Frome Valley Voice February 2020

fromevalleyvoice www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

February, 2020 Issue 78

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

Welcome to our new school Chief is the champ A BORDER collie trained by his owner in Iron Acton has won a prestigious national agility championship.

PAGE 6

Challenge to Ofsted inspection

A PRESCHOOL is challenging the outcome of its latest Ofsted report after an inspector said it needed to improve.

PAGE 5

Bus apology

THE boss of the area's biggest bus company has apologised for the "appalling" delays affecting commuters' journeys.

PAGE 4 IT has taken seven years and a huge amount of organisation – but Watermore Primary School is finally in its new home.

The new school building, which brings infants and juniors together from the old Highcroft and Brockeridge sites in Frampton Cotterell, has

opened its doors to pupils.

Now members of the public are being invited to have a look around, at an open day this month.

The school is also celebrating after being highly placed in performance tables for 11 year olds.

Full story: Page 3

NHS crisis

MORE GP appointments are being provided to take the pressure off hospitals struggling to cope with demand.

PAGE 9

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fromevalleyvoice www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

February, 2020

FromeValley Voice contacts Richard Drew

Ken McCormick

01454 800 120 contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk For advertising enquiries: sales@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

Publisher

Editor

Fi Picton

Journalist

contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

March deadline

Your views

Our March edition will be going to print on February 25. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by February 18. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.

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

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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

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Frome Valley Voice is distributed each month to local residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is welcomed, call Richard On 01454 800 120 or richard@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

3

n NEWS

Come and see our new school A PRIMARY school is opening its new building to the public to celebrate the completion of a move that has been seven years in the planning.

Children started lessons in Watermore Primary School’s new building in Lower Stone Close at the start of January.

The new term in their new £6.7 million home followed a complicated move at the end of the Christmas term to enable the two previous school sites to come together in the new building at Lower Stone Close.

It is the first time since 2011, when the former Highcroft Junior School in Lower Stone Close and Brockeridge Infant School in Woodend Road amalgamated, that pupils from reception to year 6 are together in one place. The new building was mooted within two years but it took until this year for it to go through funding, design, planning and building processes, to be ready for lessons to start.

Before the move could happen, staff teams from both sites had to sift through equipment and resources in the old schools. Much of it was given or sold to families and members of the community: projectors, desks, whiteboards, toys, and two pianos all found new homes.

Furniture was also sold because the new school is kitted out with tables, chairs, shelves and library equipment, as well as a new projector and sound system in the hall.

Headteacher Janet Hoyle said: “Move week was very busy; we were shocked at how much

Children inside the new Watermore Primary School building

stuff we still wanted to move and deciding where to store everything from both sites is something we are still working out.

“The staff worked really hard, and our children have been fantastic and excited about their new learning environments.

"Our parents and families have also been incredibly supportive and understanding throughout the process, often starting their sentences with, 'I don’t expect you to know this yet, but…'

“We are so pleased we can repay their consideration with such a great facility.”

The school will be able to take 420 pupils in 14 classes and is due to be finished this summer

with a hall with facilities for the community, two multi-use games pitches, and climbing

and play equipment across three playgrounds.

The head has described Midas, the main contractor, as ‘supportive and cooperative’ to work with.

The pupils have had plenty to say about their new school so far. Their feedback has been very positive – the big windows make it bright and light, they enjoy being in one building where they can see their brothers and sisters, and there is lots of space and quiet places to learn.

To mark the milestone move, the school will open to the public so that as many people as possible can see inside it.

The open day for the public is on Wednesday February 5, between 4.30pm and 7pm.

There will be refreshments and a book fair to help fill the new library.

School performance results: Page 7

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fromevalleyvoice

4

February, 2020

n NEWS

'Appalling' delays are ruining bus services THE boss of the area's biggest bus operator has made a scathing attack on traffic problems which are causing services to run up to an hour late.

First West of England managing director James Freeman says "appalling" delays on the Avon Ring Road have left services using the road "utterly gummed up" since the start of the year.

And he admits passengers can be forgiven "for thinking we're useless" as heavily delayed buses become overcrowded, leaving them unable to pick up passengers at many stops.

Mr Freeman said travel times for services using the A4174, which is subject to changes at the Hambrook junction to and from Winterbourne as well as delays from major new roadworks at Stoke Gifford, had been up to an hour longer at rush hour since the turn of the year.

Among the services affected are the Yate to Bristol Y1, Y2, Y3

First West of England managing director James Freeman. and Y4 services, which between them serve Coalpit Heath, Winterbourne and Iron Acton.

Mr Freeman said more than £10 million had recently been spent on new buses, on top of the £230 million cost of metrobus routes.

But he warned: "It’s largely wasted if we can’t run the service

properly or at all.

"In the meantime, we must offer our riders, not just on metrobus but on the many other routes that are affected, especially from Thornbury and Bradley Stoke, Yate and Emersons Green, a most sincere and heartfelt apology if you have been affected this week. My fear

is that, despite our attempts at mitigation, these problems will repeat next week and the week after, and on until half term!"

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: “With major new housing and business development planned in the area we are investing £160 million over four years on a number of highway improvement schemes to reduce congestion and emissions, improve cycling and pedestrian routes and make sustainable transport a more attractive option. We are working to minimise any disruption by keeping traffic moving where possible and carrying out work by narrowing lanes and only closing lanes at off-peak times.

We are continuing to monitor and evaluate the impact of this work and have postponed, combined or brought forward some schemes, but unfortunately some disruption will be caused and we sincerely apologise to anyone affected.”

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

5

n NEWS

Preschool to challenge Ofsted after inspector says it must improve A PRESCHOOL is challenging the outcome of its latest Ofsted report after an inspector said it needed to improve.

Crossbow Preschool in School Road had been rated as outstanding by the education watchdog before the latest report, which was published over the Christmas holidays.

The preschool's manager and committee say they have "supporting evidence" to question the judgements made in the Ofsted report, which they believe does not "truly reflect the amazing work we do".

Parents have also expressed their support for the preschool, with one contacting the Voice to praise its "wonderful" staff and their excellent relationships with children and parents.

Ofsted rates preschools in four categories: quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; leadership and management. Inspector Hilary Tierney said Crossbow Preschool required improvement in all except behaviour and attitudes, which was rated ‘good’.

The inspector praised manager Megan Symonds for having a "clear vision" for the preschool and for already acting on areas for development, but said she had "yet to implement all changes".

She also praised the children’s behaviour, commenting that they "behave and interact well together", adding: “Children choose what to do and play with. They enjoy regular opportunities to wander between the inside and outside play areas.”

The inspector said: “Staff observe children and assess their stages of development, but they do not use this information successfully to provide consistently challenging learning experiences. Staff do not recognise that adult-led activities are not appropriate for all children. The younger children do not develop their knowledge and skills during planned activities as well as the older

Crossbow Preschool children enjoying a Forest School outdoor lesson.

children.”

The inspector said the preschool should improve monitoring of teaching quality, support for staff, planning of activities and the quality and consistency of staff interactions with children to support language skills more effectively.

Crossbow Preschool has been running since 1971 and is based at St Peter's Hall.

Ms Symonds and the chair of the preschool's volunteer committee, Felicity Clark, issued a joint statement announcing that they would challenge the inspection's findings.

They said: “The staff and committee are all very disappointed at the grading we have been given by Ofsted at our inspection in November. We have written to them with supporting evidence to challenge some judgements within the report, as we do not feel it truly reflects the amazing work we do at Crossbow. This is a sentiment that has been echoed by many parents who have read the report.

“As the new manager, having only been

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in post since September, I have worked hard alongside the chair of committee to maintain stability for the Pre-school, as over the last academic year there has been quite a lot of change within the Management team.”

“As the report states, I have already begun making positive changes and we are working hard to action the recommendations made by Ofsted based on their new inspection criteria brought in September 2019.

“We look forward to welcoming them back within 12 months and fully expect to have a more positive outcome.”

Karen Richards, whose three-year-old daughter attends the preschool, told the Voice: “The staff are all wonderful, they care very much for the children that attend the preschool and do everything in their power to help each child develop and become ready for the next very big step in their lives which is to start school.

"The staff have excellent relationships with not only the children but also the parents.”

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6

February, 2020

n NEWS

Chief is the champ in agility contest THERE were bright lights, TV cameras and a crowd of 10,000 cheering him on – but Chief took it all in his stride.

The border collie, who trains with his owner Mark Douglas in Iron Acton, was the only competitor to achieve a clear run at the Kennel Club Olympia Novice Dog Agility final in London.

Mark has had Chief, who is five years old, since he was a puppy.

He said: “I’m amazed to be honest, truly amazed – I thought there were a lot of very, very good dogs. There were some that are quicker but he was the most accurate on the day – it’s about who goes clear and who’s the fastest going clear.

“My goal for the year was to get him to go to Olympia, it’s the main goal for any dog in the UK. Getting him there was a huge bonus: it’s a long arduous road to the qualifiers and then on to

the final, and of the thousands of dogs that take part in the qualifiers, it’s down to just eight in the final.”

It was Mark’s 11th time competing at Olympia but the first time for Chief, whose kennel name is Cories Chief Paleface at Starsofmars.

The atmosphere is more challenging compared to smaller competitions because of the huge, noisy venue.

Chief has had a difficult journey to the top, because Mark had a two-year break following an operation when he couldn’t run, making it extremely difficult to compete. He then went through a divorce, which had an impact as the 12 dogs he and his ex-wife had owned together were registered jointly with the Kennel Club. Mark and Chief couldn’t compete at Kennel Club events until this was resolved last year.

Mark started agility training Mark Douglas with his champion dog, Chief with his first dog in 1996 because it was "something fun to do".

He now hires an equestrian centre in Winterbourne for training sessions a couple of times a week.

He said: “It’s rewarding – it is keeping them active, it keeps the handler active, the bond between the dog and the handler develops, it’s a proper team.

“It’s the fastest growing dog sport in the world. It’s open to all. A 3 or 4 year old can run with a dog and there’s pensioners and beyond who compete at agility.

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Mark last won the ABC event at Crufts in 2011, and he’s competed there seven times, with three overall wins and a 3rd place. He’s participated at Olympia 11 times with 3 wins, a 2nd and 3rd, has represented Team GB at the European Open and World Championships, and has competed at the World Agility Open, winning a Gold, Silver and a Bronze Medal.

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

7

n NEWS

'Overall improvement' in primary test results PRIMARY schools in the area have shown an improvement on last year’s results in the government’s performance tables.

The Department for Education records how much progress Year 6 pupils have made in the key subjects of reading, writing and maths between the ages of 7 and 11.

It takes the key stage 2 test and assessment results taken by 10 to 11 year olds and compares them with the results of pupils in schools across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 1, when they were seven.

A score above zero means pupils at a school made more progress and a score below zero means they made less progress, on average, than others across England who had similar results at the end of key stage 1. The majority of schools will have progress scores between -5 and +5.

South Gloucestershire Council’s cabinet member for schools, skills and employment, Erica Williams said: “It is pleasing to see that as a consequence of the hard work and commitment of children, parents and staff, our primary schools continue to do well and results show an overall improvement on last year.”

Among those with outstanding results on the table were Watermore Primary School which scored well above the average in all categories, with 4.2 in reading, 4.3 in writing and 2.2 in maths.

Head Janet Hoyle said: “We are delighted not only with the results of the league tables, but in the recognition from the Real Schools Guide as the number one primary school in South Gloucestershire. This uses a

whole range of indicators such as results, progress and attendance.

