Fishponds Voice September 2020

fishpondsvoice September, 2020 — ISSUE 66

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FREE EVERY MONTH IN THE GREATER FISHPONDS AREA Local lockdown 'not ruled out' Mayor Marvin Rees says there is a risk of a local lockdown if coronavirus cases continue to rise.

PAGE 6

Girl falls ill after river swim A mum has warned of the hazards of wild swimming after her daugher caught a bacterial disease in the river Frome at Snuff Mills.

PAGE 11

A lot of goodness to share: Thingwall Park allotment produce was sold to raise money for Fishponds food bank and given directly to an inner-city holiday lunch project. Report: Page 7

£2m cancer fund launches Our hospitals need your help, says Fishponds nurse Tracey

COVID-19 might have been making most of the headlines - but other illnesses have not gone away.

Hundreds of families in Bristol have been supporting loved ones with cancer throughout the pandemic and any of us could be affected at any time. That's why Above & Beyond, the charity that supports the city centre hospitals, is launching a £2m campaign - and it's fronted by Tracey Arthur, from Fishponds.

Report: Page 3

Tracey Arthur

Strong ratings for GP surgeries Medical practices in Fishponds have emerged from a national survey with with high patient satisfaction ratings.

PAGE 12

GCSE and A-level results round-up Many young people in local schools have been awarded excellent GCSE and A-level grades in spite of the Covid-19 end to their schooling.

PAGES 17 and 19

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fishpondsvoice

2

fishpondsvoice Publisher & Sales Caroline Galvin 07453 954261

Journalist Ken MCormick 07715 770377

Editor Linda Tanner 0777 0700579

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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 October edition deadline is September 23.

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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September, 2020

n NEWS

Ban on diesel cars idea dropped as city's air quality improves PLANS to ban diesel cars from some parts of Bristol city centre have been scrapped – and a zone with charges for some vehicles could also be abandoned.

Bristol City Council had been looking at making older commercial vehicles pay to enter a "clean air zone" or ban privately-owned diesels from a smaller part of the centre, after being ordered to take action to cut pollution.

But Mayor Marvin Rees said changes in lifestyle, work and travel as a result of coronavirus could mean the restrictions, first mooted last year, may no longer by needed.

The government had expressed concerns about the option to ban diesel cars from the area around the Centre but had told the council to put the charging system for lorries, buses and taxis in place by March next year – and to consider charging private vehicles as well.

Mr Rees said he opposed any scheme which would charge private car owners, as it would disproportionately affect families from poorer households.

He said air pollution levels, which had plunged during lockdown, had started to rise

again but that the city had maintained a “fair improvement” in air quality because work and travel patterns have changed.

Mr Rees added: “If we can maintain the best of those changes in those work patterns and lifestyles, we believe we will be able to pursue a plan to get us to compliance in the shortest possible time in a way that doesn’t actually charge households and businesses.”

Mr Rees said a non-charging clean air plan might be possible if some of the measures being introduced to encourage walking and cycling since lockdown work.

He said: “We will continue to do the work needed for the charging options we’ve already been developing.

“It is right that we explore new opportunities in line with the dramatic changes in our lifestyles, travel and income that residents and small businesses experienced following lockdown.

“The end result could actually achieve cleaner air faster whilst avoiding unintended negative consequences caused by charging vulnerable communities in Bristol.”

By Amanda Cameron, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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September, 2020

3

n NEWS

Time to talk about 'the other C word' A FISHPONDS nurse is at the forefront of a new campaign to raise £2 million to help cancer patients at Bristol city centre hospitals.

Tracey Arthur has worked at the Bristol Oncology Centre for 23 years, and for much of that time she has also raised money for Above & Beyond, the NHS charity for University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.

The charity raises money for research, the latest equipment, staff training and improvements to the hospital environment for staff and patients, focusing on things that cannot be provided by NHS budgets.

And while coronavirus has placed massive demands on the NHS and society for most of 2020, this month Above & Beyond is focusing on helping those facing a disease that kills 450 people a day in the UK, as it launches its Bristol Against Cancer campaign.

Tracey, an advanced clinical practitioner trainee, said: “I've been working here at the Oncology Centre for 23 years, and before that I was at the BRI. I love the fact that the patients that we see often come back into the hospital, and you get to know the patients and their families.

“Working in the oncology centre can be

Tracey Arthur: Raising money as well as morale quite difficult, but at the end of the day it’s a place where we have treatment so I think it's important to increase patients’ morale just by keeping them informed of what's going on and making sure communications are always open.

“You can help morale in lots of ways, but actually just being nice can help someone.

“I started fundraising for Above & Beyond a long, long time ago. For me, what I realised is that when I do a bake sale in the oncology centre, people see me for me, rather than the nurse that I am.

“I feel very passionate about the charity and Bristol Against Cancer. I work in the hospital, but Above & Beyond is side by side with that.”

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Hospital staff, former and current patients are joining together for the launch of Bristol Against Cancer on September 7.

Above & Beyond chief executive Paul Kearney said: “It’s time to talk about the other ‘c’ word. Cancer has continued to affect the lives of thousands of local people over the last few months.

“We need the people of Bristol and beyond to come together again and support cancer patients across the South West and ensure they get the best care possible. We believe in the NHS. But we know it can’t do what it needs to without us. Please join Bristol Against Cancer and help make cancer care in Bristol the best it can be.”

Above & Beyond says figures from the NHS in Bristol show that rates of premature death from cancer were already significantly higher than for the rest of England and it expects demand for the cancer services offered at city hospitals to continue to increase, putting increased pressure on facilities and staff.

The charity is urging people to join Bristol Against Cancer by making a donation. To donate or find out more about fundraising and volunteering, visit the Above & Beyond website at www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk.

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September, 2020

n NEWS

'Use app for buses info'

BUS company First is urging passengers to use technology to help make sure they get a seat as people return to work and school.

The operator has increased services as lockdown restrictions have eased but each vehicle is only at half of the normal passenger capacity, to allow for social distancing. It says it has also introduced an "enhanced cleaning regime".

It swants smartphone users to download the First Bus App, which shows the live location of each bus on its route, how many seats are free and whether wheelchair space is available.

When a bus reaches its maximum capacity, it will show as ‘full’ on the app map and the screen on the front of the bus will display the message: "Bus full due to social distancing."

First has also launched a website spacechecker.firstgroup. com/bristol-bath-and-west.

Motorcyclist seriously hurt in crash A MOTORCYCLIST was seriously injured in a crash on the main road linking Downend and Fishponds.

Police say the 56-year-old man suffered "what are thought to be life-changing injuries" in the collision with a car, at the junction of Downend Road and Stanbury Road on August 20.

The collision happened at around 6.20am and ambulance crews called firefighters and police for assistance. The injured man was taken to hospital and Downend Road was closed between the Cross Hands junction and Overndale Road for seven hours, as police carried out an accident investigation and cleared the scene of the crash.

Buses on the 48 and Y2 routes service Downend were diverted via Staple Hill while the closure was in place.

An Avon and Somerset police spokesperson called on anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage they believe could be relevant to the investigation to call 101 and quote the incident reference number 5220 188 300.

Within a week of the incident the city council had sent a team to cut back branches of trees near the site of the collision, to improve visibility at the junction.

A council spokesperson said: “It is important that the city’s roads and streets are safe, efficient and accessible to everyone and we constantly monitor road safety and identify any problem areas.

"Tree pruning on the road where Stanbury

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Downend Road was closed to traffic for seven hours after the collision Avenue meets Downend has taken place to improve visibility for vehicles exiting the junction, and we will continue to monitor the area closely.

"Citizens can report their road safety concerns or request an improvement or change to the road on the council website and can also raise those concerns with their local ward member.”

Frome Vale ward councillor Lesley Alexander said no safety concerns had been raised with her before the accident.

She said: "I have not found it a problem myself but I can see that if a van was parked near to the entrance this could cause a sight problem, and therefore in my opinion the lines on the main road should be extended."

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

fishpondsvoice

September, 2020

5

n NEWS

Artist Parys makes it big!

AN artist from Stapleton has seen her work displayed across Bristol through the summer.

Parys Gardener is one of 37 members of creative collective Rising Arts Agency who took over nine billboard and 370 poster sites in July and August, including some on Fishponds Road, to promote their work and their message.

The #WhoseFuture campaign, working with outdoor advertising group Out of Hand and Bristol City Council, gave them a chance to showcase works addressing subjects including "racism, access issues, the climate crisis, leadership and young people’s hopes for a secure and empowering future".

Parys is a professional digital illustrator whose commissions include work for the BBC, Nike, Footlocker and gal-dem magazine.

