Frome Valley Voice February 2022

fromevalleyvoice www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

February, 2022 Issue 102

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

Supermarket and homes plan for pub

Furlough bestseller A MAN who wrote a thriller while on furlough during the lockdown saw it sell 10,000 copies in its first month on sale.

PAGE 7

'Care farm' approved A 'CARE farm' to teach disabled and disadvantaged people agricultural skills has been given permission for new buildings, after a lengthy planning battle.

PAGE 4

Fares fair?

The Live & Let Live pub in Frampton Cotterell closed in 2019 A FORMER Frampton Cotterell pub will be redeveloped as homes and a supermarket, if controversial plans are approved.

The Co-op wants to build a new store on what is currently the car park at the Live and Let Live in Clyde Road, which has been closed since 2019.

The pub buildings would be converted into two houses, with the two-storey parts of the 19th century building retained but the later single-storey additions demolished.

A third house would be built behind the shop, with a driveway onto Park Road.

As the Voice went to press more than 30 people had already lodged written objections to the scheme with South Gloucestershire Council, while 10 had written in support.

Among those objecting to the scheme are neighbours, a councillor and other local traders.

Turn to page 3

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to bring fares for travel between South Gloucestershire towns and villages in line with neighbouring areas.

PAGE 9

Remembering Christine

THE son of a retired teacher from Coalpit Heath who lost her life to COVID-19 is running from his home to her old school, to mark the anniversary of her death.

PAGE 15

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

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

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2022

n NEWS

www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

MAarch deadline Our March deadline is February 16.

FromeValley Voice contacts Richard Drew

Ken McCormick

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Publisher

Editor

Pc Paula Stone and PCSO Jacqui McCormack at Daisy’s cafe with South Gloucestershire Council street enforcement officers Jim Bell and Michelle Britton

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

Come and talk to us

Local information

POLICE in Winterbourne are calling on people to drop in and see them to discuss problems in their neighbourhoods.

The local beat team is holding monthly 'Talk to Us' drop-in sessions for people who want to meet face to face at the Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne library and Daisy’s café.

The next one is on February 12 at the library, at 10am.

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.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Frome Valley Voice Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor.

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

A member of the

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Burglary appeal POLICE want to trace this man over a burglary in Winterbourne in which a "significant quantity" of cash and jewellery was stolen.

He was captured on CCTV around the time of the incident, on November 26.

Avon and Somerset police released the image in January as they appealed for anyone who recognised him to come forward.

Specialist crime scene investigators examined the property following the incident, and house-to-house enquiries were also carried out.

A police spokesperson said: "Officers think the man in the CCTV image may have information which could help their inquiry."

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5221 278 721.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Arson attack FIREFIGHTERS say a car which was found ablaze near Coalpit Heath was set on fire deliberately.

An Avon Fire and Rescue Service crew from Yate was called to Ram Hill shortly after 8am on Christmas Eve, to find that the car was completely engulfed by flames.

The firefighters put out the blaze and an investigation began which concluded that the fire had been started deliberately.

A spokesperson said the police had been informed of the incident.

Anyone with information about the fire should call the police on 101.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

February, 2022

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n NEWS

Housing and Co-op plans for Live & Let Live An image of the new store submitted by the developers

From page 1 Among those who have objected to the plans is Edwina Pennell, who runs the nearby Village Roots NISA store.

She told the Voice that any new supermarket would be bound to cut into her trade and believes the village does not need another store.

Edwina said: "We are obviously aware that people have the right to shop where they want to and to have the choice, but when Sainsbury’s moved into the village we lost 35% of our trade, and it was only because we installed the Post Office that we managed to survive.

"So if the same thing happens again I’m afraid we won’t survive it."

The family run shop, which is less than a quarter of a mile from the Live and Let Live site, employs 13 full and part-time staff.

Sangarapillai Jagatheepan, who runs the Western Garage on Bristol Road, has written to object to the plans.

In his comments, published on the council's website, he said: "After the arrival of Sainsbury's local, around 30% of my sales have gone down. Now I'm running my business at breakeven point.

"I cannot imagine how it will be once there is another retail store nearby."

Most of the other objections to the plans have come from residents, on grounds ranging from the loss of a community asset to concerns over parking, traffic and access for delivery lorries.

Frampton Cotterell parish councillor Julian Selman said: "This is over-development of the site, cramming too much in and adding to traffic congestion problems, pollution and the further degradation of green space.

"We do not need a commercial unit here as it is inappropriate for the character of the area and we already have plenty of outlets for shopping and supplies."

The plans, which have been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council by Westcoast convenience Ltd, include a retail area and storage

area for the proposed Co-op shop and bike store on the ground floor, with three two-bedroom flats on the first floor above.

They include 23 parking spaces, 11 for customers of the shop and 12 for the six homes planned.

The Voice has contacted the Co-op for a comment about the scheme.

In a marketing report submitted with the plans, estate agents Savills, who represented the owners the Wellington Pub company, said no offers had been received from potential pub operators, restaurant users, and community users or from any other service providers looking for an alternative social or community facility.

They said: "The feedback we received was that the pub had significant drawbacks and required significant investment.

"We received 12 offers in total, ranging from £500,000 to £750,000, with all of these coming from developers, and therefore highlighting the property's unviability as a public house.”

Comments published from those supporting the plans said the new shop would be an "asset" to the village, and new homes were needed.

Ronan Conlon said: "At present if I wish to quickly visit the local shop, I will drive. The location of this store would enable me to walk."

Sophie Brown said: "There is a housing shortage in the village, with many people who already live here wanting to move to slightly bigger properties, hence using this unused space to build these houses is a sensible idea."