It is lovely that the results were great in all the schools in the village this year, and we are proud of the hard work of our children and our staff, and the support of our parents and the governing body. “ Frampton Cotterell C of E Primary School scored 1.1 in reading, well above average in writing with 3.5 and 0.3 in maths.

Head Peter Barnard said: "We are delighted to, once again, be one of the top performing schools in South Gloucestershire.

Last year we made it our number one priority to become the happiest school in the region, as we fundamentally believe happy children become the best learners they can possibly be.

"We are very lucky to have amazing children, fantastic parents and wonderful adults working at our school.”

Hambrook Primary School also recorded above average and well above average results for writing and maths respectively.

The school's scores were 1.7 in reading 2.4 in writing and 3.2 in maths.

Other results included: * Elm Park Primary School: -0.2 for reading, 0.7 for writing, and -1.3 for maths. * The Manor Coalpit Heath Church of England Primary: 1.3 for reading, 0.3 for writing and -1.2 for maths * St Michael’s Church of England Primary, Winterbourne: 0.6 for reading, -0.7 for writing and -0.8 for maths Across the whole of South Gloucestershire, reading scores were below average at -0.5, writing was above average at 0.3 and maths below average at -0.5.

The Department for

Watermore Primary School head Janet Hoyle Education also records the percentage of pupils meeting expected standards and achieving at a higher standard each year.

Cllr Williams added: “It is also encouraging to see that improved outcomes for our children are being reflected in recent Ofsted judgements

of our schools, which paints a positive picture for the future.

Our number one priority is to improve school standards and we will continue to work closely with head teachers and school leaders to use our resources to provide the best education for all of our students.”

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fromevalleyvoice

8

February, 2020

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

New Head joins Royal High School

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OYAL High School Bath has welcomed Mrs Kate Reynolds as its new Head of School.

Mrs Reynolds moves from Leweston, where she has been Head since 2015 and was previously Head of International Boarding whilst teaching English and Drama – before that, she taught at Sherborne, and Gillingham School. Mrs Reynolds has a commercial background, having practised Law and brings a breadth of experience to her role.

“There is so much to celebrate at Royal High School Bath," Mrs Reynolds said. "Friendly, engaged and curious girls, supportive staff who go the extra mile because they care hugely about the school, and an exciting and challenging learning environment.

"The girls’ energy and determination yet down to earth groundedness makes for a very special school of which we should all be proud. I am humbled that I

can be part of such a remarkable establishment."

Royal High School Bath is preparing to welcome girls and their families to their Open Days where visitors can explore the school, talk to staff and pupils and meet Mrs Reynolds and new Head of Prep School, Mrs Claire Lilley.

Meet the Head Do you still do any hands on teaching?

My ideal day involves some time in the classroom. If I am not teaching, I will cover a lesson for a colleague so they can observe other lessons or complete some planning or research. Mustering for a fire practice with a Reception class covered in glue and cotton wool after one disastrous cover lesson at my former school reminded me of the incredible job our teachers do day in day out with our children.

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

9

n NEWS

Extra surgery appointments as NHS feels the winter pressure

SURGERIES are providing extra appointments as the NHS tries to cope with increased levels of illness over the winter.

Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which is responsible for paying for health services in the area, says GP practices across its area are providing a total of 7,000 hours more for appointments over the four months to the end of February.

It comes as Bristol’s hospitals reported that mounting pressures over the winter meant they were failing to meet targets to see emergency patients within four hours and waiting times for planned treatment were rising: at Southmead Hospital one in four emergency patients waited more than four hours for treatment in December.

The CCG says that in South

Gloucestershire, the number of hours available for appointments across all surgeries had been increased by 263 per month, the equivalent of 11 extra days of surgery opening.

But the time patients wait to have an appointment vary between practices.

According to the NHS GP Patient Survey for 2019, 27% of patients of the Frome Valley Medical Centre were able to book a same-day appointment, 32% waited more than a day but less than a week and 31% waited for a week or more.

Figures for Yate’s West Walk Surgery, which includes Coalpit Heath Surgery, showed 25% of patients were able to book a same-day appointment, 21% waited between a day and just under a week, while 46% waited a week or more.

At Kennedy Way Surgery in

Yate, 74% of patients were able to book a same-day appointment, 14% had to wait between a days and a week and just 9% waited a week or more.

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

A spokesperson for the CCG said more evening and weekend appointments were being provided to make things more convenient for patients and relieve pressure on busy hospitals.

He added: “Many practices are also embracing digital ways of serving patients, allowing patients to reorder prescriptions, access self-care advice, and book appointments through the NHS app. Some are also offering an online consultation service for their patients.

"We’re also planning to work with practices to pilot and

evaluate video consultations in 2020, and provide this as an option for practices to use in 2021.

“There are preventative steps the public can take to stay well this winter, avoiding a trip to a GP or other urgent care service altogether. Actions as simple as keeping warm, getting a flu vaccination and visiting a local community pharmacist at the first sign of illness all contribute to staying healthy.”

A CCG governing body meeting in January heard hospitals including the Bristol Royal Infirmary and Southmead were "enormously pressured" over Christmas and New Year, with demand at A&E growing at a "really significant rate" and 19 people currently waiting more than a year for planned surgery.

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

11

n NEWS

Frampton loses two landmark businesses

FRAMPTON Cotterell’s butcher, Molesworths, has closed down after three years.

The Church Road shop's final day of trading was on January 4, with customers informed by a sign on the door which redirected them to the firm's shop in Henleaze, Bristol, which will deliver to Frampton on a Friday.

Shortly afterwards a post followed on the company’s Facebook page, where Nick Rapps, who ran the Frampton branch, wrote: “I’d wish to take the time to thank you all for shopping with us at our Frampton shop over the last three years.

"I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and got to know some really nice people. After a whirlwind week I’ve now settled in to our Henleaze shop and it’s looking to be a bright future.”

The Voice has approached

Molesworths for comment. The sign in the door of the shop apologised to customers and said: "The figures just did not stack up."

The closure comes soon after

HAVE YOUR SAY

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

the Live and Let Live pub in Clyde Road closed its doors.

Landlady Karen Screen left to take over the Victoria Inn in Westbury-on-Trym in November and the pub is currently up

for let. It is owned by the Wellington Pub Company, which is understood to be looking for a long-term tenant.

Let us know your feelings go to our Facebook page

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

12

February, 2020

n STROUD AUCTION ROOMS

Global bidders vie for furniture and photos

I

F THE dazzling January sale is any indication, 2020 is going to be another brilliant year for Stroud Auction Rooms.

First of all, the highest selling lot - a pair of 19th century French Boulle cabinets with unusual blue panels - had an unprecedented eight phone bidders competing with those online and in the room, before they were eventually sold for a pleasing £10,000.

Then, a Japanese Meiji period fine silk embroidered panel depicting a Pekingese dog and peacock feathers, pictured, went under the hammer for £5,900, which is believed to be the highest price paid for a panel of that type. The panel was made by Iida Shinshichi, one of the leading Japanese producers of ornamental textiles at the time.

But maybe the icing on the cake were the early 20th century Edwardian photograph albums compiled by and featuring David Dewer McNeil, of Orkney (18731951), which seemed to grab

the interest of bidders across the globe. The albums, which included many large format images, mainly contained photographs of every day life in Africa and the Canary Islands, and made £5,800.

Although somewhat surprised that the albums had caused so much enthusiasm, owner and auctioneer Nick Bowkett added: "But we should also ask, how many similar items of that quality and interest are out there?"

In an auction offering so many outstanding lots across the board, a large quantity of Peter Gabriel ephemera drew an exceptionally good response. The pieces, relating to his early years from Charterhouse School through to his bands M'Lords and Genesis, included letters, documents and handwritten embryonic lyrics, among other fascinating ephemera, and eventually sold for £3,000.

Also featuring on the list of top sellers were several lots of stamps and playing cards. Among

them was a good collection in two stockbooks of mint commemorative stamp sets, mainly George V and early Elizabeth II (£2,500), and a 19th century pack of playing cards, with square corners and non-standard named Spanish court cards (£1,300), among others.

The next auction at Stroud will be on February 5 and 6 (10am), with specialist sections for guns, weapons, medals, militaria, taxidermy, sporting, toys, cameras, weights and scales and scientific instruments. Viewing will be on Tuesday, February 4 (10am-7pm) and from 9am on sale days.

Entries are currently being invited for the March auction of jewellery, watches, silver, clocks, coins, textiles, motoring & transport. The deadline or entries is the February 8 but, as it’s a popular auction, it's best to bring items as soon as possible. Free valuations are every Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday morning 9am-12.30pm, with no appointment needed.

This Japanese Meiji silk embroidered panel sold for £5,900 For more information about any aspect of buying or selling with Stroud Auction Rooms, ring 01453 873800, email info@stroudauctions. com or visit the website at www. stroudauctions.co.uk.

STROUD AUCTION ROOMS Entries now invited for our upcoming auction on March 4th, 5th & 6th Including specialist sections of jewellery, silver, watches, clocks, coins & textiles

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Ovettone Bubbleback 18ct gold Sold for £2,400 diamonds and seed pearls Sold for £9,500 automatic wristwatch. Sold for £15,300 Sold for £5,200 FREE valuations every Friday (9am-5pm) & Saturday (9am-12:30pm) at our saleroom, at your home by appointment or why not email us a photograph for an instant valuation to info@stroudauctions.com We are regularly ranked no 1 in the country for the number of online bidders

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Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

13

n NEWS

Travel plan could transform journeys to Yate A TOWN centre bypass and a second railway station in Yate are being considered by council leaders following a major report into the area’s future transport needs.

The recommendations are from a taskforce set up by a South Gloucestershire Council scrutiny commission which spent months assessing current problems, such as peak-time congestion hotspots, schemes already in the pipeline and other ideas which should be on the table.

Cabinet members have now agreed to create a cross-party group to examine the suggestions in more detail and seek the views of transport officers, town and parish councils and the local Joint Cycleways Group.

Any firm proposals would then go out to public consultation.

The task-and-finish group’s report highlighted 11 transport issues which need tackling, including the town’s bus services, the location of a proposed park-and-ride and walking and cycling infrastructure.

It said: “A route should be provided to allow through-traffic to bypass the centre of Yate, as current orbital routes feed traffic

back into the centre just east of the shopping centre.

“Land should be safeguarded near the railway line in north Yate to enable the future provision of a second station for Yate.

“Consideration should be given to the provision of a town centre bus shuttle service to provide links to the shopping centre and park-and-ride site.”

The report also called for bus lanes along Goose Green Way, more secure bicycle parking at the bus station and the introduction of a Yate travel pass, similar to schemes in Weston-super-Mare and Bath, which would serve Sodbury and the surrounding villages.

It recommended a second park-and-ride site either to the north or east of the town, to add to the planned one to the west of Yate, which drivers would use to park and catch a bus into Yate, Bristol or other areas.

Council leader Toby Savage announced £3.5million of West of England Combined Authority money for the western park and ride scheme last June.

On walking and cycling infrastructure,

the report prioritised upgrading routes including Yate Common to Badminton Road, maintenance of existing markings and a cycleway/path from Iron Acton to Yate.

“Inclusion of electric vehicle charging points at the shopping centre, park-and-ride sites and rail station should be a priority,” the report added.

Liberal Democrat group leader Claire Young, presenting the report to cabinet, said: “Yate is an area that has seen a huge amount of growth already.

“It is really key that we have that early engagement with everyone involved in the town and the surrounding area.”

Cabinet member for planning, transport and the strategic environment Steve Reade said the report was a “valuable piece of work”.

