Frome Valley Voice December 2020

fromevalleyvoice www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

December, 2020 Issue 86

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

Schools' Christmas cheer Christmas single

A FRAMPTON Cotterell musician is releasing his first single – a 'bittersweet' Christmas song.

PAGE 3

Comfort and joy for families in need

AN appeal for funds to support families in the Frome Valley area who will face hardship this Christmas has been launched.

PAGE 5

The traditional nativity in front of adoring parents may be impossible this year, but schools like St Michael's C of E Primary in Winterbourne are finding new ways to celebrate. Page 4

Tim to step down

Burglars terrorise pensioner AN elderly woman who had her home invaded by a gang of burglars has been "overwhelmed" by the response from the community.

The 86 year old was at home in Boundary Road, Coalpit Heath, when four men forced their way in.

After ordering her to sit in a chair they searched upstairs in the house, taking a safe which contained cash and valuables belonging to her son, then took

pension money from her handbag.

Police are calling on anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time to contact them.

As news of the crime spread on social media there was an outpouring of support for the pensioner, with hundreds of pounds raised to help her.

Turn to page 2

METRO Mayor Tim Bowles has announced that he will not seek re-election next year.

PAGE 6

Changes for mummers

WINTERBOURNE Down's mummers play is breaking with tradition this year.

PAGE 7

Speak to our friendly team today t: 01454 252 140 or visit our website www.aj-homes.co.uk

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FromeValley Voice contacts Richard Drew

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Your views Letters for publication can be sent to us via email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk We reserve the right to edit your letter.

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

Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk general enquiries: 101 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061 NHS Health Call 111 Well Aware health & social care information www.wellaware.org.uk Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252

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 Frome Valley 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

December, 2020

n NEWS

Community won't let burglars win From page 1 The burglars forced open the woman's front door at around 4.30pm on the afternoon of November 18.

They are understood to have told the woman her house was on fire and told her to open her door. She refused to, so they broke it down.

Avon and Somerset police say that after telling their victim to stay in her chair, the men found and took the safe, which contained cash and personal papers, a silver pocket watch engraved 'H Samuel Liverpool', an Ingersoll pocket watch in a leather case and a computer, all of which belonged to the woman's son. Police say the Ingersoll watch had been his grandfather's.

The crime was reported when the woman's son arrived at around 6.30pm.

The safe, some paperwork and other items were later found dumped on land off Hambrook Lane, near its junction with Harry Stoke Lane and Church Road in Stoke Gifford.

Police say the suspects were white and wore surgical masks.

One was wearing a light blue hooded top.

Officers have carried out house-to-house enquiries in the area and are calling on anyone who was in the Boundary Road area on the afternoon of the crime and saw anyone acting suspiciously to call 101, quoting crime reference number 5220 260 668.

Anyone who saw items being dumped off Hambrook Lane should call the same number.

Officers are especially keen to hear from anyone with dashcam, CCTV or smart doorbell footage they believe could help.

Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.

After the incident, an online appeal was launched to raise money to help the pensioner.

Within four days it had raised more than £660.

Laura Jefferies, who started the appeal on crowdfunding website GoFundMe, said the pensioner had been "overwhelmed at the support she has received" from the public.

Donations can still be made to the appeal online at uk.gofundme.com/f/mary-039s-appeal.

Police are urging people to take security precautions, including keeping jewellery with a secure storage company, marking it with a forensic security liquid and taking photos of valuables.

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December, 2020

3

n NEWS

Darren releases a Christmas single A FRAMPTON Cotterell musician is having a crack at the Christmas charts with his first ever single.

Darren Addicott has been playing the guitar since he was a teenager and his band, Elevation, is a familiar sight to revellers at the Frampton Festival, which they have headlined four times.

But despite writing songs in the past Darren has never released one to the public – until now.

His Christmas song, Whiskey & Wine, is being released for download and streaming on all major online platforms.

The singer and guitarist, who has lived in Frampton for 12 years, wrote the song last year and recorded it between lockdowns with his friend Tim Paul Rice, who he performed with in a duo called One Too Many.

He said: "My background is very much rock orientated,

Darren Addicott performing so Whiskey & Wine is a real departure from that. The song itself is quite mellow – you might describe it as a ballad.

"It's a bittersweet take on Christmas, with hopefully an uplifting chorus about

everyone coming together and singing along to their favourite Christmas songs, something we may all miss doing this year.

Darren says music has always been his "passion", but always alongside a regular day job.

In his 20s he was in a band called Precious McKenzie who supported indie rockers Feeder and played venues including Sound Republic in London's Leicester Square.

He said: "I've written quite a few songs over the years, but this is the first time I've had the courage to release one properly.

"I've been able to secure some radio airplay on a number of stations across the South West, which is great. I don't think Noddy or Mariah are going to be too worried about the competition, but if as many people as possible could download and share it, it would be great to see how far it could go."

Whiskey & Wine was due to be released on November 27 on Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, Deezer and other major online platforms.

For more details visit Darren Addicott Music on Facebook.

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December, 2020

n NEWS

Schools find new ways to celebrate Christmas

SCHOOLS in the Frome Valley are working out new ways to celebrate Christmas as the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect all aspects of life.

