Fishponds Voice March 2019

fishpondsvoice March, 2019 — ISSUE 50

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Boxing gym's Markle sparkle Empire Fighting Chance charity, which helps young people, got the seal of approval from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

PAGE 21 This looks like an idyllic setting for pre-school children in Stapleton - but Ofsted thinks differently. Out There Kindergarten is challenging the watchdog's findings. Full story: Page 19

Stab death: Man, 24, admits linked attack ASTON Golding, aged 24, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in an attack on Oneil Yearde on Downend Road in October last year.

Bristol Crown Court was told that Golding, who admitted grievous bodily harm, was a friend of Ronald Leigh, who had been fatally stabbed earlier

Under-fire school awaits its fate Steiner Academy in Fishponds has been given a termination notice by the Regional Schools Commissioner following its poor Ofsted report.

PAGE 5

that evening in Gill Avenue, and believed Mr Yearde was responsible.

No one has been arrested or charged over the death of Mr Leigh, which also remains under investigation.

Reports: Pages 2 and 3

Objections to flats proposal Neighbours are opposing plans for 34 flats on the Alexandra Park car park in Fishponds.

PAGE 7

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fishpondsvoice

n NEWS

Do you recognise these witnesses?

Journalist Jayne Taylor 0788 0731148

Publisher Gary Brindle 0117 907 8585 Journalist Linda Tanner 0777 0700579

Follow us on Twitter @fishpondsvoice

March, 2019

Sales Caroline Galvin 07453 954261

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/fishpondsvoice Police believe this woman may have seen the Downend Road incident or those involved

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DEADLINES April edition deadline is March 20.

L O C A L I N F O R M AT I O N 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 111 Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009

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

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

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

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DETECTIVES investigating the death of a Fishponds man and an assault which happened soon afterwards want to talk to these two people.

Ronald Leigh died of his injuries after being stabbed in Gill Avenue, Oldbury Court, at around 7pm on October 9 last year.

At about 8.40pm the same day, 46-year-old Oneil Yearde was assaulted by a number of people on Downend Road.

Although one man, Aston Golding, has been jailed for assaulting Mr Yearde (see page 3), police are still investigating both incidents and have issued CCTV images from the night in the hope that the people in them either come forward or can be This cyclist may have identified by others. information which could help One features a woman who is the police inquiry believed to have been at the bus stop on Downend Road shortly before Mr Yearde was attacked. Detectives from the Operation Blueshift investigation believe she may have seen those involved in the incident or even witnessed it happening.

The other shows a man with short hair wearing a black coat and light coloured trousers riding a bicycle. Detectives believe he may have information about both incidents which could help their inquiry.

Detective Inspector Mike Buck, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “We need the public’s help to achieve justice for both Mr Leigh and Mr Yearde.

“If you recognise yourself in the images or know who the man and the woman are, we’d really appreciate it if you’d come forward and contact us.We’re particularly confident the woman in the photo we’re releasing was at the bus stop near to where Mr Yearde was attacked and we’d really like to speak to her to understand what she saw.”

Anyone with information about the people pictured or the two incidents should call 101 and quote crime reference number 5218 226 466. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers anonymously online or by calling 0800 555 111. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court or have to speak to police when contacting Crimestoppers.

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March, 2019

3

n NEWS

Bus stop attacker jailed for eight years A MAN has been jailed for an attack which has been linked to a murder in Fishponds.

Aston Golding, aged 24, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in an attack on Oneil Yearde on Downend Road in October last year.

Avon and Somerset police said Golding was one of a number of people who attacked Mr Yearde by a bus stop outside a row of shops. He admitted taking part attack after police forensically linked him to a broken bottle found at the scene, which was used as a weapon against Mr Yearde on October 9.

Bristol Crown Court was told that Golding was a friend of Ronald Leigh, who had been fatally stabbed earlier that evening in Gill Avenue, and believed Mr Yearde was responsible.

The court heard that during the attack a group of men kicked Mr Yearde while he

Aston Golding

Oneil Yearde

was on the ground before taking his wallet and phone. He suffered fractures to his skull, jaw and ribs as well as brain damage.

Golding admitted causing the 46-year-old grievous bodily harm with intent and in addition to the jail sentence imposed on February 21, he must serve an extra four years on extended licence, at risk of recall to prison. Although the court heard a number of people

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were involved in the attack, noone else has been charged and police continue to appeal for information about the incident.

No one has been arrested or charged over the death of Mr Leigh, which also remains under investigation.

Det InspMike Buck, of the police Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Golding was part of group of people involved in an extremely violent attack on Oneil Yearde.

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Ronald Leigh “Although Mr Yearde survived the attack, he is still in hospital, four months later.

We continue to investigate the incident and my team are committed seeing justice done.

If anyone has information about the incident, I’d urge them to come forward – it’s not too late."

Contact the police online at avonandsomerset.police.uk or call 101, quoting crime reference number 5218 226 466.

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

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n NEWS

McD junction concerns BRISTOL City Council says it is considering placing box junctions at the entrance new McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant.

The development on Fishponds Road was given permission only after an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, following the city council’s refusal to give it the go-ahead.

After reports that right turns into Drummond Road for traffic heading away from the city centre might be banned, the council has said this will not be the case.

The entrance to Drummond Road, which is also the access road for residents of Midland Terrace and Dunkirk Road, is opposite the entrance to the new McDonald’s. The council says it is considering placing box junctions – painted yellow areas which traffic is banned from stopping in – at the site, to help make it easier for motorists turning in and out of Drummond Road to see.

But residents have raised concerns that using the junction will become an “accident waiting to happen” and the council concedes that it has its own concerns over safety raised when it objected to the appeal. Drivers are only supposed to enter a box junction when the exit is already clear, to prevent queuing vehicles from blocking traffic passing in another direction.

A council spokesman said: “Turning right into Drummond Road will remain possible post-development. However the increased traffic flow using the drive-through restaurant in close proximity was a safety concern that the council highlighted in the planning application objection and in video and written evidence given to the public inquiry.In view of this, yellow box markings are being considered at the junction to create better sight lines in congested conditions for vehicles turning into and out of Drummond Road.”

March, 2019

Universal credit threat to tax cut A COUNCIL tax reduction scheme for Bristol’s poorest households is to be reviewed because of universal credit changes.

The scheme, which costs £35 million, provides discounted council tax for more than 36,000 households on a low income or benefits.

Bristol City Council has agreed to fully fund the scheme for the coming financial year but has said it intends to review it after that. However the council insists that, even after the review, the scheme will continue to support “those that need it”.

Green councillor for Clifton Down Clive Stevens told cabinet members: “The idea of a review for 2020/21 rings alarm bells.”

But Labour deputy mayor and Hillfields councillor Craig Cheney assured him that the council was committed to maintaining the scheme. Mr Cheney, who has responsibility for council finance, said the authority needed to review the scheme to ensure no one misses out as a result of the introduction of universal credit. The scheme protects about 12,000 pensioners and 25,000 low-income households in Bristol at a cost to the council of about £35.1million.

Cabinet members supported Mr Cheney’s proposal to continue a fully funded scheme for 2019/20 at a meeting on February 5. The council was due to set its full budget for next year on February 26.

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March, 2019

5

n NEWS

School awaits fate after ‘termination’ warning GOVERNORS of a school facing a takeover after a poor Ofsted report are challenging the use of Government powers to wrest control from them.

Steiner Academy Bristol was issued with a termination warning notice by the Regional Schools Commissioner for the South West, Lisa Mannall, who told governors she was “minded to terminate the funding agreement of the academy and transfer the school to a strong multi-academy trust that can provide the capacity for continued improvement”.

Ms Mannall said she was doing so “because I do not have confidence that the trust is able to rapidly and sustainably improve the academy’s systems of governance and management, and educational standards”.

The notice – the first stage of the process of finding a new sponsor for the school – followed an Ofsted report in January which rated the school inadequate in all areas and placed it into special measures.

The commissioner said seven of Ofsted’s conclusions were of “serious concern”, including pupils being exposed to avoidable risk of harm, unnecessary physical intervention, bullying, weak teaching and a failure to ensure pupils received an acceptable standard of education.

The school’s leaders were given until February 20 to respond to the warning notice, and told the commissioner’s team would work with them to “identify a trust that can provide

for the needs of the school and its pupils”.

An academy management sub-committee appointed by the commissioner has already taken over the day-to-day running of the school and the governors have been urged to support its work focusing on safeguarding, adherence to statutory requirements, increasing teachers’ expectations of pupils and “building an open culture at the school which puts pupils’ safety and welfare first”.

On the day its response was due the school’s board of governors issued a statement challenging the warning notice and setting out what it called “multiple flaws with the Department’s approach”.

The board said that both the Department for Education and external agencies had said they were satisfied the school was keeping children safe, despite what Ofsted had said.

The governors also said the existing leadership team had demonstrated the capacity to improve through staff training

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and new learning programmes, while the DfE’s appointees had had a “limited impact” and the department had a ‘generic’ set of priorities for improvement, which did not take account of the individual circumstances of the school.

Co-chair of governors Anna Mapson said: “We’ve had private reassurances that both Lisa Mannall and (academies minister) Lord Agnew support

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the Steiner ethos in principle, and yet they have failed to give our parents that same certainty.

We want a public statement from them saying they remain committed to our school’s vision and ethos”.= Governor Roy Douglas added: “Whilst the Ofsted report is being challenged the Department for Education must not transfer the school to a multi-academy trust. We contend the inspection was flawed.”

A fund to pay for a legal challenge to the inspection has so far raised just over £17,000, while an online petition calling for a new inspection currently has just over 2,600 signatures.

A DfE spokesman confirmed that the Steiner Academy Bristol governing body's response had been received.

He said: "We are considering the representations and will be responding in due course."

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

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6

March, 2019

n NEWS

Pavement parking 'puts lives in peril' A FISHPONDS resident is calling for action to stop inconsiderate drivers parking on pavements and putting people's lives at risk.

Conan Connolly says thoughtless vehicle owners should not be allowed to get away with it as they make it dangerous for pedestrians, particularly parents with buggies and wheelchair users.

“Everyone should be able to walk on pavements without worrying about vehicles blocking their way,” he said.

“Cars parked on pavements force people into the road, which is particularly dangerous for many, including blind and partially sighted people, parents with pushchairs and young children, wheelchair users and others who use mobility aids.

“Pavement surfaces are not designed to carry the weight of vehicles, and the added maintenance cost of repairing cracked and damaged paving adds an unnecessary financial burden to our already cashstrapped council.”

Conan says there a several blackspots in Fishponds and Eastville which cause problems.

These include the paths on Halstock Avenue, which Conan says are “unusable” after dark as cars and vans are parked “all over the place”.

Other hazard spots include Shamrock Road, Stonebridge Park, Lodge Causeway, the side streets off Lower Fishponds Road and Gloucester Street as well as further down by Gordon Avenue, off Whitehall Road.

Conan said: “I lived in Dublin

Conan, pictured at Stonebridge Park, with an offending vehicle for many years where they regulate and charge for parking and it I think it needs to happen here. Dublin residents have parking permits for their own areas and pay to park in other people's neighbourhoods. It works really well.

“It's been annoying me since I moved to Bristol a few years ago how people here just put up with cars everywhere.”

Parking on pavements is not illegal outside of London but drivers can still be fined in the form of a Fixed Penalty Notice if their car is judged to be in a dangerous position or causing an unnecessary obstruction.

But Conan argues this rarely

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gets enforced as police fear a backlash from the public.

“Unfortunately this appears to be little used and I believe it won’t be until the general population consider pavement parking to be socially unacceptable in the same way they most people now consider smoking in a restaurant or letting your dog mess the pavement to be unacceptable.

“Only then will the police feel confident that they have public support for acting. It would be interesting to see parents hanging around outside a school with their kids waiting for the police officer to disappear before getting into their cars to drive

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off.”

Conan is urging people who share his view to write to Avon and Somerset's police commissioner Sue Mountstevens.

“I believe the best way in the short term to make the place nicer for people and to stop the littering of cars everywhere would be if people wrote to the police commissioner to get them to enforce the law which already exits against pavement parking.”

What do you think about pavement parking? How can the problem be solved? Email your views to news@fishpondsvoice. co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

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March, 2019

7

n NEWS

Neighbours object to car park flats plans PLANS to turn a car park in Fishponds into 34 flats have angered residents and businesses.

United Communities Housing Association wants to build a 34-bed 'LaunchPad' for young people on the car park at the bottom of Alexandra Park.

The association says the development would be a “creative solution” to the housing crisis, offering young people the chance to break out of student rentals, supported housing and overpriced accommodation. The scheme does not feature a car park as it would be a condition of tenancy that residents would not be allowed to have a car.

But people living in Alexandra Court have objected to the proposals, saying it's too close and would result in loss of light and privacy and an increase in noise. They have also criticised the lack of parking, saying it would be impossible to enforce the “no car” rule, which would lead to parking on roads nearby.

Traders have also lodged objections with Bristol City Council, saying their customers need to use the car park.

Alexandra Court resident Catherine Fahmi said the council was not sticking to its own guidelines: “[They] say that if windows of habitable rooms are facing each other they should be at 21 metres apart. The plans show they will be six metres apart, resulting in a lack of privacy for me. So I am unsure why this has been considered acceptable.”

Resident Richard Norman said: “The reason we purchased our flat was due to the natural

light and view of a field providing a very relaxing, private, light and quiet space. This development would destroy this.”

