Frome Valley Voice April 2022

fromevalleyvoice www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

April, 2022 Issue 104

FREE EVERY MONTH IN WINTERBOURNE, FRAMPTON COTTERELL, COALPIT HEATH, IRON ACTON & WINTERBOURNE DOWN

Bomber flypast

WINTERBOURNE Down Village Carnival will be graced with a fly-past from one of Britain's iconic wartime aircraft.

PAGE 7

Bus services cut

ONE bus route serving the Frome Valley is being axed and another will no longer run to Yate town centre after operator First announced cuts.

PAGE 2

Paul and Emma Heyward with the van they are taking to Poland to help Ukrainian refugees

Standing with Ukraine PEOPLE in the Frome Valley area have come together to send help and show solidarity with Ukrainians after the Russian invasion which has claimed thousands of lives.

Hundreds of parcels of aid and donations have been collected at schools, including Elm Park Primary in Winterbourne, with businesses like Southern Plasticlad in Coalpit Heath raising money to help pay for the relief effort.

And a Winterbourne husband and wife have left home and taken a van to Poland packed with donations to help refugees arriving over the border from Ukraine with nothing after fleeing from the war.

They have been helped on their way thanks to more than £1,700 crowdfunded online.

Mini police

POLICE in Winterbourne have unveiled their youngest ever recruits - children at a primary school.

PAGE 3

Nursery closure

A FRAMPTON Cotterell nursery has had to close for up to six weeks for repairs to the building.

PAGE 8

Full story: Pages 4 and 5

4 Flaxpits Lane, Winterbourne, BS36 1JX - Tel: 01454 252 140 Email: info@aj-homes.co.uk

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Local information South Gloucestershire Council www.southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582 Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk Environment/trading standards 01454 868001

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April, 2022

n NEWS

Bus service axed as it is 'no longer viable' BUS services to the Frome Valley area are being cut back by operator First.

The company is axing the Y2 route, which links the area to Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Downend, Fishponds and the city centre, saying it is not commercially viable, "as a result of low passenger numbers that pre-date the pandemic".

The Y2 currently runs seven times a day from Bristol to Yate and eight times in the opposite Doug Claringbold direction Monday to Saturday and six times in each direction on Sundays, roughly once every two hours.

And the Y4 service, which links Hambrook, Winterbourne, Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath to Yate and Bristol, will no longer go all the way into Yate town centre.

Instead buses on the route, which currently runs around 17 times a day in each direction, will stop at the new Yate Park and Ride only, rather than extending to Yate town centre, with Monday to Saturday frequency reduced from every hour to every 90 minutes.

First is advising customers travelling to or from Yate town centre to to service Y1 at the Yate Park and Ride.

It says the Y1, Y3 and Y6 services will have "minor timetable changes to improve punctuality".

The changes are among a number of cuts to be introduced on April 24, which were announced just two weeks after the government said it would spend an extra £150 million nationwide to support local bus services until October.

First West of England managing director Doug Claringbold said: “Despite the Government extending emergency funding for another six months, ongoing issues with driver availability mean further action is necessary beyond the changes we made at the end of January, to ensure we can operate services more reliably for our customers.

"A number of services will see temporary reductions in frequency, whilst passenger and driver numbers are constrained, but unfortunately there are a number of services that are not commercially viable even at pre-pandemic passenger levels."

The cuts have sparked a political row, with South Gloucestershire's Conservative councillors and MPs accusing the West of England Combined Authority, led by Labour Metro Mayor Dan Norris, of "approving" them, failing to consult residents and "passing the buck on whose responsibility it is to keep buses running".

But a spokesperson for the Metro Mayor said WECA had not yet been told by the government how much money it would receive from the £150m Bus Recovery Grant.

And while bus operators have to notify WECA of changes to services, it "does not have powers to prevent services being withdrawn if those services are fully commercial ones".

The authority recently approved funding to support the 5 route from Downend to the centre, and is also subsidising the Y5 from Fishponds and Staple Hill to Pucklechurch and Chipping Sodbury.

Mr Norris said: "The Tories created the current system that is seeing cuts and service reductions, and no public consultation is built into their plans.

"There isn't enough money in the system to keep these buses going, and that's a big blow."

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April, 2022

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n NEWS

Police unveil youngest recruits

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The Mini Police recruits POLICE in Winterbourne are starting the fight against crime at a very young age.

PC Paula Stone and PCSO Jacqui McCormack have been running recruits to their own Mini Police force through their paces at St Michael’s Primary School.

The initiative between the local neighbourhood police team and the school involves PC Stone and PCSO McCormack running a Mini Police sessions twice a month.

PCSO McCormack said: "We have 16 recruits, all of them have uniform and we teach them the role of the police within the community, and the challenges they face.

"They also get to see and use the equipment at our disposal.

"The interaction we have with the children hopefully instils confidence, allowing them to use equipment and understand the challenges that face the police in everyday situations."

Training in protective gear in the school hall

LUKE HALL MP MP for Thornbury, Yate and the surrounding villages

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Write to Luke at: Luke Hall MP, 26 High Street, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6AH e: luke.hall.mp@parliament.uk w: lukehall.org.uk Trying out riot shields in the school playground

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April, 2022

n NEWS

Paul and Emma's mercy mission WHEN Paul and Emma Heyward watched the news coming out of Ukraine and felt they had to do something to help those suffering from the war.

So the Winterbourne couple set up a crowdfunding page and started making plans to drive across Europe to lend a hand.

The couple, who have seven children between them, hired a van and prepared to set off from South Gloucestershire with a full load of donated items and after delivering them to the Polish/Ukraine border, planned to use the vehicle to transport refugees to a place of safety.

Before setting off Paul told the Voice: "I’ve got friends over there already who have been doing runs to Prague, Berlin and further

afield.

"I got £5,000 sponsorship from Complete Fire Protection in Winterbourne to buy the van and insure it and Bence Creative from Yate agreed to sign write it, so that everyone across Europe will know that we are bringing aid to refugees.

"There is even a QR code so anyone, wherever we are in Europe, can scan it and be able to donate to the fund.

"We are not rich people, so Emma and I thought that we can at least give our time to help.

"I’ve even sold a car to help fund us getting over there."

Paul is currently training to be an MOT

Tester but will return to being a mechanic in his normal life after his trip.

The couple's original plan was to drive into Ukraine to pick up refugees, but friends who have already made the trip advised that it can take as long as 60 hours to make the return trip into Poland, so it is more efficient to pick up passengers on the Polish side and then take them to a reception point.

Paul and Emma have received guidance from Ukrainian expats who have been coordinating donations from Emersons Green Village Hall, although their family have had their concerns.

Paul said: "The kids have said to us, 'you know there is a war on?'

"But I just said it is no different going to Poland than going to France, because there is no war in either country.

"My mum has already said the same and has been in tears, but I’ve told her that I could probably get into more trouble drinking in town on a Friday night than I am driving across Europe."

Even after returning to Winterbourne, Paul and Emma will continue raising money and will donate it towards other people going over to help out.

Donations are being accepted online their crowdfunding page www.crowdfunder. co.uk/p/aid-to-ukraine

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On the night before he died, Jesus told his followers to commemorate his death when he said: “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19) Please join us for this annual commemoration on: Friday 15th April 2022 at 8:00PM Related to this, a special Bible talk entitled “Where Can You Find Real Hope?” will be given worldwide on: Sunday 10th April 2022 at 10:00AM For further details please contact: yatecongregation@gmail.com or 07587 408058 To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

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April, 2022

5

n NEWS

Donations being loaded on to a van at Elm Park Primary School PEOPLE across the Frome Valley area have joined together to send donations of aid and money to help refugees whose lives have been torn apart by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Elm Park Primary School in Winterbourne, is just one of many schools and community groups across South Gloucestershire where staff, parents and children have stepped up to help refugees.

Higher level teaching assistant Cathie Walsh said: "Like everyone else, staff at Elm Park Primary School watched with disbelief the events unfolding in Ukraine.

"Following an appeal to our school families and the wider Winterbourne community, via the local blog, we tentatively opened the school doors on March 13 to take donations of food stuffs, first aid kits, baby items, basic medical supplies, cleaning products, sanitary items, personal hygiene items, sleeping bags and blankets.