Traditional whole school nativities and pantomimes with audiences are out. Gone, too, are festive fairs where parents mingle with staff over a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. Even within schools, dividing children into bubbles to minimise mixing between year groups means staff need to adapt and come up with innovative ways of bringing their communities together.

At St Michael’s C of E Primary School in Winterbourne the annual trip to the Bristol Hippodrome is off, but a theatre company has filmed a production of Sleeping Beauty which is full of references to the school and will be shown in individual classrooms.

Head teacher Kirsty Robson says that after such a difficult

Iron Acton Primary's reception, Year 1 and Year 2 bubble is preparing a nativity play to be filmed and shared with parents year they will celebrate with "even more gusto".

Children in reception and Key Stage 1 at Frampton Cotterell C of E Primary School will be doing festive activities in bubbles, and a short film will also be made.

Head teacher Peter Barnard

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said: “We’ll be putting on a Christmas nativity with each year group recording a different carol, which will be woven into the story which our Year 5 pupils will retell. It will be recorded at St. Peter’s Church and then edited together before we’ll be able to watch it in our classes in the last week of term.”

At Iron Acton Primary School a Christmas lunch and parties will be held in bubbles, with the larger reception to year 2 bubble performing a nativity.

Executive head teacher Mike Riches said: “We aim to do all the normal things but with slight amendments, so that children and their families don’t miss out.”

Manor C of E Primary in Coalpit Heath is also holding its usual festive events for children within bubbles, while for the first time its friends' association

has created a present catalogue which will help support the school. There will also be a community food trolley outside for anyone to use over the festive period.

At Winterbourne Academy, sixth formers have been preparing hampers to distribute in the community, in place of its usual Christmas lunch for senior citizens.

Years 7 to 9 will enjoy a ‘decorate a door’ competition throughout December, and on the last day of term a Christmas jumper day with a twist will see pupils vote for a teacher to wear a very special embellished jumper.

Head Jason Beardmore said: “Staff still want to create a special, positive atmosphere for the students and each other during December.”

With parents and carers unable to attend any festive events, the challenge is how to involve them.

At Elm Park Primary and Iron Acton Primary, nativities will be filmed and shared with parents.

Winterbourne Academy’s sixth form is hosting a virtual concert featuring staff, students and parents, and Manor C of E Primary is moving its Christmas fair online.

At Watermore School, deputy head Christopher Hotchin said staff were "incredibly sad" that performances could not take place, but plans are underway to share Christmas music with families and other festive activities are shortly to be announced.

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fromevalleyvoice

December, 2020

5

n NEWS

Churches and schools join forces to help families AN appeal for funds to support families in the Frome Valley area who will face hardship this Christmas has been launched.

The Comfort & Joy project is bringing the eight churches of the Together for Fromeside partnership working with local schools to reach families most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The schools will decide how the money is spent, be it on food, vouchers, or help with winter fuel payments or other costs.

Schools established who needed help within their communities during the first lockdown, when many set up food distribution points.

The churches involved are All Saints and Bethesda in Winterbourne Down, St Michael’s and Salem in Winterbourne, St Peter’s and Zion in Frampton Cotterell, St Saviours in Coalpit Heath and St James in Iron Acton.

Just days after the online appeal was launched, donations

Peter Barnard, head of Frampton Cotterell C of E Primary School with fellow members of the Comfort & Joy project Kate Kernaghan, Naomi Sharp, Rev Malcom Strange and Zoe Drew exceeded the original target of £3,500, and they had passed £5,000 as the Voice went to press.

Zoe Drew, Community Pioneer at Zion Church in Frampton Cotterell, said: “We have been really bowled over by local support for this appeal and while we wish it wasn't needed, we’re proud to be part of such a generous community!

"We’re hoping that this is

just the start and in 2021 we can extend the scope of our project and support as many local individuals and families as possible”.

Kirsty Robson, head teacher at St Michael’s C of E Primary School in Winterbourne, said: “We are living in such hard times at the moment and some families are really struggling, and so anything that we can do to help them is important.”

The other primary schools involved are Hambrook, Elm Park, Frampton Cotterell, Watermore, Manor and Iron Acton.

To donate to the appeal online visit justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/comfort-joy.

Community support groups set up during the first national coronavirus lockdown in March are still active for those who need them. The Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath Covid-19 support group has volunteers available to help anyone who is self-isolating.

They can be contacted via 07742 604988 or by email at Covid19FramptonAndCoalpit@ gmail.com.

In Iron Action, the majority of requests for help from the support group Acton Aid have been for shopping and collecting prescriptions. There are still plenty of people volunteering.

The helpline is 01454 300190 and it is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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U N T U F THE R REGIO U O F O We’re developing a Spatial Development Strategy to create a greener, more connected and inclusive place to live and work.

Have your say to make sure new homes, employment spaces and transport are planned in the right places at www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/future-of-the-region For a paper copy or information in an alternative format, contact 0117 428 6210 or planning@westofengland-ca.gov.uk.

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December, 2020

n NEWS REGIONAL mayor Tim Bowles is to retire from politics.

