Fishponds Voice November 2020 by Fishponds Voice

fishpondsvoice November, 2020 — ISSUE 68

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Facing the future Avanti Gardens school principal Ashley Milum with children from the school. Interview: Page 19

New police chief's ambition New neighbourhood police inspector Deepak Kenth wants to make Fishponds one of the safest place in the country. PAGE 12

Banksy mural under hammer A Banksy mural removed from the side of a building in Fishponds Road is being sold at auction. PAGE 5

Farriers Arms faces demolition A HISTORIC former pub on Fishponds Road could be demolished. Morrisons has applied for permission to knock down the Farriers Arms, which has been empty for more than 10 years,

and replace it with an open area the supermarket giant describes as a "public realm". The company, which owns the building next to its Fishponds store, also wants to make changes to the road junction

nearby to allow traffic to turn left from Fishponds Road into Hockeys Lane, although the final decision on whether to change the road layout lies with the council's highways department. Turn to Page 3

Residents oppose 'hideous' flats Plans for a 'hideous' seven-storey block of flats at the junction of Fishponds Road and Lodge Causeway have drawn more than 100 letters of objection. PAGE 8

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fishpondsvoice Publisher & Sales Caroline Galvin 07453 954261

Journalist Ken MCormick 07715 770377

Editor Linda Tanner 0777 0700579

ADVERTISING sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk Tel 07453 954261 EDITORIAL news@fishpondsvoice.co.uk Letters to the publication can be sent to the above e-mail address or by post to Letters, Fishponds Voice, 15 Mayfield Park, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 3nn. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter. DEADLINES December edition deadline is November 18.. 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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Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk Environment/trading standards 01454 868001 Well Aware Health and social care information www.wellaware.org.uk Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252

PUBLISHER’S NOTE Fishponds Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Fishponds Voice is distributed each month to local residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is welcomed, call Caroline Galvin on 07453954261 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.

A member of the

Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582

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November, 2020

n NEWS

59 cars have tyres slashed POLICE say at least 59 cars in Fishponds had their tyres slashed in a 90-minute rampage by vandals. Officers believe the true number of victims could be even higher, as some victims may not have reported the damage. An Avon and Somerset police spokesperson said the attacks were carried out on October 20 between 3am and 4.30am, on Goodneston Road, Moorlands Road, Parnall Road, Ridgeway Road and Mayfield Park. Police have hand-delivered letters to residents in the area asking anyone who has not yet come forward to contact them. People who have yet to report damage or have CCTV cameras that may have captured the crimes on video should call 101, quoting the crime reference number 5220 237 775. The spokesperson said: "Officers are conducting house-to-house enquiries and reviewing local CCTV in the area. "They are keen to speak to a group of three or four boys who were seen in the area at the time of the offences, described by witnesses as being black, and aged in their mid-teens." Police are also investigating a spate of catalytic converter thefts, including one in Fishponds. Resident Yvette Wardle's Mazda MX-5 was targeted in Milward Grove between October 13 and 15 by thieves who sawed off the converter. Yvette, who had to take time off from her job at Southmead Hospital to get her car repaired, said: "It just makes you so angry. There's no consideration of anybody's circumstances and even if the insurance would pay out, it's a £250 excess so it's not worth claiming." Avon and Somerset police chief constable Andy Marsh recently said that the number of converters, which are part of a car's exhaust system to reduce levels of pollutant gases, stolen in the area had shot up tenfold in the last year, from 15 to 164, with many of the offences happening in daylight. Thieves sell the valuable metals inside on to scrap dealers. Anyone with information about the theft in Milward Grove should call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5220 233 953. In an earlier incident on September 29, wing mirrors were smashed off cars in Manor Road and Honeyberry Road – the suspect is white, around 6ft tall, aged between 20 and 30, and spoke with a Scottish accent. New inspector: Page 12

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November, 2020

n NEWS

'Save Farriers Arms for our community' From Page 1 The Farriers Arms stands on the site of a forge which is believed to have been established around 300 years ago. It became a pub during the 20th century. In its planning statement Morrisons says: "The building is currently vacant and detracts from the character and appearance of the area. It is also subject to anti-social behaviour and repeated break-ins and arson attempts. The demolition of the building will enable a high-quality public realm to be created." The company says the open area would have "hard and soft landscaping", including seating areas, a curved wall and a "sweeping flight of steps". It says changes to the junction will address "concerns from local residents that the current layout is unsafe for pedestrians crossing Hockey’s Lane at the junction, as cars often ignore or do not see the left turn ban". Morrisons argues that the former pub building is "of low significance" due to its poor state of repair and "extensive" changes made in the last 100 years. But objectors say the building should be put to a positive use for the community – and accused Morrisons of neglecting it in

the 10 years since its previous application to demolish it was rejected. Resident and historian Mike Jempson, who used to drink at the pub, said the proposals would create "what is essentially a group of park benches" in an area which was "neither a safe nor a healthy resting place" due to poor air quality. He said Morrisons had ignored requests from local groups to turn the building into a "community hub", with a history centre and offices for local charities, as well as proposals from Camra to turn it into a real ale pub. Mike told the Voice the building had an important role in Fishponds' history and added: "Morrisons have made a lot of money out of this area – the least they could do is put something back." Bristol University historian Dr Madge

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Dresser, who lives in Fishponds, has written to oppose the proposals, saying: "Morrisons has been foot-dragging restoring this historic pub for ages, letting it deteriorate so it looks a less attractive candidate for protection – but it is part of the historic footprint of the area and would be better utilised renovated as a community space at a time when there is a desperate need for civic connection." Other residents have written to the council in support of the plans, with several condemning the building as an "eyesore". Laurie Marsh told the council: "I'm thrilled to see the redevelopment of this area and see a long-neglected and unloved building be removed. It's also great to see that the solution intends to tackle the traffic around the area. Eastville ward councillor Mhairi Threlfall has called for the application to be referred to an area planning committee for discussion. She said: "The Farriers Arms is a 300-year-old building and the 2010 no to demolition resulted in pub protected status in 2011. Morrisons has not engaged local councillors with their formation on this proposal. There should be only exceptional circumstances for our pub protection policy to be challenged."