She has been creating illustrations since 2017, when she started building her portfolio while studying an illustration and visual communications degree at Westminster University.

A lifelong Stapleton resident, Parys attended John Cabot Academy before doing a foundation diploma at the Royal West of England Academy, where she discovered her "passion for storytelling through art".

She has built a strong online presence through her website parysgardener.com and social media to network.

Illustrator Parys Gardener spreads the word on the street with her billboard artwork

Parys said: "For anyone starting out in this industry I would always say the best advice I could give is to not underestimate the power of the virtual word of mouth."

Earlier this year she was approached by the organisers of the Bristol Light Festival to create some work to be projected on the side of a building on Park Street, and discovered that Banksy, whose Well Hung Lover graffiti formed part of the display, also had a hand in short-listing the commissioned artists for the project.

Parys became involved with Rising through its peer support and networking opportunities for young people in the city, with weekly mentoring and a training programme.

She said: "As I returned to Bristol after university I was on the lookout for ways I would be able to network with the young artistic communities in Bristol and through that I found Rising."

The billboard campaign has raised the profile of her work both online and within the local community.

Parys said: "I was great to be part of the conversation around social justice in this way. people tell me that they recognised my work on the street.It's still a very surreal and humbling experience, to say the least."

Rising says its mission is "to empower under-represented young people to fulfil their

creative ambitions and make social change happen".

In a statement explaining the campaign, the collective said: "Increasingly, over the past year or so, our work has focused on both championing a range of social issues and challenging the status quo in the creative sector.

"Rising had always dreamt

of taking up space in the city, shouting loud and proud for what we believe in, and this campaign allowed us to realise that dream."

"It is our core belief that young people are experts on their own lives and experiences and that it is time for us to be listened to."

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September, 2020

n NEWS

Local lockdown warning as test station opens A COVID-19 testing station for East Bristol is being set up.

The temporary walk-in facility, which is being built at Netham Park, was expected to be ready for use by the start of September.

It would mean people advised to have a test for the virus do not have to travel to the Victoria Rooms in Clifton or Bristol Airport.

The site is being built as Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees has said people should be “concerned but not alarmed” about a recent rise in coronavirus cases in the city.

Over the week to August 26, 41 new cases were confirmed: up from 35 the week before and 10 the seven days before that.

Mr Rees said the number of infections represented a “steady increase” and that a bigger rise could force a local lockdown.

The Mayor said: “We should be concerned

because we should be in a permanent state of concern about Covid. What we should not be is alarmed because the prevalence of Covid among our population is still relatively low.We are around eight per 100,000 (population). The national average is about 10. But ... the fact we have not had an explosion here should not lead us to thinking we are immune to it."

By August 30 the total number of cases recorded in Bristol since the start of the pandemic was 1,491 – an overall cumulative infection rate of 321.8 per 100,000.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show there were no deaths from COVID-19 in Fishponds, Eastville or Stapleton throughout June and July.

The ONS divides the country into areas with equal populations of 7,500 before

measuring registered Covid-19 deaths.

Figures released on August 28 showed that the Fishponds South area, which includes most of the Hillfields estate, continues to be one of the few in the city with no coronavirus deaths since the start of the pandemic, with no deaths for the last two months in the Fishponds North, Eastville, Stapleton and Speedwell areas.

Nearby areas of Downend, Staple Hill and Lockleaze have also recorded no deaths for two months, while Lower Easton, Redfield and Frenchay & Great Stoke last recorded fatalities in June. Overall there have been six coronavirus-related deaths in the ONS's Fishponds North area, six in Speedwell, 10 in Stapleton and five in Eastville.

By Amanda Cameron, Local Democracy Reporting Service

n A DVERTISING FEATURE

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HILDREN’S Hospice South West (CHSW) is inviting people to remember and celebrate the life of a loved one and raise vital funds for the charity.

A Memories by Moonlight ceremony will be broadcast live on Facebook from CHSW’s Little Harbour children’s hospice in St Austell at 9pm on Saturday, September 26, giving people the opportunity to light a candle and join together virtually for a special evening of reflection.

The poignant and uplifting ceremony will feature readings from all three of the charity’s children’s hospices –Charlton Farm near Bristol, Little Harbour and Little Bridge House near Barnstaple. It will include music, poems and a two-minute applause to celebrate loved ones whose names will appear on the screen.

Kiley Pearce, Events Fundraiser for CHSW said: “Due to the pandemic, the charity has had to adapt many things over the last few months – the care and support we offer to children as well as the fundraising events that help to fund that vital support for more than 500 local families.

“We hope our new Memories by Moonlight event will give people a lovely way to support the work we do while remembering their loved

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ones.”

Everyone who registers to take part in the event, which is being sponsored by National Friendly, will get the chance to join the virtual memory ceremony. People can then choose to simply donate in memory of their loved one or complete a walk or activity that reminds them of their loved one and ask friends and family to make a donation towards this.

Participants will receive a beautiful memory pack in the post, which will include a candle bag to decorate, along with a tea light to light on the evening and a booklet to accompany the memory ceremony.

Kiley added: “We are delighted to be bringing Memories by Moonlight to people across Bristol and beyond. We look forward to connecting with everyone joining us for the memory ceremony on the evening of September 26, which we are sure will be a very special night.”

To register for Memories by Moonlight simply visit www.chsw. org.uk/moonlight. Registration is just £10 and a memory pack, along with details of how to access the Memory Ceremony, will be sent in the post. For more information about the event, you can also call the CHSW Fundraising Team on 01726 871800.

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

fishpondsvoice

September, 2020

7

n NEWS

Great work on the fruit and veg front TENANTS of Thingwall Park allotments have been helping to keep families in need fed over the summer.

They started earlier this year by setting up a community space to grow extra fruit and veg for Fishponds' food bank.

When lockdown made it difficult to meet, tenants decided to donate fresh produce from their own allotments instead. As the food bank, which is based at Fishponds Baptist Church, could not accept perishable goods the fruit and veg sold from a front garden, raising £250 for food bank funds.

Fruit and veg donations have also been given direct to St Luke’s Lunch, a project in Barton Hill that aims to provide food for 30 of the poorest families in the school holidays.

Allotment site rep Irene Blessitt said: "The fresh produce has been welcomed. Thingwall Park allotmenters have donated potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, Swiss chard, courgettes, cabbage, plums, apples and pears, to name but a few."

The donations were due to stop as schools reopen and the amount of produce declines, with the allotment holders assessing the project and planning for next year.

Sale Trail - so good they're doing it again!

Fishponds Baptist Church Downend Road Bristol BS16 5AD Telephone: 01179584075 Email: stickyfishpreschool@hotmail.co.uk • Website: www.stickyfishpreschool.org.uk/

ORGANISERS of a sale that brought crowds on to Fishponds' streets this summer are returning with another event next month.

The Fishponds Sale Trail in July saw more than 80 street stalls set up across the area, raised £600 for foodbank charity the Trussell Trust and Fishponds food bank, despite a series of downpours on the day.

The next sale trail, which will take place on Saturday October 3, from 11am to 3pm, aims to build on that success by adding a farmer's market in the grounds of All Saints Church in Grove Road to the selection of clothes, art and second-hand items on sale during the first event.

Nikki Watten, from organisers FishFest, said: "We

already have Nom Wholefoods and Fishponds Plants, along with a refreshment stall and cake in the Church grounds.

"Again, we are counting on the good people of Fishponds to come out with stalls in their front gardens."

People can set up stalls free outside their homes or hire a table at All Saints for food and plant sales for £10.

Kate Brooks of FishFest will be collecting donations for the Trussell Trust and Fishponds food bank at 53 Grove Road and stall holders are being encouraged to make a small donation to the food bank.

Sellers must register by September 24. Forms can be found online at bit.ly/2EMYNds or on FishFest Facebook page.

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8

September, 2020

n NEWS

Hopes for September festivals dashed TWO festivals which organisers had hoped to stage in Eastville Park this month have been called off.

Love Saves The Day and Tokyo World had been due to take place two weeks apart, on September 5-6 and 19-20 respectively.

But both sets of organisers have now announced that ongoing restrictions on mass gatherings mean it will be impossible to hold them.

This year was set to be the last in which Love Saves The Day was held in Eastville Park, five years after it had first been staged there. From next year it will be held at Ashton Court.

The 2020 event had originally been scheduled for May 2324 but after the coronavirus lockdown was introduced, organisers pushed the date back.

However they were eventually forced to concede "with a heavy heart " that even holding the

event in September would not be possible.

