Frome Valley Voice February 2021

fromevalleyvoice www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

February, 2021 Issue 88

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

Marathoneffort for hospice Tom remembered

AN appeal to help identify the subject of a 65-year-old photo has brought memories flooding back for Voice readers.

PAGE 14

Rapid testing now available TEN-year-old Toby Fletcher, pictured here with mum Claire, has raised more than ÂŁ3,700 for St Peter's Hospice in memory of his grandmother.

Full story: Page 7

Covid vaccinations begin PEOPLE living in the Frome Valley area have started being vaccinated against COVID-19, as the national programme reaches GP surgeries.

The first local jabs were administered in the week before Christmas at West Walk Surgery in Yate, which was also vaccinating patients of Courtside, Frome Valley, Kennedy Way and Wellington Road surgeries.

The first people to receive jabs locally were aged over 80, with underlying health conditions or care

home staff.

The Healthier Together partnership of ten local health and care organisations, which is organising vaccinations in the area, said that by mid-January, 19 local centres were acting as hubs across the region, along with Southmead Hospital and Ashton Gate stadium, where a "super vaccination centre" has been set up.

Turn to page 3

Rapid tests for COVID-19 are now available to anyone living or working in South Gloucestershire.

PAGE 2

Schools' challenge MORE than a quarter of children are attending lessons at some schools in the Frome Valley area, as staff, pupils and parents face new challenges in the third lockdown.

PAGE 4

Dirty secret

A woman who dumped used nappies in a country lane was caught after leaving her name and address in amongst the rubbish.

PAGE 8

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

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

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

Complaints Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in Frome Valley Voice, contact the publisher using the details below. We aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour.

Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website here, or can be obtained by contacting the Publisher.

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February, 2021

n NEWS

Rapid testing for South Glos residents as covid deaths pass 280 RAPID tests for COVID-19 are now available to anyone living or working in South Gloucestershire.

Critical workers and community volunteers – including nursery workers, funeral directors, staff in essential shops and bus and taxi drivers – are being offered weekly tests, as the programme to find people who have the virus but no symptoms is expanded.

Sara Blackmore It comes as the number of cases of coronavirus in the area stands at more than double a month previously – and the total number of residents who have died with the virus passes 270.

The council says the rapid testing programme is aimed at finding people who have coronavirus but no symptoms, so that they can isolate and prevent the virus spreading.

The test involves taking a sample of saliva to look for signs of COVID-19, returning results within an hour.

The first testing site was set up at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre on January 18 and a second site in Kingswood was expected to be set up in the week beginning January 25.

Rapid tests can be booked online at beta.southglos.gov.uk/bookrapid-flow-test.

They are separate from the tests for people who have coronavirus symptoms or have been advised to take a test, which are booked through the NHS by calling 119 or visiting www.gov.uk/getcoronavirus-test.

South Gloucestershire director of public health, Sara Blackmore, said: “Anyone can spread the virus without having symptoms, which is why this new testing programme is an important new tool for us to identify people who may have the illness without knowing.

"With additional information we can take additional steps to help keep South Gloucestershire safe."

The most recent Office for National Statistics figures as the Voice went to press showed that during the week to January 14, 14 cases had been confirmed in Frampton Cotterell, with 16 in Winterbourne, 47 in in the ONS's Pucklechurch & Westerleigh area, which includes Coalpit Heath, and 27 Charfield, Wickwar and Iron Acton area.

In almost all areas, case rates were more than double the level of a month before but were all below the national average of 506.5 per 100,000 people.

For South Gloucestershire as a whole, the number of confirmed cases in the week to January 14 was 1,144 – down from 1,284 a week previously but more than twice the total of 541 four weeks before.

In total since the start of the pandemic, 11,756 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in South Gloucestershire – around one person in every 24. The national rate is one in 19.

The number of South Gloucestershire residents who have died since the start of the pandemic had reached 276 by January 1 – just over one in 10 of the annual 2,825 deaths from all causes.

A further five deaths were recorded in the first week of 2021, taking the overall total to 281.

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February, 2021

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n NEWS

Covid vaccination drive is underway From page 1 West Walk Surgery was one of the second wave of vaccination sites announced by the NHS and is part of the Yate and Frampton Primary Care Network (PCN) of five GP surgeries, sharing a batch of 3,000 doses with two other PCNs. Yate and Frampton PCN clinical director Dr Sam Davies said: “We were delighted to run our first covid vaccination clinics for those who were either over the age of 80, or healthcare or care home staff.

"We really hope this marks the turning point in our fight against Covid-19 and look forward to vaccinating as many patients as possible over the coming months.”

But, as the government announces plans to extend the vaccination programme to people aged over 70 over the next few weeks, people are again

being urged not to call or visit their surgery to ask when they will be given the vaccine but instead to wait until they are called in to have their jab.

The Healthier Together partnership said: "Staff are working tirelessly to ensure the necessary measures are in place for those most at risk to get their vaccine first.

"We ask for your patience and understanding; we are doing everything we can to stick to our timelines however we may need to cancel or amend appointments depending on delivery of the vaccine.

"Please be assured that no one will be left behind – this is the start of the vaccination programme and there will be enough for everyone."

A spokesperson for the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, which is part of the partnership, said each

Emergency fund bolsters lockdown support AN emergency fund of up to £10,000 has been allocated by Frampton Cotterell Parish Council to help community groups and voluntary sector organisations who are supporting vulnerable residents through the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Groups are able to apply for a maximum of £500, although if more is needed it can be discussed directly with the parish council clerk.

Applications should say how many residents will benefit and how well the grant will meet the needs of the community in mitigating the impact of COVID-19, with each one considered on its individual merits.