Diane Jeans said: “Even if a "no car policy" was envisaged, this would be impossible to enforce, causing even more congestion on Alexandra Park, where schools and businesses already have issues with parking.

“With 34 young adults as residents, the noise level would increase considerably, especially with an outside communal area.”

Bedwyr Evans, who lives nearby, said the scheme “represents nothing more than another cynical attempt to overdevelop on a small unsuitable site, thus maximising the developers profits at the expense of the neighbourhood's quality of life.”

Gary Hillard from Doug Hillard Sports said the council has made it increasingly difficult for customers to park along Fishponds Road so they rely on the public car park instead.

“You have put in a bus lane restricting parking access times along this road. Where are the traders supposed to park from 8am until 6pm during the

working day? The car park at the bottom of Alexandra Road is the only place left to park.”

Kathryn Plaster, who runs Dance Station in Alexandra Park, said although there is a car park attached to her business, customers use the public car park at peak times and during events.

“The loss of the public car park will greatly affect the ability of some of our customers to attend their classes and there is more likelihood of congestion in the road, making it difficult for residents to park near their homes.”

Bristol Civic Society has lodged its support for the plans, calling the project “laudable”, although it, too, expressed concern about how close it was to other properties.

“Potential overlooking issues will need to be carefully addressed,” the society said.

The development would be constructed in a factory and

delivered to the site, which means it can be relocated.

It includes accommodation for students and key workers such as nurses and teachers and would stay on the site for a maximum of 10 years. The land is owned by Bristol City Council but has been declared surplus to requirements.

The proposed scheme includes shared communal space as well as a laundry, bin store and secure cycle parking.

The LaunchPad project is a partnership between United Communities, 1625 Independent People, the University of Bristol Students Union and Bristol City Council with the support of the property industry charity LandAid. A United Communities spokeswoman said: “We are redesigning the scheme following some concerns from neighbours to take out three of the homes and are hoping the scheme will go to planning in mid March.”

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March, 2019

n NEWS

Hillfields celebrations under way next month CELEBRATIONS to mark the 100th birthday of Hillfields will get off to a flying start next month.

Members of the community will be invited to a 'Sharing Memories' event at Hillfields Library where they can find out more about the Homes For Heroes 100 project and how they can get involved.

The project, backed by Heritage Lottery funding and run

by Local Learning, will celebrate 100 years since the first council housing was built in the area.

Visitors to the library will be encouraged to talk about the past and share memorabilia of growing up in Hillfields over a cup of tea and slice of cake.

An exhibition created by pupils from Minerva Primary School will be on show and people can take part in a guided walking tour of 1920s Hillfields

to meet some of the original tenants.

People can also try their hand at monoprinting with project artist Carmen Garaghon as well

as have a go at designing their own council house.

Sharing Memories takes place on Saturday April 6 from 11am5pm. It is a free drop-in event so

there's no need to book, but for more information contact ruth@ locallearning.org.uk Sharing Memories is the first in a series of events planned for Hillfields to mark the 100th anniversary of the first council tenants moving into Beechen Drive.

The name Homes For Heroes comes from a speech delivered

by Prime Minister Lloyd George regarding British troops returning from the Great War. He called for a “country fit for heroes to live in”.

The start of the first major era of council house building followed thanks to the 1919 Housing and Town Planning Act, known as The Addison Act after the then Minister of Health and Housing, Christopher Addison.

To find out more visit www. locallearning.org.uk/hillfieldshomes-for-heroes/

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March, 2019

n NEWS PLANS to turn one of Bristol’s first ever council houses back to its original 1920 condition have been scrapped.

The house in Briar Way, Hillfields, was identified in housing records as the first in Bristol to have council tenants.

But the plan to return it to the condition it was in after being built in July 1920, as a temporary museum piece, was abandoned after the £60,000 cost was deemed too high.

The idea was mooted as part of the Homes For Heroes 100 celebrations, marking the centenary of the Addison Act which led to the first council estates in the aftermath of the First World War. But it came under fire from Bristol Homes Board members concerned it would deny a house to a family on the waiting list.

The cost also became a contentious issue after it was announced at a meeting of the board last week, with the bulk of the money having to be spent converting the property back to modern standards afterwards if the idea was given the go-ahead.

Museum house plan dropped

This house in Briar Way, was Bristol's first to be let to a council tenant Now, city council housing cabinet member Paul Smith has announced the proposal has been abandoned. Instead, the council is considering a cheaper alternative using virtual reality technology, which would be accessible to more people.

Waiting list tops 11,000 THE decision not to convert a Hillfields council house into a museum display comes as new figures show that more than 11,000 households are on the waiting list for social housing in the city.

The number has risen by 20 per cent in two years.

The latest Housing, Communities and Local Government ministry data shows that in March of last year there were 11,693 households on the housing waiting list in Bristol.

Of those, 2,745 were households living in unhygienic or overcrowded housing, while a further 2,633 had to move due to a medical condition.

In Bristol, there were 389 vacant homes by the end of March 2018, all of them owned by the council. Of those, 57% were available for letting.

Across England, more than 1.1 million families were on council

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Most of the cash for Homes For Heroes 100, a series of community events in Bristol throughout the year, comes from an £80,000 Heritage Lottery Fund and £80,000 matched funding from the council.

A feasibility study was

waiting lists – 6% fewer than in 2016.

Housing charity Shelter’s chief executive Polly Neate said: "When you compare the number of households waiting with the tiny number of available homes, and the trickle of new social homes being built, you understand how chilling today’s housing crisis is.

"It’s not just those in greatest need crying out for the chance of a stable home either, hundreds of thousands of older people and young families are also desperate to escape the private renting trap."

Over the last years, Bristol's social housing stock has remained steady.

By the end of March 2017, there were 39,190 social and council homes — 27,200 owned by the council and 11,990 by housing associations.

Mayor's View: Page 17

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carried out to determine how much it would cost to return the property in Briar Way to its 1920s ‘showhome’ condition.

But Mr Smith said: “Given the cost we won’t be turning a house into a 1920s version for a year, but will look at other ways to show what the Hillfields show homes looked like when they were first built.”

He said the idea was mentioned at the Bristol Homes Board meeting but that the details about it being scrapped were not discussed because the money was not available anyway.

Concerns about the consequences of taking an actual council house out of use for 12 months were raised by board member Penny Walster, from ACFA network of advice centres, who asked Mr Smith to consider a VR alternative.

Bristol’s Homes For Heroes 100 project is the biggest series of events in the country to mark the anniversary of the Addison Act and will include walking tours, artists’ community workshops and even specially commissioned new books.

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March, 2019

n NEWS

Escape drama: prisoner Have your say on is back behind bars Muller Rd plans POLICE flooded into Stapleton to look for a prisoner on the run after he escaped from a vehicle on the M32.

Bristol man Phillip Barrett escaped on to the motorway while he was being transported from Bristol Prison in Horfield on the afternoon of Thursday, February 21. He was in the process of being transferred to another jail.

Police offered a £1,000 reward to anyone with information which helped police recapture Barrett – but he handed himself in to police on the morning of Monday, February 25.

The exact circumstances of his escape had not been made clear but a large number of police officers and vehicles were spotted in the Bell Hill and Park Road area, as well as around Snuff Mills and Eastville Park, as a search was launched.

Phillip Barrett After a weekend at large, Barrett gave himself up.

A police spokesperson said: “We're pleased to confirm that absconder Phillip Barrett has been arrested after handing himself into a police station.

“We would like to thank everyone who helped and provided information.”

CHANGES to one of Bristol’s busiest roads, including a new bus and cycle lane, are being planned.

People who use Muller Road to travel between Eastville and Horfield are being invited to have their say on the scheme in a consultation, which is open until April 7.

The city council says the aim of the changes is to improve bus reliability and increase pedestrian safety.

They are planned for the section of Muller Road between the M32 and Gloucester Road. Residents are being asked to comment on the prospect of banning right turns from Glenfrome Road on to Muller Road towards Gloucester Road, making some side-streets one-way and adding a bus, cycle and taxi lane on some stretches of the road heading towards the M32.

Widened footpaths and “raised tables” – long speed bumps – and new traffic lights at the Ralph Road junction by the new Lidl store are also being planned.

The council says it needs to act as new homes, supermarkets and a another secondary school are being built in the area.

Cabinet member for transport Kye Dudd said: “Safety of our schoolchildren is paramount and, with two secondary schools within a mile of each other, we need to improve safety provisions. ” There will be a series of drop-in sessions at The Old Library and Horfield UR Church Hall, where the first will take place on March 4 from 4pm to 8pm. To take part in the online consultation, visit travelwest.info/mullerroad by April 7. Responses can also be made at local libraries or by calling 0117 922 2848.

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Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

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fishpondsvoice

March, 2019

11

n NEWS

Big blaze at recycling plant AN arson attack at a plastic recycling company next to the Bristol to Bath Railway Path sent a huge column of smoke into the skies above East Bristol.

Firefighters from five different fire stations were called in to tackle the blaze at the Toucan Environmental base on the Bridge Road industrial estate between Soundwell and Mangotsfield.

The fire affected around 300 containers on the site, which specialises in reconditioning integrated bulk containers and plastic drums.

An Avon Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said firefighters from as far away as Avonmouth and Yate were called in.

They needed breathing apparatus as they tackled the blaze and both Bridge Road and

the cycle path were temporarily closed, although police said the smoke was not toxic.

Firefighters also used booms to stop and chemicals from running off into nearby drainage systems.

The spokesman confirmed that the fire was being treated as deliberate.

Afterwards Toucan Environmental managing director Alex Duck said the fire had caused “huge damage”.

Speaking on Facebook, he said: “Thanks for everyone’s concerns this afternoon reference the fire in my yard. It was arson and we have very good CCTV of the two kids involved.

It’s going to take a couple of weeks to get back to normal which we will. Huge damage but no one hurt thank goodness.

“Feel very sick.”

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Photo: Temple Fire Station

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

March, 2019

13

n NEWS

Tesco machete attackers jailed Soul fans

TWO brothers who launched a “cowardly and brutal” machete attack in the middle of Tesco at Eastville have been jailed.

Razwan Hussain, 34, and his 36-year-old brother Naveed attacked two men in front of shoppers on a Friday afternoon.

Investigating officer DC Dominic Landragin said the machete attack followed a scuffle in the store involving Naveed Hussain and one of the victims.

DC Landragin said Naveed Hussain phoned his brother for help. Razwan Hussain then sped to the store in his Mini, driving the wrong way through the c oneway system before arriving at the store armed with the machete.

“One of the victims was attacked just outside the foyer, while the second victim was pursued through the store and then struck with the weapon,” said DC Landragin.

Both victims, a 44-year-old and a 21-year-old man, were left with serious injuries after the

full of heart

Razwan Hussain

Naveed Hussain

attack on August 31 last year.

The brothers escaped from the scene but were later arrested after a search and appeals.

Razwan Hussain, of St Mark’s Road, Easton, was jailed for ten and a half years after admitting charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and attempted GBH with intent.

Naveed Hussain, of the same address, was jailed for two years after admitting charges of GBH and affray.

Following the sentencing, Avon and Somerset Chief Constable Andy Marsh praised

the bravery of members of the public who rushed to the aid of the two victims, the actions of Tesco staff in evacuating the store and the professionalism of officers on the scene.

“This was a cowardly and brutal attack. It's shocking.

"The use of such a barbaric weapon in such close vicinity to so many innocent members of the public is horrifying and I’m sure these events will have a lasting impact on those who were unfortunate enough to witness it.”

SMART PATIOS

LOVERS of northern soul music helped raise more than £500 for charity as they danced the night away at a bash in Mangotsfield.

Four DJs - John Lloyd, Malcolm Beedle, Bob Bavin, Jimmy Manu and Martyn Johnson - gave their time free of charge to spin the decks at the do at Mangotsfield United Football Club.

Each of the 100 plus guests was given a raffle ticket which was entered into a draw. The winner of the lucky ticket was then invited to name a charity they would like to donate the proceeds of the evening to.

Winner Brian Pike, from Longwell Green, chose Dorothy House, a hospice near Bath.

The DJs were inspired to host the night following the success of their bi-monthly afternoon soul events at Barton Hill Rugby Club in Speedwell under the name Splash of Soul.

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fishpondsvoice

14

March, 2019

n NEWS

Floodlit spire is all thanks to Vera

The floodlit spire is a much-loved attraction in Stapleton

VOICE readers have probably noticed the stunning floodlit spire at Holy Trinity Church in Stapleton, but how many know the fascinating story behind it?

The lighting on the church's spire, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, is all thanks to the late Vera Ashford whose house looked out towards the tower.

Vera had a dream about seeing the church's spire lit after getting the idea whilst holidaying in Cornwall in the late 1960s.

Her son, Barrie, said: “My mother and I looked out and saw the floodlit church when we were on holiday in St Ives. It was such a moving sight. Everything was black apart from the little floodlit chapel set on a hill between the town's beaches. She was stunned and immediately said how wonderful it would look if Stapleton Church, with its prominent setting on Bell Hill, was also floodlit.”

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Vera Ashford was instrumental in bringing lights to the spire Vera wouldn't let her idea drop so Barrie set about making her dream come true.

After securing the agreement of the local councillor John Vowles who, as luck would have it was a lighting specialist, and the vicar of the church, Canon Norman Campbell, Barrie set to work.