They issued a statement, which said: "We held on as long as we could to try and find a way to produce the event safely in September, but the lack of clarity as to what can be safely achieved has led us to this very difficult decision."

This year's tickets will be valid for 2021, although refunds are also being offered.

They said the "wheels are

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place in September.

"We have held out for as long as we possibly could and remained hopeful that this would be the case. The government’s final road map to the easing of this lockdown and return of mass gatherings sadly begins in October.

"We continue to liaise with Love Saves The Day in Eastville authorities regarding outdoor events and it is not an option to Park. Picture: reschedule our event for the early Matt Eachus part of next year at this time." already in motion" for next year's They said the "high volume" event, whose line-up "will likely of tickets sold for this year's be built from scratch again". event meant capacity next year Tokyo World organisers would be increased to 25,000, waited until August 12 before with 2020 tickets valid for 2021 announcing that the festival was but refunds also available. being postponed until September The organisers added: "This 18-19 next year. situation is absolutely terrible They said: "We strongly for all of us, we are extremely believed that, given our event sad and disappointed. But the was six months away from the safety aspects must come first, start of lockdown, it would be and together we will dance again safe for our gates to open and in 2021." that Tokyo World would take

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September, 2020

9

n NEWS

NHS staff say thanks for the free meals NHS staff at Blackberry Hill Hospital and Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre were among those who were given free hot meals in lockdown.

The Food 4 NHS Project involved teams from takeaways and restaurants including Curry Supreme in Staple Hill and the Rajastan Royal in Downend, working with campaign group UK Curry Connect.

The six-week initiative was led by Naseem Talukdar, a project manager for charity Plastic Pollution Awareness and Action Projects and founder of Feed the Homeless, who also helps out at the Rajastan Royal.

Naseem said: "We launched the project as soon as we went into lockdown. Front-line workers have been bravely putting their lives at risk to help others and we wanted to do our bit to support them.”

Naseem coordinated with UK Curry Connect, which has been

Naseem Talukdar, who helps out at the Rajastan Royal in Downend, delivering food to staff at the BRI Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre set up to raise awareness of skills shortages in the Asian catering industry, and food caterers across the region who had built relationships through their ‘curry and conversations’ meet-ups to find alternatives to single-use plastic in the food industry.

Volunteers delivered 2,500 hot meals to staff at hospitals including Blackberry Hill, Frenchay Brain injury Rehabilitation Centre, the Bristol Royal Infirmary and the

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Emersons Green NHS Centre.

They also dropped food off to key workers and police officers, who had limited access to food during their long shifts.

Blackberry Hill Hospital service manager Stefan Jakubowski said the warm meals helped to boost morale.

He said: “The staff had been working in difficult conditions, with full PPE, and the food deliveries helped brighten up their day.

“To receive warm, good quality food, especially while the on-site canteen had to be closed, was really appreciated. It showed a recognition for the team’s work and boosted morale.”

Ibrahim Romel, of Rajastan Royal, who is also taking part in a PPAAP scheme to reduce plastic, said: “The key workers have done so much for our community during the coronavirus crisis and we wanted to show our appreciation.”

High Sheriff of Bristol Dr John Manley, who supported the project, presented volunteers with certificates for their contribution after the end of the project.

He said: “It is great to see so many people in the food industry offer their time and skills for front-line workers.”

For more information on Plastic Pollution Awareness and Action Projects, visit www. ppaap.org.uk.

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10 September 2020

September, 2020 13

■ WILL & PROBATE ADVICE

Now is the time to have up to date Wills and Powers of Attorney WITH all the difficulties the world has faced, this may be something you have put off - but now is the time to make sure you have up to date protection: ● A well written Will makes sure your wishes are followed if you died unexpectedly. It lets you protect those you love, as you get to decide how to provide for those you leave behind. ● A well prepared Power of Attorney makes sure your wishes are followed if you were injured or became seriously ill and needed to have someone appointed that you trust to act on your behalf and speak up for you.

However to work without legal challenge, both Wills and Powers of Attorney need to be prepared in advance in accordance with the strict rules that apply.

Simpson Solicitors offer our readers a FREE review meeting to discuss the various options you have for your particular situation.

This can include guidance on appointing Guardians for children, as well as protecting what you leave behind from unnecessary inheritance tax or from being used up in care home fees.

They can help with a (COVID-safe) in-person meeting at their ground floor offices or if you prefer by telephone or Zoom video. If 2m distancing is possible they can also

see you at home or in your garden.

At no extra cost their service can now include them coming to your door to provide a “door step signing” service. This is to make sure your new documents are properly signed and witnessed and legally valid – even if you are shielding at home.

Vincent Mulcock and the team at Simpson Solicitors remain OPEN at their offices opposite Costa Coffee in Kings Chase Shopping Centre in Kingswood.

Call 0117 960 8594 to book your FREE review meeting. If you then instruct them, they offer clear fixed prices, and readers of The Voice are also given 20% off their already great value charges.

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fishpondsvoice

September, 2020

11

n NEWS

Disease risk warning over river swimming PEOPLE are being warned about the hazards of wild swimming in the river Frome after a girl caught a bacterial disease at Snuff Mills.

Mum Hannah Evans posted a warning on social media after her 11-year-old daughter Taysha caught the bacterial infection leptospirosis, also known as Weil's disease, in late July.

In a public Facebook post Hannah said her daughter was barely able to walk, was unable to keep fluids or food down and had back and leg pain after falling ill three days after a swim. The whites of her eyes turned red and her temperature peaked at a dangerously-high 42.5C. After several calls to doctors and NHS 111, and a trip to A&E, Taysha was eventually taken to hospital by ambulance and was kept in for three days.

It was initially thought she could have had a rare syndrome linked to coronavirus, before blood tests confirmed leptospirosis, which is spread to humans from rats and

other animals, usually through soil or water that has been contaminated by their urine.

It can enter the body through the eyes, mouth, nose or breaks in the skin.

Doctors think the bacteria infected Taysha via an insect bite on her leg.

Hannah told the BBC: "I honestly thought she had really bad flu or something to do with the coronavirus.

"I'm so thankful it was caught eventually, and now I just want other parents to be aware."

Waterways body the Canal and River Trust says recorded cases of leptospirosis number between 50 and 100 per year in England and Wales, and advises people to thoroughly clean any cut, scratch or graze and cover it with a waterproof plaster, avoid rubbing the eyes, nose and mouth, clean footwear and clothing and wash their hands thoroughly, particularly before eating or drinking, after being in contact with river water or river banks.

Three charities vie for your votes THREE Bristol charities are appealing for votes to help win up to £100,000.

Access Sport, Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal and St Werburghs City Farm are on the shortlist to win a share of Persimmon Homes’ £1 million Building Futures fund for charities supporting under-18s.

Access Sport is looking for funding to expand a scheme to help 2,000 disabled children participate in regular local sport.

The Grand Appeal is looking for funding to support the refurbishment and updating of the Ocean Unit at Bristol Children's Hospital, where nearly 400 children per year receive chemotherapy.

St Werburghs City Farm has applied for funding for its Urban Farmers project, to help 250 young people struggling with anxiety to build skills through activities.

Cash awards of £100,000, £50,000 or £20,000 will be made next month. To win one, each charity project needs votes from the public, which can be cast online at persimmonhomes.com/building-futures/ finalists from now until September 18.

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fishpondsvoice

12

n NEWS MORE than eight out of ten patients of surgeries serving the Fishponds area are satisfied with the service they receive, official figures show.

But there are some big differences in the time patients have to wait for an appointment and how easy they find it to get through on the phone.

The annual NHS GP Patient Survey, published this summer, found that 33% of patients at Fishponds Family Practice, based at the Fishponds Primary Care Centre in Beechwood Road, were able to see a doctor the same day.

A further 34% waited more than a day but less than a week, while 24% waited a week or more.

At Beechwood Medical Practice, based at the same centre, 34% of patients were able to obtain a same-day appointment, with 48% waiting between a day and a week and just 13% waiting a week or more.

At the Old School Surgery in Manor Road, 30% of patients were offered a sameday appointment, 23% waited between a day and a week but

September, 2020

Survey lifts lid on patients' experience at surgeries 42% waited a week or more.

At Eastville Medical Practice at the East Trees Health Centre in Fishponds Road, just 20% of patients were offered a same-day appointment, with 39% waiting between a day and a week, and another 39% waiting a week or more.

At Maytrees Medical Practice, which is based at the same centre, 41% of patients were offered a same-day appointment, with 28% waiting more than a day but less than a week and 26% waiting a week or more.

Some patients responding to the survey couldn't remember the length of their wait.

