Fishponds Voice February 2015 by Fishponds Voice

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February 2015 — Issue 1

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

Crunch time for McDonald’s

Ruff justice at new cafe? The Kingfisher Cafe has polled its customers over whether dogs should be allowed inside.

Page 6

Edible Fishponds is growing fast A community project called Edible Fishponds is producing crops on a patch of land outside the Co-op in Straits Parade.

Page 8

Sally’s success at Bristol Met Find out more about the principal leading the continued improvements at Bristol Metropolitan Academy.

Page 15 THE huge campaign to stop McDonald’s opening a drive-thru in Fishponds reached its climax this month. Bristol city councillors made their decision on the fast food giant’s application for a former tile warehouse in Fishponds Road on Wednesday February 4.

The meeting took place after Fishponds Voice went to print but all the signs were that the protesters would win their four-month battle. Planning officers were recommending that the McDonald’s restaurant and takeaway be refused on road safety grounds. Councillors could have rejected their advice but

were looking unlikely to do so in the face of 500-plus objections. Campaigners are wary of celebrating too soon, as the firm could go to appeal, but they say that whatever the outcome their efforts have galvanised a community spirit in the area. Full story, Pages 4&5

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Community hub plan for church Crofts End Church is stepping up its efforts to raise the money for a £1m community hub.

Page 22

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FOR PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES IN THE GREATER FISHPONDS AREA

What’s on in and around

February 2015 — Issue

the area: Page 26 | Business

Crunch time for McDonal d’s

Staple Hill Tailoring

Custom Tailoring and Alterations

Dry Cleaning available

TEL: 0117 329 0640 07877 737143 101 High Street, Staple Bristol, BS16 5HF Hill,

Ruff justice at new cafe?

The Kingﬁsher Cafe has polled its customers over whether dogs should be allowed inside.

A community project called Edible Fishponds is producing crops on a patch of land outside the Co-op in Straits Parade.

Page 8

Sally’s success at Bristol Met

Find out more about the principal leading the continued improvements at Bristol Metropolitan Academy.

The meeting took place after Fishponds Voice went to the signs were that the print but all protesters would win their four-month Planning ofﬁcers were battle. recommending that the restaurant and takeaway McDonald’s on road safety grounds. be refused Councillors could have rejected their advice but

were looking unlikely to do so in the face of 500-plus objections. Campaigners are wary celebrating too soon, as of the ﬁrm could go to appeal, but they whatever the outcome their say that have galvanised a community efforts spirit in the area. Full story, Pages 4&5

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Page 6 Edible Fishponds is growing fast

THE huge campaign to stop McDonald’s opening a drive-thru in Fishponds reached its climax this month. Bristol city councillors their decision on the fast made food giant’s application for a former tile warehouse in Fishponds Wednesday February 4. Road on

February, 2015

Page 15

Community hub plan for church

Crofts End Church is stepping its efforts to raise the money up for a £1m community hub.

Page 22

Glasses two for one from £65 exclusions apply

WELCOME to Fishponds Voice, the new free monthly newspaper for your area. We aim to bring you news and views about people and places you know, as well as adverts for many of the brilliant business and services on your doorstep. Fishponds Voice is the seventh Voice paper serving communities in Bristol. The others are Filton Voice, Downend Voice, Frome Valley Voice, Keynsham Voice, Bishopston Voice and Henleaze and Westbury Voice. More than 7,000 copies of our free publication

fishpondsvoice Publisher Gary Brindle 0117 907 8585 07799 461169

AD V E R T ISI N G sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk Tel 07453 954261 Tel 07799 461169 E DI T O R IAL news@fishpondsvoice.co.uk Letters to the publication can be sent to the above e-mail address or by post to Letters, Fishponds Voice, 6 Elkstone Walk, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6JT. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter. D E ADLI N E S Our March edition will go to print on Monday March 2. To ensure your news or letter is

will be delivered to homes in the Greater Fishponds area every month. Hundreds more are available at pick-up points such as libraries and shops. Our publisher Gary Brindle says: “The news that matters most to use is often not what is happening in our part of the country or even in the city. It’s the issues and events that are happening in our neighbourhood. “Our aim is to provide a means for the community to talk about what affects them, publicise events, celebrate successes and share ideas. We hope you will join the conversation.” If you have a story for us, please email news@ fishpondsvoice.co.uk You can keep in touch with us via Facebook and Twitter – and look out for our website, coming soon!

Journalist Linda Tanner 0777 0700579

Journalist Jayne Taylor 0788 0731148

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

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ fishpondsvoice

Sales Caroline Galvin 07453 954261

Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582 Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk Environment/trading standards 01454 868001 Well Aware Health and social care information www. wellaware.org.uk Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252 PUBLISHER’S NOTE Fishponds Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Fishponds Voice is distributed each month to local residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is welcomed, call Gary Brindle on 0117 907 8585 or news@fishpondsvoice. co.uk.

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February, 2015

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40 years of serving up lunches and kindness MANDY Hooper has been cooking for the children of Hillfields for 40 years – meaning that she’s probably produced something like one and a half million meals. Her efforts were recognised last month when Minerva Primary Academy held a surprise celebration to mark their popular school cook’s four decades in the kitchen. Mandy, 60, attended Hillfields Primary School, returned there to work after college and training in the kitchens at Whitefield Fishponds Community School, and has remained ever since. Her long service means she has been working at the school on the Hillfields estate longer than many of the staff have been alive. She knows all the children and their families, many of whom will remember her cooking for them when they were pupils. “One of the SMSAs (dinner ladies) remembers that I used to serve her and her brothers and sisters and now I am serving her children,” said Mandy. “I know a lot of the mums and dads – though I haven’t come across any grandparents yet.”

When she started in 1975, the meals were mainly prepared from fresh ingredients. Later, more frozen ingredients were introduced, although Mandy has seen a swing back following Jamie Oliver’s school meals campaigns. The recent introduction of free school meals for all infant children has led to an increase in the number of meals Mandy and the other cooks prepare at Minerva – it’s about 200 a day at present. Chips and beans remain a favourite with the children, who are also keen on roast dinners and spaghetti bolognese. The menus have adapted too as the cultural mix at the school has grown. On the day Fishponds Voice visited, roast gammon, halal chicken and sweet potato curry were the choices. Mandy said she had had no idea about the celebration: “The kids were asking me, ‘ Have you really been here 40 years?’ and I said, ‘No, I’m only 21.’ After we’d cleared up, they took me into the dining hall and all the kids were there. They had made me some beautiful pictures

and I had flowers and cards.” Mandy’s boss, Tracy Nimmo, from catering company Eden, dropped in with a bouquet and principal Gemma Jackson paid tribute to the hard-working cook. She said: “Mandy is a very humble person and does not ever want a fuss made of her, however

sometimes great work and kindness does need to be recognised. She has been lovely and kind for 40 years to children at our school. This means current parents and grandparents will remember her cooking for them too and her care. It shows how much people value all that she has done.”

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TRAFFIC turning right into the proposed McDonald’s drive-thru in Fishponds Road would present an unacceptable safety risk, planning officers say. This was their main reason for recommending refusal of the plans for a two-storey restaurant and takeaway at the former tile warehouse. They were also concerned about the effect of noise, smell and light pollution on people living nearby. Their report to the development control committee on February 4 said the McDonald’s proposal had some merits in that it would redevelop a derelict site. But they said the “unacceptable highway safety impact” could not be mitigated. “The benefits of the scheme would not outweigh these identified harms and the proposal is accordingly recommended for

February, 2015

McD’s ‘would be road safety risk’ refusal, ” they reported. Many objectors said the site was too close to three local schools but the officers said the schools were further than 400m away – the distance recommended in planning guidance. The committee heard that 495 objections had been submitted – as well as 20 statements of support – and 1,667 people had signed a petition against the development. Bristol East’s Labour MP Kerry McCarthy, Eastville Labour councillors Mhairi Threlfall and Mohadmur Khan, Frome Vale Conservative councillor Lesley Alexander and Green councillors Rob Telford and Gush Hoyt were among the opponents. A number of campaigners were due to make statements at the committee meeting. Among them was Pauline Shaw, whose focus was on the health impact. “It is of particular concern, and we believe extremely irresponsible, to even consider siting a

Campaigners outside City Hall last month McDonald’s so close to three local schools. It makes a mockery of Healthy Eating status and will attract scorn for enticing schoolchildren to consume high-fat, fast food, despite council commitments to healthy lifestyles. “And let’s not quibble about whether it’s under or over 400 metres to the nearest entrance –

it’s within easy walking distance. Hundreds of children will pass this McDonald’s on their way to and from school and it will become a magnet for those who are allowed to leave at lunchtime,” she said, Other campaigners were due to speak about the traffic and safety, litter and pollution, and employment implications.

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February, 2015

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People power ‘could change the face of Fishponds’ WHAT next? That’s what campaigners are asking after the success of their battle against plans for McDonald’s drive-thru in Fishponds Road. Hundreds of people have taken part in protest marches, lodged objections, and signed a petition against the planned restaurant and takeaway since October. Their efforts came to a head at a Bristol City Council planning committee meeting on February 4 at which a decision was made on

the application to change the use of a former tile warehouse. The outcome of that meeting was not known before Fishponds Voice went to print but it was looking highly likely that councillors would follow the advice of planning officers and reject the proposal.