Grants cannot be given to individuals or used to pay for wages and administration costs.

Manor Primary School has set up a doorstep foodbank which is full of donations from local people to help others.

The concept behind it is “donate what you can, take what you need.”

It is outside the school gates every day, and under the front porch in wet weather, for anyone to use.

The Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath Covid-19 support group is still active, and volunteers are able to help with shopping, prescriptions, and essentials. The group is on Facebook or contactable via email at COVID19FramptonAndCoalpit@gmail. com or by calling 0774 260 4988.

In Iron Acton, Acton Aid is ready to help people who are poorly, shielding, self isolating, or just needing a friendly phone call with shopping, collecting prescriptions and transport to vaccination centres. Their helpline is open 24/7 on 01454 300190.

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PCN was planning vaccination days according to planned deliveries, with some organising them on consecutive days and some aiming to use an entire delivery of vaccines in a day.

The first vaccines administered in the region used the Pfizer/BioNTech jab, with the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab also offered from early January.

But the government's decision to delay second doses of the vaccination from three weeks to 12, to ensure more people could quickly receive a first shot, meant that some patients had second appointments cancelled.

The decision to delay is controversial because, while evidence has been found that a longer gap can increase the effectiveness of the Oxford/ AstraZeneca jab, Pfizer says its vaccine has only been tested with a 21-day gap.

Each PCN was being given discretion to either honour

existing bookings for second doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab or rearrange them for 12 weeks after the first.

Concerns have also been raised by Frampton Cotterell councillor Claire Young over the distances some people are being asked to travel, with some older people being invited to Ashton Gate and others who are patients of Yate's Abbotswood surgery being asked to travel to Downend.

The partnership spokesperson said people who had been invited to have a jab at the Ashton Gate stadium centre but felt it was not convenient to travel there could wait to be invited to their local GP site.

He added that community transport was available to take people to and from their appointment "at a minimal cost", adding: "This can be arranged through individual GP practices."

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February, 2021

n NEWS

More children in schools for lockdown 3 MORE than a quarter of children are attending lessons at some schools in the Frome Valley area, as staff, pupils and parents face new challenges in the third lockdown.

It comes as the amount of home learning organised online for other pupils is stepped up, with more live lessons via video links and increased contact and interaction.

Schools are also organising laptops, through both government schemes and donations, to give to families who do not have the necessary technology.

All the schools that spoke to the Voice reported increases in the numbers of pupils coming in compared with the first lockdown, as the rules allow more key worker families to send children to school and class more as 'vulnerable'.

At Iron Acton Primary School there are about 30 children in

school on certain days – around 30% of the roll and double the number from the first lockdown.

Frampton Cotterell Primary School also has almost 30% of pupils attending. Head teacher Peter Barnard initially had so many requests – 97 in total – that he had to write to parents and ask some to reconsider home schooling, after which the number dropped to 84.

At Manor Primary more than a quarter of pupils are in school – five times the level of the first lockdown.

Head teacher Amanda Flanagan said: “Our fabulous teaching assistants have really risen to the challenges of the current situation and have changed their working patterns to ensure we have enough adult supervision in school each day.”

Schools using a variety of internet platforms and learning methods.

Mr Barnard said: “Fortunately

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we had planned for a scenario like this and therefore we had already produced two weeks of learning for each year group.

This has then enabled us to get daily videos recorded for pupils as well as organise Microsoft Teams calls for classes, so they can see their friends on a regular basis.”

At Elm Park Primary, head teacher Carol Bond said staff felt a "mixture of emotions" when regular classes were cancelled with hours to go, but has had remote learning ready since September, using the platforms Seesaw and Tapestry, with a "successful test run" when a bubble closed before Christmas.

Manor Primary staff are pre-recording lessons and using Microsoft Teams for pupil interactions with teachers.

But there is still a significant shortage of equipment for those learning remotely.

Winterbourne Academy head Jason Beardmore has been distributing laptops for months but says "demand has accelerated", with another 50 now on their way to pupils.

Elm Park has had equipment donated from residents and £1,500 from Fromeside Churches.

Despite concern nationally over the quality of food parcels for children on free school meals, the schools told the Voice they had had no complaints about theirs. They are however now joining the national voucher scheme, to give families more dietary choice and avoid having to travel to pick up parcels.

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Framton Cotterell Primary School head teacher Peter Barnard had planned ahead for home learning The next challenge for secondary schools is COVID-19 testing for teachers and pupils.

At Winterbourne Academy, testing is already underway after Mr Beardmore and his senior team dedicated much of the Christmas holiday to finding and training volunteers and extra staff.

He said: “We were the only school I am aware of which was able to start testing immediately on day one. This is testament to the commitment and professionalism of our staff.”

Staff and pupils who are regularly in school are now tested, including Jason himself.

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February, 2021

fromevalleyvoice 28

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Inspectors say care home is safe HEALTH and care inspectors say a Winterbourne nursing home affected by a COVID-19 outbreak is following safe infection prevention and control procedures.

The Voice reported last month that two residents at Blossom Fields, in the High Street, had died after an outbreak that staff had worked "tremendously hard" to bring under control.

The director of Grove Care, which runs Blossom Fields, said at the time that the team shared the sadness of families and said it was "impossible to overstate just how careful everyone has been".

Watchdog the Care Quality Commission sent inspectors to visit the home in December, after the outbreak, to ensure that infection prevention and control practice was safe.

The targeted inspection was part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus.

In mid-January the CQC published its report, which concluded that inspectors left Blossom Fields assured that staff were "following safe infection prevention and control procedures to keep people safe".