Patients were asked how easy they found it to get through on the phone to their surgery: only 53% of Fishponds Family

Practice, 55% of Eastville and 57% of Maytrees patients said it was easy, rising to 73% for Beechwood and 83% for the Old School.

Overall satisfaction levels were 83% for Fishponds Family Practice, 95% for Beechwood, 88% for the Old School, 81% for Eastville and 88% for Maytrees.

Almost 26,000 patients in the area responded to the survey, which was carried out by polling group Ipsos MORI earlier this year.

Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, which is in overall charge of funding surgeries, said 96% of patients had confidence and trust in the healthcare professionals they saw.

CCG clinical lead for primary care provider development Dr Geeta Iyer said: “Improving and strengthening primary care services is a high priority for us and it is more important than ever that this continues in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“During the past year our primary care networks have made great progress, bringing groups of practices together with other community services to provide co-ordinated and joined up care for people in their local areas “The results of the survey are a testament to all the hard work of everyone who works in primary care, in both clinical and non-clinical roles, who continue to deliver high quality GP services for our population.”

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fishpondsvoice

September, 2020

13

n NEWS A CYCLIST suffered a broken jaw and collar bone when he was knocked off his bike and robbed by a group of youths on the Bristol and Bath Railway Path.

The incident on August 8 was the second robbery on the path between Fishponds and the city centre in the space of three weeks.

The cyclist was punched by one of a group of youths at the Chelsea Park junction in Easton at about 8.15pm on August 8, losing consciousness and coming round to find his bike stolen.

He needed stitches to gashes in his tongue and lower lip, as well as injuring his teeth and gums.

A Lapierre Sensium bike with white, black and gold frame was stolen during the robbery, along with a Garmin Edge 800 bike computer.

Anyone with information about the incident or who thinks they have seen the stolen bike should call the police on 101 and quote crime reference number 5220 178 452.

It followed a mugging on July 21, when a man in his 20s had his bike and wallet taken after being threatened with violence as he cycled through Clay Bottom at about 5.45pm.

Accounts of several incidents on the path have appeared on social media over the past month, including broken glass being left on the path at Thicket Road, Fishponds on August 20 and people dragging branches on the path at the old Mangotsfield Station on August 13 and 15, with one cyclist later knocked off his bike.

Avon and Somerset police are calling on people to report all incidents of crime or anti-social behaviour on the path to them.

A spokesperson said having reports of all incidents helped neighbourhood officers to plan patrols on the path to target places and times when crimes are happening.

Car park scam warning A PENSIONER in his 80s was conned by a man who told him he had been given a parking ticket in a supermarket car park.

Police released CCTV image (pictured) of a man they want to talk about the incident, which happened at Tesco in Eastville on the morning of August 2.

Officers say a man approached the "vulnerable" pensioner and told him he had been given a parking ticket at the store.

An Avon and Somerset police spokesperson said: "The man directed him to a cash machine in Muller Road, where he said he could resolve the issue for him.

"The man then returned to Tesco with the victim’s bank card and withdrew a quantity of cash from an ATM at about 11.40am."

Police say the man in the CCTV picture is of Asian appearance and medium build.

He was wearing a face mask, a dark hooded top and trousers at the time of the incident.

Anyone who recognises the man or thinks they saw what happened should call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5220 172 707 or contact the police online.

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fishpondsvoice

14

September, 2020

n FROM OUR MP

We must make schools safe THIS year has been a difficult year for pupils in east Bristol schools, and of course their parents and teachers. Many children will not have been in a classroom setting since the start of lockdown, and older pupils will have had all the stress around results to contend with too.

Schools in Bristol will re-open in full from early September.

I support this, as there is clear evidence that children’s education has suffered during lockdown, despite the best efforts of parents to home educate, often while trying to do their normal jobs from home too. But we do have to make sure that the school environment is safe for pupils and staff.

The threat of Covid-19 remains, and many schools will be adopting procedures to protect their pupils and staff. All parents should check with their school to see what the procedures are for pupils to return. For instance,

Bristol Metropolitan Academy is having staggered starts in the first week, so everyone can get used to the new 'bubbling� arrangements.

Bristol City Council has been working with schools to produce risk assessments and put in place the correct procedures to follow, for instance if a positive case is identified. Everyone should continue to follow public health advice, e.g. children not attending school if they have Covid-19 symptoms and getting tested whilst isolating.

I appreciate how difficult this period has been, and that many parents will have concerns for their children's and family's safety.

However, from September the legal obligation that children must attend school will be back in force, so if you have any concerns, you should contact your child's school in the first instance.

Hillfields Councillor Anna Keen, who is the education lead at the

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Interestingly, a University of Bristol survey of 1,000 secondary school children in the South West revealed their anxiety levels actually dropped during the pandemic.

I was deeply concerned about the number of pupils who had their A-level grades downgraded by the controversial standardisation process. I wrote to the Education Secretary on behalf of all the young people who contacted me. The Government U-turn allowing teachers' assessed grades to be used for A-levels and GCSEs was welcome, but this mess should never have happened.

The process has been handled awfully, and many young people are still facing uncertainty about university places and their next steps. If you or someone you know who is a resident of Bristol East has been affected, then

Kerry McCarthy MP for Bristol East

writes for Fishponds Voice

please do get in touch. My team and I will do everything we can to help.

You can contact me at kerry. mccarthy.mp@parliament.uk or by phoning 0117 939 9901.

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fishpondsvoice

September, 2020

15

n NEWS

Casting light on voting reform battle CAMPAIGNERS for voting reform used a Fishponds landmark to rally support for changes to the electoral system Make Votes Matter supporters took part in a nationwide Day of Action in August to highlight concerns about the UK’s current 'firstpast-the-post' voting system.

They want to see FPTP, where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins, even if they have less than half of the votes cast, replaced by a proportional representation system for Parliamentary elections, where the number of seats parties win in the House of Commons reflects their share of the vote.

Fishponds campaigners Emma Knaggs and Sarah Hudspith chose the Fish on Nose statue at the site of the former Fishponds station, near Morrisons, to demonstrate with placards and banners, posting photos in a "virtual rally" on social media.

Emma, who is the grassroots leader of Make Votes Matter, a national, cross-party campaign advocating the PR system, said: “Our first-past-the-post voting system means Parliament does

not reflect how the UK voted.

"The government has a landslide majority of seats, but this is despite the Conservatives receiving less than 44% of the votes.

"In the Bristol East constituency where we live, unless you vote for Labour, your vote is effectively wasted.

“We need to change to a system of Proportional Representation so votes count equally, and so governments and Parliament represent the diversity of people and views in our communities and society.

It’s absolutely critical to people’s participation and faith in democracy.

“The response to our Make Votes Matter day of action campaign has been fantastic, with people overcoming the current Covid-19 restrictions safely by picking up placards and taking pictures at local landmarks across the UK. "The interest in our campaign shows the growing appetite for change amongst the electorate.”

The group has raised a petition to MPs calling for a change to the system, which is at www.makevotesmatter.org.uk/ sign-petition

Frenchay 10k cancelled A RACE enjoyed annually by hundreds of runners has had to cancel its 40th anniversary event.

The Frenchay 10k was first held in 1980 and this year's anniversary event was originally due to have been held in April.

After lockdown made that impossible, organisers postponed the race until September 6 in the hope that the event, which attracts hundreds of runners and raises money for local charities, could be staged then.

But with the start and finish site at UWE's Glenside campus not currently available due to continuing coronavirus restrictions, organisers had to cancel the race entirely.

Announcing the decision on social media, they said: "We hope to be back again next year in April 2021 and we hope that you will join us to support the race and make the 40th Frenchay 10k the biggest and best one yet!"

Sarah Hudspith and Emma Knaggs are calling for voting reform

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fishpondsvoice

September, 2020

17

n NEWS

GCSE successes after year of turmoil HEAD teachers have praised the hard work and perseverance of GCSE candidates who received their results after an "incredibly challenging" year.

With exams cancelled, Year 11 pupils had been in suspense since March, wondering how assessment of their work up to that point would be translated into results.

And there was confusion when the system for deciding results was changed at the last minute by regulator Ofqual, following an outcry over A-level marking. An algorithm for comparing results nationally was ditched in favour of teachers' assessments.

At Bristol Metropolitan Academy in Fishponds, staff said the results achieved by Year 11s were "a testament to their hard-work and perseverance".

Principal Cameron Shaw said: "We had the largest turnout of students and staff ever on results

day. Students and staff were able to come back together as a community for the first time since March and share in this long-awaited moment.

"Lock down has been incredibly challenging for everyone in the country and specifically for this cohort of students, who have faced so much uncertainty and speculation."