Jobs McDonald’s would not comment on possible next steps in advance of the decision but a spokesman said: “Over the last few months we

‘The wrong place for a drive-thru’ BRISTOL would be a laughing stock if it gave the go-ahead to a huge McDonald’s in a residential area during the city’s year as European Green Capital, the city council was told. Campaigner Mike Jempson, a Fishponds resident for 27 years, was applauded after giving a statement to the full council on January 20 saying that the plan for a two-storey restaurant and drive-thru close to homes and on a busy main road was “the thin end of a very worrying wedge”. “There are at least seven McDonald’s in and around Bristol already and there is no call for one Protest leaflets in Fishponds, where we have 24 takeaways and almost as many cafes and restaurants. They plan to site it on the Fishponds Road, which is heavily congested at the best of times, and within easy walking distance of three primary schools and a secondary school,” he said. Mr Jempson said that as well traffic, air and light pollution concerns, objections had been raised about litter, vermin and the obesity problems associated with the high levels of fat, salt and sugar in fast food. “In all my years here I have never known a planning application galvanise the community as much as this one, with hundreds of local people turning up at meetings and demonstrations,” he added. Mr Jempson and other campaigners lobbied councillors before the meeting, which took place two weeks before the development control committee that was making the final decision on the plans. Bristol’s Mayor George Ferguson said he supported the campaigners, although he had no powers over the planning councillors’ decision.

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have been working hard with the council to progress our plans. A new McDonald’s restaurant on Fishponds Road would provide over 75 full and part time jobs ranging from crew to management positions and would play an important role in the local community.” Louise Lowman, one of the campaigners, said that even if the plan were to be agreed the community’s efforts would not have been in vain. “The campaign has refreshed

and galvanised a community spirit in Fishponds that is lacking in many neighbourhoods today,” she said. “It is crucial that the momentum and interest is not lost and that people become involved in influencing how the area develops in the future.” The campaigners hope to develop a Greater Fishponds neighbourhood plan, giving the community a bigger say over what is wanted in the area.

Chance to say thank you People involved or interested in the campaign against the McDonald’s drive-thru are invited to a gathering on the site of the former tile warehouse in Fishponds Road on February 7 at 11 am. (weather permitting). Organisers say it will be a chance to review the battle and consider what the next steps should be. The aim is to enable the community to become involved in creating a plan for how Greater Fishponds could and should develop in future. It will also be an opportunity to thank everyone who has played their part in the campaign.

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Who kept the dogs out? Cafe’s poll on pooches

NEW Fishponds community cafe The Kingfisher has been attracting a lot of interest – thanks to cakes and canines. The independent cafe, at the top of Straits Parade in the former Bottoms Up shop, opened just before Christmas. It’s being run by two local women, Sarah Baird and Jane Rose, and is already proving to be a welcome hub for all sorts of activities in the neighbourhood. Just three weeks after opening, the cafe was at the centre of intensive discussions on social

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media over whether it should allow dogs inside. Strong opinions were aired on both sides, with dog lovers favouring a place they could visit after walking in Oldbury Court park and opponents concerned about hygiene, allergies and dogs frightening other customers. Sarah and Jane put the matter to the vote, with an online poll and a vote in the cafe. The ballot brought in customers who had not previously known the venue was there. The result was very close – 179 against and 160 in favour, so the cafe has decided to

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designate certain dog friendly days. The dates have yet to be announced. The last week of January was designated The Great(ish) Fishponds BakeOff. Baking enthusiasts were encouraged to provide donations of cakes to be sold for charity. Customers were asked to vote for their favourites each day and the best in each category was awarded a free Sunday lunch for two. • Monday was Victoria sponge day with proceeds to CLIC Sargent Fishponds; • Tuesday, scones, proceeds to Barnardo’s Fishponds; • Wednesday, muffins, proceeds to St Peter’s Hospice Fishponds;

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• Thursday, tea breads, proceeds to Tilly’s Pantry ( a greyhound rescue charity). • Friday, tray bakes, proceeds to Cancer Research Fishponds. This was followed by a Murder Mystery Night on January 30, and other events such as quizzes, book clubs, film nights and craft sessions are planned. “There are lots of ideas bouncing around,” said Jane. “It is a business and we need to make money to stay open but we really want it to have a community focus. “We have had an amazingly positive response so far,” added Sarah.

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February, 2015

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MOST roads in the east Bristol area will have 20mph speed limits from the end of next month. Main roads will remains at 30mph except when they pass schools but all other roads will have the lower limit. The reduced speeds are being rolled out across the city to try to make roads safer. A map of the restrictions can be found here: http://www. bristol20mph.co.uk/how/eastville-frome-vale-hillfields-st-georgefishponds The formal Speed Limit Order comes into force on March 27.

Advice available from a real person IT’S all very well having an online information and signposting service - but I don’t have a computer and I haven’t a clue about the internet. That’s not an uncommon comment made to the organisation Well Aware, which has a website giving details of health and wellbeing groups, organisations and activities in Bath, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. So the charity wants people to know that it also has a telephone helpline, where you can find out about health and social care services by talking to an actual human being. Manager Carmen Armaiz said: “At Well Aware we want to enable people to get the information they need for themselves, their families or the person they care for. That’s why we have a freephone telephone line - 0808 808 5252 - during weekday office hours for people who prefer to talk to us. Calls are answered by one of Well Aware’s small team based at the Vassall Centre in Fishponds, Bristol. When you phone, all you have to do is tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll look up the information for you and tell you on the phone, by email or print it out and put it in the post. It’s as simple as that.”

Do you have views or opinions on issues in the Greater Fishponds area? Let us know by e-mailing us at

news@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

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February, 2015

Get dug in with Edible Fishponds SHORT of some veg for your supper? Head for Straits Parade in a month or two and you might not even need to go into a shop. A patch of crops growing there is available for use by anyone in the community. It’s all part of the Edible Fishponds project, which started last summer and – appropriately – is growing fast. Edible Fishponds is an offshoot of Incredible Edible Bristol, which follows the example of the successful community growing project in Todmorden in the

Pennines. It involves volunteers clearing unused land and cultivating food for local people. “It’s food grown by the community for the community,” said Sara Venn, of Incredible Edible Bristol. Retired librarian Carol Laslett got the Fishponds project started last year by asking the Co-op for permission to create a bed opposite the shop and post office. Sims Hill Shared Harvest at Stapleton donated some spare plants, including chard and parsley. Over the winter, leeks and beetroot have been added, as well as edible polyanthus flowers. The team hopes to develop a second vegetable bed on the plot this year and is keen for more people to come forward to help. Volunteers are enjoying getting stuck in to digging, hoeing, weeding and planting. But the project is about far more than just gardening, cooking and eating. It prompts conversations and encourages people to get involved in their community and consider the issues;, “It has created a lot of interest,” said Sara. “A whole range of people of all

ages are joining in, not all of them gardeners.” Carol is pleased to see the project blossoming. “It makes sense to use urban spaces to grow food,” she said. “The Todmorden project grabbed my attention and when I heard that Incredible Edible was starting in Bristol I thought it would be good to have a project in Fishponds.” Greater Fishponds Neighbourhood Partnership has agreed to fund a noticeboard at the site to explain Edible Fishponds to passers-by. Further details can be found at ediblebristol.org.uk

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February, 2015

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60 visit jobs fair

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A JOBS fair at the Vassall Centre brought together 60 jobseekers and 23 businesses and agencies. Among the employers attending were Network Rail, First Group, McDonald’s, Direct Line Group and the Milestones Trust. The event was organised by the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bristol East, Theo Clarke, who said: “I’m thrilled with the local response. We had a great turn out of local employers and job seekers and it is excellent news to hear that several people have got interviews lined up as a result of the fair”. She added: “Although overall unemployment in Bristol has decreased over the last year some of the highest remaining levels are within Bristol East, which is why we felt it is so important to bring this opportunity to those who can benefit from it most.” Ms Clarke previously worked as a recruiter and used to run employability programmes for schools and universities.

Massive revamp for ‘dated’ Lidl store

CUT-PRICE supermarket chain Lidl has announced an opening date for its new-look store in Fishponds. The German-owned shop on Fishponds Road closed for refurbishment on December 31 and is currently scheduled to reopen on Saturday April 4. The store opened in 2000 and has established a reputation within the local community for its low prices. Lidl spokesman Alasdair Fowle said the store was in need of a facelift after nearly 15 years. He said: “Ensuring our older stores give customers the same excellent level of shopping experience that our new cutting edge stores deliver is important to us at Lidl, so we are working our way through our portfolio of older stores to ensure this is always the case.”