Amelia Drew said: "It will provide a much-needed service to those of us in the with

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

accessibility needs and where other local stores are too far to travel."

Parish councillor Dave Hockey said the scheme was "a very ambitious use of the site" which needed careful consideration.

His wife and fellow parish councillor Pat said an audit would be needed to see how much retail requirement there is in Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath, saying: "The

history we have got is that whenever a new retail outlet has come to the area we have lost one of the old ones."

A final decision on the scheme will be made by South Gloucestershire Council.

The Live and Let Live had been a pub from at least 1879 until it shut in 2019. The plans can be viewed by searching for application P21/08109/F on the South Gloucestershire Council website.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

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February, 2022

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'Care farm' wins consent after planning row A 'CARE farm' to teach disabled and disadvantaged people agricultural skills has been given permission for new buildings, after a lengthy planning battle.

Charity Empowering Futures' plans for a polytunnel and teaching building on land next to Bury Hill, near Winterbourne Down, were unanimously approved by a South Gloucestershire Council committee.

The plans for the site at Moorend Farm were supported by 105 people. But they were opposed by 17 residents, Winterbourne Parish Council, and a local councillor, who told the meeting the development would “blight the local landscape”.

Afterwards Empowering Futures founder Maria Needs said she felt “broken” by opposition to the plans, which she claimed included a “hate campaign” by a handful of people.

She was also angry and upset about the imposition of planning conditions she said were too expensive for the charity to afford.

Mrs Needs said it had taken five years for the organisation to find and buy land for the care farm.

The planning application had been awaiting a decision since February last year.

Objectors raised concerns about the effect of the 10m-long polytunnel and 4m-high building at the care farm on the Green Belt, about traffic, people’s enjoyment of the countryside and views of the Iron Age hill fort

Kelly Rogers of Empowering Futures at Moorend Farm. Picture: Paul Gillis/Bristol Post at Bury Hill, north of the site.

The council imposed a condition committing the charity to a “programme of archaeological investigation and recording" for the site because of the neighbouring fort.

Mrs Needs said that would mean paying an archaeologist £200 to £500 a day to oversee the building works and sift through the soil, as the foundations for the building were laid.

She said: "That’s just impossible.

"I’m really angry. They are penalising disabled people."

Mrs Needs said she was unsure how the charity would overcome the requirement but was determined to ensure the care farm would continue at the site, near Hambrook.

Planning committee members heard heartfelt pleas from the charity and its supporters at their meeting on January 6.

Lorna Carter-Stevens, from New Beginnings, a community centre for adults with learning

disabilities, said she was upset by "prejudice" towards people with learning disabilities, who are among those who visit the care farm.

She said: "During lockdown, many of them suffered greatly from mental health issues and they’ve been isolated for long periods of time.

"They need this activity more than ever. We should be welcoming them with open arms and love."

Gemma Mugridge, from Empowering Futures, said some residents mistakenly thought the care farm was a petting zoo or city farm, and would attract "large coachloads of people", which she said was "an absurd idea".

She said the care farm provided a programme of activities for small groups of people, on a referral and appointment basis, with participants learning social and communication skills as well as farming and traditional craft techniques, and getting

therapeutic benefits from working with animals and nature.

Ms Mugridge said: “All we want to do is help those in the local community that need us the most – those excluded from other settings due to their needs and disabilities – and to give them opportunities that they’ve never had before."

Staple Hill & Mangotsfield ward councillor Ian Boulton, who knows Empowering Futures from their work in Page Park, said: “Any community should feel very lucky to have them in their neighbourhood."

But Winterbourne councillor Trevor Jones, whose ward includes the site, told the planning committee: “This development, along with others, will blight the local landscape.

“We have concerns about cumulative damage to both the hill fort site as a whole and the rest of the local environment.”

Historic England raised concerns about the impact of the care farm on the hill fort, which is classified as a scheduled ancient monument, a nationally important site with legal protection against unauthorised changes.

But council officers felt the benefits of the proposal outweighed the harms to both the fort and the Green Belt, and recommended the application for approval.

Councillors agreed and voted unanimously to support it, calling the care farm “amazing” and “fantastic”.

By Amanda Cameron, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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February, 2022

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n NEWS

Winterbourne's winning team

Hambrook Primary School head teachers Jennifer Rubel and Emma Cholmondeley with pupils

School shines in guide A VILLAGE school is celebrating after being rated one of the best in South Gloucestershire.

Hambrook Primary School was the district's second highestplaced primary school, behind Marshfield, and rated 423rd overall in the country by the Sunday Times 2022 Schools Guide.

Head teacher Jennifer Rubel said: "We are absolutely delighted.

"The school community at Hambrook - children, staff, parents and governors – work so hard to achieve the highest possible standards for our pupils and this celebrates this work."

The league tables are usually created by ranking schools by their annual Key Stage 2 SATs scores but with no testing for the last two years the list's compilers used averages of previous scores, which Mrs Rubel said recognised "consistent high academic standards".

She said: "As important as our academic standards are, they are only one part of what makes Hambrook such a special school. As a school we actively promote all pupils' individual progress and an outstanding wide, and engaging curriculum for all learners. We want children to leave us, happy, well rounded and eager to take on the next phase of their education.’

The school, which has around 200 pupils aged four to 11, was rated good by education regulator Ofsted at its last inspection in 2018.

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

A TEAM of Year 10 pupils at Winterbourne Academy have won an award after taking on four other schools in a business challenge.

The Bourne Warriors team had to pitch their ideas to experts to win a £100 donation for their The Bourne Warriors from Winterbourne chosen charity, SARI, Academy which supports hate crime victims, as part of a 10-week programme to develop their skills in communication, working together as a group and public speaking.