"We were overwhelmed with donations and had a steady stream of visitors throughout

Southern Plasticlad staff with their Ukrainian flag

Frome Valley reaches out to help Ukrainians the morning, with many people saying they needed to feel that they were doing something positive.

"All donations were sorted, boxed and labelled then loaded onto a (large!) van of an Elm Park parent to be transported to a distribution centre for onward transmission to Poland and the Ukraine refugees.

"The power of community is still alive and well in Winterbourne.”

In Coalpit Heath, staff at window, door and conservatory company Southern Plasticlad decided to raise funds.

Sarah Dennis said: "As a company we were very proud when a couple of members of staff approached us and asked if they were able to set up a collection for the Ukrainian refugees.

"Of course, our directors were more than happy to help support this idea and after asking all of our staff we were very proud that everyone wanted to donate.

"Our directors Jon Thompson and Paul Thompson were so touched by this that they then decided to top the collection up to £1,000.

The company has a Ukrainian flag which it has used to raise awareness on its Facebook page and is encouraging companies to do the same.

Nearby, Yate Town Council became a focal point for donations, with one local councillor describing the fundraising as “an amazing effort” after hundreds of donations of much needed supplies were handed in to collecting points around the area.

Staff and volunteers

coordinated with Emersons Green Village hall, where five van-loads and two lorry loads of donations were sent to the Polish-Ukraine border.

Yate Town Councillor Ben Nutland, who has helped coordinate the collections, said: “Within the first couple of weeks around 200 large boxes were donated and packed off to the Polish border. Donations from residents have been both overwhelming and amazing. It has been really special, actually.

"It took 15 members of staff from Yate Town Council to load 4 vans (one kindly donated

by Pearce Bros of Yate for the day) to take the donations to a depot in Patchway that had been secured by the group in Emersons Green, who were also collecting donations."

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fromevalleyvoice

April, 2022

n NEWS WINTERBOURNE Down Village Carnival will be graced with a flypast from one of Britain's iconic wartime aircraft.

A Lancaster bomber from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight promises to be a highlight of this year's event on the May Day bank holiday weekend.

This year's event is called Platinum Highlights, with a nod to the Queen's jubilee celebrations.

The carnival procession from Bradley Avenue along Harcombe Hill and Down Road takes place on Monday May 2, the final day of the event.

Starting at around 10am, the procession will head to the Methodist church and All Saints opposite, where events will take place until 4pm.

The flypast will take place at some point during Monday's events, with the final time still to be confirmed and dependent on the weather.

Down Road will be closed for the day and attractions in an around the churches include dance and falconry displays, music, shopping, beer and

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Lancaster flypast for Winterbourne carnival

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster bomber burgers.

Events are also planned on Saturday April 30, when there will be children's disco at All Saints' hall from 2pm, and on Sunday, when there will be history walks and a scarecrow

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trail.

Kathryn Hopes, from the organising committee, said: "After not being able to have the carnival for the past two years, everyone is really looking forward to it and we have a jam-

packed day planned for May Day Monday.

"We're just hoping for the weather to be good.

"It will be amazing to have the legendary Lancaster bomber doing a fly past over our very own village."

As the Voice went to press more than 40 children from local schools had applied to be the carnival queen or king.

There will be prizes awarded to best fancy dress and best scarecrow, and this year's carnival will be raising money for charities Brace, Mind, The Trussell Trust and SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

More details are being announced as they are confirmed on the website www. winterbournedowncarnival. co.uk and carnival Facebook page.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

8

n NEWS Police end dog walker investigation POLICE say they are taking no further action in the case of a woman who told officers she was punched in the face as she walked her dog in fields at Frampton Cotterell.

An appeal for information was made in February after the woman, who is in her 70s, "became involved in a verbal dispute with a male dog walker".

Police said the woman was punched and needed hospital treatment after the incident in fields near Frampton End Road between 8am and 8.15am on February 2. However after a man in his 50s came forward and was interviewed in connection with the incident in late February, police said the incident was no longer being investigated.

An Avon and Somerset police spokesperson said: "A man in his 50s has attended a voluntary police interview in connection with this incident.

"No further action is being taken."

fromevalleyvoice

April, 2022

Roof problem forces nursery's temporary closure A FRAMPTON Cotterell nursery has had to close for up to six weeks for repairs to the building.

100 Acre Wood nursery in Church Road said regulator Ofsted had said the premises would have to close once the scope of the works were clear.

Parents have been offered places at alternative locations -as far away as Thornbury and Stockwood, South Bristol.

One parent who contacted the Voice said parents were originally told on February 25 that the closure would be for a fortnight.

He said: "The initial explanation to the first parents to be called was that there was some planned work required on the roof and that a builder had suddenly become available to do this at short notice."

The following Monday, parents were informed that the

closure would have to be for six weeks.

The parent said: “We were told that alternative provision would be provided at nurseries at Stockwood and Thornbury but that is hardly convenient for working parents who live in Frampton."

100 Acre Wood is operated by Just Childcare Ltd. The company told the Voice: “We recently became aware of some building issues at 100 Acre Wood, in particular an issue with a section of the rear roof which required lengthy repair work to be carried out.

"Following a visit by Ofsted

and given the scope of remedial works, Ofsted made the decision that the nursery should close for 6 weeks for these works to take place.

"Work on the roof which we expected to take around two weeks is in its third week due to the weather and should be completed by the end of the week.

"As the nursery is closed for six weeks we have taken the opportunity to carry out additional refurbishments ready to welcome back our families when the nursery expects to reopen in April.”

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fromevalleyvoice

April, 2022

n NEWS THE new owners of Yate Shopping Centre say the site will continue to play an important part in the life of the town and are predicting a bright future despite the current market conditions for retail.

The 31-acre site was bought for £58 million in February

by American investment company Magnetar Capital in partnership with Northdale Asset Management.

The centre houses the bulk of both retail and leisure offerings in the town centre and has free parking for up to 1,400 cars.

Shops whose premises were included in the sale include Marks & Spencer, TK Maxx, Next, Boots, Iceland, Poundland, Sports Direct and Home Bargains.

South Gloucestershire Council says it is looking forward to working with the new owners, having recently published a master plan for the future of the town.

It is understood that talks over future development of the centre are already underway between the new owners and

9

Shopping centre sold for £58 million other interested parties.

In a joint statement the new owners told the Voice: "Magnetar and Northdale are pleased to have acquired an asset of Yate's high quality.

"The companies believe the Yate Shopping Centre is an integral part of the town.

"Magnetar and Northdale look forward to thoughtful engagement with the centre's customers and tenants, as well as the local government, to further strengthen the links between Yate and the community and deliver on the next phase of the centre's evolution."

Magnetar's European head Alan Shaffran said: "Magnetar is pleased that in our purchase of Yate, we found a prime example of the retail strategy Northdale and Magnetar sought in our partnership - a well-located and

well-anchored property with a track record of producing stable income, despite retail and pandemic headwinds, yet one where active management could enhance tenant, consumer and investor offerings.

"We look forward to working with all community stakeholders to make Yate a continued success."

Northdale partner Jon Taylor said: "The centre has proven resilient through the covid pandemic due to its strategic town centre location, affordable rents and good tenant mix, which is weighted toward community and convenience occupiers.

"We intend to work closely with local government to help enhance the Centre and this area of Yate."

The council’s cabinet member for strategic infrastructure, Steve

Reade, said: “Yate is our largest town in South Gloucestershire with the shopping centre a popular, well used hub within the community.

"We are keen to help enhance the unique identity of Yate; this is why we have prepared a new ambitious Masterplan, alongside local people, businesses and other stakeholders, which could see up to £600 million invested in the town.

"It will build on Yate’s existing character to make it an even more welcoming, healthy, sustainable and prosperous place to live, work and visit.

"We look forward to working with the new owners of Yate Shopping Centre on how their plans for the future can be integrated into our wider vision for the future of the town."

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10

n NEWS A METAL detectorist from Staple Hill has uncovered a medal commemorating a royal visit to Bristol, among a hoard of coins from Victorian and more recent times.

David Upton found 320 coins, ranging from farthings and halfpennies to silver threepenny bits and half crowns, in a metal pot buried on land in the Hambrook area in March.

The oldest he has identified so far dates from 1830, while the newest is a George VI two shilling piece dating from 1940 – a coin which could be spent in shops as recently as June 1993.

