoice
October, 2016
n NEWS
Your chance to take part in fun day
Mother and son take on tennis club coordinator role
A CHARITY based in Eastville is inviting families to take part in an autumn-themed ‘Stay and Play’ fun day. The event is being organised by Bristol Children’s Playhouse and will include various make and do activities. A forest school leader from nearby May Park Primary School will be using his expertise to help the children with some outdoor cooking. Bristol Children’s Playhouse offers two pre schools - one for twoyear-olds and the other for three-year-olds - at its base in Berkeley Green Road, tucked away in a cul-de-sac backing onto May Park primary. During the event visitors will be able to see the two nursery rooms for two to four-year-olds and a new woodland play area. The fun day takes place on Monday October 31 from 1.30-3pm. For further information visit www.bcph.org.uk, see Facebook page www.facebook.com/BristolChildrens-Playhouse, call 0117 951 0037 or email emmabown@bcph. org.uk
DOWNEND and Frenchay Tennis Club (DFTC) has appointed a mother and son team to take on the new role of Tennis Club Coordinator and help shape the future of the club. Josh Wraith, an 18-year-old Level 2 coach at DFTC, and Sally Wraith, who is an administrator, put in separate applications for the job but after the interview stage, it was decided that combining their strengths in a job-share would be the best outcome for the club – with both parties happy to accept! The role is part of the continuing modernisation of DFTC. Josh and Sally will help coordinate and expand the coaching and outreach programmes and will implement efficient administrative procedures. Josh said: “I’m really delighted to be appointed to this role and keen to begin to shape the coaching programme and
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develop the outreach programme over the next 12 months. This is an exciting step for my career and I hope to begin to attract the next generation of players to the club.” The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) will part-fund the role for two years and is looking to replicate the position at clubs across the region as it adopts a city-wide approach to get more people playing tennis more often. The club has continued to develop since moving from Cleeve Hill in Downend, where it was known as Downend and Fishponds Tennis Club, to its new, £300,000 four-court site in Frenchay. DFTC was formally opened in June 2015 by former club member Paul Hutchins and celebrated by inviting former GB No 1 and World No 4 Greg Rusedski to take part in its first Great British Tennis Weekend.
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fishpondsvoice
October, 2016
Planning matters Columnist Chris Gosling continues to examine the often controversial subject of parking LAST month I looked at residential parking on private land, essentially people parking in their gardens. This time I will examine possible solutions to this inefficient use of land. The option of providing no parking leads to creative solutions by the motorist, ranging from car sharing to informal park and walk or park and ride on public transport. Another free market solution has been renting car parking spaces in driveways, which I covered last month. There are essentially two places where cars can be parked - public or private land: road or garden. There was a time when most cars in Bristol were parked on the, mostly terraced, streets. This arose because streets had no designed parking provision. When they were built, cars either did not yet exist or were not common. The only adaptation to this situation has been a private solution, to create parking in front gardens. There is not always sufficient room for this solution. Where it is possible, this shifts public parking over to private parking. It also has a neutral effect on the overall level of parking provision. A crossover needs to be created and so the private parking space created will be at the cost of a public on-street
space. Because of this effect, there can only be a slight gain in overall parking provision where more than one car can be parked off street.
Angle Since this retro-fitting brings few benefits in the level of provision, the solution has to lie with the design of new streets. I would argue that there are benefits in the terraced model: Bringing houses forward in their plots in order to increase the size of their back gardens. However, the public realm has to play its part as well, providing adequate on-street parking in wider roads, as this is the only place that would be able to provide the necessary parking spaces. These wider streets can then be designed with parking at an angle to fit more in and also include traffic calming features, to make the street more liveable for the residents. Some of these principles have been applied in Stonebridge Park, with mixed responses, as the Voice letters page has shown a few months back. What I think we would all benefit from is streets that are places, instead of streets that go places. The residents live there all the time, the motorists just pass through.
Choice Of course designing new streets is not something that happens very often in Fishponds. Residential development is generally piecemeal and responds to the existing street pattern. The council’s response to this is realistic and rooted in choice. Where there is easy access to other forms of transport, such as along the Fishponds Road corridor, parking spaces will not necessarily be required. In more remote locations away from bus routes, parking can be required.
35
The assessment needs to be made on a case by case basis. The council is also looking to the future. It may seem strange in the present day context of rising car ownership, but the decisions made now about providing parking may lead to unused spaces if behaviour changes.
Car sharing Many young people are happier, or at least satisfied with, renting their property rather than buying it. The same logic can also apply to vehicles. This approach is picked up on by the council, which promotes Car Club, where a single car is shared by those who have signed up to the scheme. The car is returned after use to a dedicated on-street parking space. In this way, a public car that is used most of the time replaces any number of private cars that are used for a small part of the day. This is obviously only part of a solution, but in this instance the effect on parking provision can be massive. The scheme is subsidised as part of planning permissions which affect parking demand. Often their best decisions involve taking account all
Chris Gosling relevant considerations. The planning system requires this approach. When you look at the headline figures for the flat development in Beacon Tower, there will be less than one parking space for every two flats. Looking a bit deeper, you can see that the balance can potentially be made up with other measures. All planning decisions to some extent anticipate the future. Nobody can predict the future with accuracy, but the planning system, while not perfect, can both anticipate it and also help to shape it. Chrisgoslingplanning@gmail.com
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October, 2016
n GARDENING IT seems that every month I start with a review of the month that's just been, and often it’s a feat as I write this just over half way through the previous month. Douglas Adams once said a great thing about deadlines, he said how much he enjoyed the whooshing sound they made as they went flying past. Unfortunately if I’m to get anything in the paper for October, I have to get to it now. This month however has proved easy as so far we’ve had weather like no September I can remember. Having had a faltering start with what looked to be a pattern of inclement weather, it’s turned into a fabulous month of balmy, if short, summer evenings. This is proving to be a boon in that many hardy annuals and vegetables like some cauliflower and cabbage are going to get a good start before they rest over winter.
