Frampton Cotterell Male Voice Choir

FOR the first time in its 97-year history, Frampton Cotterell Male Voice Choir has taken to the Great Bristol Buskathon stage at John Lewis, in aid of the Southmead Hospital Charity.

Customers were entertained with a variety of carols and Christmas songs at the event in December, and in just three quarters of an hour, over £470 was collected for the charity.

The choir not only survived the pandemic but came out of it with renewed determination to perform more concerts, to reach a wider audience and to raise more money for charity than ever in its history.

The John Lewis slot was the second event in this campaign: the first was a joint evening with the Frampton Shantymen, which raised £1,000 for New Futures Nepal.

The choir is also hoping to attract new members.

It’s a friendly choir and all men are welcome – there’s no requirement for previous singing experience or musical knowledge, and definitely no audition.

Rehearsals are on Friday evenings, from September to May, at Zion United Church in Woodend Road, Frampton Cotterell.

Anyone interested in giving it a try can get more information from Russell by email at sec. fcmvc@gmail.com.

We also have a website at www.fcmvc.co.uk,

Winterbourne and Frome Valley Environment Group

A WILDFLOWER meadow in Hambrook has been featured by Avon Wildlife Trust as part of their Team Wilder project.

The meadow was created on the Small Common at Whiteshill by members of Winterbourne and Frome Valley Environment Group in 2020, and now has over 60 wild species.

It is now being promoted by the Avon Wildlife Trust as an example of how local people can increase biodiversity where they live.

As well as improving local biodiversity, the meadow is appreciated as a local amenity and helps to increase ecological awareness.

The first step to getting the meadow established was to let the site grow, to see what was there already.

The mowing regime was altered, then scything was used, which maintains biodiversity as it enables small creatures to escape.

The thriving insect life helps to support the important house martin colony at Hambrook School.

To keep the wildflower meadow more natural, some grass is removed to make way for yellow rattle, which prevents the grass from taking over.

Seeds are scattered and plant plugs are planted randomly, rather than in straight lines.

Plants already present in the area included columbine, lady’s smock, shepherd’s purse and honesty.

Flowers which have been added include yellow rattle, mallow, toadflax, self heal, kidney vetch, wild marjoram and clustered bellflower.

You can read more on the Avon Wildlife Trust website at bit.ly/3ZW19f7.

You can also get involved with Winterbourne and Frome Valley Environment Group by visiting our website at winterbourneenvironmental.uk, email winterbourneenvironmental@gmail.com or search for us on Facebook.

Tim Griffiths

where you can find more details about the choir and forthcoming events.

Steve Harrison