Placed at the bottom were three royal souvenirs – a coin celebrating Queen Victoria's coronation in 1838, a silver brooch from her diamond jubilee in 1897 and a medal struck specially for a visit by Victoria to Durdham Down in 1899.

An inscription on it says: "In commemoration of the loving welcome given by the children of Bristol to Queen Victoria on Durdham Down Bristol – Nov 15 1899, Herbert Ashman Lord Mayor."

April, 2022

A piece of Bristol history found in Victorian hoard

The Diamond Jubilee brooch

The commemorative medal found near Hambrook Ashman was Bristol's first Lord Mayor, with the title created in 1899, and he was knighted by the Queen during the visit to Bristol commemorated by the medal.

As the coins are less than 300 years old they are too recent to be considered treasure trove, and most of them are lowerdenomination pennies and

New deputy police commissioner THE Avon & Somerset police and crime commissioner has appointed a deputy.

Claire Hiscott, a former Bristol City Council cabinet member who is the area chairman for Bristol and Gloucestershire Conservatives, is tasked with assisting PCC Mark Shelford, increasing engagement

farthings.

But David said: "They would have bought you a lot when they were buried – a two shilling coin used to get you into the Regal Cinema!

"They were buried nearly two feet down. Somebody has put them there for a reason but never come back for them."

A silver threepenny bit

with residents and the policing family, and ensuring "continuity in unforeseen circumstances". Her appointment to the three-day-a-week role, with an annual salary of £39,051 – 45% of the PCC's £86,700 salary – was confirmed by the Police and Crime Panel on March 17.

Claire, a former Horfield ward city councillor who trained as a pharmacist and has just finished a long stint supporting the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme, is a former school governor and is currently a trustee and safeguarding lead for Bristol Old Vic. She said: “I’m motivated to tackle inequality and increase opportunities for all; I see policing and criminal justice as an

area where there is disproportionality and inequality in outcomes for different groups in society.

“I’m really focussed on protecting the most vulnerable groups in our society including the elderly, people with mental health issues and women and girls, particularly when it comes to violence against women and girls. From working in my pharmacy, I’ve interacted with people from all walks of life and understand how health, mental health and the circumstances they find themselves in can be influenced by their education, affluence and family life."

PCC's update: Page 27

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fromevalleyvoice

April, 2022

11

n NEWS

Voice readers help chronicle journey on the Frome

Christina Wheeler next to Nightingale Bridge in Frampton Cotterell

Duncan Porter from Winterbourne and Frome Valley Environmental Group

A FILM and podcast maker has published a series of programmes on the river Frome's journey through the area – with some help from Frome Valley Voice readers.

Christina Wheeler, asked people to contact her if the river played a significant part in their life and her appeal was published in the Voice last summer.

She said: "The response to the article was amazing – phone calls and emails immediately came in.

"I wanted to find people who would be able to talk to me about anything connected to the river, it might be about their childhood on the river, or about environmental projects or their work, also local history, or how the river has helped with wellbeing or inspired creativity.

"I’d originally hoped I might be able to meet up with

up next to the river in Frampton Cotterell, in a household of nine children.

Jean remembers the year the river froze, and how her family walked on the ice all the way to Cog Mill.

Christina also met with Duncan Porter, from Winterbourne and Frome Environmental Group, who talked about the group’s work to improve biodiversity and nature, tackle plastic pollution and reduce the risk of flooding.

Writer and poet Ros Martin, who came to the river every day during lockdown, finding new paths and secret places near Snuff Mills as well the inspiration for writing a play about her uncle, also tells her story.

In each programme Christina met people who could tell her about the river's historic mills,

two or three people for each programme, but in the end so many people came forward, with such strong stories, I couldn’t resist.

"I ended up with four stories in each programme and had to expand the series.’

After hours of interviewing, walking and editing, Christina's series, called River Journey: The Bristol Frome has now been launched in podcast format – downloadable audio which can also be listened to online.

You can find out more and listen to the series by visiting christinawheeler.org/riverjourney-the-bristol-frome/.

Christina followed the river on its 20-mile journey from the source, in the Dodington estate near Tormarton, to its mouth in the centre of Bristol.

On her journey she met people like Jean Ray, who grew

weirs, hat-making industry, ancient bridges and how the Frome influenced the siting of Bristol Castle.

In the final programme she canoes from Snuff Mills to Eastville, and follows the course of the river once it has disappeared under the streets of Bristol.

Christina said: "The programme is as much about my journey as the river’s journey.

"I’ve learned so much by making this. It’s a river I have lived near for much of my life and I’d always wanted to know more about it.

"We’re so lucky to have this on our doorstep – we can walk all the way from Old Sodbury right into the heart of Bristol, and I really hope that I can help inspire people to go out and enjoy and learn more about what is close to them."

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12

n COMMUNITY NEWS

April, 2022

News from Winterbourne Medieval Barn SPRING has arrived at Winterbourne Medieval Barn there is a wide range of activities on offer hopefully something to suit all members of the community.

Pre-booking is essential for most events, although there may be tickets on the door for talks or music events.

Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust is a group of local volunteers determined to keep this historic building in good repair and available for community use.

Here are the highlights for April: *Spring Wreath-making Workshop - April 10, 10am Join Deb from Courtyard Flowers in Frampton Cotterell for this 2 hour workshop in the Medieval Barn, and make a fabulous wreath for your door or table to celebrate Easter and springtime. Tickets include all materials, instruction, tea/coffee, plus a glass of Prosecco or elderflower fizz to add to the fun! *Family Easter Crafts and Trail - April 12, 9.30am or 11am Make Easter puppets, egg-scellent egg pockets for our springtime furry friends, and your very own bunny ears! Then set off on an Easter trail around the Barn. Aimed at families with children aged 7-11. Cost £7.50 per family. Ticket includes an Easter treat - please advise of any dietary

A glass-making workshop is taking place at the barn in April requirements at the time of booking. *Early Birdsong Walk & Breakfast - April 23, 8am Naturalist Ed Drewitt leads an hour and a half walk through the nature reserve to identify bird songs. Followed by breakfast at the Barn.

Dietary requirements can be specified on booking. Recommended for ages 12+. *Talk: Vernacular Buildings in South Glos April 26, 7pm

Architectural Historian Linda Hall looks at the historic building styles and materials of houses in southern Gloucestershire, both town and country, from medieval times to the 17th century. *Fused Glass Workshops - April 29, 10am or 1pm Rachael Durkan from The Glass Cabin runs two hour workshops where you can make a Bristol balloon, a beach huts panel, or your own freestyle fused glass hanging. Suitable for beginners or those who have caught the fused glass bug aged 16+.

Coming up in May is Jazz in the Barn, on May 7 at 7.30pm, a fabulous evening with the Kris Nock Big Band playing big band music from the 1920s through to modern day, and music from films. Doors and bar open 7pm.

The Barn hosts Tai Chi classes with Jenny on Wednesday mornings, Yoga classes with Alice on a Wednesday evening, and Chair Yoga classes with Nazame on a Thursday morning.

There is an all-day Mindfulness Meditation Retreat on 7th May. For more details of all these events, and booking information, visit the website www. winterbournebarn.org.uk.

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Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

April, 2022

13

n NEWS

Celebrating World Book Day and Science Week CHILDREN at a Winterbourne primary school got into the spirit of World Book Day with fancy dress and a book swap to help share their love of reading with others.

Elm Park Primary School asked pupils to donate books that could be swapped with other children, with staff bringing in some of their own.

Head teacher Carol Bond said: "The tables were full to bursting with pages of magic and mystery, adventure and fantasy.

"Each class had a time slot to come into the hall and choose a ‘new to them’ book.

It was lovely to hear children of all ages A trip to Aerospace Bristol

Children from Elm Park Primary dressed as favourite book characters - including The Cat in the Hat's Things 1, 2 and 3

recommending books to friends and being delighted with their new story to take home."

Author and teaching assistant Helen Isaac read some of her latest book, Farm Fun, to one class.

Mrs Bond said: "The children sat and listened with very wide eyes as they heard the story teller herself sharing a book she wrote!

What an inspiration to us all."

With staff and pupils dressing up as

favourite characters, the school was crammed with familiar figures from Mr Tickle, Zog the dragon and Winnie-the-Pooh to Cruella de Vil and Mary Poppins.

