Frome Valley Voice June 2019

fromevalleyvoice www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

June, 2019 Issue 70

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

Sallyanne’s amazing journey They saved my life

A MAN is cycling the length of the country to raise money for the medics who saved his life.

PAGE 9

Driver, 71, has jaw broken

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 71-year-old driver suffered a broken jaw in an altercation with a cyclist in Frampton Cotterell.

PAGE 4 Sallyanne Haigh with her rosettes after winning her first para riding competition A FRAMPTON Cotterell woman left paralysed from the waist down in an accident has fulfilled her dream of competing on horseback.

Sallyanne Haigh, 45, was warned not to ride again after

her horse took a fence at the wrong angle and reared up and backwards, landing on top of her, in Chipping Sodbury. She needed nine hours of emergency surgery, was in hospital for six months and left with irreparable spinal

cord damage.

But the mum-of-two was determined to get back in the saddle and, three-and-a-half years on from the accident, has Continued on page 3

Social worker struck off

A SOUTH Gloucestershire social worker has been struck off for falsely claiming hours she did not work.

PAGE 8

Royal appointment THE firm supplying new equipment for a Frampton Cotterell play area worked with the Duchess of Cambridge on a high-profile garden installation.

PAGE 10

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June, 2019

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n NEWS

Sallyanne’s triumph after life-changing accident

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Sallyanne competing at Bicton.

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won her first competition as a para rider.

Sallyanne took part in the South West Dressage Championships, a two day event in Bicton Arena in Devon, on a horse called Flynn and won her class.

Sallyanne said: “I was absolutely overwhelmed to win.

Once the adrenaline had gone, I thought I can’t believe I’ve attended, I’ve competed, I’ve won. I was so happy.

“Right from the beginning after my accident I wanted to prove to myself that I could do something that everyone said I couldn’t do. The doctors said ‘don’t ride again because of the risk’. Well, everything that I do is a risk now.”

Sallyanne has worked incredibly hard for two years to get to the point where she was physically ready to enter a competitive event. The support of a specialist gym has been essential. She has been working on her core to make sure she has the strength to sits up and stay in the saddle.

Just taking part at Bicton was a challenge.

Sallyanne said: “Venues aren’t adapted for para riders. We had to do the hoisting in the lorry park. Then I had to navigate from there to the warm-up arena and from there to the arena – nothing’s nearby. Down paths, over rough terrain, through crowds of people. The arena was down a steep slope and people don’t realise how difficult that is for me, I’ve got no core, no feeling from the waist down. I’m not strapped in, staying on is down to my core strength. It was a massive achievement to even get to the arena.”

Sallyanne is classified as a grade 2 para rider. The grading goes from 1 to 5, with 1 being the most severe disability to 5 the least compromised. She had to qualify to take part at Bicton, which hosted around 200 riders during the championship.

She fond it an overwhelming experience.

“It was surreal, so emotional,” said Sallyanne. “I was told to forget everything that I had ever done before my accident. When I was first in the arena it was

like I was welling up, the adrenaline, the relief, the excitement, the fact that I can do it. I never thought it was going to be this hard.”

Sallyanne’s specially adapted saddle has a bar at the front and rolls for her knees and thighs. She uses two whips, holding one in each hand and using them as her legs. She has adapted reins so that she can loop them and doesn’t get pulled forwards.

Sallyanne’s horse Flynn has been trained by his owner, Beth Miller at Lone Oak Stables in Old Sodbury. He’s had to learn that the whip isn’t a punishment, and to wait while she’s hoisted onto his back. She has a hoist at home and on the back of the lorry which transports Flynn.

The specialist equipment doesn’t come cheap, but Sallyanne is fortunate to have had the saddle sponsored by the Southern Spinal Injuries Trust.

Her lessons are partly paid for by a grant from the Disabled Sports Foundation, which also funded her weekend at Bicton.

She has also recently been awarded a bursary for lessons from the British Horse Society.

But financially it isn’t easy.

Sallyanne said: “I don’t have any ongoing financial funding. I’m a middle aged lady with children and a mortgage.” She has two teenagers aged 15 and 17.

Trotting is next on Sallyanne’s list to master, then competing at a walk and a trot. She wants to visit other competition venues to learn how to cope with different environments.

And she wants to carry on giving something back to the Great Western Air Ambulance whose staff saved her life, and to charities which support those with spinal injury. Her latest fundraising event is a Black Tie Ball at the Grand Hotel in Bristol on 28 September.

Tickets are available by email at airball280919@gmail.com

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June, 2019

n NEWS

The incident took place in Church Road, Frampton Cotterell

Driver’s jaw broken in road rage incident POLICE are trying to trace witnesses to a road rage incident involving a driver and cyclist, in which a 71-year-old man suffered a broken jaw.

The pensioner who was injured has died since the altercation in Church Road, Frampton Cotterell, although Avon and Somerset police say his death is not connected to the injuries he suffered.

Police say the altercation followed a collision involving a car and bicycle at around 2pm on April 1.

A force spokesperson said: “Following the collision, the cyclist and driver of the car were involved in an altercation. As a result, the driver, a 71-year-old man, suffered injuries including a broken jaw.

“A 45-year-old man has been voluntarily interviewed in connection with this investigation.

“We’re appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident to come forward, especially if anyone stopped at the scene or has any dashcam footage showing what happened.”

The spokesperson said police enquiries into the incident were still ongoing and anyone who can help should call DC Matthew Stevenson in the police investigations unit on 101.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

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June, 2019

5

n NEWS

Lotto funding helps youngsters enjoy outdoor play in all weathers STAFF and children at a preschool in Winterbourne are celebrating the completion of their sensory garden.

Rainbow Bears preschool, which is part of the Winterbourne Early Years Centre, won £10,000 of lottery funding to cover the cost.

A sensory garden is an outdoor area which can be used in all weathers, where children have the freedom to explore using all their senses.

Centre Manager Tracy Lockley said: “They can chuck on wellies and wet suits and get muddy, they have a massive mud kitchen with access to a tap, so they can add water to mud.