The project was very much a team effort. Cllr Vowles' boss, Graham Amos of Design Lighting, donated the first lights, local electricians Dennis Greaves and Paul Convey contributed the skilled work, whilst Barrie, John Vowles and Peter Phipps provided the labour.

“Mum had a lots of input into it, hurrying us along to finish the installation without delay. It was pretty dodgy as we had to run a cables from the parapet down through to the inside of the north door, which is quite a drop. We had to use long ladders to get power to the lights placed on the gallery at the base of the spire. It would definitely be frowned upon with today's health and safety regulations.”

After a week of hard labour and testing the group was ready for the big switch-on but it was Vera who most eagerly anticipated what would greet them.

"She was over the moon when she saw the spire lit up for the first time. She could see it from her house and every evening she would go outside to look at it.

I think there was something a bit spiritual about it for her. It contributed greatly to her spirits

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

in her latter years at home.”

Barrie, who still lives in Stapleton, said: “It somehow gives a feeling of well being when people see it, many finding it quite moving and reassuring.

The lighting of the spire certainly seems to be very popular with all who see it.”

Following Vera's death aged 91 in 2004, it was suggested by the church's parish council that the illuminations be renamed "The Vera Ashford Memorial Spire Lights" in her memory.

For the past 50 years the spire has been lit for special religious occasions such as Christmas Day and Easter and at the request of anyone who wishes to commemorate a special occasion or memory.

New replacement light fittings have recently been installed and are now undergoing alignment and focusing tests to get the best effect possible and to last for many years to come.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the lights, Fishponds Voice will light the spire later this year for all its readers to enjoy.

You can find out more about having the spire lit to mark a special occasion by calling the church office on 0117 958 5556 or emailing office@ holytrinitystapleton.org.uk The church charges £15 to light the spire for an evening which helps cover the cost of electricity and raises money for church funds.

Dedications will also be printed in the following month's church newsletter.

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

March, 2019

n NEWS

Singer Carolyn links with The Zoyboyz

15

You’ve got the skills to foster...

you just don’ t know it yet

A FAMILIAR face on the local music scene is getting the seal of approval from clubs with her first collaboration with Bristol's The Zoyboyz.

Carolyn McGoldrick has played in venues in the area included the New Moon in Fishponds, the King William in Staple Hill and the Downend Tavern. She is known for her cover version of big classics taking on such giants as Aretha Franklin, Carole King and Alicia Keys. But now she has teamed up the The Zoyboyz to release Sweet Talking Rapper, an original tune written by herself and going back to her club roots.

Carolyn is originally from Glasgow but after working as a DJ and performer for several years in Ibiza, she moved to Eastville and worked with several bands and producers.

She has written for other artists in various genres, including hip hop, country, blues and rock.

Sweet Talking Rapper is released on March 1 and is available on iTunes, Google Play and Amazon, and can be saved your Spotify library.

You can hear the song on YouTube at https://bit.ly/2TcHh82 and find out more about Carolyn on her website http:// carolynmcgoldrickmusic.com/

If you have a spare bedroom and the time to make a positive difference to a child’s life, call or email us to find out more about fostering with South Gloucestershire Council.

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Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

16

March, 2019

n NEWS

Language celebration

Dogs saved from fire FIREFIGHTERS rescued two dogs from a house in a “complicated” operation at a house near Overndale Road.

Four crews – two from Kingswood and two from Temple fire station in the city centre – were called to Grangewood Close, off Grange Drive, shortly before 5pm on February 17.

An Avon Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “On attending the scene crews found the fire in the utility affecting the kitchen, garage and garage storage roof area.

Nine firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two high pressure hose reels and one 45mm jet to extinguish the fire, before using a positive pressure ventilation fan to clear smoke.”

The blaze is thought have been caused accidentally by an electrical fault.

Magic of map making YOUNGSTERS at Chester Park Junior School flexed their team skills when they worked on a joint history and geography project.

They teamed up with pupils from nearby schools to research and create a large scale map of the local area, pinpointing key landmarks as well as their home addresses.

Staff member Kath Morley said: “It was a very successful and enjoyable event.”

Quarry Court

CIVIC leaders marked the 67th International Mother Language Day celebrations in Bristol.

A flag raising ceremony on College Green, outside City Hall, was followed by a reception at the Foundation, St George’s Road. The event was organised

by Councillor Sultan Khan and the Bangladesh Association Bristol, Bath, and West.

Councillor Khan (Labour, Eastville) said: “International Mother Language Day marks Bengali being restored as the official language of Bangladesh, following years of protests after Urdu had been imposed. In 2019, we gather to commemorate this historic anniversary and show our appreciation of all languages used by peoples of the world.”

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, added: “In Bristol nearly 100 languages are spoken.

Diversity is one of our city’s biggest strengths.”

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Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

March, 2019

17

n NEWS FROM THE MAYOR

I'm proud that in Bristol we're making homes happen would be used to unlock development in the area around Temple Meads train station, reinvigorating this gateway to the city and meaning jobs and homes are positioned in the most sustainable and accessible places.

A high point of the visit was watching some of the ongoing demolition of the old Sorting Office. This eyesore next to the station has been a blight on the landscape for too long.

I was delighted to start its demolition, which means a new chapter for the Temple Quarter. It will also deliver the entrance the city deserves, regenerating the area with thousands of new homes and jobs. I was pleased the Minister could see the potential for the site, which as well as creating a brand new university campus will unlock new routes to the station and open up vital links between East Bristol and the centre.

As well as sites in Bath and South Gloucestershire, the Minister was shown the Elderberry Walk and Glencoyne Square developments in Bristol. Both demonstrate our commitment to affordable housing and mixed communities.

The Mayor’s View Each month Bristol mayor Marvin Rees shares his views with Fishponds Voice

After decades punching below our weight, Bristol and the region is gaining the reputation with government that it can deliver and work together to get things done. Following this, I was honoured to be asked to speak and present an award at the Homes England Staff Awards. This was a great opportunity to represent Bristol to the government agency tasked with ‘Making Homes Happen’. I am pleased Bristol is making homes happen too.

ousing lH

G

Invoet lved

rums Fo

Local Housing Forums for Bristol council tenants

Loc a

I

was pleased to meet with Housing Minister Kit Malthouse MP this month along with representatives of neighbouring authorities and the Metro Mayor Tim Bowles. We used the opportunity to demonstrate the collaborative work underway in the region to build homes and communities.

I first met Kit when we were both on the Politics Live programme last year. I was able to ask him to visit Bristol and see what we are doing to deliver the homes we need, in line with my pledge to build 2,000 homes a year, 800 affordable, by the year 2020. On the day-long visit, we discussed the progress we are making on our region’s Joint Spatial Plan – our planning document setting out our delivery of 105,000 new homes across the city region by 2036.

The plan also sets out supporting transport infrastructure we will need to make sure these new homes don’t contribute further to the congestion we know is already such a problem.

We also used the opportunity to highlight our upcoming bid to the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund. If successful, this investment

Forums in East and Central Bristol Area 3: Wed, 6 March 2019, 1.30pm–4pm

Eastville, Frome Vale, Hillfields, Lockleaze At: Hillfields Community Hub Thicket Avenue, Fishponds Bristol BS16 4EH

Area 4: Mon, 18 March 2019, 6.15–8.30pm Ashley, Central, Lawrence Hill, St George Central, St George Troopers Hill, St George West, Easton At: City Hall, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TR (Report to the main entrance)

Are you a council tenant in the areas listed above? Please get involved in your March Local Housing Forum – your opinions help us make decisions! Book a place and have your say on how the council housing service is run. Travel expenses can be reimbursed, plus free tea & coffee is provided. For further information contact: Tenant Participation 0117 352 1444 or email tpu@bristol.gov.uk.

All details at: www.bristol.gov.uk/LocalHousingForums.

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

fishpondsvoice

18

n NEWS

n LETTERS

Delivering hope

Has Fishponds been forgotten?

NURSE Joanna Tom-Kargbo will speak at St Mary’s Church, Fishponds on Thursday March 14 about how Christian Aid supporters are delivering hope to mothers and babies in Sierra Leone through a programme to make childbirth safer in what is the world’s most dangerous country to give birth.

The stories she shares will feature in this year’s Christian Aid Week (May 12-18). Last year Christian Aid groups and churches across Bristol raised £43,000 in Christian Aid Week including almost £2,000 from East Bristol.

Joanna said: “Communities in Sierra Leone see a woman dying in childbirth as the will of God. But we work so they know it is unacceptable."

For more details about the event contact bristol@christianaid.org or 01454 415 923

WE in Fishponds experience difficulties with traffic on a daily basis, and often it appears the council has forgotten about us, and this has been even more of an issue in recent months. I have listened to many people’s concerns about the traffic situation along the roads connecting to the Duchess Gate roundabout, and I know from my own experience that is has been a dire situation for a very long time.

We need the council to understand how the decisions made in city hall impact upon us locally, but that communication and engagement with the local community needs to be prioritised.

I have asked one of the transport officer and the cabinet member for transport to come and listen to what we have to say, and to agree with us on how we can make the transport routes more effective, and how we can be more involved in decision making in the future. I hope you will join me at the public meeting on Tuesday March 26 at 7pm at Begbrook Community

March, 2019

Centre.

Last year we invited groups within the community to put forward bids for funding from the council, and we raised £55k for the children’s park refurbishment in Fishponds. This year we are also requesting that local groups submit requests for funding from the council. So if you are involved with a local scout group and need some improvements to your premises, you could apply. The money is for capital grants only.

The council sadly does not have a magic money tree, but it does receive money that has been raised from planning developments in the area, such as the building work at Blackberry Hill. The developer has to make a financial contribution to the council, which then uses this money to make improvement within the local community.

If you are interested in submitting a bid for your organisation, you have until March 15, 2019 to do so. You can access all the information you need online:https://www.bristol.gov.uk/ people-communities/fundinglocal-projects We are then going to ask you

as local residents to help us select three proposals from the list, which we can put forward to bid on behalf of the local community. We will be bidding against projects in Hillfields, Eastville and Lockleaze.

We don’t have a date for this yet, but it will have to be before April 23, 2019.

If you would like to meet with me to discuss this, my email is cllr. nicola.bowden-jones@bristol.gov. uk, or you can PM me through messenger, or call me on 07584 480590 Nicola Bowden-Jones Frome Vale ward councillor

Email us with your views: news@ fishpondsvoice. co.uk

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Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

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fishpondsvoice

March, 2019

19

n NEWS

Parents: Critical Ofsted report 'ignores strengths of pre-school' PARENTS have rallied to the defence of a Stapleton 'outdoor led' pre-school which received an Ofsted report accusing staff of putting children's safety at risk.

Government inspector Victoria Nicolson visited Out There Kindergarten, based at Stonechat Gardens, back in November.

In a report released following her visit, the provision was given an inadequate rating, stating: "Weaknesses in leadership, management and safeguarding compromise children's safety and well-being. Staff do not support all children to learn how to keep themselves safe."

The report went on to criticise leadership and management, the quality of teaching and outcomes for children.

Owner Jenny Bough said she believes Out There has been subject to an unfair inspection and has submitted a complaint against the inspector and inspection process.

Out There opened in Brislington in September 2017 and received a Good rating from Ofsted in July of the following year, with the report stating that safeguarding is effective.

“The manager ensures that staff implement all safety routines and procedures meticulously.

Risk assessments are robust.

Children are safe on and off site.

Staff teach children safety rules effectively,” the report said.

A second branch opened in Stapleton in September 2018 with Ofsted visiting 26 days later.

The subsequent report was scathing, and in contrast to the one given to the Brislington branch. It was judged to require improvement in two of the four categories and was given inadequate ratings in a further two categories.

Parents have leapt to the defence of the pre-school, which offers all-day care for two to five-

year-olds with a focus on outdoor learning.

Anna and Tom Houghton, whose daughter has attended Out There Stapleton since it opened last September, said they “could not be happier” with the care provided.

“Our daughter can be very shy and quiet and sometimes finds it hard to adjust to new people and places, however thanks to the wonderful staff she settled in straight away.

“We could not be happier with the staff and we have seen our daughter's confidence grow day by day both at kindergarten and at home. She completely thrives in being in an outdoor environment and the forest school setting is perfect. We are saddened at the report but continue to fully support Out There Kindergarten as we know it is the best place for our daughter.”

Parent Emily Davies said the report failed to acknowledge the positive work being carried out.

“As a parent of a child who attends both the kindergarten in Stapleton and the one in Brislington, I am disappointed that the real benefits of Out There have not been highlighted in the report.”

Ms Bough said: “We were very disappointed and surprised by our Ofsted outcome as we do not believe the report is a true reflection of who we are and what we do at Out There Kindergarten.

Neither do we feel it paints a fair picture of what the children and families truly experience in our setting.”

Ms Bough said she was expecting a further inspection this month and was confident of receiving at least a good rating.

“On the day of the inspection and immediately after we responded quickly and appropriately to the actions given by the inspector. We believe

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

Children at play at Out There kindergarten in Stapleton. Parents say they have been shocked by the Ofsted judgement that we have shown a great commitment to making further improvements and a willingness to learn. We have very thorough action plans resulting from not only the inspection but also from our self evaluation and parent survey responses. ““Like many of our parents, we feel the inspector has missed the point about Out There

Kindergarten. In failing to mention many of the positives that occur such as how quickly the children settle and how their speech and language develops rapidly due to quality interactions, the report fails to highlight the quality of care and education in our setting. It also fails to highlight any of the skills and capabilities within the team.”