Cabinet will report back to the scrutiny commission in three months’ time on progress and again in a year to confirm which projects it intends to pursue.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

News! - Email us at contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

15

n NEWS

Co-op members give preschool a boost A FRAMPTON Cotterell preschool is set to upgrade its garden and buy new toys thanks to a grant from Co-op members.

Zion Community Preschool in Frampton Cotterell was awarded £3,200 grant by the supermarket, which has a store in Dragon Road, Winterbourne.

The money came from the Co-op’s Local Community Fund membership initiative, where members contribute 1% of what they spend at the supermarket to local good causes. Across the country around £17 million per year is paid out to 4,000 good causes.

Every year there is a ‘Big Payout’ after local members have chosen their favourite organisation to benefit and this time the preschool in Woodend Road, which has 32 children on its roll, was the local winner.

Preschool leader Carole Baldwin said: “We were very grateful and overwhelmed with the amount of money received for our preschool. It will enable us to do so much to benefit the children. We would like to thank everybody who voted for us, it is much appreciated.

“Staff have discussed what resources we need and I will be meeting with our committee very

soon to make a decision about the garden area. We are looking at a different surface for the bottom of the garden as the grass doesn't grow very well and it just gets very wet and boggy.”

Some of the money will also go to replace toys that have been broken and to update current toys, items which the preschool’s education grant funding is unable to cover. It pays for staff salaries, rent, insurance and everyday essentials.

Former preschool committee member Anna Keir was responsible for making the grant application.

She said: “I came across the Co-op Local Community Fund online whilst doing research for work. I thought it was definitely worth applying. So I worked with the staff, and we put together a compelling application!

“Zion is a lovely preschool which both my children have very much benefited from, but funding is always in short supply and a struggle to make ends meet.”

Months went past before the preschool knew the final total that they would be awarded.

Carole said: “I had checked on the website during the year to see how much money had been raised and it was under £1,000, so I was shocked when we received the email telling us the full amount.”

Youngsters from Zion Community Preschool in the garden which will be improved thanks to a grant from local Co-op members.

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fromevalleyvoice

16

February, 2020

n NEWS SOUTH Gloucestershire Council will abandon a blueprint for 105,000 homes across the West of England, it has been confirmed.

Council leader Toby Savage told a cabinet meeting that the authority would formally withdraw from the Joint Spatial Plan at its next full meeting.

It follows years of costly cross-border collaboration between the council and neighbouring Bristol, North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset, which ended with the JSP in tatters when planning inspectors rejected it last summer.

The government officials admonished the four organisations for trying to make the evidence fit into their housing, jobs and infrastructure strategy for the next two decades, rather than being led by it, and ordered them to go back to the drawing board.

The blueprint included 12 strategic development locations, which would each have had hundreds of new homes built on them, including one at Coalpit Heath.

Regional master plan dumped as councils go it alone North Somerset Council and B&NES have also said they will withdraw from the JSP. Conservative Mr Savage told fellow South Gloucestershire cabinet members on January 13: “We will need to continue working jointly with our neighbouring authorities, not least because of the legal duty to cooperate but also, in the case of Bristol and B&NES, we work together through the West of England Combined Authority.

“In terms of the split between what will sit in any new strategiclevel document and what will sit within our own local plan, that is still to be discussed and decided.

“The offer continues to be open through the policy advisory group (PAG) process to ensure opposition members have the opportunity to engage and participate."

At a council meeting last year, opposition Labour group leader Pat Rooney said her party would no longer take part in cross-party talks through the PAG because “all trust had broken down” with the Tory administration as a result of previous decisions arising from PAG discussions.

At January's meeting, Liberal Democrat group leader Claire Young said: “In terms of the PAG, we have not seen proposed terms of reference about what these arrangements would be.

“It would be helpful to see those in writing before we move any further forward.”

The West of England Combined Authority is continuing work on its Joint Local Transport Plan, which was meant to run alongside the JSP. A Weca spokesperson said: “Weca remains committed to

Toby Savage working with the four West of England councils on the best way forward for the region to positively address its strategic planning needs.

“Weca and the councils will be jointly commissioning a refresh of the strategic evidence base.”

By Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

17

n NEWS

Helping Frampton go digital for 20 years A GROUP set up to help the people of Frampton get to grips with computers is celebrating its 20th anniversary – having helped more than 1,000 people.

Frampton Cotterell Computer Group was started by the parish council in what was the new Brockeridge Centre.

Run by a group of volunteers, who bought equipment with community grants, its original aim was to help older people use their home computers.

Back in the year 2000, fewer than 40% of households had a computer, and many older people had never used one – but it was recognised that many were keen to find out what benefits they might bring and needed help to do so.

Keith Powell has been the chairman of the group since it became independent of the parish council in 2008.

He said: "When we started, few people would have imagined

Phil Handy and Terry Martin at a session of the Frampton Cotterell Computer Club we'd still be going 20 years later.

"We’ve seen many changes over the years, with fewer people now being completely new to computers and more wanting help with specific questions.

Nowadays people are also more likely to bring in their own devices, though we do have PCs, laptops and tablets for people to practice on if required.”

At one stage the group was so

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busy it was running six sessions a week, for nine people a time.

Today it still holds four sessions every week, with about 30 people currently attending. Keith says people tell him they appreciate the "jargon-free" explanations they are given by the volunteers, and how it helps them to keep up with changes in technology.

He said: “People come to us from across South

Gloucestershire and even further afield, because of our unique approach. Some come for just a few sessions, others continue to attend for longer periods, both for the intellectual stimulation and for the social interaction provided by learning as part of a group. Either way, we aim to provide assistance in a relaxed, friendly environment with one helper for at most two learners."

The volunteers can help with a wide range of issues, including internet use, digital photographs, spreadsheets, keeping track of finances, creating and managing email accounts, and cloud computing services.

The group meets at the Brockeridge Centre in Woodend Road on Monday to Thursday mornings between 9.30am and 11.30am. For more information, pop in and see them or call the centre on 01454 864442 to book a session.

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

19

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Young and old together CHILDREN from a Winterbourne preschool have been brightening up life for residents at a care home in the village.

Youngsters from Big Bears preschool, part of the Winterbourne Early Years Centre, have started paying weekly visits to Crossley House, to spend time playing and interacting with residents and staff.

During their visits the children and residents sing and use musical instruments and share activities such as making things out of play dough and playing games with balloons, which is believe to encourage mental and physical development for both age groups.

The youngsters have got to know the people living in the care home and talk about them when they play back at the preschool.

The children walk to the care home in Winterbourne High Street from the Greenleigh Centre, supported by parent helpers, a weekly adventure with a chance to point out familiar sights on the way.

Preschool Manager Lisa O’ Sullivan said: “We are very passionate about intergenerational activities and plan these to suit all participants, ensuring we have an enjoyable time. As a centre we’re really excited about future visits to Crossley House and are looking forward to planning new and exciting experiences.”

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

n NEWS THE hi-tech future of home care is taking shape at a secret location in South Gloucestershire.

The inconspicuous threebedroom semi-detached house contains a kitchen hob which rises and falls at the push of a button, lights that dim on command and Japanese-style toilets with built-in washers and dryers which enable some disabled people who would otherwise need help to use the loo to go without assistance.

South Gloucestershire Council’s fully adapted home showcases the latest technology to help elderly and disabled people continue to live independently in their own home.

There are door sensors which can automatically signal when someone with dementia wanders out of their bedroom or front door; remote controlled showers with fail-safes to prevent scalding; an ingenious but cheap plastic plug that magically stops the sink overflowing by rising out of the hole under the weight of too much water; a phone with just two buttons, each with a photo of a loved one, that a relative with memory problems can press to call them instantly.

There is even jewellery pendant to provide a stylish alternative to the traditional plastic personal alarms to call in help in an emergency, 24-7.

Occupational therapist Catherine Young said: “People want the freedom of living in their own homes, if they can, not staying in hospital or a care home.

“It’s all about choice.

“A lot of this stuff is not just for older people – they are all personalised and bespoke.”

People are referred to the show home to find out which technology might work for them by care workers.

Booking is by appointment only and the location is secret to avoid people dropping in and maintain the excellent relationship staff have nurtured with neighbours.

Occupational therapist Rosemary Johnson said: “The approach we take in South Gloucestershire is to start with a conversation about what’s important to you and how assistive technology can support you to achieve independence and therefore well-being.

“The preventative part of it is to point out to people, before

23

Caring technology helping people to live at home their condition worsens and they need a social care package, that there are things out there to help them.

“That’s why we have developed the electronic side of this house, to promote that message.

“It’s not just about giving care but how you can enhance life.”

There is a traditional stairlift but, like everything else that can be tried out here, the purpose is not just to find the right one for the user but to rule out those that just aren’t suited to them, before they or the local authority make an expensive mistake – a “try before you buy” approach.

Catherine says: “It makes a massive difference to carers if you can do something for yourself.

“It takes so much pressure off and gives the person independence with mundane tasks.”

The home includes an Alexa, Amazon's voice-operated gadget which allowed one woman who needed oxygen every day to leave hospital by helping manage her supply, saving the taxpayer thousands.

“Alexa allowed her to go home,” said Catherine.

The show home also has a place mat with flashing lights to guide partially-sighted people to put their drinks down in the right place, and an electronic screen programmed to flash up an alarm when it’s time for pills.

There is a GPS tracker wristband that can detect the impact of a fall.

“You can also set a geo-fence so someone can safely walk to their local shops and back but no further than that boundary before letting others know,” said Rosemary.

“It enables someone to do their day-to-day tasks but building in safety.”

Catherine added: “This house is here to demystify the impact of having a disability and showing it is possible for many to live in their home environment and the neighbourhood they love.”

Council cabinet member for adults and public health Ben Stokes said: “This is a really important part of the

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

Left and above: Some of the technology at the assisted living show home

support we can offer to people who need help to continue to live independent, healthy and fulfilling lives in their own homes as they get older or experience ill-health or disability.

“We want to do everything we can to give people the choice to stay active and present in their local communities, but we

recognise that there can be a sense of mystery or anxiety about how living at home might be possible.

“The common thread is that each solution is bespoke and by seeing, touching and trying out alternatives, solutions can be found that are as individual as the service users.”

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

We are accepting new patients Both NHS and private patients are welcome Flaxpits & Frampton Dental Practice 15 Flaxpits Lane Winterbourne, BS36 1JY, Bristol Tel: 01454 774207

288 Park Lane Frampton Cotterell, BS36 2BL, Bristol Tel: 01454 774655

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

24

February, 2020

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA January 31 n Deadline to enter design in Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath’s Window Art trail. Light your window display between February 16 and 25. Email framcottva@ hotmail.co.uk or contact the Brockeridge Centre, Woodend Road.

February 5 n Frenchay & Hambrook Horticultural Society American Supper, Friends Meeting House, Frenchay Common, 7pm. Informal evening to meet and swap ideas.

All welcome. No need to cook but please bring something to nibble on. Soft drinks will be provided.

Quiz and raffle.

February 14 n Valentines disco and dinner in aid of Australian bushfire support charities, WADCA, Watleys End Road, Winterbourne. Tickets can be bought directly from WADCA: £7.50 for anyone over 16 and free for anyone under 16. Call 01454 776268 for more information.

February 15 n South/South West Accordion

Championships, Coalpit Heath Village Hall/Miners Social Club, Badminton Road. Free concert from 3.30pm. All welcome.

Potential competitors should email Andy Coles by February 8 at AccordionSW@virginmedia.com.