The inspectors examined eight areas including shielding and social distancing, use of PPE, testing, hygiene and infection management.

They praised its policies, procedures, monitoring and "good practice", adding: "People’s well-being, both emotionally and physically, was paramount during the covid outbreak.

"Staff understood the anxieties the outbreak would cause to both the people they cared for and their loved ones. The atmosphere was respectful, peaceful and compassionate, tinged with great sadness."

Blossom Fields has an outstanding rating from the CQC from its last full report in 2019 and retains the rating following the targeted inspection.

Grove Care director Christopher Taylor said: “The recent inspection was an interim measure carried out as part of their response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, with all homes which had outbreaks being inspected to ensure that policies and procedures were being followed.

“The review concluded we had done everything correctly and within our powers to prevent the recent outbreak.

“Specifically, the inspector’s report confirms that procedures are in place at Blossom Fields to prevent visitors from catching and spreading infections, that we meet shielding and social distancing rules, that we admit people safely to the service, are using PPE effectively and safely and are accessing testing for people using the service and staff.

“It also confirms we are promoting safety through the layout and hygiene practices of the premises, are making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed, and that our infection prevention and control policy is up to date.

“I applaud the amazing dedication of our whole staff team, who continue to provide the best of care for our lovely residents during this challenging time.”

Blossom Fields provides specialist nursing, end of life and dementia nursing care to elderly people.

At the time of the inspection there were 35 residents, out of a capacity of 43.

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fromevalleyvoice

6

n NEWS GEORGINA Moore's work in accessible sport has brought her national recognition and seen her meet some massive stars.

But the coronavirus pandemic has meant Georgina, who has a severe physical disability, has had to shield at home for most of the past year.

The GEM Boccia club she set up at Yate Leisure Centre – winning her a BBC Sports Personality Unsung Hero award in 2019 – has had to suspend its sessions, and other activities she enjoyed have also been cancelled.

Through it all she has had one constant companion to help her through – her assistance dog, Tally.

Georgina says that Tally, a seven-year-old black Labrador, "makes all the difference" to what can be a frustrating and isolating life.

After growing up in Frampton Cotterell, where she is a member of the WI, Georgina moved to Chipping Sodbury four years ago when she had secured funding to enable her to live independently with the help of carers.

She’s in a support bubble with her parents, but Tally is her companion. After spending over

February, 2021

Four-legged friend helps Georgina through pandemic

Georgina Moore with her assistance dog, Tally. five years together, it’s Tally who has kept her motivated to go out for a daily dog walk during the months of the coronavirus pandemic, and who sits with her when she’s crafting.

Tally came from the charity Dogs for Good and is the second dog Georgina has had from them. As puppies, assistance dogs spend a year with a family being socialised and having basic training, before returning to the charity for more intense, task-

based training.

The dog meets its potential owner to ensure they have compatible personalities, then, if it’s a good match, training is adapted to the owners’ specific needs.

Georgina said: “Tally is a lively young dog but they knew I would get on well with her, because my life is quite active and busy. If you were someone that had a lot of down time then they would match you with a

more docile dog.

“Tally picks things up when I drop them and placed them on my lap. She gets the post and brings it to me (sometimes gets a little excited and it gets half eaten!). She opens and closes doors. She pulls off my socks and clothing. She can bark on command to get attention. She can also press buttons such as those on lifts.”

Dogs for Good is so inundated with requests that it isn’t currently taking any new applications for assistance dogs for adults with physical disabilities. It receives no government funding and to train a dog costs tens of thousands of pounds. However, it prioritises existing clients because an assistance dog has become part of their lives.

You can sponsor a puppy or donate to Dogs for Good at www.dogsforgood.org

Council investigates developer's gravel road ELDERLY residents at a new housing development cannot put their bins out on collection day because they cannot drag them through the road's gravel surface, it has been claimed.

A councillor has taken up the fight on behalf of the occupants of the small development in Rangeworthy after they complained.

Redmay Grove contains five detached bungalows and lies at the end of a private road off Wotton Road, not far from Rangeworthy village hall.

South Gloucestershire Council granted planning permission for the new homes in 2017, but developer Rangeworthy Management Ltd was required to fulfil a number of conditions.

It had to get its plans for surface water drainage to prevent flooding signed off by the authority before starting to build the bungalows, planning documents show.

And it had to make sure the first 13 metres of the private road were made of a “permeable bound surface” before the first occupants moved in.

But residents say the entire road is still topped with gravel and is almost unusable by wheelchair users, mothers with pushchairs and elderly people with walking aids or trying

“It’s been brought to my attention that these can cause a number of problems,” she told cabinet members in December.

“And at one such development in Rangeworthy, shortly after the residents moved in, the developer felt the need to change the type of aggregate used because cars and delivery lorries were getting stuck.

“But even with the new aggregate it makes it difficult, verging on impossible, for wheelchairs, pushchairs, bicycles or elderly The access to the development at Rangeworthy residents using walking aids to move over it.

“Some of the residents are over 70 and they simply cannot drag their bins through the gravel for 120 metres to get to a collection to move their bins, says councillor Claire point on bin day.

Young, whose Frampton Cotterell ward “So this surface, while it’s absolutely includes the village. permeable, is clearly not suitable as a surface The council is investigating a possible for a development like this.” breach of planning conditions, a spokesman The council said it was investigating said. a possible breach of planning conditions Cllr Young said developers sometimes related to the surfacing. use gravel as a “cheap” way to meet drainage A spokesperson said: “We are currently requirements on private roads in new investigating the matter in the normal way developments. and our planning enforcement team will be The Liberal Democrat told members considering if there is any action which needs of the council’s ruling Conservative to be taken forward with the developer.” administration that aggregate top surfaces, while suitable for drainage purposes, were

By Amanda Cameron, Local Democracy not necessarily suitable from a user's point Reporting Service of view.