We’ve had ‘cooking’ and mud pies and coloured water.

“We have got a planting area, but there is also a digging area, a fairy garden, a dinosaur area, a water wall with a flow of water, right down to cosy beanbags so they can sit and read.”

Previously the preschool had a standard outdoor area with basic play activities and sand.

But the early years curriculum requires children aged 3 and 4 years old to learn using all their senses, and to be able to move freely between indoors and outdoors, choosing activities themselves. Gone are the days when children would go outside for a playtime and then be called back in. The approach is known as ‘free flow’.

Tracy said: “The children are

Youngsters in the new sensory garden at Rainbow Bears preschool in Winterbourne encouraged to risk assess their own practice and play. There are basic guidelines that staff have talked through. It’s allowing them to learn through risky play.”

Local company Frome Valley Landscaping, which did the work, managed to provide recycled items as well as new, and finish in good time ahead of the pre-school's increase in hours. From September it will

be offering provision five days a week instead of the current three.

Tracy said the benefits of the garden were already clear, with children interacting more often, discussing their activities and problem solving. It is also used

by Forest School staff.

Tracy said: “We all have such busy lives at home that parents perhaps don’t explore messy play at home as much as they used to years ago – especially

mud play – how often do you see that anymore? Parents put their children into old clothes to come to us and they know they will spend most of the day outside, using all their senses.”

Rainbow Bears is based at St Michael’s C of E Primary School. It has another setting at The Greenfields Centre in Winterbourne, which also comes under the Winterbourne Early Years Centre’s umbrella.

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6

n NEWS THE new-look South Gloucestershire Council has been unveiled after the Conservatives held on to power at the local elections.

Of the 61 seats available, the Tories won 33, a majority of five.

The Liberal Democrats took 17 seats and Labour won 11.

But the Lib Dems say their successes in wards within the Thornbury & Yate parliamentary constituency, where they claimed more than half of votes cast, put them in a strong position for the next general election.

In the Charfield ward, Liberal Democrat John O’Neill polled 869 votes, more than 600 ahead of Conservative John Buxton in second.

The Lib Dems took all three seats in Frampton Cotterell, with group leader Claire Young securing top spot with 2,174 votes and party colleagues Tristan Clark and Jon Lean both more than 250 votes clear of the highest-placed Tory, Tom Howell.

In Winterbourne, two seats were up for grabs and

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

Tories hold on to power

The new Conservative group on South Gloucestershire Council Conservatives Nicholas Labuschagne and Trevor Jones were both more than 400 votes clear of the highest-placed Lib Dem, Peter Bruce.

On the council’s ruling cabinet, Longwell Green councillor Toby Savage will continue to lead the council after he was unanimously elected by the Conservative group. Jon Hunt has been reappointed deputy leader.

The other cabinet members are: Erica Williams (Bitton and Oldland Common), schools, skills and employment; Ben Stokes (Boyd Valley), adults and public health; Steve Reade (Boyd Valley), planning, transport and strategic environment; Rachael Hunt (Emersons Green), communities and Ben Burton (Frenchay & Downend), corporate resources.

The Lib Dems confirmed Claire Young and Maggie Tyrrell as leader and deputy respectively.

For Labour, Woodstock councillor Pat Rooney is once again the leader of the Labour group, while Ian Boulton remains deputy leader.

Councillor Savage said: “This

election has been hard-fought, with a lot of focus being drawn towards national issues, so I am pleased by the outcome and that the public continue to put their confidence in us and how we have run the council over the past four years.

“I am proud we now have a fantastic team in place, offering a strong mix of fresh enthusiasm and valuable experience, both in the Conservative group as a whole, and in the newly-formed cabinet.”

Councillor Young said: “I am delighted by these results. We were the only party to increase both our number of councillors and share of the vote. I am particularly pleased to be joined by seven new Liberal Democrat councillors. The Lib Dems now hold 17 out of 61 seats in total, including 16 out of the 20 seats in Thornbury & Yate constituency – putting us in a strong position to take back the seat from the Conservatives at the next General Election.”

South Gloucestershire’s Lib Dems celebrate their election wins.

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June, 2019

7

n NEWS

Bumper crowds at village carnival ORGANISERS of Winterbourne Down Carnival say this year’s event was a “huge success”.

They say the crowds of people watching the procession, which started from Bradley Avenue and ended at the Methodist Church on the May Day bank holiday Monday, were bigger than ever this year.

The parade, which this year had the theme of The Greatest Show, was led by the Bristol Pipe and Drum band. The crowds were also entertained throughout the day by Winterbourne Down Border Morris dancers, Mundi Dance, Stapleton School of Dance, Same Same But Different, the Panama Jazz band, Fern and

the Gang and many other local groups.

Committee Chair John Turner said: “The Carnival was a huge success this year and it was a pleasure to see so many people attend and help out, from manning the road closures to constructing stalls. It was done voluntarily, with a big smile.”

Some 70 children took part in the disco, and the winners of the popular treasure hunt and scarecrow trail were the Bennett family.

During Sunday evening’s songs of praise at All Saints’ church, presentations were made to long serving members of the carnival’s organising team to

Bristol Pipe and Drum band led the parade

Winterbourne Down’s carnival queen and attendants on the parade thank them for their efforts. The carnival was originally started on the initiative of the two local churches, All Saints and Bethesda, which take it in turns to host the songs of praise.

Profits from this year’s event, which will be announced later, will go to the South Gloucestershire based Jessie May Trust, which supports families with terminally-ill children.

The only disappointment of the event was that the planned Dakota flypast had to be cancelled. The MOD told organisers that the aircraft was unfortunately ‘unserviceable’.

Maypole dancing at the carnival

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June, 2019

n NEWS

Social worker is struck off for fraud A SOCIAL worker has been struck off for fiddling South Gloucestershire Council out of almost £3,500 by falsely claiming hours she did not work.

Jane Rosalind Gordon manually recorded her clockingin-and-out times deliberately incorrectly over a two-year period, a tribunal heard.