February 16-25 n Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath’s Window Art trail, every evening. Displays on the theme Love the Sea on display around the villages. Trail maps available from February 11 from the Brockeridge Centre, Woodend Road and online at www.villageaction.org.uk.

February 21-22 n Severn Valley Quilters Exhibition of members work, Thornbury Methodist Church Hall, Castle Court. Friday 2-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm. Admission £3. Traders, sales, tombola and refreshments.

Disabled access. Proceeds to Western Air Ambulance. More details from severnvalleyquilters@ gmail.com.

February 22 n Bradley Stoke Rotary Club charity fun quiz night at St Monica

WE WELCOME YOU TO THE

TALKS ON THE BIBLE NOW BEING HELD IN THE GREENFIELD CENTRE PARK AVE, WINTERBOURNE BS36 1NJ EVERY SUNDAY AT 4:30PM LASTING 1 HOUR

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ENQUIRIES 07703686734

Trust, Oatley Hall, Westbury-onTrym, 7pm. Tickets £12, to include a buffet. Up to six people per team.

Proceeds to Southmead Hospital Trust and other Rotary charities.

Prizes, raffle and cash bar. Call Karen Holley on 07540 458 119 or Allan Ashby on 07766 312319 for tickets and more details.

February 22 n Apple-Grafting Workshop in the Cart Shed at Winterbourne Medieval Barn, 10am-4pm. Learn why and how we graft fruit trees under the expert tuition of Ben Raskin of the Soil Association and make three newly-grafted apple trees to take home with you. Advance bookings via www. winterbournebarn.org.uk or Ticketsource. Call Robert on 0117 957 4921 for more information.

February 23 n National Garden Scheme Snowdrop Festival, at Algars Manor, Station Rd and Algars Mill, Frampton End Road, Iron Acton, 1-4pm. Algars Manor features two acres of woodland garden beside River Frome, mill stream, native plants mixed with collections of 60 magnolias and 70 camellias, rhododendrons and other unusual trees and shrubs. Algars Mill features two acre woodland garden bisected by River Frome; spring bulbs, shrubs; very early spring feature (Feb-Mar) of wild Newent daffodils.

March 2 n Royal Osteoporosis Society Bristol Support Group, 1.45pm in Westbury Methodist Church Hall.

Talk by occupational therapist Maria Fitzgerald. All welcome.

For more information call 07710 743613.

Northavon Carpentry Ltd • Commercial and Domestic Carpentry Contractors • General Builders & Property Renovation Specialists • Loft Conversion Specialists • Also Fitted Kitchens, All Types of Timber Flooring

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REGULAR EVENTS Monday n Free baby and toddler group, Winterbourne Early Years Centre, Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue.

9.30am-11.30am, term time only. n Open Door bereavement suport group. 10.30-12.00 every first Monday., St Peter’s Church Baby Group 1-3pm (termtime) Winterbourne Early Years Centre, Greenfield Centre, Park Ave, Winterbourne. For more information call Helen 01454 773781. n Memory Cafe, run by the Alzheimer’s Society. The Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne, 2pm - 4pm 1st Monday of month except Bank Hols. Open to anyone with dementia, and Carers, and anyone with concerns about someone with memory problems. Just turn up.

Tel. 0117 9610 693 n Manor Hall Gardening & Social Club The Manor Hall 2.-3.30pm.

First Monday of the month, (except for Bank Holidays on the second Monday). n 1st Winterbourne Down and Buryside Beavers Scouts 5pm until 6:30pm at the Scout hut on Green Dragon Road, Winterborne.

Contact clivemarston@rocketmail. com n 1st Winterbourne Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. Meet Monday evenings in St. Michael’s Room. dandow@ computer.org or 01454 775024 n North Road Ladies, Iron Action Parish Hall, 7.30, every first Monday. n Women’s Fellowship Zion Church Hall 2.30p.m.- 3.45 Programme of speakers, choirs., followed by a cup of tea. £1.50p per week. For details ring Pat Lax 886830 n Iron Acton WI Iron Acton Parish Hall, 7.30, second Monday of month. n Crossbow Singers, Crossbow House, Frampton Cotterell. 7.30.

Term Time only, starting in

Tel: 01454 603992 Mob: 07811 424077 norcarp@hotmail.co.uk

Fitted Bedrooms Fitted Kitchens Garden Decking Loft Conversions Purpose Made Joinery Traditional Style Staircases Solid Wood & Laminate Floorings

www.northavoncarpentry.co.uk

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

September. We would love to welcome more tenors and basses.

Please contact Dave on 07834 184142 n Winterbourne Down Border Morris Morris Dancing, All Saint’s Church Hall, 8.15pm n Winterbourne Scrabble Club - weekly 2.00 - 4.30 pm at Winterbourne & District Community Centre, Watleys End Road, Winterbourne. Further info from Gill on 01454 773573. n Winterbourne Afternoon WI meets at Salem Church Hall, Factory Road, Winterbourne on the 2nd Monday of each month at 2pm. We welcome visitors. Contact 01454 250817 for details or look at our web site www.wawimoonfruit. com or email lesleysharman@gmail. com n Avon Pickleball Club play at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre from 9-11am. Indoor racquet sport combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis.

Email info@avonpickleball.club or phone 07801 715421 for more information. n Slimming World Frampton Cottrell. Watermore Primary School (Infants), Woodend Road, (Opposite the Brockeridge Centre) 5.30 & 7.30pm Tel: Jude 07968 426809 n Macular-support group meets monthly - 3rd Monday 1:30-3:30pm at Watkins room, Old Grammar School, highstreet Chipping Sodbury. Contact Tony : 01454 314066 n Winterbourne Tennis Club. 4.30.

Junior tennis coaching Winterbourne recreation field, BS36 1LU. All ages 3-16 yrs. Contact Imed (club coach) 07459636436 or imedhamroumi@msn.com n F&Fs. Club. Banjo, Mandolin, Guitarists etc. playing a wide range of styles. Meet Mondays. 8 to 10pm. at St Barnabas Church Hall, Warmley. Visitors and new members welcome, support and encouragement given.

Available for concerts. Secretary – 0117 9673668. Website www. fingersandfrets.wordpress.com n The Arts Society Severn Valley meets third Monday of the month at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall.

Lectures plus special interest days, gallery, garden and museum visits, trips abroad. Morning lectures 10.30am for 11am start. Afternoon lectures 1.30pm for 2pm start.

More details online at www.svdfas. co.uk. £6 charge for visitors – contact memb@svdfas.co.uk to ‘try before you buy’. n Bristol Budgerigar Society meets at Little Stoke Community Hall, Little Stoke Lane at 7.30pm on the second Monday of each month. More details including membership details from secretary

Colin Parsons by calling 01454 775878 or emailing colinpauline@ hotmail.com. Visitors always welcome without commitment or charge. n Butterflies babies and toddlers group. Friendly group welcomes mums, dads and grandparents at St Saviours Church Hall, Coalpit Heath. Mondays 10am-11.30am, term-time only, £3 per family per session. Toys, dressing up, a sit-andride zone, book corner and song time, baby changing facilities play area for crawlers.

Tuesday n Slimming World 9.30am & 11.30am, 5.30pm & 7.30pm, The Greenfield Centre, call Frankie 07519 347243 n Knit and Natter The Beacon@ Zion United Church. 10am 12noon. Contact Mary Thexton 01454 850704 n Yate Poetry Group. All welcome to join our small, informal and friendly group to share and enjoy poems and verse. We meet for an hour 1-2 pm every other Tuesday afternoon in the library, refreshments provided.

For the dates of meetings, please contact Tony on 07704 140682 or yatepoetrygroup@gmail.com n Winterbourne Down & District Horticultural Society, All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down, BS36 1BX, 7.30 pm. 2nd Tuesday of the month. Info: Richard on 01454 773218. n Yate Visually Impaired Group.

Yate Fire Station 2.30 pm every other Tuesday Contact Gay Williams 01454 321749 gab56@ btinternet.com n Winterbourne Tuesday group, The Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne, 7.30 -10pm, second Tuesday of month. Everyone welcome. n Centre Squares (dancing).

Winterbourne Comunity Centre (WADCA), 7.45pm. Tel. 260168 n Pucklechurch Folk Dance Club.

We meet every other Tuesday at Pucklechurch Community Centre from 7.45 pm to 8.15 pm. Contact Veronica Holder – 0117 937 2818 n Folk Dancing. Crossbow House, Frampton Cotterell. 8.30 -10.30pm, 1st & 3rd Tuesday of month. n South Gloucestershire Waterpolo club. Junior & Senior players Male Female. Winterbourne Int Academy pool. 7:00 - 8:30 pm. For more info: kazrose@blueyonder.co.uk or nash17@virginmedia.com n Winterbourne Short Mat Bowling Club Tuesday 1.30 - 3.30 at Winterbourne Community Centre, Watleys End Road. Contact Pat Sleightholme, 01179 793473. New

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

25

members welcome. n Chipping Sodbury Men's Probus.

We meet 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. 10 – 12 noon at the Townhall, C/Sodbury. Guest Speaker every meeting, occasional lunches, day trips. Contact George for further info. Tele: 01454 882908 n Social tennis: Winterbourne recreational field, BS36 1LU. 7.3010pm. All ages, abilities and new members welcome.Contact WTC on 0772 595 4639. n Barnardo’s Breastfeeding Peer Support Project provides emotional and practical support to new mothers. Weekly groups are held at venues in Thornbury, Yate and across South Gloucestershire. The Yate group, called Yate BreastFriends, meets at Yate Childrens Centre on Cranleigh Court Road on Tuesdays between 11.30am - 1.00pm. n Ringcraft - dog showing skills and techniques. Every week at Henfield Hall, Ram Hill, Coalpit Heath - 8.0 - 9.15pm. Puppies and dogs - all breeds welcome. Contact Shelagh Crowther on 01453 298974 for more details. n Tudor Bridge Club meets at the

hall behind St Lawrence Presbytery on Broad Street, every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. Contact Christine on 07876 3334921, christinemay001@gmail.com for more details n Community Coffee Mornings, 2nd Tuesday of month, WADCA Community Centre, 10.30am 12.30pm. Tel. 01454 776268 n Monthly social lunchtime meet up for disabled people at the Farmhouse Pub, Wellington Road, Yate, BS37 5UY. Open and friendly group, meets first Tuesday of month 12-2pm. Part of WECIL's peer support community - 0797 962 6569. n St Saviours church Mothers union meets second Tuesday of the month at 2pm in the church hall. Members welcome visitors to Bristol Cathedral and Ashfield Prison, support a relief fund and overseas fund and send money to Friends of Bristol Children’s Hospital for tea and coffee for parents’ rooms. For more information contact Mary on 01454 887880. n Friendship & Dance for over 50s returns in 2020 with a change to

John Harris

079199 12966 01454 772 502 quarrygardens@hotmail.co.uk

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

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26

February, 2020

n WHAT'S ON CONTINUED 2nd TUES IN THE MONTH (except Feb): 18th Feb, 10th Mar, 14th Apr, 12th May. Miners Social Club,Badminton Road, Coalpit Health, 2-4 pm. No partner needed, Gentle exercise with easy circle dances to live music.

Experienced teacher, beautiful dance floor, refreshments, friendly group.£4. More details from Hilary: 07515 351 813. n Miners Social Club, Badminton Road, Coalpit Health, 2-4pm. No partner needed, gentle exercise with easy circle dances to live music. £4. More details from Hilary on 07515 351 813.

Wednesday n ‘Silver Chords Group, over 50’s social club. Every other Weds, Mason’s View Community Centre Winterbourne. 1.45pm.

Entertainment and coach trips.