The
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October is very much the time when everything starts to get put to bed for the winter and we start to hunker down for a hopefully cold spell this year. Last year was so mild that the seasonal cycles didn’t really get a chance to kick in, there were certainly flowers on
my wall of Campanula well into winter. More than anything the slug population was maintained and they came in force as soon as the real warm weather arrived,
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something anyone with a seedling in spring will remember. I’m now enjoying a host of huge flowers in the garden as the Cosmos has reached full height, and the once single 10 foot sunflower has in its 3rd generation become an eightheaded, seven foot beast. It may not be as impressive in stature but its bright heads behind the deep pinks look incredible. I’ve started to plant a few hardy annuals and will do for another few weeks so that they can overwinter and get a good head start next year. Echinacea purpurea, larkspur and sweet peas are all getting going so if I can manage to build the cold frame I’ve been promising myself all year, I should again have cottage garden bed to be proud of. Another year has passed on a plot at the Thingwall Park allotments and it’s been so great to see the place go from one full cycle to another, not just the plot but the changes in the people and in the community that the environment creates. It seems to me that any growing space, and the allotment especially, is a force for a better way of life. For me it slows down the world and lets me take stock of what it is that I really enjoy. It sounds contrived but there is definitely something that pulls you back together when you’re working in the soil. Right now though I’ll be looking upwards as the green turns to copper and gold and I remember why I love the changing seasons so much. The conkers are nearly ripe, the apples are all picked and autumn really shows its beauty. I was asked a few days ago about pruning a greengage tree, the
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By Tim Barton
same goes for plums, and the answer is not winter. They are prone to disease so do them from spring to late summer. As you’re not pruning plum trees put a sweater on and get outside to do some of these jobs instead: • Plant out any spring bulbs that you haven’t already • Plant overwintering garlic and onion sets • Put some broad beans in the ground too. The better start they have next spring, the better they will keep the black fly at bay Finish collecting seeds to plant on next year • Give any lawns a last cut then aerate and scarify them so that they survive the winter and get a strong start next year • Plant out spring cabbage seedlings once they are big enough • Cut back faded herbaceous perennials that look unsightly • Start to move tender plants under protection in case the temperature drops suddenly • Clean up and net ponds to keep them from filling with autumn leaves • Divide and replant rhubarb sets.
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fishpondsvoice
October, 2016
37
n CULTURAL FIX WITH ANNA BLIGHTMAN
Got an appetite for culture? Why not join Live, Love, Local Supper Club? OCTOBER…already?! Although, as I write this the sun is streaming in through the window and it feels (indoors at least) like it could be mid-summer. And what thrills lie ahead for us now that the days are shorter? Well once again, Fishponds is pulling out the stops and creating an October to get you out the house, even when the weather pulls you in. October brings the famous, fantastic, fun-filled FishFest. Events run in the second week of the month from October 8-15. FishFest manages to, expertly handled by Kate Brooks, cross over every section of the community here in the ‘Ponds. Now in its seventh year, FishFest holds events both during the day and evening including storytelling sessions at Fishponds Library, scarecrow
trail, a Folk around Fishponds special evening event at The Cross Hands featuring local folk artists, a wellbeing talk from local resident Anna Mapson, a folk festival held over four days at The Star and a number of other events. One of the highlights this year will be the return of the pop up cinema which is held as a fundraiser for the Grove Road Youth Club. 2016 brings the retro sci-fi classic Creature From The Black Lagoon to the big screen, here in our very own village! If the weather is fine the screening will be held outside, so bring blankets, cushions and anything else you might need to keep you warm and protected! A part of FishFest, The Kingfisher Cafe will host the first ever Supper Club in association with Fishponds Food Assembly.
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The Supper Club is a chance for people to come together in a cosy setting, enjoying both good company of friends and the great taste of a pre-selected menu brought to you by local suppliers. The first Supper Club will be an appreciation of what is often overlooked as the savoury desert… cheese. Here we will bring out some of the tastiest cheeses being made by a local producer. To complement the cheese the platter will also include two different types of delicious locally produced bread, salad and some amazing tapenade from Food Assembly chef Alana. Come along and get involved…Live, Love, Local Community Supper Club with be held on October 8. Tickets cost £10 which includes a plate and a free drink. Tickets are available
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from The Kingfisher Cafe or The Food Assembly. Please contact Anna Blightman for more information on: anna@the distantfuturealwayssoundslovely. com FishFest runs from the October 8-15. All details about events can be found on the FishFest. Website www. fishfestbristol.org. Tickets for the screening of Creature from the Black Lagoon on October 9 are £2.50 on the door.
Anna Blightman anna@thedistantfuture alwayssoundslovely.com • See Anna’s review of Make Sunday Special in Fishponds on pages 24 and 25
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fishpondsvoice
38
n NEWS THE stereotypical image of homelessness is thankfully disappearing as people realise it's something that could happen to any of us at any time. Relationships break down, people lose jobs, council housing is in short supply - there is little stability in 21st century Britain. Those of us with children wonder how they will be able to afford to buy or rent property in the future. Never mind, they'll just have to stay with us. But what about those young people who don't have that luxury? What if a parent is abusive? They don't get on with a step family? They rent a flat but they've just lost their job? There are numerous scenarios which could lead to a young person living rough but what can we do to help? Emersons Green resident Susanne Frank is one of a growing number of volunteers opening up their homes to youngsters aged between 16 and 25 in need of somewhere to stay for one, two or three nights. Her job in publishing offers Susanne little opportunity to help others but through working with the charity Bristol Nightstop, she feels she is really "making a difference". Susanne, 50, found out about Nightstop, which is based at the Old Fire Station near the city centre, when she picked up the charity's flyer three years ago. Her son had recently left home and she realised that, yes, she did indeed have a spare room and could provide a safe place for a youngster to stay. Since then she has played host to more than 30 young people, offering more than 100 'bed nights'. "Young people usually find themselves homeless through family relationship breakdowns," Susanne explained.