The Winterbourne parish councillor was elected the first West of England Mayor in 2017.

But he has announced that he will not seek re-election to the £65,000-a-year role, known as the Metro Mayor, when his term ends next spring.

Conservative Mr Bowles has been involved in local politics for 20 years. He was a South Gloucestershire councillor for the Winterbourne ward for seven years before he was elected to lead the West of England Combined Authority, which is made up from South Gloucestershire, Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset councils and has a region-wide role in policies such as housing, transport and skills.

He said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the West of England as a councillor and as the region’s first Metro Mayor.

"The combined authority has brought hundreds of millions of

Metro Mayor Tim to bow out

Tim Bowles pounds to the region and seen major improvements that benefit every single person."

Mr Bowles said Weca was "getting the region moving with a proper transport system", including the MetroWest rail network and Metrobus, was

backing future technology such as 5G, supported businesses and helped more than 700 people through the Future Bright training scheme.

He said extra funding brought

by Weca had directly created 4,000 new jobs and 13,000 new qualifications.

South Gloucestershire Council leader Toby Savage said: “The impact that Tim has had as the inaugural West of England mayor, building the combined authority from scratch and bringing together the local authorities, both across geographical and political borders, has set our region on a truly positive path."

The region's Tories will now pick a candidate to succeed Mr Bowles at next May's elections.

In November Labour announced that former Wansdyke MP Dan Norris, who served as a minister during his

13-year Parliamentary career, had been selected as the party's candidate.

The former Chipping Sodbury Comprehensive School pupil served on Avon county and Bristol city councils in the 1980s and 90s.

The Liberal Democrats chose former Bristol West MP Stephen Williams, who was a minister in the coalition government from 2013-15, as their candidate in July. He also contested the 2017 Metro Mayor election.

Weca's councils are currently embroiled in a row over a bid by North Somerset Council to join, with Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees arguing that the government needs to show that existing areas would not lose out financially by adding a new member, while the Tories and Lib Dems accuse him of “putting party politics before doing the right thing for the region”.

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December, 2020

7

n NEWS

Change of place - and face - for mummers' dance WINTERBOURNE Down's traditional mummers play is going online this year – and anyone who watches is being asked to make a donation.

And the online show is not the only break with tradition: this year performers have changed the colour of their traditional black disguises to avoid any impression of racism.

The Voice reported last month that the traditional Boxing Day play, performed on the streets and attracting up to 300 people each year, had been cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions.

But the group behind the play, the Winterbourn Down Mummers Christmas Boys, were determined to ensure that Coalpit Heath charity Paul's Place, which provides services for adults with physical disabilities, should not lose out.

So the group got together before lockdown in the Cross Hands pub to video a performance of the play –

Winterbourn Down Mummers Christmas Boys have filmed their Christmas performance. Still from video produced by Marine Vision Studios and the film can be seen on a JustGiving page where viewers are encouraged to make a donation.

As the Voice went to press the page had already raised more than £500 for the charity, which the mummers have supported for the past 10 years.

Organiser Terry Martin said: "The proceeds will make an

enormous difference and allow them to continue with their wonderful work."

The play almost died out for good after the First World War but was revived in the 1970s, and celebrated its 40th anniversary last year.

As well as scenes filmed this year the online video also includes some archive footage of

earlier performances.

Another change for this year is that the mummers are using different colours instead of black face paint, even though the tradition is not thought to have any racial element.

Terry said: "In the light of recent publicity about the slave trade in Bristol we felt that the time had come to change our traditional blacked-up faces.

"Historically the players used coal dust/soot as a form of disguise. Mrs Penton, who told us about the play, was indeed hesitant to tell me the names of the players who performed in the early 1900s, as it was considered bad luck to know their identity.

"Now we use a variety of colours – grey, green and so on.

"Times change and evolve, but we aim to keep to the script and the spirit of the tradition."

To watch the video and donate online, visit justgiving. com/fundraising/wdbm.

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December, 2020

n NEWS

New test sites as COVID-19 deaths rise again NEW COVID-19 testing stations have been set up for South Gloucestershire residents.

The mobile facilities at the Ridings car park in Wickwar Road, Chipping Sodbury and Cleve RFC in Mangotsfield started offering drive-through tests in midNovember after being approved by the Department of Health and Social Care.

Tests are available by appointment only to people who have symptoms or have been advised to have one, and can be booked by calling 119 or online.

The district's first testing centre at UWE's Frenchay Campus has been reclassified as a local testing site and moved to a longerterm site where it can stay for at least three months. The UWE centre will now offer only walk-up tests.

Testing capacity is being increased as the area continues to have a coronavirus rate above the national average, and the number of people who have died with the virus starts to rise again.

Figures released on November 24 showed that, in the four weeks to November 13, a total of 14 South Gloucestershire residents had died following a confirmed case of COVID-19 – three in care homes and 11 in hospital – following six weeks in which noone had died.

The testing site in Chipping Sodbury

Six of the deaths came in the most recent week for which figures are available.

Since the start of the year 185 South Gloucestershire residents have died with the virus.