British Science Week events included experiments, observations and a trip to the Aerospace Bristol museum in Patchway, where they found out about the growth of air travel, sat in Concorde and had hands-on workshops.

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fromevalleyvoice

14

n NEWS PUPILS at Iron Acton Primary School have been helping to ensure woodland in their area thrives for generations to come.

Pupils at the school have been nurturing young saplings, which they took on a whole school visit to Chilwood, a local wooded area.

Executive Headteacher Mike Riches said: "The children had been looking after oak trees at home over the winter months and they then had the opportunity to plant these in Chilwood as part of a regeneration project organised by local residents and council workers.

"Every child went to do their bit and will be returning periodically, to see the progress their tree has made in its growth.

"As a school we love to get involved in as much outdoor learning so this supported this incredibly well.

"In addition, our vision is to ‘have the courage to care’ so we were able to help children see this in action as they look after their local environment – something very high on everyone’s agenda at the moment."

April, 2022

Iron Acton children plant the next generation of trees

Iron Acton Primary School children on their trip to plant trees.

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

Warm words won’t fix the cost-of-living crisis EVERY month it seems to be getting worse.

Gas and electric bills are up and for everyone who uses heating oil, that’s off the scale too.

It’s rocketed 116 per cent.

I expect you, like me, are looking at your smart meter thinking it didn’t used to be like that a few months ago – and as for petrol…

Every month we also hear the Chancellor commenting. He is normally saying how he understands that life is tough for working families and pensioners. Really? Because as March turns to April and the cost of living crisis bites, and everything from the price of a stamp goes up, the Government has chosen this moment to deliberately introduce a series of measures that will make this crisis much, much worse.

They say April is the cruellest month, and this spring the Chancellor will again force up taxes, painfully whacking up National Insurance contributions. He’s chosen a tax on workers’ income, not any of the other options

like buying and selling property portfolios or stocks and shares.

Yet it’s not all doom and gloom on the economic front. There are plenty of great job vacancies in the region – many with good pay and prospects. One project I was excited to launch recently was aimed at West of England jobseekers in our burgeoning hospitality sector.

Jobs Connect was commissioned by the West of England Combined Authority that I lead, and built by Bath-based software company Cognisess. It will connect local people to jobs with top hospitality and tourism employers in the region.

Jobs Connect is a bit like a dating agency for jobs. Job seekers and businesses upload their profiles and the website plays matchmaker. Individuals can do personality tests to figure out their compatibility, and there are top tips to make sure you put your best side forward

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Metro Mayor

Dan Norris

writes for the Voice and stand out from the crowd.

In the forthcoming months I hope to expand this scheme as well as launch more skills support and set up a good employers’ charter.

We can’t change Government policy – well not until the next General Election – nor can we change food prices locally. But we can make sure more people can get better paid jobs and opportunities. Warm words won’t solve the cost-of-living crisis, but it’s vital we make sure people in our region have the skills and opportunities to weather this storm.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

April, 2022

n NEWS A FORMER teacher from Winterbourne has written a new children’s book which aims to help youngsters become more adventurous and develop into “awesome humans”.

Jo Lee’s novel Camp Epic follows a primary school class on their first school camp to North Wales and shows how each individual adapts to the new experiences and challenges they face on the trip, while conquering fears of being away from home.

She hopes it will be the first of a series of six to help children face life’s challenges.

Jo said: "I was a teacher for a while in primary school and I could see the impact that being adventurous has on children at that age.

"I am also a big fan of the PSHE (personal, social, health and economic) curriculum – the bit about learning how to become a good human.

"I’ve always wanted to write a children’s book, so with that thought in mind I decided to write and see what happened, and that’s where Camp Epic came from really.

"The other strapline from the book is ‘Everybody’s brain is different and the same’, so it is trying to highlight that everyone is different in life, and that is an amazing thing to celebrate.

15

Jo writes book to help children face challenges

Jo Lee with her book "It shows young readers that they can be adventurous even if you don’t have money or an adventurous family.

"Because of Covid, a lot of

children have missed out on opportunities for school trips and that’s a shame because it can be a very useful life experience."

Jo is fitting her new role as

an author alongside her career as chief operating officer for This Mum Runs, which aims to get women back into an active lifestyle after having children.

She was also named one of the UK’s top 100 Female Entrepreneurs last year as part of Small Business Britain's 'I also’ campaign and was honoured at a reception at the House of Lords in March.

Camp Epic is Jo’s first book but number two, Epic Creation, is already written and in the process of being edited.

It is set to feature the same characters creating a play and a production in school, facing the prospect of getting up on stage in front of an audience, painting the set or giving a speech, all experiences which Jo believes are important for young children.

Jo is promoting her book personally and is available to visit schools who might be interested in having an author speak to the children.

Camp Epic is available to buy from Amazon.

Steve's very early Christmas present AS a self-confessed fan of Christmas, author Steve Orchard unashamedly decided that his first novel should focus on his favourite season of the year.

Christmas Times in Berrybridge might not be topical right now as we head in to spring but 68-year-old Steve, from Horton, reckons he will have a ready-made audience every year as the festive season comes around.

He describes the 30,000 word novella as a fictional tale of time travel but with a warmth and uplifting heart, and a twist at the end.

Although the place names are fictional Steve reckons that local readers will recognise parts of Chipping Sodbury, Yate and Horton as the story unfolds.

He said: "I always have been a Christmas fan and every year I always look for a nice book to read to get me in the mood.

"I’ve got five grandchildren and we enjoy Christmas a lot. But I used to find that every time I went to the book shop all

the Christmas books were aimed at ladies – romantic fiction, I suppose.

"So it was frustrating trying to find something fresh to read which is how I came up with the idea.

"I hope people will find the story heartwarming and uplifting and accessible to people who don’t want to wade through an 80,000 novel but would read something which is smaller. It’s easy to pick up and

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

read – a coffee table novella really."

Steve says that many of his ideas were formed in his head during long walks with his dog. The story is told in the first person by the leading character Lee Scott, and involves time travel which takes him back from 2019 to 1959. Lee is 29, has been brought up in foster care and done a little time in prison, and when he gets out he wants to change his life.

Without giving the plot away, Steve admits that because he is such a Christmas fan the story has to have a happy ending.

He said: "I have been told by those who have read it that it is a very unexpected twist at the end, which they have enjoyed.

"Despite the title, it’s not really all jingle bells and Christmassy – it’s a winter tale around Christmas."

Steve says he may write a sequel looking at spring or summertime in Berrybridge, but for now he is happy to see the results of his work.

The book is available as a paperback from Amazon or as a Kindle e-book.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

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fromevalleyvoice

18

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Life aboard the SS Great Britain WITH Easter holidays just around the corner, we're looking forward to the fragrance of freshly cut grass and sprouting flowers as spring gets into full swing. However, life aboard the SS Great Britain did not smell quite as sweet. In fact, some of the odours of a nineteenth century passenger ship would be enough to send you overboard.

Brunel's SS Great Britain, the 'world's smelliest museum', already includes hundreds of sights, sounds and smells. However, this Easter, they're inviting visitors to rate the smells and help them choose new ones!

Some of the new smells under consideration include the rich scents of dark chocolate and brandy, the homely aroma of roast beef, and the pong of boiled cabbage. Be sure to follow Brunel's SS Great Britain on social media for a look behind-the-scenes as they prepare for the holidays and book your tickets on their website to join in the fun. ssgreatbritain.org/easter

April, 2022

Food waste shock PEOPLE are being asked to make more use of their food bins and recycling boxes after a survey found almost half of waste going into South Gloucestershire's black bins could be recycled.

The council takes samples from black bins across the district to find out what is being thrown into them by residents.

The annual survey found 44% of the contents of black bins could have been recycled in kerbside collections.

And food waste made up 29% of the total amount of waste being thrown away, despite having dedicated weekly collections, while black bins are only picked up once per fortnight.

The council said that while some types of food waste, such as fruit and veg peelings, eggshells and tea bags, were generally put out for recycling, many residents were still throwing bags of potatoes, loaves of bread and jars with food inside into the black bins.

Food that is collected for recycling in South Gloucestershire is processed in Bristol by GENeco, which extracts biogas to generate electricity and uses leftover material as a non-chemical farming fertiliser.