When her boss became suspicious, he told her to use the authority’s automated swipecard system to register her working hours.

But Mrs Gordon reverted to manually recording her start and finish times, prompting an internal investigation. It found that, between January 2015 and February 2017, she falsely claimed 385 hours of work, totalling £3,468 in earnings she was not entitled to.

A health and care professions tribunal in London on May 10, ruled that her dishonesty amounted to misconduct and her

fitness to practice was impaired, and ordered her to be struck off the register.

At a previous hearing the panel found the allegations proven and suspended Mrs Gordon for six months to allow her to “reflect on her past misconduct and take steps to remediate her misconduct”.

But last week’s tribunal, which she did not attend, heard that she had refused to engage with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) since then and “wanted no further dealings with the HCPC and that she would return any correspondence sent to her” by the professional body.

Mrs Gordon was employed by South Gloucestershire Council for 16 years until March 2017, first as a care manager/social worker and then as a social work senior practitioner.

She had insisted the clockingin timings were a “data error”

and “unintentional”, but the panel rejected her arguments.

The tribunal’s report said: “In September 2015 the registrant’s manager, noticed that the registrant was arriving late for work and leaving early but that her time recording of her hours of work did not reflect this.

“He advised her to use the automated scanning system to record her hours of work and to stop manually recording her start and finish times.

“In January 2017, he again observed that the registrant was arriving after the start time for her contractual working hours and leaving before they ended.

“On checking the registrant’s time recording, it appeared that the registrant had resumed manually recording her start and finish times.”

Mrs Gordon, who had a previously unblemished record, had told the hearing in November that she felt

“overwhelmed by pressures in her personal life and consequently was unable to consider the information provided to her by PE or to take it in”.

But in their ruling the tribunal members said: “Given the serious nature of the misconduct, which involved dishonesty over a prolonged period concerning a significant sum of money, the panel considered the matter too serious to take no action or for a caution order.

“The review panel has been presented with no evidence of reflection or remediation by the registrant, who has positively disengaged from her regulator.

“In all the circumstances, the panel determined that the only appropriate and proportionate sanction was a striking-off order.”

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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June, 2019

9

n NEWS

They are the reason I survived A CYCLIST is cycling the length of the country to raise money for the medics who saved his life.

Dan Coles, 39, received emergency treatment after he crashed into a wall and suffered a serious head injury while out cycling.

He is embarking on a solo challenge from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise funds for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity after its paramedics saved his life.

In 2015 Dan, from Iron Acton, was out riding with a friend and about to descend Harptree Hill towards Chew Valley lake in the Mendips.

Somehow he lost control of his bike, but he doesn’t remember what happened.

Dan said: “When my friend got to the bottom he thought I must have had a puncture but after riding back up the hill he saw blood running down the road.

“Fortunately, the first people who stopped happened to be anaesthetists from the BRI who tried to do emergency first aid, but I wasn’t having it. When you have severe head trauma you are not yourself – you are in shock.”

Dan had a bleed on the brain, had fractured his pelvis, split his knee open and broken his shoulder plus the wrist and thumb of his right hand.

When the air ambulance arrived the paramedics tried to put lines into him but he wouldn’t let them. So the helicopter team flew off to collect a doctor. When they came back and Dan had been sedated, they found they couldn’t get him into the aircraft on a stretcher because of the angle of the blades. He had to be taken to hospital by a normal ambulance.

Dan said: “The Air Ambulance was scrambled and, in short, their critical care is the reason why I survived. When I found out how much it costs to launch the helicopter each time, I felt like I had had two goes, and I feel forever indebted to them.”

Dan left Southmead Hospital after three weeks and had four months off work, then started thinking about how he could get fit and raise money. Before his accident he’d signed up for the

Dan Coles is raising money for the air ambulance which saved his life after a cycle crash

Bristol to Bath marathon.

He said: “I was stubbornly thinking even if I shuffle across the line, I’m going to do it.”

Dan went on to do it in 3 hours 20 minutes. He now commutes by bike 30 miles a day to work and back, and he’s training for his next challenge, the unsupported ride from Land’s End to John O Groats.

It’s always been on his bucket list to do it before he turns 40 this summer.

Dan said: “I’m going to do it over 11 days without a day off from the saddle so it will be 75-120 miles a day. Climbing the hills is the big thing so I’m doing anywhere between 1,600 metres and 3,000 metres climbing a day.”

Dan is hoping to raise over £2,000. He’s also a member of Acton Aid, an Iron Acton village group, which has chosen GWAAC as its charity to support this year.

Dan has four bikes – but he’s chosen to get back on the same bike that he was riding on that day in 2015 for the challenge.

You can find Dan’s JustGiving fundraising page online at bit. ly/2JSDUy1.

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fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

n NEWS

Firm behind Kate’s treehouse building F A COMPANY which is providing new play equipment for Frampton Cotterell’s Beesmoor Road playing fields has the royal seal of approval.

Bristol-based TouchWood will provide the new equipment as part of a £160,000 revamp organised by a committee of volunteers over five years of hard work.

The company’s products were in the national spotlight when a treehouse it built appeared in a garden co-designed by the Duchess of Cambridge at the Chelsea Flower Show.

The Beesmoor Road playground is currently closed as its long-awaited transformation gets underway.

The existing equipment is being removed, with new play items arriving from TouchWood over the next few weeks. They should be in place in time for an official opening ceremony at

Work has started on the Beesmoor play area transformation the Village Picnic and Fun Dog Show – but the equipment won’t be ready for children to play on at that stage.

After the picnic the final pieces of new equipment will be positioned and workshops are being planned where residents can get hands on helping to build part of the project.

Kate Colchin, the lead

fundraiser on the playing fields committee, said: “TouchWood have started carefully removing the old equipment, meanwhile at their workshop in Bristol, our new equipment is taking shape.

“This project started in 2014 and I’m excited that work has now started on site!

“You can have an opportunity to be part of the redevelopment

project. Come along to the workshops led by TouchWood in July and we'll be building a den frame which will be part of the new play area.”