They worked with volunteer business mentors from Great Western Railway before delivering their pitch at the climax of the Community Apprentice competition, run by charity Envision, in January.

They won the overall contest for their powers of persuasion and a special award for their communication skills.

Team member Zahra Fatima said: "I first joined the Envision community nervous and unsure. However, throughout this phenomenal experience I gained a major amount of confidence and built on my goals of communication and creativity."

Fellow team member Keeley Moon said: "I was quite shy when it came to talking to people I didn't really know or talk to but with the help of the business mentors, I gained a lot more confidence and got better at working in a team."

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

Coalpit Heath

at the heart of our community We are a family run business, proud to serve people in Coalpit Heath and Frampton Cotterell.

We’ve been running for 32 years, taking over after the Co-op closed their shop in Woodend Road.

We trade under the Nisa name, which is owned by the Co-op, but we are independent, and we are committed to being a vital part of community life.

We do a lot more than just sell groceries.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE LOCALLY

Open 7-am-9.30pm Banking for all major banks • Cash withdrawal • Cash deposit • Cheque deposit • Most major bill payments Including • Council tax • Car tax • Fishing licences • Passport check and send • Currency • Variation of identity • Parcels letters

• We have installed a defibrillator • All money raised through donations to the clothes bank is put back into the community • Donated to the manor school to build a peace garden • Donated £1,000 to Watermore School for equipment • Donated over £1,000 to Crossbow playgroup to buy computer equipment • Donated £1,200 to the local youth rugby team for kit.

• Donated £500 to Floral Friends of Frampton • Supported Village Action litter pickers • Donated to a local choir

50 Woodend Rd, Frampton Cotterell, Coalpit Heath, Bristol BS36 2LH 01454 773110 Open 7am - 10pm weekdays; 7am - 10pm Saturday; 8am - 10pm Sunday

fromevalleyvoice

February, 2022

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Furlough thriller becomes a bestseller A WINTERBOURNE man who started writing a novel while on furlough has seen his psychological thriller, set in the village, become a bestseller.

James Burgess wrote The Donor during the first lockdown. After clinching a publishing deal, the book sold over 10,000 copies in the first month of publication.

James was a national accounts manager for a company supplying supermarkets with gift cards but, like so many others, the covid pandemic changed everything for him.

He said: "I had three and a half months on furlough. I was really bored and just started to write to fill in the time.

"I had never really done any writing before but I saw an article online about things to keep you busy during lockdown, and then I just decided to go for it.

"Because the weather was so nice that summer I would go for long walks in the morning and then return home and write in the afternoon. It was an amazing way to spend three months, really.

"I live in Winterbourne and the main character in the story also lives there. It also features UWE, Fishponds and other parts of Bristol."

The story involves a couple desperate to

have a baby who get involved in the murky world of unlicensed sperm donors after being frustrated by the official process.

James, who writes as JJ Burgess, said: “I did a lot of research into the subject and because it can take so long to go through

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

the proper procedure, there is this growing private industry of people offering their services on social media, which is totally unregulated.

"You don’t really know who these people are, they could be anyone really so it is quite a risk to take. So that’s the premise of my story. The couple use a private donor and then allegations come out that he might be a serial killer."

James's story was snapped up by Inkubator Publishing in Dublin.

He said: “I sent it off to about ten or twelve publishers and then went back to the day job and didn’t think anything of it for a while. When they approached me to sign a deal it was completely out of the blue.”

James said he had "already made some good money" out of the book, which was published last October. A second novel, also set in Winterbourne, is underway.

But he is not quite ready to quit the day job, having recently become a director of Bristol birthday card company Eerupt, as he loves both writing and work.

James said: "At the moment I am in a happy place."

The Donor is on sale at booksellers and via Amazon.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

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February, 2022

Action plan for nature

Park & Ride to open

TOWN and parish councils are working with South Gloucestershire Council to take "meaningful action" to protect the environment.

Developed by the South Gloucestershire Biodiversity Team, a local nature action plans or LNAP sets out information and guidance for councils to identify priorities to protect nature in their area.

Olveston and Tytherington parish councils, and Thornbury Town Council are among those working with the authority to develop their plans and guide work with communities.

LNAPs were launched in recognition that town and parish councils do not always have the resources to coordinate local projects.

The council cited Frampton Cotterell as an example, where the parish council has worked with the local scout group and volunteers from Floral Friends of Frampton to create a network of flowers across the village and planted trees on parish council land, creating a connecting woodland habitat for a range of tree-loving species.

Parish council spokesperson Daisy Finniear said: “We are really grateful to South Gloucestershire Council for helping us to harness collaborative partnerships and to create a local plan to protect and enhance nature.

"The Council’s climate and nature committee members have almost completed a Local (Climate) & Nature Action Plan for Frampton Cotterell, with the support and knowledge from South Gloucestershire’s nature team and local volunteers. The LNAP webinars have been invaluable in guiding us through the action planning process and the guidelines are an invaluable source of advice, information, and inspiration.

"We cannot wait to share our finished LNAP with everyone."

Westerleigh Parish Council, which includes Coalpit Heath, is also taking part in the scheme.

Climate plan warning: Page 10

YATE'S park and ride will open on February 7.

South Gloucestershire council has confirmed the opening date for the £4.5 million transport hub, which includes 198 parking spaces and cycle parking for 46 bikes.

Bus operator First has already announced that its Y1, Y2, Y4 and Y6 services will serve the new stops at the site on Badminton Road as soon as it opens, with buses running approximately every half hour.

The car park will also be available for rail passengers using Yate Station, which is an eight-minute walk away.

Facilities due to be installed in the coming months including 38 electric vehicle (EV) charge points, a car club and click and collect lockers.