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February, 2021

7

n NEWS

Toby's marathon in memory of Nanny June AFTER Toby Fletcher's grandmother died of cancer, he was determined to raise some money to help the hospice where she spent her final days.

The young Frampton Cotterell rugby player set a target of £150 and decided to run a marathon distance - just over 26 miles - in 12 days during the run-up to Christmas.

But as word spread about his challenge, money started to pour in - and he raised £3,745 for St Peter’s Hospice.

Toby plays for Frampton Cotterell Rugby Club, and his grandmother, known as Nanny June or Nanny Ju to her grandchildren, shared his love of rugby.

She would join the family on Fram junior rugby tours, as well as taking him to games and buying him Bristol Bears kit.

June died in February last year in St Peter’s Hospice in Bristol, the only hospice which gives end of life care to local adults.

Care is free, but costs the hospice £20,000 a day, which is provided by public fundraising, income from its charity shops and legacies.

It has no government funding and in 2020 the hospice lost more than £2 million as the coronavirus pandemic hit shops and fundraising activities, directly impacting the

charity's ability to care for those who need it.

Toby ran through some of the worst the British weather could throw at him, doing much of the distance near home but running his last mile around the pitch at the Bears' home stadium, Ashton Gate, where he received messages from head coach Pat Lam and player Joe Joyce.

Pat said: "A massive shout out to Toby Fletcher from all of us at the Bears who is running a Marathon for the Hospice. Well done mate, go well and one step at a time."

Joe said: "I think what you’re doing is pretty amazing especially for a kid your age. It's extra special doing your last mile at Ashton Gate.”

Toby’s parents, Claire and Giles, said: "We are super proud of what Toby has done. He would get up early before school to get some miles in and wouldn't be put off by the rain or cold. He was regularly recognised when he was out running and was motivated by the car horns and shout outs."

Toby said: "I wanted to raise money for the hospice as they looked after my Nanny so well, I think she would be really proud of me" You can still support Toby by donating via his fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/claire-fletcher20

Toby Fletcher out running to raise money for St Peter's Hospice with mum Claire, dad Giles and Auntie Laura

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n NEWS Appeal over sex assault

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February, 2021

Woman dumped used nappies in country lane

A WOMAN who dumped used nappies and other household waste in a lane near Winterbourne has POLICE are calling on the public been ordered to pay more than £200 in fines and to help an investigation into a costs. serious sexual assault.

Bin bags containing the waste were found in a A woman in her 40s reported gateway on Trench Lane in March last year. being assaulted in a white van on The rubbish included paperwork which a road or lay-by between Yate and identified Aniela Popescu and her home address in the M5, sometime late on Boxing Kimberley Road, Fishponds.

Day morning, but was unsure of South Gloucestershire Council’s environmental the exact location of the attack. enforcement team visited the 31-year-old woman Investigating officer Detective and she was interviewed under caution, admitting Constable Maureen Kent said that she had "an excess of household waste" and it was most likely to have been had dumped it on her way to work. in the area between Engine The council said Popescu told officers she Common, Rangeworthy, had left the rubbish in a gateway "where she had Cromhall, Leyhill and Tortworth. regularly seen waste left after a local car boot sale She said: “Have you found had taken place". any women’s clothing discarded She pleaded guilty to the illegal disposal of in these areas since Boxing Day? waste and was fined £80, along with £100 in costs Did you see a white van parked in and a victim surcharge of £34 – a total of £214 – a road or lay-by around the time when she appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court on of the incident?"

January 11.

Anyone with information After the case, council cabinet member for should call 101 and quote crime communities Rachael Hunt said: “There really is no reference number 5220 288 541. excuse for this type of behaviour.

A 59-year-old man has been "Fly-tipping is a blight on our countryside, has arrested and released on bail a negative impact on our communities and local while further enquiries take WB Generic AW.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2020 21:57 Page 2 all have a responsibility to environment, and we place.

The rubbish dumped in Winterbourne make sure that our waste is disposed of in the appropriate manner."

Cllr Hunt said the authority had a "zerotolerance approach" to fly-tipping and its environmental enforcement team had a 100 per cent record of successfully prosecuting people identified as having dumped waste.

Last month the Voice reported that barriers were set to be put up at the entrance to Hovers Lane in Frampton Cotterell, after multiple incidents of rubbish being dumped on the bridle path.

Anyone who spots illegal fly-tipping is being urged to report it online at www.southglos.gov.uk/ flytipping, email streetcare@southglos.gov.uk or call 01454 868000.

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February, 2021

9

n NEWS

Dance school's work through lockdown recognised A DANCE school which has adapted to the lockdown with online classes and workshops has won an industry award.

ROKH Dance, which has branches in Iron Acton, Frampton Cotterell, Wottonunder-Edge and Charfield, was named Dance Company of the Year award in the Corporate Livewire South West England Prestige Awards 2020/21.

The awards aim to recognize small and medium sized businesses which have shown they are the best in their market over.

The judges said they were "impressed with the team’s personal touch, consistency of reviews and community feel".

Kathryn Hurley originally started the company as the Kathryn Hurley Dance Academy, before joining forces with the Ruth Osborne School of Dancing to form ROKH Dance.

Together they are celebrating their combined 50th anniversary

Dancers from ROKH performing just before the first coronavirus lockdown this year, and run 50 classes a week covering a range of dance styles and drama to people of all abilities from children aged two and a half to adults.