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Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

20

March, 2019

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Booming Mortgage Advice Bureau opens shop A LOCAL mortgage advice business that is part of the Mortgage Advice Bureau network is moving to new high street premises in Downend and will add to its 12-strong team after outgrowing its office in Stoke Gifford following continued business growth.

The team, which offers mortgage advice in Bristol and across the South West, will relocate later this month to refurbished premises on Downend’s thriving high street after doubling in size over the past year.

Daniel Gould, Business Principal, who lives in Downend, has been in the financial services industry for more than 15 years, and with business partner Adam Wyrill also runs a successful wealth management firm.

Daniel comments: “Bespoke Independent Financial Advisers has been offering Mortgage and Wealth Management Advice in the area since 2014. In 2017 we decided to specialise and separate the wealth management and mortgage businesses, in order to gain access to better mortgage deals the mortgage business joined the Mortgage Advice Bureau network. As a local business backed by a highly respected national brand and a leading mortgage network, we not only understand the

nuances of our local market, but also due to the size of our network are able to access mortgage deals not always available to other financial advisers and brokers.”

The business’s rapid growth since joining the Mortgage Advice Bureau network prompted Adam and Daniel to look to open a dedicated mortgage shop and Downend was a perfect fit.

Adam explains: “Most of our team live locally and having developed strong links with our customers and the local business community over the last four years we were keen to stay in the north east of Bristol. Downend high street is a popular

PREMISES LICENCE (LICENSING ACT 2003)

Within ten days of applying for a licence a notice advertising the application must be published in a local newspaper which circulates in the locality in which the premises are situated and which is on sale at local newsagents.

Within fourteen days of the application being made, one copy of the complete newspaper must be sent to the Licensing Team (100 TS), PO BOX 3176, Bristol, BS3 9FS. The advertisement should be in the following form:

Bristol City Council Notice of Application for new/variation of Premises licence NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT Vera Twum has applied to the Bristol City Council for a new premises licence in respect of: 99 Fishponds Road, Bristol, BS5 6PN Anyone wishing to make representation regarding the application must give notice in writing to Licensing Team (100 TS), PO BOX 3176, Bristol, BS3 9FS. (Tel: 0117 357 4900) or email licensing@bristol.gov.uk within three weeks specifying the ground of opposition. The application & register can also be viewed at the above address during office hours.

Café and Small restaurant applied for: Supply of Alcohol for consumption on the premises: Monday 12:00 - 23:00, Tuesday 12:00-23:00, Wednesday 12:00-23:00, Thursday 12:00-23.00, Friday 12:00-23:00, Saturday 12.00-23:00, Sunday 16:0023:00. Seasonal Variations: Friday: 12:00 – 24:00, Saturday: 12:00-24:00 Late night refreshments: only Seasonal Variations: Friday: 23:00 – 24:00, Saturday: 23:00-24:00

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Aggressive driver: call for witnesses

A FISHPONDS man is hoping witnesses to an “aggressive driving” incident in Forest Road will come forward.

The man and his pregnant wife were pushing a buggy across the road between Filwood Road and William Street at about 1.10pm on Saturday February 2. As they struggled to get the buggy on to the snowy pavement, a white Land Rover accelerated towards them before braking suddenly. The man gestured to the driver to slow down which led to the driver blocking traffic while he confronted and insulted him.

A police spokesman said: “We can confirm there is no evidence to enable police to take action. We will investigate should any new evidence come to light.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference AS20190203-0295.

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It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction to an unlimited fine.

Should representation be received a public hearing will be held.

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destination partly due to the fact that local groups like Downend & Bromley Heath in Bloom make a real effort to make it look attractive. Our new office - in what was once the home of Costa Coffee and previously NatWest Bank – will feature a bright reception area and client meeting spaces and we’re very much looking forward to welcoming customers there.”

The new north Bristol office can be found at 18 Badminton Road, Downend, BS16 6BQ and is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm. Out of hours appointments are also available from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week either at the new office or with advisers visiting clients at home. The shop will open in March 2019.

For further information visit http://www. mabdownend.co.uk or call 0117 9679 240.

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

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fishpondsvoice

March, 2019

21

n NEWS

When Harry (and Meghan) met Martin IT'S not every day you get the chance to rub shoulders with royalty but one Downend man was lucky enough to meet both Harry and Meghan when the couple visited Bristol recently.

As founder of the charity Empire Fighting Chance, Martin Bisp showed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex around a gym in Easton which is encouraging young people to take up boxing rather than turn to crime.

Martin, 48, and co-founder Jamie Sanigar, 38, accompanied the couple along with Bristol mayor and former boxer Marvin Rees and chair of the charity's trustee board, David Fordham.

After a private 15 minute conversation about the charity, Martin introduced Harry and Meghan to two of the young people he has worked with.

Martin said Harry had grasped at once the aims of the charity and the impact of its work on young people.

It was Harry's approach

Martin Bisp, centre, and Jamie Sanigar meet the royal couple to one individual that really impressed Martin. The Duke was introduced to 15-year-old Iestyn Jones who had lost a parent.

Martin said: “Iestyn and the Duke had a shared experience of grief and when Iestyn got visibly upset the Duke cleared the room and showed extraordinary compassion, something that Iestyn will never forget.”

Harry and Meghan then went

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“They spent time with everyone and appeared genuinely interested in their stories,” said Martin.

“At one point Jamie and I spoke about how difficult it was in the beginning to attract funders' interest and Prince Harry was shocked and said 'What is being achieved here

is so important, especially for our young people. It really is incredible to see'.”

At the end of the visit Martin and Jamie presented them with 'his and hers' personalised boxing gloves, labelled Duke of Sussex and Duchess of Sussex.

Kensington Palace’s 'Thank you for the boxing gloves' tweet was one of the most popular of the day.

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22

March, 2019

n NEWS

Millions more bus journeys in Bristol BUS travel in Bristol is booming, as a passenger campaign calling for public control of services gathers pace.

The latest figures from the Department for Transport show that passengers took 2,398,600 more bus journeys in Bristol in the space of a year.

In the year to last March there were 42.28 million passenger journeys on buses in Bristol, 6% more than in the previous 12 months.

The figure bucks a national trend: across England, there were 85 million fewer passenger journeys over the same time period, with journeys were also down in neighbouring South Gloucestershire. Since figures were first recorded for the DfT in 2009-10, the number of passenger journeys in Bristol has increased by 51%.

The average Bristol resident took 92 bus journeys in the local authority area in 2017-18, up from 88 the previous year – and the figures were compiled before the launch of Metrobus services,

which were expected to add to overall passenger numbers.

A petition launched calling on Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees and Metro Mayor Tim Bowles to work together towards a franchising system, regulating the city’s services, has attracted 2,700 signatures.

The petition, which can be found at the change.org website at bit.ly/2GFwMnO, was launched by passenger Max Langer, who said: “Transport in Bristol is in chaos. Car usage has been on the rise for years,

PEOPLE are being asked to have their say on the future of transport and travel in Bristol and the surrounding area.

The West of England Combined Authority, which is in overall charge of planning the region’s roads and public transport, is holding a consultation until March 20 and inviting people to have their say.

Residents are being asked to tell the authority, which has overall responsibility for the region’s transport provision, where they think it should be investing between now and 2036.

There is an online survey asking people

resulting in greater congestion and pollution. In the face of this, our city desperately needs improved public transport.

“However, our current system relies on private companies running bus routes with very little oversight from the council.

Private firms can change routes, amend timetables or even scrap services with short notice and without consultation with the council or residents. This allows large bus companies to focus on making huge profits without a care for the local communities

that rely on their services. This is not good enough and we must demand better.”

The petition calls on the West of England Combined Authority, run by Mr Bowles, to use powers devolved under the Bus Services Act to decide on the area’s bus routes, timetables and operators.

But councillors have expressed concerns over Weca’s current spending on public transport, with demands to see a “paper trail” of taxpayers’ money amid concerns it could “disappear into a black hole”.

Weca’s audit committee heard transport campaigners who tried to track where funding ends up at its three unitary authorities — Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset councils — but had drawn a blank.

David Redgewell, of Bus Users UK and South West Transport Network, told members that the combined authority was failing in its duty to be accountable to the public and should be more transparent.

Have your say on transport to allocate ‘points’ to the areas they think Weca should prioritise, including a mass transit network, expansion of Metrobus, new and improved railway stations, road and motorway improvements, new charges and more park and ride sites.

The authority is also organising a regional transport forum on Tuesday March 5, at Keynsham Civic Centre, with members of the public invited to attend.

Tim Bowles, West of England Mayor,

said: “This is an ambitious plan to keep people moving and tackle congestion, whilst supporting economic growth.

“It considers a wide range of options to support sustainable travel including rail, bus, cycling, walking, mass and rapid transit and electric vehicles.”

The survey can be accessed online at bit.ly/2tomtMi. Anyone without internet access can contact Weca on 0117 428 6210 for more information.

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fishpondsvoice

March, 2019

23

n FROM OUR MP

Grassroots sport is thriving IN 2017, Bristol was declared a European City of Sport. As well as our long-established football teams, Rovers and City, our rugby team, the Bristol Bears, and the cricket, there is so much more going on in the city at grassroots level.

You could hardly have missed Prince Harry and Meghan’s recent visit to Bristol, where they stopped

by Empire Fighting Chance - a boxing club in Easton which I’ve visited a couple of times; it does great work fighting the impact of deprivation on the lives of young people. Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, was taken under the wing of Dennis Stinchcombe at Broad Plain boxing club as a teenager, and, more locally, we have the successful Downend Boxing Club, which has had young boxers go on to the England Boxing National Schools Academy.

Snooker is also a sport with strong ties to Bristol. The tables used in the top tournaments

assembled and maintained

by World Snooker Services, a company based in Fishponds. The world governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, is also based in Bristol, and of course, Bristol’s Judd Trump has just won the Masters.

I have recently become involved in a new All-Party Snooker Group, which is campaigning for funding for snooker from Sports England the sport (it gets nothing at present) so that it can develop at grassroots level, including encouraging people with disabilities, seniors, and more women, to start playing the game.

As well as funding for grassroots sports, we also need more funding for youth services, so they can provide opportunities for young people to get involved in physical activities. Last year, I met a group of teenagers at Hillfields Youth Centre, where they play basketball on Monday evenings. The group told me they would be there every

evening, if there was the funding to open the centre for them.

Park runs are another great initiative, including the one at Eastville Park, and the juvenile Park Run. With childhood obesity at chronic levels - we now have, proportionately, more obese 11 year olds than the United States it’s great to see kids of all abilities out doing some exercise.

Involvement in sport can bring huge benefits to people and communities: an increase in mental and physical wellbeing; a route out for those at risk of criminal offending; a way of bringing people from different walks of life together; a boost to the local economy. We must ensure that grassroots sports are given the investment they need, so that no one is turned away because of a lack of provision. I’m glad the city council recognises the importance of this, and I will continue to lobby the Government for better resources too.

Kerry McCarthy MP for Bristol East

writes for Fishponds Voice If you would like to contact Kerry or her office you can call during weekdays on 0117 939 9901 (between 10am and 1pm) or email at kerry.mccarthy.mp@ parliament.uk

Fishponds Baptist Church Downend Road Bristol BS16 5AD Telephone: 07746404262 Email: stickyfishpreschool@hotmail.co.uk Website: www.stickyfishpreschool.org.uk/

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fishpondsvoice

24

March, 2019

n PLANNING THE age of virtual reality has entered the world of planning.

Of course it had to happen some time, but how it arrived was still something of a shock: One of the London boroughs now requires 3D visualisations to be submitted to accompany planning applications.

This adds proposed new buildings to an existing 3D database of the capital. Until there is an app available for viewing such information or councils are going to build something into their websites, the rest of us will have to cope with the tried and tested method of looking at plans and imagining what a 2D drawing, to scale, will look like in real life.

Looking back over my 25 years as a town planner, not much has changed in that respect: In the mid 90s, architects occasionally built models of their creations.

These tended to be submitted with planning applications and then gather dust in planning offices, as nobody was heartless enough to throw away such triumphs of handicraft. Otherwise, as I recall, everything was drawn by hand.

Then came CAD (Computer Aided

Design) and hot on its heels colour versions of plans and elevations that no longer needed to be, occasionally, hand-coloured by an architect’s technician. As planners we generally lived in a black and white world.

Since the Millenium there has been a move towards going paperfree. This led to many innovations in computer technology that most of us now take for granted as we send attachments to e-mails. But ultimately, when you are looking at some plans for an extension down the street, having been asked for your comments, there is a degree of interpretation involved before you may decide that it will affect your property or not.

And not everyone sees what is in front of them in the same way, even now that it is often in full colour. Not everyone has the same appreciation of scale and relating it to the real thing. Although I am yet to experience these 3D visualisations, I wonder whether the technology will ultimately resolve this, although it is bound to make interpretation clearer.

Even Public Inquiries can hinge

on the interpretation of plans, where both sides are trying to convince a planning inspector that, for instance, a proposed building will not be visible in the landscape.

This can come down to whether photographs are taken from eye level or ground level; whether they are properly focused; weather conditions and time of day among other factors. We all know what can be achieved with products like Photoshop and we are used to making good use of online mapping systems and Streetview.