South Gloucestershire Council cabinet member for strategic infrastructure, Steve Reade, said: “The site offers commuters a credible alternative to using their car for journeys into Bristol city centre and will also provide an all-day parking option for people visiting Yate and Chipping Sodbury, reducing congestion on local roads."

Funding has come from the West of England Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership.

West of England Mayor Dan Norris said: “I welcome the opening of this new Park & Ride. I support all measures to make it as easy as possible for local people to get into Bristol by bus rather than car.

The opening comes as work gets underway (pictured) on new cycle lanes to link Yate and the Frome Valley to the Avon Ring Road.

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Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

February, 2022

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Call for new fare zone for towns and villages WHY should bus passengers in Frampton Cotterell, Yate and rural South Gloucestershire pay more than their counterparts in Bristol and Weston-superMare?

That’s the question being posed by councillors who want a new travel zone set up in the area.

A petition has been launched calling for a new zone including the Frome Valley, Yate and Thornbury, so that people making multiple bus journeys in the area don't have to pay as much to travel to and around their local town as they would to travel all the way to Weston-super-Mare, Devizes or Street.

Frampton Cotterell ward South Gloucestershire councillor Claire Young said people living in villages such as Lympsham near Weston-super-Mare can travel for £1.60 one-way or purchase a travel zone fare for £2.70 and travel anywhere in the zone for the whole day. But people in Coalpit Heath have to pay £2.30 to travel two miles to Yate Bus Station, and the only day pass for multiple journeys is one covering the whole West of England, costing £7.50.

First Bus currently has three localised travel zones covering Bath and surrounding villages, Bristol, including Keynsham, and

South Gloucestershire councillors Tristan Clark, Claire Young and Jon Lean with Frampton Cotterell parish councillor Pat Hockey. urban parts of South Gloucestershire, and the Weston-super-Mare area.

The councillors from South Gloucestershire's Lib Dem group are calling for the area to have the same and are hosting a petition on their website.

First commercial director Rob Pymm said the firm covered "a diverse set of markets", which were hard to compare directly.

He said the West of England Zone price of

£7.50 "remains good value" and there were local fares for journeys within Thornbury and Yate.

He added: "We've also reduced the price of return journeys across the region from January 23, with our new 2-Trip tickets, which reduce the price of the shortest return journeys in South Gloucestershire outside our Yate and Thornbury town fare areas from £5 to £4.40.

"The key is that where fares are reduced, we need to see significant increases in passenger numbers for them to be viable, so we will be looking closely at the impact of these latest reductions and use that to inform any future plans."

Cllr Young said: “Compared to living in Weston-super-Mare, if you are a resident in Yate or Thornbury you are paying considerably more for your bus journey, even with the fare changes."

Metro Mayor Dan Norris, who has responsibility for planning public transport, said plans for a set daily price, "tapping in" on buses with a debit card, were in the pipeline.

He said: "I would like that set price to be consistent across the region, whether you live in Yate or Bristol or Bath."

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February, 2022

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Climate plan in danger of failing, campaigners warn CAMPAIGNERS say South Gloucestershire Council's plan to respond to the climate crisis will fail unless the authority takes it more seriously.

The council declared a 'Climate Emergency' in 2019 and worked out a strategy to become 'carbon neutral' by 2030, cutting emissions, generating renewable energy, planting more trees, protecting nature and making sure the area is prepared for the impact of climate change.

Annual action plans are produced and checked to see if the council is meeting its targets.

But campaigners say the latest action plan is of "huge concern".

The South Glos Climate Action Network, a non-party political group of residents, academics, and local environmental group members, says it "broadly supports and endorses" the council strategy but says: • Not enough resources are being put into meeting the action plan, with only three waged officers directly responsible for it, while Bristol has 25.

• The plan contains no short term measurable targets, which means there is no way for people to know exactly whether the council is on target.

• The plan shows the council is behind schedule on 29 of its targets – a third of the total.

• The plan is supposed to be examined by a cross-party scrutiny group before being presented but this did not happen in time, leading the Liberal Democrats to say cross party agreement had ended.

• Advisory group meetings of University of the West of England experts to review council actions now include council officers, which means the officers are "marking their own homework".

SGCAN member Sean Rhodes, who raised the group's concerns when the action plan was presented at a council meeting in December said: "We want to support the council, but we are concerned that a failure to set clear and measurable targets, with properly-funded council staff implementing them, which are then properly scrutinised by elected councillors, will mean that this plan will fail."

A council spokesperson said the number of full-time officers was increasing to four but the figures did not take account of work "dispersed across the organisation" to produce a council-wide response.

The authority said figures for reductions

of CO2 emissions were reported and it was working to progress towards meeting all of its targets.

The spokesperson said that the council administration would "continue to engage" with opposition groups, who had not requested a progress report before the latest plan was presented, and that, while the council's climate emergency team met with the UWE advisory group, the group did not include any council representatives.

The spokesperson said: “We provide regular, detailed, and transparent reports on our commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030, and we set an annual carbon reduction target which covers both area-wide and our own, direct emissions.

"Our reporting illustrates the trajectory of our carbon reduction against these targets, along with a detailed commentary on our progress.

“UWE provides us with technical advice and recommendations to support our response to the Climate Emergency, and after discussion with UWE, the vast majority of these recommendations are fed into our action plan to achieve net zero.”

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2022

11

n NEWS

New project to reduce flood risk for river Frome

COUNCILS, land owners and the area's sewage company are working together on a project to reduce the risk of flooding on the river Frome.

Organisations which have signed up to the Frome Catchment Innovation Programme have pledged to use a "whole-systems approach" to make improvements along the length of the river, which is prone to flooding in areas including Frampton Cotterell.