Everyone welcome Contact Doreen 01454 776484. n Winterbourne Police Beat Post.

Greenfield Centre 2-3pm n Slimming World 7.30pm Frampton Cotterell Cof E School.

Tel Lisa 07815 759118 n Coalpit Heath WI. Church Hall of St Saviours Church, Coalpit Heath.

First Wednesday of each month.

7.45pm. New members welcome. n The Winterbourne Players, 8.00 pm, Community Centre, Watleys End Road. More info, Brian 07792 656689. n Actonians Drama Group 7.30 pm Parish Hall, Iron Acton More info 01454 228760 www.actonians. co.uk. Junior Actonians 6.00 pm - 7.30 pm Parish Hall Iron Acton More info 01454 228277. n Carers group, Beacon Centre, Zion Church, Frampton Cotterell.

Meets second Wednesday of the month, 2pm-4pm. Call Rona on 01454 886925 or Jean on 01454 775786 for more information. n 4th Wednesday of each month - Forget me Not sing along group 2pm - 3.30 pm at The Beacon Centre, Zion Church, Frampton Cotterell. If you like a good sing song please come and join us.

For more information ring Rona on 886925 or Jean on 775786. n Winterbourne Short Mat Bowling Club Wednesday 1.30 - 4.30 and 7.30 - 10.30 at Winterbourne Community Centre, Watleys End Road. Contact Pat Sleightholme, 01179 793473. n Manor Hall community coffee morning, open to all, Henfield Road, Coalpit Heath. 3rd Wednesday of every month from 10am to 12 noon in the Jubilee Room. Free entry and all profits from the refreshments will go to

the Manor Hall at Coalpit Heath Charity. Handmade cards will be on sale, sold in aid of the BRACE Charity. n Slimming World Frampton Cotterell C of E School. Call Lisa: 07815759118 n Stapleton Probus meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at Begbrook CA, Frenchay Park Road, from 10amnoon. Active bowls section. Visitors welcome. For more details contact registrar Bernard Ferris on 01454 774490. n The Frenchay Folk Dance Club meet fortnightly at Frenchay Village Hall from 7:45 until 10:15. Check frenchayfdc.co.uk or contact 0117 9409508 for more information n Social tennis ladies Doubles Winterbourne recreation field, BS36 1LU. 10am -12pm.

All ages and abilities , new members welcome Contact WTC: 07725954639 n Social tennis. Winterbourne recreation field, BS36 1LU. 7.30pm - 10.00pm. All ages and abilities ,new members welcome. Contact WTC: 07725954639 n Frampton Singalong, second Wednesday in the month, 2pm3.30pm at Crossbow House, School Road. Favourite songs, live music and sitting exercises. Call Hilary on 07515 351 813 for more details. n Yate/ Chipping Sodbury Afternoon Choir meets on Wednesdays 2pm to 4pm at St Marys Church Yate. No auditions required. Contact Nikki on 01761472468 for more details or just turn up at the church and have a free sing on the first visit. n Frenchay Probus Club. We meet every third Wednesday of the month in the Frenchay village hall.

Coffee at 10.00am and the meeting is from 10.30 to 12.00. More details on frenchayprobusclub.com n Community Lunches 12.00 2pm at WADCA Community Centre. £5 or takeaway £3.50. Booking advised tel. 776268 n Frampton Cotterell Local History Society, 3rd Wednesday of month Sept - May, Zion church 7.30pm.

Non-members welcome. £4 n Ladies Circle meets at The Beacon, Zion United Church, Frampton Cotterell, every second and fourth Wednesday of each month except June, July and August at 7.30 pm. £3 per visit.

Variety of speakers at this friendly and welcoming group to any newcomers. n Phoenix Art Club meets at Guinea Lane, Fishponds in the Methodist church hall every

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Wednesday mornings 9.30am to 12noon. We have a number of artists with a wide range of skills and interests and we break for coffee at 11am to enjoy a chat with our friends and look around at what everyone is creating, be it watercolour, pencil, oils etc.

Anyone interested in joining is welcome to drop in for coffee and see what goes on. We welcome all abilities! n Frenchay & Hambrook Horticultural Society holds gardening talks, events and trips on the first Wednesday of the month, 7.30pm at Friends’ Meeting House, Frenchay Common. All welcome, entry £2. Contact Susie Davis fhhs1947@outlook.com n Avon Pickleball Club play at Thornbury Leisure Centre from 10.15am-12.15pm. Indoor racquet sport combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. Sessions cost £2.50 for an hour or £4 for two hours. Email info@avonpickleball.club or phone 07801 715421 for more information.

Thursday n Praise and Play. All Saints’ Church Hall Winterbourne Down 10-12 during term times. For preschool children and their parents/ carers. n Tiny Tots. 2.00-3.00pm,St Peter’s Church, n Bristol and South Gloucestershire Stationary Engine Club. First Thursday of the month, 7.45pm at the Miners Social Club, Coalpit Heath. More information at www.bsgsec.co.uk. n Winterbourne Musical Theatre.

7.30pm WADCA Community Centre, 7.30pm. www. winterbournemusical.co.uk. n Winterbourne Flower Club.

Our meetings take place tin St. Michaels rooms [opposite Tesco Filling Station] Hands on evenings and demonstrations on various Thursday evening at 7.30 pm Visitors and new members welcome. Ring for details 01454.

776753 n Winterbourne Evening Women’s Institute St. Michael’s Rooms in Winterbourne at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of every month except August n Crossbow Camera Club Crossbow House, 8pm, every Thursday (from September).

Contact Mike Challenger 07833316081 n Frampton Cotterell British

Legion Club Ryecroft Road, Doors open @7.15pm. Bingo at 8pm10pm . No entry fee. All Welcome. n South Gloucestershire Arts Appreciation Society meet at Bradley Stoke Community School, Fiddlers Lane, Bradley Stoke, 3rd Thursday evening of the month.

Starting October at 7.00 for 7.30 start. Refreshments provided.

Contact: Sallykitching@ googlemail.com Tel. 01454 774401 n Sugarcraft demonstrations and workshops. Third Thursday of the month, 7.30pm-9.30pm at St Andrews Hall, Elm Park, Filton. Call Jean Kington on 0117 956 8737 for more information. n Winterbourne Short Mat Bowling Club Thursday 1.30 - 4.30 at Winterbourne Community Centre, Watleys End Road. Contact Pat Sleightholme, 01179 793473.

New members welcome. n Severn Counties Foreign & British Bird Society, for keepers of canaries, finches and other birds.

Winterbourne Down Methodist Church Hall, Down Road. Third Thursday of the month at 8pm.

More information from Molly Durbin on 01275 373743 or email severncounties@gmail.com. n Tudor Bridge Club meets at the hall behind St Lawrence Presbytery on Broad Street, every Thursday and Tuesday at 7 p.m. Contact Christine on 078763334921, christinemay001@gmail.com for more details n Thursday Travel Club. Meets first Thursday of the month. St Saviour’s Church Hall, Beesmoor Road, Coalpit Heath n Winterbourne Winds, beginners/ intermediate/returners wind band, rehearse on Thursdays 7.30pm9.30pm at the Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue, Winterbourne BS36 1NJ. Brass and woodwind players wanted to join sociable group.

Instruments available for loan.

Contact Dan on 0117 239 5210 or email winterbournewinds@yahoo. com. n Winterbourne Down WI meet in All Saints Church Hall, BS36 1BX on the first Thursday of each month (except August) - 7.30pm. For more information contact Margaret on 01454 850241. New members are most welcome. n Avon Harmony are a Ladies A Cappella / barbershop chorus.

We welcome visitors for a no obligation taster session. We rehearse at the dance studio, Fairfield High School, Allfoxton Road, Bristol BS7 9NL. Every

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

27

n WHAT'S ON CONTINUED Thursday evening 7.30pm 9.45pm. Tel: Mary 07954170532. n Hambrook Sports Club Crib team are looking for new members to join our winter league, playing Thursday evenings at 8.30.

Beginners welcome. Pre season meeting 20th September at Hambrook Sports Club at 8:30. For further information contact Dave Manley on 07531299786 n CRASH (Children Really Are Special Here), 5.30pm-7pm term times, Zion United Church. Funfilled evening for primary school children with games, crafts, songs and stories. Costs £1 per week.

Contact Heidi on 01454 776618 or email childrenyouthz@gmail.com for more details. n Vale of Frome Probus for retired men meets monthly at the Miners Club, Coalpit Heath, on 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month at 10.00am. Ladies invited four times a year. Speakers on various subjects and social events. More details at www.valeoffromeprobus. co.uk or contact Terry on 0117 956 4259. n Winterbourne Down Art Group meets from 2-4pm at All Saints Church Hall. Friendly, sociable folk who enjoy painting. All abilities welcome. For more information call Terry on 01454 774781 or Graham on 01454 778921. n New walking football session for the over 50's at UWE's new sports ground at Hillside Gardens, Frenchay Campus. Every Thursday 2-3p.m. £3 per session. Contact Keith Gwilym on 0794 838 3536 or email buwfc2018@gmail.com for more information.

Friday n Frome Valley Art Group Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne.

1pm to 4pm and 6.30pm to 9pm n Frampton Cotterell Male Voice

Choir, Zion Church, Frampton Cotterell. 7.30pm – 9.00pm. New members welcomed, no audition, search www.fcmvc.co.uk or email contact@fcmvc.co.uk.. n Frampton Cotterell Community Association. Fridays at Crossbow House School Road Ist Friday of every month Quiz- 3rd Friday of every month Bingo, start at 8 pm. n St Saviours Church Hall, Coalpit Heath: Coffee and teas with a warm welcome and new friends at 11.15am or stay for lunch, starting at midday. Donations towards church funds. n Frome Valley Art Group Winterbourne. Looking to find that inner talent or start a new interest? Drop in for a free taster session, Fridays at 2pm or 7pm.

We have a busy programme of demonstrations and Saturday workshops by professional artists to help your development. Our Annual exhibition in May displays members’ work . Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue, Winterbourne BS36 1NJ. Contact Dave: 0117 9790043 Andrew: 01454 778310. Eric: 01454 615619 Lesley: 01454 250817. Email fromevalleyartwinterbourne@gmail. com n Winterbourne Short Mat Bowling Club Friday evenings from 7.30 10.30 at Winterbourne Community Centre, Watleys End Road. Contact Pat Sleightholme 01179 793473 n Community Coffee Mornings, WADCA Community Centre, 10.30am - 12.30. All welcome. n St Peter's Church Frampton Cotterell invite you to Friday Coffee every Friday 10:00 -12:30. Come in and have a chat. n Lunches in St Saviours church hall, 11.15am for refreshments and midday for lunches. Donations to church funds.

n Folk at Frampton Cotterell: Folk/ acoustic music club, Crossbow House, second Friday of the month from 8-11pm. More details from Andrew Edgington on 0797 415 1437.

Saturday n Brockeridge Quilters, Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne.

10am to 4pm, third Saturday of the month. n Frampton Cotterell Royal British Legion, Ryecroft Rd. Every Sat dancing to live bands.Bingo 8pm-8.30pm Then dancing until until 11.30pm. Entry on door £5.

Everyone Welcome. n Winterbourne Tennis Club Junior tennis coaching. 9.30 -1pm, Winterbourne recreation field, BS36 1LU. All ages 3-16 yrs.