Council cabinet member Rachael Hunt said: "Recycling our food waste is easy, so we really want to see people taking more care to ensure it is placed in the correct bin.

“Recycle all of your food waste – plate scrapings, leftover pet food, food that’s off or past its best, peelings, eggshells, tea bags and coffee grounds. If you have a bag of veg that can’t be eaten or a mouldy loaf, you don’t need to take it out of the bag, just put it straight into your food recycling bin.”

New outdoor food waste containers and indoor kitchen caddies can be ordered online at www.southglos.gov.uk/recycling, where there are also details of other services such as free disposable nappy collections.

Get ready to experience hundreds of sights, sounds and smells at Brunel’s SS Great Britain, with brand new scents to discover on board this Easter.

Plan your voyage at ssgreatbritain.org/easter

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

April, 2022

19

n MESSAGE FROM SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL

Working to improve our communities for the better I AM delighted that the council is continuing its long-standing partnership with the Voice magazines with a regular column, helping to bring the latest news to you on how we are working to improve our communities for the better.

As we continue to progress out of the pandemic we return our focus solely towards our day-to-day activities, delivering on our key priorities of raising school standards, improving our local roads and public spaces and delivering you value for money – all whilst continuing to provide local leadership in our efforts to tackle the climate emergency.

Recently, the council has unveiled its plans for highways maintenance over the coming year, with many roads, paths and cycleways in communities near you set to be improved.

This is part of our ongoing commitment to helping keep South Gloucestershire moving and is continuing our record £174 million investment into local highways since 2019.

Later this summer, South Gloucestershire will also join communities across the country in celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a major milestone in Her Majesty’s historic 70-year reign, and I am proud the council is helping to mark the occasion with

£50,000 in grants towards local celebrations in the district, such as street parties, festivals and other events.

Finally, while this column will predominantly be for things going on in our community, the attention of many local people will undoubtedly be on the terrible events unfolding in the Ukraine. With millions of people fleeing the country, and many likely to find their way to the UK, the council is ready to step up and help, as we have done so for refugee families forced from their homes due to conflicts in the likes of Syria and Afghanistan.

With the Government

Toby Savage, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council having now unveiled its plans for the Homes for Ukraine scheme, we stand ready to play our part and I am proud to know our residents will be ready to hold out the hand of friendship to any we help to resettle.

“Colston’s isn’t just about the grades - it’s about enabling me to be the best version of myself.”

Discover more at our next Scan to meet Eleanor Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

Working Open Morning Friday 29th April 2022 Register at colstons.org Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

20

n NEWS

April, 2022

Eleanor wins passport

Golden anniversary concert

A WINTERBOURNE Academy pupil has become the first in her year to complete a reading challenge.

English homework is based around reading and every student at the school is given a 'reading passport' from which they can choose a personal reading programme, and Eleanor Turton with Winterbourne Academy is encouraged to principal Jason Beardmore complete 16 books before they are 16 from that passport.

Eleanor Turton, from Winterbourne, became this year's first Year 7 pupil to complete her ’16 before you’re 16’ award during the current term.

Winterbourne Academy principal Jason Beardmore said: "We encourage a strong culture of reading here at Winterbourne, and group reading forms part of our tutorial programme.

"Well done Eleanor – we’re so pleased you’re enjoying your reading so much!"

Eleanor was presented with a certificate, a ‘Pride of Winterbourne’ badge and an armband allowing her to jump the queue at lunch.

YATE Choral Society has a big anniversary in 2022.

Our Conductor, Geoff Wickham, has been with us now for 50 years.

To celebrate this fantastic achievement, we are holding a Grand Celebration Concert on Saturday April 23, at 7.30pm at Yate Academy, Sundridge Park.

The concert will have a variety of music, some of which will celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of the Queen.

It will also include a brand new piece composed by Geoff and Geoff Wickham celebrating the life of his late wife, Hazel, who was our accompanist for 47 years until she sadly passed away in 2019.

The piece, Life on a North Devon Farm, describes her childhood as a farmer’s daughter, going through the four seasons on the farm, and includes a tune written by Hazel in her youth.

Yate Choral Society is a friendly mixed voice choir of about 60 members, who enjoy singing and the company of fellow singers. We sing a variety of different music which we share in three main concerts each year, one of which is always in aid of a charity.

We rehearse on Tuesday evenings between 7.30 and 9.30pm at St Nicholas Church, Chargrove, Yate.

You don’t have to be a musical expert to join us, just someone who enjoys singing. Come along to one of our rehearsals and see if you like what we do.

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TOGETHER WITH BRISTOL CATHEDRAL SCHOOL CHORAL SOCIETY

CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF

GEOFF. WICKHAM AS CONDUCTOR A celebratory programme including ZADOK THE PRIEST – Handel

MISSA BREVIS – Mozart

GRAND MARCH FROM “AIDA” – Verdi

LIFE ON A NORTH DEVON FARM – G. WICKHAM (Written to celebrate the life of Hazel Wickham)

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ETHEL-JANE CORMACK

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Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

April, 2022

21

n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

Hope survives, even through war I DON'T know about you, but quite a few people said to me about how long January felt this year – it seemed to go on forever!

But, now here we are, like five minutes later, into April.

All around us, signs of spring are beginning to appear. Flowers popping up in the garden, days becoming longer and every so often, between the storms and the rain, we’re even getting blue skies and signs of the sun appearing.

In the life of the Church, we are also in a period of transition.

March and the beginning of April is a period of time which we call Lent. For Christians, Lent has historically been a time for giving something up, for fasting, as we prepare for the events that come next in the worship life of the Church.

April brings us to this year's Easter events. The Easter period is one of really mixed emotions for

Christians, as we journey through the highs and the lows of life in such a short space of time.

We begin really on Palm Sunday, as we ‘hear’ the crowds welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem.

As what we call Holy Week continues, though, things change.

On Maundy Thursday there is the most holy meal that Jesus shares with his friends, that has become Communion in the Christian church. After that meal Jesus is arrested, put on trial, and ultimately executed on Good Friday (yes, it is an odd name).

Holy Saturday is a period of waiting and mourning before one of the most significant days in the life of the Church, Easter Sunday, when we rejoice in the resurrection.

So Easter, ultimately, is about new life - that we see in other people and in the world around us.

This year may be different, though.

As I write this message, each day we are seeing more destruction in Ukraine on our TV screens. By the time you read it, who knows what might happen next in that part of our world?

Amongst the death and destruction we see around us, it’s perhaps difficult to move beyond the mourning of Holy Saturday and comprehend the events of Easter Sunday with all that is going on.

The Christian faith is a belief system built around the idea of hope. God gives hope to the world, and the resurrection of Jesus is one example of hope in action.

Friends, there is still hope in the world, despite what we see currently.

Many have found solace in coming together for vigils in support of Ukraine. We’ve seen

Rev Leigh A Maydew Minister, Salem Methodist Church, Watley’s End

communities come together to provide equipment and finances for refugees fleeing war.

I think, even though we are seeing some of the worst of humanity, we’re also seeing some of the best.

Hope continues, regardless of the hurt that we see.

This Easter, then, may you be a blessing to others and share hope in the world.

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Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

22

April, 2022

n COMMUNITY NEWS IN the past couple of years many people have turned to nature and gardening for comfort.

My allotment plots were a real refuge and solace during lockdowns, allowing me to combine exercise and fresh air with growing and gathering food.

I have enjoyed being a gardener for many years but it can sometimes seem quite a solitary occupation. So around this time last year, I began volunteering with Frome Valley Growing Project. I enjoyed it so much that in October I became a member of the group.

I was attracted to the project because it is local to me, firmly rooted in sustainable organic principles and combines growing plants for food with improving the soil and environment for wildlife, as well as people.

The growing site is a rented field, just off Swan Lane in Winterbourne. There are vegetable beds, a large polytunnel, native hedgerows, a pond, fruit trees, a play area for children and much more. Some of these features have been created in collaboration with other local organisations.

In the past year I have been involved with many different activities. Last March, I helped to install a living willow structure.

In summer I picked everything from sweet peas to courgettes and sewed harvesting bags from recycled materials. In autumn we saved seeds to plant this year and our surpluses are available for others to grow, in exchange for a donation.