The general level of understanding of proposals in spatial terms has no doubt developed in the last few years. But this interpretation will always be a personal thing.

Of course many planning applications in London are of an entirely different scale than for the development likely to be proposed for Fishponds. But with technology developing at such a fast pace, perhaps we are not too far away from a time when people will head to the nearest library, put on some kind of headset and be able to see exactly what the extension proposed for next door will look

Planning matters

Chris Gosling like from every possible angle. If that aids better understanding, that can only be a good thing. chrisgoslingplanning@gmail.com

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Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

fishpondsvoice

March, 2019

25

n NEWS

Dancer Anton hands over social care award TV DANCE star Anton du Beke was on hand to present a trophy to a local employer in what is being dubbed the Oscars of the adult social care sector.

Manor Community, whose head office is in Staple Hill, helps people with mental and learning disabilities at its residential home in Manor Road, Fishponds.

The team there guide people who have left psychiatric hospital on their journey to independence and enable their transition into supported living.

Now Manor Community has won a national Skills for Accolade for investing in their staff’s training and picked up their trophy from Strictly Come Dancing performer Anton du Beke at a ceremony in London.

They won the Best Employer of between 51 and 249 staff category after coming through a rigorous verification process.

Sophie Chester-Glyn, managing director at Manor Community, said: “Everyone who attended the awards ceremony were absolutely delighted when our name was read out, but it is a recognition on a national stage of the hard work our team puts in all year round.

“We are totally committed to making sure our staff can develop their skills and knowledge because we know that means the people we work with have genuine choice and control over the lives.”

The Accolades are now in their 16th year

and recognise organisations which support the learning and development needs of their workers. The competition is open to all 20,300 organisations who offer adult social care in England.

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Thursday 14th March, 6 - 8pm, MV Balmoral, M Shed, BS1 4RN

Active Retirement

How to keep fit and healthy in retirement. Try some activities!

Thursday 21st March, 6 - 8pm, Lockleaze Sports Centre, BS7 9XF

East Bristol Fair

Advice and opportunities – workshop, guest speaker, stalls.

Thursday 28th March, 6 - 8pm, The Vassall Centre, BS16 2QQ

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Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

fishpondsvoice

26

March, 2019

n PETER'S VISION

W

A workout at the Eye Gym

HAT a month we’ve had!

From the blink and you miss it snow to cycling in just a T-shirt (ok it was a tad chilly, but I’m still here) it’s definitely been a lot of fun! I will say though that as the snow fell on an Eye Hospital day, whilst our three children hit the park with a toboggan at 9am, I was busy in clinic and ended up missing the fresh snow.

It’s also been the launch of our new service for young eyes - Eye Gym. Well, what’s this you may ask. I’m always happy to answer questions about the day to day work we do helping our young & not so young patients see more clearly but this one’s a bit more focussed. For around fourteen years we’ve had a specialist interest in caring for those who have more difficulty than they should reading or seeing the school board, or getting headaches around their eyes.

Eye Gym’s all about making the process of understanding and then treating the problems much more accessible. The most common difficulties our patients report include words moving or

blurring when trying to read, loosing their place reading from a book or from the school board and generally finding their learning time more difficult than they should.

Once we’ve carried out a full vision assessment which is around an hour and includes our sophisticated eye tracking assessment, we can then explain the why of our patients' difficulties.

After this the vision training games start; one of our Vision Coaches will explain the games and our patients then go home and play them.

After a few weeks they return to see us for the next set. In no time at all really our patients and their families see the results!

If you’ve never tried a British designed (and now British made!)

pair of glasses then, well, quite frankly you really must! The feel, look and quality is like no other frames I’ve ever worn. Our patients are genuinely surprised by how light and comfortable they are I’ve heard it called every day luxury.

I can’t help but agree with this description. What are you waiting for? Come on in and try a pair. I’m at Turners confident you’llThe be team delighted!

Whether you’d like to see the superb new glasses we have for you, if you’re interested in Eye Gym or if you’d like to experience our thorough & in-depth eye care (I highly recommend an extended eye exam for each of you) - you can book to see us by calling 0117 962 2474 or 0117 965 4434. Eye exam appointments can also be booked via our website, or just pop in to our practices in Henleaze or Fishponds and say Hi! We look forward to seeing you soon!

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Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

fishpondsvoice

March, 2019

27

n VET BLOG

Look out for signs of broken heart

I

T’S a well-known fact that having a pet can help reduce the risk of heart disease in humans (lowering stress and blood pressure) but what happens when your pet’s heart doesn’t work as well as it should?

The heart is made from a unique type of muscle called ‘myocardia’. This has the phenomenal ability to not tire – well, it has to keep beating for several years, for Bowhead whales this could be around 200 years!

A heart may begin to go wrong for many reasons such as a failure with the electrical activity which tells each area of the heart when to contract, degeneration of the muscle, valves or fibres in the heart, or lack of blood flow (heart attack).

We can notice initial signs up on routine checks – usually at yearly boosters. Owners may begin to see signs such as low

energy, a wet cough, panting or difficulty breathing. Occasionally we see patients in later stages with ascites which is a fluid build-up in the abdomen. On an examination we may notice noisy lungs, murmurs (caused by malfunctioning valves in the heart), a change in mucous membrane colour, also poor pulses amongst other signs.

Typically the sooner we pick these conditions up the sooner we can get treatment started, potentially slowing down the disease process. Diagnosis can be made by clinical signs, x-rays, blood samples ,echocardiogram (ultrasound) and ECG. Treatment varies depending on the cause but will usually involve a combination of medications.

Home care will also include weight and exercise management, good diet and regular check ups. Remember it is

Willowdean Court, 247a Charlton Road, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 1LT Telephone: 0117 961 6417

ed F or t he ti

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Promoted by Pets at Home Vet Group Limited, Epsom Avenue, Handforth, SK9 3RN. Please ask in practice for further details or visit vets4pets.com/vac4life

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261 Bristol Kindswood Vac4Life Ad 120 x 180 Feb 19.indd 1

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148 15/02/2019 15:30

fishpondsvoice

28

March, 2019

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA Friday March 1 n Tea Dance, Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road. 1.45 – 3.45 pm. Pay at door.

Enquiries 075 2780 8206.

Friday March 1 n 10a.m. Frenchay Parish Church, Frenchay Common, Beckspool Road, BS16 1LJ. World Day of Prayer service written by the women of Slovenia. Lasts an hour.

Saturday March 2 n Concert by the Staines Salvation Army Band, 7pm @ Staple Hill Salvation Army, Broad Street, Bristol BS16 5LN To reserve your ticket (£5 children free) Tel: Chris 07841 511450.

Monday March 4 n Stapleton Memory Group - For people living with dementia and their carers. 4th March 1st April 2pm -4pm Stapleton Church hall, Park Road, Stapleton. Tea, Coffee and homemade cake. Music, activities, remembering the past and enjoying today. Donations welcome.

Tuesday March 5 n Speaker morning plus coffee.

Bruce Gibbs “Journey to Namibia” at Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road. 10 for 10.30 am. Pay at door £2.50. Coffee extra.

Friday March 8 n Activate Drop-in Lunchtime Concert at Fishponds Methodist Church, Guinea Lane, Fishponds, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. featuring "Bonner and Blake" Musical /Comedy Duo. Tea/coffee & biscuits available, Admission free.

Retiring Collection.

Thursday March 14 n Gardening Club Talk; Don Everitt and George Alway “Gardener’s Club Question Time” at Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road. 7.30 pm. Pay at door £3.00.

Saturday March 16 n St Patrick's Day Ceilidh, St Joseph's Church Hall from 7pm. To support renovation of the church hall. Tickets cost £15 and are available online at bit.ly/2GXOMcD. Wednesday March 20 n Phoenix Art Club are delighted to have renowned and award winning artist Paul Hardy is doing a pastels demonstration at Fishponds Methodist Church, Guinea Lane between 10 and 12am, Wednesday 20 March.

Thursday March 28 n Aged 55+ and approaching retirement, recently retired, or facing redundancy? Come along to our East Bristol Post-Retirement Opportunities Fair! This FREE event, run by LinkAge Network,

will showcase the wide range of opportunities and advice available within the areas of money, work, volunteering, learning, leisure and health & wellbeing.

Representatives from a range of organisations will be on hand at the event to provide information and advice. A guest speaker and workshop will offer attendees the opportunity to hear from those with lived experience of retirement, explore and share ideas, and meet and socialise with people at a similar stage in life. 6-8pm, The Vassall Centre, Fishponds, BS16 2QQ. Open to anyone aged 55+.

Free refreshments. Book at www. linkagenetwork.org.uk/pro or call 0117 353 3042.

Saturday March 30 n Breakfast at Speedwell Methodist Church 10am to 12 noon. Coffee and cake, a bacon roll or full breakfast. No need to hurry, and an opportunity to ask for prayer. All welcome.

Sunday April 7 n 2-8pm, Splash of Soul, featuring usual northern soul DJs, Barton Hill Rugby Club, Duncombe Road, Speedwell. £3 entry.

REGULAR EVENTS Mondays

n Holistic Massage, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 9am n Tiny Tots, All Saints Community Hall 10:30am n Bereavement and Well-being support, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 11am n Computer Group, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Table Tennis for over 55’s, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Welcome Club for Retireds+, St Aidan’s Church Hall 2pm n Zumba keep fit, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds 9.30-10.30am For details call 0734 1813 559. n Bristol Community Café 11-2pm, pop along for a cuppa, bite to eat and make new friends, everyone welcome. Barton Hill Rugby Club, Dunscombe Lane, Speedwell BS15 1NR. Tel Gill for more details 0117 9025779 n Pilates class.

The Cross Hands Pub. 7.30 8.30 p.m. Booking essential. £42 for six sessions. All levels welcome. Contact Emily on 07974 252486; email: info@ teachmepilates.co.uk or find me on facebook: Emily Osborne Pilates.

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

n Alzheimer’s choir, Beechwood Club, 11am to 1pm, Paula Shears 0117 9610693 n Sequence dancing with Teresa, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 2pm. Tel 0117 965 0203 for details. n Ballroom tuition, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 3pm.

Contact Teresa 0117 9650203 n Slimming World, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 6.309pm. Contact Ami 0746 2727 229 n Social badminton, Kingswood Leisure Centre 2-4 pm, intermediate level. n 4-8pm Ages 3 -15yrs Hip Hop classes, RedX Dance, Staple Hill, 07722 128159 Hatha Flow Yoga *NEW*MONDAY Hatha Flow Yoga, Pomphrey Hill Sports Pavillon. 7.30 - 8.30 pm. All levels welcome. Contact Yolanda 07982418847 or email at yogawithyolanda.me@gmail. com TUESDAY Hatha Flow Yoga.

Downend. Quakers Road Church Hall. 9.15 - 10.15 am (Entrance available from 9 am).

All levels welcome. Contact Yolanda 07982418847 or email at yogawithyolanda.me@gmail. com Hatha Flow Yoga. Downend.

Quakers Road Church Hall.

10.30 - 11.30 am. All levels, ideal for beginners. Contact Yolanda 07982418847 or email at yogawithyolanda.me@gmail. com WEDNESDAY Hatha Flow Yoga. St Matthias (Former UWE Campus). Steiner Academy Bristol. 7.00 - 8.00 pm. All levels welcome. Contact Yolanda 07982418847 or email at yogawithyolanda.me@gmail. com THURSDAY Hatha Flow Yoga, gentle and nurturing.

Pomphrey Hill Sports Pavillon.

10.45 - 11.45 am. All levels, ideal for beginners. Contact Yolanda 07982418847 or email at yogawithyolanda.me@gmail. com THURSDAY Hatha Flow Yoga, Pomphrey Hill Sports Pavillon.

7.00 - 8.00 pm. All levels welcome. Contact Yolanda 07982418847 or email at yogawithyolanda.me@gmail. com

Road, Fishponds, BS16 2BW. Also aimed at meeting people in the area. Run by Southmead Development Trust. First session free, £3.50 there after. Venue is wheelchair accessible and sessions are open to all. People can just turn up or contact Colette on 0117 950 3335 for more details. n 7-8pm, Zumba Dance for fitness with Lisa at Bristol Dance Company, Brook Road, Fishponds, BS16 3SQ. Tel 0117 965 6699. n 252 Beaver Scouts 6 - 7 Scout HQ, Stonechat Gardens call Sarah 0789 2852226 n Hatha Flow Yoga, gentle and nurturing. St Matthias (Former UWE Campus). Steiner Academy Bristol.

7.15 - 8.15 pm. All levels, ideal for beginners. Contact Yolanda 07982418847 or email at hola@ yogawithyolanda.me n Stapleton Afternoon Tea Memory Cafe for people living with Dementia and their carers.

Stapleton Church Hall, Park road, Stapleton, BS16 1AZ 1st Monday of the Month, 4th February, 4th March , 1st April 2pm -4pm . Just come along n Speedwell Community Café 12-3pm, pop along for a cuppa, bite to eat and make new friends, everyone welcome. Barton Hill Rugby Club, Duncombe Lane, Speedwell, BS15 1NU. Tel Gill for more details 0117 9025779

Tuesdays

n Bristol Blues Club. Live blues/ rock music at 9pm in the Downend Tavern. Local, national and international musicians. https://bristolbluesclub.wixsite. com/mysite n Nordic Walking Classes, Oldbury Court 9.30-10.30am. Email: bristolnordicwalking.co.uk to book your place n Fishponds Friendship and Exercise Club.Fishponds Baptist Church (scout hall) 10-11.30am each Tuesday.