October, 2016
Giving young people a bed - and a bit of hope and belief
Susanne Frank says she feels she is making a real difference by offering a warm room and food to young homeless people "They may have been thrown out by mum or dad or were living with a partner and that didn't work out. Sometimes there could be problems with a landlord. Some are working, some are at college and some are refugees who have a right to remain but can't find work to pay for accommodation until they learn the language here. The fact that there isn't enough council accommodation is hitting young people really hard. "It's really important that these young people are helped so they don't have to sleep rough or go to the adult night shelter which isn't the place you want to be if you're a young person. A place to stay just for a night or two can help them enormously." Funded by the Big Lottery, Bristol Nightstop has between 20 and 25 hosts on its books who are vetted and given training. But it's not a huge number given the
Fathi’s story I’VE been in England for seven months. I’m 24 years old and I don’t have anyone here that I know so that makes it very hard. All my friends and family in Sudan are dead. I love my country but I can’t go back. Learning English is the most important thing to me so I can talk to people, make friends and find work. I’ve tried to rent rooms but was told I’m too young. I can stay in the hostel but everyone is much older than me and I don’t feel safe; there are lots of problems there. Bristol Nightstop has helped me. I can stay with families for a few nights, the people care and I can clean my clothes, drink tea, eat and do the basic things I need to do. But I have slept on the street, and it really troubles me. Sometimes I hear things I don’t want to hear and they stay in my head for months after. Things like fighting, swearing, problems - they really affect me - I just want a place that’s peaceful.
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size of the city and the escalating problem of homelessness. Susanne admits to being nervous when she received her first young person but not for the reasons you might assume. "I was nervous about whether they would be comfortable in my house and whether I would feed them the right food! It all turned out to be a lot easier and less frightening than I first thought. I wasn't so nervous about security issues but a lot of people are. They ask if hosts lock away valuables but I can assure everyone that's no issue at all because the young people behave like a guest in your house. They're usually quite timid and some won't even come out of the room.I usually offer one or two nights a week and some weeks I don't offer at all if I've got a lot on. That's what's great about Bristol Nightstop - you can decide how much of your time you give and you can withdraw at any point if something crops up. They won't refer anyone who they consider a risk and they never push - they are just grateful for whatever you offer." Susanne's 18-year-old daughter is still at home but this is far from a problem. "We both enjoy meeting new people because it's interesting and stimulating. For her, it's great to have another young person in the house. They have their own chat and banter that I'm not party to!" Young people are encouraged to talk about themselves to their host family.
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"Sometimes the young people will open up and tell you quite a bit, more than they do to the key workers at Nightstop. If it's something dramatic like violence or misuse then we are encouraged to feed that back but so far that hasn't happened. It's more about lending an ear and being someone who hasn't got an agenda. Young people will have encountered people like parents, teachers, social workers, council workers who have an agenda but I'm impartial which hopefully gives them a bit of a break and they open up." Through meetings with key workers every few months, Susanne is able to find out how the young people she has helped are getting on. "It's lovely to hear that they've gone on to get a job and have found somewhere safe to stay. Sometimes there won't be a happy ending - they might disappear out of Bristol or continue to have to fend for themselves. You have to be realistic and just do what you can. You can feel so powerless when you hear the news and statistics about homelessness but by doing something practical to make a difference, even to just one person, you feel more empowered." Susanne gets great satisfaction from volunteering ."My day to day job doesn't involve helping people so that's something I enjoy doing in my private time. You see a change in a young person from when they arrive at your house to when they leave the next morning. Sometimes that change is so pronounced that they leave with a huge smile after a good night's sleep and a rest. I can also see a real difference in the young people I've hosted repeatedly. It's a good feeling to know you were there at a critical point in their life when it was really important for them to have a safe place to stay." You can find out more about Bristol Nightstop and about becoming a host by visiting www.bristolnightstop.org. uk. You can also see Susanne talking about hosting by visiting https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Mzk8SLwocho
Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148
fishpondsvoice
October, 2016
39
n NEWS
Rugby ace Amber turns professional
AMBER Reed, former Fishponds schoolgirl turned England rugby player, has more than one reason to celebrate. She has just been named in England's Elite Player Squad for the 2016/17 season and is among 29 players who have been awarded the first ever 15-aside professional contracts. The 54-player squad is split into full-time, part-time, shortterm and non-contracted players, with Amber one of 18 players receiving a full-time contract. Amber, who was brought up in Fishponds where her mum still lives, was a member of the winning 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup squad after debuting for her country in 2012 against France. The 25-year-old is now looking to her next challenge the Old Mutual Wealth Series in November - and sees it as the perfect way for the squad to lay down a marker ahead of their World Cup defence in August 2017.
The side will first take on 2016 Six Nations title holders France at The Stoop on Wednesday November 9. They will then face New Zealand, again at the Stoop, on Saturday November 19 before facing Canada at Twickenham a week later. In addition, the side with travel to Dublin, home of the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup, to face Ireland on Sunday November 13. Amber said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to kick off the year leading into the World Cup. “It’s a very competitive autumn series with some of the best teams in the world so we are looking forward to the challenge.” England Women lost to Canada in the July before avenging their Six Nations defeat to France with victory over them in the summer. Amber herself topped a century of career Test points in that 17-13 win over France in the Rugby Super Series in Utah this
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July. The Bristol Ladies player said a combination of preparation and being clinical will be crucial to them being successful in their November fixtures. “It will be very physical," said Amber. "There will be no easy fixture so we will have to be on top of our game for each one. “We have something to prove
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against Canada and we are looking forward to putting in a solid performance in front of a home crowd. “We managed to beat France for the first time in three years in the summer, having lost to them in the Six Nations decider, so it’s a massive opportunity to lay a marker going into the World Cup next year. "I’d urge as many people as possible to get down to the matches and cheer us on." Amber, who has 22 caps, also says home support can play a huge part in helping to inspire them to victory over the coming months. “With the competitive nature of the teams we’re playing, it’s always fantastic to have home support. It does make a massive difference to the players on the pitch.As a player it gives you that extra bit of edge knowing you have the majority of the crowd on your side and I’d urge as many people as possible to get down to the matches and cheer us on.”