At Bristol Brunel Academy in Speedwell, staff said they were "incredibly proud" of the dedication and hard work of the Year 11 pupils, more than half of whom are going on to study post-16 qualifications as students of the Cabot Learning Federation, which runs the school, in September. Principal Jon Jones said: "This has always been an exceptional year group.

We celebrate the successes they have achieved in their exam grades and also look back on their time with us, where

they have been outstanding in their political interest, drama performances, sporting success, friendship groups and positive attitudes.

"Of course, I want to thank our students for being so fabulous! I also want to pass on a special ‘thank you’ to our parents and carers who have been supporting our youngsters at home during lockdown on the emotional roller-coaster of the past few months."

At Fairfield High School, principal Nick Lewis said he was "extremely proud" of Year 11 pupils, adding: “Well done to all the students who have achieved the grades they were hoping for. Perhaps more importantly, I want to congratulate all our young people who have shown such maturity and resilience during this emergency.”

Head student Alice Towle said said it was a pity that her year group had missed their exams,

seen their prom postponed and been denied the chance to experience results day in school together.

She said: “Our teachers have been fantastic, checking up on us by phone and email."

At independent Colston’s School in Stapleton, "an exceptional set of GCSE results" saw 55% of grades awarded at 7 to 9 and 30% of students achieving grades 7 or above in all of their subjects.

Headmaster Jeremy McCullough said: “We were confident that we knew our students really well, and would be in a strong position to ascribe Centre Assessed grades that would closely reflect those they would have achieved had they been able to sit their exams.

"We are therefore comfortable that these impressive grades reflect their huge endeavours in the classroom and at home during lockdown."

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Calling all superstars!

Let’s get back to school safely It’s nearly time for school!

Whether your children are aspiring vets, scientists, athletes, or musicians, are you ready to help them reignite that dream and get back into the classroom?

It’s perfectly normal to feel a bit worried about returning to school.

Some things will feel the same but there will be some changes.

School staff across Bristol are doing everything they can to keep your kids safe.

Here’s some homework for children, parents and carers, ahead of going back to school. Please make sure to:

3

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Contact your school Make sure you’re up-todate with your school’s latest information about reopening and what to expect.

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Can your children walk or cycle to school? Kickstart a healthy habit and get moving if possible.

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Do not attend with symptoms

to all of A big thank you school staf f d our teachers annued hard ti n co r for you itment. work and commciate We all appre your help in welcoming students back . ber safely in Septem

Children with COVID-19 symptoms must stay at home and get tested. If your Be kind child feels ill at school, It’s a challenging time s/he must tell a for all of us, but remember – teacher. you’re not alone. Don’t forget to support each other and look after See the latest COVID-19 government guidelines, your own mental health and resources to help prepare for going back to school wellbeing. It’s a class and health advice at www.bristol.gov.uk effort.

fishpondsvoice

September, 2020

19

n A LEVELS

A-level students make the grade A-LEVEL students are preparing to take their next steps into higher education, apprenticeships or work after their final year was disrupted by the coronavirus crisis.

Students faced upheaval as a government algorithm used to moderate results downgraded teacher predictions for around four in every ten A-levels – before a government u-turn allowed schools' assessments to be used where they were higher.

Despite the national chaos, sixth form centres serving the Greater Fishponds area reported many successes among post-16 students.

The Cabot Learning Federation said high numbers of students had been successful in securing university places, apprenticeships and employment after securing A-Levels and vocational qualifications.

They included one student heading to Cardiff University to read biomedical sciences, another set to study child nursing at Birmingham City University and another achieving the grades needed for an Avon & Somerset Police apprenticeship.

Principal Kath Cooper said: “It has been a privilege to support so many students to make sense of this year’s exam approach and pleasing to see many secure promising futures.

"The opportunities that are available to them in such unprecedented times is refreshing to see and we wish them every success – they deserve it!”

At V6, the joint sixth-form venture between Fairfield High School and Colston’s Girls’ School, more than 20% of all grades achieved by students were at A*/A. Now in its third year, V6 is rated in the top ten state schools nationally for the proportion of students going on to study at top-ranking universities.

Among the highest achievers were Helen Cutler, who achieved four A*s and will study medicine and surgery at Lancaster University, Fiona Chung (2A* 2A), who will study psychology and neuroscience at Bristol University, Nawal Abdullah (A*AB), who will read law at

Students at V6, the joint Fairfield High School and Colston's Girls' School sixth form, celebrate their A-level results Bristol University, Hannah Eastwood (3A), who will study criminology at Birmingham University, Trinity Willis (3A), who will study veterinary science at Bristol University and Elle Radford (A*2A) who is taking a gap year internship in engineering consultancy before applying to university.

Head of sixth form Caroline McClean said: “Our students have demonstrated incredible resilience in very unusual circumstances this year and we are extremely proud of their performance. Our strong results and the excellent destinations students have secured are testament to the hard work of students alongside the support of their teachers and families.”

City of Bristol College is celebrating a rise in its performance, with 96% of A Level students securing an overall pass (A*-E), a two per cent rise from the previous academic year.

Ten out of 18 A Level subjects delivered at the college achieved a 100% pass rates, including: art and design, computer science, English literature, English language, film studies, geography, maths, media studies, politics and sociology.

Principal and chief executive Andy Forbes said: “We are very pleased with the success of our students this year, many of whom have got the grades to go to the university of their choice."

He said the alteration of initial grades by regulator Ofqual had meant they were "not a true

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

reflection of our students’ hard work" before the government's u-turn.

At independent Colston’s Upper Sixth, 52% of A Level grades were awarded at A*/A, 80% of A-level grades were A* to

B and 90% of BTEC grades were Distinction* or Distinction.

Headmaster Jeremy McCullough said: “Regardless of the surprises that 2020, and more recently Ofqual, have had in store for us, we were not at all surprised to see our brilliant Upper Sixth Formers rewarded with some fantastic grades. They may not have got to sit their actual examinations but their hard work and effort throughout their studies have seen them secure very impressive outcomes."

“I know this cohort have had a pretty tough time of things in 2020, but I am delighted to report that the very great majority of them have earned the grades they need to move on to their chosen university courses or apprenticeships; with 90% earning their place on their firstchoice university course."

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’VE said before that I’m generally an optimist. This year was meant to be a great year for so many reasons. I think accepting where we are and making the most of what we’ve got, as well as looking forward with hope, is key to helping us all see this through.

Schools are almost back, which I’m sure is a relief to so many of us, but perhaps for different reasons! I’m pleased that our three are looking forward to being back with their friends, no doubt in new ways to keep them all safe. It’s surely a credit to our schools that they’re managing so much and so well in such difficult circumstances.

No mention of schools would be complete without a few eye and vision tips. It’s the time of year we receive the most referrals about children and young people with visual symptoms. They range from not being able to see the school board to cranky and tired children (who knew this could be due to eye strain eh!).

It's more common to notice eye rubbing, excessive blinking and getting headaches, but we’re happy really to advise on all sorts of eye or vision concerns.

Now I’m known as a tech lover, and as I’m sure we all did in the lockdown phase, my use of tech was significantly increased.

My time was often spent on video calls to patients or reviewing and advising on guidance and patient safety documents. It was definitely a good time to test out the advice I’m usually giving to our patients; take regular breaks from your phone, tablet or computer screen, drink a good amount of water during the working day and make sure you get up and about at regular intervals. The stress relieving benefit of a short lunchtime walk in the sunshine was felt by many!

I remain quietly (or maybe not so quietly!) in awe of the sublime quality and affordable luxury of our Tom Davies hand made glasses. The most common feedback our satisfied patients report is the day long comfort of wearing these glasses. The range

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of materials, from soft touch Italian acetate to diamond (yes really!) coated Japanese titanium and ethical horn and ensures that whatever style you choose you too can look great & feel good in your new glasses!

As always when you come and see us you can expect the usual high standards of personal service, professional expertise and hygiene excellence you’re used to, from your local independent opticians. You & your loved ones are most welcome to come and see us for your eye care and new glasses or contact lenses. We just ask that you telephone first to book a time to come in, to help us keep you all safe.

Whatever your eye care needs, whether at school, home working or out & about our expert team is ready & waiting to help you - however you enjoy using your eyes & vision! To book an extended eye exam or frame style consultation for yourself or those you love, please call our Henleaze practice on 0117 962 2474 or our Fishponds practice on 0117 965 4434.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Peter

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.

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

September, 2020

21

n NEWS

Phone friends are a lifeline A RESIDENT of a Fishponds sheltered housing scheme has met up with the friend he made over the phone as part of a scheme to fight loneliness during lockdown.