Over the winter months I worked on plans for a herb garden on the site. This January, we were

Frome Valley Growing Project

Seed trays at the growing project

Plants in bud visited by two classes of school children from Elm Park school. In February we planted an elder tree that was given to us by a Frampton Cotterell resident and some sweet chestnut saplings donated by One Planet Matters.

Since then, I have been watering the amazing crops of celery and pak choi growing in our polytunnel and planting fruit bushes and rhubarb within the food forest area that we are developing around the fruit trees.

Over the course of a year I have pushed many barrow-loads of woodchip, compost and llama poo, which we use as mulches and

soil-improvers. I have also enjoyed eating plenty of locally grown produce.

Once the weather is a warmer I look forward to spending more time relaxing and chatting with other members of the group while their children play.

For those with different interests and skill sets from my own, there are many other projects planned. The irrigation system for our polytunnel will be upgraded and we want to install a composting toilet on our site. We also hope to hold a willow weaving workshop.

If you are raising your own

sunflowers this year and have more plants than you need, then we would be delighted to find them a good home in our circle of sunflowers.

Although experienced gardeners are very welcome as volunteers or members, you don’t have to know anything at all about growing plants to get involved with Frome Valley Growing Project.

I think it has something to offer anyone who enjoys being outdoors.

Please do get in touch if you would like to donate, volunteer or become a member of Frome Valley Growing Project, or hire the site for a group learning session.

Contact Kate MacDonald on 07708 758 370 or message us on Facebook @ FromeValleyGrowingProject.

Mazzy Fautley *The growing project is holding an open day on April 3 from 10.30am.

Can you help find our trophies?

ORGANISERS of the St Saviours Church, Coalpit Heath village Horticultural and Craft show need help to track down some trophies which have been missing since their last event.

The show was held every year from 1945 until 2019.

Secretary Karen Bidwell said: "Like everything else, that all changed with covid and we had to cancel our 75th anniversary show for September 2020.

"We did manage to hold a revised show last September. However, four of our trophies had not been handed back from some of the winners of the 2019 show.

"We may have to get replacements but due to the sentimental value of the originals, we would prefer to get them back."

The committee has not been able to trace

The flower show trophies the winners of the trophies and it is believed they may have been won by people who have moved out of the village since the show in 2019, possibly to the Warmley or Hanham area.

Karen said: "The cups and trophy are not of a great value but it's due to their sentimental value that we would like them

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

back.

"The three cups were donated in memory of previous participants of the show and the wooden sponge trophy was especially made by my predecessor, Len Webb, for class 78.

"The Lambert Short Cup was introduced in 1978 for the winner of class 38, best sweet peas, and donated by his family.

"The Bill Coles Cup for class 94 was donated in 1985 by Mrs Coles in memory of her husband, who was a very frequent winner of the class.

"The Handicraft Cup was donated in 1998 by Mr Dent of Rossall Avenue, another previous winner."

Karen is appealing for anyone who thinks they may know where the trophies are to call her on 0791 407 0535 to organise their safe return.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

April, 2022

23

n COMMUNITY NEWS DID you see the yellow fish that appeared on the pavements over the last month?

In February we took part in the Yellow Fish campaign, organised by the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust.

This was to spread awareness that the drains on our roads lead directly to our rivers.

Anything put down the drains – rubbish, oil, detergents from washing cars, etc – goes straight into our rivers too, and can harm wildlife.

Volunteers painted yellow fish next to drains throughout Frampton Cotterell to help spread the message that “only rain goes down the drain”.

Over a hundred noisy frogs were spawning at Beesmoor pond last month and tadpoles are already wriggling – a definite sign that spring is here!

Now is a great time to think about helping nature thrive in your garden, so spring into action with our top ten tips for wildlife gardening: 1. Grow more flowers. Gardens have become an increasingly important habitat for our native wildlife – especially pollinators and other invertebrates. Having a wide variety of flowering plants throughout the year will keep your garden buzzing. Native flowers are best.

2. Plant a hedge. If your fence has been blown over in the recent high winds then consider replacing it with a hedge. Native hedges are living habitats and provide space and food for all kinds of wildlife. If you have a fence please put in a hedgehog hole.

3. Plant a tree. If you have the space then trees and shrubs provide vertical structure and

Bristol Avon Rivers Trust's Yellow Fish campaign.

Picture: BART

Frampton Cotterell Nature

Frog at Beesmoor Pond.

Picture: David Hanks space and food for wildlife.

Mature trees are especially valuable so look after any you have. Fruit trees are a good choice for small gardens.

4. M ake wood piles. Keep any hedge clippings, prunings and logs in your garden. Dead wood and old plant stems are really important habitats for fungi and all kinds of creatures.

5. C reate a pond. Creating a pond is probably the single best thing you can do to attract and benefit wildlife. Even small ponds made from waterproof containers can provide enormous benefits – make sure to provide a gently sloping ramp so creatures can get in and out.

6. D on’t use chemicals. Please don’t use pesticides or chemicals in your garden. There is no need and these cause tremendous damage to wildlife.

7. D on’t use peat. Peat extraction for garden use destroys important peat bog habitats and contributes to climate change. Use peat-free compost.

8. D on’t use plastic grass.

Grasses are flowering plants and are important for many species including butterflies and moths.

Replacing grass with a piece of plastic on which nothing can live is very bad for nature.

9. K eep it untidy. Leaving some areas of the garden to go wild benefits wildlife of all kinds.

Let the grass grow long, let dandelions and other weeds grow and leave old plant stems standing for invertebrates to

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

overwinter in.

10. Enjoy and learn about the nature in your garden. If you have any questions about gardening for wildlife, or anything you find in your

garden, then get in touch.

We’d love to see photos of your garden wildlife on our Facebook group.

David Hanks Frampton Cotterell Nature

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24

n RECIPE OF THE MONTH

April, 2022

Ann Murray founded the Cooking4 Cookery School based in Chipping Sodbury. She’s teamed up with Frome Valley Voice to pass on her wealth of experience in the kitchen.

Versatile and fast fish chowder AT the moment, when the world is in such confusion, beset with fears and anxiety, I personally appreciate like never before the joy of spending time with family and friends.

We are safe, we have good food on our plates and for all this, I feel so lucky.

A friend put me on to a scheme organised by John Lewis which I didn’t know about.

Just in case you were thinking of donating, the John Lewis Partnership will match any donations (up to another £150,000) to the British Red Cross.

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It seems very mundane after such serious matters to give you a recipe, but that is kind of what I do.

So here it is, a creamy, satisfying fish chowder.

A chowder is a thick soup made with fish and/or seafood, potatoes, bacon and corn. The recipe was supposedly brought by Breton fisherman to New England, Nova Scotia and along that coast.

It soon became a firm favourite, because of its versatility and quick preparation time. You can prep it in the morning and reheat for your guests at an appropriate time. If doing this, leave out the cream or crème fraiche until just before serving.

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Ingredients: 4 rashers of smoked streaky bacon.

A small bunch of spring onions.

2 carrots, peeled and cut in chunky rings 500g red-skinned potatoes.

200g fillet of smoked haddock mixed with 100g salmon fillet, both skin off and pin boned 3 fresh bay leaves.

3 sprigs of fresh thyme.

1 litre of vegetable stock.

150ml single cream or crème fraiche 200g corn kernels – either frozen or tinned.

200g raw prawns or if you want to splash out, a few scallops 1 x 150g pack of matzo crackers or similar dry crackers (look in your supermarket in the specialist or organic section.) – optional.

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Method: Finely chop the bacon and dry fry

it in a deep frying pan until brown and crispy.

Trim and finely slice the spring onions and prep the carrots. Add to the pan with the bacon and stir.

Wash the potatoes and chop into 2cm chunks (no need to peel).

Add the potatoes to the pan and mix well, stirring often so that the mixture doesn’t burn. Fry until golden brown.

Cover with the vegetable stock and using a medium heat, bring to the boil (uncovered).

Then put the lid on, turn down the heat to a simmer and cook for 12 minutes until the potatoes are cooked through.

Stir from time to time.

Once the potatoes are cooked, using a slotted spoon, remove about half and crush roughly with a potato masher.

Return to the pan. This will thicken the sauce nicely.