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November, 2020

n NEWS

Pupils sent home as Covid-19 cases rise SCHOOLS and nurseries have had to send children home to self-isolate as the number of positive cases of Covid-19 in the Fishponds area starts to rise. The most recent local-level figures for the Greater Fishponds area showed 95 new coronavirus cases in the space of a week. In its update of October 23 the city council said: "The trend is very clearly moving upwards, both locally and nationally." Bristol remained in Tier 1 of the Government's national assessment system as the Voice went to print. In the run-up to the halfterm holidays, 84 children in the Year 3 bubble at Chester Park Junior School in Abingdon Road were told to self-isolate after a confirmed case. Chester Park federation head teacher Mike McNama said the

pupils were expected to return to school after the half term break and were "following work set by the school and accessing online learning" while self-isolating. Another 58 pupils in two classes at Begbrook Primary Academy in Begbrook Drive were also told to self-isolate, along with their teachers, after two "unrelated" positive cases involving classes in Year 4 and Year 5. A spokesperson said: "The academy has rigorously enacted the control measures advised in the national guidance from Public Health England, to keep everyone in the community safe and limit any potential spread." Fledglings Day Nursery in Oldbury Court Road had to close on a temporary basis due to an outbreak of Covid-19, describing the situation as "extremely

difficult and challenging". The nursery was due to re-open by October 28. In the seven days to October 24 there had been 1,209 cases of Covid-19 confirmed in Bristol – more than a quarter of the 4,719 total cases confirmed since the start of the pandemic. The city's infection rate over that week was 260.9 cases per 100,000 population – well above the average rate for England of 190.8. Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that in the week to October 19 there had been 19 new positive cases of Covid-19 in the Fishponds North area, which includes Oldbury Court and Manor Road, 16 in Fishponds South, which includes Hillfields, 10 in the ONS's Speedwell area, which includes most roads off Lodge

Causeway, and 26 in Eastville, which includes Royate Hill. A further 24 cases were recorded in Stapleton. The ONS Frenchay and Great Stoke area, which includes UWE's Frenchay Campus, saw 50 new cases in the week to October 19. A month earlier, in the week to September 23, there had only been 10 positive cases in the same areas. As of September 27 there had been a total of 1,811 cases reported in Bristol since the start of the pandemic, which means that more than 2,900 of the city's total cases had been recorded in less than a month. The last confirmed deaths in Bristol as the Voice went to print were in the week ending September 25, when one resident died in a care home and another in hospital.

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November, 2020

n NEWS

Banksy Eastville mural put up for sale A BANKSY mural removed from the side of a building in Eastville has been put up for auction. Bidding on the work, known as Masked Gorilla or Glitter Gorilla, had already reached more than £180,000 as the Voice went to print. It is being sold by street art restoration company Exposed Walls, which removed it from the side of the Jalalabad Islamic Centre in Fishponds Road in September, with the agreement of the centre's owner Saeed Ahmed. The stencilled image of a gorilla holding a pink mask first appeared on the side of the former North Bristol Social Club in 2001. But Mr Ahmed had it painted over shortly after he bought the building in 2011. He apologised to street art fans at the time, saying he had not realised what the painting was, and it was later partially restored. But the concrete and bricks on which it was sprayed have now been removed in one piece and mounted for the online auction, which is due to finish on November 17. Mr Ahmed said he planned to donate a "large portion" of the money raised to local

Restored Banksy charities, including Developing Health & Independence, which provides support, advice and housing for people with drug and alcohol issues and their families, housing advice and community well-being services.

He said: "The reason for selling is because the building is falling to pieces and we wanted to safeguard the piece. We are also giving money back to local charities in the Bristol area, which I will provide to charities like Developing Health and Independence in Bristol." A spokesperson for Exposed Walls said: "This was a project to help furnish the mosque as well as donate money to several charities on behalf of Exposed Walls and the Jalalabad Islamic centre. "It's very important to us that the money goes back into the community. "Art enriches lives and it's a part of our mission to ensure that it is well looked after, and all restoration was intricately done." Banksy's satirical Devolved Parliament painting, which depicts chimps in the House of Commons, sold for £9.2 million last year, while another piece, Show Me The Monet, which added abandoned shopping trolleys and a traffic cone to his own version of Monet's The Water-Lily Pond, from the National Gallery, sold for £7.5m in October. The Masked Gorilla was one of Banksy's oldest surviving street art works. It is open for bids at the Exposedwalls.com website.

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November, 2020

n NEWS

Clean air zone: tell Virtual Remembrance council your views for the Covid-19 era PEOPLE are being urged to observe Remembrance Sunday from their homes this year as commemorations are transformed by the coronavirus pandemic. Bristol's traditional parade will not take place at the Cenotaph and an Act of Remembrance will be broadcast via the council's Facebook page at 11am on November 8, after being pre-recorded at HMS Flying Fox, the Royal Naval Reserve Unit in the city. Meanwhile, Staple Hill & District Royal British Legion is filming virtual services to be aired on its website, staplehillrbl. org.uk, and Facebook page. The council is urging residents and veterans not to come into the city centre to mark the occasion to help ensure safety in view of Covid-19 restrictions.

PEOPLE have one more chance to comment on Bristol's options for a clean air zone before the council submits its plan to the government. The government rejected the council’s controversial proposal for a ban on diesel cars in part of the city centre, so the authority wants feedback on two new options – both of which would see polluting private cars charged to enter an area including Broadmead, the Centre, Harbourside, Spike Island and Hotwells. One of the options also includes a larger area including Easton, St Philip's and St Paul's, where older, more polluting commercial vehicles would be charged to enter. But neither option will be needed if improvements in air quality seen during the coronavirus pandemic continue, so the council is calling on people to make more journeys on foot, by bike or bus, as well as limiting the use of wood-burning stoves and not burning waste on bonfires. The authority expects to know before Christmas whether it will have to include a charging zone. The survey can be found online at bit.ly/2ToA2bx. For a paper version, call 07775 115 909 and leave a message on the answerphone or write to CAZ, Transport Engagement Team, PO BOX 3399, 100 Temple Street, Bristol, BS1 9NE. The survey closes on November 22. By Amanda Cameron, Local Democracy Reporting Service

People are asked to observe the national two-minute silence from their garden or pavement outside their house and display a poppy poster in their window. The Royal British Legion is also asking people to back the Poppy Appeal in a new way. Community fundraiser Esther Denton said: "People may have to do something different to support the Poppy Appeal this year, including taking part in remote activity like ordering poppies through the post for your neighbours and local community, printing a poppy and displaying it in your window, or undertaking a virtual Poppy Run, but every poppy counts so we are asking people to please support in any way you can." Ideas on fundraising and how to donate can be found online at www.rbl.org.uk/poppyappeal.

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November, 2020

Fishponds gang's plot to sell imported guns to criminals THREE men from Fishponds were part of a plot to smuggle handguns and ammunition from America and sell them on to criminals. Kenville Hall, Busiso Benjamin and Nico Lacroix were involved in the plot which saw three weapons sent to the UK. One was delivered direct to the address in Frampton Crescent where Hall and Lacroix lived, while Hall picked two more up from an accomplice in London and brought them to his home. He even advertised the guns for sale to criminals on an encrypted social media platform. But after a tip-off, Avon and Somerset police worked with the National Crime Agency and the US-based Homeland Security Investigations unit and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms to stop the guns reaching the streets and to arrest the conspirators. Hall, aged 30, was sentenced

to 17 years and two months in jail, after admitting two counts of conspiring to supply a firearm and conspiring to possess ammunition. Benjamin, also 30, of Gorse Hill, was jailed for 12 years in jail for two counts of conspiring to supply a firearm. Lacroix received a fourmonth suspended sentence for encouraging or assisting the Kenville Hall Nico Lacroix commission of an offence. Two other men, Alcot 330 rounds of ammunition, also Flemming, 44, of Lawrence hidden in a speaker, before it Weston, and Rhafeek Morson, could be exported. 29, of Hackney, were also jailed Detective Chief Inspector after admitting conspiring to Simon Dewfall said a parcel supply a firearm. containing one of the 9mm Police said three Taurus Taurus self-loading pistols, handguns were bought in hidden inside a bluetooth Atlanta, Georgia, and concealed speaker, was delivered to Hallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in bluetooth speakers, before home in Fishponds and signed being posted to addresses in for by Lacroix, who believed it be Fishponds and Hackney. a delivery of imported cannabis. Police officers in Miami A second package delivered intercepted a package containing to Morson in Hackney contained

Busiso Benjamin two further Taurus pistols: one 9mm and one .40 calibre. Hall picked the package up the following day and took the guns to Fishponds, from where they were to be sold. But police moved in and arrested the gang before the sale could take place. DCI Dewfall said: "This was an organised criminal group working on both sides of the Atlantic to bring illegal firearms into the UK.