Chair based gentle exercise for older people.Tea, coffee, friendly chat. Instructor: Spencer Davies. Telephone 07825 155954. n Morning Prayer, St John’s Church

Gentle Hatha Flow & Well Woman Yoga

Find more freedom, flexibility and strength in body, mind and spirit Restore balance and energy

Fishponds Vassal Centre

5:45-6:45pm (Gentle Hatha Flow) 7-8pm (Women’s Hatha Yoga)

Frenchay Quaker House

Thursdays 10-11am & 11.15-12.15pm (Gentle Hatha Flow)

Block price £6/Drop in £7/6.50 concession Beginners welcome

n 4-4.45pm, introduction to exercise, All Saints Church, Grove

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

How to book/contact details:

www.letgoyoga.co.uk/07904073535

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

fishpondsvoice

March, 2019 9:15am n Foot Care Sessions, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 9:30am n Coffee and Craft Morning, St John’s Church 10am n Sing and Sign for babies / toddlers, All Saints Community Hall 10am n Level 1 Walking Group, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10am n Music for Toddlers, St Mary’s Parish Rooms 10:30am n Lunch Club, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 12:30pm n Film Club for over 55’s, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Pre-school Storytime/ Rhymetime, Fishponds Library 2.15-2.45pm n Eucharist with signing for the Deaf, Hillside Court, Batten Road, St George, Bristol, BS5 8NL 3pm n Messy Church, Fishponds CofE Academy 3:15pm n Woodcraft , All Saints Church Hall/Link 6pm n Evening Prayer, St Aidan’s Church 7pm n Evening Prayer, St Ambrose Church 7pm n Frenchay Parent and Toddler group, upstairs in the Frenchay Village Hall, 9.45-11.45am n Scouts (10-14 years), Fishponds Baptist Church Youth Hall. 7.309pm (Term Time only) Email: 151bristolscouts@gmail.com n Slimming World, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 9.30am to midday, Call Ami 0746 2727 229 n Diabetes UK, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 6.15-8.15pm.

Meeting in small room. n Zumba, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 7-8pm.

Contact Anna 0779 9180 437 n Badminton, Downend Sports Centre 8 -10pm. Call 0117 9400706.

Email: ridgewaydownend@yahoo. co.uk n ‘Friends and Neighbours’, Fishponds Methodist Church Hall, Guinea Lane, 2 - 4pm alternate Tuesdays. A friendly, sociable group, usually with a speaker and followed by a cup of tea. n Staple Hill Probus Club meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at Downend Cricket Club.

10.30am-12.45pm. Tea and coffee from 10am n 8.15pm Fitness Yoga (beginners & improvers) at Beechwood Club.

Your first class is free! To book call/text Nikki 07525 735500 or email nikki@urban-yoga.net n Staple Hill Probus Club meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at Downend Cricket Club.

10.30am-12.45pm. Tea and coffee from 10am n Pilates classes, Steiner Academy, Oldbury Court Road, 7-8pm, £6.50 Bring an exercise/yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. 07952

941 531 n 4-8pm Ages 8 -25 yrs Hip Hop & Contemporary dance classes, RedX Dance, Staple Hill, 07722 128159. n Willow Ladies Club Downend, meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 10am-11.30am at the Assembly Rooms, Salisbury Road, Downend. Guest speakers, outings, new members welcome for ladies of any age. n Under 5s Make a Mess session Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10.15am £5 / £4 extra siblings. www.childrensscrapstore.co.uk / 0117 9143002 n New session for Under 5s has space for structured making, free play and exploration - 1.45-2.45pm every week £5 / £4 extra siblings www.childrensscrapstore.co.uk / 0117 9143002 n Under 5s Make a Mess session Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10.15am £5 / £4 extra siblings. www.childrensscrapstore.co.uk / 0117 9143002 n Monthly social meet up for disabled people at the Old Post Office pub, Fishponds Road. Open and friendly group, meets second Tuesday of month 6-7.30pm. Part of WECIL's peer support community - www.wecil.co.uk. n 10.15am, Under 5s Make A Mess session, Children's Scrapstore, Sevier Street, St Werburghs. £5 / £4 extra siblings, www. childrensscrapstore.co.uk / 0117 914 3002. n Shared reading group, 3.30-5pm, Hillfields Library, Summerleaze, Bristol, BS16 4HL n Shared reading group, 3.30-5pm, Hillfields Library, Summerleaze, Speedwell, BS16 4HL. Ask at the library for more details: 0117 9038576 n Speedwell Community Café 11am-2pm, pop along for a cuppa, bite to eat and make new friends, everyone welcome. Barton Hill Rugby Club, Dunscombe Lane, Speedwell BS15 1NR. Tel Gill for more details 0117 9025779 n 69th St Joseph's Scout Group at St Joseph's Church Hall, Forest Road, Fishponds.

Beavers 5pm-6pm, Cubs 6pm7.30pm, Scouts 7.30pm-8.30pm.

Email stjosephscoutgroup@ hotmail.com for more details.

Wednesdays

n 252 Cubs 6.45 - 8 Scout HQ, Stonechat Gardens call Graham 956 6996 n 7.30-8.30pm, Zumba Dance for fitness with Lisa at Bristol Dance Company, Brook Road, Fishponds, BS16 3SQ. Tel 0117 965 6699. n Weekly Salsa class for complete beginners with Cressida. Starting Sep 6. Cross Hands Pub, 1 Staple Hill Road. 7.30-9pm includes social

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

29

and dancing. No partner needed.

Ffi call 07808 581739 n Songs for Little People, The Kingfisher Café 9.45pm £4 per little person, siblings £2. n Eucharist, St Ambrose Church 10am n Arts and Crafts, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10:30am n Coffee Morning, St Ambrose Church 10:30am n Tai Chi, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 11am n Level 3 Walking Group, starting from St Ambrose Beehive Centre 1pm n Arts and Crafts, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 1:30pm n Punjabi Dance and Song, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Support and Activity Group, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Chair based exercise class, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Ladies Circle, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2:30pm n Wives Group, St John’s Church 2:30pm n Messy Church, Air Balloon Primary School, Hillside Rd, St George 3:30pm n Home Group, Location varies 6:30pm n Phoenix Art Club, Fishponds Methodist Church Hall, Guinea

Lane, Fishponds 10am-noon. All mediums, all abilities. n Dancing Tots, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 10-11am n Hannah More Club for senior citizens, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 2-4pm (fortnightly) n Women’s Reading Group, Beechwood Club, 1.30-3 pm, fourth Wednesday of every month.

Call Anne 0117 9041875 for information. n 5.45pm Fitness Yoga (beginners & improvers) at Beechwood Club.

Your first class is free! To book call/text Nikki 07525 735500 or email nikki@urban-yoga.net n Dance Tots, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR 7-8pm.

Contact Eric 0791 4006 589 n Keep fit class, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 7- 8pm.

Contact Beryl 0117 9774534. n Cycle UK (CTC). For all cyclists from beginners to professionals, commuters to sports. Beechwood Club, Fishponds, BS16 3TR. 8-10PM winter months only (other months are rides, see http://www. cyclebristolctc.org.uk/) n Yoga, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds 5.45-

Continued on next page

COME AND BOOK YOUR MOTHER’S DAY APPOINTMENTS’ OR TREAT YOUR MUM WITH ONE OF OUR GIFT VOUCHERS

[[ 607 Fishponds Road, Bristol BS16 3AA

Call us on: 0117 9650829

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

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30

March, 2019

n WHAT’S ON 6.45pm. Call Nikki 0752 5735 500 n Flower Arranging practice classes, Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road 7.30 p.m, every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, September – May. All levels welcome. Call Isabel Cooke on 0117 9568504 n Frenchay Probus Club meets on the first and third Wednesday every month in Frenchay Village Hall.

10 am to noon. Visitors welcome. www.frenchayprobusclub.com n Frenchay Folk Dance Club meets in Frenchay Village Hall on alternate Wednesdays at 7.45pm.

Calling from Alan Davies and music by Mike Elsom. Dancers of all abilities and experience are welcome. Information at www. frenchayfdc.co.uk or by emailing FFDCSecretary@outlook.com. n Frenchay Folk Dance Club meets in Frenchay Village Hall on alternate Wednesdays at 7.45pm.

More information is available at www.frenchayfdc.co.uk or by emailing FFDCSecretary@outlook. com. n 10-1130am Oldland Common Friendship & Exercise Club meet weekly for gentle exercise at The Community Building (rear of Redfield Edge School), High Street, Oldland Common, BS30 9TL. Contact Spencer on 07825 155954 n Pilates classes.

All Saints Church Hall 10.15 - 11.15 a.m. and 6.45 - 7.45 p.m. Booking essential. £42 for six sessions. All levels welcome. Contact Emily on 07974 252486; email: info@ teachmepilates.co.uk or find me on facebook: Emily Osborne Pilates. n Frenchay Probus Club meets on the first and third Wednesday every month in Frenchay Village Hall. 10 am to noon. Visitors welcome.

Est 1984

n 6-6.50pm All Boys Ages 7 -15 yrs Hip Hop classes, RedX Dance, Staple Hill, 07722 128159 n Diamond fellowship at Fishponds Baptist Church hall, Downend Road, 10.30am. Open to everyone, first and third Wednesdays every month. Variety of speakers, coffee mornings and annual day out and Christmas meal. Contact 0117 9653421. n Phoenix Art Club, Fishponds Methodist Church Hall, Guinea Lane, Fishponds 10am to noon. All mediums, all abilities, all welcome. n Hatha Flow Yoga. St Matthias (Former UWE Campus). Steiner Academy Bristol. 7.00 - 8.00 pm. All levels welcome. Contact Yolanda 07982418847 or email at hola@ yogawithyolanda.me.

Thursdays n Dance Fit with Cressida.

Beechwood Club, Beechwood Rd. Easy pace weekly exercise class with range of dance steps and music. 2pm-3pm plus tea and chat. Starting Sep 7. Ffi call 07808 581739. n Yoga class for beginners.

Lincombe Barn, Overndale Rd, Downend. 6.30-8pm.Traditional yoga postures with focus on breathing and relaxation. Contact before: katarzyna48@hotmail.com or 0752 5937201. n 252 Scouts 6.30 - 8 Scout HQ, Stonechat Gardens call Graham 956 6996 n Morning Prayer - St Aidans Church 9:15am n Body toning/conditioning , Beechwood Club 9.30-10.30am.

Call Sabrina 0794 1353 735 n Coffee and Craft Morning , St Aidan’s Church 10am n Free Beginners Computer Classes, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10am n Eucharist, St John’s Church 10am n Eucharist, St Mary’s Church 10am

La Porta Barbering Company

n Parent and Toddler Group, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10am n Ballroom Dance Class, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 12pm n Exercises and Sing-a-long Activity Session, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Fit Steps, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Dance, Latin Rhythm, and Zumba gold, Beechwood Club 2-3pm. Call Cressida 0780 8587 39 n Knit & Natter, Fishponds Library 2-4 pm (fortnightly) n Frenchay Parent and Toddler group, upstairs in the Frenchay Village Hall, 9.45-11.45am n The Senior Citizen Friendship Club, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR 3.30-5pm. Call 0782 5155 954. Email: Spencer@sportingchange.biz n Come and try Taoist Tai Chi, a moving meditation to improve the health of our bodies and minds.

We have classes in Fishponds and Kingswood - come and try your first class for free!

Fishponds Methodist Church, Guinea Lane, BS16 2HB Thursdays 7-8.30 Kingswood Community Centre, High Street BS15 4AB Tuesdays 1012 or Wednesdays 7-8.30pm For more information see www. taoist.org or call Crispin on 07407175127 n Fishponds and Downend Rotary Club, The Langley Arms, Guest Avenue, Emersons Green, Bristol BS16 7GA, evening. Full details on website - Google “F&D Rotary” and look for homepage. n Baby Bebop Mums, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds 11am-1pm, babies up to one year.

Call Ruth 0796 6032 414 n East Park Residents meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month at May Park School from 6-7pm. . Further information from Hazel Durn on 0117 9513868 or Tony Locke on 07919 173450

n 4.15-7pm Competition Crew Ages 7-18 yrs Hip Hop classes, RedX Dance, Staple Hill, 07722 128159 n 7-9pm Kingswood Choir at United Church Kingswood, Regent Street, all abilities welcome.

Contact Patsy Holdsworth 01179078994 n 9.30am Fitness Yoga (beginners & improvers) at Beechwood Club.

Your first class is free! To book call/text Nikki 07525 735500 or email nikki@urban-yoga.net n Under 5s Make a Mess session Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10.15am £5 / £4 extra siblings. www.childrensscrapstore.co.uk / 0117 9143002. n Fishponds Probus Club, Fishponds Club, Fishponds Road at 10 am. on the first and third.

Thursdays in each month.For information, please telephone the Secretary, Malcolm Forbes, on 01179 836886. Vacancies available for retired professional/business gentlemen. Call Graham Hawkins 0117 956 1846. n Riff Raff Choir - The Cross Hands Pub. 7.30-9.30pm. Pop and rock, mixed choir. All voice parts taught by ear. Everyone welcome - no audition. Booking essential. FREE taster session at start of term. £80 for 10 week term. www.