Kate advises that play area at Page Park in Downend has many similar features so it’s worth people going there to take a look.

There will also be a community workshop in the autumn to produce a willow tunnel. The committee hopes details of both workshops will be available in time for the picnic.

As the Voice went to press the committee was waiting to see if it had been successful with a further grant application to help finish the project.

The Village Picnic and Fun Dog Show, on Saturday June 15 from 11.30 to 4pm, is the last chance to raise funds for the redevelopment.

The official opening of the play area by Winterbourne

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fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

11

n NEWS

Frampton play area

TouchWood's Joe Cooper with the treehouse it built for a garden co-designed by the Duchess of Cambridge for the Chelsea Flower Show children’s author John Parsons is at 12.15pm with the dog show at 12.30pm. There will

be stalls, pony rides, food, and entertainment for all the family.

Barn restoration underway WORK is well and truly underway to restore Winterbourne’s medieval barn.

The building without a roof which was attached to the north wall has been knocked down, revealing the medieval stone work.

The lean-to next to the south range has also gone. The construction company is cleaning and sorting the stone so that it can be reused.

The Cart Shed remains open and is offering ongoing talks and workshops.

The next, on June 13, is a talk on a new art project called Building a Martian House. Bristol artists Ella Good and Nicki Kent have spent the last three years researching how to build a house that could be used on Mars. It has become a collaboration between other artists, scientists, engineers, architects and the general public.

On 11 July the presentation is on the Newport Medieval Ship.

Rob Kenny, from the Friends of the Newport Ship, is talking about how the remains of the 15th century vessel were found on the banks of the River Usk in Newport in 2002. She is the most complete European ship of that time that has ever been recovered and gives an insight into what life was like in medieval Newport.

There is also a wine tasting evening and a music workshop.

Tickets are limited and further details are on the website, winterbournebarn.org.uk/. Throughout the school summer holidays there will be opportunities for children to do art, archaeology and learn about nature, with all details available on the website and Facebook page shortly.

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June, 2019

n NEWS

More beer and more music at festival THE South Cotswolds beer and music festival promises to be bigger and even better this summer.

With more than 80 real ales and craft beers, 25 types of cider and perry, plus good wines, Prosecco, hot food, and 15 hours of live music over two days, the volunteer-run event, which raises thousands for charity every year, is celebrating its 24th festival in style.

The festival is open from 6pm to 11.30pm on Friday July 12 and noon to 11.30pm on Saturday July 13.

Members of Yate and District Rotary, who organise the event, have kept ticket prices the same for the last two years, at £10 for the Friday and £16 for the Saturday.

Re-entry is allowed.

Friday evening kicks off with the classic rock trio The Ray Jones Band, followed

by Planet Boogie playing pop and funk favourites. On Saturday five bands are playing; The Three Pieces playing rock, funk, blues and pop, Lorise Eaton and The Steelers with rock and roll, blues and soul, The Filthy Casuals playing modern covers, Wildcard with rock, indie and pop, and Natty Daps, a ska party band.

All profits to go charity. Over 23 years Yate Rotarians have raised £250,000 through the festival. Last year they donated £7,000 to local community projects and individuals, over £1,000 to national charities, and over £2,500 to international projects including eradication of Polio and disaster relief.

The event takes place at Chipping Sodbury Rugby ground. Tickets, which include a commemorative beer or wine glass, are available from Meredith’s and Ridgewood Cleaners in Yate, the Tourist Office in Chipping Sodbury, or online at www. yaterotaryclub.co.uk.

delicious! be with

Slimming World

Monday Frampton Cotterell 5.30 & 7.30pm Watermore Primary School (Infants), Woodend Road, (Opposite the Brockeridge Centre) Tel: Jude 07968 426809 Tuesday Winterbourne 9.30am & 11.30am The Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue, Winterbourne Tel Frankie 07519 347243

slimmingworld.co.uk 0344 897 8000

Tuesday Winterbourne 5.30pm & 7.30pm The Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue, Winterbourne Tel Frankie 07519 347243

Fridays Coalpit Heath 9.30am The Manor Hall Tel: Lisa 07815759118

Wednesday Frampton Cotterell 7.30pm - Frampton Cottrell C of E Primary School, Rectory Road, Frampton Cottrell Tel Lisa 07815 759118

Facebook page: Frampton Cottrell, Coalpit Heath & Winterbourne Slimming World Groups

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

13

n NEWS

Gym staff workout to save a life STAFF at a gym in Iron Acton have been raising money to have a defibrillator installed on the business park where they are based.

Employees at SG23 Fitness want all companies at Backfield Farm to have access to it and believe it could save a life. The closest at the moment is a few miles away, in Rangeworthy.

They need to raise a total of £2,400, including VAT, to pay for a defibrillators and a weatherproof cabinet for it to be stored in.

So far the staff have organised various fundraising events including a quiz night and a fitness event called 'The Battle', where dozens of members compete against each other to win, raising £890 so far.

One of the team, Lynn Rubery, ran the Bristol 10k, raising £520. SG23 Fitness has also donated, bringing the total

SG23 Fitness staff Lyndsey Pullen, James Tucker, Will Seaman, Matt Tait, Jon Cook and Katie Reed are raising money for a defibrillator.

to £1,920 so far.

Scott Dann from SG23 Fitness said: “The idea for a defibrillator has come about

through our awareness, as health and fitness professionals, that cardiac issues can arise at any time and, when they do, they

need immediate attention to keep the patient alive.

“We are incredibly proud of our members and staff for putting so much effort into fundraising for this worthwhile cause. Defibrillators have the power to save lives and we believe there should be access to one in every public area. It means so much to us to be able to provide this potential lifeline for our members and the local community.

“Many of our staff and members have loved ones with heart conditions too. According to the British Heart Foundation, for every minute that it takes someone to locate a defibrillator, there’s a 10% reduction in survival rate. If we can do anything to contribute to the saving of lives then we feel this is a very worthwhile investment.”