Add the smoked haddock and salmon (all in 1 piece – as it cooks it will naturally flak into smaller pieces) to the pan with 3 bay leaves and the leaves from 3 sprigs of thyme.

Add the single cream or crème fraiche, corn and the peeled prawns to the chowder and stir well.

Turn the heat up to bring the chowder back to bubbling hot.

Put the lid back on and turn the heat down to low.

Cook for 3-4 mins until the prawns are cooked through (they’ll go pink).

If using, serve the matzo crackers separately. Break and sprinkle some on top just before serving.

Serve with vegetables in season, crunchy carrots, leeks, green beans or dark green cabbage.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

April, 2022

25

n LOCAL MP

Action is needed to repair our potholes LIVING in rural South Gloucestershire my entire life, I know the blight of potholes in our towns and villages, and understand how damaging and frustrating poor road surface can be for residents and commuters.

Action is needed to improve road surfaces throughout South Gloucestershire and that is why I am delighted that over £12 million has been announced in South Gloucestershire Council’s budget to fix potholes, repairs our roads, and improve surfaces along our key road networks and public footpaths.

Over the winter, and exacerbated by storms earlier this year, several roads throughout the area have become cracked and damaged, and potholes have worsened our most rural villages.

With this further funding now available to directly target potholes and carry out road repairs, I have launched a survey asking residents for their feedback and thoughts on where there are potholes which need to be addressed in South Gloucestershire, including our rural villages of Westerleigh, Iron Acton, Coalpit Heath, Rangeworthy, Tytherington and Frampton Cotterell.

I am pleased that there are already works scheduled for our area, from Park Row in Frampton Cotterell to Baden Hill in Tytherington. However as a local resident and commuter, I know there are many more locations in need of attention, and with your help and input, we can make sure these areas are known to South

Gloucestershire Council, so action can be taken.

You can complete the survey by visiting www.lukehall.org.uk.

It’s vital that our roads are kept in good condition to ensure safety and comfort for road users.

I welcome that the Department for Transport has invested £2.7 billion for the maintenance of England’s local highway network outside London over 2020-21 and 2021-22.

As part of Road Investment Strategy 2, the Government is also providing £4.1bn for capital renewals on the strategic road network in England over the next five years.

Investing in our roads and infrastructure is a key part of our positive plan for transport, and will help us in our ongoing efforts

Luke Hall MP writes for Frome Valley Voice

to get South Gloucestershire moving.

We in South Gloucestershire should not get left behind investment in the urban areas of our region, including Bristol, so I am pleased the council’s budget will help us take further steps to ensure motorists and cyclists have the road network they deserve.

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fromevalleyvoice

26

n WHAT'S ON Easter n BRUNEL'S SS GREAT BRITAIN, the 'world's smelliest museum', already includes hundreds of sights, sounds and smells. However, this Easter, they're inviting visitors to rate the smells and help choose new ones! Experience the good, the bad and the ugly scents which wafted through the 19th century ship. Find out more and book your tickets at ssgreatbritain.org/easter March 30 n SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE MINES RESEARCH GROUP AGM followed by talk, A Mining Miscellany, by Steve Grudgings at the Miners Institute, Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath. meeting starts at 8pm, talk at 8.30pm.

Non members welcome - £2 each for the talk. Membership £17.50 per year, including talks and newsletters.

April 3 n FROME VALLEY GROWING PROJECT open day, from 10.30am at Swan Lane, Winterbourne. More details from Kate MacDonald on

07708 758 370 or Facebook @ FromeValleyGrowingProject.

April 8 n BRISTOL GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR concert at St Monica Trust’s Oatley House Hall, Westbury Park, 7.30pm. Choir with over 70 members will perform in support of A Life For A Cure, with special guest solo violinist Lizz Lipscombe.

Tickets £10, available by calling 01761 472468 or on the door.

Winterbourne library news WINTERBOURNE Library is hosting a special holiday activity, Spring into Easter.

Collect your free children’s craft bag while stocks last, or book a place for our craft session in the library on Wednesday April 13, from 10.30-11.30am.

Places are limited – see the website for details or pop into the library.

The library welcomes everyone, whether browsing and borrowing from the shelves, using a computer, bringing children to the library or meeting friends.

Rhymetime, Wednesdays, 9.30am-10am, most suitable for 0-18 months – limited spaces.

Storytime, Fridays, 9.30am-10am, most suitable for 18 months to four years – limited spaces.

Lego club 10am to 11am, every four weeks from April 2.

All children’s activities places need to be booked at www.southglos. gov.uk/childrenslibrary due to limited spaces and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Digital Champions are now available for one-to-one IT support: covid-safe slots bookable on a Friday between 10am and noon.

For more details, visit the library or email Winterbourne.library@ southglos.gov.uk.

The library is open and staffed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 5pm, and on Saturday from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Open Access, between 8am and 7.30pm, enables you to use the library when staff are not there, including free Wi-Fi, PCs and printing, issuing and returning books. Library members need to complete a one-off induction session first to register to use it.

More information is available online at www.southglos.gov.uk/ librarychanges.

REGULAR EVENTS n MONDAY: WINTERBOURNE FLOWER CLUB now meets at WADCA in Watleys End Road, Winterbourne. Meetings are on the second Monday of the month between 2pm and 4pm. Call 01454 776753 for details. n THURSDAY: WINTERBOURNE WINDS, a friendly amateur wind band who play a wide range of music including pop, musicals and classical, rehearse at Frenchay Village Hall from 7.40-9.30pm. New members, especially flute, oboe, trumpet, horn and percussion players, are welcome. For more information email douglas9999@ ntlworld.com.

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April, 2022

fromevalleyvoice

27

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

A new approach to tackling drug dealing I AM delighted to tell you about their collective power and a significant new approach that disrupt the South West drugs sees Avon and Somerset Police market, dismantling drugs supply team up with partners across networks and arresting those who the South West to combine their profit from them. operational powers in tackling The forces used a range of cross-border drugs supply tactics, including enhanced activities, known as Operation surveillance of the road and Scorpion. transport networks, increased Coinciding with National high-visibility patrols in areas County Lines Intensification of high demand, carrying out Week, the aim of this activity warrants at addresses used for was to send a strong message to drug dealing and welfare checks criminals that the South West is on vulnerable people. #NoPlaceForDrugs.

As a result, a number of The five regional police successful results were achieved services – Avon and Somerset, in our force area, including 64 Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, arrests and 17 warrants executed.

Gloucestershire and Wiltshire – Five known county lines were alongside their respective PCCs, disrupted and at least 41 weapon the British Transport Police, sweeps took place, along with South West Regional Organised 178 visits to vulnerable people’s Crime Unit and Crimestoppers, addresses. set aside regional boundaries The results from this collective just as criminals engaging in action speak for themselves and WB Essentials AW.qxp_Layout 15:56 drugs activity do, to harness 1 09/02/2021 highlights whatPage can be1achieved

when a borderless approach to drugs enforcement is taken. By coming together collectively in this way, we can send a strong message to criminals and those who exploit young and vulnerable people in Avon and Somerset that the South West is no place for drugs.

In other news, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Claire Hiscott as my Deputy PCC to support me and my office in ensuring Avon and Somerset Police is an effective, efficient and legitimate police service.

Claire was a councillor for eight years in the Horfield Ward area, a cabinet member for education and skills, and an area chairman for Bristol and Gloucestershire Conservatives.

With the recent publication of my Police and Crime Plan, work is well underway in delivering against my priorities and

With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford objectives.

I know Claire has a particular interest in violence against women and girls as well as disproportionality, and I look forward to her supporting me in these workstreams.

Claire will also support me on engagement days, meeting with local people, partners and organisations to find out how we can support them and address their police and crime concerns.

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fromevalleyvoice

28

April, 2022

n COMMUNITY NEWS Coalpit Heath WI WE were extremely grateful to Amy Grimsby (craftygrimsby) who agreed to swap her session at short notice when our scheduled speaker became unavailable.

Amy is a very talented needle felter and sells her felted animals on her Etsy stall and at craft fairs.

During lockdown she started teaching online and now continues with this along with teaching some sessions that are advertised locally.

We were all handed out the needles for felting, with a warning about how to use them to avoid breaking them or stabbing ourselves with them, along with all the other essentials needed.