Mike Rowsell, who is 71, lives at St John’s Court sheltered housing scheme, off Lodge Causeway.

As coronavirus restrictions were introduced, the charity which manages St John’s Court, Brunelcare, set up an initiative called Friends on the Phone, matching its tenants and residents with volunteers for a weekly phone call to give them some company.

Mike was matched up with volunteer Nicki Townsend, and from their first call in April they immediately hit it off, becoming good friends.

They have weekly Zoom video meetings, text and catch up on the phone, and in July they met for the first time.

Mike said the Friends on the Phone initiative had changed his life.

He said: "I met Nicki for the first time last month and she’s just lovely!

"She calls me weekly and I enjoy our regular chats. We hit it off from day one, and have a similar sense of humour.

"The scheme has helped me tremendously during lockdown and I’m glad I’ve been able to meet such a lovely friend.”

Nicki, 55, said: “I signed up to Brunelcare’s

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Friends on the Phone initiative in April and was lucky enough to be partnered with Mike, a person I now call a true friend.

"Mike’s just a wonderful person and we have so much in common! We speak weekly about everything and anything and both love to play the ukulele.”

Brunelcare volunteering coordinator Liz Ehlers said: “It was a pleasure partnering Nicki and Mike together for Brunelcare’s Friends on the Phone initiative.

"They get along so well and it is lovely to hear about their growing friendship.

"This is exactly why we started Friends on the Phone, to make a positive difference to people, and it is proving a huge benefit to everyone engaged in this service.”

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September, 2020

23

n NEWS

Care home hails Outstanding rating A CARE home in Frenchay is celebrating receiving an outstanding rating from the regulator.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission visited the Manor Cottage in Beckspool Road earlier this year and their report described its services as "exceptionally caring", saying that staff "put people at the heart of everything they did".

The CQC rates care homes in five areas: safety, effectiveness, care, responsiveness and leadership. Manor Cottage was given outstanding ratings for care and leadership, with good ratings in the other two, and an overall outstanding rating.

The inspectors made an unannounced routine inspection in January, when there were 24 people living at the home, which has a capacity of 27.

They spoke to staff, residents and their relatives, as well as examining records, rooms and catering facilities.

Staff at the Manor Cottage care home celebrate their outstanding rating from the CQC The inspectors said: "The service was exceptionally caring. Positive, meaningful relationships had been developed between staff, people and their families. The service respected and recognised the value of aging and that this brought the gifts of life experience. The staff team knew people incredibly well."

The inspectors said the home was "very well led", adding: "The provider, area manager, registered manager, and staff

team maintained a clear focus on continually seeking to improve the service people received."

Registered manager Rayna Powell said staff were "delighted" by the inspection report and rating. She said that the inspectors had visited before the coronavirus crisis and since then, "the whole staff team have pulled together harder than ever to keep our residents safe and well.

Rayna said: "We had staff living in and minimising contact

with their family to ensure that the risks were kept to a minimum and spirits at the Manor Cottage remained high, even in full lockdown.

"Our policies, processes and PPE are thorough and meticulously followed, and they evidenced the experience and enthusiasm of our staff in providing the best care possible.

"Residents and staff used video calling as well as phone calls and good old fashioned letters to keep in touch with friends and family.

"Progressing to sociallydistanced garden visits recently has been wonderful and we have all got used to wearing masks all the time!

"The residents' wisdom and advice has really supported the staff in getting through this challenging time and the home really has its own community – the outstanding rating is as much for the residents as it is for the staff team."

Clampdown on fraud saves city council £3m THREE council workers were sacked and one was prosecuted after dozens were investigated for fraud last year.

The cases are set out in Bristol City Council’s latest annual fraud report, which reveals that reports of wrongdoing by staff have doubled in the last three years, with many complaints coming from whistleblowers within the authority.

The work of its counter-fraud and investigation team, which also tackles benefit and tenancy fraud, saved the city £3 million, including £1.2m in recoverable

cash and more than £9,800 in ongoing weekly savings.

The team completed 50 investigations into reports of fraud by employees, sacking three, prosecuting another, and reporting one to the police. The council has not supplied information identifying the people involved in the cases.

Two staff members were sacked for theft. One stole items from a care home for re-sale and the other manipulated financial records, according to the report.

A third person was sacked for holding

two overlapping jobs at the council, and possibly falsifying their time sheets.

In one of the worst cases, the authority prosecuted a carer who continued to claim for looking after someone who had died.

The council also won a four-year battle to reclaim a council house from a man who fraudulently held two tenancies. The team’s work against tenancy fraud saved more than £2.7m and brought a number of council homes back into circulation.

By Amanda Cameron, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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fishpondsvoice

24

September, 2020

n PLANNING MATTERS WITH CHRIS GOSLING LAST month I explained that the slow delivery of housing was not all the fault of the planning system. Now we are on the verge of the system being overhauled, with a White Paper on the future of planning due in the Autumn.

The irony does not end there. With the country getting ever closer to "taking back control", the time has apparently arrived to abandon the planning system that I always understood to be the "envy of the rest of the world" in favour of something more akin to planning on the continent and, perhaps more pertinently, in the US. It all comes together in a so-called simplification known as zoning.

Of course, we cannot be sure that the ongoing consultation process leading up to this change will be ignored, but let’s assume that is what will happen. This is a fair assumption, as I can’t recall the last time that a major or minor planning policy change was more than moderated at the margins, based on the opinions of those who would be affected or are charged with putting it into practice. The desire to simplify

In the zone things allows the opportunity to leave the detail until later, but the principles of new-look planning are becoming clearer and zoning will be at the heart of it, alongside a reduction in the chance of involvement for local people.

According to the government, the aim is to ensure that planning permissions are turned into homes at a faster rate than at present.

Change is needed because there is too much bureaucracy, complication and delay, and planning has become out of touch with the modern age. Planning has contributed to the generational divide between those who own property and those who don’t.

There is plenty to agree with there, but does that require the system to change or would it function better if it were to be properly resourced?

That is an inconvenient question that does not seem to have occurred to a government bent on reform. As for the generational divide, planning may have played a minor part in this, if indeed it is

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planners that have determined the pitiful supply of affordable homes, but the other factors remain unexamined. I would argue that most of them have stemmed from government policy.

So how will the biggest change since the inception of planning work? Through "democratic local agreement", all land in the country will zoned under one of three categories: for growth, (which will include permission in principle for housing, hospitals, shops and schools) for renewal or for protection. From that point on, the main remaining issue will not be what is built but the design of it. A national design code is proposed, which can then be tailored locally. Permission in principle will effectively mean that planning permission has automatically been approved, subject to design details. Planning proposals and public consultation in them would then be limited to how closely they meet the design codes in force at the time.

The aim in urban areas will be for "gentle densification", which has the potential to become a very loaded phrase. In stark contrast to this, the protection zone is likely to cover the Green Belt, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Conservation Areas, perhaps even all of the countryside. There is little to argue with there in physical terms, but there is also the factor that these areas tend to contain the most expensive housing already, and protecting these would hardly enfranchise the generation that has been priced out. Levelling up the generational divide doesn't come into it.

Chrisgoslingplanning@gmail.com

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There are so many aspects to this that will become clearer when the details emerge.

Planning in this country has for so long been seen as the potential cure for many ills. It is expected to guide the right kind of development in the right places; ensure the provision of infrastructure; be sensitive to the market in implementing local plans; ensure public engagement brings the public along with the decision-makers; be democratic, legally sound and ultimately to balance many competing needs in arriving at the right decisions.

My fear is that this will be replaced by hurried broad-brush designations, followed by a checklist approach, with rules replacing subtlety, experience and judgement. A system that can be regulated by box-ticking can ultimately be run by computers.

Perhaps that is planning fit for the modern age. Maybe it will result in towns of the architectural quality of Bath, Belgravia and Bournville, to quote the government's exemplars.

Then again, with all due respect, Basildon, Bethnal Green and Bootle also start with the same letter.

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fishpondsvoice

September, 2020

25

n VET BLOG

Separation anxiety NOW that more people are able to return to work, we are getting more enquires about how to manage separation anxiety in puppies and adult dogs as they’ve got so used to having you around!

Below are some things to consider before you leave your dog on their own for long periods again.

• Think about getting a pheromone diffuser such as Adaptil™. These diffuse the natural pheromones that dogs produce when they are in their safe home environment.

Leave it on for a few days before returning the work

and consistently until you are confident that they are settled with you being away.

• Get into your work routine before you have to go back. Wake up at the time you would normally, and feed and walk your dog when they would be while you are working.