The fundraisers hope to reach their target by the end of June.

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14

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

n NEWS

Nick wants to give something back WHEN Nick Howitt had chest pains as he was working out at the gym, he thought it was indigestion.

A few minutes later he had a heart attack at the wheel of his car and crashed into a wall.

Now the Winterbourne man wants to give something back to the team that saved his life.

Nick, 48, is raising funds for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity.

He said: “It’s only fair, because of what they did, to give something back and it’s self-motivating. To be honest you see them every other day in the sky and they are busy. You don’t know they are there until you need them.”

Nick’s accident happened after he left a session at Yate Active gym with his girlfriend Hayley Hutton.

While he was working out, he had pain in his chest.

Nick said: “I have no medical

Nick, his girlfriend and her family: Emma Nightingale, Tom Nightingale, Keri Hutton, Nick Howitt, Hayley Hutton

history at all, I was 47 at the time and the last thing on my mind was that it was a heart issue. I thought it was indigestion or heartburn.”

They left Yate Active gym,

with Nick driving. As he was going into the roundabout, he lost consciousness and put his foot on the accelerator. He went over two lanes, over the verge and through the B&Q car park, hitting three cars and a lamppost.

Nick said: “Hayley by this time has unbuckled herself and is holding me back, and she has the foresight to push the button ignition to slow the car down, so we ended up hitting the B&Q store. Because she’d turned the engine off, we were probably only doing about 10 miles an hour. I didn’t hurt anybody else apart from Hayley, who banged her head and her knee quite badly.”

Three passers-by got Nick out of the car and one of them started CPR. An ambulance was there after a couple of minutes, and he was told that his heart

stopped for 90 seconds before they started it again with a defibrillator.

Nick was taken to the BRI, where he was in a medicallyinduced coma for four days.

Doctors fitted a stent to his heart before he came home and explained that his condition is hereditary. Ten months later, he is on medication but feels well.

In May, Nick and his girlfriend Hayley and her family ran the Simplyhealth Great Bristol 10k, and raised over £800. Nick’s employer has since donated £400.

Nick said: “I want to give something back to the GWAAC. They were going to call the helicopter out but then it wasn’t necessary, but it’s all the same team.”

You can donate via Nick’s fundraising page at bit. ly/2VGqAiD.

Nick in hospital after his heart attack

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

n NEWS TWO friends have successfully fulfilled a special promise by cycling from Bristol to Bournemouth. Tony Joiner, formerly of Frampton Cotterell, and Keith Whitehead, from Winterbourne, have become known as the Mac and Dave (MAD) bike riders.

Tony had made a promise to his brother-in-law Hugh ‘Mac’ McLaughlan before he died of prostate cancer. Mac had cycled from Bristol to Bournemouth 35 years earlier, and Tony promised to recreate his ride on the very same bicycle when he reached 80 years old.

Keith was the first to offer to support Tony because his brother Dave had also died from cancer. After that the idea took off, and before he knew it, Tony had a whole group of friends and family going too.

They managed the ride in 12 hours, cycling for 9 hours and taking 7 breaks. They only had one puncture – from a thumb tack which was found in Tony’s wheel. Keith decided to keep it as a souvenir.

15

Friends keep their promise

Tony and Keith finish their 100mile challenge There were some emotional moments during their journey, including a meeting with a woman who approached the cyclists at a junction and wanted to sponsor them as she had lost her mother to cancer.

At the finish the cyclists found a group of friends waiting for them who had driven down from

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

Frampton and Winterbourne, with a home-made finish line that they’d created themselves out of Union Flag bunting.

Tony Joiner said: "The MAD bike ride was a complete success and we are all very proud to have achieved what we set out to do.

“We are very close to our target of £5,000 for the four

charities that were selected and we are eternally grateful to those who made this possible by sponsoring the various team members. Thank you all very much for your very generous support."

Tony’s daughter Wendy Sue Newton said: "We had an amazing adventure. We started as two families raising money for charities who had supported our loved ones in their hour of need and finished as one amazingly accomplished ‘bike family’.”

Keith Whitehead said: "Well we made it and I would like to thank everyone involved, it's been fun but bloody hard too!"

A drinks reception had been organised at a beach hut in Bournemouth, a few miles from where the ride ended at the pier.

Tony, who had just cycled 100 miles aged 80, swung his leg over his bike, and told everyone that they would have to cycle there.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

16

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

n ADVERTISING FEATURE ON CHURCH ROAD SHOPS Courtyard Flowers Deb England

WORKING as a freelance florist for the last ten years mainly at home

in Frampton I was keen to branch out and provide beautiful flowers for the local community to buy close to home.

I established Courtyard Flowers in November 2018 and am located within the little courtyard shops at the top of Church Road. The

opportunity arose to sell flowers from inside the shop My English Home Studio a year ago and led me to take over the stable to the old coach house and develop that into my own shop. The space is gorgeously quirky and rustic lending itself perfectly to my floristy.

I provide beautiful seasonal cut flowers, bouquest and plants and provide a full bespoke floristry service for special occasions, weddings, events and funerals. My style is rustic, natural and wild with an emphasis on using eco friendly wrappings and presentation. My seasonal workshops offer people the chance to develop their own individual creative skills whether it be a stunning floral arrangement or a decorative Christmas wreath using locally sourced materials wherever possible.

I love being at Courtyard Flowers and meeting the local residents. The neighbouring businesses are extremely friendly

and supportive and also offer their own very unique products and services.

"Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul" Luthe' Burbanl

The Nook IF you love unique gifts and homewares that you won’t find anywhere else – a visit to The Nook in Frampton Cotterell is a must!

The quirky little shop, owned by Frampton resident Lou Vigars, is nestled amongst the other independent businesses in the eighteenth-century buildings at the top of Church Road, historically known as The Dullage. Apparently tiny from the outside, visitors to The Nook are always surprised to discover it also has an upstairs (Lou’s workshop!) and a downstairs that is used to showcase interior design schemes. Formerly a vet surgery and a dog groomer’s but recently unused, Lou was able to see its potential and create the welcoming space it is now. It is the perfect backdrop for her one-off vintage finds and handmade products - created by Lou and other talented local makers.