Across South Gloucestershire there were 871 confirmed new COVID-19 cases in the week to November 24, giving the area an overall rate of 305.5 cases per 100,000 population – well above the England average of 240.7. The total number of cases in the district since the start of the pandemic is

5,721 a rate of 2,006.7 per 100,000 – around one in every 50 people.

Localised figures for the week to November 18 show 21 new cases in Frampton Cotterell, 16 new cases in Winterbourne, 49 in Pucklechurch & Westerleigh, which includes Coalpit Heath, and 17 in Charfield, Wickwar & Iron Acton.

Schools in the area have continued to have to work through infections.

Children in two entire year groups at Winterbourne Academy have had to selfisolate over the past month.

Year 10s at the 1,693-pupil school had to stay away until November 20 after two confirmed cases in the year group, while Year 11s were sent home during their mock exams after a confirmed case involving a pupil who had been at home self-isolating after suffering symptoms.

A spokesperson for Olympus Academy Trust, which runs the school, said: "Students in year 11 have been asked not to return to school until Monday, November 30.

"Students will be provided with online learning materials until they return to school."

Since September the school has had more than 20 confirmed cases involving pupils in all years, as well as staff.

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WE ARE HAVING A NEW SCHOOL BUILT READY TO MOVE IN DURING 2021-22 CONTINUES TO BE A GOOD SCHOOL - NOVEMBER 2019 ‘Elm Park is a happy and friendly school’ ‘Pupils love learning because teachers make it fun’

01454 866750 email: elmparkprimary@sgmail.org.uk Is your child due to start school next September?

ELM PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL

Reception Open Afternoons

Please contact the school office to book a socially distanced tour Inspiring Learners, Enriching Lives, Achieving Together We would love to welcome you to Elm Park.

Come along and enjoy a guided tour led by our Head Teacher and Reception Class Teacher. See our wonderful school and let us show off the amazing learning opportunities we provide.

‘Elm Park is a happy and friendly school Pupils love learning because teachers make it fun.

• The Early Years is a welcoming and interesting place for children to learn.

• Staff care deeply about their pupils and are sensitive to their needs.

• Leaders and teachers share a passion for igniting pupils’ enthusiasm and nurturing talents’ OfSTED November 2019 Please contact us by phone 01454 866750 or email elmparkprimary@sgmail.org.uk to book a place for one of our open mornings.

If you are unable to make the dates/times above, please contact us and we will find an alternative time to show you around.

New Headteacher

The governors are pleased to announce that Carol Bond has been appointed the permanent Headteacher of Elm Park School. Mrs Bond has been part of The Elm Park community for ten years, most recently as Acting Head and she is delighted to be the permanent Headteacher, leading Elm Park through its next exciting phase.

Ofsted recognised Elm Park as a ‘good’ school in 2019 and Mrs Bond is looking forward to continuing to build on the strengths of the school in her role as Headteacher. “For me, Elm Park is much more than a school, it is a community with the pupils at its heart. Nothing makes me prouder than working with the pupils, staff and parents to do all we can to make the school the best it can be” Carol said.

For Elm Park Primary School, exciting times are beckoning. Building work is underway for the first Passivhaus Standard school in South Gloucestershire. The Passivhaus Standard ensures buildings are constructed to reduce energy costs, lessening the impact on the environment. “This brand new, environmentally friendly school will provide a high-quality environment to match the high-quality learning and behaviour of our school” explains Mrs Bond, “and over the coming months we will be exploring the role this wonderful building can play in our wider community”.

To find out more about Elm Park School and what it has to offer, please contact the school office on 01454 866750.

December, 2020

fromevalleyvoice

11

n NEWS

Unicorn raises £600 A MUM who walked from Coalpit Heath to Yate dressed as a unicorn has raised more than £600 for Children in Need.

Hayley Tottle, who lives in Yate, started at the Manor fields in Coalpit Heath, walking past the primary school her daughter attends, and along the main Badminton Road so that as many people as possible would spot her, while donations were collected in a bucket.

Hayley said: "I can honestly say I had no low points doing my walk, I enjoyed every minute of it, although I did get hot inside my costume.”

Hayley Tottle passes the “I had such a big response to Badminton Carvery in Coalpit my costume, I lost count of how Heath during her fundraising many cars were beeping their walk. horns and flashing their lights.

I also had people pulling over to say how fantastic my walk was, which was lovely. I cannot thank people enough for their support and their generous donations.

“I’ve always wanted to make a difference in children’s lives and this year more than ever they need our help and support.”

The walk on November 13 finished three and a half miles away at WB Generic AW.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2020 17:08 Page 7 Little Giggles Soft Play in Yate, where Hayley works.

Black Rocks up for sale again FRAMPTON Cotterell beauty spot Black Rocks has been put back up for sale, after failing to reach its reserve price at auction.

The site on the river Frome, which includes part of a woodland and what used to be a mill pond, went under the hammer in early November in an online sale run by Bristol auctioneers Maggs and Allen.

It had a guide price of between £10,000 and £20,000 but despite a number of online and phone bids, the top bid £14,500 did not reach the reserve price and the land did not sell.

The site is due to go on sale again on December 10, this time with a guide price of just £5,000.