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February, 2015

How massage helps babies to sleep better A FISHPONDS mum has launched baby massage classes in the area after witnessing its effects on her own children. Anna Mapson says massage can help promote better sleep for your baby which means mums and dads can wake up the next morning fully rested. The 36-year-old has joined forces with pal Emma Haverson, who set up The Gentle Touch in 2012 to teach parents massage techniques. Anna took her own children along to Emma’s classes and was so impressed she decided to team up to spread the word about the benefits of massage. After establishing successful courses in Southville, the pair have

brought their skills and knowledge to Fishponds following Anna’s recent move to the area. According to Anna, who has two girls aged one and five, baby massage is a skill that is easy to learn with numerous benefits to parent and baby. She said: “It’s amazing. I learnt it through going to Emma’s classes with my daughter. It’s a really lovely way of bonding with your baby and spending time connecting. “I found it really beneficial. There are lots of physical health benefits but a lot of the benefit is about the mental and emotional improvements between the parent and child.” And can it really help with sleep? “Regular relaxation generally improves the quality of sleep that the baby will have. We can’t prove it will help baby sleep through the night but it does help to relax both parent and baby. The close connection babies feel with the parent through massage can also mean they don’t panic so much when they wake up in the night.” Massaging babies isn’t a new practice, it’s a long standing tradition thought to date back thousands of years passed down from generation to generation. Parents regularly massage their babies as part of daily life in many

parts of the world such as India, Africa and Asia. Within the last 30 years or so baby massage has gained popularity within the UK, and we’ve seen a sharp rise in popularity within the last five years. Emma, 40, who is mum to two boys aged one and three, said: “It’s now common knowledge that holding and stroking your baby is one of the most wonderful gifts we can give to them. Parents used to be told not to pick up their babies because they would ‘spoil them’, but now we know gentle nurturing touch signifies, love, protection, shelter and warmth. Touch is the first of the senses to develop and it’s known to be the baby’s first ‘language’.” The women have recently added

baby yoga classes to their repetoire saying, like baby massage, it can support your child’s development and deepen the bond between parent and child. The classes incorporate songs, movement and gentle stretches. The Gentle Touch will run a four week baby massage course starting on February 11, from 11am-12noon at the parish room, St Mary’s Church, Fishponds. Drop-in baby yoga classes take place every Wednesday from 11am-12noon at All Saints Church, Fishponds. For more details call Anna on 07812 010412 or email info@thegentle-touch.com.You can also find out more at www.the-gentle-touch. com

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February, 2015

Charity gets off to a flying start FISHPONDS’ latest charity shop is already proving a huge hit with customers in the area. Sue Ryder opened a large store in Channon’s Hill retail park at the end of November. Since then cash tills have been ringing, helping the charity to provide care and support for people living with life limiting conditions such as cancer, Parkinson’s Disease and dementia. The shop is located in a prime position so the charity is hopeful it will play a key role in generating income for its cause. As well as being the newest Sue Ryder store in Bristol, it is also the largest at 3,000 sq ft of retail space. Sue Ryder area manager, Helen Reynolds, said: “It’s been going really, really well. “Before we opened lots of people came and knocked on the window to say hello and ask when we were opening. “On our opening day we had a lovely queue of people waiting to get in. It seems the community has been really welcoming and receptive

to our new shop. “All of the money that the Fishponds store raises enables Sue Ryder to provide more care nationally.” The shop is filled with a variety of furniture, ladies and men’s fashions, children’s clothes, vinyl and CDs as well as new items. Helen, 40, said: “Everything seems to be selling well but in particular our ladies and men’s fashion and furniture is really popular. “We also sell new goods which are bought from a supplier and they are normally ex-high street unsold or ex-seasonal lines. They are normally very good value for money. For example, we are able to sell a Monsoon dress which might have cost £50 plus, for less than £10.” Helen made the career switch from high street retail to charity retail 10 years ago and says she hasn’t looked back. “I absolutely love it. The charity sector is very rewarding, very challenging and very creative. Sue Ryder is a very genuine, sincere

Sandra, area support manager; Maddie, manager of Park Street; Dominic, Fishponds manager; Helen, area manager; Mike, assistant manager and Simon, sales assistant charity to work for. “We all work so hard to make as much money as possible to care for patients who are near the end of their lives or have been diagnosed with neurological conditions. Most of our customers know someone who has cancer or has been diagnosed with dementia so it means a lot to us to be working towards something which makes a difference to the lives of those people.”

SUE Ryder retail stores are currently celebrating Freedom February where shop managers are encouraged to be as creative and entrepreneurial as possible during the quietest month of the charity calendar. Helen said: “It’s a really exciting time to pop into a shop and see something innovative or see a really good bargain.”

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February, 2015

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A SUE Ryder volunteer who hadn’t worked for 16 years because of a mental health condition is now a paid worker at the Fishponds store. Simon Down, 53, was fearful of contamination after suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Even catching a bus was fraught with anxiety and, as he doesn’t drive, it made holding down a job impossible. But following a series of therapy sessions, Simon decided to volunteer at the Sue Ryder shop in Park Street. Eight months later, after gaining valuable work experience, Simon applied for a part-time sales assistant position in Fishponds and was delighted to be told he had the job. Simon, who is pictured far right in the Sue Ryder team photo opposite, said: “I couldn’t get rid of my fears of contamination. I was frightened of touching things and people sneezing. I had 20 weeks of intensive cognitive behaviour therapy so I thought I would strike while the iron was hot. “I wondered what I could do and looked at the charity sector. I came across Sue Ryder and liked the sound of them. I phoned the Park Street branch and they took me on as a volunteer. “That got me into using public transport again because in the past I had avoided that. The manager

Madeleine and assistant manager Terry were really good and they built up my confidence. “One of the first things Madeleine said to me was that it can be messy because I would have to sort through donations but I was looking for a challenge. “I have a good eye for detail so they also let me organise the stock room area. After volunteering for eight months I heard about the Fishponds shop opening so I applied for a part-time position.” Simon, like the other job applicants, went through an interview process. “When they told me I had been successful I was excited but also a bit scared because I hadn’t worked for so long,” he said. “I work 22.5 hours a week but at the moment it’s more like fulltime as we’re a new shop and we haven’t got that many volunteers.” Support is given to Simon by store manager Dominic Scribbins, assistant manager Mike Green and fellow sales assistant Angela Walker. Simon, who is now able to travel to work by bus from his home in Lockleaze, said: “OCD doesn’t just disappear but now I can look at it in a different way and have techniques and exercises that I’ve learnt to be

able to cope with it. “Everyone has been really supportive and really looks after you. It’s like having a second family. Sue Ryder sees the person, not the illness.” Area manager Helen Reynolds said Simon was a great success story. “When we started advertising jobs for the Fishponds shop Simon asked if he could apply. We said, ‘Yes, please do. We’d love you to!’ “He did the most fantastic interview and used all of his experience in volunteering as well his own ideas. Simon was so

passionate about opening the new shop in Fishponds and continuing to raise money. “It was lovely to be able to give someone that opportunity knowing our stores make people thrive, whether they are volunteers or paid staff. “Simon is lovely. It’s been a real privilege to get to know him and work with him.” On top of his job as sales assistant, Simon also acts as a mentor to other volunteers, passing on the valuable experience learnt during his time at the Park Street shop.

n Helen said she hoped to recruit volunteers from the Fishponds community. “If anyone was thinking about volunteering but they lack confidence, they can be assured they will be more than welcome at Sue Ryder,” she said. “We have seen volunteers go from being barely able to make eye contact and being quite fearful of even talking to strangers to absolutely blossoming in confidence. Now they can run the whole shop floor on their own, answer the phone and do anything from deal with shoplifters to selling a £100 dolls’ house. “Anyone who is interested can pop into the shop and meet the team to have a coffee and tell them about what they are interested in. They can also phone, email or go through the Sue Ryder website. We will always get back in touch and work out how we can meet up and get started.”

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February, 2015

Leading the way with maths tuition SCHOOLS in the Fishponds area are leading the way in driving up the quality of maths teaching. Bristol Metropolitan Academy hosted the launch last month of the Boolean Maths Hub, which is supporting schools across a wide area of the West. The hub is a Government initiative led by the Cabot Learning Federation with Ashley Down Primary School. It is aimed at spreading successful techniques used in China. The country’s 15-year-olds topped the 2012 international tables for maths, while England was in 26th place. Mike Eatwell, head of Fishponds Church of England Academy, was among a group of British teachers who visited Shanghai last year to find out more about teaching techniques. Also on the delegation were Mandy Milsom, executive principal with the CLF, and Sally Edwards, from Begbrook Primary School. About 150 people attended the hub launch and heard a keynote speech from maths guru Charlie Stripp on improving maths standards for children and young people aged from three to 19.

Steve Taylor, chief executive of the Cabot Learning Federation, Claire Carter, head of the Cabot Teaching School, Lisa Pollard, leader of the maths hub, and guest speaker Charlie Stripp

Lisa Pollard, maths hub lead for the the CLF, said: “Having witnessed maths first hand in Shanghai, it is extremely exciting to bring that back to the South West and share

this knowledge with my colleagues. This launch will be the start of a wide ranging programme of working with our federated academies and our partner schools.”

School breaks record BRISTOL Metropolitan Academy in Fishponds is one of the best schools in the country for pupil progress. Government figures out last week show that the students at Bristol Met significantly outperform their peers from every starting point - high fliers, average ability and strugglers. The latest league tables give schools a Value Added score based on the progress made by students. The national average is 1000. Bristol Met’s score for 2014 GCSE outcomes was 1078.6, which places it in the top 30 schools in the country. Principal Sally Apps said: “We are extremely proud of our students past and present. Being in the top one per cent in England is testament to the hard work of last year’s Year 11s, the support of their families, and the excellent teaching they received.