RiffRaffChoir.co.uk n 930-11am or 1115-1245pm Staple Hill Friendship & Exercise Club meet weekly for gentle exercise at Staple Hill Methodist Church (Hall), High Street, Staple Hill, BS16 5HQ. Contact Spencer on 07825 155954 n Fishponds and Downend Rotary Club. We meet at the Langley Arms on Guest Avenue and welcome visitors on the following Thursdays: 1st and 4th Thursday - Fellowship Meetings 19:00 for 19:15, 3rd Thursday - Speaker Meeting 19:00 for 19:30. Please email Contact@ FandDRotary.Club to make

Est 1984

Traditional Gents Barbers 525 Fishponds Rd, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3AH

0117 965 1220

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

fishpondsvoice

March, 2019

n WHAT’S ON

arrangements. n Kingswood Community Café 12-3pm, pop along for a cuppa, bite to eat and make new friends, everyone welcome. KVA, Kingswood Community Centre, High Street, BS15 4AB. Tel Gill for more details 0117 9025779

Fridays n Coffee Morning from 10.30am11.30am at Fishponds Methodist Church, Guinea Lane. Entrance through main church door.

Greeting cards and preserves on sale in aid of St Peter's Hospice. n Nordic Walking Classes, Oldbury Court 9.30-10.30am. Contact bristolnordicwalking.co.uk to book. n The Friday Playgroup, All Saints Community Hal 10-11.30 am in termtime. £2.50 + 50p per sibling; includes kids' snacks and drinks and tea and coffee.

See the Facebook page or email fishpondsfridayplaygroup@gmail. com n Line Dancing, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10:30am n Rhymetime for babies and toddlers, Hillfields Library 11.30amnoon n Senior Citizens Bingo Club with optional fish and chip lunch, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 12pm n The First Friday Film Club - All Saints Church Hall, 2pm n Taekwondo, St John’s Church Hall 5:30pm n Grove Road Youth Club, All Saints Community Hall 7pm n Sensible keep fit to music for older ladies. Hillfields Park Baptist Church, Thicket Avenue, Fishponds 9am. Good company and a chat over coffee. Call 0117 9561231. n High density Zumba, Beechwood Club, Fishponds 6.157.15pm. Call Anna 0779 9180 437 n Zumba, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 9.30-10.30pm n Alzheimer’s group, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 2-4pm 2nd Friday in month, n Zumba keep fit, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 9.3010.30am. Call Sally 0771 2776 753 n Baby Bebop (Mums / Babies up to 1 year old) Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 11am-1pm.

Contact Ruth 0796 6032 414 n Alzheimer’s meetings Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 2-4pm (2nd Friday in each month). Tel no. 0117 9756 441 n Coffee Morning, Speedwell Methodist Church, 10am-noon.

Open to all. Friendly and caring.

Lunch once a month. n Community art club at Castle Suite, Badminton Gardens, Beaufort Road BS16 6UE. 10am-

noon on alternate Fridays.

Alternate Fridays. £5 per session and materials are supplied. Contact Paul Foss on pobble57@yahoo. co.uk or 0117 957 0045 n Kingswood Photographic Society, St Barnabas Church Hall, Church Avenue, Warmley, BS30 5JJ, 7-9.30pm. We welcome and support all levels of experience including beginners. n 4.10-8pm Ages 6-18 yrs Hip Hop & Contemporary dance classes, RedX Dance, Staple Hill, 07722 128159 n Living After Loss, St Mary's Parish Rooms, back entrance of church, every other Friday, 11am-noon.

Contact Lizzie on 0117 9650856 n Every second Friday of the month, 4-6 pm. Messy church with crafts, celebration and meal.

Stapleton church hall, Park Road.

Further details on Facebook or you can email youngpeople@ holytrinitystapleton.org.uk n Longwell Green Community Café 12-3pm, pop along for a cuppa, bite to eat and make new friends, everyone welcome. All Saints Reform Church, 83 Bath Road, opposite Aldi, BS30 9DF. Tel Gill for more details 0117 9025779

Saturdays n Pilates class.

All Saints Church Hall, Grove Road. 9.15 - 10.15 a.m. Drop-in class, no booking necessary.

All levels welcome. £7 per class. Contact Emily on 07974 252486; email: info@ teachmepilates.co.uk or find me on facebook: Emily Osborne Pilates. n Diabetes group, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 2-4pm, 2nd Saturday, 2 monthly, September n Rehabilitation Pilates (Beginners), Lincombe Barn, Downend Folk House, in Britannia room. 9am. £7. Samantha 07736 309272, www.gentlefitness.co.uk n Life Universecity LC soul health and wellness education classes, 12.30 -2pm Fishponds Old Library, Fishponds Rd. Rolling Administration 1st Saturdays of the month (except Jul –Aug / Dec –Jan) For info or to register Tel: 07508390298/Email: life. universecity@gmail.com n 10-11 am Saturday Sports Club for 4-8 year olds at Mangotsfield Primary School, Church Farm Road, Emersons Green, BS16 7EY. Introducing children to sport through a range of activities/ sports. £5 per session. Discounted if pay termly. Contact Spencer on 07825 155954 / info@ sportingchance-pt.co.uk

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

31

n Monthly Bric a Brac and Clothing Sale at Stapleton Baptist Church, Broom Hill, Stapleton. It is held on the 1st Saturday of each month, from 10am til 12pm. Refreshments available in the Hall. Dog friendly, everyone welcome.

Sundays n Morning Worship and children’s activities, Speedwell Methodist Church, 378 Speedwell Road.

10.30am n Morning Worship, New Place, Eastville Methodist Church, Fishponds Road. 10.45am. Holy Communion once a month. n Eucharist, All Saints Church 8am n Eucharist, St Mary’s Church 10am with Giggle Club in Parish Rooms n Eucharist, St Ambrose Church 10am n Eucharist or Lay-Led Service, St Michael’s Church 10am n Eucharist or Lay-Led Service, St Aidan’s Church 10:30am n Eucharist or Lay-Led Service, St John’s 10:30am n Eucharist or Lay-Led Service, All Saints Church 10.30am n All Sorts Youth Group, St Aidan’s Church hall 6pm(fortnightly) n Evensong , St Mary’s Church 6:30pm n Worship, Staple Hill Methodist Church 10.30am and 6pm. A creche is available for little ones and Sunday Club. Taize Worship second Sunday evening of month and communion first morning and evening of month. 0117 957 5221 n Fishponds Baptist Church (opposite the Cross Hands pub) - 10.30am. Children and youth provision for all ages. 6.30pm every Sunday, apart from the 3rd Sunday in the month which is ‘Messy church’ at 4pm y.There is a songs of praise service on the 4th Sunday at 3pm. n Redemption Life, Beechwood Club, BS16 3TR 9.30am-1pm n Church Group, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR 1pm

n ARC, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 3.30-5.30pm or 7-9pm For bookings, call Terry King 0117 965 020, after 4pm. email: tk007h9736@blueyonder. co.uk n Morning Worship, Fishponds Methodist Church, 10.30am n R.F.I.Church Group, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds 1-3pm n Sisters fellowship international, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds 4-6pm. n Weekly Meeting for Worship 10.30 - 11.30, all welcome, With Children's Meeting 1st. and 3rd. Sundays, Frenchay Quaker Meeting House, Beckspool Road, BS16 1NT n All Age Worship featuring the band, choir and children at Staple Hill Salvation Army, Staple Hill n Shortwood Methodist Church worship, 2.45pm, all welcome n Morning Worship, Mangotsfield and Castle Green United Reformed Church, Cossham Street, Mangotsfield10.30am.

Women's Section Royal British Legion RBL welcomes ladies of all ages. We meet on a Wednesday afternoon fortnightly with speakers and visits. We meet from 2-4pm at the old school in Page Road, Staple Hill. It is also known as the Foundation.

Entry is at the end of the building by Page Park car park.

We meet every two weeks on a Wednesday at 2.00pm Tel 0117 9560805 for more information, Speakers and outings for 2019 already booked everyone welcome any age. Tel 956 0805 for info.

L L L OY D B O T T OM S chartered accountants

118 High Street, Staple Hill, BS16 5HH www.lloydbottoms.co.uk Local accountants, offering a friendly and personal accountancy and taxation service to individuals and businesses.

Contact us now! — Free initial consultation

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Freephone 0800 781 8783

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32

March, 2019

n GARDENING

H

AVING waited for what seems like a lifetime for another winter to pass, with its damp cold days interspersed with a very brief flurry of snow, everything is now rushing towards summer like a steam train hurtling through the season. The best thing about this month as I’ve said before and will for many years to come, daylight saving ends!

There are few times of the year that I enjoy more than coming home of an evening knowing that there are hours left before the sun draws me back indoors. By then the trees are just about to come into leaf and we get the real feeling that summer is just round the corner.

In mid February I start sowing again, apart from a few chillies that were started off in January, and it’ll be like this for another five or six months. Timing is often misrepresented by the seed manufacturers giving shorter seasons and sometimes illogical instructions. The only reason that I can think is that they try to cover themselves by suggesting only times that are most likely

The city gardener

By Tim Barton to produce results for most of the country. But the climate in Cornwall is vastly different or that in Yorkshire and so it’s obvious that a single instruction for germinating seeds is going to be wrong somewhere. I’m lucky enough to have access to a poly tunnel on my allotment plot, this is something that after only a year I’ve come to rely on to get a head start on seedlings and with this or almost any other type of protection from cold frames to cloches you can extend your seasons enormously.

As an example, from a comment that a friend made about planting carrots in September I planted some in October.

You certainly won’t find that recommendation from many sources but I can tell you that they’ve not only overwintered but

Thingwall park allotment shop

Come by for a friendly chat and to see how you might and on Sunday 10 - 12 plot benefit Saturday from taking an allottment

Come by for a friendly chat, find out about the allotment and see how you can help.

• Organic peat free compost • Grow bags • Flower and vegetable seeds • Fertilisers • Local honey • Netting and ground cover • Bird feeders and seed This month:

Red and white onion sets, shallots, garlic, elephant garlic and many varieties of seed potatoes.

Shop

all

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in Th

rk Pa

are now happily growing again.

Apart from very tender plants the biggest problem that you’ll have with plants out of season is getting them going in the first place. Seeds need a little warmth to give the enzymes a kick start and take them out of dormancy, but as soon as they’re going you just need to give them a bit of light and protect them from the worst of the elements.

Space has always been my biggest issue, mostly due to an insatiable desire to germinate everything that comes to hand.

There is something in me that breaks my heart to have to dispose of healthy seedlings. I’ve got better over the years though, I’ve had to as the stock of plants that I have grows I know that I need fewer of more things. I still shed a tear each time I have to kill my excess plants.

Another often incorrect piece of data that seed packets propose is to do with the spacing of plants, again I can only think that this is a catchall failsafe that reduces the iminent complaints from bad results?

It’s true that there plants fare better they’re spaced correctly but I find that the specific details given on seed packets, and they’re more forgiving than the RHS exam papers, are to be taken as a vague guideline at best. When I’m sowing seed in drills or planting out modules the measurement that I use is whatever is at hand, many of my vegetables are planted the length of a trowel apart, or sometimes the width of my hand or even a stick that I’ve found.

Lift and divide herbaceous perennials if they’re getting big Start to mow the lawn again if you haven’t already, they can also be reseeded later in the month if it’s mild Mulch and hoe or hand pick weeds as they’ll be starting to grow with vigor Deadhead daffodils as they fade, but leave the foliage to die naturally. The plant will need these to store energy for next year.

Top dress alpines with gravel to help prevent stem rot and to show them off nicely Remove netting from ponds that was there to protect against Autumn leaf fall This is a good time to plant roses and to prune established ones before the leaves unfurl Sow broad beans, celeriac, leeks, onions, lettuce, spinach, peas, early brassicas, coriander. But why not try something odd, you never know what might happen.

ur

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e wk

Ha yR

What works best is personal and comes from experience but whatever you use will most likely do, just don’t bother with a tape measure.

The slugs will out in force so protect your seedlings and new shoots from them, this year I’m trying a solution of 1 crushed garlic clove steeped in 1 litre of water sprayed on them. So far it’s working but I’ll report back as we go on

oa d

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

https://www.gracelands.garden

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

March, 2019

33

n FISHPONDS MUM

Making a great plot for a tot There are so many allotment spots in Fishponds and in them you’ll find a great many people with children and a community atmosphere. From anarchist allotmenters to bee keepers, those with tidy rows to those who specialise in ‘no-dig’; you’ll find the organics who have spurned ALL chemicals from their plots – whatever your preference, there is a plot out there for you. In our local allotments there is a fully equipped shop, an orchard with an annual apple day and a gaggle of children who are plucking potatoes from the earth. It is great for children to build dens, discover badger latrines and find frogs right next to their feet.

I’ve found it pretty hard to do anything on an allotment with a child under two, but I have witnessed other (better) parents swiftly strapping them into a slingand weeding away. We allotmented when the baby was asleep, as they do in Scandinavia, and got on with the many jobs there were to do on our allotment but it is short lived when the baby wakes up. I’ve set my allotment up so that there is plenty for my daughter to do. Without this, in my view, there is little point. I spent most of her second year helping to keep her alive as she fell on bits of wood and tripped over uneven ground.

Now, at three, she has her own little section where she can sprinkle all sorts of seeds, bulbs, dig away and make mud pies and generally do as she pleases.