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fishpondsvoice

November, 2020

n NEWS MORE than 100 people have objected to plans for a sevenstorey block of flats in Fishponds. The scheme to build 46 flats at the site of the Newton Motors garage, on the corner of Fishponds Road and Lodge Causeway, was first unveiled in July. A planning application was submitted at the start of September and, by October 22, 117 individual letters of objection had been lodged on the city council's planning website. Issues raised by people opposing the plans include pressure on existing parking â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the scheme includes 16 spaces for residents' cars â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as well as increased traffic, overshadowing existing homes, a "detrimental microclimate" caused by increased wind from an extra high-rise building, and the design being out of character with existing housing. As well as objections from nearby residents the scheme is also being opposed by David Redgewell of the South West

Objectors denounce planned Fishponds flats as 'hideous' Transport Network, who said that the planned vehicle access would be across the Fishponds Road bus lane. Bristol Civic Society member Stephen Wickham described the planned building as "clearly hideous" and "completely alien" to the late 91th and early 20th century buildings nearby. Just one letter in support of the plans had been received, from Crews Hole resident Adam Lancaster, who said: "This is exactly the sort of development the area is crying out for. A good proportion of affordable homes, and an emphasis on cycling as the dominant form of transport." Bristol Waste has also commented on the plans' statement that refuse collection would be carried out by a private contractor, saying: "Given the

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cost of disposal and the fact that residents will be paying council tax entitling them to a council collection, this is a surprising strategy." Eastville ward councillor Mhairi Threlfall has called for the application to be referred to an area planning committee for a decision, saying the development did not meet affordable housing targets, would overshadow neighbouring gardens, could add to local parking problems and cause road safety issues for traffic coming and going from the site. The planning application has been made by Newton Motors,

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which currently occupies the site and has been trading in the city for more than 70 years. The plans can be found by searching for application 20/04059/P on the city council's planning website. They are now awaiting a decision from the council.

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

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November, 2020

n NEWS

What happened in Hashim's final days? DETECTIVES are appealing for information about the last movements of a man living in Fishponds, whose body was found by a dog walker in Avonmouth. Hashim Awad was found in water near Boundary Road on March 8 this year. Police launched a murder inquiry, but the 20-year-old warehouse worker’s death was later found not to be suspicious, after a post-mortem examination found no evidence of any injuries. However, officers still need help to "build a picture" of what happened in Hashim's final days. They are making enquiries on behalf of the coroner for the inquest into his death, and also want to "help provide answers to his family". Officers believe Hashim died at the end of January, more than five weeks before his body was discovered.

Detective Sergeant Steve Black said: “Since Hashim was identified we’ve been working hard to understand what was happening in his life in the days and weeks before he died. “We know he was working at a number of warehouses in the Avonmouth area until December last year, while we also know he was renting a room in a shared house in the Fishponds area of Bristol at the time. “We have established he took a taxi from this house on Wednesday, 29 January to Avonmouth, and we believe that was the day he died. “Having spoken to his housemates, it’s clear he wasn’t staying in the property throughout January, while his possessions had also been removed from the house when officers searched it. “In order to provide the coroner with all the evidence they need ahead of Hashim’s

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inquest, we need to understand what he was doing and where he was living throughout January. “Was he renting somewhere other than his shared house in Fishponds? Was he staying in a hotel or sleeping rough? “Was he working, and if so, where? “We also haven’t recovered Hashim’s mobile phone, which we suspect may be in the Avonmouth area where he was found. “A thorough search was carried out after his body was discovered but the phone has not been found. “If you have come across a mobile phone in the Boundary Road area of Avonmouth at any time since 29 January we’d be keen to hear from you. “We’d also like to hear from anyone who has any other information about Hashim which could help provide answers to his family.

"Even if you think it is insignificant, please don’t hesitate to tell us - it could be the difference between knowing what led to Hashim’s death and not.” Anyone with information is asked to submit it via the Major Incident Public Portal which can be accessed online at mipp. police.uk/operation/5220A33PO2.

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November, 2020

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HIS month I’ve had a little more time to read than I usually do. It’s been interesting, and some of the things I've shared from my reading has certainly raised a few eyebrows in our house! The first ‘magic’ I read about is an eye drop that you can take, that claims to help your eyes focus up close, even past middle age (no quips please - it’s approaching some of us all too fast). The idea is that the drops help stop the impact of the natural firming of the eye’s lens that would normally make seeing close up a bit trickier as the years tick by. Now this process has been happening since man first walked the earth, so it’s a perfectly normal human (ageing) process that starts to have an impact for most of us anywhere from our 40’s to our 50’s. The clever thing about these drops, and yes I’m still going on about them, is that they make our pupils smaller, giving a pinhole effect. Now if you’ve ever tried to make a pinhole camera you will know that making light focus through a smaller gap keeps it in better focus. This sounds amazing right! Let’s all take the drops now eh. Before we get carried away though I should say that these drops are not new to us eye specialists. We’ve used these in our clinics for years to treat a rapid onset type of glaucoma - a condition that can rob you of your vision. Sounds great I hear you say, drops that mean we don’t need reading glasses and we don’t get glaucoma either. Give them to us all now! However, as with all magic, there is surely more than meets the eye. In this case, these drops achieve better near focus by making a muscle in the eye tight, and like any muscle tightening it can ache after a while. In fact sometimes the ache can induce a persistent dull headache or even a migraine, perhaps an acceptable side effect if the alternative is dramatic loss of vision from glaucoma, but is it worth it to just reduce the need for reading glasses? No doubt

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you will all have an opinion on this, and it may well be “give me the drops!” I read with interest a quote from a leading London eye surgeon who said “as these drops can cause headache and eye ache, as well as stopping you seeing clearly for driving at night, why not just wear glasses for reading which are safe and effective”. Let the discussion roll on eh! In the meantime, as these drops are not available, perhaps we’ll just keep wearing glasses to help roll back the years and keep our eyes feeling young. Our MAXX glasses are designed for just this reason, we can see clearly far and close, and stay looking young too! You & your loved ones are most welcome to come and see us whatever your eye care needs. Whether you wear glasses for near, far or both, our expert team is ready & waiting to help you! We just ask that you telephone first to book a time to come in, to help us keep you all safe. Please call our Henleaze practice on 0117 962 2474 or our Fishponds practice on 0117 965 4434.