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February, 2015

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Meet Sally Apps. Her welcoming and carefree smile belies the fact she has one of the most demanding jobs in the area. At any one time, Sally is responsible for the education of 800 young people. As principal of Bristol Metropolitan Academy in Fishponds, the 33-year-old has pledged to continue the transformative work of her predecessor. Sally was appointed interim principal in November 2013 following the departure of Steve Taylor who took up the role of executive principal within the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF), one of the major success stories within education in Bristol over the past 10 years. Her appointment was made permanent in December and it’s a case of full steam ahead as she continues to build upon the improvements made since the school rose from the ashes of Whitefield Fishponds Community School, a struggling school which was severely under subscribed. In 2009 the school became an academy and was taken under the wing of the CLF. It is now oversubscribed and in the top one percent of schools nationally for progress made by students between their Key Stage 2 results at primary school and their GCSE results at age 16. Since the academy opened there has also been around a 25 per cent increase in its 5A*-C GCSE results, with figures from last year showing 55 per cent of students reaching this government benchmark. Originally from Bedfordshire, Sally trained as an English teacher at the University of Manchester, and ended up honing her teaching skills in the northern city for 12 years. She was a clear leader, taking responsibility for literacy in several schools and winning awards for her work. A post of director of achievements and standards at a school in Stockport then paved the way for her appointment as vice principal at Bristol Met, and gave her the precise grounding she needed to help boost attainment there. “While Steve Taylor was very much leading our school, I was behind him making sure that all the things that were being changed for the better would carry on and be sustainable. I spent a lot of time working with staff to make sure their practice was really strong and that’s how our progress rocketed.” Sally applied for the role of vice principal knowing she had high ambitions. “I had always wanted to be a headteacher,” she said. “When I arrived, Steve was very clear about helping me to develop the kind of skills I was going to need to head a school. I didn’t expect I’d be lucky enough to lead this school but when the chance came up to take over from Steve, I went for it

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Sally is taking Bristol Met from strength to strength are met. If they are struggling, we go that extra mile to help them. We don’t believe in giving up.” The community plays a huge role in the school. When Sally says the school has high expectations, it’s not just teachers and students she is talking about - parents, too, have a role in supporting their child and the school. It’s a challenge the community, which once turned its back on the school, has welcomed with open arms, clearly happy - and relieved their children’s education is in safe hands. “The strength of this school is our students and they are well supported by their parents. We have a parent body which is really interested in both our students and the school doing really well. We are working more and more effectively with our community.” As a young career woman, Sally is determined her family will develop alongside her job. Last May she gave birth to her first child, taking just 10 weeks maternity leave. She is expecting her second child in June and is planning to take even less time off. Those cynics amongst us may suggest Sally is timing her family with the long summer holidays? “It does look that way,” Sally laughs. “It’s obviously helpful! I’m very lucky that I live very near to my mum and sister and I’m very well supported. The fact that I happen to have another baby due near the holidays is great. It means I can have some baby time and I can still come back to support our students in

September.” So where does Sally go from here? Feet up on her desk whilst breathing sighs of relief? That wouldn’t be Sally’s style. “The next step for our school is to be recognised as Outstanding by Ofsted,” said Sally. “We were Ofsteded in 2012 and received a ‘Good’ rating. Now we are working on making sure the next time Ofsted comes, and we don’t know when that might be, there will be no doubt that in every area we will be considered to be Outstanding. “We behave as though they may come any day and work on making our practices as outstanding as they can be.” How confident is Sally that this will become reality? “We are peerless, particularly in terms of progress. That would suggest there is a strong case for the school to be considered Outstanding. “Our teaching is robustly always good or better and we are increasing the percentage of what we consider to be outstanding lessons. “Everything in this school is about progress, progress, progress. Everyone is aiming for the best that they can. It’s important students move quickly from the point they started out from, whether that be from a high point or a low point. “The school has been very successful, and of course that’s down to good leadership and strong teaching, but ultimately the people who get the results are the children. I’m very proud of them.”

with all my might. “It was quick but because I’d been leading the school alongside him for about two years, it was the right time. I feel very well equipped to lead the school into the next phase.” Sally credits being part of the CLF, which runs 12 schools in the greater Bristol area, as one of the main reasons for Bristol Met’s meteoric success. “There’s very rarely a time when working in isolation is a good thing,” Sally said. “The quality of the federation means nobody struggles alone. We can celebrate together but we can also support one another. That has been a real help to this school. It’s brilliant we are now being asked to help other schools because of our strengths.” Sally is particularly proud of the school’s recent progress in English and maths. “There’s a national expectation for progress which is that 70 per cent of students will make expected progress. We have 97 per cent of pupils making expected progress in English and 87 per cent in maths.” The academy’s strapline of ‘High Standards, High Expectations, High Aspirations’ is far from just lip service. “We have a whole variety of different students and communities that we serve and we don’t allow ourselves or them excuses for not doing well. When our students come here we absolutely expect that they will do well and we will do whatever it takes to help them get there. We have a very inclusive school and do our absolute best to ensure students’ needs Sally considers herself lucky to head up Bristol Met

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Battle of the Bands at CLF STUDENTS from seven secondary schools took to the stage last week for the Cabot Learning Federation’s annual Battle of the Bands competition. It took place at Bristol Brunel Academy in Speedwell and included entrants from Bba as well as Bristol Metropolitan, Hans Price, Bath Community, John Cabot, Hanham Woods and King’s Oak and the Grange School. The acts included solo performances and groups from young people aged from 11 to 19 who performed for the large audience of supporters and fans while the judges deliberated. Last year’s winners Only My Alibi, also performed. Gareth Williams, music teacher from Bristol Brunel Academy, said, “There was an amazing amount of talent on stage. All the acts were brilliant and did their academies proud. This is just one of many events where our federated academies compete against each other.”

February, 2015

Customers support one ale of a good cause FREE beer and a fantastic cause proved to be an irresistible combination for pub goers recently. Downend Tavern managers John Manning and Maddy Butler hosted a special charity event in aid of Help for Heroes. In conjunction with Wickwar Brewing Company, the Fishponds Road pub gave away more than £2,000 worth of beer. Customers were encouraged to make a donation to local singer Frankie Johns’ One Million Pence Challenge appeal. Charity stalwart Frankie, whose real name is John Billitteri, pledged to collect one million pennies - or £10,000 - for Help for Heroes by cycling around the city with a trailer highlighting the cause. The 56-year-old has also planted collection tins in pubs and clubs in and around Kingswood, where he lives with wife Julie. Frankie, who recently reached his half-way target, had planned to sing at the event but was, unfortunately, poorly. The event went ahead as planned and everyone hoped that a cash boost for his appeal would make him feel much better. The pub also ran a raffle, which included prizes from Wickwar Brewing, Bristol Rovers FC, Bristol

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City FC, Southampton FC, Thatchers Cider and Molson Coors, with all proceeds going to the cause. John Manning, of the Downend Tavern, said “As new managers to the pub, we wanted to have some fun and help a very worthwhile charity. “The Downend Tavern is a local community pub that supports Frankie Johns’ Help for Heroes Million Pence Challenge, so we decided to give away over £2,000 worth of our ale, in conjunction

with our brewing owner, in aid of his great cause. “We enjoyed welcoming the local community into the Downend Tavern to enjoy the day. We will continue to support Frankie’s cause, so please feel free to drop in, say hello, and drop your spare pennies in his bucket.” Help for Heroes was set up to provide support for servicemen and women wounded in recent and current conflicts.

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February, 2015

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East Bristol concerns over decision delay PEOPLE in east Bristol will have to wait to find out if there will ever be an Minor Injuries Unit at Cossham Hospital. Residents have been crying out for the promised service since the hospital in Hillfields reopened two years ago after a £19 million refurbishment. But the NHS in South Gloucestershire wants to try providing minor injuries treatment centres in GP surgeries before making a decision on Cossham. Councillors say this is a significant change to planned provision and have referred the matter to the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt but South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is pressing on with pilot schemes and is due to announce this month where they will take place. Bristol East’s Labour MP Kerry McCarthy and her Conservative opponent Theo Clarke both back the Save Cossham Hospital campaigners, as do the Tory MP for Kingswood Chris Skidmore and his Labour challenger Jo McCarron. More than 18,000 people have signed petitions calling for the minor injuries unit (MIU). Supporters of Cossham say

an MIU there would serve a large population who otherwise – since the closure of Frenchay Hospital - have to travel to accident and emergency units at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bath Royal United Hospital or Southmead Hospital. Ms McCarthy has written to Bristol CCG asking for its latest assessment of whether an MIU at Cossham would best serve the interests of residents in east Bristol or whether it is considering an alternative. The campaigners held the latest of a series of rallies in Kingswood Park last month before the January meeting of South Gloucestershire Council’s public health and health scrutiny committee. The protesters packed the public gallery and cheered speeches by campaign leader Reg Bennett, 81, and others – but walked out when the CCG said it would not change its plans. Mr Bennett said an MIU for Cossham Hospital had “ticked the boxes” for an MIU in 2009 and still did so. “We are still being told it is not being ruled out. Now is the time to rule it in. Stop complicating the situation – give us the MIU,” he said.

Ben Bennett, from the CCG, said two factors had prompted the review of the 2009 decision – the fact that the introduction of the Yate MIU had not, as had been hoped, reduced attendance at A&E, and the national picture, which now favoured more services being provided at GP surgeries. Theo Clarke told the meeting: “I believe that residents in Bristol East no longer have the health

care facilities they deserve. Local people are particularly concerned about access, as it can take a long time to drive across the city to Southmead Hospital and residents have to take two buses to get there. For two years now we have had a newly refurbished hospital which has the space to house an MIU and where local need has clearly been demonstrated; so why has the MIU yet to be opened at Cossham?”