Frampton Cotterell Parish Council has agreed in principle to buy Black Rocks but is still in negotiations with the unnamed owner. The council also has to be satisfied as to the legal and financial viability of any deal.

The area is popular and used by dog walkers and local people enjoying get-togethers. The part of the River Frome which it borders will be sold with its riparian rights, which means the landowner has the right to make reasonable use of it, including fishing with a licence.

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12

fromevalleyvoice

December, 2020

n NEWS

Rogue window fitter left couple in the lurch A WINDOW fitter who took £8,000 up front from a Frampton Cotterell couple and then disappeared has been given a suspended prison sentence.

James Edward Smith, 39, from Green Gardens in Poole, Dorset, made a verbal agreement to supply and fit new windows and doors at the home of the elderly couple, who have not been named, when he was working at a neighbouring home on behalf of a national company in April last year.

He was paid in advance and, although some of the windows were delivered to the couple's home, Smith never returned, making a range of excuses before he eventually stopped answering their calls altogether.

South Gloucestershire Council's trading standards team was called in and worked with the police to track Smith down, giving him "an opportunity to return the money".

A council spokesperson said that at first, Smith claimed he

Window frames were delivered but never fitted by James Edward Smith had only agreed to supply the windows but his co-worker confirmed that the agreement had been to both supply and fit the windows and doors.

The spokesperson said the victims had to arrange for another trader to fit the windows and doors which had been delivered, as well as buying

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

missing ones Smith had not ordered, costing them an extra £3,950.

Smith had been due to stand trial for the theft of £4,700 at Bristol Crown Court on November 10 but changed his plea to guilty at the last minute.

As well as the 16-month suspended sentence and

repayment of almost £4,000 to the pensioners, Smith was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,600 towards prosecution costs.

Council cabinet member for communities Rachael Hunt said: “We want this case to serve as a warning and a deterrent to any other dishonest individuals with intentions of rogue trading here in South Gloucestershire.

"We take a very robust approach to vulnerable residents being targeted in such a way and If you do so, we will track you down and we will take you to court.

“We encourage our residents to only deal with trusted tradesmen and make all agreements in writing.

"We discourage large up-front payments for obvious reasons, and you should never deal with doorstep traders.”

To report rogue traders, call Trading Standards on 0808 223 1133.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

December, 2020

13

n MOTORING

Second-hand Style This Christmas, give the gift of freedom LET’S not mention 2020 and look forward to 2021: specifically, what that might mean for motoring.

The Sunday Times reported recently that fewer youngsters are learning to drive and that only in rural areas poorly served by public transport is car ownership growing.

I wonder if this trend might stall or reverse, given current fears over buses and trains.

In the currently fragile jobs market, the ability to drive opens up your options. For the younger generation it is now more important: their employment opportunities have been hit hardest.

So how best to aid under-25s with their motoring future and employability? Get them to take and pass the driving test, for starters.

This means adding a nervy named driver to your insurance (or even worse, an over-confident one). Despite doubling or trebling

the premium, this is your cheapest option.

The alternative is buying them a car, or advising them on what they should buy themselves.

The decision is all about balancing a series of tricky compromises. I’m talking about cost, safety, reliability and a vanishingly small chance of what kids probably no longer call ‘street cred’.

Enter the Vauxhall Corsa. This is the perennial driving school car, so at least it’ll be familiar. Small hatchbacks are no longer the death traps they used to be, although I still wouldn’t want to roll one into a ditch.

The Corsa is reliable, plentiful, cheap and, under some bright lights, cheerful. I drove the 1.4 petrol, with a throbbing 99hp. This felt like just enough performance, which, for a new driver, means plenty. You don't want to risk your child attempting an overtaking

manoeuvre in something tragically underpowered, which is almost as dangerous as having too much power.

If I was in the market for a Corsa, I’d go for the 1.4, which from 2010 onwards benefited from a more efficient ‘VVT’ engine.

There’s nothing really wrong with this car, other than heavy steering and wooden brakes (possibly just this example). You should consider it, along with the Fiesta, the Fiat 500 (smaller, less reliable, infinitely more character), the Renault Clio (more engaging, French build quality) and so on.

My pick, however, is the VW Polo. It is significantly more

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expensive than a Corsa, and the image has always been a bit Sloaney. But it is reliable and superbly well built.

In the meantime, if you can, hold off buying a used car until February. The government moratorium on repossessions ends on January 31, and the backlog coming onto the used market will reverse some of the current pandemic-induced rise in values.

What to pay: Vauxhall Corsa 2010 – 2014; £3k for a 2010 model with 50k miles or VW Polo of the same year and mileage for £5k.

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The Heathers Nursing Home is a privately owned, Grade 2 Listed Georgian manor house, situated within walking distance of the town centres of Chipping Sodbury, and Yate.

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fromevalleyvoice

December, 2020

n NEWS

Empty plate protest at MP's office PROTESTERS left empty plates with messages for Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall after he voted against an opposition bid to extend the free school meals programme.

The plates were left outside the local government minister's Chipping Sodbury constituency office after he voted against an Protesters outside Luke Hall's opposition motion to constituency office. Picture: Sue extend the scheme into Swanborough the school holidays.