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Peter Turner is a Senior Optometrist at Turners Opticians in Bristol, and also works part time as a Senior Optometrist at the Bristol Eye Hospital.

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fishpondsvoice

November, 2020

n NEWS

Bowls club hopeful of deal for 2021 VOLUNTEERS are confident they can keep Eastville Park's bowls club alive, after a council report appeared to throw its future into doubt. The city council's Bristol Future Parks plan aims to hand pitches, greens and buildings over to sports clubs, making sporting provision in parks “cost neutral” to the council, as an alternative to raising charges. A report agreed by the council's cabinet on October 6 put the bowls green at the Nissen hut in Eastville Park on the list of facilities to be “incorporated into the Bristol Future Parks process without a condition that they will continue to be used only for sport". Eastville Park Bowling Club secretary Laurence Rae told the cabinet meeting he was disappointed the club was on the list, as it was a “thriving” community bowling club with “huge support”. He said: "There is a significant demand and an interest in the community for bowling to continue at Eastville Park." Mayor Marvin Rees said that with that level of support, the plan provided an “incredible” opportunity for the club, adding: “This really is an opportunity to breathe new life into some of these facilities, not least

because the groups will be able to access different funding sources to the council and we believe will have the energy and expertise to make the most of them." Afterwards Laurence said the Mayor's comments had "given me confidence that we can continue playing bowls next year at Eastville Park". He said the club had continued to buy bowls equipment for 2021, including a new lawnmower for cutting the green, and had gained new members. Laurence added: "We have had initial discussions with the council and are waiting for detailed discussions to commence in the next couple of weeks to secure an agreement that bowling can continue at Eastville Park for the members of Eastville Park Bowling Club and the community throughout 2021.

and beyond" Friends of Eastville Park chair Sarah West said that after concerns were raised, she spoke with the council's parks manager, who confirmed that the bowling club buildings had been taken out of the Bristol Future Parks prospectus. She said Eastville's football and cricket pitches and changing rooms were included, which meant organisations would be able to bid to manage them. The friends are negotiating a contract with the council to continue renovations at the Nissen hut, while continuing to support the bowling club as it becomes more established. Sarah said: "The friends' vision is to expand the use of the upper park buildings to host a community hub, pop up cafe, events and fundraising for the bowling club." The council spends an estimated £200,000 a year on sports facilities in parks and plans to spend £550,000 to upgrade pitches and to pay for contracts to transfer them. Oldbury Court will still have pitches for football and cricket, while expressions of interest are invited for Begbrook Green Park, off Begbrook Lane, with a condition that sport must continue. The Parkie: page 21

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n NEWS THE area's new neighbourhood police inspector says he wants to help make it the safest in the country. Inspector Deepak Kenth says Fishponds is "very close to my heart", as his wife's family live in the area, and he often walks and shops in Fishponds Road when he is off-duty. He has three main aims: to increase his team's engagement with the community, to reduce anti-social behaviour and to ensure that, when serious incidents such as violence occur, the public has "absolute confidence" that those responsible are brought to justice. While the coronavirus means regular community meetings are on hold, Deepak is working to ensure officers are more visible in the community, is organising online meetings and is encouraging people to contact him directly by email to keep him and his team informed of their concerns. Deepak has previous experience as a firearms, custody and response officer, as well as a staff officer to chief constable

November, 2020

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Andy Marsh, with whom he also worked in Hampshire before moving to Bristol in 2018. He said he was "loving every day" of his role in charge of neighbourhood teams in his Bristol East patch, which also covers Eastville, St George and St Paul's. Deepak said: "I've handpicked where I want to work and why I want to work there – I'm part of that community and my family are part of that community. "I want these areas to be the

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safest parts, not only of Bristol, but the country." Deepak said he aimed to ensure his team responded quickly to issues as they arise, such as recent complaints over anti-social behaviour and Covid-19 breaches in parks, responding to reports of distraction thefts at local cashpoints and speeding on Fishponds Road, and increasing patrols around Halloween and on the cycle path. He said it was important to tackle problems that had an impact on people's daily lives, particularly close to their homes, and encouraged people to report issues which were "going on night after night" for his team to tackle in cooperation with the community, council and charities. Deepak also wants to encourage people from all

of the diverse multicultural communities in the area to join the police, be it as an officer, PCSO or special constable. He said: "I probably have the most diverse team on the force, including Somali, East European and African-Caribbean members. "We want to be representative of the community. It boosts confidence – when the public see people who look like them, who are from where they are from, it instils confidence, and people will come forward with information. "It's not only looking at it from an ethnic minority point of view – I want more people from this area to police in this area." Anyone who would like to contact Deepak about crime and anti-social behaviour concerns or joining the police can email him at Gurdeepak.Kenth@ avonandsomerset.police.uk.

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n ADVERTISING FEATURE AN exciting opportunity to study a degree in stage and screen acting right here in south Bristol has launched for aspiring actors. From September 2021, Tobacco Factory Theatres in North Street will be hosting a twoyear BA (Hons) in Acting for Stage and Screen, thanks to a new partnership with creative industry training provider, boomsatsuma. It is part of the company's new Bristol School of Acting, aimed at empowering young people. Tobacco Factory Theatres will be hosting an innovative and empowering two-year acting degree course, after teaming up with leading creative industry training provider, boomsatsuma. The Acting for Stage and Screen BA (Hons) is part of the company's new "future-focused, conservatoire-style" drama school, Bristol School of Acting, and begins in autumn 2021. It is an intensive degree with 43 weeks of teaching per year - the same amount of contact hours as a three-year course, but students save around £5,000 in tuition fees and a year’s living costs. Students will study as a resident acting company in training at the theatre, with opportunities to collaborate and learn with professional actors, directors and visiting artists. Mike Tweddle, artistic director at Tobacco Factory Theatres, said: “We’re delighted to be embarking on this uniquely symbiotic relationship between a professional theatre and a drama school. “The partnership will enrich and empower

November, 2020

Acting school makes its debut the training experience for students - who will collaborate with renowned artists in our spaces - and embolden our theatre’s mission to provide impactful, innovative and inclusive pathways into the industry.” The Bottle Yard Studios, in Whitchurch Lane, which has played host to TV series Poldark, Broadchurch and Wolf Hall, will be hosting the drama school's other two-year Acting for Screen BA (Hons) degree. Acclaimed director Nancy Medina has been appointed as Bristol School of Acting’s co-artistic director, with course content - accredited by Bath Spa University - devised by the school's patron and Daredevil star Charlie Cox and New York's prestigious Pace University. Speaking about her new role, Nancy said: “Our industry has to change; I don’t like what I see at the moment and I believe we can drive that change at boomsatsuma. “We are creating a new kind of course that will empower young people to find their voices and make themselves heard. We are training actors who can shape the industry of the future. “Starting from fresh means we can be bold and steer a radical approach to inclusivity, with a pro-active anti-discrimination policy. It’s a priority for me to bring opportunity to the marginalised areas of society.” Stuart Wood, co-artistic director of Bristol

Bristol School of Acting's co-artistic directors Nancy Medina and Stuart Wood School of Acting explains his motivation for creating the school: “I’ve worked in many drama schools during my 38-year career and have delivered some great training, but it’s time to challenge the orthodoxy of practitioners who have dominated actor training for decades. “It’s time to look at new approaches suited to this fast-changing industry and offer something different to create the actors of tomorrow. “Bristol has a strong cultural heritage and we hope to make it stronger. Our partners, The Bottle Yard Studios and Tobacco Factory Theatres, sit at the centre of the city’s cultural heartbeat, adding a wealth of insight and networking opportunities for our students, as we embark on this pioneering journey.” For more details about the course and how to apply, visit www.boomsatsuma.education/ schoolofacting.