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February, 2015

Have you been told you have rising damp? If so think again! Rising Damp does not exist and that’s a FACT!!! Do you own a Victorian property or possibly an even older property, that suffers with the following: damp walls, damp ceiling, broken, cracking and falling render? Does this sound familiar? Does your property have parapet walls and coping stones? If so, they are the problem and we can offer you the cure that will stop the water getting in at source. Fitting our Coping Covers over your coping stones will stop your parapet walls leaking permanently and improve the look of your home. Our revolutionary solution is both effective and affordable and, in most cases, easily fitted in one day! Evidence through research has proved that rising damp does not exist. The damp getting into your walls has come from above and not from ground level as we have all been led to believe. We guarantee that the cause of your damp will originate from one of the following and not from ‘so-called’ rising damp.

So why is my property suffering with water and damp problems?

Coping stones protect the tops of

external walls but when they are continuously leaking, problems occur. The result is further damage such as hollow, loose or missing render. Changes in weather conditions are a major factor in the cause. Water that is trapped within the the wall and behind the render expands and contracts. Within a few years it pushes the render away from the wall, leaving it exposed and vulnerable to further weathering and costly damage. The horizontal top surfaces of parapet and masonry walls are the most vulnerable point for water to enter a building. Water will naturally find the lowest point and therefore pushes down through the walls until it has reached the foundations and has nowhere else to go. Due to the rendering and plastering on either side of the wall, the water will become trapped. Over time, the water begins to seep through the wall causing the plaster to ‘break down’ and that is when you notice that your property has damp. Walls are often repaired, re-rendered and re-plastered thus only masking the problem but not actually resolving it. The damp tends to relocate to another part of the wall, whilst possibly already having spread into another room, either upstairs

or downstairs, or even into your neighbours’ property. Most builders will tell you the problem is the lead soakers between the wall and the tile, or the felt is leaking. The most common solution they will advise is to remove the coping stones and reinstall them with lead or DPC underneath. This is not as effective and will cost you a lot of money, and in most cases more money again, as builders are aware that once coping stones are disturbed, more damage to the walls and render is inevitable thus causing even more expense and stress to you, the customer.

Once installed, they straighten up the appearance of the coping stones, as more often than not, they have become shabby in appearance and, due to years of weathering and movement, have become unstable. So not only do Coping Covers keep your walls damp free, they also enhance the look of the property. Depending on the size of your property, Coping Covers can be installed within one day, causing minimal disruption. This cost effective system guarantees to prevent any further expensive water damage to your walls and property.You will be amazed at just how affordable our product is. We offer group discounts for people who share the same walls.

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Our solution is to install our Coping Covers directly over the top of the coping stones, fixing right through into the wall. This will stop any unwanted water leaking through and prevent any further weathering that the joints and mortar have been subjected to. This doesn’t cause any damage and once fitted, gives the wall and coping stones added strength, a chance to dry out and to stabilise. Clearly our Coping Covers smarten up the look of a property.

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We are a Bristol based company with over 30 years experience in the building and construction Industry. We cover most building projects, but these days mainly specialise in all types of roofing, parapet wall and chimney repairs and construction, and associated damp related issues. We undertake projects large or small, in and around the South West.

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February, 2015

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Wildflower nursery on the way VOLUNTEERS have been working hard to transform an old greenhouse at Avon Wildlife Trust’s Feed Bristol site in Stapleton. The structure, built in 1970, has been derelict for some years but is now being turned into a new wildflower nursery propagation space thanks to funding from the Greater Fishponds Neighbourhood Partnership. Volunteers have put in a new floor and a new wooden frame for the roof and are now working on the side panels. Feed Bristol is a community food growing project on a sevenacre site. Since it opened in 2012, more than 23,000 people have taken part in activities there, including 4,000 school children. This year, plants will be sold from the gate, including a range of native wildflowers and organic heritage variety veg plants. Special events also take place at the site, including a Wassail on February 7 and a Seed Swap on February 21. Project manager Matt Cracknell is keen to hear from anyone who would like to get involved at Feed Bristol, promoting health, wellbeing

Special events at Play Cafe

Greenhouse pictured before work started. and education through outdoor activities. “We are creating a team of regular volunteers who can support us working with a diverse range of community groups and helping to

Compass - offering personalised and affordable legal advice Compass Lawyers Ltd offer something different to traditional law firms. If you think you need legal advice but don’t want to pay the earth to speak to a lawyer, we can offer you a highly personalised, flexible and affordable service. Whether you are seeking advice about your relationship, other family issues, or you just need to make a Will, we can find the best solution for you. Having an up to date Will is important, no matter what age you are. As daunting as it might be to think about making a Will, most people would agree that the wish to protect their loved ones and provide for them after their death means that making a Will is time and money well spent. It will take just over an hour of your time, and be as hassle and stress free as we can make it. When a relationship breaks down it can lead to some of the most difficult, stressful and costly times in peoples’ lives. At Compass Lawyers Ltd we are members of Resolution which means we always adopt a nonadversarial approach to family law issues, using negotiation to focus on achieving the quickest, cheapest and best outcome for you and your family. We can also advise on the use of mediation and collaborative law processes to help you achieve this. We can offer evening and weekend appointments at locations to suit you, including our office, your home or place of work. Why not get in touch for a friendly, no obligation chat? We would love to hear from you. For further information visit our website www.compasslawyers.co.uk You are welcome to call us on 0117 325 2880 (24 hours) or email us with your enquiry at legal@compasslawyers.co.uk.

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

manage communal plots,” he said. For more information, email mattcracknell@avonwildlifetrust. org.uk, call Feed Bristol on 0117 965 7086 or visit the website www. feedbristol.org.uk

FISHPONDS Play Cafe, a not-forprofit venture in All Saints Church Hall, has been holding a range of special events in addition to its regular sessions. The cafe is open Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays from 9.30am to 3pm and aims to provide an inclusive, affordable and friendly place for parents and under 5s. Family support workers from Little Hayes Children’s Centre are there once a week to promote activities and offer information and advice. A mother’s day card making session and photo shoot is planned for March 5. On February 4, as part of National Storytelling Week, local author Oliver Rigby read and signed copies of his children’s book Goram and Ghyston and the Dragonbird theatre group has also visited.

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February, 2015

Elsa and pencils are a big draw

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Catherine Spence at Kingswood Vets4Pets

Getting a new puppy or kitten? It’s always exciting getting a new puppy or kitten, and we love meeting them too. When you have a new addition you will want to know you are doing all you can to look after them, so here are a few ideas. Get the nutrition right! Look for a good quality food designed for your size of puppy as an inappropriate diet can cause bone or joint problems. Vaccinations are vital, especially for the very young. They protect against potentially fatal diseases like canine parvovirus and feline leukaemia. Regular worming is important at all ages, but young animals are particularly vulnerable. Failure to treat regularly at a young age can cause problems like diarrhoea or not putting on weight. We also recommend regular flea treatment with a prescription strength

flea treatment. Preventing a flea infestation in your house is far easier than dealing with a problem later. Find a good insurance policy for your pet.Your vet practice will be able to advise you about how to choose the right policy for your pet. Microchips provide permanent identification so that if your pet is found, it can be returned to you. Kingswood Vets4Pets is just off the Lodge Causeway, and our friendly team here are always pleased to see clients new and old, with their pets of all ages. Our vet and practice partner is Catherine, and is she is ably supported by our qualified nurse, Lucy, and two helpful receptionists, Amy and Megan. Please feel free to drop in and meet us and see our lovely surgery, and if you have any questions we are always happy to help.

DO you want to build a snowman … or make a pencil out of a twig? The lure of a Winter Wonderland event drawing heavily on themes from the Disney film Frozen proved a great success in Hillfields. More than 150 children, parents, grandparents and friends attended the family fun night, organised by Hillfields Community Trust. Organisers said a wide cross-section of the community were involved and enjoyed the evening. The pencil-making workshop run by nature educator Steve England was a big attraction as was a Frozen bouncy castle. The finale was provided by a lookalike organisation who dressed as the cast, performed two songs and posed for photo opportunities. One organiser said: “I have never seen so many ‘Elsa’ look-a-likes in all my life. The costumes and the extent parents went to in ensuring their children’s participation, was so impressive. “It was very emotional watching the children who were fully engaged in the talking and singing along with Elsa and the cast and Olaf who joined us after the song.”

Anniversary for drop-in NORTH Bristol Advice Centre is celebrating the first anniversary of its weekly drop-in at the One Stop Shop in Kingswood. Sessions are held every Wednesday from 9.30am to 12 noon, and are staffed by experienced workers who provide specialist advice on welfare benefits and general advice on other matters including debt and employment. The service is free and no appointment is needed. North Bristol Advice Service also provides advice online at team@northbristoladvice. org.uk or by telephone on 0117 951 5751.

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07801 548 087 0117 956 6995

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www.kpsbathrooms.com

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February, 2015

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HAVE you seen the new film version of Testament of Youth,Vera Brittain’s account of her life as a nurse a century ago? You can find out more about these First World War volunteers and how they were active in an exhibition at Frenchay Village Museum. Cleve Hill House in Downend was used as a military hospital during the conflict and many local people were involved in tending the wounded servicemen. Among them were Molly and Nancy Elliott, of Cliff Court, Frenchay, who like Vera were VAD nurses. They made a

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Learn more about the First World War volunteers at Frenchay museum collection of about 100 postcards, featuring staff and patients. These form the basis of the exhibition, along with two sketchbooks made by nurses at the hospital. The museum has extended the display until the end of March because of the level of

interest. The museum is just inside Frenchay Hospital Entrance B, and is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 2-5pm and Wednesdays 1-4pm. Admission is free. The museum has also produced a new book, Frenchay – A Village at War 1914-18. The text is taken from

Hello from Vets4pets Kingswood...

contemporary parish magazines, and features letters from serving soldiers. Copies of the book are available in the museum and cost £3. You can find out more on the museum website www. frenchaymuseumarchives. co.uk.