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fishpondsvoice
40
October, 2016
n ON THE BEAT
Be vigilant - and you can help us to help you
Sergeant Anthony Westwell
I WANT to start this month’s column with a topic which I know many people in the community are concerned about - drinkers and anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Fishponds Park. We understand people’s concerns and are working hard to address this issue. Many of these people are vulnerable and have complex needs, such as addiction, mental health issues, homelessness, or a combination of these things, so we are working with our partners to help to get the support they need. However, we will use our powers when necessary. We have upped our patrols of the area and want to take action but at present we are fairly limited in what we can do. We can seize alcohol and if a person is causing someone to feel harassment, alarm or distress then we can move them on. In order to do more, we need to build up a body of evidence. I know there are complaints and grumbles about this issue on social media groups, but anecdotal accounts on Facebook won’t solve
anything. We need specifics, so please report every incident of ASB / street drinking to us on online or via 101, so that we can build up a case file. The more reports we receive, the more likely we will be able to work with Bristol City Council to take positive action. The Make Sunday Special event in Fishponds Park last month was a fantastic showcase of all our community has to offer. Unfortunately, a group of children from the Bristol Met did have some bags and personal items stolen whilst they were performing. We are currently reviewing CCTV and investigating these incidents and would appeal for anyone with information to get in touch. Whilst this was horrible for the people affected, I hope that people enjoyed the event as much as my team did. With Diwali at the end of the month, I ask our Asian communities to consider how they store their high value gold items at home, and to make sure they are extra security conscious.
Unfortunately, thieves actively target Asian households. Tactics in the past have included sending out scouts to knock on doors and then coming up with an excuse such as they’re delivering a pizza but have got the wrong house. What they are actually doing is assessing the property and its owners, so if you receive an unexpected knock at the door / visitor, try to get a good look at them and then please report it to us. Be extra vigilant at this time of year. Always lock all doors and windows before going out to family parties and don’t advertise the dates and times of these events on social media. Invest in a safe to store your valuables in, and bolt it to a discreet place somewhere in your house. My teams will be visiting all the local temples and places of worship with advice about keeping high value gold safe from thieves, so please speak to them about any concerns you might have. Sergeant Tony Westwell
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fishpondsvoice
October, 2016
41
n ON THE TREATMENT TABLE
with Tim Button, Doctor of Chiropractic at Cleve Chiropractic and Next step in Mangotsfield
Blog 33 – Sports medicine WHAT a month for sport! We have obviously just been blessed with the the best medal haul of any Olympics that I know of, surpassing even London, but on top of that we surpassed the medal haul of my favourite event, the Paralympics. The month started for me with Sport, sport and more sports medicine. Chronologically it started on the Tuesday where, Keith our illustrious and now head physio of Bristol Rovers, Sarah our Sports therapist and I went on the team bus to work at the mighty Chelsea vs Rovers game. Stamford Bridge was out of this world. It felt surreal to be walking through the tunnel onto a perfect pitch with the team. I have worked at all of the Rugby Premier league
grounds, Twickenham and the Millenium stadium before with Bath rugby but there is such a different feel to a Premier League football ground. Because of the vast difference in league position of the teams, the atmosphere was quite unexpectedly welcoming and friendly. The dressing room was large and well furnished as you would expect but truly it was the Rovers fans during the game that made it for me. They were so loud throughout the match, the players always comment on the positive effect the supporters can have on the team when they are in their normal good voice. In contrast it is clear that in the stadium most of the home fans were tourists so didn’t know the songs and didn’t join in leaving the Rovers fans to dominate the atmosphere. The pressure and the skill level from Chelsea was nothing short of awesome (I remember looking at the clock feeling like most of the first half had gone but it was only 8 minutes) but the boys kept them out for a never ending 29 minutes with some epic defending. It was only a matter of time though and we conceded two quick goals. It looked like it was going to be a lot more but after a little bit of possession Linsey put in a perfect cross for Hartley to score from a wonderful header. The half finished 3-1. In the second half it was clear that Chelsea were shaken by a second goal from Ellis Harrsion making it 3-2 and we watched from the dug out as they put on most of their big names including Hazzard and John Terry creating a team
that was full of stars. I’m scared to even guess what that team was worth. We lost the game 3-2 but we did well and could leave the match with dignity. It was another example of another crazy time with the team over the last few years but I can honestly say that despite the result it was one of my favourite professional moments of my career to date. Friday brought the last time I would treat our, soon to be, Paralympic champions down at the track in Bath before they left for Rio. I started to volunteer down with the GB Paralympian sprinters the year before working at the London Olympics and a couple of years later Iain, our chiropractor joined me, easing the burden of working every Friday evening to the satisfaction of my growing family. Eventually Paul Blake came home with a Gold and a silver medal and Sophie Kamlish broke the world record in her heat but could only finish fourth in the final. These things happen in athletics but, as I told her, she can only be described as the best in the world despite the medal position. An old friend, Kadeena Cox, that I helped at the
World Cerebal Palsy games last year also did amazingly well, bagging 2 gold both world records), 1 silver and 1 bronze Medals. She was rewarded by being made flag bearer for the closing ceremony. I love the Paralympics more than the Olympics because every athlete has such a story of different challenges, how they overcame them and, from what I have seen a beautiful spirit that all athletes should admire and aspire to. Lastly we finished the week on Sunday working at YOSC athletic track with our amazing, branded, huge pop up gazebo helping all of the athletes at the track with a winning combination of Chiropractic, Physiotherapy and Sports Therapy. Like I said, what a month...what a week. It’s times like these that I realise that I have the best job in the world.