South Gloucestershire Council is working with Bristol City Council, Wessex Water and the Environment Agency on the scheme, which will be developed this year if £6 million in funding is approved.

The idea is to coordinate local improvements across the whole of the river catchment from Dodington, near Chipping Sodbury, through the Frampton and Winterbourne Down area to Bristol, where the Frome flows into the Floating Harbour.

Ideas include creating new ponds and woody dams in rural, upstream areas of South

The Frome floods a footpath on Glebeland, Frampton Cotterell, in December 2020.

Picture: Richard Drew Gloucestershire and 'sustainable drainage systems' (SuDS) to slow the flow of rainwater into sewer systems in urban Bristol by mimicking natural processes.

Details of the exact areas where new ideas could be tried have still to be decided.

South Gloucestershire

Council cabinet member for the environment, Steve Reade, said: “We are delighted that the Frome Catchment Innovation Programme has received this funding, which will help us look at new ways to improve flood risk management through innovative and nature-based solutions.

"This supports our climate emergency goals by helping us to support local wildlife, enhance some of our public spaces and reinforce local flood resilience in the surrounding areas.”

Flooding is just one of the issues facing the river.

In October the Voice reported that high levels of phosphate and nitrate pollution had been found in more than half of samples collected from the river Frome by volunteers last summer and analysed by the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust.

In January MPs on the Commons Environmental Audit Committee warned that every river in England was affected by pollution from raw sewage, microplastics and slurry.

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fromevalleyvoice

14

February, 2022

n STROUD AUCTIONS

Suffragette history goes under the hammer

MEMENTOES of the suffragettes' historic struggle to win women the vote attracted huge interest at Stroud Auctions' January sale.

The surprise lot of the auction was an Edwardian scrapbook relating to Inspector Scantlebury, an officer of the House of Commons Police, which included many suffragette-related items.

As well as press cuttings, there was a small watercolour of a police officer with a 'Votes for Women' poster behind, marked as being from Kathleen King – possibly the adopted daughter of leading suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, who founded the Women's Social and Political Union.

The scrapbook sparked intense phone and online bidding before selling for £1,658.

The WSPU's motto was "deeds, not words," and among the tactics they used to draw attention to their cause was hunger striking by members who had been imprisoned.

A hallmarked silver suffragette hunger strike medal in its original

This 200-year-old double bass sold for more than £80,000 The Suffragette hunger strike medal awarded to Frances Outerbridge raised more than £17,000 named case, awarded to Frances Outerbridge, engraved with her name and dated March 1, 1912, sold for £17,098 at the auction.

She is believed to have been arrested as part of a windowsmashing protest involving around 150 women on that date in the West End of London, under her mother's maiden name of Williams.

Frances, who was in her mid-60s at the time, was later sentenced to four months in prison for what she told magistrates was a "political protest against injustice", and is recorded as one of 26 prisoners who went on hunger strike but were deemed to be too ill to be force fed and were released in June of that year.

A total of 1,837 online bidders took part in the auction on January 12 and 13, which featured 1,344 lots.

The star of the show was

undoubtedly an English double bass, made in London around 1820 by John F Lott of the Thomas Dodd School, known as the “King of the English double bass makers”, which achieved the highest price of the auction when it was sold for £80,256.

Referenced in a book on the subject, it is a truly outstanding instrument which realised a breathtaking price.

Stroud Auctions staff are now busy finalising the catalogue for our February 9 and 10 auction, which will include medals & militaria, guns and weapons, sporting items, taxidermy, ceramics and glass, along with cameras, scientific instruments, weights and scales. Viewing day on Tuesday February 8 is open to all between 10am and 6pm. The catalogue will be available online from a week before the auction date.

To consign an item for auction call in to our saleroom on any Friday from 9am-4pm, or send images to valuations@ stroudauctions.co.uk.

STROUD AUCTION ROOMS Free valuations every Friday 9am-4pm at our saleroom, free home visits or email valuations@stroudauctions.co.uk

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

February, 2022

15

n NEWS

Andrew's run in memory of mum THE son of a retired teacher from Coalpit Heath who lost her life to covid is running the 19 miles from his home to her old school, to mark the anniversary of her death.

Christine Marshall, who was 68, was a governor at Watermore Primary School in Frampton Cotterell, where she was described as "a champion of the children and the staff".

She also ran a school improvement business after she retired, and volunteered for schools and an adoption charity.

Grandmother Christine died on January 29 last year, after being treated on a ventilator in Southmead Hospital's intensive care unit for 18 days.

Before her death her son Andrew Marshall-Aherne raised more than £5,000 for the Southmead Hospital Charity, after pledging to run 10km every day that his mother was in hospital.

Andrew, who grew up in

Andrew Marshall-Aherne with mum Christine, who died a year ago.

Coalpit Heath, has has kept up the running since then, completing a half marathon and 10k races.

He has now challenged himself to run the 19 miles from his home in Lyde Green to Ivy Lane Primary School in Chippenham, where his mother was head teacher for 17 years.

Andrew, a former Ridings High School pupil who is now the assistant principal at Kings Oak Academy in Kingswood, hopes to

raise £1,900 in sponsorship for the Southmead Hospital Charity, to support the well-being and mental health of staff at the hospital.

The memorial run, which includes a stop at Westerleigh Crematorium to place flowers at his mother’s memorial tree, will be the longest Andrew, 37, has ever run.

Some staff and pupils from Kings Oak will be cheering him on along the route, and husband

Craig will be cycling, carrying water bottles and energy gels.

His children George, eight, and Jacob, five, will be seeing him off at the start line then meeting him at the finish.