£55 Best Start in Life*

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or visit vets4pets.com/kingswood Vets4Pets Kingswood Willowdean Court, 247A Charlton Road, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 1LT Opening times: Mon-Fri 8.30am - 7.00pm Sat 9.00am - 12.00pm

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

*Terms and Conditions: Voucher must be presented at Vets4Pets Kingswood to receive offer. Cats/dogs only. Excludes vaccinations for kennel cough, rabies or chlamydia. Cannot be used with any other offers. Single use voucher. Subject to availability. No cash alternative. Offer ends 31.03.15.

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

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February, 2015

Community hub vision for Crofts End Church

A CHURCH with a vision of creating a community hub is hoping for huge support this year as it continues to raise money to fund the £1million project. Leaders at Crofts End Church want to transform the extension to the church into a state-of-the-art facility to benefit the increase in the local population over the past five years. The extension was built in the 1960s and has suffered irreparable water damage which means half of the space can't be used. And despite the huge numbers of people moving into the area, there are no plans in place for Bristol City Council to develop community amenities. Members of the church say that by drawing up plans to develop the site, they are responding to the situation in a proactive and practical way. The independent Christian church is based in Crofts End Road, St George, and is in the Hillfields local authority ward. It was established in 1895 to serve the mining community in east Bristol. The proposed building 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. In June 2013, the church, which is part of the Bristol City Mission Society, carried out a door-to-door survey in the community. Results revealed that residents felt there were not enough facilities in the area and would welcome a community hub.

Planning permission has already been granted and now the church must raise the £1,150,000 needed before building work starts in January 2016. Trustees of the Bristol City Mission Society have agreed to support the project by donating the proceeds of the sale of an area of land in the city. This is expected to raise around £325,000. In addition, members of the church have committed to raising £150,000 from donations and fundraising. An internet fundraising campaign called 'One in a Million' was launched a year ago and is aimed at encouraging as many people as possible to donate just £1 through The present Crofts End Church pictured above, with the new proposed CGI online giving. version below. A recent anonymous On the latest he said: " Things of news is that through our One donation of £50,000 has further have been moving at quite a pace. in a Million website we recently boosted funds as have numerous We now have planning permission received an anonymous donation of fundraising initiatives such as a quiz to proceed so everything has £50,000 towards the project. night and a champagne and shopping ramped up a gear. "God is being true to his word evening. "January 2016 is when we will in that when we take a leap of faith The church also has a team of be demolishing the old building and he works in amazing ways." seven people dedicated to making then rebuilding throughout the year grant applications to trusts, which it so we can open our new facility in You can find out more about the is hoped will raise £675,000. January of 2017. Whilst that sounds project by visiting www.croftsend. Pastor Andrew Yelland has some way off, in reality it means we org or the church's Facebook page. launched a series of on-line video have our work cut out to raise the You can also visit www.1inamillion. updates which will keep people up finance. org.uk where you can make an to date with progress. "One of the most exciting pieces online donation.

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The Essential Clothing Company

211 Soundwell Road, Kingswood Tel 0117 967 4472

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Coconut rice pudding

February, 2015

with Lee of Kingfisher Cafe

Coconut rice pudding: Ingredients 550g pudding rice 2.3ltrs coconut milk 1110ml milk 10 tsps orange zest 20 tsps caster sugar 10 tsps vanilla essence 1110ml cream Method 1. Place rice, coconut milk, milk, orange zest and vanilla in a saucepan. Bring to the boil. 2. Reduce the heat and cover and cook for one hour, stirring occasionally. 3. When the rice is cooked remove from heat and cool. 4. When cold stir in the cream.

The Kingfisher Café 17-18 Straits Parade, Fishponds, Bristol

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

Opening times: Monday - Wednesday- 9am - 5pm (food 9am - 4pm) Thursday - Saturday - 9am - 11pm (food 9am - 4pm 6pm - 10pm) Sundays - 10am - 10pm (food 10am - 3pm 5pm - 8pm)

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

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T: 0779 9461169

Cheeky Monkeys . . . simply for children

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February, 2015

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Cheeky Monkeys Soft Play Area Tell us about your company

Teresa and Ali have known each other for over 20 years. They know each other from having children at the same school in Kingswood. Teresa has three boys and Ali has three boys and a girl, all grown up now. Teresa approached Ali with the idea of ‘Cheeky Monkeys’ when she saw the hall up for rental. Ali looked around and saw potential and plans started. Cheeky Monkeys opened in June 2008. Ali, with her love of home baking, fresh cakes and great food,and Teresa both wanted to create a place in the community for families with small children to have fun in a safe environment. Teresa and Ali both have had other jobs in the past, but both had a background in childcare. Teresa was a child minder for years and Ali was once a live in nanny. In August, a couple of months after they first opened, Jess joined them, their only member of staff. Jess has been there ever since. Jess does all duties from helping run the kids parties to cleaning the equipment. Jess is usually front of house and welcomes all the families in, takes payment, takes food and drink orders.

What service do you provide?

Teresa and Ali pride themselves on their friendly, caring, clean and safe environment they have created for local children to play and enjoy themselves, which offers great value for money. With our warm, informal and friendly atmosphere it’s a great opportunity to meet other people or just bring your friends or family. Adults accompanying children go in free, there’s no limit on your length of stay, and it opens in the school holidays They offer a baby corner with

bouncers and toys suitable for babies. They have a great menu with great food at reasonable prices. Parents come to Cheeky Monkeys in the knowledge there will be a warm welcome, great food at great prices, and the children will have a great time. It is a great social place to relax. Many parents and grand parents have been coming for years. They have special offers like buy one get one free entry for twins (which no other play place offers) and free coffee or tea for childminders.

What makes your service different from other companies?

Cheeky Monkeys is a small homely place with great play equipment which is accommodating, friendly and more personal than larger play spaces, and offers a personal touch . . . Teresa and Ali both enjoy socialising and meeting the customers, which is something larger

establishments do not have. Having no restriction on your length of stay is another advantage of visiting as, unlike some bigger places, your time is not limited.

What are your plans for the future?

Teresa and Ali want to continue to do what they are doing — providing a place in the community for children to have fun and adults to socialise. They are looking to revamp some of the play equipment in the near future. Cheeky Monkeys offers affordable children’s parties where everything is catered for. Parties can be booked on Saturdays at: 10am12noon, 12.30-2.30pm and 3-5pm. Each private two hour session costs just £75. In addition, the handmade party buffet costs £2.99 per child guest (min10 children / max 30 children). The full party buffet includes sandwiches, cold meat, cheesy snacks, carrot and cucumber sticks, cherry tomatoes, cubes of mild cheese and a fresh fruit platter, homebaked fairy cakes, chocolate fingers, party rings and jugs of fruit squash. All food is freshly made on the premises. Wea re open Monday to Friday 9.15 - 4.30pm.

Cheeky Monkeys We’re situated just off the Lodge Causeway at:

Argyle Morley Church, Whitefield Road, St. George, Bristol BS5 7UB

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Tel: 07502 123085 www.cheeky-monkeys.org Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

February, 2015

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fishpondsvoice

A Clean Sweep celebrates

A UNIQUE team of cleaners marked their 20th anniversary with a party at the Vassall Centre in Fishponds. Bristol’s Mayor George Ferguson was among the guests at the event to celebrate A Clean Sweep. Each of the members of the co-operative, which carries out a number of cleaning contracts at

schools, church hall, offices, drop-in centres and homes, has a learning disability. But all find satisfaction in their work, whether it is for two hours a week or 20. Some of the original members have now retired and been replaced by newcomers. The longest-serving cleaner has completed 17 years.

Academy teachers benefit from Andy’s talk

Sukhjinder Sandhu, team coordinator, said: “Working for A Clean Sweep gives the members a sense of purpose. “Working in a supportive environment and meeting new people builds confidence. “It can help reduce isolation and break down barriers.”

BRISTOL Rugby’s Andy Robinson gave an inspirational talk to teachers at Bristol Brunel Academy in Speedwell. Robinson, former head coach of England Rugby, was invited by PE teacher Matt Leek, who is director of the Cabot Learning Federation Elite Rugby programme. He spoke to school leaders about how he manages ‘big personalities’ in elite sport and being a former teacher - how he’s able to make clear connections with school leadership. The session ended with a Q&A involving Andy, Mike Hall and Gary Townsend from Bristol Rugby Academy. Matt Leek said, “Andy truly is an inspirational leader and coach. He certainly made an impression with teachers at this event and gave them some excellent strategies to use both at leadership level and in the classroom.”