Rusty Racquets/Drill-Drill Group Coaching for adults of all abilities 11.30am-12-30pm. £5 pay and play. Contact Imed (club coach) 07459636436 or imedhamroumi@ msn.com n Connectz, meets 3.30pm5.30pm every 2nd Saturday, Zion United Church. Fun activities for families, followed by a meal. See www.zuchurch.co.uk or email childrenyouthz@gmail.com for more details n Messy Church at All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down. Every third Saturday of the month from 4pm to 6pm.

All-age afternoon of fun, craft and activities, with a meal and praise service.

Sunday n Japanese Embroidery Class Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne 9.30am to 4pm, (monthly).

Contact: Jo Tripp 01454 850147. n Nature Reserves, Winterbourne work party meets 1030am, Church

We would love to publicise your event Send details of your events and activities in the following format:

WHAT IT IS WHERE IT IS WHEN IT IS in no more than 40 words: email us at: contact@ fromevalleyvoice.co.uk or call us on 01454 800 120 Lane, Winterbourne, 2nd & 4th Sundays in the month. Newleaze reserve (Bristol Road) 10.30am Ist Sunday of month. Huckford Quarry 2.30pm 3rd Sunday of month.

Contact Frank Smith 01454 778975. n Indoor short mat bowls at Pucklechurch Community Centre.

Established players and beginners welcome. Bowls provided. Sessions Sunday afternoon and Monday and Wednesday evenings. Contact Roger Payne 0117 937 3653 n Parish Praise at St Saviours Church, first Sunday of the month at 10am. Suitable for all ages – come and join in with the family praise and stay for coffee or tea afterwards if you wish. See the Church website for up to date information. Coalpitheath.org.uk/ social or coalpitheath.org.uk/news

What’s on at Winterbourne Library Staffed opening: Tuesdays: 10am-5pm Wednesdays: 10am-5pm Fridays: 10am-5pm Saturdays: 9.30am-12.30pm Open access (unstaffed) 8am-7.30pm daily Rhymetime: Rhymes and songs for parents and babies/toddlers to enjoy together. Every Tuesday morning, 10.30-11am.

Pre-School Storytime: Join us for stories and simple crafts. Every Wednesday morning, 10.30-11am.

Duplo Club: Saturday February 22, 10.3011.30am. Suitable for pre-school children, who

must be accompanied by an adult. Free event – no booking required.

Lego Club: Listen to stories and poems, then create a model to display at the library.

Suitable for children in primary school age range, who must be accompanied by an adult.

Next meeting on Saturday February 15, 10.3011.30am. Free event – no booking required.

Lego Challenge: Dragon’s Lair. Wednesday February 19, 2.30-3.30pm. Build a lair to keep the Dragon’s treasure safe from intruders.

Booking required – limited places. Suitable for ages 7+.

Have you Read…? Open reading group for all.

No set text – share your love of books, extend your reading horizons. First Friday of every month, 11am-noon.

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

The Craft Group: Next meetings on Saturday February 8 & 22, 10am-noon. New members will always be made welcome by this friendly group. Share tips and ideas for your knitting, sewing or crochet projects.

Free Holiday drop-in: Adventurous Vikings, Friday February 21, 10.30am-noon. Suitable for ages 4-10.

Advance Notice: Quiz Night, Tuesday April 21, 7-9pm.

For more information on the library and events: Telephone 01454 868006 Email winterbourne.library@southglos.gov.uk Website: www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries Twitter: @southgloslibs Facebook: South Gloucestershire Libraries

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

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February, 2020

n LOCAL MP

Free swimming will help pregnant women

A

S a father to two young children, I know how important it is to feel you are doing everything possible to give your family the best start in life.

In the summer, I teamed up with local mums, dads and families to push the council to create a new scheme, offering free swimming to local expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy.

After months of campaigning, I am delighted to inform Voice readers that from February 1 this year, pregnant women living in South Gloucestershire will now have access to free swimming.

This free service will now be offered in every single Active Leisure Centre across South Gloucestershire, in Yate, Bradley Stoke, Kingswood, Longwell Green and Thornbury.

To take part, expecting

mums must simply present their Maternity Exemption Certificate, which is supplied by their doctor or midwife, and proof of address before their first session.

Delivering this promise of free swimming has been an incredibly important objective in my Positive Plan for Schools and Family Life here in South Gloucestershire. The idea for such an initiative came from new research, which demonstrates the huge benefits of exercise, and in particular swimming, for pregnant women.

The Royal College of Midwifery welcomed reports from NHS England, as well as recommendations from the Government’s Chief Medical Officer, who advised parents to aim for 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity during pregnancy. Swimming is widely recognised as a low-impact

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method of aerobic exercise, and is particularly good for pregnant women, as it can be performed safely in all three trimesters.

It has numerous benefits specifically for pregnant women, such as preventing diabetes during pregnancy, reducing the need for caesarean sections, improved fitness and reducing high blood pressure. Swimming can also have a long-term effect on a child’s development beyond birth, with further research suggesting that it has a potential for improving the mental and physical health of children well into adulthood.

The news is a great step forward in achieving the first stage of my Positive Plan to improve Family Life. I will now push for ensuring that other aspects of this plan see the same success for our schools, by building two new primary

Luke Hall MP

writes for Frome Valley Voice schools in Yate, rebuilding Castle School and upgrading schools throughout South Gloucestershire and improving special educational needs and disabilities provision, including better equipment for deaf children.

For further information on the scheme, please do not hesitate to email me at luke.hallmp@ parliament.uk, where I shall be happy to help.

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Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

29

n RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Ann Murray is from 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.

In love with a rich chocolate dessert I THINK it’s fair to say that in my column I don’t very often feature a really rich, calorific dessert. But as Delia Smith - or as my friend calls her, Saint Delia - has taught everyone, it’s hard to make a really exquisite dessert without shelling out the calories. She also said have a small portion, don’t feel guilty and don’t go back for seconds! Plus, make it a treat, don’t eat it every day. So, this is my excuse - and I’m sticking to it.

This chocolate torte looks great and is super easy and quick to make, so it’s my go to dessert when I want to impress, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

It can be made a couple of days ahead and any remainders can be frozen in portion sizes to be brought out when only something intensely chocolatey will do! Do make sure that you allow the torte to come to room temperature for maximum flavour. And remember Delia’s advice, a small piece goes a long way. Indulge yourself in a little chocolate naughtiness.

fromevalleyvoice

Chocolate, Orange and Hazelnut Torte

• Large pinch sea salt.

• 25g (1 oz) toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped.

• Icing sugar for dusting top

Serves 6-8, depending on how much of a chocoholic you are!

Here’s What You Do:

Makes one deep 8 inch (20cm) ceramic or Pyrex flan dish

Preheat the oven to 180C, 170C fan or gas mark 4.

Butter the flan dish, including the bottom. Line the bottom with baking parchment, then dust with cocoa.

Place the chocolate, butter and orange zest in a medium-sized bowl.

Place the bowl in a microwave and melt the chocolate on medium for 1 min. If not quite melted, do it for a further 30 seconds. Stir. Don’t overdo it. Stop when its almost done. Stir again and let the heat of the bowl finish it off. Too much cooking will make the chocolate go grainy - if so, you’ll have to start again!

With a balloon whisk, stir in the sugar and then the eggs, a little at a time, until you have a smooth mix. Don’t worry if the mix seems to

Ingredients: • 125g (4.5oz) dark chocolate – 70% cocoa solids, look on the back of the wrapper if the percentage is not clearly marked on the front. I use Lindt Excellence or Green and Black chocolate.

• 125g (4.5oz) caster sugar.

• 125g (4.5oz) unsalted butter.

• Zest of 2 oranges (or 3 Clementines.)

• 3.5 large free-range egg, 30mls is half an egg, very lightly beaten • ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract • ¼ teaspoon of almond extract • 1 tbsp Cointreau, optional

400

IN WINTERBOURNE,

fromevalleyvoice www.fromeval leyvoice.co.uk

Drone Club is taking flightset up to being A NEW club is how to show drone owners have fun safely PAGE 3

Sites for homes be built

Emma Steele (right) and fellow cyclist Helen Jackson are riding 400 miles in memory of Emma’s friend’s baby daughter

on a gruelling woman is taking A COALPIT Heath£10,000 in memory of her challenge to raise in just daughter. over 400 miles friend’s baby aims to cycle Emma Steele Bristol to Edinburgh. she travels from for stillbirth and three days as to raise £10,000 She is doing it charity SANDS. friend Zoe Fyffe neonatal death childhood Last July Emma’s

to be told Rory were devastated her and her husband had died three days before girl the that their baby her stillborn and gave birth to due date. Zoe her Beatrice. to say or do couple named didn’t know what better.”

Emma said: “I could make this because nothing 5 Turn to page

NEW homes could after South in Winterbourne Council Gloucestershire to a housing handed sites over association.

PAGE 4

Thieves strikehas once group A COMMUNITY victim of the again become thieves PAGE 8

Community rallies the family FRIENDS are helping was lost his of a chef who being told he job weeks after transplant. needed a lung PAGE 15

View us online at www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

FRAMPTON COTTERELL,

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

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

February, 2019 Issue 66 COALPIT HEATH, IRON ACTON & WINTERBOU RNE DOWN

Beatrice

Drone Club is taking flight

A NEW club is being show drone owners set up to how to have fun safely PAGE 3

Sites for homes

A COALPIT Heath challenge to raise woman is taking on a gruelling £10,000 in memory friend’s baby of her daughter.

Emma Steele aims to cycle three days as she travels from over 400 miles in just Bristol to Edinburgh.

She is doing it neonatal death to raise £10,000 for stillbirth charity and Last July Emma’s SANDS. childhood friend Zoe Fyffe

Emma Steele (right) and fellow cyclist Helen Jackson are riding 400 miles in memory of Emma’s friend’s baby daughter and her husband that their baby Rory were devastated to be girl had died three days beforetold due date. Zoe gave birth to her stillborn and her couple named her Beatrice. the Emma said: “I because nothing didn’t know what to say or do could make this better.”

Turn to page

4 Flaxpits Lane,

4 Flaxpits Lane,

IN WINTERBOURNE,

400 miles for

FRAMPTON

trice miles for Bea

You can also serve with berries, when in season, or clementines.

FREE EVERY MONTH

Issue 66 February, 2019

DOWN & WINTERBOURNE leyvoice.co.uk HEATH, IRON ACTON www.fromeval COTTERELL, COALPIT

FREE EVERY MONTH

curdle, just keep stirring. Stir in the extracts and the Cointreau, if using.

Finally, stir in the salt.

Spoon the mix into the prepared flan dish and place in a roasting tin of hot water, making sure the water level is at least 1cm (½ inch) below the top of the dish.

Cook in the centre of the oven until the top feels set and springy to the touch, about 25 mins.

Once set, switch off the heat and leave in the oven for 5 mins.

Remove from the oven and the roasting tin.

Sprinkle the hazelnuts evenly over the top of the torte whilst still warm.

Allow to cool on a wire rack - you can eat this warm or allow to cool to room temperature.

To serve – sift over a little icing sugar on top. A splash of single cream or crème fraiche mixed with a splash of vanilla extract cuts through the richness of the torte.

5

NEW homes could in Winterbourne be built after South Gloucestershire Council handed sites over to a housing association.

PAGE 4

Thieves strike

A COMMUNITY group has once again become the victim of thieves PAGE 8

Community rallies FRIENDS are helping the family of a chef who was job weeks after lost his being told he needed a lung transplant.

PAGE 15

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

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

30

fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Thinking ahead to elections

W

ITH 2020 under way, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) are thinking ahead to May’s PCC elections. After two exciting, challenging and productive terms as an independent PCC, I have decided I will not put myself forward for re-election.