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fishpondsvoice

November, 2020

n NEWS

Time called on Downend Tavern THE landlord of the Downend Tavern says he is “absolutely gutted” that his pub will close on November 1. The community pub, known for its live music, has become the latest casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic. Landlord Tim Hill has been given less than a month's notice of the closure. The pub, in Downend Road, is managed by Wickwar Wessex Brewing Company, based just a few miles away, but the building is leased from a management company. Tim, who has run the pub for a year, said:“I'm absolutely gutted. I feel for the community because this one of the last community pubs around here. “A lot of business is done here and a lot of friendships made. Couples have met at the pub and got married and customers have passed away. I'm extremely emotional about it at the moment.” Tim said the closure of the pub at the start of lockdown hit hard but when restrictions lifted, he found people were nervous about venturing out. He said: “Our demographic is the over 50s and people with health problems, so people are scared to come back into the pub.

Landlord Tim Hill outside the Downend Tavern “We have thorough safety measures in place like hand sanitiser, NHS boards and have separated tables but still people are worried about coming out.” Both Tim and the brewery recently invested thousands of pounds improving the pub's decor. “I spent all lockdown painting the pub and cleaning the carpets to make it better for

customers when they returned. We spent in the thousands.” The Downend Tavern has long been known for its vibrant music scene, hosting the Bristol Blues Club, as well as its love of Bristol Rovers. “It's a very music-orientated pub,” said Tim. “The pub has a really good reputation as a community pub. It was also a busy pub until Covid hit.” Tim broke the news via Facebook on October 15, with customers responding in their droves. One said: “The Downend Tavern has been our local for the last 22 years. We've been living overseas for the last 10 years but always look forward to the times we are back in Bristol when we can visit. "It's a wrench to the community. You've put your hearts into the pub, thank you. I'm sorry it's ended like this.” Tim is encouraging customers to pop in during the pub's last weekend of opening on October 30, 31/November 1. “I have a lot of beer in my cellar which needs to be drunk but everything will be socially distanced and safe. “I wish all my customers the very best and hope they stay safe.”

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November, 2020

n NEWS

Wild hair day raises money for school play space CHILDREN and staff at Fishponds Church of England Academy brightened up the last day of term with some wild hairstyles. Spiky bits, bright colours, unusual ornaments and head gear could be seen on Fishponds Road and surrounding streets as the youngsters walked to and from school on October 23. Principal Debbie Coker said: "Wild Hair day was created to have a bit of fun and raise well-needed funds for school, by the Friends of Fishponds Academy. "Everyone joined in with the fun, wearing hats and wigs or coloured hair spray - even the grown-ups!" The school is raising money to further develop its Exploration Zone, a natural outdoor play space, by building an allweather seating and stage area, along with some other projects. Mrs Coker added: "I wish to say a big thank-you to our parents and carers for their generosity and for their continued support.

What a great way to end a very long term!" The school also collected donations for the Fishponds Foodbank after children learned about the importance of providing hope during the school's teaching on values. Above: Reception pupils with class teacher Mrs Seddon and an enormous pumpkin donated by Morrisons Right: Year 4 pupils with class teacher Mrs Sadler and family link worker Mrs Cahill show off their wild hairstyles and headgear.

This year our open days will be held virtually. Whilst this will certainly be a different experience, we are excited to provide children and parents' of Reception an opportunity to discover Fishponds CE Academy. We hope you will gain a sense of the passion, enthusiasm and feel a warm welcome in our wonderful school. Tune in to talks from the Principal, Class Teachers, Admissions and Pastoral Team as well as seeing the facilities we have to offer.

Virtual Open Evenings for our prospective Reception children are on: Thursday 1st October 2020 @ 6pm on Zoom Wednesday 21st October 2020 @ 6pm on Zoom Tuesday 8th December 2020 @ 6pm on Zoom If you would like to register to attend, please email the School office on FishpondsCEAcademy@dbat.org.uk We will then contact you nearer the time with details on how to join the event on the day. For further details, please visit our School website: https://www.fishpondschurchacademy.bristol.sch.uk/

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November, 2020

n NEWS

School's making a fresh start ASHLEY Milum is in charge of a primary school with a site and facilities other heads can only dream of – now all he needs are the children to fill it. The principal of Avanti Gardens in Fishponds has effectively started from scratch as he builds a new community primary school in place of the Steiner Academy Bristol. Avanti Schools Trust was given charge of the school by the Department for Education at the start of this year, after Ofsted inspectors rated the Steiner Academy inadequate in all areas in 2019. The upheaval that followed saw a school for four to 16-yearold children, run on Steiner Waldorf principles promoting free play, artistic and practical activities, become a primary school following the national curriculum. The end of secondary provision, and the decision of some primary parents to seek other schools or home educate their children, means that the number on roll has fallen from 338 pupils in early 2019 to 130 now. But Mr Milum says the school is now heading in a clear direction and represents an "amazing resource", both for children and parents, and for the wider Fishponds community. Based at the former UWE St Mathias campus in College Road, it has a craft room, art, woodwork and pottery studios, a lecture theatre complete with stage, a dining hall, sports hall with basketball courts – which

Mr Milum hopes could be made available for the community out of school hours – and a former chapel now used for timetabled yoga sessions. What the school did lack, as Mr Milum prepared to take charge in September, were usable classrooms, and Avanti spent £20,000 over the summer reequipping and decorating them. He said the classroom areas were "a real dump" and unsafe, with "a lot to sort out and fix materially". "The set-up was very different to how you would set up a state school," said Mr Milum. "Children didn't spend much time at tables." The trust replaced the furniture and provided the resources expected at a modern school, such as interactive whiteboards. Urgent work to the roof was also carried out and further upgrades are planned, including new playgrounds for both infant and junior-aged children, and a £150,000 outdoor classroom area. The physical changes accompany a more fundamental change in direction, in the curriculum and outlook. Mr Milum said: "What Avanti has tried very hard to do is make sure that the transition is reasonable, but also try to communicate that there's an awful lot to put right." He said children "were being let down" by the previous school, adding: "Our priority is that all of our children are safe and get the education they deserve, so that

they can thrive beyond primary school." The school, which has a capacity of 440 pupils, is bound by three principles: educational excellence, character formation and spiritual insight. Although other trust schools are faith-based, Mr Milum says Avanti Gardens is purely a community school. Mr Milum said there had been resistance to change from some parents but the majority of those who had primary-aged children had stayed with the school and were "happy with the direction" it was taking. The primary teachers had all also stayed on. He said the trust was listening to parents' views on aspects of the Steiner school that were valued, with timetabled craft sessions and plans to complement the curriculum with outdoor education. But he stressed it was clear that the school was "no longer

Ashley Milum what it was before". Mr Milum said: "We are setting the school up to be a community primary school and not anything other than that. "We're here for Fishponds, and for parents to be safe in the knowledge that their children will be able to access secondary school with the requisite knowledge and skills."