Kathryn said: “The feedback from the judges was really lovely, positive and encouraging. The passion for what we do really came across.

"It was a real boost after a tricky year and I dedicate the award to our amazing team of teachers, children and

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families that have supported us throughout this difficult time and continue to do so and keep going.”

Over the past year Kathryn has had to find ways to continue classes through the pandemic.

During lockdowns she has moved from initially using online lessons, activities and workshops to teaching a full timetable of classes via live video.

Kathryn said: “Teaching online has been a massive

learning curve for us all – teachers, students and families alike.

"Our youngsters are the forgotten heroes in the pandemic. The impact lockdown has had on our young students is huge. Their mental and physical health has been massively affected.

“We are hoping that trying to maintain a 'normal' timetable of classes, with additional workshops and 'social' Zoom meetings, provides support and some continuity to our students and their families.”

Students are still working towards exams, something which Kathryn feels is valuable now that academic exams have been cancelled. They are also hoping that an invitation to perform at Disneyland Paris, which was secured through a competitive auditioning process, will go ahead after being postponed from last summer.

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2021

n NEWS

Man injured in attack A MAN needed hospital treatment after being punched in the face at a Frampton Cotterell industrial estate.

The victim, who is in his 50s, suffered a fractured cheekbone and was taken to Southmead Hospital for treatment after being hit three times at Mayshill Industrial Estate, off Badminton Road.

Police are asking witnesses to the assault, which happened at about 2.15pm on December 18, to contact them.

They say the offender was white, of large build and had short black hair.

He was wearing a black hooded top at the time of the incident.

A police spokesperson said: "A 35-year-old man has attended a voluntary police interview to assist us with our enquiries."

The force has asked anyone who was in the area at the time to call them on 101 and quote the crime reference number 5220 283 443.

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Man found in 'hate crime' appeal POLICE believe they have identified a man they wanted to trace as part of an investigation into an incident at a Coalpit Heath supermarket where a shop worker was subjected to abuse.

Officers launched a hate crime investigation after the incident at the Sainsbury's Local in Badminton Road on October 20 last year, in which a member of staff who approached a man who was in the shop after several expensive joints of meat went missing was threatened and called derogatory homophobic names.

An appeal was published in last month's Voice and police said that since then, a man had been identified and was due to be interviewed in connection with the incident.

A police spokesperson said: "Officers would like to thank everyone who got in touch with information or shared the appeal."

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2021

n NEWS

Tom's photo brings back many memories A STRIKING photograph of one of the Frome Valley's old characters has brought back memories among Voice readers.

We published the picture last month along with a request from John Winstone, the son of the photographer who took it, for more information about its subject.

Both John and the Voice heard from people sharing warm memories of Tom Walker, who was well known in the area in the 1950’s.

Readers remembered Tom from their childhood or teenage years, when he was often seen in fields in the area, or pushing his bike on the roads. Most believe that he used to sleep rough, although one reader remembered him staying in a tumbledown cottage in Watley's End. Richard Pullin said: “Tom was a really nice old guy and was commonly seen in the Hambrook and Frenchay area.

"As soon as I saw the picture I instantly knew it was him.

"The picture was exactly as I remember him.

"I used to think he slept in hedges. He had the nickname of Lavender – I can’t remember why.”

Steve Luton, who remembers meeting

The photo of Tom Walker taken by Reece Winstone in 1956 Tom as a five-year-old boy, said: “My mother used to take us down to Hilly Fields, between Frampton and Winterbourne, and he was there quite often. Whenever he saw us he

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

gave us a flower. He had them in the spokes of his bike.”

Chris Lamhaouli said: “We used to ask him what could help us if we had something wrong, like earache.

"He used to go into fields where the cows were lying down, then he’d get the cow up, as the heat from the cow had drawn moisture from the ground, and he would sleep there.”

Chris Lowe remembered Tom working as a postman, with in-laws and a mother living in Court Road, Winterbourne.

Chris’s older brother, Gordon, said: “He had a bicycle with wool around the spokes.

We would ask him to give us a text and he had a small square tin with a text of the day inside and he pulled it out and read it."

John Winstone's father Reece was a renowned Bristol photographer.

The picture of Tom is from his 1956 survey of the Frome Valley, which John is digitising along with photographs from an original survey made in 1906 by the photographer WF Kunder.

John thanked the more than 20 readers who shared their recollections, adding: "Tom was much respected, a survivor of World War One who received widespread support through the local community.”

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

February, 2021

15

n NEWS

Frome in flood after winter rain THESE pictures capture the river Frome in flood in Frampton Cotterell after heavy rain in late December.

Voice reader Gordon Gill captured a view of the flooded field by the bridge near the Globe pub and St Peter's Church, in Church Road.

Publisher Richard Drew found the bench near the Church Road bridge surrounded by the flood, and the Frome Valley Walkway disappearing on Glebe Land.

With more storms and heavy rain expected, they are views that could return soon.

Surrounded bench by Richard Drew

Field by the Church Road Bridge, by Gordon Gill.

Flooded footpath on Glebe Land by Richard Drew

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fromevalleyvoice

16

February, 2021

n LOCAL MP

Thornbury Health Centre plan moves forward

A

S local NHS services lead our fight and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, behind the scenes hard work has continued to put together a strong bid for £13.3 million funding from the Government to redevelop Thornbury Health Centre.

The proposal, submitted to the Department of Health in December, would see a redeveloped Thornbury Hospital site, providing greater primary care and outpatient services, enhanced mental health support, facility housing for the three local Thornbury GP practices, social care and NHS beds and a proactive ‘frailty hub’, which would focus on the elderly community receiving care in their own homes.