I make this decision with mixed emotions but absolute conviction that, after eight years of working with the police as well as key partners, this is the right decision for the OPCC, the Constabulary and, most importantly, local people.

I feel fortunate that I have been able to be part of decisions and projects that have found solutions and pushed boundaries of innovation for the Constabulary and within shared work with our partners in the criminal justice system, local authorities, health service,

charities, community groups, businesses and local residents.

I want local people to be assured that we will not be taking our foot off the pedal between now and the elections. I am still your PCC until May and I will be doing everything I can to push forward crucial policing matters to improve the lives of local people in our area.

One particular piece I will be focused on in the coming months are the Violence Reduction Units (VRUs). Set up last September, the VRUs are made up of our five local authorities, education, police, clinical commissioning groups, public health departments, charities and community groups.

We initially received £1.16m to set up the VRU and the Government has just announced Avon and Somerset will receive a further £1.16m to tackle serious violence among young people in our communities.

Over the last few months,

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

recent cases in our area have involved the conviction of a 14-year-old for manslaughter involving a knife and another 14-year-old was charged with murder in December following the fatal stabbing of a 17-yearold. These cases only reinforces to me how important it is to identify and provide interventions for these young people at a much earlier stage and make them feel part of a society in which they want to contribute in order to stop them taking the wrong path.

The additional funding allows us to continue building on the public health approach to tackling the root causes of these terrible offences that have devastating impact on victims, perpetrators, their families and entire communities. We need to be working together to stop young lives being lost or wasted because of serious violence.

It is important to be clear this is not a quick fix and taking this

With Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens bigger picture approach, which is widely recognised by all partners as the only way to tackle serious violence effectively, is going to need commitment and long term investment. I will be sure to keep you updated on the initiatives that are being rolled out for young people who are at risk of being involved in knife crime or being victims.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

31

n NEWS

Carbon neutral funerals A FUNERAL director is aiming to become 'carbon neutral' this year.

F Woodruff, part of an independent family firm of funeral directors with funeral homes in Yate, Coalpit Heath and Winterbourne, is looking at all of its practices to reduce waste, increase recycling and offset the carbon used in the business via two projects: Gold Standard, which works with the World Wide Fund for Nature and other international organisations to support projects which reduce carbon emissions and contributed to sustainable development, and oil firm Shell's Drive Carbon Neutral scheme to offset emissions from vehicles by funding forest developments and grassland preservation projects.

A spokesperson said: "We as a company feel that due to the nature of the job we do and the professional vehicles we use on funerals, we should be looking at trying to offset the carbon which we use.

"For 2020 we will be looking at our business practices and try to recycle more, reduce our waste and not make unnecessary journeys.

"As another step in trying to become carbon neutral we will be donating £5 from every funeral we conduct, to offset the carbon we use. Hopefully these small steps which we will try to make over the coming years will help to reduce our carbon footprint."

For more details on the schemes visit www.goldstandard.org or search for Drive Carbon Neutral online.

Warning over bins NOTICES have been placed on litter bins in Frampton Cotterell warning people they will be removed if household waste continues to be dumped in them.

South Gloucestershire Council announced last year that the problem of bins being filled with waste from people's homes was worse in Frampton than in almost any other area.

It also said it would be trying to identify people who were regularly throwing their waste in litter bins, with anyone caught facing a fine.

The council is reviewing the location of its 1,000 street bins, as well as the types of bin it provides.

The measures are part of a council waste strategy which sets a target of recycling 65 per cent of rubbish by 2035 and sending no more than 10 per cent to landfill.

When the strategy was announced a council spokesperson said: “A small number of households are regularly disposing of their household waste in litter bins, particularly in Thornbury, Frampton Cotterell and Kingswood.

“We are identifying those responsible and will take appropriate action.

“Households struggling with waste can contact the council who can provide advice and extra capacity, where appropriate, and or give advice on recycling if part of their surplus is recyclable."

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Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

32

February, 2020

n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

God sets the lonely in families FAMILIES, don’t you just love them?

Well, sometimes we do.

I’m sure the Queen, who is clearly devoted to ‘The family’, must be left pondering as, for the second generation in a row, things have gone a bit haywire.

As a rule, I try to avoid talking about the royal family. I am an avowed democrat who believes we are all equal. I dislike privilege and elites in any form. That notwithstanding, I have a level of sympathy with the characters involved, especially given the level of public scrutiny that they are under.

So what’s gone wrong? Well, as we all know, when things go pear-shaped in our families it’s complicated. Things are no doubt said that shouldn’t be said, and they are heard in a way which was not probably exactly as intended, resentments and frustrations grow and bingo – a family is in turmoil.

It may help to consider what families are for, why they are actually so precious to us.

I consider one of the greatest things about families is that they are places where we should feel that we belong. The very essence of what it means to feel ‘at home’,

they should also be places where we can be challenged and encouraged. Once we have to ‘put a mask on’ we are not really feeling at home. Family ought to be the place where it is OK to fail, at least sometimes.

I wouldn’t dare speculate what’s happened in the royal family. After all, if I get it wrong I could be sued, or worse, hung drawn and quartered for treason!

However it troubles me that one aspect seems to be that Megan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, doesn’t feel as if she belongs or fits in. Is it because she’s American, or mixed-race or because she’s a ‘commoner?’

I doubt anyone really knows for sure but we all know how uncomfortable it can feel not to fit in.

What does all this mean to us?

Family principles are the same for us all – the only question is how wide we understand our family to be? Is our family nuclear or extended, does it include the people who live near us, or our friends? What about our country?

I often describe the church as being a family, or at least we should be. A place where people feel they belong and can

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be nurtured and be honest to themselves.

Another aspect of family which is true of church is we intend to be multi-generational.

For the young to learn from the ‘older’ and vice-versa. I think most of the people who are part of the church feel that it really is good to be ‘together’!

The challenge I keep trying to give us is to extend our family.

Not just getting more people to come along, but how can we extend that sense of belonging to others around us? The Bible says "God sets the lonely in families". However, we live in a time of great loneliness: too many feel isolated and ‘not included,’ which creates anxiety and fear.

In Frampton we have the excellent ‘Good Neighbour Scheme’ where volunteers simply try and befriend those who have become, often with age, more isolated. It is great, but it is the tip of the iceberg.

So my thought for the month is simple: love your family. Of course, those near and dear, but look around you in your neighbourhood or in your workplace.

Stephen Newell Minister: Zion United Church Frampton Cotterell (URC/ Methodist)

Does someone need to feel that they belong? Can you encourage them or challenge them or help them to feel that it’s OK to be who they are? If the answer is yes then my challenge is clear: go for it. We do have a problem in our ‘family’, our society. But most of the solutions are internal – not just what will others do about it, but what can I do. So pick up the phone or send an email, or even better, bake a cake and ring a doorbell or meet someone for coffee. You could start by something as simple as a smile and greeting: every little helps!

Let us know your feelings go to our Facebook page

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

33

n MOTORING

A guide to pre-owned cars with Richard Cooke

Second-hand Style Honda CRV Hybrid: The public gets what the public wants

N

O, I’m not referring to Brexit or another Tory government (although you’ve got both of them), but instead endless variants on the compact SUV theme. And it was Honda that started it all when they released the CRV back in 1995.

Look around, and you’ll notice that although SUVs are everywhere, they typically aren’t Range Rovers or hulking Audis and BMWs. Instead, what people want and buy in ever-increasing volumes are Japanese and Korean compact facsimiles of more expensive European models.

When we bought our Mazda CX-5, we took a look at the 4th generation CRV that was made at the time in Swindon. Oh dear. I had to check my notes to remember the details of the drive, it was that forgettable. The 2.0 petrol engine was boring, the build quality was no doubt excellent but felt lightweight and the interior…actually, I don’t really remember.

Honda had managed to produce a car so anodyne that I’ve wiped it from my mind. So can this 5th generation petrol hybrid model, released in 2017, stick in the brain?

First impressions are that Honda have made the CRV much bigger and, whilst they

have, we’re only talking 6cm of length and 4cm of width. The styling is much better than before, with a more vertical and higher grille at the front and a rakish line to the boot that manages to look sleek but remain square set and practical. It looks more American, and I mean that as a compliment.

The CRV is no longer made in Swindon (the plant closes next year), although this is entirely coincidental to the significantly increased perception of quality. Honda have spent serious cash to make the CRV look and feel premium inside, and it works. I’ve sat in SUVs costing twice as much with a cheaper feeling interior.

It also seems like there is lots of room in the back, although this is partly an illusion generated by the acres of headroom. The boot is a really good size, with a very low and convenient load height. Fold the rear seats down and you could fit a washing machine and a tumble dryer in there, should you wish.

Under the bonnet, Honda have fitted their venerable 150hp 2.0 VTEC engine. This motor has consistently failed to impress me in whatever car Honda put it in. Yes, it is utterly reliable, but it lacks torque, character, power

and efficiency. So I was pleasantly surprised to find that hooking it up to a couple of batteries has transformed this engineering dullard into a respectable and smooth performer.

0-60 takes about 9 seconds, in-gear pickup is impressive (and, as importantly, quiet) and fuel consumption around 40mpg. This, remember, from a heavy family-orientated SUV with an automatic gearbox.

So far, so good, but what impressed me most about the CRV was the ride. Maybe it was the sheer weight of the beast (1.6 tons!), helped by an engine that felt capable, but more likely it was the excellent suspension.

The CRV is simply lovely to cruise around in. The seats are wide but supportive. The handling is on the soft side but never wallows.

Whilst you know you’ve been over a pot hole, you don’t actually feel any impact. Remarkable and relaxing.

And the bad news? This CRV has been on sale for just over two years, and the hybrid is the expensive pick. My test car was a 68 plate ‘SE’ model, which sits in the middle of the range and when new would have been around £32k. That means that on the used market, the price of entry is still high. Despite this, don’t be tempted by the previous generation. You’ll forget you own it and it’ll get towed away or, worse still, you’ll drift off at the wheel. Instead, congratulate Honda for putting the original compact SUV back near the top of the pile.

As the old saying goes: "People who like this sort of thing will find that this is just the sort of thing they like."

What to pay, Honda CRV Hybrid: £25k for a 2018 model with 5k miles

Advertise your business in Frome Valley Voice email contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

34

February, 2020

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Floral Friends of Frampton: Very early signs of Spring? which you can do so: Could you spare a few minutes regularly? We always need help to maintain the planters (and we always try to share the load and ask people to look after a planter near their home/business to minimise time and effort).

Could you spare a couple of hours twice a year (late spring and autumn)? We welcome help when we need to replenish the plants in the planters in spring and autumn.

We run various fund raising activities during the year (coffee mornings, plant sales) and we are TAKE a look at the flower border at Woodend and find the very first signs of Spring. Bulbs will be up very soon. In the meantime we found these – can you find more?

Plant Sale and Coffee Morning Our annual Plant Sale and Coffee Morning will take place on Saturday April 25 at the Brockeridge Centre in Frampton Cotterell, opening at 10am. Come along and browse the plants we will have for sale and enjoy a cup of coffee (or tea) with a slice of delicious cake.

Hopefully spring will definitely have sprung by then and we might be able to sit in the sun in the Sensory Garden!

Flower Festival We’re organising a flower festival

always glad of help.

No time? Donations are always very welcome.

Sponsorship: If you have a business in the area, or would like to commemorate a special event or person, you may like to consider sponsoring a planter or gateway for an annual fee.

If you can help in any way, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at floralfriendsofframpton@ gmail.com Our latest news is available online at ffframpton.wixsite.com/ frampton-cotterell.