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Fresh Halal Meat

Lodge Causeway, Fishponds Sundays at 10.30 am with activities through the week

St Joseph’s Church Hall, Forest Road, Fishponds

Providing care and education for children from age 2 to 4½ Open 8am through to 4pm (Term time only)

Taking applications for September 2015 now

Serving the community - worshipping God

www.stjohnsfishponds.com To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

(Plus a few spaces left for this academic year)

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AT’S

February 6 n Music Quiz Night, at Pomphrey Hill Pavilion, 8pm, in aid of Action Medical Research. Tickets are £5. Teams of 2-6. Food, prizes, raffle. February 6 n Ladies Pamper night Parish Hall, North Street, Downend BS16 5SG Tickets £2.50 includes refreshments. A range of beauty treatments and tempting things to buy. Book treatments on arrival. Tickets from Anita Dobson 07753233950, family@christchurchdownend.com or on the door. February 6 n Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn Tea Dance (1:45 to 3:45 pm) Pay at door. February 7 n Church Open Coffee Morning at All Saints Church - including Repair Cafe 10am February 7 n Wassail ceremony at Feed Bristol, Frenchay Park Road, noon- 3pm. Free family event. Mummers and Morris dancers, hot refreshments, blessing the trees and celebration of new growing season February 7 National Libraries Day simultaneous storytime at Hillfields and Fishponds libraries, 11am. Listen to the story Christopher Nibble by Charlotte Middleton. February 10 n Downend Folk House, Lincombe

February, 2015

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

Send details of your events and activities to

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

Barn morning talk – Linda Davis – Personal experience of appearing on ‘The Weakest Link’ 10 for 10:30 am - Pay at door. February 17 n Downend Local History Society: The Development of Redland – talk to be given by Peter Malpass The talk will be at Lincombe Barn at 7.30pm.Visitors welcome £3. February 21 n Noon-5pm Seed Swap at Feed Bristol, Frenchay Park Road February 24 n Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn initial booking for Summer Outings (Details available from Barn News or the Office (0117 956 23 67) ) 9-10.30am February 25 n Dragonbird Theatre, Fishponds Play Cafe March 5 n Mother’s Day cardmaking and photo session, Fishponds Play Cafe March 7 n Church Open Coffee Morning at All Saints Church - including Repair Cafe 10am

Regular events in the Fishponds area

Fishponds and Hillfields Library What’s On National Libraries Day – Saturday 7th February 2015 Bristol Libraries’ Simultaneous Storytime Saturday 7th February 11am Join in the fun and celebrate National Libraries Day with Bristol Libraries by coming to one of our simultaneous Storytimes across the city. Libraries including Fishponds and Hillfields Library will be holding a special storytime at 11am on Saturday 7th February where children can listen to the story ‘Christopher Nibble’ by Charlotte Middleton. This book has a lovely green message for children, to support Bristol Green Capital, about sustainability and Growing your own! Children 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult What’s On in Local Libraries on a regular basis Tuesday Pre-school Storytime/Rhymetime, Fishponds Library 2.15 – 2.45 pm Thursday Knit & Natter, Fishponds Library 5th & 19th February - all welcome 2-4 pm (fortnightly) Friday Rhymetime for babies and toddlers, Hillfields Library 11.30-12.00

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

Mondays n 9am Holistic Massage - St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10:30am Tiny Tots - All Saints Community Hall n 11am Bereavement and Wellbeing support - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Computer Group - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Ping Pong (Table Tennis) for over 55’s - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Welcome Club for Retireds+ - St Aidan’s Church Hall n 3pm Messy Church - St John’s Church n 6:30pm Prayers - St John’s Church Tuesdays n 9:15am Morning Prayer - St John’s Church n 9:30am Fishponds Play Cafe - All Saints Community Hall n 9:30am Foot Care Sessions - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 10am Coffee and Craft Morning St John’s Church n 10am Sing and Sign for babies / toddlers - All Saints Community Hall n 10am Level 1 Walking Group - starting at St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 10:30am Music for Toddlers - St Mary’s Parish Rooms n 12:30pm Lunch Club - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Film Club for over 55’s - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2.15-2.45 pm Pre-school Storytime/Rhymetime, Fishponds Library n 3pm Eucharist with signing for the Deaf - Hillside Court, Batten Road, St George, Bristol, BS5 8NL n 3:15pm Messy Church Fishponds CofE Academy n 6pm Woodcraft - All Saints Church Hall / Link n 7pm Evening Prayer - St Aidan’s Church n 7pm Evening Prayer - St Ambrose Church Wednesdays n 9:30am Fishponds Play Cafe - All Saints Community Hall n 9.45pm Songs for Little People – The Kingfisher Cafe. £4 per little person, siblings £2. n 10am Eucharist - St Ambrose Church n 10:30am Arts and Crafts - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 10:30am Coffee Morning - St Ambrose Church n 11am Tai Chi - St Ambrose

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Beehive Centre n 1pm Level 3 Walking Group starting from St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 1:30pm Arts and Crafts - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Punjabi Dance and Song - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Support and Activity Group - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Chair based exercise class St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2:30pm Ladies Circle - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2:30pm Wives Group - St John’s Church n 3:30pm Messy Church - Air Balloon Primary School, Hillside Rd, St George n 6:30pm Home Group - Location varies Thursdays n 9:15am Morning Prayer - St Aidans Church n 9:30am Fishponds Play Cafe - All Saints Community Hall n 10am Coffee and Craft Morning St Aidan’s Church n 10am Free Beginners Computer Classes - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 10am Eucharist - St John’s Church n 10am Eucharist - St Mary’s Church n 10am Parent and Toddler Group St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 12pm Ballroom Dance Class - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Exercises and Sing-a-long Activity Session - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm Fit Steps - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2-4 pm (fortnightly) Knit & Natter, Fishponds Library Fridays n 9:30am The Friday Playgroup - All Saints Community Hall n 10:30am Line Dancing - St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 11.30am-noon Rhymetime for babies and toddlers, Hillfields Library n 12pm Senior Citizens Bingo Club with optional fish and chip lunch St Ambrose Beehive Centre n 2pm The First Friday Film Club All Saints Church Hall n 5:30pm Taekwondo - St John’s Church Hall n 6pm Silent Meditation - St Mary’s Parish Rooms n 7pm Grove Road Youth Club - All Saints Community Hall Sundays n 8am Eucharist - All Saints Church n 9:30am Eucharist - St Mary’s Church with Giggle Sunday Club in Parish Rooms n 10am Eucharist - St Ambrose Church n 10am Eucharist or Lay-Led Service - St Michael’s Church n 10:30am Eucharist or Lay-Led Service - St Aidan’s Church n 10:30am Eucharist or Lay-Led Service - St John’s n 11am Eucharist or Lay-Led Service - All Saints Church n 6pm All Sorts Youth Group (fortnightly) St Aidan’s Church hall n 6:30pm Evensong - St Mary’s Church

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

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February, 2015

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Book reviews from the staff of Fishponds and Hillfields libraries

The Son by the American author Philipp Meyer ‘The Son’, by the American writer Philipp Meyer maps out the history of the McCullough family from the time when Colonel Eli’s father settled in Matagorda on the Texan-Mexican border in 1832

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through to the late 20th century. Their lives are told through various members of the family such as Eli who witnessed the death of his mother, sister and brother at the hands of the Comanche Indians and spent a number of years living amongst the tribe, first as a captive but over the years he became one of the clan and took part in a number of raids before returning to the white community where he ended up owning vast tracts of land rich in oil. The novel moves backwards and forwards through time and by the end of the book one has a greater understanding of the history of Texas and the dangers and difficulties of the early pioneers in that part of the USA. I found it difficult to put this book down. Philipp Meyer has a way with words which brings this family’s world to life. He obviously has researched into the Comanche way of life and shows the simplicity of their way of life and how they were tied into the seasonal movements of nature but also the brutality that they could display towards their captors. The novel also takes one through 150 years of American history from the days of the pioneer to the modern day cut and thrust of the American oil industry and global

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capitalism in general. I recommend this book and if you enjoy it go and read his earlier novel, ‘American Rust’. Reviewed by Rupert

Kind Of Cruel By Sophie Hannah This is the first Sophie Hannah book I have read, but it certainly will not be the last. I lost sleep, almost made myself late for work and deprived my children of timely food provision – all in the interests of finishing this book. Let’s tell you about it, then. It’s a ‘psychological thriller’, and more than that. It’s educational, it’s insightful and thought provoking and determinedly stubborn about not letting you put it down until the very end. The ‘heroine’ is insomniac Amber who holds the key (subconsciously) to murders and enlists the help of a psychotherapist,

to all intents and purposes, help her sleep. The problem, however, is far more complex, and Amber finds herself uncovering past experiences she has repressed. I will not tell you more, for fear of spoiling the book for you. I will say, the aspect I enjoyed most was the narrative of the psychotherapist – Ginny – who gives the reader clues without giving anything away, if that’s possible.Very cleverly written, well researched and a job well done. A memorable read. The only criticism – and it is a small one – is the finale, the last paragraph and sentence. I would have liked something more ‘catchy’, more final if you like, a tidy ending. This does not detract from the gripping story and brilliant characterisation that Ms Hannah gives the reader and she really does tie up all the loose ends in the story, and is always at least one step ahead of the reader. As a reader, one trusts her as an author. Excuse me if I say no more , I have an appointment with the next Ms Hannah book. Reviewed by Anne-Marie

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

Fabio Mens Traditional Barbers 613 Fishponds Road, Bristol, BS16 3BA

Tel: 0117 965 6250

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

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

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February, 2015

The new buzz phrase

make space everyday to follow the ancient Christian practice of silence, being deliberately still. Some may do this only for a few moments a day, others may choose to do this for longer.