This would mean that

residents in Thornbury, Yate and the surrounding towns and villages can access the care they need, closer to home and without having to travel outside the area, and helping to relieve pressure on Southmead Hospital.

Our community has been waiting for this to be a reality for far too long.

Therefore, I am pleased to inform Voice readers that I have brought the Health Minister to South Gloucestershire (virtually) and chaired a meeting of all the senior health directors and key decision makers to finally move the redevelopment of Thornbury Health Centre forward.

The meeting was successful, and was a great opportunity to bring the relevant bodies together to discuss the £13.3m bid and timeline for our Health

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This follows my discussions with Matt Hancock last December and his subsequent pledge for national support to help us deliver it.

If this bid is successful then we will progress to Stage 2, the master planning and outline business case, followed by Stage 3, the full business case completion. This will then mean that we are on track to deliver the health centre in 2024.

If this bid is successful, there will be a clear timeline for Thornbury Health Centre becoming a reality.

I can assure readers that, as we enter 2021, improving our local health services even further with this vital Thornbury Health Centre is a top priority for our community and remains a

Luke Hall MP writes for Frome Valley Voice

steadfast part of our positive plan for South Gloucestershire.

As ever, I will keep you all updated on the progress of this bid and our positive plan for South Gloucestershire.

In the meantime, if you have anything else that you are concerned about then please do not hesitate to get in touch, at luke.hall.mp@parliament.

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2021

17

n MOTORING

A guide to pre-owned cars with Richard Cooke

Second-hand Style Bertone Beauty

I

SHOULD probably be on a diet.

I definitely should do more exercise.

I blame this perennial problem on the creeping onset of middle age, or a slowing metabolism. Both are lame excuses.

Car manufacturers also wheel out reasons why their products are getting bigger and chubbier.

This includes enhanced safety systems, stiffer bodyshells, four wheel drive transmissions and automatic gearboxes. Extra weight is inefficient though – I know this each time I try to stagger up a hill on my irregular runs.

Alfa Romeo learnt the lesson when they teamed up with GM to build the fat, sluggish 159.

The chassis suffered from some unsightly love handles that the gorgeous bodywork struggled to contain. That sleek body was also writing all sorts of cheques the asthmatic engines couldn’t ever hope to cash. The result, back in 2005, was a car far too slow, thirsty and underpowered.

Today things are better thanks to turbocharging, but the trend for SUVs means more power and fuel consumption, rather than less weight. Alfa is as stuck in the Crossover SUV rut as everyone else.

Worse still, they don’t even have a competitor for the German coupes from BMW (4 series) Audi (A5) and Mercedes. What if you, the savvy used car buyer, could get hold of a lightweight, practical Alfa coupe, and all for very little cash? Enter the stunning Alfa GT.

The GT was based on the flyweight 147 and 156 when it came out in 2003. It weighed around 1,300kg whilst still offering seating for four and a large boot.

My test car is the 2.0 ‘JTS’ petrol, good for 165hp and about 135mph. 0-60 is in the mid 8 seconds, but it feels faster somehow. I think this is because the engine just wants to rev the whole time, aided by a slick (but long-throw) 5 speed manual gearbox.

JTS is Alfa-hokum for Direct Injection. In 2003 this was big news, as by directly injecting petrol into the cylinders manufacturers hoped to achieve lower emissions and fuel consumption and higher power. Today direct injection is everywhere, and does produce real fuel and emission benefits.

Typically Alfa only succeeded in producing more power (the JTS engine is up 15hp on the previous Twin Spark).

No matter – the engine is a peach. The Bertone-designed body looks fabulous. Even better, prices start low: a pristine 2.0 won’t cost more than £5k. The 3.2 V6 is already up at £10k, and has ‘classic’ written all over it.

That’s the good news. The bad is that GTs are at least 11 years old now, and all will be knee deep in a perpetual cycle of repair.

An industry friend summarised the issue neatly to me years ago: A 50k mile Alfa should be approached with the caution you would have for another car with

double that mileage. Maybe it’s a good lockdown purchase then?

You can look at it without having to add any miles!

The GT buyer’s checklist includes: 1) Cambelt change intervals (every 36k miles). £500, and do the fragile water pump at the same time. 2) Oil burn – normal but assume 1 litre per 1k miles, check and top up with the good (and therefore expensive) stuff. 3) Suspension. Made from finest Italian chocolate, it will need constant attention. 4) Clutch health. A replacement requires the gearbox to come out, costing at least £1k. 5) The JTS eats ignition coil packs for fun; easy to replace but not cheap at £100. Not funny either, when they only last 30k miles.

Buying a GT is an exercise in

due diligence. Look for a car with a history file that needs its own chapter headings and index. The seller must convince you they’ve not just maintained the car, but loved it. Otherwise you could be stumbling into someone else’s money-pit. Get a good one, though, and you won’t want to let it go. Today Alfa don’t offer anything with such a perfect, low-set driving position, naturally aspirated rev-hungry engine and lightweight chassis. You can have it all for less than the cost of a leasehire deposit.

What to pay: Alfa GT 2.0 JTS 2003 – 2010; £3k - £5k

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n AVON & SOMERSET POLICE ON KNIFE CRIME

Knife crime: A new way forward

I THINK it’s fair to say that the past year has been full of ups and downs and has left many of us wondering where our ‘normal’ life went. 2020 challenged all of us in so many ways and this was especially true for us in the police, as we adapted quickly to new legislation to help manage the Coronavirus pandemic, and had to juggle this alongside our normal day to day duties to keep our communities safe.