Lou has always been passionate about reusing and repurposing and is a strong advocate of working with what already exists, whether through upcycling furniture or using reclaimed materials to create something new.

She carries this ethos through to her Interior Styling Service, which encourages customers to work with what they already own to create stylish and personalised interiors that suit their lifestyle and

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

budget. “I don’t believe Interior Design should cost the earth – financially or environmentally”.

With the right advice on colour, layout and lighting and tips on updating existing furniture, it is possible to transform someone’s living space into something truly fabulous without spending a fortune.

Having The Nook is a bit of a dream come true for Lou after years of selling online and at Vintage & Handmade Fairs. “It’s such a pleasure to be part of a friendly, creative community and we try to work collaboratively and support one another. We’re currently planning a summer Makers Fair celebrating local creativity amongst small, independent businesses and hope to make these an ongoing seasonal event.”

It’s early days but Lou has plenty of exciting plans!

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

My English Home Studio

was born! The Hub is accessed via the staircase in the middle of the building taking you upstairs to a large bright and airy space and the space can be set up to suit with flexible table and seating arrangements.

Not only can you learn to paint or expand your current skills, you can also learn a whole host of other creative skills in expert courses and workshops, such as

lampshade making, footstool making, felting, wool sculpture, painting, quilting, lino cutting and printing, knitting.... to be honest we hope to offer endless creative courses.

Create Hub is also available to hire and we hope that it will become a centre for the local community to use for creative courses, workshops, meetings or clubs.

17

n NEWS

Boxes fight period poverty SCHOOLS are being sent free boxes of products to be given to girls at risk of ‘period poverty’.

South Gloucestershire Council says research by a leading global charity has found that 1 in 10 girls in the UK cannot afford to buy sanitary products and an estimated 137,000 are missing school because of their periods.

It has launched a public health period positivity project to ensure girls who are unable to afford the products can access them, placing the boxes in school toilets.

The council says it is also distributing information to help improve understanding of periods and reduce any stigma or embarrassment around menstruating in the school environment.

Schools involved in the project include Winterbourne Academy and Watermore Primary in Frampton Cotterell.

Director of Public Health Sara Blackmore said: “We want to make sure that no young woman in our area misses out on her education because of her period, and are pleased to be able to support them with these boxes of free products.”

Sarah Crawford and her team love working here in Frampton Cotterell. We are lucky enough to be the official Annie Sloan Stockist in Frampton Cotterell - we stock the complete range of Chalk Paint ™, Wall Paint and products. We all have extensive experience using all of Annie’s products and are on hand to offer advice on your projects. We offer a commission service if you are just too busy to transform and upcycle your furniture yourself, let us do it for you! We are happy to give you advice and a free quotation. We can paint your furniture in your own home or here in the Studio.

Our shop is full of beautiful, carefully sourced interior pieces, lighting, gifts, candles, cards and so much more to add those finishing touches.

Create Hub - My English Home Studio needed a dedicated space for their creative courses and workshops, the commission furniture painting service proved to be increasingly popular and My English Home needed the Studio space every day, so Create Hub

My English Home encapsulates the culture and style of rustic France with the classic style of an English home.

We are the o stol stockist of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and products.

fromevalleyvoice www.fromevalleyvoi ce.co.u

FREE EVERY MONTH IN WINTERBOU

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RNE, FRAMPTON COTTERELL,

June, 2019 Issue 70 COALPIT HEATH, IRON ACTON & WINTERBOURNE DOWN

Sallyanne’s amazing jour

ney

They saved my life

A MAN is cycling the length of the country to raise money for the medics who saved his life.

PAGE 9

Driver, 71, has jaw broken

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 71-year-old driver suffered a broken jaw in an altercation with a cyclist in Frampton Cotterell.

PAGE 4

A FRAMPTON Cotterell woman left paralysed from the down in an accident waist has fulfilled her dream of competing on horseback.

Sallyanne Haigh, warned not to ride 45, was again after

Come and explore our wonderland of furniture and soft furnishings in our shop in Frampton Cotterell.

Gifts for all budgets and witty cards for all occasions.

4 Flaxpits Lane,

her horse took a fence at the wrong angle and reared up and backwards, landing on in Chipping Sodbury. top of her, She needed nine hours of emergency surgery, was in hospital for six months and left with irreparable spinal

Sallyanne Haigh with her rosettes after winning her first para riding competition cord damage.

But the mum-of-two was determined to get back in the saddle and, three-and-a-ha lf years on from the accident, has Continued on page 3

Social worker struck off

A SOUTH Gloucestershire worker has been struck social falsely claiming hours off for she did not work.

PAGE 8

Royal appointm

ent THE firm supplying new equipment for a Frampton Cotterell play area worked the Duchess of Cambridge with on a high-profile garden installation.

PAGE 10

4 Flaxpits Lane, Winterbourn e, BS36 1JX - Tel: 01454 252 140 Email: info@aj-hom Winterbourne, BS36 es.co.uk 1JX - Tel: 01454 252 140 Email: info@aj-homes.co.u k

In a hurry? Why not phone your order through to us and we’ll deliver the items right to your car when you arrive to collect!

View us online at:

Annie Sloan Workshops/ Annie Sloan Fabric / Annie Sloan Wall Paint / Commissions Bespoke Furniture/ Ceramics / Gifts / Cards and so much more...

www. fromevalleyvoice. co.uk

145 Church Road Frampton Cotterell Bristol BS36 2JX | Mon to Sat 10:00 – 17:00 01454 777120 | www.myenglishhome.co.uk | sarah@myenglishhome.co.uk

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

18

June, 2019

n STROUD AUCTION ROOMS

Steaming away to American collector TOYS and transport made the headlines in Stroud Auction Rooms' May sale, with a Victorian 8in gauge live steam tender locomotive, Empress, taking pride of place on the list of highest selling lots.