Tim Button 0117 957 5388
drtimbutton@clevechiropractic.com www.clevechiropractic.com facebook.com/clevechiro twitter.com/clevechiro
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42
October, 2016
n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA Friday October 7 n Tea Dance. Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn.1.453.45pm.Pay at door. n Bristol Military Wives Choir and Bristol Male Voice Choir Gala Show, Staple Hill Royal British Legion, 7.30pm. Tickets £10 each from Sheen Studio, from the Legion on Monday and Friday mornings, or call 0117 956 0805. Saturday October 8 n Food Assembly & Supper Club, Kingfisher Cafe, 7-9pm: enjoy locally sourced food at this community supper event (part of Fishfest:www.fishfestbristol.org) £10 a ticket from cafe – in advance only. n Myths and Legends scarecrow trail around Fishponds, part of FishFest. n Concert. Cantanti Singers and Windband, a Bristol based group of musicians who are formerly members of the Bristol Bach Choir. Holy Trinity Church, Stapleton, 7.30pm. Programme includes music ranging from sacred songs to spirituals as well as madrigals and songs from the musicals. Tickets £8 and include refreshments. Call 0117 965 200 Sunday October 9 n Sunday Cinema Special showing of The Creature from The Black Lagoon, Grove Rd Youth Club, 4-7pm. Tickets £2 on door. Part of FishFest. n Myths and Legends scarecrow trail around Fishponds, part of FishFest. Tuesday October 11 n Speaker morning plus coffee – Peter Taylor - Guernsey in War and Peace (Part 2) Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn.10.00 for 10.30am. Pay at door. n Christ Church Annual Parish Harvest Supper with entertainment from the group, “God’s Grandads”. Christ Church Parish Hall, 7.45pm for 8pm. Tickets £7 from the Parish Office – this is a BYO wine event. 0117 908 9867 n Open evening for Chaps drama group, which now meets at Staple Hill Royal British Legion, 7.30pm. for more information call 0117 960 2103 or 956 0805 n Folk Around Fishponds special event at the Cross Hands, part of FishFest. Wednesday October 12 n Anna Mapson (CEO ‘The Gentle Touch’) talk on wellbeing and nutrition for children, part of Fishfest and Bristol’s Healthy City Week. Kingfisher Cafe, Straits Parade,7-9pm, £2 on door Thursday October 13 n Heating and Eating with Hillfields & Greater Fishponds Energy Group. Advice and
demonstrations on how to eat well and save energy. Part of FishFest. Free, donations welcome. Kingfisher Cafe, Straits Parade, 6-8pm. n Craft exhibition. Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6QN. Huge range of craft supplies plus demonstrations, workshops and more. £8 adult/£7 concessions. Children under 16 free. See www. Craft4Crafters.co.uk. Ticket line 0345 3040222 Friday October 14 n Activate’s drop-in lunchtime concertFishponds Methodist Church, Guinea Lane, Fishponds, 1-2pm, featuring the Bromley Duo. As part of Fishfest activities week, tea and cakes will be served after, from 2-3pm. Free entrance. Retiring collection. 0117 965 4521. n The Big Sing choir performs at St Mary’s Church. Part of FishFest. For more information, or to book tickets for the performances, 0117 958 6412 or visit www. allsaintsfishponds.co.uk n Halloween Family Fun Night, Staple Hill Royal British Legion, 7-10pm. Tickets on the door. Bar and food. Prize for best dressed child and adult. Games and disco. Saturday October 15 n Tea dance in aid of Holy Trinity Church’s Roof Appeal. 2-4pm. Stapleton Church hall, Park Road, Stapleton. Includes sequence dancing, ballroom dancing and line dancing plus fun quiz. No partner needed. Refreshments and raffle. Tickets £4. Ring 0117 965 2001. n The Big Sing choir performs at All Saints’ Church. Part of FishFest. For more information, or to book tickets for the performances, call 0117 958 6412 or visit www. allsaintsfishponds.co.uk Tuesday October 18 n Bereavement Support Group, chat, refreshments and support in the welcome space at Christ Church Downend 2.30-4.30pm. Newcomers welcome. 0117 908 9867. Wednesday October 19 n Messy Church at Christ Church Parish Hall, 4.30-6.30pm. All welcome, includes crafts, chat, cups of tea, a short, child friendly, noisy, time of worship and ends with a hot meal. Free. No need to book. Donations, if desired, at the end of the meal. www. christchurchdownend.com for all the details. n Open morning at Staple Hill Royal British Legion, 10am-2pm. Stalls and lunch available, bar open. Wednesday October 26 n Holiday Club. Speedwell Methodist Church (378 Speedwell Road). 10am to noon, followed
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by optional lunch. Toys, crafts, singing and story time. Babies and children very welcome but they need to bring an adult who will be responsible for them during the session. £1.50 per family and donation for lunch. n Staple Hill Royal British Legion Women’s Section open afternoon, speaker on: Gone to blazes – what happens in the fire brigade. 2pm. £2. Everyone welcome. Saturday October 29 n Breakfast. 10am to noon at Speedwell Methodist Church, 378 Speedwell Road. Come and enjoy just coffee and homemade cake, an egg roll or a full breakfast. Opportunity to ask for prayer. Come along and bring a friend. Sunday October 30 n Stranger Stories- fundraising evening in aid of Bristol Refugee Centre & Fishponds Foodbank. Live music from The Sweet Spokes. Kingfisher Cafe, Straits Parade, 7-10pm, tickets £5 in advance from cafe, includes bowl of veggie chilli. Monday October 31 n Halloween event, West 70 studio, Cleeve Wood shops, Downend, 5-7pm. Safe and family-friendly trick or treating. Wednesday November 2 n Mothers’ Union, Wendy Pellow, camp leader and singer, Christ Church Parish Hall at 2.15pm. 0117 908 9867. Friday November 4 n Tea Dance. Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn.1.453.45pm.Pay at door. Saturday November 12 n Autumn fair, St John’s Lodge Causeway, 10am-2pm. Gifts, lunches, coffee, cakes, face painting, crafts, games. n Christmas Market. Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn.11am3pm. Admission free. Presents for friends and family from a variety of stalls, with Father Christmas’s grotto and lucky dips for young children, with refreshments including bacon rolls. Tuesday November 22 n Speaker morning plus coffee – Tim Lewis - The Wind in the Willows - a lighthearted musical interpretation. Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn.10.00 for 10.30am. Pay at door.