Andrew said: "I’m starting the run with a minute’s silence at 11.20am, which is the time my mum passed.

"I knew it would be a hard time of year to get through, so I wanted to do something to give me a focus.

"The public have got used to covid to some extent, but the staff in hospitals are still dealing with lots of cases. My husband is a lead nurse in Wiltshire, so I know what it’s like on the front line.

"Hopefully the money I raise will help the staff who worked so hard to treat my mum and so many other people’s relatives."

To sponsor Andrew, visit southmeadhospitalcharity. enthuse.com/pf/ christinemarshall-428c8

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fromevalleyvoice

February, 2022

n NEWS

Looking after the world CHILDREN at a Winterbourne primary school picked up litter, planted saplings and helped wildlife on an activity day to start their latest project.

Elm Park Primary in Nicholls Lane staged a 'Bang Day' of local environmental activities as part of work to answer the question: "How can we look after our world for future generations?"

Pupils picked up litter around Winterbourne and on the school site, made "wildflower bee bombs" to Elm Park Primary School children distribute seeds which grow collected bags full of litter into flowers to help butterflies and bees, decorated butterfly houses and planted saplings with the Frome Valley Growing Project.

They also found out how technology can help reduce traffic with engineers from UWE. Deputy Head Sarah Lugg said: "It was a really wonderful week and the children made us incredibly proud with their enthusiasm, kindness and respect.

"We are very grateful to the members of the Winterbourne Environmental Group and the Frome Valley Growing Project, who have helped to make these Bang days such a success."

Village Action: page 21

17

School trips are back PUPILS at Iron Acton Primary School enjoyed their return of school trips with a day at Bristol Aerospace Museum.

The children took part in activities to develop their science and engineering knowledge. Their next trip is to go fossil hunting at Aust as part Iron Acton Primary School children at of their learning about work during their trip to Bristol Aerospace Museum. the work of Charles Darwin.

The school has also held an art day where pupils had to create a work with "anything but a paint brush".

Upcoming projects for February include LGBT History Month, Children’s Mental Health Week and Safer Internet Day. Executive head teacher Mike Riches said the school was working to promote positive mental health by developing an outdoor "wellbeing and reflection area" for children to visit when needed and training a member of staff is taking part in the national Mental Health Champions programme.

The school is also involved in award schemes for promoting active travel, introducing a "walking bubble" which encourages families to park at least five minutes' walk away from school and walk the rest of the way, and a Church School Partnership Award for its work with St James the Less Church in Iron Acton.

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fromevalleyvoice

18

February, 2022

n RECIPE OF THE MONTH

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

Making good choices: healthy lasagne THIS month’s recipe comes to you straight from my heart. By that, I mean I’m trying to encourage people to eat less meat and be good to their heart and arteries.

This is one of my favourite veggie recipes and it ticks all my boxes – it can be prepared ahead, frozen if you like, doesn’t take too long to prep, looks colourful and,

most importantly, tastes great. My husband loves his meat, but he really enjoys this recipe, especially after the Christmas excess.

Please don’t be put off by the length of the ingredients list.

All of the ingredients are readily available. You may well have them in your store cupboard or fridge.

Feel free to swap listed veg for

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what you already have to hand, and it goes without saying that you can always leave out any veg you don’t care for.

Butternut squash lasagne

Serves 2 Ingredients: Yellow and red pepper- ½ of each, small, chopped Butternut squash – small one, prepared so that you have about 225g (8oz) of peeled squash. No need to remove the skin, just take out the seeds. Save some to roast with other veg, disregard the rest.

Bin the hairy strands from inside.

Cauliflower – ½ small-sized, cut into small florets Red onion – 1 – sliced into rings and then rings cut in half Carrot – 1, chunkily chopped Spinach – 250g bag Tinned tomatoes – 1 tin – 400g Tomato puree – 1 tbsp Worcester Sauce – 1 tbsp.

Tabasco Sauce – splash Freshly chopped basil and marjoram or 1 teaspoon each dried.

Oregano, dried, 1 teaspoon Garlic – 2-3 cloves according to taste, finely chopped or grated Fresh chilli – ½, finely chopped with most of the seeds removed if you don’t like it too fiery! - optional Vegetable stock -200 ml (8fl oz) Lasagne pasta sheets – 3 to 4 depending on depth of dish Greek yogurt – 200ml Eggs, large 2 Mozzarella – 110g (4oz) – torn.

Parmesan cheese- 75g (3oz), freshly grated Olive oil Preheat oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas Mark 5 Here’s what you do 1 Put the prepped veg (apart from the onion, carrot and garlic) on a roasting tray, drizzle with olive oil and cook in the preheated oven for 20 mins. (Use a flavoured oil if liked. I often use chilli oil).

2 Whilst the veg is cooking, prep the spinach. Wash if required.

Put in a colander and pour a

kettle of boiling water over it to make it wilt. Then run some cold water over it to stop it cooking any more. Squeeze as much water out of it as you can. Put to one side.

3H eat olive oil in pan and add onion and garlic.

4A dd carrot. Cook until softened, about 5 mins. Fry gently for an extra couple of mins.

5A dd chopped tinned tomatoes and tomato purée.

6 F ry gently for couple of mins.

7A dd stock. Add herbs last, with the chillies, if using. Check seasoning.

8 S immer for at least 10-15 mins, until some of the liquid has been absorbed.

9A dd the roasted veg to the tomato sauce.

To Assemble: 10 Grease the ovenproof dish with a butter wrapper and place one sheet of lasagne pasta on the bottom of the dish.

11 Spoon a layer of tomato sauce over the pasta, then half the torn mozzarella.

12 Place a sheet of pasta on top and then another layer of tomato sauce and mozzarella.

Lay a final layer of pasta on top.