The model, dated 1871, went under the hammer at £30,000 and is now on its way to America, having been bought by one of the world's biggest model steam collectors.

A number of pieces in Mark Rozelaar's expanded specialist transport section were also a roaring success, with a 1927 Austin Seven Chummy four seat vintage tourer selling for £9,500.

It was discovered in a Gloucester coach house and did particularly well because collectors liked its provenance, unrestored condition and local connection.

Also popular with collectors was a 1961 Daimler Dart classic car project, which sold for £8,000, and a 1929 BSA 500cc OHV sloper S3013 motorcycle – ridden to saleroom before the auction – which made

This 8in gauge steam engine is heading for an American collection after selling for £30,000 at Stroud Auction Rooms £6,500. An exceptionally rare 1927 Cotton 350cc OHV works racing motorcycle was, along with its parts, on its way to the scrapyard until it was spotted by Stroud Auctions at an address in Cheltenham. Something of a lucky find, given that it sold for £4,300!

Militaria had its usual enormous following and one private collection from Wiltshire received interest from 1,614 online bidders.

A fascinating private collection of playing cards included an incomplete set of English playing cards from the reign of James II (1685-1688), with scenes reflecting

the growth of Protestant reaction to James's Pro-Catholic measures, which made £3,200.

Stroud Auctions specialise in offering large private collections for auction, so please get in touch if you have a single genre collection which you may consider consigning for sale.

Auctioneer Nick Bowkett and toy specialist Stuart Maule always joke before every toy sale that they never sell toys to children, with most being bought by men over 50. This changed at the May sale, when Nick sold a bus stop sign to his youngest ever

bidder – Sebastian Taylor, aged five. Although it was his first bid in an auction, Sebastian has it in his blood because he is the son and grandson of Stroud Auctions’ founders James and Ray. The next auction at Stroud will be on June 12, 13 and 14, when the specialist sections will be jewellery, silver, bijouterie, watches, clocks and coins. Viewing will be on Tuesday, June 11 (10am-7pm) and on auction days from 9am. July’s auction will include vinyl records, stamps, glass and ceramics.

For more information see our advertisement below.

STROUD AUCTION ROOMS Entries now invited for our upcoming auction on August 7th & 8th

including guns, weapons, medals, militaria, sporting, taxidermy, toys, scientific instruments, cameras & binoculars

Royal Air Force/ Royal Flying Corps WWI Distinguished Flying Cross medal group Sold for £12,200

Edwinson Green of Cheltenham and Gloucester 12 bore over and under shotgun. Sold for £4300

A collection of shotgun cartridge re-loading tools Sold for £1400

FREE valuations every Friday (9am-5pm) & Saturday (9am-12:30pm) at our saleroom, at your home by appointment or why not email us a photograph to info@stroudauctions.com We are currently ranked no 1 in the country for the number of online bidders

Unit J, Bath Road Trading Estate, Stroud, GL5 3QF

01453 873800 www.stroudauctions.co.uk

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

19

n NEWS

Dog stars will show skills in Winterbourne FAMOUS dogs will join working animals and talented pets at a charity show being held in Winterbourne.

Actor Martin Clunes’ fourlegged sidekick Buddy from the hit ITV series Doc Martin will be one of the star attractions at the show. The Westie-Jack Russell cross, who is a rescue dog called Dodger, has had many glamorous roles, including in Disney movie Beauty and the Beast and a TV advert for Lotteries Age UK. Paddy, a Jack Russell cross who stars in Midsomer Murders and adverts for the Dogs Trust, is coming too.

Show organiser Mel Palmer, who has lived in Winterbourne all her life, met Sonia Turner, the dogs’ owner, a year ago at Martin Clunes’ own charity event. All Sonia’s stunt dogs are from Battersea Dogs Home. Mel was inspired and asked Sonia to bring them to her show.

The show takes place at the Cloisters on Cloisters Road on Saturday June 8.

It is part of Mel’s ambitious plan to raise £10,000 for St Peter’s Hospice, which provides care for terminally-ill adults in Bristol and the surrounding area, and organising it has taken months of hard work.

Some of the money raised will pay for Mel and her son Harry to take part in the St Peter’s Hospice China Challenge in October, which will bring in further funds for the charity. The China Challenge is the charity’s first overseas fundraising event and will involve trekking on and helping to repair the Great Wall of China.

Mel has raised more than £3,000 already through fundraising efforts.

She said: “My inspiration is my friend Serina Edwards, who has worked at St Peter’s Hospice for 20 years, caring for patients with life-limiting illnesses, and also the people I have met whilst

Dodger (centre), who plays Doc Martin’s sidekick Buddy in the ITV series, will be one of the star attractions at the Winterbourne Family Fun Dog Show fundraising who explained to me how wonderful the care is and how exceptional all the staff and nurses are.”

Aside from the celebrity pooches, there is a dog show which will be judged by a local vet, a gun dog display, and Avon and Somerset’s police dogs will be in action. There is also a ‘have a go’ agility dog course run by Bath’s Friends for Pets, and, unusually at a dog show, some giant tortoises, which weigh up to 30 stone. There will also be a brass band, BBQ, tombola, raffle, face painting, fairground rides, beer tent and much more.

Tickets costing £6 for adults, £2.50 for children or £15 for a family, are on sale from the St Peter’s Hospice Shop in Winterbourne, and AJ Estate Agents.

The show runs from 11am6pm and people are asked to park in the village and walk to the Cloisters.

Framptons Hair Salon

Now open Monday to Saturday

Meet our new stylists

Anita and Sophie have joined Emily in our newly refreshed salon. They are available for colour, cuts and blow dries Monday to Saturday

HAVE YOUR SAY

Call today for an appointment or consultation

Let us know your feelings go to our Facebook page

88 Woodend Road, Frampton Cotterell Bristol BS36 2LQ Tel: 01454 772346

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

20

June, 2019

n NEWS

Top tribute acts will rock Meadows fest IRON Acton’s summer music event, which “This year it will be even better with the raises thousands of pounds for local charities, addition of Arrival. will feature two leading UK tribute bands this “Why not make a party of it and get a year. group of friends or work colleagues along for Queen tribute band Flash went down a what will be a fantastic night? I hope that we storm last year and will return for this year’s will see members of the audience suitably Mash in the Meadows by audience demand. dressed in Abba or Queen attire!”