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November, 2020

n NEWS

Arts trail turns festive

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AN outdoor arts trail featuring talented artists, designers and makers is coming back – in time for Christmas shopping. The BSpoke16 Festive Trail will take place across the BS16 postcode area, including Downend, Soundwell, Emersons Green and Fishponds, on November 27, 28 and 29, from 10am-4pm each day. The trail is the idea of BSpoke16 founders Karen Davies and Catherine Williams, who organised their first art fair for Emersons Green six years ago. It is the second outdoor trail this year, after an "overwhelming and fantastically successful" summer trail in July. Karen, a Downend-based paper artist and designer who sells intricate paper cuts, prints and cards under the name Mustard Cuts, said: "It was great to see so many people safely browsing and having a wonderful time cycling, walking or driving between venues. "The response from the public and locals was way beyond expectations, exhibitors were ecstatic with the general feedback, encouragement and sales. "Our festive trail will be a perfect time to browse for those special bespoke gifts, cards and decorations with a festive feel leading up to the Christmas period." The trail already has 60 exhibitors, with more expected to sign up. A trail map will be available from mid-November online at www. bspoke16.co.uk, where you can also see some of exhibitors already signed up. Anyone who is interested in exhibiting should email bspoke16@ gmail.com for further details. And BSpoke16 traders are also showing their wares at a weekly pop-up shop at the Wooden Walls micro pub in Broad Street, Staple Hill, from 10am to 4pm every Tuesday.

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November, 2020

n FRIENDS OF EASTVILLE PARK

E will all have at some time stood and looked in awe and wonder as a swan glides effortlessly over the water, the perfect line of its arched neck and the white purity of its feathers a symbol of gentleness and striking beauty. Or we may hear the thunder of its wings and watch the frantic paddling of feet, as it hauls itself off the surface in search of flight and wonder how on earth it has the strength to rise above the water. It has a few tricks up its sleeve to make this possible: lots of the bones are hollow, to compensate for the weight of huge chest muscles to power the wings. They also have unique one-way airflow system through their lungs and denser lung tissue than ours, that dramatically increases the oxygen supply to the muscles, to enable flight. The swan is warmblooded with a core temperature of around 40 degrees and this increases the power of the muscles and increases the bird's reflexes by up to two times, as the signals down the nerve fibres travel that much faster. At Eastville Park, we are blessed with a colony of around 12 swans at the moment – six adults and six youngsters, which were born here and seem quite happy to rest along the pathway or loiter around the edge of the lake in the hope of being fed treats by passers-by. As fast as a swans’ reflexes might be, they can sometimes appear complacent and maybe oblivious to the threats to their well-being! The recent tragic incident of a dog attacking

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Protecting our swans one of the cygnets has brought the whole park community together to look at how we can best prevent further cases of injury and, as in this case, the death of the bird. While we will always respond and take whatever action is necessary to have any injured bird treated, we would much rather look at ways to encourage dog owners who walk near the lake to keep them on leads, to reduce the risk of over-excited or aggressive dogs attacking the swans. We are about to launch a poster campaign around the park in the hope that making people aware of the dangers will encourage them to help us to protect these wonderful birds in the future. While we’re talking about the park's wild birds, here's 'Larry's List' of residents and visitors seen around the park over the last couple of weeks. Some are expected and some may come as a bit of a surprise, but an incredible roll-call all the same – and if anyone’s going to spot them, it’s Larry: Sparrowhawk, mute swan, mallard, cormorant, grey heron, coot, moorhen, herring gull, black-headed gull, wood pigeon, stock dove, feral pigeon, tawny owl, kingfisher, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, carrion crow, jackdaw, jay, magpie, dunnock, wren, great tit, blue tit, coal tit, long-tailed tit,

starling, goldcrest, nuthatch, robin, song thrush, redwing, blackbird, pied wagtail, grey wagtail, house sparrow, greenfinch, goldfinch, chaffinch. If you’re not already aware, Friends of Eastville Park have secured funding for updating the upper park play area and are gathering feedback from children age 8-16 on what equipment should be built. Follow the survey monkey link to have your say: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/KVSYBQJ The Parkie

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November, 2020

n FROM OUR MP

Children should not be going hungry OVER a quarter of children in Bristol East constituency live in poverty. Some research even indicates that, after housing costs, the figure is as high as 30%. This is part of a wider and equally worrying picture, of over a million children in the UK experiencing food poverty. We all know that healthy and nutritious food is crucial to a child’s well-being and development. Yet with Covid-19 putting immense economic pressure on families, these statistics only stand to worsen, with many families struggling to make ends meet. Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford has already earned an MBE for his amazing work on food poverty. Now, he’s launched a petition in collaboration with the Food Foundation which calls on the Government to implement three

recommendations from the National Food Strategy to ensure no child goes hungry. These recommendations are: to expand eligibility for the Free School Meal scheme to include every child up to the age of 16 from a household where the parent or guardian is in receipt of Universal Credit (or equivalent benefits); to extend the Holiday Activity and Food Programme to all areas in England, so that summer holiday support is available to all children in receipt of Free School Meals; and to increase the value of Healthy Start vouchers to £4.25 a week, while also expanding the scheme to every pregnant woman, as well as all households with children under 4, where a parent or guardian is in receipt of Universal Credit or equivalent benefits. Of course, I fully support the petition. School holidays can be

Hilary Bloor DSCh, MInstChP

really challenging for families living in poverty and, over the summer, 18% of 8 to 17 year olds reported experiences of food insecurity. Locally we are very fortunate to have organisations like Feeding Bristol, which did a fantastic job last year with its Holiday Hunger scheme, and this year, in very different circumstances, helping those who were struggling to feed their families because of Covid-19. It was thanks to campaigning by Rashford that the Government was forced to U-turn and fund Free School Meals this summer. 300,000 people signed his new petition in only the first few days, and at a Labour-led Opposition Day debate in Parliament, many MPs spoke in support. At the time of writing, however, the Government is still stubbornly opposed. Indeed, Tory minister Paul Scully shocked many with his

Kerry McCarthy MP for Bristol East

writes for Fishponds Voice response, saying "children have been going hungry for years". Unlike the minister, I think it’s simply unacceptable in this day and age that children should be going hungry. If you agree, you can support Marcus’ petition here: petition.parliament.uk/ petitions/554276.