REGULAR EVENTS IN THE FISHPONDS AREA Mondays n Gentle/beginners drop-in yoga class, Kingfisher Cafe, Straits Parade, 6.45pm - 8pm. £8. Contact Debbie: 0796 8223670 or visit www.omkariyoga.com n Holistic Massage, St Ambrose
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We would love to publicise your event Send details of your events and activities in the following format:
WHAT IT IS WHERE IT IS WHEN IT IS in no more than 40 words: email us at: news@fishpondsvoice.co.uk or call us on 07770 700579 / 07880 731148 Beehive Centre 9am n Tiny Tots, All Saints Community Hall 10:30am n Bereavement and Well-being support, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 11am n Computer Group, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Ping Pong (Table Tennis) for over 55’s, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Welcome Club for Retireds+, St Aidan’s Church Hall 2pm n Messy Church , St John’s Church 3pm n Prayers, St John’s Church 6:30pm n Zumba keep fit, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds 9.30-10.30am For details call 0734 1813 559. Alzheimer’s choir, Beechwood Club, 11am to 1pm, Paula Shears 0117 9610693 n Sequence dancing with Teresa, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 2pm. Tel 0117 965 0203 for details. n Ballroom tuition, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 3pm. Contact Teresa 0117 9650203 n Slimming World, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 6.309pm. Contact Ami 0746 2727 229 n Social badminton, Kingswood Leisure Centre 2-4 pm, intermediate level.
Tuesdays n Art workshops with GreenFox Workshops, Kingfisher Cafe, Straits Parade, 7.30-9pm. Call to book (gemmalane99@gmail. com/07532327810). First Tuesday of the month. n Nordic Walking Classes, Oldbury Court 9.30-10.30am. Email: bristolnordicwalking.co.uk to book your place n Morning Prayer, St John’s Church 9:15am n Foot Care Sessions, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 9:30am n Coffee and Craft Morning, St John’s Church 10am n Sing and Sign for babies /
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October, 2016 toddlers, All Saints Community Hall 10am n Level 1 Walking Group, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10am n Music for Toddlers, St Mary’s Parish Rooms 10:30am n Lunch Club, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 12:30pm n Film Club for over 55’s, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Pre-school Storytime/ Rhymetime, Fishponds Library 2.15-2.45pm n Eucharist with signing for the Deaf, Hillside Court, Batten Road, St George, Bristol, BS5 8NL 3pm n Messy Church, Fishponds CofE Academy 3:15pm n Woodcraft , All Saints Church Hall/Link 6pm n Evening Prayer, St Aidan’s Church 7pm n Evening Prayer, St Ambrose Church 7pm n Frenchay Parent and Toddler group, upstairs in the Frenchay Village Hall, 9.45-11.45am n Fishponds Townswomen’s Guild, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, first Tuesday of the month 2pm. The programme changes monthly but includes coffee afternoons and outings. For details call Barbara Davies on 0117 9653557. n Fishponds Townswomen’s Guild, Briarwood School, Briar Way, Fishponds , second Tuesday of the month 7.15pm. Call 0779 9108 890 n Scouts (10-14 years), Fishponds Baptist Church Youth Hall. 7.309pm (Term Time only) Email: 151bristolscouts@gmail.com n Slimming World, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 9.30am to midday, Call Ami 0746 2727 229 n Diabetes UK, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 6.15-8.15pm. Meeting in small room. n Zumba, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 7-8pm. Contact Anna 0779 9180 437 n Badminton, Downend Sports Centre 8 -10pm. Call 0117 9400706. Email: ridgewaydownend@yahoo. co.uk n ‘Friends and Neighbours’, Fishponds Methodist Church Hall, Guinea Lane, 2 - 4pm alternate Tuesdays. A friendly, sociable group, usually with a speaker and followed by a cup of tea. n Staple Hill Probus Club meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at Downend Cricket Club. 10.30am-12.45pm. Tea and coffee from 10am n Staple Hill Probus Club meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at Downend Cricket Club. 10.30am-12.45pm. Tea and coffee from 10am
Wednesdays n New weekly Salsa class for complete beginners with Cressida. Cross Hands Pub, 1 Staple Hill Road. 7.30-9pm includes social and dancing. No partner needed. Ffi call 07808 581739
n Songs for Little People, The Kingfisher Café 9.45pm £4 per little person, siblings £2. n Eucharist, St Ambrose Church 10am n Arts and Crafts, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10:30am n Coffee Morning, St Ambrose Church 10:30am n Tai Chi, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 11am n Level 3 Walking Group, starting from St Ambrose Beehive Centre 1pm n Arts and Crafts, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 1:30pm n Punjabi Dance and Song, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Support and Activity Group, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Chair based exercise class, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Ladies Circle, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2:30pm n Wives Group, St John’s Church 2:30pm n Messy Church, Air Balloon Primary School, Hillside Rd, St George 3:30pm n Home Group, Location varies 6:30pm n Phoenix Art Club, Fishponds Methodist Church Hall, Guinea Lane, Fishponds 10am-noon. All mediums, all abilities. n Dancing Tots, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 10-11am n Hannah More Club for senior citizens, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 2-4pm (fortnightly) n Women’s Reading Group, Beechwood Club, 1.30-3 pm, fourth Wednesday of every month. Call Anne 0117 9041875 for information. n Dance Tots, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR 7-8pm. Contact Eric 0791 4006 589 n Keep fit class, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 7- 8pm. Contact Beryl 0117 9774534. n Cycle UK (CTC). For all cyclists from beginners to professionals, commuters to sports. Beechwood Club, Fishponds, BS16 3TR. 8-10PM winter months only (other months are rides, see http://www. cyclebristolctc.org.uk/) n Lodge Causeway Townswomen’s Guild, Briarwood School, Briar Way, Fishponds. Second Wednesday of the month (except August) 7.15pm. Different speaker each month plus handicrafts and walking group. Call 0779 9108 890 n Living after Loss, St Mary’s Parish Rooms, back entrance of church 11am-noon. An informal bereavement group. Please note this group is fortnightly. Call Lizzy on 0117 9650856. n Yoga, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds 5.456.45pm. Call Nikki 0752 5735 500 n Flower Arranging practice classes, Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road 7.30 p.m, every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, September – May. All levels welcome. Call Isabel Cooke
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on 0117 9568504 n Frenchay Probus Club meets on the first and third Wednesday every month in Frenchay Village Hall. 10 am to noon. Visitors welcome. www.frenchayprobusclub.com n Frenchay Folk Dance Club meets in Frenchay Village Hall on alternate Wednesdays at 7.45pm. The 2016/17 season starts August 31 with calling from Alan Davies and music by Mike Elsom. Dancers of all abilities and experience are welcome. More information at www.frenchayfdc.co.uk or by emailing FFDCSecretary@outlook. com. n Walks for single people. Solo Rendezvous meet at Downend Cricket Club, every Wednesday, 8.30pm, entrance £3, and walk every Sunday. Please phone for walk details: 01454 775508 / 01454 774984 / 0117 9850210. n Frenchay Folk Dance Club meets in Frenchay Village Hall on alternate Wednesdays at 7.45pm. More information is available at www. frenchayfdc.co.uk or by emailing FFDCSecretary@outlook.com. n Frenchay Probus Club meets on the first and third Wednesday every month in Frenchay Village Hall. 10 am to noon. Visitors welcome.