indfulness - the new buzz phrase. Put simply this means attending to the now. It has roots in Buddhist practice. What a great idea! To unclutter our thoughts and plans and simply rest in being alive, in the here and now. Many of us find our lives overcrowded with noise, with demands on our time, and multiple tasks to attend to. Some of them are by choice – I watch my teenage children as they simultaneously chat with friends on the internet and watch TV and play a game on their phone wandering how we have created lives so full of activity! Don’t get me wrong, I like to be busy, I enjoy the buzz of a vibrant city like Bristol. Life is for living, not avoiding. To live in the now is to embrace life. As a Christian I would wholeheartedly advocate the practice of slowing enough to acknowledge the uniqueness of a single moment. The bible is full of stories that encourage us to do exactly that. As Moses meets God at the burning bush God asks him to stop and acknowledge the moment. Psalm 46 says, “BE STILL and know that I am God”. Every moment of our lives is a gift we have been given. On February 18th, the day after Pancake Day, Lent begins - 40 days leading of preparation for celebrating Easter. This Lent our church members are seeking to

Time to get your carpets fresh and clean Now is the time to get your carpets clean and fresh but there is no need to hire a professional carpet cleaner — do it yourself and save money. Alison and Nick Linton-Butt have started a new drop off & pickup carpet machine rental business within the Bristol area. With several years of experience within the commercial and domestic carpet cleaning business there is a gap in the market for people who wish to clean their own carpets, in their own time by having the machine delivered, demonstrated and picked up after completion. The process is easy, fast, cost effective and stress free. Carpet cleaning becomes far more affordable. As an introductory special offer there is also an option to clean your upholstery at the same time which is included in the rental price! Please contact Al’s Carpet Machine Rental on 07535 445835 to book your hire

Who knows? Perhaps this ancient practice, which flows through many ancient religions, will surprise us by its ability to transform us and fill us with the peace we so desire. And if all else fails it will give us a moment to remember that at the end of Lent – there is always chocolate. Sometimes, when we find ourselves going through a crisis we find such mindfulness comes naturally because what we are experiencing is too big to allow us to look back and fret or look forward and worry. It is when our lives are running fairly smoothly such practices require a conscious buying in

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Our prayer is that to be in the moment and seek the presence of the Divine will be to find ourselves connected to each other and to God in a life affirming way. I would encourage all of us to use this season to seek some stillness/mindfulness in each day even if only for a moment. Perhaps in the garden, enjoying the world, maybe at the start or end of the day.

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February, 2015

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New home taking shape for tennis club WORK is well under way on the new home for Downend & Frenchay Tennis Club. The former Downend and Fishponds Lawn Tennis Club is moving from Cleeve Hill, where it has two courts, to the grounds of Frenchay Cricket Club, where it will have four floodlit courts. Members are looking forward to the switch, as it will enable the club to further develop its thriving youth section. Despite its small size, D&F has an excellent record of developing

players, with a number of talented juniors and young adults. Among them is Maria Budin, who started playing when she was three years old with head coach Pete Caseley. She is currently playing in under-14 and under-16 competitions all over the world, most recently in Bulgaria. Sean Helstrip is another promising junior player, competing in under-nine orange ball events all over England, including the Olympic Village. He has already been runnerup in two national tournaments. The club offers coaching for

players at all levels from junior to club league players, as well as a range of squad coaching groups and holiday courses. More advanced players can join club teams competing in both local and national leagues. The friendly D&F also has a vibrant social side. Pete Caseley said: “Having four new courts will give the club an incredible boost. This is going to be an exciting and truly transformative year for Downend & Frenchay and its members.”

Funding for the new courts has included grants from the LTA, Sport England, Inspired Facilities, Cory Environmental, and South Gloucestershire New Homes Bonus Fund. Contractor, Bourne Amenities, is making excellent progress with the works and it is hoped that Downend & Frenchay Tennis Club will relocate in the next few months. Anybody interested in membership can contact Pete Caseley on 07790 937524.

Maria Budin competes across the world

Mangotsfield looking to push on after good run MANGOTSFIELD United are optimistic for the second half of the season, especially following the return of Matt Groves to the club. The team have had a decent run, with five wins and a draw in eight games. The single point was creditable – it came on a cold January night against runaway league leaders Merthyr Town. MUFC finance director Martin Preedy said: “It was a cracking night and everyone is still baffled how it ended up being a scoreless draw. We are playing some very attractive football at the moment.” The match marked Groves’s return to Cossham Street from Evo Stik Southern League Gloucester City. Manager Richard Thompson told mufc-online: “I believe that Matt is a great signing for us. He is a quality player and it demonstrates that we are still trying to build a better squad and that good players are interested in coming to us. I am hoping that as the squad continues to strengthen we have the potential for a good second half to the season.” Mangotsfield moved up to 13th place in the league with a 3-1 home win over Cinderford Town on January 10 but slipped up a fortnight later, going down 1-0 at Evesham United. Off the field, the club is also on the up, with a new bar manager and staff keen to expand activities. A pig race night was due to take place on January 31, straight after the Bashley game, and a disco is planned following the Didcot fixture on Feburary 14. An open darts competition, a sportsman’s dinner and a former players’ day are also planned for later in the season.

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

A Team approach to healthcare.

Supporting Premiership Football, Rugby, 2012 Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth Games l Chiropractic & Physiotherapy l Back & Leg Pain, Sciatica l Sports Massage l Headaches & Migraines l Trapped Nerves l Repetitive Strain Injuries l Occupational Injuries l Sports Injury Specialist l Competitively priced

The practice of pain relief Member of the British Chiropractic Association

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

Contact

0117 957 5388

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February, 2015

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

o this is my first blog of the New Year and I would like to welcome all of the new readers from the ‘Fishponds Voice’ to the cohort from the Downend Voice, who have put up with my ramblings for exactly a year To all of the new readers I will explain what this blog is all about. I was asked to start writing to discuss any injuries that people wish to hear about (you can email me for any specific injuries that you would like me to discuss) and talk about all of the wide ranging experiences that elite sports chiropractic and owning elite sports injury clinics (Cleve Chiropractic and Next Step Exercise and Performance Centre in Mangotsfield) provides. I also have a 9-month-old baby girl called Molly, who if I don’t mention from time to time gets me in trouble!

I have worked in Premier league rugby for Bath for many years, in Premier league football with QPR, at the London Olympics within the athlete’s village, also separately with the GB Paralympic team and this summer, for a bit of variety, with the English Hip-Hop team in Florida! That being said we thoroughly enjoy bringing the plethora of our sports experience to all of our patients who vary from young to old and sporting to non-sporting. Name your injury - we love treating it! This month we had the patient who breaks all records travelling the furthest to come and work with us, in fact she couldn’t have come from further afield. When we got the phone

call from Australia asking if she could book in to use our Alter-G (anti-gravity) treadmill and join our spin classes, for a month whilst she is over here visiting relatives, my receptionist nearly fell off her chair! My most fantastic wife has given me permission to go skiing at the end of the month. I couldn’t go last year because of the affliction of pregnancy and the guilt I felt leaving her at home. Don’t worry those unnatural feelings are well behind me and I am now happily leaving my wife and child for a short five days for sun, snow and skiing. A naughtily sized Toblerone from Geneva airport should smooth things over when I return. Jen is a sucker for all things chocolate, which I hear is good for you…as long as you only smell it. This is the time of year that we get so many patients booking in last minute, desperate for us to fix them before a ski trip to Méribel, for a pain that they have just picked up or even an online booking whilst still in the Alps after a snow boarding “back flip with hand grab onto a rail down a black run” went wrong. I try to encourage people to join our classes to get fit for skiing. This reduces the chance of injury by pre-habilitating your muscles and reducing fatigue. It also helps you enjoy your skiing more because you are not so knackered (I think I may be getting old but I love a sleep for an hour after I finish my day on the slopes).

Not showing off helps reduce injury rates as well. This is something that I suffer from, which is not going to be helped by the fact that I am skiing with a group of guys that I have not skied with before, which always leads to who can go the fastest to the bottom (or jump off the highest cliff with their eyes closed wearing a florescent all-in-one from the eighties). Hopefully the fact that I am the youngest (at 35 years old) will slow us down and maybe, just maybe, I won’t be the most unfit person there for a change. For the Molly-ettes out there, in the last week she has figured out clapping and that she has muscles in her face so now she can make a ‘running through a brick wall’ face on cue by scrunching up her nose. As always, please email me with any queries.

Tim Button 0117 957 5388

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

Sessions due Frenchay Judo Club still going strong to start this month FRENCHAY Cricket Club’s senior teams start training this month in preparation for the 2015 season. Sessions will take place at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club Sports Hall on Thursday evenings at 7pm from February 5. New members are welcome. Frenchay Cricket Club was founded in 1846 and is one of the oldest clubs in the Bristol area. The original base was on Frenchay Common, and the Bob Stone Ground at Common Mead Lane has been ‘home’ since1952. The club has seven senior teams, six men’s and one women’s and youth teams for boys and girls ranging from under 7s to under 17s. For further information about adult cricket contact Mike Donaldson at mike.donaldson@ blueyonder.co.uk and for juniors Sue Brees at suebrees@hotmail. co.uk

QUARTER of a century after it started out in antiquated buildings at Begbrook School, Frenchay Judo Club now meets in the school’s modern gymnasium. It has been fuelled throughout by the enthusiastic Rodman borthers, Paul and Richard, and their father Dave. Judo takes place every Wednesday from 6.30pm.

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Tuition is by qualified and police-checked volunteers and a first aider is on hand. Club and local competitions are held and some competitors go to on to compete at national level. To find out more, call Richard on 0788 8664883 or Paul on 0774 53375495, visit the Facebook page or email frenchayjudoclub@gmail.com

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February, 2015

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