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November, 2020

n PLANNING MATTERS WITH CHRIS GOSLING

YEAR ago in this column, I speculated over what effect the result of the general election would have on planning. The election turned out to be fought on very simple lines and the result broke the paralysing deadlock in parliament. Boris Johnson was delivered a mandate which turned out also to cover many issues which were nowhere near the headlines during the campaign. Much has happened since then that has turned lives on their heads, but perhaps this is a good time to mark the government’s report card, under the title of planning at least. One year in, how are they doing? It didn't take too long for the first scandal to come round. Communities Minister Robert Jenrick made sure that his decision on a planning application for an Isle of Dogs tower block was issued on the day before the developer would have been obliged to pay millions in Community Infrastructure Levy on the development. At around the same time, his party received a donation

Annual report of £12,000 from that same developer. But as soon as this came to light, the matter was considered to be closed. An inauspicious start. Driven by coronavirus and under the banner of Build Back Better, the reform of planning was fast-tracked. Some of this has already been delivered, and I have reported on the increased use of permitted development rights and changes to the Use Classes Order. What I didn't mention before was that updating the legislation that requires a fee for notification under some of these rights was overlooked. This left one day in which those who were on the ball could submit applications for an extra two storeys on a house, without even having to pay a fee for it. It has also transpired that, while you do not necessarily require planning permission to add two storeys to your house, if the existing walls cannot take the additional weight, resolving this by adding buttresses to the outside of

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the building will require planning permission. What was supposed to be a fast-tracked confirmatory application can turn into two, with the subsequent planning application most likely to be submitted once things have started to go wrong. This will no doubt increase the stress levels for all concerned, as the roof is likely to be off by the stage that the planning application needs to be submitted. If that was not enough, as a postscript to the new permitted development rights, a ministerial statement has made clear that all new dwellings formed have to comply with the government‘s indicative space standards. This leaves the impression that the policy was not fully thought through initially, as it could have been included in the conditions in the legislation, which was already written to ensure that rooms created would have windows. The next initiative was the proposed reform to introduce zoning, which I reported on last month. Time will tell if this will even be accepted by parliament. Housing demand is intended to be determined by an algorithm, despite algorithms having gained something of a tarnished reputation over the summer. Initial indications are that the vast

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majority of housing will have to be accommodated in the South of the country, which will not go down well in the shires. Meanwhile the room for flexibility in the North of improving infrastructure off the back of housebuilding will be reduced. This looks to be another idea that needs proper objective examination. I am trying to keep an open mind on the opportunities afforded by these new initiatives. Despite the fact that planning is inherently a complex business, simplification is a worthy intention. However, lack of detail and last minute tweaks mean that the kindest conclusion I can reach on the past year is: "Must do better."

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November, 2020

n VET BLOG

Health care plans and insurancewhat is the difference?

HEN keeping your pet happy and healthy, it is inevitable that they may pay a visit to the surgery for vaccinations, neutering or if they are unwell. It is sensible to budget for these trips in advance. Care plans, such as our Complete Care, help with preventative health care while pet insurance helps cover bills when things go wrong e.g. broken leg or diabetes. You may find they are best run side-by-side to help cover all of your vet bills. Complete care is a monthly direct debit plan which offers a more affordable way to cover the important aspects of healthcare such as vaccinations, flea and worm treatment plus much more. Complete care is also available for rabbits and now includes a yearly VHD2 vaccine alongside

the standard myxomatosis/VHD1 vaccine, plus a collection of perks such as nurse nail clipping and more. Insurance is offered by many independent companies, and it is worth researching well to ensure you get the most suitable cover your pet. Here are some of the things to look out for when researching insurance: • Exclusions. Some companies may exclude certain illnesses, typically pre-existing conditions or breed specific problems. Be sure to check the small print. • Policy limits/cover. Check the amount the company will cover per illness/injury. Go for the best you can afford. • Lifelong cover is preferable as the ‘money pot’ tops up for each claim year. This is ideal for ongoing illnesses such as

diabetes or arthritis. •A ccident vs illness cover. We would always recommend accident AND illness cover. If you would like more information on Complete Care, or would like to pick up a voucher for 4 weeks free insurance, please give our friendly team at Kingswood Vets4Pets a call on 0117 961 6417.

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fishpondsvoice

November, 2020

n NEWS

Law firm donates laptops Artwork celebrates Seven Saints of St Pauls BRISTOL Metropolitan Academy has been given help to support pupils who need to work from home with a donation of laptops. The donation of 15 computers, with a promise of more in the future, is the latest contribution by legal business DAC Beachcroft, which has had a partnership with the secondary school in Snowdon Road for six years. The partnership is part of the Business in the Community 'Business Class' initiative, which has also seen more than 80 mentors from DAC Beachcroft support Bristol Met students each academic year. The company has also backed the Raising Aspirations careers event for Year 8 and 9 students held by the Cabot Learning Federation, which runs Bristol Met, as well as setting up mock interviews and employability skills sessions. Bristol Met lead careers coach Tim Holmes said: "We are very grateful for this kind donation and all the ongoing support DAC Beachcroft have offered during the six-year partnership." David Aird, from DAC Beachcroft, said: "Our IT team at DAC Beachcroft is really pleased to see these laptops support the academy’s pupils learning during these difficult times."

A NEW artwork has been commissioned by Fairfield High School as part of its celebrations of black achievements during Black History Month. The artwork, Seven Saints of St Pauls, will be displayed in the school's atrium and highlights pioneers who broke down racial barriers and worked for full integration. One of the 'saints' whose story is told in the artwork, Delores Campbell, was related to Fairfield assistant vice principal and former pupil Cashan Campbell. She said: "Michele Curtis, Creator of Seven Saints of St Pauls, has helped share the stories of these unsung heroes in some fantastic works of art. "This affects me on a personal level, as my beloved Nanny, Delores Campbell was one of these influential figures who touched the hearts of many. "Fairfield is well known for its diverse community for which we are extremely proud. We cannot wait to have this large and colourful mural for all to enjoy at the end of this special month…it couldn’t be more apt.” This year's theme for the educational event was 'Black History is all our History', aiming to ensure black history is not something that is studied only in October, but all the time. Fairfield staff have chosen someone from their area of the curriculum to celebrate and made posters for their doors to engage and share with as many of the school community as possible. There was also a quiz via video app Teams to further develop their learning.

Consultation on new

Traffic Clean Air Zone options The city’s air quality needs to meet legal limits of air quality in the shortest possible time. If we can build on the cleaner ways we’ve been travelling since Covid 19 lockdown we could achieve clean air standards without putting a charging zone in place. Find out more: www.bristol.gov.uk/caz2020 Consultation closes 22 November.