The protest came before a U-turn from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who announced that the Government would extend support for children from low-income families this winter following a highprofile campaign led by Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford.

But South Gloucestershire Council had already stepped in to pledge that it would use Emergency Assistance Grant funding to supply food parcels for the 4,212 children in the area eligible for free school meals, and cards with £20 pre-paid to buy food at supermarkets.

South Gloucestershire Council Liberal Democrat group leader Claire Young said: “It seems amazing that, in 2020, in the middle of a global pandemic, in one of the richest countries in the world, saying that no child should go hungry simply because they are not in school, should be controversial."

Mr Hall said: "I did not support the Free School Meals motion in Parliament, I instead supported a different system of providing support to vulnerable children and families, which I believe is much more effective.

"We are giving South Gloucestershire Council almost £570,000 in Government funding to provide additional support to vulnerable children and families in our community this winter.

"This is a much more targeted measure than just Free School Meals alone and will directly support vulnerable children and families."

The council said the £569,161 it is receiving as part of the new Covid Winter Grant Scheme will provide support with paying for food and bills for vulnerable children and families until the end of next March.

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fromevalleyvoice

December, 2020

17

n COMMUNITY NEWS News from Winterbourne Barn JUST as we were getting into the swing of things again, Lockdown 2 arrived and the planned community events for November had to be postponed.

The December talk, Magic in Medieval Communities, has been moved just one week, from the 1st to the 8th of December, at 7pm.

Dr Tabitha Stanmore will talk about how magic and the supernatural were a part of everyday life in medieval England. For those who would rather not go out and about, the trust will also be live-streaming the talk online.

A Christmas fair is planned for December 12: a chance to support local traders for your festive shopping. Look out on social media and the barn website for further details.

The Advent family activity day, Tell Trails - A Medieval Christmas, has been rescheduled to December 19. Activities typically last a couple of hours and are aimed at families with children aged 5-12, although preschoolers are welcome to join in.

Covid rules allowing, the regular monthly 'Tea and Tour' open afternoon will take place on December 3 at 2pm.

All events are covid-secure and must be pre-booked at www. winterbournebarn.org.uk.

It is sadly not possible to hold the very popular Carols in the Barn this year because of covid, but Fromeside churches will film their Christmas drama in the barn without an audience, and put it online for all to join in.

This video will premiere on December 20 at 3pm, and will then be available throughout the Christmas period.

So, get your mulled wine and mince pies ready at home, and visit the Barn website or www.fromesidechurches.org.uk for the link to watch this Christmas favourite and sing along! Donations for the church and the barn are warmly welcomed.

Louise Harrison

Village Action GREY, wet and gloomy it may have been during November, but the autumn colours have made walking around our villages and outskirts a real delight.

Trees and hedgerows have been spectacular, especially when sunbeams have shone through their emptying branches.

Carpets of leaves have been a joy to scuffle in, and such beautiful colours (especially when dry!) suggest making a collage or garden design.

Villagers are tidying their gardens before winter, some already fitting festive lighting to empty trees for Christmas and to delight walkers taking exercise during lockdown and beyond.

While formal walks with groups are not possible, covid rules enable limited numbers to take a walk - nature has not suffered as people have, in fact with less human activity during lockdown, it has probably thrived.

For maps and directions for local walks visit our website www. villageaction.org.uk/village-walks.

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fromevalleyvoice

18

December, 2020

n LOCAL MP

As a community, we should be immensely proud THIS past year has been a turbulent time for many of us, and I know there are many people in South Gloucestershire who have made tremendous sacrifices.

From spring to winter, I know we all have been amazed and comforted by the perseverance and the acts of care shown by people across our society to those in need. As a community, we should be immensely proud.

Local businesses, charities and volunteers have worked together to make sure our vital services continue to run and support the most vulnerable people across South Gloucestershire.

Everybody has got involved in the collected effort. From children’s drawings of rainbows, and the way that people came out of their homes as a community to clap for our key workers each Thursday night, to the people who have been out delivering food to shielding people and

supporting those in the greatest need wherever possible.

To everybody involved in South Gloucestershire’s remarkable response, I just want to say: thank you.

For many of us, it may seem as though our lives have been on hold this past year. I want to assure Voice readers that in the background, vital work has been continuing to make the vital improvements that our community has asked for.

We’re building the Yate Park and Ride, with the planning permission granted, the funding secured and the location on Badminton Road next to the council offices decided.

We’re continuing to invest in our local schools and push for a new secondary school in Lyde Green, directly benefiting students in Lyde Green, Yate, Coalpit Heath, Frampton Cotterell and the surrounding areas.

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We’ve ensured the roll-out of phase 3B of Openreach’s broadband, meaning that homes in Tockington, Petty France, Hill, Little Badminton, Falfield and Cromhall are ready to be connected in the coming weeks and months.

We’ve backed local jobs and businesses, through the furlough scheme, Self-Employment Income Support and by administering business grants to closed businesses. The Chancellor vowed that the Government would do whatever it took to get through this crisis, and with recent reports of successes in vaccine trials, it is clear there is light at the end of the tunnel.