13 Mix the yogurt with the eggs and spread it over the last sheet of pasta. Make sure all the pasta is covered, otherwise it will dry out.

114 Divide the prepped spinach into small balls and scatter over the yogurt layer. Break up the rest of the mozzarella and place between the spinach. Sprinkle the parmesan over the top of the dish.

15 Bake in the oven for 30-35 mins or until golden brown. Remove from the oven.

16 Cover the dish with foil and let the lasagne stand for about 10 minutes to make it easier to cut and serve.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

February, 2022

19

n LOCAL MP

Persecution of Christians reaches new high THE advocacy group Open Doors recently launched their 2022 ‘World Watch List Report’, which has examined the persecution of Christians globally, setting out their recommendations to Government for what the UK can do to help.

Tackling Christian persecution is something of great personal importance to me, as regular readers of the Voice will know.

Reading the Open Doors report, I have been horrified to learn that persecution of Christians has reached the highest levels in the 30 years that they have been carrying out research.

Across 76 countries, the number of Christians experiencing high levels of persecution and discrimination, simply because of their faith, is as high as 360 million – one in every

seven Christians in the world.

The number of Christians killed for their religion has increased from 4,761 in 2021, to 5,898 in 2022.

In particular the report notes the return to power of the Taliban, along with the rise in prominence of extremist groups in Africa and Asia, as key factors in a number of countries. The 2022 World Watchlist raises a number of countries of particular concern, including: Afghanistan, North Korea, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Eritrea, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran and Nigeria.

In North Korea, severe limitations on any religious freedoms are in place, with Open Doors reporting that "if Christians are discovered, they and their families are deported to labour camps as political criminals

or killed on the spot". In Libya, "various radical Islamist groups and organised criminal groups target Christians to exploit, kidnap, rape, enslave and kill, with impunity".

Here in the UK, it is vital we do what we can to help the situation.

In 2019 the Bishop of Truro, Rev Philip Mounstephen, carried out and published an independent review of Foreign and Commonwealth Office support for persecuted Christians.

The Bishop’s review made 22 recommendations for reforms, which will deliver real improvements to the lives of those persecuted because of their faith or belief.

Of the 22 recommendations, the UK has now fully delivered 10, and has made good progress on a further eight, with ministers

Luke Hall MP writes for Frome Valley Voice

confident that all 22 will be delivered by the time of the next independent review, later this year.

This progress is vital for so many people across the world, and I am delighted to see the UK taking a leading role in tackling this persecution. I look forward to following developments in this area and encouraging the Government to take all steps that it can to tackle this most important of issues.

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16/11/2020 15:55:27 Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

20

n WINTERBOURNE BARN

fromevalleyvoice

n WHAT'S ON February 20-March 1

Volunteers wanted WINTERBOURNE Medieval Barn Trust is looking for volunteers to help out at events.

This year brings some changes at the Barn. The involvement of the National Lottery Heritage Fund in helping the trust to successfully renovate and rebuild parts of the site has come to an end, so the trust is now 'on its own' managing the site and raising enough income to maintain the buildings and keep them available for regular use by the community.

The trust is looking to expand the number of volunteers who are part of this big community project, and welcomes people of all ages who would like to give the odd hour to help out or be a bit more involved.

There are opportunities to use varied skills and experience, giving as much or as little time as you would like, meeting new friends, and perhaps learning new skills.

The charity needs people to help welcome visitors, check tickets, serve refreshments, direct traffic and set up or clear up at events.

There are opportunities for people who would like to be involved on a more regular basis too, perhaps with maintenance and general work, gardening, administrative jobs, or technical skills.

Anyone who is interested, whatever skills and experience you have, or none, should contact the trust by email at contact@winterbournebarn.org. uk or call 0117 403 1536.

Monthly tours resume on February 3 at 2pm, when you can enjoy a cup of tea and a short talk about the history of the Medieval Barn, and then explore the recently renovated West Barn and the rest of the site. Tickets cost £5.

Events coming in March include a pottery taster afternoon on March 12, a talk on the hatting industry and radical change on March 22 and a performance of the Canterbury Tales on March 29.

For more information visit the website www.winterbournebarn.org.uk.

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February, 2022

Village Action Window Fun: colourful displays in windows around Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath, lit during the evening. Trail maps available after February 14, online from the Village Action Facebook page or website, www.villageaction.org.uk, or from the Brockeridge Centre.

REGULAR EVENTS Monday: Winterbourne Flower Club now meets at WADCA in Watleys End Road, Winterbourne. Meetings are on the second Monday of the month between 2pm and 4pm. Call 01454 776753 for details.

Winterbourne library news WINTERBOURNE Library is offering children free Marvellous Magical Creatures craft bags to take away for activities during the February halfterm holidays, while stocks last.

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

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

Lego club 10am to 11am, every four weeks from February 5.

All children’s activities places need to be booked due to limited spaces and children must be accompanied by an adult.

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

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

Everyone in the UK aged over 16 without covid symptoms is encouraged to have two rapid lateral flow tests each week. You can collect testing kits from the library during opening hours when stock is available.

The library is open and staffed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 5pm, and on Saturday from 9.30am to midday, with Open Access between 8am and 7.30pm on other days.

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

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February, 2022

fromevalleyvoice

n COMMUNITY NEWS

21

Frampton Cotterell Nature Group

Village Action: Keeping our streets clean A SMALL team of litter-buster volunteers has been clearing our streets once a month for many years, as well as doing personal picks "on a whim".

If anyone is interested in joining our litter-picking band, new recruits are always welcome. Hi-viz jackets, picker sticks, bags and bag hoops are loaned. Safety advice is given and stout shoes and gloves are recommended.