Using a pattern and following a demonstration, all members produced a bee card or picture to take home. Several members are keen to attend a follow-up workshop session.

Coalpit Heath WI celebrates our 70th birthday this month. Plans are being made for a picnic to be held

Hearts for Mother's Day later this year for members and their families to attend.

Minutes from our very first meetings are stored at the Central Library in Bristol.

Our treasurer spent some time reading through the first minutes book, and noted that yearly subs in 1952 were three shillings and sixpence, and a cup of tea and a piece of cake cost another

3d. Meetings often included a competition: one of note included making a hat from kitchen utensils.

Sadly, there are no photos of the winning entry!

If you fancy coming along and seeing what we have to offer in 2022 you would be most welcome.

The next meeting is on April 6, when Margaret Miller, is our speaker on silk painting cards.

In May it is the annual resolutions meeting. The resolution being put forward for this year to the NFWI annual meeting in June is: "Women and Girls with ASD and ADHD – under identified, underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed and under-supported."

A total of sixty five hearts were created by members this year, either knitted, sewn or crocheted.

These were being passed on to any mothers whose babies are in Special care units on Mother’s Day. A reminder that we are once again collecting items for the local food bank and welcome any donations at our meetings.

A current list is on the Facebook page, however all donations are gratefully received.

Search @WICoalpitHeath on Facebook to find out any further information and updates.

We meet on the first Wednesday of each month in St Saviour’s church hall at 7.45pm.

Caroline Johnston

Frampton Cotterell WI – March News

Winterbourne Evening WI

OUR thanks go out to Philomena Connelly, who stepped in at the last moment when our monthly talk was cancelled last minute in February to give us a demo of “seated Zumba”.

We were all quite surprised at how energetic it was! That said, we were then all the more appreciative afterwards of our tea WI members trying seated Zumba and cake.

On March 22, Paul Green from Green Leaves Nursery made a welcome return to us to talk about rare plants and plant care, with a plant sale afterwards.

April sees the launch of our new programme for the coming year, which includes talks from a variety of experts and professionals, including a charity shop/sustainable stylist on April 26, a member of the RAF in June and a local aerial photographer later on in the year.

Future events include theatre trips, garden visits and social evenings.

Confirmed details will follow soon, however these already include Mamma Mia! at the Bristol Hippodrome in June and a visit to the Van Gogh experience when it comes to Bristol in April or May. Watch this space and our Facebook page for confirmation of future event dates and more details.

Visitors and new members are welcome to our monthly meetings at St Peter’s Hall on School Road at 7.45pm, on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

There is a charge of £3.50 for the evening and any new members can also join by paying a membership fee.

In the meantime, if you’re interested in joining us please let us know and get in touch via our Facebook page.

Special interest groups that meet separately including a book club, craft group, choir and our skittles and darts teams.

Please search FramptonCottWI to find out more.

WOMEN'S Institutes all over the country are making preparations to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee between June 2 and 5.

This is especially appropriate because Her Majesty the Queen became a member of Sandringham WI in 1943, and remains its president.

The WI has always tried to offer friendship and support to all women Our speaker Mrs Bateman, who spoke about and enrich their lives The Brontës of Haworth. and communities.

The speaker at Winterbourne Evening WI's meeting on March 10 was Sandra Bateman, introducing the Brontë family.

Many of you will have read Jane Eyre or been captivated by the drama and mystery of the film Wuthering Heights, but Mrs Bateman took us behind the scenes of Haworth parsonage and gave us a detailed account of the whole family, with all its tragedies and triumphs.

She illustrated her talk with photographs, pictures and books to enable us to explore this unique and gifted family.

Our next meeting will be on April 14 at St Michael's Primary School in Linden Avenue, Winterbourne at 7.30pm.

We will be having a craft demonstration on the art of Easter Découpage

by Alison Story.

We look forward to producing some artistic and decorative effects from this popular technique. Visitors and new members are always most welcome.

Margaret Grazebrook

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

April, 2022

29

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Village Action: April bluebell walk WITH bluebells flowering in April, this rural walk from Coalpit Heath to the Ram Hill Historic site will provide some beautiful views.

The distance is about three miles and the route includes some stiles.

Remember to respect others, park responsibly, leave no trace of your visit and follow the Country Code.

Be aware that parts of a walk can change – for example, a path can be moved to one side or a stile replaced by a gate.

Floral Friends of Frampton OVER the next few weeks, pupils from Culverhill School in Yate will be helping Floral Friends to restore the wildflower area at the Glebeland, as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.

A local volunteer kindly helped by first cutting the grass, and the pupils have begun to clear areas, despite the bad weather, ready for future sowing and planting.

We are looking forward to some colourful displays this Summer which will greatly benefit the local wildlife.

We will be using mainly a bumblebee wildflower seed mix, using native flowers that have been seen growing locally, including Phacelia, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Oxeye Daisy, Wild Carrot, Alsike Clover, Red Clover, Vetch, and Sainfoin.

We plan to add native plug plants too after consultation with Avon Wildlife Trust regarding the site.

Despite the recent spells of bad weather, it is a joy to see so many spring flowers planted by Floral

Start opposite The Badminton Arms (on A432) in Coalpit Heath and walk up Woodside Road, continuing past the houses.

Go straight through a gated farmyard to climb a metal stile at the end.

Go straight across Frog Lane and over a stile with a footpath sign.

Continue through fields, looking for a gap (marked 1 on map) to take into the wood on left (full of bluebells in season). Follow path through edge of wood (in a clockwise direction) to exit further

Friends now blooming around Frampton Cotterell, including the daffodils to be found in the Beesmoor Flower Border, next to the playing fields on Woodend Road.

We are planning a plant sale and coffee morning on Saturday May 28, from 10am to 1pm, at the Brockeridge Centre in Frampton Cotterell.

Come and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea with a slice of cake and stock up on your garden plants at the same time!

We will provide updates on our webpage ffframpton.wixsite.com/ frampton-cotterell and Facebook.

Floral Friends are entirely funded by donations and we would like to thank all those who have recently made donations, either in person or on-line. It is very much appreciated, especially since we have not been able to hold our usual fundraising events.

If anyone else would like to help out by making a donation online (either a one-off or a regular one is very much appreciated) our bank details are: Floral Friends of Frampton, HSBC, 40-47-34, account number 41555326.

Thank you everyone for all your

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

up the same field.

Return through field almost to Frog Lane but veer left before the stile, onto footpath along a disused railway.

At end, turn right and, at next junction, turn right to see railway cottages and the remains of Ram Hill Colliery Historic Site (2 on map).

Continue over Railway bridge and then beside hedge to go left through a kissing gate.

Follow hedge on left, via next kissing gate and then veer diagonally across field to exit and turn right onto road, Roundways.

At end (3 on map), turn left into Woodside Road to return to start.

More lovely local walks with maps and full directions can be found at www.villageaction.org.uk/villageaction-activities/village-walks Jen Dunford

Daffodils at Beesmoor Flower Border

support.

It takes time, effort and funds to maintain the planting around the village benefiting the local community, the environment, and the wildlife. If you would like to help there are various ways in which you can do so, from a few minutes regularly maintaining the

planters or a couple of hours once or twice a year to replenish plants in the planters, to fundraising, donations and sponsorship.

If you can help in any way, we’d love to hear from you.

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30

April, 2022

n SPORT

Juniors welcome Bristol Bears to Frampton FRAMPTON Cotterell Juniors (ages 4-12) welcomed the Bristol Bears Community Foundation to the club for a great morning of rugby.

More than 100 children took part in the sunshine on March 20, learning some of the key disciplines of teamwork and communication whilst developing their skills.

The club also welcomed Bears scrum-half Tom Whiteley, who coached each age group during the day and also took part in a question and answer session.

Bristol Bears Community Foundation is an award-winning charity, which works with over 8,000 people from the local community each year, using the power of sport to deliver a broad range of programmes across the South West, covering education, participation, health and inclusion.

The charity’s youngest participant last year was five years old, with the oldest 104.

It was a great morning, enjoyed by all.

Any children who would like to get involved with rugby at Frampton are being urged to get in touch.

We are always looking to welcome new players across all age groups, from under-5s to under-16s, boys and girls.

For more information, please contact jakedarby@hotmail.co.uk or 07900 700245.

Matthew Marsh, Junior Committee.

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