We’ve continued to work towards getting health executives and council representatives to agree the price for the Thornbury Hospital site so we can get building as soon as possible.

Across the country, work has started on building the 40

Luke Hall MP writes for Frome Valley Voice

new hospitals promised at last year’s General Election, and the refurbishment of our own local service will be invaluable to our community.

We’ve secured more electric car charging points across South Gloucestershire, so that we can improve the air quality along our busy roads and do our bit to help the UK reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

I have lived locally all my life, and I could not be more grateful to represent the most beautiful part of our country.

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Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

December, 2020

19

n COMMUNITY NEWS Coalpit Heath WI

Winterbourne Afternoon WI

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all Frome Valley Voice readers a very Happy Christmas – and all the best for an improved outlook for 2021!

If you’re interested in joining us please get in touch via our Facebook page - search for FramptonCottWI.

Floral Friends of Frampton

DESPITE the challenges, the reworked Poppy cascade was in place for Remembrance Sunday, alongside the main entrance to St Saviour’s church, and was a fitting tribute. The extra poppies ensured that it looked even more fantastic than two years ago, and I know many in the village and further afield admired it and appreciated all the effort that had gone in to achieving such a lovely display.

Many thanks go to all those members who contributed in some way, especially Rosemary for coordinating everyone so brilliantly.

Our thoughts have now turned towards our contribution to the Christmas trail being organised by Frampton Cotterell Parish Council.

We look forward to having an entry added to the trail maps: first, however, we need to agree what it is that we’ll be doing!

Normally at this time we would also have been busy putting the finishing touches to the decorations for St Peter’s Christmas tree festival but, sadly, that isn’t able to take place.

The committee are still working hard behind the scenes to keep in touch with all the members.

Books are doing the rounds and collections are being made for the food bank by one of our members who is a volunteer. However, in addition to the monthly newsletter there will be a little extra delivery at the beginning of December that will hopefully go some way towards replacing our Christmas meet up.

We look forward to a time when we are all able to meet up again safely and send our best wishes for a Happy Christmas to all.

Our planned programme of events will resume when we are able and any further information will be on our Facebook page if you search @WICoalpitHeath.

Caroline Johnston

THE ladies of Winterbourne Afternoon WI spent their time in the first lockdown knitting poppies for the planned Remembrance display outside Winterbourne Coop, in collaboration with Gordon Blight, the flag man.

There are 200 poppies on the banner and about a hundred on sticks were placed in the flower bed.

Ten of our 30 members knitted the poppies through the first lockdown, as we had asked permission to put them into the flower bed from the council this year to enlarge our first display last year.

Gordon has been flying flags at Winterbourne for nearly 20 years on a voluntary basis and flew Remembrance and a War Horse flag, to remember the use of horses in the First World War. Look out for a happy Christmas flag from early December.

Lesley Sharman

Frampton Cotterell WI

LITTLE Miss Sunshine sat on the bench outside St Peter’s Church during half term: we hope that everyone enjoyed walking round the village spotting all the different

scarecrows.

We have updated the seasonal displays around the village. With support from the parish council we have replaced some of our wooden planters with self-watering half barrel planters made from recycled plastic.

They are planted with a mixture of perennial evergreens and winter bedding, and underplanted with bulbs that will pop up in early spring to bring additional colour.

Since these planters are slightly larger than the previous ones, it’s hoped that this will make it easier for cars (and their drivers) to park carefully next to them.

We have also replaced the summer bedding in the remaining planters around the village with violas, polyanthus and bellis.

Hopefully these new displays will help to brighten the spirits on dark, dreary winter days.

We’d like to thank AJ Homes and Winterbourne Vets for their continued sponsorship of some of the planters around the village.

If you’d like to do the same for an annual fee, we’d love to hear from you at floralfriendsofframpton@ gmail.com.

Will Writing Will Writing & & Estate Planning Estate Planning

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How we wish that we canAall Will lets you protect your family’s inheritance and decide how your assets are shared out – if you meet up again soon over a meal don’t make a Will, the law says who gets what. and a natter, at one of our lovely Making Secure Plans for Uncertain Futures local pubs – fingers crossed!

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This year it's really felt like there's no room at the Inn

The Good News is Christmas is not cancelled Your local Churches will be celebrating the birth of Jesus

Visit our websites to find out how you can join in Zion United Church, Frampton Cotterell

zuchurch.co.uk

Salem Methodist Church, Watleys End

salemchurch.org.uk

Fromeside Benefice of Churches

fromesidechurches.org.uk Bethesda Methodist Church, Winterbourne Down Be

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St Saviour’s Church, Coalpit Heath

coalpitheath.org.uk

Telephone number: (01454) 776518 or 776618

We wish you tidings of comfort & joy

fromevalleyvoice

December, 2020

21

n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

Kick-start love this Christmas AS I write, I am looking out across the fields from my study window, with the latest autumnal storm stripping the trees of their golden leaves and the darkening clouds guaranteeing still more rain, ensuring that 2020 will be one of the wettest autumns on record.

With more lockdowns in the UK and other countries, I am left pondering just exactly what Christmas 2020 will look like.