• Leave your dog in a separate room or in the house while you are in the garden or go to the shops. Start with 5 minutes and make sure you give your dog something to keep them occupied, such as a toy that

can’t be chewing into pieces or a long lasting treat. Once they are happy on their own for 5 minutes, you can slowly increase this in 5 minute increments up to an hour or more. Start this before you return to work.

• L eave some quiet music or the TV on in the background when you leave. This can settle you dog as they may be less responsive to noises from outside the house.

If you have any queries please give the team a call at Kingswood Vets4Pets on 0117 9616417.

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fishpondsvoice

26

September, 2020

n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

Pray for a vaccine AS I was reflecting earlier this year, I realised more than ever before that Jesus was the king that no one was expecting and in many ways he still is. Everyone has a view on what God should do, could do or might do. And that is at the heart of the question, is God in control?

If so why would he allow suffering and pain?

The week before the first Easter his fellow countrymen thought Jesus had come to sort out the oppression from a foreign power but instead he rode into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey and almost straight away was taken to a cross. Just as they thought that his mission had ended, he rose again and he told them to wait for the Holy Spirit to come. All this time that oppression by a foreign power continued. In many ways nothing had changed but to those who met the risen Lord everything changed. They became changed people and as people of love and compassion they in turn changed the world for the better.

Sometimes it’s the simplest things in life, the everyday things that can make the biggest difference. I think over these last five months many people have done things that they may not have done before which have made a big difference to others.

God’s glory is seen in self sacrificial love. That is the way it is, that is the kind of king he is.

In the beginning God gave mankind a mandate to subdue the earth and rule and that hasn’t changed. Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it..” We should continually pray that we find a resolution to this crisis, a vaccine, an antidote, wisdom, for good care and help. This is the way God has done it before and I sense this is the way he will do it this time and in the process we will be reminded of our mortality, our vulnerability, our interdependency and hopefully we will continue to realign our values to things that

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really matter.

It’s a time like this when history is so valuable. There have been plagues down through the years. In 18th-century Europe, it is estimated 400,000 people per year died from smallpox. It caused horrendous suffering. The last known case was in 1977. It’s gone. Just up the road from here in Berkeley, Gloucester, Edward Jenner had heard that dairymaids were protected from smallpox after having had a mild case of cowpox but he did not act on it.

Eventually he began to experiment and when he did in 1796 on a young 8 year old boy, the son of his gardener he saw very positive results. Although no one condones today the way he tested the vaccine maybe the idea for the vaccine was a nudge from God. If you see it that way you can see similar nudges in the history of medicine, with penicillin, and solutions to other diseases such as cholera. So we pray for lasting solutions to this crisis. Will we

A WORLD OF

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Tony Davies Leader, Waterbrook Church

eventually solve everything and be able to rule well? I think the bible says no, mankind will never be able to rule wisely, humbly and justly independently of God. Mankind needs the rule of God. The king came once unexpectedly to bring saving grace to those who would receive him and he will come himself again at the end to put all things right.

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fishpondsvoice

September, 2020

n GARDENING

Finding your go-to gardening books I WAS in a friend's kitchen recently, absent-mindedly browsing the titles of a fair pile of cooking books, some of which, incidentally, I also own. One book in particular caught my attention, as it’s one that I have, but in all honesty have cooked maybe only one or two of the recipes in it. For whatever reason, be it that the meals are too faffy to bother making or that I would need to buy a supply of one ingredient that I’m unlikely to be able to finish, the pictures on the pages remain just fanciful ideas.

Others, however, have become so well used they have a fairly equal dried-on-food-to-book ratio. These are the go-to books that have stood the test of time, mostly fairly basic cooking but the things that matter most to the owners. In our house, it’s several books on pies and preserving.

This train of thought led me then to books on gardening, and how similar they are. Essentially there are very few ways that a

certain seed can be sown or a specific plant can have cuttings taken. Mostly it’s the same information, with a different book cover. Gardening magazines are the worst, as they recycle the information annually: if you have 12 copies of Gardeners World, you’ll not need another for at least 10 years. But returning to the books, I find that one good gardening manual will last a lifetime, avoiding anything showing you how to lay a fancy path like this or that. There are whole books on that topic alone.

Inspiration can be garnered from a multitude of sources these days, too, more than any book will ever be able to offer. Along with many online resources, they can also offer some questionable advice; at least with print you hope that someone else has had a look over it before it hits the press. So among the books on laying fancy paths and how to garden in a small space that I have on my shelf, there are

27

The city gardener

the well-thumbed copies from places such as the RHS that keep me coming back for that detail that I can’t remember.

When you’re starting out you certainly need instruction, in any subject. This is made all the more difficult with the dizzying array of sources that are vying for your attention. There are some, like The House Plant Expert by Dr DG Hessayon, that in my opinion render all future publications on the subject redundant. Having recently had a purge of excess possessions, what we’ve found ourselves left with are the specific titles, books that give an in-depth level of knowledge but in subjects that interest you. ‘How to garden’ isn’t going to cut it, but ‘How to take cuttings’ is.

Times do change, though, as do fashions and our understanding of environmental issues along with them. With the advent of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, there was a drive to make the perfect

By Tim Barton

garden. We seem now, however, to be returning to a less intensive and more natural way of gardening, and this is a trend that I’m firmly in agreement with. And with this, there are new shining stars in the horticultural world, each one hoping to stamp their mark. This usually comes with a publishing deal, though, and you can be certain that, come Christmas, there will be a few familiar faces on the shelves at your local bookshop.

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fishpondsvoice

28

September, 2020

n LETTERS

Fishing at Eastville Park lake – your views fishpondsvoice

6

August, 2020

■ NEWS

Call to ban fishing at Eastville Park lake A PETITION has been started calling for fishing to be banned on Eastville Park lake.

More than 250 people had signed the petition on the Change.org website as the Voice went to print. It calls on the city council to immediately ban the popular pastime and comes amid "significantly" increasing reports of wild birds becoming entangled in fishing line at the lake.

Fishing at the park is currently allowed but controlled by permit and a series of rules.

Krysta Neve, who has posted the petition, said supporters were urging the council to put "a complete fishing ban in place".

She said: "Eastville Park is home to an abundance of wildlife, especially birds.

Cygnets, herons, kingfishers, geese and ducks are some of the residents at the park.

"Unfortunately, fishing waste has been a major problem for some of these birds, as they become entangled.

Eastville Park lake - the fishing area is to the south of the lake, on the right of the picture "I’ve seen a dead coot with a fishing hook lodged in its mouth discarded in the park, and a swan with an entangled wing."

"It’s always heartbreaking

n-

seeing an animal suffer and the park community has decided that enough is enough. There are so many ways to connect with nature in the park that don’t put wildlife at risk."

Krysta's post announcing the petition on the Friends of Eastville Park Facebook page, where there have been several reports of injured or trapped birds, sparked a fierce debate.

Anglers say fishing has been going on at the lake for "generations", with one calling an attempt to ban it "bizarre".

One angler said: "People who just moved to the area suddenly demanding stuff like ban fishing on the lake which I’ve been doing since I was a kid! Was never a problem!

"Yeah, people who fish there need to be responsible and clear

back ope Glad to be ss Last month the Voice busine Back to reported on a petition calling for fishing on Eastville Park lake to be banned. Here are your responses:

their stuff, as they are giving the responsible fishermen a bad name, which is unfair – perhaps if more dredging of old pushbikes and shopping trolleys were to happen, there wouldn't be so many caught lines. Just a thought."

Another said he had been taking disadvantaged and disabled children to the lake to learn about fishing and added: "For some, fishing and a day's learning and engaging with the lake or the river this way is the best thing that happened in their lives for weeks, months or years.

It will be so sad for these kids to lose something so special to them."

The council currently allows people to buy a permit to fish with a rod and line at Eastville Park, at a cost of £6 per year.

Fishing is allowed only a designated area, in open season, which runs from June 16 to March 14, and all fish have to be returned to the water unharmed.

There are a series of other rules, and signs around the lake detail a code of conduct – which includes retrieving broken lines – and indicate wildlife protection areas.

Andrew Gee, of the Friends of Eastville Park, said incidents of birds being entangled with discarded fishing line had been "increasing significantly" and said discussions were under way with the city council to find a "long term solution".

Do you think fishing should be banned at Eastville Lake?

Send your views to news@ fishpondsvoice.co.uk The Parkie: Page 27

WHILE the deaths of swans and other birds on the lake are a va.com/book https://purebarberinc.resur tragedy, I do think that some fishing should continue – but that there should be big signs and bins / https://purebarberinc.co.uk for fishermen to tell them not to 613 FISHPONDS ROAD, FISHPONDS BS16 3BA 01179656250 leave their waste behind.