For a paper copy or an alternative format email transport.engagement@bristol.gov.uk or leave a message on 07775 115 909

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Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

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fishpondsvoice

November, 2020

n SPORT

Chris continues grandad's legacy at boxing club CHRIS Richardson is following in his grandfather's footsteps by taking to the ring at Downend Boxing Club. Steve Richardson was one of Bristol’s most experienced amateur boxers competing in over 100 amateur contests in the 1950s and early 60s. Boxing for the Robinson’s and British Railways clubs, it was normal for Steve to box up to three times a day in competitions throughout the West. Steve had been a victim of bullying in his early years, and after taking a hiding one day he told himself it would never happen again, and started training at the same gyms of the time's most famous Bristol boxers, Terry Ratcliffe and Gordon Hazell. As the sport does for so many young people, Steve’s times were no different in that he

became hugely committed and disciplined, to the point that his competitions gave way to meet the demands of the region's professionals to spar with him, as he was recognised as reliable and the very best available to them. On one of these occasions, a spar with Gordon Hazell, who was preparing for a European title challenge, was witnessed by a genuine superstar of the time, former world light-heavyweight champion Freddie Mills. Freddie immediately wanted to sign Steve as a professional but Steve refused, as he had just married and was very committed to the new Mrs Richardson and his young family that followed. Long after he retired from the ring, Steve attended Downend Boxing Club and offered hours to the young people, imparting his limitless knowledge and life experience.

Chris Richardson trains at the Harry Crook Centre, with his grandfather’s honours in the background. His catchphrase could be heard at least twice every session - "self-recommendation is no recommendation - and that encapsulated the wonderful humble manner of our life vice president. Steve passed away in 2018, however his legacy can be seen in son Neil and grandson 16-yearold Chris, as they work out in the gym.

Steve Richardson in his youth Neil is currently training as an England Boxing coach, and Chris a fledgling boxer with great promise, and his grandfather's commitment and drive. It’s wonderful to see the family tradition continue. Steve was a wonderful gentleman and this has passed to his son and grandson - however, sharing a boxing ring with them is another matter! Craig Turner

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How the Support Hub can help you The Support Hub was set up by a collaboration of local organisations to help people over 50 living in Bristol cope with the impact of COVID-19. We can offer practical, social and emotional support. This includes things like benefits advice and home maintenance as well as the opportunity to join in online and telephone activities and free 30 minute counselling sessions if you find you are struggling.

fishpondsvoice

November, 2020

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Get in touch if you need our support

A COLLABORATION of local charities has come together to form a Support Hub to help people over 50 cope with the impact of the coronavirus in Bristol. The Support Hub provides a range of different services including practical, social and emotional support, such as shopping and weekly social phone calls, as well as virtual activities that you can do from the comfort of your own home. Due to social distancing measures, we are conscious there is a risk that some people will feel lonely and socially isolated during the pandemic. We feel it is important to think about social opportunities to keep you connected whilst at home and as a group of charities, we are offering virtual activities like shared reading, art sessions, Tai-Chi classes and much more, which you can get involved in either online or over the phone. The pandemic has been an unsettling time, filled with stress and anxiety for many people. We would urge anyone over 50 who has a need for the services provided by the Support Hub to get in touch. Most of the services provided by the Support Hub are either free or low cost. The helpline for the Support Hub operates

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November, 2020

n ON THE TREATMENT TABLE

Giving our patients a lift

CONSIDER myself very lucky to have a job where, on a daily basis, I’m helping other people feel better about themselves. Chiropractors are a very important part of this country’s healthcare system and sometimes we can reach other parts that others might find tricky to negotiate. It’s always nice to pass on a success story that is a little bit different but nonetheless very rewarding – both for me and the patient. I’ve recently been treating a 40-year-old man who still enjoys playing football and running even though he’s been suffering with a lot of pain. I discovered that he had one leg anatomically shorter than the other, so it’s no wonder that he was struggling. Fortunately there was a relatively straightforward fix. I gave him a 9-millimetre heel lift and “voila”, 20 years of hip, low back and groin pain had disappeared. He was so pleased he bought four heel lifts and put them in all of his shoes! It just goes to show that,

sometimes, the solutions to someone’s particular problems are discovered in the most unusual and unexpected of ways. We all know that our “normal” lives continue to change and it seems that nothing is the same any more, at least for the time being. But it’s great that some professional sport is up and running and, for me, that means a busy time with the Bristol Rovers players. The more League One games Rovers face, the more work there is for me to do, hopefully playing an important part in making sure they stay fit and raring to go – and, after a shaky start to the season, they’re seeing some better results. Let’s hope that at least some of the fans will soon be back at The Mem to cheer them on in these difficult times. With a smattering of local team sport back in action, too, there’s plenty of new patients coming into the clinic seeking our help to get back in action as soon as they possibly can. Unfortunately, the NHS is still

n MANGOTSFIELD UNITED DESPITE valiant efforts, Mangotsfield United’s young charges are still looking for their first point of the season, after losing 2-1 at home to Willand Rovers at Cossham Street before going down 3-0 away to Larkhall Athletic in Bath. And their losing streak continued with a narrow FA Trophy defeat at home to Cinderford Town. Against Willand there was little to choose between the sides until a fierce 25-yard drive by Harry Simons flew into the net on 44 minutes to give the Mangos the lead. But Willand came out strongly after the

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struggling with catching up on physiotherapy appointments. In some cases, I’m hearing about 12-month waiting lists and many consultations are having to take place by telephone conversation. Consequently, we’re seeing a surge in patients at this clinic who need help and can’t wait that long to get it. Clearly no-one really knows how long this virus will take to get under control, or when a vaccine might become available. But I can reassure patients that, whatever happens with any future lockdown, Cleve Chiropractic will be able to stay open. That’s because we are healthcare professionals who have all the necessary risk assessments and PPE in place, no matter the level of lockdown. Since we reopened after the initial lockdown, we have taken all the recommended precautions – and more – to ensure staff and visitors stay safe. Anyone who visits us on a regular basis will know that our team continue to go that extra mile

break and were soon level, then on 56 minutes made it 2-1 when a neat move was finished off by Archie Reay, who turned the ball home from close range after a header was palmed away. Mangotsfield tried hard to get back into the game but the visitors stood firm despite seeing defender Cormac Pike sent off on 86 minutes for a 2nd yellow card. A few days later, a more experienced and stronger Larkhall side featuring eight or nine former Mangotsfield players in the squad was too much for the youngsters to contend with. As ever, there was no lack of enthusiasm or effort from the Mango. However, on 32 minutes, following a disputed handball incident, Lewis Powell opened the scoring for

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Larkhall from the penalty spot. The hosts increased their lead through Mike Baker before Joe Tumelty put the home side 3-0 ahead after 37 minutes. Larkhall defended their lead until the final whistle. At home on October 17 Cinderford took the lead with a low shot from Will Gibbons, doubling it when Matt MacDonald scored from a corner. The Mangos were back in the game on 77 minutes when Matthew Binding netted from close range following a corner to make it 2-1, and a frantic finale saw them trying their best to save the game, Dave Smale

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