When the crisis began, we witnessed countless examples of human kindness: people working to look after the vulnerable in their communities; caring for those shielding by shopping for their essentials; support for the NHS and frontline workers expressed in the Thursday night clap for carers; charitable giving hitting a new high and even politicians supporting each other as we strove as a nation to combat the tsunami wave which was COVID-19.

But the autumn brought a

bleaker picture: disagreement between politicians leading to unsavoury scenes in Parliament and abuse of those striving to help feed children, politicking replacing listening, economic ideology replacing care for all, mixed messages confusing even the police, and the almost certain beginning of the end for the United Kingdom.

On top of all this, frustrations are brewing in communities, the clap for carers replaced by complaints about health care and abusive comments.

With increased unemployment around the corner, which will bring further hardship and, yes, still more children dependent on free school meals, what is there to be happy about this Christmas?

Whilst the Chancellor strives to kick-start the economy, perhaps Christmas is the moment to kickstart love. As Christians, we will be retelling the story of ‘love’ afresh in

a wide variety of services for young and old alike - please do check out our website, fromesidechurches. org.uk, for details.

Please do come and join us: you will be most welcome.

For the truth is, in whatever way we are able to celebrate Christmas, the one thing that cannot be taken from us and perhaps is more poignant this year than ever, is that Christmas is the celebration of love – and not just for our family and friends, important though that is.

Christmas is about a ‘love’ that permeates through our human family in the way that we care for those who are struggling, just like we did in the spring. A love which is found in spades in our support of those who have little, those who are on the margins, those who are alone, anxious and afraid. It is about responding to the eternal truth that God loves His creation so much that He sent and gave up His Son Jesus Christ that all humanity

Rev Malcolm Strange Fromeside Benefice

might be enveloped in this love for all time.

The truth is ‘Love is all around us’ and whatever happens in our battle to defeat Covid 19, we can rejoice afresh this year once more, that the ‘Spirit of Christmas’ is truly alive in all our hearts and lives.

Christmas blessings to you all.

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fromevalleyvoice

22

n SPORT

Tennis club grows despite year of lockdowns WINTERBOURNE Tennis Club has seen an unprecedented growth in both junior and senior members since the first lockdown in March.

More than 65 players, aged between 4 to 16 years old, have been taking part in the

coaching for juniors sessions on Saturday mornings.

WTC has entered three age groups for the Avon junior league, which will resume as soon as restrictions are lifted, and we look forward to following the progress of our junior players. So far, Will Lightfoot and Joey Latham won their last under-14 match 6-0 against Woodland Tennis Club.

Zechariah Hamrouni, 13, won the under-16 grade 3 regional tournament at Chew Valley Tennis Club during October half term, beating 15-year-old Thomas Aston from Berkshire in 2 sets, both tiebreakers, in the

December, 2020 final. A few days before the second lockdown, Zechariah played the number 1 seeded player for his age group in the country, Benjamin Gusic-Wan, in a 14U grade 2 national tournament in Bolton, losing 6-3, 6-2.

WTC is looking forward to opening again for play in December after the second lock down. We anticipate some restrictions, as before, making it safe for everyone to play at the club. We welcome players of all ages and skill levels.

For more information email info@wtc. org.uk or call 07459 636436.

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Bathroom Refurb Specialists www.pdayplumbingservices.co.uk info@pdayplumbingservices.co.uk

- Friendle - Reliable - Affordable - Est 2008

1/4 Load 1/4 £89 1/4 Load Load £89 £89

 

Half Half £139 Half Load Load Load £139£139

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3/4 Load 3/4 £179 3/4 Load Load £179£179



Full Load Full £199 Full Load Load £199£199

Call Peter

www.junkmonsters.co.uk www.junkmonsters.co.uk

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07793 746958 PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT

OVEN CLEANING

 

Colin Yeend Property Developments

  

FOR ALL YOUR BUILDING NEEDS

New Builds n Extensions n Ground Works n Kitchens / Bathrooms ALL WORK UNDERTAKEN - TESTIMONIALS ON REQUEST

07889 601111

info@colinyeendpropertydevelopments.co.uk

www.colinyeendpropertydevelopments.co.uk

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS

ELECTRICIANS

atom electrical specialist domestic installers

All types of domestic electrical work undertaken, from changing a light fitting to full rewires.

For an efficient, friendly, reliable, local electrical service...

call Oliver on 07747866436 or 01179602974

FREE Quotations

www.atomelectrical.co.uk info@atomelectrical.co.uk

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS From as little as

£18.30 +VAT

Per month EMAIL

contact@ fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

RUBBISH CLEARANCE

RUBBISH CLEARED

Registered upper tier waste carrier licence no CBDU225074

We load and clear rubbish/junk from houses Flats, Sheds, Attics, Gardens etc etc No job too small - we even clear single items Cheaper than a skip and we load no VAT Contact Stuart or Sue

Freephone 0800 0234 995 Mobile 07770944727 anytime inc. weekends

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

2021

Your Local Independent Estate Agent in BS36 for Residential Sales & Lettings

. . . and let’s hope for a brighter

from us all at

Wishing you a Merry Christmas