Group litter-picks are on the last Wednesday of every month except December, starting at 10am and alternating the start point between Gingerbread Man cafe in Church Road and Heather Avenue by the Village Park.

The next one is on February 23 at the Gingerbread Man. The others starting at the cafe are on April 27, June 29, August 31 and October 26.

The picks starting at Heather Avenue are on March 30, May 25, July 27, September 28 and November 30.

In the case of bad weather (rain, snow, ice) being forecast, an e-mail or text message can be sent to cancel the meet.

While the above litter picks are mostly manned by retirees (sometimes with grandchildren during school holidays), Frampton has a separate Litter Walks Group aimed at families with children, as well as those at work during the week, collecting at weekends. The children are so enthusiastic, it is hoped as the adults of the future their families will not drop litter and our streets will stay clean!

It is always a pleasure to see South Glos Streetcare teams clearing the remote countryside, but it would be even nicer if nobody dropped litter in the first place. But it is a way to get easy exercise, meet other villagers and sometimes get praise from passers-by! Why not give it a try?

Further information is available at www.villageaction.org.uk and our WB Essentials AW.qxp_Layout 1 09/02/2021 15:56Jean Page 1 Facebook page.

Frary

ONE of the country's rarest fungi has been found at the Hilly Fields in Frampton Cotterell – only the third site in England that this species has ever been recorded! Fungi expert Simon Harding confirmed the identification of the dung bird’s nest fungi after looking at the spores under a microscope.

Samples have now been sent to Kew Gardens so their DNA can be sequenced for the Darwin Tree of The dung bird’s nest fungi.

Life project.

Picture: David Hanks Bird’s nest fungi are so called because their cup-shaped fruiting bodies contain seed-like ‘peridioles’ which can make them look like bird’s nests containing eggs.

Bird’s nest fungi decompose dead organic matter, allowing it to be broken down and reused by plants. They have even been shown to biodegrade the explosive compound TNT. I was surveying the site for Plantlife’s waxcap survey and was amazed to find these bird’s nest fungi there. The presence of colourful waxcaps and coral fungi at the Hilly Fields and at Blackberry Drive indicate that these grasslands are of high quality. It’s important to protect sites like these, because the soil hasn’t been disturbed for many years and will be doing a good job of storing carbon.

In February the Frampton Cotterell Nature Group will be working with the parish council to plant 100 trees at the Centenary Field, and carrying out a harvest mouse survey. Anyone interested in surveying wildlife and helping the group improve the local environment can join the Facebook group or email framptoncotterellnature@gmail.com.

David Hanks

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n COMMUNITY NEWS Floral Friends of Frampton: signs that spring is on its way TO cheer everyone up in the dark days of winter, there are signs that spring is not too far away.

We found bulbs shooting in the Park, and also brightening the days are the planters that are becoming more colourful as the winter bedding, much of it sourced from Iron Acton Garden Centre, comes into bloom.

You've seen all the planters and hanging baskets around the village, the wildflower areas at the Park and the Glebeland, the bulbs that pop up in the spring – but have you ever wondered how they got there?

FFF volunteers have a many and varied set of skills: from researching and sourcing plants, through designing displays, liaising with suppliers, negotiating prices, planting bulbs, filling planters with bedding and perennial plants, to watering and deadheading; from organising and advertising events (remember the plant sales? the floral hat festival? the floral boot trail? - one day we will be organising them

Coalpit Heath WI IT was lovely to welcome members back at the start of 2022. We have a full programme of events ahead, including talks on silk painting cards, Jane Austen, bees, needle felting, St Mungo’s and Junior Bake Off. Members were handed out the beautiful programme cards at the start of the meeting.

We welcomed Trevor Carter, Storyteller of the Year, as our first guest speaker. Trevor performed

A Floral Friends of Frampton planter again!), through applying for grants and fund raising, keeping the accounts, to making cakes, tea and coffee!

For example, the hanging baskets are supplied ready planted by Merediths of Yate at the end of May, when they are hung around

his poetry for us, on themes like porridge and Pink Lady apples, before performing in a variety of characters, such as Frankenstein the monster. He shared his modern parable Meeting Mr Hogg, which won him his accolade.

We finished the evening with some audience participation in Has anyone seen the elephants? and Where there’s tea there’s hope.

A meal out has been planned for members who were interested, as has a visit to see The Nutcracker ballet at the Hippodrome.

February, 2022

the village by FFF volunteers, who also water and deadhead them twice a week during the summer months. They are removed at the end of September and the spent plants are put into green bins and any usable compost is spread on the Beesmoor Border to improve the soil.

The baskets are then cleaned, sterilized and stored, before being relined with capillary matting and taken to Merediths for planting, who return them to us for hanging – and repeat!

If you would like to join us, we'd love to hear from you – you do not need all (or even any!) of the above skills – just enthusiasm and a willingness to take part.

Email us at floralfriendsofframpton@gmail. com.

Floral Friends would like to say a big thank you to the lovely people who have made either one-off donations or regular on-line donations in the last few months to help keep our village full of flowers. It is especially helpful as, due to covid, we have not been able to run our usual fundraising events.

If you would like to make a donation on-line, it would be very much appreciated. Our bank details are: Floral Friends of Frampton, HSBC 4047-34, account number 41555326.

On February 2 we have a talk on silver jewellery with Sarah Tucker; Clair Armstrong is coming along on March 2 to talk to us about Paul’s Place.

If you fancy coming along and seeing what we have to offer you would be most welcome. We meet on the first Wednesday of each month in St Saviour’s church hall, at 7.45pm.

Search @WICoalpitHeath on Facebook for further information and updates.

Caroline Johnston

Trevor Carter

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