Thursdays n Dance Fit with Cressida. Beechwood Club, Beechwood Rd.
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Easy pace weekly exercise class with range of dance steps and music. 2pm-3pm plus tea and chat. Ffi call 07808 581739. n Yoga class for beginners. Lincombe Barn, Overndale Rd, Downend. 6.30-8pm.Traditional yoga postures with focus on breathing and relaxation. Bring a mat. £7 per session. Contact before: katarzyna48@hotmail.com or 0752 5937201. n Morning Prayer - St Aidans Church 9:15am n Body toning/conditioning , Beechwood Club 9.30-10.30am. Call Sabrina 0794 1353 735 n Coffee and Craft Morning , St Aidan’s Church 10am n Free Beginners Computer Classes, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10am n Eucharist, St John’s Church 10am n Eucharist, St Mary’s Church 10am n Parent and Toddler Group, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10am n Ballroom Dance Class, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 12pm n Exercises and Sing-a-long Activity Session, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Fit Steps, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Dance, Latin Rhythm, and Zumba gold, Beechwood Club 2-3pm. Call Cressida 0780 8587 39
Continued on next page
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n WHAT’S ON CONTINUED
n Knit & Natter, Fishponds Library 2-4 pm (fortnightly) n Frenchay Parent and Toddler group, upstairs in the Frenchay Village Hall, 9.45-11.45am n The Senior Citizen Friendship Club, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR 3.30-5pm. Call 0782 5155 954. Email: Spencer@sportingchange.biz n Beginner’s Taoist Tai Chi, Fishponds Methodist Church, Guinea Lane 7-8.30pm. Come and enjoy better balance through Taoist Tai Chi practice. Moving meditation for body, mind and spirit. taoist.org.uk n Fun Fitness 2-3pm. Variety dance and fitness class including Zumba Gold, Line dance, Salsa etc! Suitable over 50’s or those looking for fun & easy class. £4 or £20 for 6. ffi Tel Cressida 0117 9391672 or 0780 8581 739 n Zumba Gold with Cressida, Royal British Legion, Kendall Road, Staple Hill, 1.30pm-2.30pm. Fun dance & exercise class to music from around the world. Ideal for beginners to Zumba or older students.Special offer -first class £3. Tel no. 0117 330 9549 / 0780 8581 739 n Fishponds and Downend Rotary Club, The Langley Arms, Guest Avenue, Emersons Green, Bristol BS16 7GA, evening. The club is
actively seeking new members to share fun, fellowship and community service. Full details on website - Google “F&D Rotary” and look for homepage. n Baby Bebop Mums, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds 11am-1pm, babies up to one year. Call Ruth 0796 6032 414 n Cressida dance keep fit and Zumba gold, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds 2-3pm. Tel no. 0780 8581 739 n East Park Residents meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month at May Park School from 6-7pm. All welcome. Further information from Hazel Durn on 0117 9513868 or Tony Locke on 07919 173450.
Fridays
n Greeting cards sold in aid of St Peter’s Hospice, Fishponds Methodist Church Hall, morning. n Nordic Walking Classes, Oldbury Court 9.30-10.30am. Contact bristolnordicwalking.co.uk to book your place. n The Friday Playgroup, All Saints Community Hall 9:30am n Line Dancing, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10:30am n Rhymetime for babies and toddlers, Hillfields Library 11.30amnoon n Senior Citizens Bingo Club with optional fish and chip lunch, St
October, 2016
Ambrose Beehive Centre 12pm n The First Friday Film Club - All Saints Church Hall, 2pm n Taekwondo, St John’s Church Hall 5:30pm n Silent Meditation, St Mary’s Parish Rooms 6pm n Grove Road Youth Club, All Saints Community Hall 7pm n Sensible keep fit to music for older ladies. Hillfields Park Baptist Church, Thicket Avenue, Fishponds 9am. Good company and a chat over coffee. Call 0117 9561231. n High density Zumba, Beechwood Club, Fishponds 6.157.15pm. Call Anna 0779 9180 437 n Zumba, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 9.30-10.30pm n Alzheimer’s group, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 2-4pm 2nd Friday in month, n Zumba keep fit, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 9.3010.30am. Call Sally 0771 2776 753 n Baby Bebop (Mums / Babies up to 1 year old) Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 11am-1pm. Contact Ruth 0796 6032 414 n Alzheimer’s meetings Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 2-4pm (2nd Friday in each month). Tel no. 0117 9756 441 n Fishponds History society Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR 7-9 pm ( 1st Friday monthly). Contact John 0117 965 8110 n Coffee Morning, Speedwell Methodist Church, 10am-noon. Open to all. Friendly and caring. Lunch once a month. n Community art club at Castle Suite, Badminton Gardens, Beaufort Road BS16 6UE. 10amnoon on alternate Fridays. Professional tuition. Sessions will be held on alternate Fridays. Cost is £5 per session and materials are supplied. Limited numbers so please, in the first place, contact Paul Foss on pobble57@yahoo. co.uk or 0117 957 0045
Saturdays
n Diabetes group, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 2-4pm, 2nd Saturday, 2 monthly, September
Sundays
n Morning Worship and children’s group, Speedwell Methodist Church, 378 Speedwell Road.