Whist the pandemic did mean some types of crime such as burglary and road traffic incidents reduced temporarily, other crime types, particularly those which affect the most vulnerable members of our community such as domestic abuse, did unfortunately increase.

Despite the added pressure the pandemic has brought to our service, we haven’t taken our foot off the pedal when it comes to keeping our young people safe. Last year, we ran a successful project with a number of schools in Avon and Somerset which led to the creation of short, animated films exploring issues around knife crime.

The films, produced by secondary school aged children in partnership with students at UWE Bristol, are all original and thought provoking, and explore a range of themes such as the role of social media, bullying, speaking out if you suspect someone is carrying a knife,

By Sergeant

Craig Doyle

and the cyclical, retaliatory nature of knife crime. The films can all be viewed at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/ knifecrime and are a great starting point for conversations with young people about serious violence.

Some of the young people involved in the above films also made a documentary, in partnership with a local film maker, which explores how agencies must work together and listen to young people if we are to break the cycle of violence and calls for sustained, long term investment in youth services.

The film, called Knife crime: A new way forward, can also be viewed via the link above.

No matter where they lived and went to school, the young people involved in this project told us time and time again that their main concerns were the lack of safe spaces for them to go to and their need for trusted adults to speak to.

It’s no secret that engaging young people in activities that interest them is a successful way to divert them away from crime and anti-social behaviour and

we’re thrilled that our successful Crime Prevention Through Sport initiative has received the funds needed to continue throughout 2021. We have partnered with Somerset Active Sports Partnership (SASP) and West of England Sports (Wesport) who will help us to manage and administer the fund, meaning we benefit from their expertise and can join up with partners to ensure the smooth delivery of sporting activities for young people which will help to divert them away from unfavourable behaviours and into more positive and beneficial activities.

In Winterbourne and Frampton, the neighbourhood police team never stop looking for opportunities to engage with the community, particularly young people. The pandemic has obviously made this more challenging as schools and other spaces where young people go to have been closed.

However, I want to reassure you that we are still here and very much want to work with you to address any concerns you might have, so please do get in touch with us via the Avon and Somerset Police website if you have anything you want to raise.

As we move into 2021, we remain committed to working with our local communities to find opportunities to support everyone, including young people, and to help to keep them safe.

fromevalleyvoice

February, 2021

19

n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

It may be dark now but we can have hope

N

EW Year has been and gone, so Happy February? Well, watching the figures, I doubt that!

So I say to you simply, good day...I hope and pray wherever you are, locked down or working, in your bubble or alone, you can make the best of today, even against a very troubling backdrop.

Dashed hopes seem to have been a function of this pandemic. I don't know about you, but it seems I've spent the last six months hoping and expecting that we might finally be through this covid thing, only to discover another twist - and things seem to get worse.

As an illustration, my daughter is one of many fantastic doctors who have served throughout this pandemic. She got her jab, hallelujah... and then, possibly the same day, she caught the virus!

Elation so quickly turned to despair and worry. Mind, she is

young and all is well. Sadly, as we all know not everyone has been so fortunate. I have tried to remind myself to weep with those who weep, to remember so many have had their hopes dashed. Not of course just those losing loved ones, or who face lingering illness and long covid. There are the many weddings that have been disrupted, funerals where only a handful could attend, children and young people who've missed schooling or university, and many whose careers have suddenly been disrupted...the list could go on.

And yet I want to write to you about hope. That isn't easy, because, as I write, hospitals are overwhelmed, nurses and staff are exhausted and the numbers are grim.

But I would like to quote a superb sermon from one of Bristol's astounding female church leaders I heard on a Zoom prayer meeting.

She quoted both Desmond Tutu

- "hope is being able to see light, despite the darkness" - and the present South African archbishop, who said: "Expectation is the womb of Manifestation."

And that, in short, is my message here. It may be dark. For you personally it maybe very dark.

But just as during the night we all know dawn is coming, so we can have some hope. I suspect we may have actually passed the peak of cases, be that scant comfort for hospitals or loved ones, as three weeks of lag is a long time.

As a community, a country and indeed as a world, we must now learn to value and cherish one another. We need, as we often hear, to build back better. We can't have a 'values'-free dash to try and restore our economy, where the marginalised, the weak and the vulnerable are sacrificed again on the altar of expediency.

Surely Covid has taught us that we all need one another, and that

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

each one's well-being actually contributes to my own.

In short, for me to have lasting hope, we need to realise that we're all in this together.

If we honestly embrace that, then morning really may be on the way!

John Harris

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

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

20

February, 2021

n NEWS FROM STROUD AUCTION ROOMS

Auctionsonhold-but we'restill hardat work

L

IKE many businesses, Stroud Auctions had high hopes for the New Year, with a two-day auction scheduled for the first week of January. However, the new start we all hoped for has had to be postponed again, due to the government instruction for all auction salerooms to close to the public until further notice.

We take the safety of our customers and staff very seriously, and we decided that the only sensible option was to hold the auction at a later date. We are aware that some auctions have decided to go ahead with the ‘online only’ option, but our professional opinion is that this does not benefit either buyer or seller. We do not think it is fair to proceed with a sale where goods cannot be viewed before the auction or easily collected afterwards, and we especially do not wish to encourage any non-essential travel at such a critical time.

However, we can still offer home visits for all types of valuation, including those for probate purposes – the auctioneer is very careful to adhere to all the social distancing and safety guidelines and comes equipped with mask/ visor, gloves etc.

Don’t forget that Stroud Auctions can also help with house clearances and offer

A Beretta SO3 EL 12 bore over and under shotgun

professional advice on all aspects of the auction process, so please do not hesitate to contact us.