She has discovered all sorts of things about the world and conservation that otherwise I

would have found it a challenge to explain. She understands where food comes from, the irony of growing potatoes in the earth, even though we don’t eat mud.

She picks pears from trees and eats them straight away. Ready or not.

She notices when it is going to rain before I do.

Don’t get me wrong, The Good Life, this is not. I go armed with sandwiches crisps and flasks and make a picnic out of it. This often takes longer than the work we do down there.

A shed is an essential item. We have a shed filled with all sorts of things to keep her occupied whilst we generally weed and harvest surprisingly very little considering the amounts of hours put in to bring something forth.

This year, I’m specialising in fruit

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

and vegetables that are no trouble, easy to grow: the handsome courgette, blushing raspberries (a new raspberry every time you go), Squash, onions, spinach, potatoes.

Things which, once planted, will grow anyway, with or without you there. These are a good start.

In spring time, we used to be going off on mini-breaks but now we seem to have lots of weekends free which is ideal for spending digging the earth and planting things. It’s pretty good exercise.

It’s hard not to be active on an allotment plot.

What is rather lovely is that if you build it, they come. Ours is full of wildlife, bees, birds, insects - I’m sure there is also an army of hidden rats …

Allomenting was an especially healthy thing for me to do when

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

I was ill and was recovering from lots of miscarriages. Somehow, preparing the soil for something to grow was something I could actually do. It was very satisfying to watch seeds grow into plants and bear fruit when I was struggling to get pregnant. Success and change are instant in an allotment– you dig, it looks different.

Digging outdoors can be very helpful to ward off depression and make small changes whilst reflecting in your head. The growth of plants and vegetables are great too for logging time.

Post-miscarriage, all I wanted to do was to be pregnant again and it seemed to take an age for my body to recover. Watching plants grow a little bit every week helped me to move on. For me, it grew a little bit of hope that I might be able to grow a child again.

There are waiting lists but they move quite quickly. Ours is about £45 per year for half a plot, which is ample for a tired parent. Go for a whole one if you are feeling ambitious and have recently had a good night’s sleep.

If you want an allotment, contact the Bristol City Council allotment team at https://www. bristol.gov.uk/museums-parkssports-culture/apply-for-anallotment They offer cost of plot discounts if you are receiving housing benefit and council tax reductions. You even receive a discount if the plot is very overgrown.

• If you have a story or an event you would like Fishponds Mum to cover contact: clairesstewart@gmail.com

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fishpondsvoice

34

March, 2019

n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

‘Human anger does not produce the right answer from God.’ (James 1 : 19 paraphrased) A WHILE back, as I was doing some work as chaplain with one of our main national orchestras, I was asked by one of the musicians : ‘What can you provide for the likes of me that isn’t about church or God?’ When I mentioned ‘anger management’, he sounded quite surprised as he calmed down and said ‘Ah’.

I never did have him as client for anger management, but readers might be interested to know what I would have offered.

My starting point for each person will be different, because it will depend on where their anger is coming from. In some situations, it will be right to encourage anger. That is not to encourage violence against another human being, but it can be a very great relief to thrash a bush in your own garden. If we have been dealt a

great injustice, there is a volcano of helplessness that needs release.

Crying or shouting in the middle of a wide open space out of earshot of other people is a great way of getting this out of your system, like a safety valve.

The danger, of course is, that most anger is likely to be directed against another human being or a human institution. It may even be directed against ‘God’.

The bitterness of grief is a type of anger. The cry of Jesus from the cross, ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me’ is one such appeal to a God who is felt to be distant at that moment.

In the end, for all that secular techniques may offer, there is actually a uniquely Christian answer to the problem of our anger. It lies in the title to this article. So who has gone through

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betrayal, abandonment, suffering false witness, and even torture and death, yet through all this suffering, produced God’s right answer? I.e. justice, resolution and peace? If we knew this person, could we follow in their wake, taking all of our anger the same route, and having it dealt with?

I say, ‘a uniquely Christian answer’, because Jesus is God’s answer that resolves all injustice and offers true peace of body, mind and spirit. When He went to His death, He did so praying, ‘Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’. On the cross where He was crucified, there was a fully human man being God in His suffering. Did death rule the day? No, death was overcome, as on the third day and many times after that, Jesus appeared to His disciples.

Rev Charles Sugden Rector of Frenchay and Stapleton parishes.

So, without forgiveness of our enemies, anger can remain like a cancer eating away at our very sanity. With forgiveness we may appear to have let the offender off. But we know that, in a day God chooses, everyone will have to give account to Him for what they have done in their body. We can remain liberated.

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35

n FRIENDS OF EASTVILLE PARK

Spring is bursting out all over ...

SPRING is upon us and the ducks and geese start to think about finding their perfect partners.

This year, there’s some excitement around the pair of owls that have taken up residence on Tawny Island. If you want to catch a glimpse of them you’ll need to come down soon before the trees take on their foliage and hide the birds from view. If this pair are breeding, the arrival of young will be so wonderful and will certainly go down as a first in the history of Eastville Park. We don’t have a steady pair of swans on the lake but there’s time yet. The cormorants are keeping visitors enthralled with their displays of diving and fishing skills, while the heron can often be seen standing vigil at the lily pond with a sharp eye and even sharper bill ready to pounce on any fish that comes just that little bit too close.

The Friends’ project to encourage visitors to offer seed mixes rather than bread to the waterfowl seems to have paid dividends. The Friends group, supported by a grant from the Greener with Greggs fund, have recently bought and sited several bird feeders around the park which are proving popular. In a short while, from the same fund, we will be establishing another coir roll ‘lily pond’ at the other end of the lake which will be planted out with a rich variety of aquatic plants.

The structure affords protection and security for the ducks and also adds an interesting feature to the lake landscape.

Following on from the wildflower meadow sowing at the end of last year, there will be further work in 2019 to add more areas in Everest Road and Redhill Drive fields which will go a long way to provide for and protect a wide range of species for the years ahead.

‘Hedge for the Future’. Sounds like financial advice I know but we’re talking about 200 native hedge whips planted along a stretch of the upper park by Parkwork and volunteers a couple of weeks ago. Really looking forward to watching them establish and become a permanent feature.

The works to underpin the crumbling concrete walls close to the weir are complete and the protective fencing has been

removed. The newly sown grass is looking good and this spring we’ll be planting reed beds in the river along that stretch.

A lot of work has been going on near the tennis courts and playground at the top of the park and we’re delighted to announce that soon we’ll have a spanking new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA). The contractors have nearly finished so look out for basketball, 5 a side, netball, handball and more. Access and use is free and we anticipate that local youngsters will at last have a quality facility to call their own.

The Frome Fairies are waking from their winter naps and our regular weekend river sessions to remove litter from the river have started. Please visit our FB for details of next dates.

The controversial Electric Vehicle Charging Hub with toilet and refreshment facilities was approved through planning and we are waiting to hear when work will start on the installation. Several trees have been felled in readiness for the project and there were some emotional moments as the chainsaws went to work.

In March, we are looking forward to a project to refurbish the Old Swimming Pool as a joint venture between the Friends, Eastville Park Young Rangers and Parkwork.We’d love to hear from anyone who’d like to join us on the project.

We are poring over catalogues of playground equipment looking for examples of what will work best in the play area. We’ve been saving up for a while now and are confident that the new pieces will add real benefit and be very popular with our younger visitors who have been deprived of decent

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

equipment for years. We are very keen that our choices appeal to children with a wide range of physical abilities too.

Without volunteers, the Friends Group would not exist.

Several years ago, a lot of work went into producing a bid for lottery funding for improvements. The bid was not successful but a lot was learned from the process.

We are about to embark on a 2019 bid for Heritage funds which will enable us to look at upgrades to the playground, visitor facilities and do what we can to preserve and protect some of the history and heritage of

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

the park . We care passionately about the preservation of some of the remaining Victorian features around the Bowling Club, the World War II Nissen Building and of course, the Boating Lake. We would dearly love to hear from anyone who has experience of writing bids and could spare some of their time to assist us. FriendsofEastvillePark@ gmail.com On the subject of history, we recently acquired a treasure trove of research on the park from John Penny, creator of the now dormant Fishponds Local History Society.

Over the years John has collected some fascinating and wonderful information, photos and drawings dating back to 1900. We’re having great fun going through them and you can see most of the collection on A History of Eastville Park FB page.

The Parkie

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

36

March, 2019

n SPORT

Elite success for Ellouise and Jude TWO young fighters at a Fishponds boxing club have achieved elite-level success.

Ellouise Challenger, 16, lifted the National 69k Youth title with a first round stoppage over former European Gold medallist Jessica Williams, of Selby, at the England Boxing National Youth Championships in Banbury, Oxfordshire. It means four-time National Champion Ellouise will have a great chance of representing England in the European championships later this year.

Jude Moore, 15, had great news when he had a call from head England coach Amanda Coulson to represent England against Wales in Portsmouth on March 2. It will be Jude's third England appearance, ahead of his own National Championships bout in March.

Both Bristol boxers train at Downend Boxing Club based at the Harry Crook centre in Fishponds.

Three other club members

their high level of

Ellouise Challenger, Bradley Smith, Jack Oram and Taylor Andrews after their bouts in Banbury also featured in the youth championships.

Bradley Smith, 18, seemed very hard done by to lose a split decision against Mahab Miah, despite the Rochdale boxer being given two public warnings for a low head.

Downend 16 year olds Jack

Oram and Taylor Andrews drew top England internationals, Jack meeting Patris Mughalazi and Taylor taking on Simon O'Donnell, both of Hooks boxing club in London.

Right from the word go, the guys went for their Elite-level opponents with no respect for

experience, following game plans to the letter and not relenting.

Downend coach Craig Turner said: “Despite losing points decisions, developmentally the experience and excellent performances from both guys were amazing, against top class opposition.”

Silver at Golden Girl championships THREE boxers from Downend Boxing Club took part in the female-only Golden Girl championships in Sweden at the end of January.

Fresh from her victory in her first international bout against Ireland at Bristol’s City Hall in January, reported in last month’s Voice, Ellouise Challenger was joined by two other young hopefuls, 15-year-old Morgan Baber and Georgia Williams, 17, at the world-class championship in Boras.

Ellouise won her semi-final by unanimous decision against Danish boxer Anna Rasmussen, while Morgan overcame a bout of glandular fever late last year to lose a tight points decision in her final, with Georgia Williams also taking the silver in hers.

In her final Ellouise faced the massive talent of the Thai national champion Baison Manikon, losing on a 3-2 split decision.

Team manager Jo Turner said: “Three silver medals against that level of international opponent is just superb.”

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Boxers Ellouise Challenger, Morgan Baber and Georgia Williams with coaches Jo Turner and Grainne Quinn

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fishpondsvoice

March, 2019

37

n ON THE TREATMENT TABLE

The best ice is in a glass!

AFTER trekking through the snow and arctic conditions I am pleased to say that all of the Cleve team made it into clinic and survived the snow day of 2019. Although it wasn’t quite as bad as last year, there was still a few slippery patches. I almost did a Gemma Collins Dancing On Ice special, but managed to save it…just about!

The near miss persuaded me to stick to the comfort of my own sofa the day after, and what better excuse to stay put than watching the Six Nations Rugby. I couldn’t take my eyes off the England game, what a brilliant performance and result! England successfully made 181 tackles throughout the game with some huge hits. Although these guys are finely tuned athletes with immense strength and technique, their bodies still take a beating. One of the injuries commonly seen in rugby is concussion. This has been a hot topic in rugby over the last few years. More research has gone into detection and treatment not only in elite players, but also at grass roots level as well.

Concussion is a temporary injury to the brain following head trauma. The common symptoms

can include a headache, dizziness, feeling sick, confusion, memory loss, clumsiness or trouble with balance, visual changes, sudden mood swings or having difficulty concentrating. Because of the variety of symptoms, concussion can sometimes be hard to pick up, and you don’t have to be knocked out to be concussed. Symptoms can last from minutes to days, and can even come on a while after the incident. Its not only rugby collisions that can lead to concussion. Car accidents and falls may also cause similar symptoms.

So if you experience any of the above symptoms following a knock on the head it‘s important to seek medical advice, especially if they’re severe and don’t go away quickly.

But this is a rare injury in dayto-day life, as we luckily don’t have to tackle a 20 stone international rugby player to get through the bread isle at Tesco. If you are interested in the topic, especially for those keen rugby players, coaches or parents, the RFU has a great online module called Headcase, which provides lots of information on concussion and other related topics.

Speaking of raising awareness,

on the weekend I went to an amazing charity ball in aid of BUST. BUST is the Breast Cancer Unit Support Trust. It is a Bristol based charity created by former patients that supports the Bristol Breast Care Centre at Southmead Hospital. The funding goes towards advanced equipment such as state of the art scanners that help with the detection of breast cancer. It was a fantastic night raising money for a brilliant cause.

We had a lovely three course meal, plenty of wine, fund raising events throughout the night and a brilliant band that kept us all on the dance floor. It really inspired awareness of the devastating disease and proved that we can all do our bit to help thousands of others in the future.

Details of the charity can be found at www.bustbristol.co.uk.

But for this weekend it’s a much quieter one for me, making sure I’ve got top spot on the sofa for the Six Nations...

with Tim Button, Doctor of Chiropractic at Cleve Chiropractic and Next Step in Mangotsfield

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

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