The signs should say that they www.facebook.com/PureBarberINC/ will be fined don't take their To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261 Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk Got News? Call if Jaynethey On 0788 0731148 waste home or bin in it the special I AM not a fisherman and I do enjoy bins provided. They should also say the wildlife on Eastville park lake, that this is a trial period and if any but I rather doubt that banning will more birds die from fishermen's stop the menace of discarded lines, waste then fishing will be banned. because the worst offenders don't They are on a warning! have licences and ignore the rules Ruth Ford anyway. Many fish in the closed Thingwall Park season and in areas prohibited, and can get very unpleasant if this is calmly pointed out to them.

THE life of animals (birds, fish, wild Since they already ignore the laws, animals) is in danger, so I therefore banning fishing is unlikely to stop should think that fishing should be them doing it. banned at Eastville Lake.

Stopping the enjoyment of There are a lot of birds who are many peaceful and law-abiding are depending on these fish, so local citizens while failing to end please be kind and do whatever the damage caused by people with it takes to ban fishing at Eastville no concern for rules may make a Park. few people feel virtuous but does There are a lot of places where nothing to help the local wildlife. people could go and fish just for ent requirements t - following all governm We are fully covid complian apply.

- social distancing rules We do now have a booking

Colston: a thug from history I WOULD like to respond to the letters published in the August edition of the Voice (two readers objected to plans to rename streets named after Colston following Black Lives Matter protests). One of these hit upon the logically correct but offensive 'all lives matter'.

This is a 'dog whistle' phrase – it can sound sensible, but has very specific meaning to particular groups. It has been co-opted by some of the most repugnant farright hate groups in the UK and elsewhere.

Edward Colston was a slave trader. It is shameful that his name has been attached to so much of our city for so long. As well as

system -

track and trace purposes. ask you for your details for the usual warm and will you be greeted with every When visiting us not only in the knowledge we have relaxed feel please friendly welcome whilst with us. y to keep you safe and well taken precaution necessar

Walk ins welcome we will

Signs with a fishing code of conduct are posted at the lake

FIND US ON

Anthony New (Resident since before M32)

fun.

Monica Zavoianu

the abhorrence of slave trading, specific acts of torture and murder were committed by Colston and his associates. In this context, complaining about the vandalism of a sign seems small-minded.

Writing 'if you can't accept Bristol for what it is and how it got there, then why are you calling it your home and living within it?' is a thinly disguised version of 'go back to where you came from'. The city belongs to all the residents, wherever they have come from, and most of us would like to change it for the better: less racist, more inclusive and welcoming, less celebratory of thugs from history.

The claim that all buildings and roads should be named by a 'fair

poll' instead of by historians and academics is garbage – historians and academics are precisely the kind of well-informed and knowledgeable people who can ensure we don't end up with 'Schooly McSchoolface' or similar nonsense.

Robbie Allen

Mourning loss of Steiner school BEFORE we clap and cheer the new Avanti Gardens School (Voice August 2020), let us pause and reflect for a moment on the loss of a remarkable social and educational experiment that has just been taken away from before our eyes, namely the Steiner Academy. It is quite frankly a travesty if you think about the work and effort involved to bring a unique form of education to East Bristol that drew families to its doors and answered a need for many children, without unaffordable thousands of pounds of school fees.

We in Fishponds have lost a school of inestimable value and you can argue until the cows come home about Ofsted and safeguarding, but the education itself that began the Waldorf Schools 100 years ago remains an inspiration to many, a cornerstone of how a child can grow into a wellrounded human being.

My son was lucky enough to go to a Steiner school. You could say that it is a gateway to true freedom of education – indoctrination is not a word that hangs around Steiner schools.

We need to think long and hard about the true value of what education stands for and what we want for our children and pause for a moment to mourn the passing of The Steiner Academy as well as pay tribute to all the staff and parents and children who created a socially inclusive Steiner School and tried valiantly to uphold its work and worth in difficult times.

Vivian Griffiths

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September, 2020

29

n ON THE TREATMENT TABLE

Boomerang injury and a successful new signing - life is getting back to normal!

L

IKE every other high street business, Cleve Chiropractic has had to make major changes to the way we operate – to keep our staff and customers safe. But now I think we’re getting close to “business as usual” again.

Immediately after lockdown, we experienced the “pandemic of back pain” brought on by months of inactivity as Covid-19 took a global hold. However, as restrictions were relaxed in the UK, people began to exercise and do some strenuous jobs around the house.

As we reopened our doors, back pain was a big issue for many of our clients. Now, with gyms back in action and more people taking part in organised team events, there seems to be a “pandemic of sports injuries”.

With local cricket, rugby and football teams returning to the fray, there’s plenty of shoulder issues and, indeed, a full range of injuries for us to deal with. With golf and tennis among the first to be up and running after lockdown, there’s more than enough to keep us busy, helping local athletes stay on top of their physical and mental well-being.

One of the more bizarre injuries I’ve had to deal with during these extraordinary times was presented by a client who came to see me with a problem caused by throwing his boomerang! He was suffering after a three-hour session of serious throwing on Frenchay Common caused a repetitive strain

injury to his wrist and elbow.

Meanwhile, in the world of more conventional sport, I’m very pleased to be back working with Bristol Rovers as they prepare for the new season in League One. I can tell all you “Gasheads” out there that your team’s players are training for long, hard days and there’s a great vibe around the club.

I’m finding that manager Ben Garner is a fantastic character to work with – he’s brought in a few new players during the extended summer break and there seems to be a fresh sense of purpose and great optimism at The Mem. However, with the increased stress on the players after such a long time off, some of them have been suffering with a few more niggles than usual – from groin, hamstring and calf issues to back and neck pain. It feels great to be helping Rovers again and I’m delighted to be working as part of a wider team, alongside new physio Miles and sports therapist Sarah.

Catherine Quinn, the newest face on the Cleve Chiropractic team, has also been busy in the world of professional football, assisting Queens Park Rangers with their preparations for the new Championship season.

And I’m delighted to say that Catherine has made a huge impact during her first few weeks in Bristol, proving to be an instant hit with our client base. I was confident that she would be a popular “signing”

but she has exceeded even my expectations. Within weeks of starting at the clinic, Catherine has already filled her diary and become a strong member of the team.

The key to her lightning success is a perfect balance of talent, personality, dedication and elite sport experience. This has meant that, with little to no advertising of her services, Catherine is helping large swathes of people in Bristol through word of mouth alone. That said, I’m grateful that all of my team are world class – and they’re ready and waiting to help you out with any fitness or training issues.

Finally for now, I’m pleased to say that we are remaining vigilant in the clinic and the infection control procedures are working successfully. All the staff and patients are getting on well with the different routines and the new normal has become just that. I’m

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September, 2020

30

n NEWS

n SPORT

Care firm honoured

Outdoor training for boxers

A COMPANY that cares for people in their own homes has won a top industry award for a second time.

Home Instead Senior Care Bristol North, which looks after vulnerable and elderly people across the area and has offices in North Street, Downend, has won an award for being one of the Top 20 home care providers in the South West.

It was picked out from among 826 home care providers in the region based on reviews from people who are cared for, plus their friends and relatives, on industry reviews site homecare.co.uk.

Home Instead supports people to live as independently as possible, with visits by regular care givers, which last a minimum of an hour at a time.

John Moore, owner of Home Instead Senior Care Bristol North, said: “To win this award for a second time is an honour, not least because it is a direct result of unbiased feedback from our clients and their families.

“The last few months have been extremely challenging. Our caregivers have worked tirelessly to ensure their clients have been able to remain living safely and happily in their own homes throughout the pandemic. To be recognised for this hard work adds to the reward we already receive when clients thank us.”

For more information about Home Instead, call 0117 989 8210 or visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/bristol-north

YOUNG members of Downend Boxing Club are training outdoors as they wait for the club's gym to reopen.

Head coach Craig Turner said the gym at the Harry Crook Centre in Fishponds has had to stay closed for the time being, as it cannot accommodate the number of people who usually train there within England Boxing social distancing guidelines.

But the young boxers are working hard to maintain technique and fitness with outdoor sessions, ready for competition to start again.

Craig said: "In these stressful and frustrating times, there has been a significant rise in people taking up or resuming exercise and boxing training has been identified as hugely successful in combating frustration and mental health issues.

"These benefits are certainly not unique only to boxing, however, to quote a famous boxing saying, 'it isn't just a punch bag, its a therapist, psychiatrist and holistic healer rolled up into a glorious bag of leather and canvas'.

"When life gets tough, put on your boxing gloves!"

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