Our offices are staffed during the usual opening hours and we are answering all emails.

We are also continuing to offer free valuations by email, just send images of your item to valuations@stroudauctions.co.uk and our specialists will come back to you promptly.

We have a small staff working behind the scenes preparing future auctions, the catalogues for these will be online as soon as they are finalised. The catalogue for the next sale can be viewed via our website, where updates will be posted as things evolve over the coming weeks.

The next auction will comprise a very large single owner collection of vinyl records, also musical instruments, medals & militaria, guns and weapons, taxidermy and sporting items.

Guns and weapons specialist Stuart Maule particularly likes Lot 1957, a Beretta SO3 EL 12 bore over and under shotgun, and Lots 1680 and 1681 which are two extremely rare Tell Model 3 air pistols, unusually in 6mm and 6 1/3.

The sale following this will be paintings and pictures, books, ephemera, stamps, toys, ceramics and glass, cameras and binoculars, scientific instruments and weights and scales.

We will then hope to return to our published schedule!

Stroud Auctions would like to extend their best wishes to everyone: stay safe and we hope to see you as soon as it is safely possible.

STROUD AUCTION ROOMS Contact our specialist valuers for a free home visit or email valuations@stroudauctions.co.uk

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

February, 2021

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Barn activities go online WINTERBOURNE Medieval Barn has been shut since November because of covid and the lockdown makes it very difficult to plan community activities.

However the trust has learnt how to run some activities online, and this will be the plan until at least late February.

All events will be bookable online and numbers will be limited. Some dates are now fixed, and more will be added as soon as possible - check the barn website www.winterbournebarn.org.uk and social media to stay up to date.

After most of the Barn site was closed for a year from March 2019 while major restoration and refurbishment work was carried out, the plan to reopen to the public in spring 2020 was thwarted by COVID-19, and subsequent restrictions mean only a limited number of people have been able to see the transformation so far.

But in an online video, the architects and builders behind the restoration will show what they have done to bring the whole of this heritage site into use, with modern standards, while preserving its important historical features.

The video will be available on the barn website to watch from 7pm on January 26.

February events start with a medieval dinner party

at home - a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to try some living history, which you can join in on the website or Facebook. The trust will add a new video each morning, showing you how to create different elements for your very own medieval family dinner party.

A full list of all the materials and ingredients you'll need was due to be online from January 25, to give you time to find things from around the house, or buy ingredients.

The videos will show: medieval fancy dress (February 1); making music, medieval style (Feb 2); decorating the table (Feb 3); baking medieval bread (Feb 4); cooking up the pottage (Feb 5).

If restrictions allow, an apple grafting workshop will be held at the barn on February 27, from 10am4pm, where you can learn how and why fruit trees are grafted, and make at least three newly-grafted apple trees to take home with you. Please book by early February. If covid restrictions still prevent small groups meeting, the workshop will be moved on a week or two.

We hope a live audience will be allowed for the talk on 180 Years of Gloucestershire Constabulary, on March 30 at 7pm.

Louise Harrison

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Window fun

THE Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath Window Fun event will brighten up the dark nights in February.

The deadline for entering a design in this year's free community decorated window event is January 31.

Window designs will then be on display from February 14 to 23, when they will be lit from dusk.

This year's theme is “Beyond Our Planet”, so expect to see aliens, spaceships, stars and planets around the villages.

To enter a window by the deadline of January 31, send your postcode and the first line of your address, ie road and house number, by email to framcottva@hotmail. co.uk, fill in an entry form at the Brockeridge Centre, Woodend Road, BS36 2LQ or leave a phone message at the Brockeridge Centre on 01454 864442.

Trail maps will be available after February 11, from the Village Action Facebook page, online at www.villageaction.org.uk or from the Brockeridge Centre.

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fromevalleyvoice

22

February, 2021

n COMMUNITY NEWS

n SPORT

Coalpit Heath WI

Trial match before lockdown

OUR members have started putting together their fir cone bird feeders using the resources found in their December ‘meeting in a bag’.

There has been some success already reported via our WhatsApp group but it seems the food is being enjoyed by other garden visitors, too, and not just the hoped-for birds!

Members are being encouraged to take part in the Big Garden Bird Watch and an identification chart was attached to the latest newsletter.

For anyone else wishing to take part on January 29-31, there Fir cone bird feeder is lots of further information online at rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.

Some of our group have managed to continue to show their support for local charities. Some festive hats were worn for the Brain Tumour Research Wear a Hat Day, and one of our members was part of the fantastic Santa Sleigh tour, which collected food and donations for the local food bank.

They were able to take a car full of food and an amazing £930 to the Yate food bank.

Any updates and further information will be on our Facebook page if you search for @WICoalpitHeath.

Caroline Johnston

FRAMPTON Cotterell RFC hosted a trial game under new COVID-19 rules, before the lockdown brought sport to a halt once more.

Nearly 40 players were able to take part in the experimental match at the North Bristol 4G pitch on a cold evening at the end of December.

They played under strict covid guidelines laid out by RFU and Frampton Cotterell players test adapted RFU government, using the covid rules at a trial match in December adapted rules which meant no scrums or mauls.

Expertly refereed by Combination referee Callum Hill, evening's play left club captains Mike Weaver and Mark Smith confident that things were heading "onwards and upwards" and club head coach Nige Smith mightily pleased with the players' effort and commitment.

While the lockdown means that once again, non-elite rugby activities have been suspended, fingers are crossed that 2021 will eventually bring some more rugby - and normality.

Mike Weaver

fromevalleyvoice

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2021

23

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