(located at Zion United Church in Frampton Cotterell) for June 13-14, when it will be open to the public.

The theme is children’s literature, so we will be inviting people to create displays to illustrate a favourite children’s story, fairy tale or rhyme (think JK Rowling and Harry Potter, Dick King-Smith and The Sheep-Pig, Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit, JRR Tolkien and Bilbo Baggins, Jack and the Beanstalk and many, many more). Much more information to follow – but make a note of the date now!

Could you help?

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

A Floral Friends of Frampton plant sale.

Frampton Cotterell WI OUR 2020 programme is all lined up and ready to go, with a talk on nutrition to welcome us back in the New Year on Tuesday January 28 – why not come along, if you’ve been thinking of joining us, and see what you think? New members are always welcome.

Coming up later in the year we have talks on midwifery, sculpture, crafts and local history, as well as a talk by BBC Radio Bristol’s Emma Britton in April, which we’re all really looking forward to. We’re also looking forward to our New Year meal at the White Horse at Hambrook in early February (back there by popular demand!) and over the summer we have a group trip to see Mamma Mia! at The Bristol Hippodrome. We’ll also have our summer meal out in June (venue TBC) and will be taking part, as always with our WI cake stand, at

Frampton Cotterell WI's 2020 programme of events will include another of the group's popular craft evenings. the Frampton Festival in July.

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

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

£2.50 for the evening and any new members can also join by paying a membership fee.

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, and to like our page.

Debbie Taylor

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

February, 2020

35

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Village Action: Getting rid of all that plastic A STAGGERING 30 million tons of litter are collected in the UK every year. This costs £1 billion to clear up.

The battle against litter especially plastic waste that doesn’t break down - continues in our lovely village. The main problems with plastic litter are that it looks horrible; it blows around and gets caught in trees and hedges; it stays around for ever - we often find plastic litter that is years old; it is dangerous to wildlife which can get caught in it or mistake small items for food. I once emptied a plastic bottle with two dead shrews in it.

Litter Busters is a group of volunteers who do their best to keep our village looking lovely.

There are about 1,500 such groups in the UK. We meet up every month to spend a couple of hours walking around our streets and lanes, picking up discarded sweet wrappers, drinks bottles, drinks cans, fast food debris, cigarette litter and plastic wrappers.

We have teamed up with Frampton Litter Walks - a recently formed litter picking group who get families and children involved with regular weekend litter picks - to carry out a special plastic litter project. This followed the setting up of Plastic Free Frampton Cotterell.

We separated out all the plastic

Coalpit Heath WI WE started 2020 by welcoming our members and visitors and wishing them all a Happy New Year.

Our speakers this month were two fabulous PCSO’s from the Yate Beat, who came to talk to us about Crime Prevention.

We learnt about how PCSO’s are used within the police force and the differences that distinguish them from their colleagues. We heard about a variety of ways to keep ourselves and our houses safe, including the use of timers, lights, alarms and CCTV. Different distraction techniques were shared with us too, including those used at the front door and at cashpoint machines and in supermarkets.

The talk provoked lots of questions and discussion. We look forward to welcoming a local beat officer in this area shortly. All members were given a pen and some bells to

Litter busters do their best to keep Frampton Cotterell tidy. litter from everything else, and in couple of hours we collected a huge amount of plastic.

We have been getting together for several years and it’s actually more fun than you might think. You

get to meet other villagers, find out what’s going on and we’ve found it’s a pathway into other groups and activities, like Village Walks and Floral Friends of Frampton. It’s good exercise and helps you get to

attach to purses.

During the rest of the meeting we heard that a friendship group WhatsApp has been set up to help members keep in touch between meetings, after it was suggested at a previous meeting. Flowers were given out as thanks for another wonderfully organised carol service: £185.80 was raised and funds were shared between the Stroke Association and St Saviour’s church. The Christmas meals held during the day and in the evening were reported as being well attended and fun occasions.

We also wished our president well as she starts her paramedic training.

Our next meeting is on February 5, when Susan Marshfield will be sharing ‘A memorable day at Windsor Castle’.

If our meetings feel like something that you would like to be a part of then why not come

along? New members are always welcome. We meet on the first Wednesday of every month at 7.45pm in St Saviours Church Hall.

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

know the village as well. We are a friendly and welcoming group.

South Gloucestershire Council kindly keep us supplied with blue litter sacks and have supplied loan equipment including litter grabbers, gloves, and bag holders.

Nisa donated our hi-viz jackets and we’ve had support from the parish council as well. We give out safety advice. We cover different parts of the village on alternate months.

Many of our volunteers do local litter picking between our main sessions. And we are grateful to other residents who do their bit by picking up litter near their homes.

If you are interested in helping - we go out on the last Wednesday of every month from 10am-noon please get in touch via the Village Action website, www.villageaction. org.uk, or email framcottva@ hotmail.co.uk.

If you prefer, just turn up on the day - make sure you wear suitable clothing and boots or sturdy shoes.

We will supply the rest.

Our forthcoming gatherings (meet at 10 am) are February 26 (Gingerbread man cafe), March 25 (Heather Avenue), April 29 (Gingerbread Man cafe) and May 27 (Heather Avenue).

Looking forward to seeing you!

Andrew Edgington Frampton Cotterell Village Action

Find us on Facebook @ WICoalpitHeath Caroline Johnston

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

36

February, 2020

n NEWS

Valentine theme as accordion festival returns A MUSICIAN who revived a festival for the region's accordion players is bringing it back to Coalpit Heath this month.

Last year Andy Coles organised the first National Accordion Organisation South/South West Accordion championships since 1981. The event was a success, with around 40 performers and a further 80 spectators, and a concert following the competitive classes.

This year the event will once again be staged at the Miners Social Club, Coalpit Heath Village Hall, on February 15.

And because it is taking place on the weekend of Valentine's Day, there is a special section with romantic theme.

As well as giving competitors the chance to win a place at the National Accordion Organisation's UK national finals, there will once again be a concert, from 3.30pm, which is free and open to all to attend.

Andy said: "Last year was

Champion accordionist Annalise Bodell (left) will perform a concert at the event in Coalpit Heath and her brother Alexander will adjudicate. a resounding success and we enjoyed an unexpected concert by a UK National Champion of the 70’s, Rajinder Suthar, who is originally from Downend but now living near London. The introduction was thanks to his sister, who still lives there and contacted her brother after reading the Voice.

"We had a great range of competitors, from the young

learners to those returning to the instrument in later life.

"Music ranged from classical, through tango, musette, polka and modern. Alexander Bodell, a World class prize winner, also provided a spell-binding concert.

"This year, Alexander will be adjudicating, and his younger sister Annalise will be providing the concert. She has already performed on the

world stage and won many UK Championships.

"To celebrate Valentine’s weekend, we also have a special Valentine section that is open to soloists up to four players of any instrument. The only requirement is that the choice of music is associated with romance or love – so anything from Albinoni’s Adagio to Get Me The Church On Time is absolutely fine."

Winners in the championships will be chosen on overall appeal and musicality.

Local musicians are welcome and the entry charge is £10 for a soloist or £15 for a group of two or more.

Anyone who would like to take part should contact Andy

by February 8 by email at AccordionSW@virginmedia. com.

More details on the festival can be found at www. accordions.com/nao/

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February, 2020

fromevalleyvoice

37

n SPORT

News from Winterbourne Tennis Club WINTERBOURNE Tennis Club players started the new year with an away doubles match at Rodway Hill.

The Avon LTA Winter League fixture on January 12 was a very close match, played in rather damp conditions after a heavy downpour.

The WTC Men, Stuart Rutter and Nate Simpson, won their doubles in a convincing manner, 3-6, 5-7.

After a gruelling match in difficult conditions, the Ladies team of Danielle Guizzo and Jane Kendrick lost their doubles but battled hard all the way (Score: 6-2, 6-2).

The WTC Team who took on Rodway Hill: Stuart Rutter, The two mixed doubles Danielle Guizzo, Jane Kendrick and Nate Simpson. matches were very close-run affairs, with both going to three

by WTC from a difficult away fixture, and the sets, but in the end Rodway Hill TC prevailed WTC team always showed their competitive and they were the overall league match spirit. winners, 8-2. Nate and Danielle were beaten Winterbourne Tennis Club plays tennis 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, while Stuart and Jane lost all year round and welcomes new members, 6-3,5-7,6-4. beginners, improvers and experienced Still, this was a valuable 2 points gained players.

NEW brown road signs are pointing the way to Winterbourne's sports clubs.

Directing the way to the Winterbourne Recreation Field, up Parkside Avenue, the official sign shows all the sports clubs based there: cricket, football and tennis. There is one on Winterbourne High Street and a second on Parkside Avenue showing the small footpath on to the recreation field.

Many thanks to Winterbourne Parish Council for providing these signs.

All three sports clubs are contributing to the cost, along with the parish council.

Now all Winterbourne residents can start the New Year with a good sporty resolution to play more tennis, with tennis Courts on their doorstep.

All ages are welcome, with children’s coaching on Saturday mornings.

Call Imed on 07459 636436 for more information.

Winterbourne Tennis club Why not Join our friendly local Village Tennis club • Children’s Tennis coaching (4-16) Sat 9-1.30 • Ladies Tennis (All abilities welcome) Wed 10-12 • Cardio Tennis • Adult Social mixed Tennis. Tues & Wed 7-10 • Competitive league Tennis. Thurs 7-9.30

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Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

38

February, 2020

n SPORT

Derby defeat shows up Fram's indifferent form FRAMPTON'S 1st team are suffering from a period of indifferent form at the moment.

The last match before Christmas saw them lose by a point away to Longlevens in Gloucester. In the first match of the new year Frampton did just enough to come from behind to defeat Ross-on-Wye 24-21, in a match played on the Winterbourne Academy pitch.

Ross were much improved since Frampton's comprehensive bonus point away win back in September but two tries in the final quarter of the game from James Knight and Lewis Oakley saw Frampton's pressure tell, as Ross fell away.

This was followed by a very disappointing performance and two point loss, 10-8, away to local rivals St Mary’s Old Boys – a team Frampton had defeated by over 50 points back in September. Frampton took an early lead but were very much out of sorts, and a number of

Lewis Oakley scores a try for Frampton Cotterell RFC against Ross-on-Wye injuries saw them having to play the last 15 minutes with 14 men.

Frampton reached the final of the Gloucestershire RFU Senior Vase, which was due to be played as the Voice went to press against Chosen Hill, who are the runaway leaders in the Gloucestershire Premier League.

The match was due to be played at a neutral venue as neither side has their own floodlights.

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Let’s all hope that the 1st team can rediscover their form and their confidence and play the rugby of which we know they are capable. The results will surely come if they can do this.

The 2nd team look to be on an upward curve. Prior to Christmas, they were struggling with unavailability and weren’t able to field a competitive side.

However, the new year has

brought new life to the team, and they have recorded two excellent victories away to Cleeve 2nds by 45 points to 10, and at home to Avonmouth 2nds by 22 points to 5. It’s worth noting that Avonmouth had inflicted a heavy defeat on Frampton at the end of September. Let’s hope that the 2nds can keep this going.

The 3rd team’s fine season continues and, as I write, they have reinforced their position at the top of the league, having defeated second placed Ashley Down Old Boys 2nd team by 31 points to 15. If they keep up this form, the 3rds are in serious danger of winning promotion!

The 3rd team have also played a couple of friendly matches, defeating Broad Plain 2nds away from home just before Christmas, and then winning away from home against a Kingswood 2nd team. As with the 2nd team, let’s hope that the 3rds can keep this going.

Andrew Westcott

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