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10.30am Friendly, informal and lively. n Eucharist, All Saints Church 8am n Eucharist, St Mary’s Church 10am with Giggle Club in Parish Rooms n Eucharist, St Ambrose Church 10am n Eucharist or Lay-Led Service, St Michael’s Church 10am n Eucharist or Lay-Led Service, St Aidan’s Church 10:30am n Eucharist or Lay-Led Service, St John’s 10:30am n Eucharist or Lay-Led Service, All Saints Church 10.30am n All Sorts Youth Group, St Aidan’s Church hall 6pm(fortnightly) n Evensong , St Mary’s Church 6:30pm n Worship, Staple Hill Methodist Church 10.30am and 6pm. A creche is available for little ones and Sunday Club. Taize Worship is held on second Sunday evening of the month and communion is taken on first morning and evening of the month. Call 0117 9575221 n Fishponds Baptist Church (opposite the Cross Hands pub) - 10.30am. Friendly, welcoming church with people from a range of backgrounds, nationalities and ages. Children and youth provision for all ages. 6.30pm every Sunday, apart from the 3rd Sunday in the month when we have our ‘Messy church’ at 4pm with crafts, food and fun for all the family! There is a songs of praise service on the 4th Sunday at 3pm. n Redemption Life, Beechwood Club, BS16 3TR 9.30am-1pm n Church Group, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR 1pm n ARC, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 3.30-5.30pm or 7-9pm For bookings and other inquiries about Beechwood Club, call Terry King 0117 965 020, after 4pm. email: tk007h9736@ blueyonder.co.uk n Morning Worship, Fishponds Methodist Church, Guinea Lane 10.30am n R.F.I.Church Group, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds 1-3pm n Sisters fellowship international, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds 4-6pm. Call Stella
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October, 2016
n NEWS
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Aston Martin and Dick Lovett launches in Bristol ASTON Martin has opened its latest new dealership in the UK in Bristol, partnering for the first time with Dick Lovett. The purpose-built stateof-the-art facility at Cribbs Causeway features a 25-car luxurious showroom for new and pre-owned Aston Martin sports cars and a separate lounge where customers can tailor their new car to the exact specification. Speaking at a VIP customer reception held last month to launch the showroom, Aston Martin President and CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “I am delighted to open this outstanding new facility here in Bristol, which sets the benchmark for all dealership showrooms worldwide. “Dick Lovett are why we chose to open in Bristol, partly because it’s a family and we like the spirit of welcoming that you get when you come here. It is a fantastic location and they were prepared to make something that is really special to represent the brand.” Lynn Campbell, Managing Director, Dick Lovett said: “It was great to see over 400 Aston Martin owners and enthusiasts this evening. The opening of our new state-of-the-art facility, in our 50th year, has made 2016 a fantastic year. The facility has been uniquely designed and reflects Aston Martin’s core design philosophy and craftsmanship.” On display at the opening event was the new DB11. The first product launched under the company’s ‘Second Century’ plan, the DB11 is the bold new figurehead of the illustrious ‘DB’ bloodline and an authentic, dynamic sporting GT in the finest Aston Martin tradition. Also included in the display was the new Vanquish Zagato, a DB4 Convertible, the Aston Martin Racing #99 V8 Vantage GTE plus a host of other Aston Martin special project vehicles. In addition to this were examples from the company’s current lineup, and a selection of heritage models, including the Aston Martin A3, the oldest surviving Aston Martin in the world. The showroom was packed with admirers of the luxury cars on the evening, including the first customer to purchase a car from the showroom, Patrick
Cullen from south Bristol, who has ordered a metallic silver DB11 v12. “I’ve wanted it for quite a long time and have been saving for most of my life. It’s in production at the moment and is due in November,” he said. Aston Martin cars have been compared to owning a luxury handbag - the Hermes Birkin of the car world. Dr Andy Palmer added: “Our customers fall into two categories. There are the car nuts who have always dreamt of owning an Aston Martin, may not be hugely wealthy, or may have come into the brand through the second hand car market. The Aston is their passion. If you go to racing at Le Mans you will find a whole bunch of people who are supporting the band and perhaps are James Bond fans too. “Then there are the high net worth individuals. There are about 16 million people around the world who have £1m of disposable cash and they are very discerning and look for the understated - that is where the Aston customer is drawn from.” The new South West and Wales showrooms are well placed for the production of the new DBX crossover SUV and the Lagonda which will be hand built at a new £200m factory in St Athan in South Wales. Dr Andy Palmer said: “We at Aston Martin are going through a revolution - we have the new factory, the new product range and the new DB. As a consequence of that the Zagato sold out even before we announced it. What we now have
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is a destination that is worthy of the brand.” Aston Martin Bristol offer a convenient “Collection & Delivery” service using their covered vehicle transporter and a “Roaming Technician” service to assist with minor repairs
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and original diagnostic work. The dealership has a dedicated aftersales team and a 10 bay workshop staffed by world-class Gaydon-trained technicians. For further information about Aston Martin Bristol, please visit: Aston Martin Bristol .
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LOCAL SERVICES
October, 2016 ELECTRICAL SERVICES
Why not advertise your business Rates start as little as under £16 per month
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07812 730346
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BUILDING & HOME IMPROVEMENT
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GARDEN SERVICES
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GUTTERING REPAIRS
IRONING & LAUNDRY SERVICE
PLUMBING
HOUSE CLEARANCE
PAINTING & DECORATING
PLUMBING
HYPNOTHERAPY
PLUMBING & HEATING
PAINTING & DECORATING
PLUMBING & HEATING
PHONE REPAIRS
SJM DECORATING
Professional Decorating Local Qualified tradesmen Internal & External Decorating Fast, reliable & friendly service No hidden extras Free Quotations Call Scott 07515 523 623 0117 3824411 www.sjmdecorating.freeindex.co.uk
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