They will be joined by Arrival, regularly Saturday’s Proms concert features the voted the best UK ABBA tribute band.

Bristol Millennium Orchestra, the Iron Arrival have toured in more than 29 different Acton Community Choir plus other singing countries worldwide including the USA, India and dancing groups will also perform. The and China. evening ends with a ‘last night of the Proms’Each act will put on a 90 minute show at style celebration and a firework display. the Mash. One of Bristol’s top groups, the Audience members are encouraged to Lewis Creaven Band, will open the event with bring posh picnics and Union Jack flags to well known rock and blues numbers. wave.

Mash in the Meadows, which takes place Music in the Meadows is organised by the on Friday July 5, is the first of two nights of village charity Acton Aid, whose members music on Iron Acton Parish Meadows. The give up their own time to plan it for months second on Saturday July 6 is Proms in the in advance. They even buy their own tickets, Meadows, dedicated to classical music. so that as much money as possible goes to Event spokesman Richard Hunter said: good causes.

Queen tribute act Flash are back at Mash in “This will be the 7th Mash and each year the Money raised has previously gone to the Meadows by popular demand event has become more and more popular. local primary schools, Christmas parcels for When Flash played at last years’ event, we Frampton pensioners, trips for candidates children from Cotterellschool Conservative Jenna Hale,2018 that money went to Streetlife, a Bristol had so many people asking for them to return low income families and the refurbishment homeless charity.

Tom Howell and Marian Gilpin again, as it was one of the best gigs they had of the village phone box. The annual bucket Tickets are available from www.actonaid. ever been to. collection can raise up to £2,000 and in org.uk

in h s Ma

7 1 0 2 the

s w o ad

Me

PROMS IN THE

MEADOWS

An evening of quality rock and pop music from two of the UK’s top Tribute Bands playing legendary hits from Abba and Queen.

FRIDAY 5TH JULY 2019 IRON ACTON PARISH MEADOWS, BRISTOL. Buy tickets at www.actonaid.org.uk THE LEWIS CREAVEN BAND

The Hits of ABBA A TRIBUTE TO QUEEN

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Popular classics and traditional last night of the proms IRON ACTON PARISH MEADOWS, BRISTOL Buy tickets at www.actonaid.org.uk

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

n NEWS

Shop’s future in doubt THE future of a fashion chain with a store in Yate Shopping Centre is in doubt after it went into administration.

Select has a store in the centre’s South Walk, one of 169 across the country selling clothes aimed at women aged 18 to 45.

The company, which employs 1,800 people, announced in May that it had gone into administration, citing “prevailing high street conditions” for the decision.

The administrators, Quantuma, will now try to find a buyer for the business and says there have already been expressions of interest.

All stores are due to stay open while Quantuma “assesses all options” for the company’s future.

Last year the company struck a deal called a company voluntary arrangement to cut the rents it paid on its stores.

But this failed to keep Select, which was bought out of administration in 2008 by current owner Cafer Mahiroğlu, out of financial trouble.

Joint administrator Andrew Andronikou of Quantuma said: “We will continue to trade Select whilst we assess all options available to the business, with the aim of achieving the optimum outcome for all stakeholders.

"Options include a sale of the business, in addition to entering into discussions with those parties who have already expressed interest in acquiring the business."

Yate’s sandy beach is back A SANDY beach, much loved by young children, is back at Yate Shopping Centre for the summer season.

The beach was due to officially open during the school half-term holidays and stay open until August 31.

Centre manager Andy Lowrey said: “The beach is one of our favourite and most successful attractions, appealing to visitors across all ages. It signals the start of the summer months and runs through to the end of August.

“As always there will be a programme of fun-filled activities throughout the summer months, the full programme will be published in due course. These events are an important element of our customer relations allowing shoppers to relax in the centre with their families.”

Two special activities were taking place to celebrate the beach’s return. On May 28 children were being offered the chance to meet Zog, the keen young dragon who is a character in the book of the same name written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, which was recently made into a film. Meet and greet sessions were due to be held on the half hour from 11.30am until 3.30pm.

On May 31, members of the public were being encouraged to dress up as their favourite Disney character to be in with the chance of winning a prize. Face painting and balloon modelling were being offered all day, with three meet and greet character sessions featuring Buzz and Woody, princesses, and Nemo and Dory between 10am and 3pm.

More details at www.yateshoppingcentre.co.uk

21

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fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

23

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Treat 999 call handlers with respect I’M under no illusion how difficult policing is and the challenging circumstances our police officers and emergency services face on a daily basis to keep our communities safe. However, it’s not just our colleagues on the frontline who face abuse; abusive calls to 999 and 101 call handlers is on the rise.

Unfortunately, our call handlers have come to expect swearing and name-calling but in more serious cases some of our call handlers have received death threats and threats of rape. One individual even threatened to burn down a call handler’s house with her children inside. The reality that our call handlers face is unacceptable. Our call handlers, who go above and beyond to protect us from harm, deserve to come to work without being worried about potential abuse they might face during their shift.

They deserve to be treated with respect and we all need to show

support to these individuals who work so hard to keep our communities safe.

Nationally, there has been an increase in 999 calls and within Avon and Somerset we have seen an 8% year on year increase. This 8% equates to approximately an extra 48 calls every day or an additional five hours of call handling per day.

Disappointingly, some 999 calls are not emergencies and some are even hoaxes. We need to remember that non-emergency calls to 999 could be blocking a real emergency and this is deadly serious.

In May, we supported Mental Health Awareness Week.

Many mental health charities now believe that people are more aware and feel more empowered to tackle mental health. It is great that people now feel empowered to speak out about their experiences in schools, workplaces and in

their communities but we now need to turn this awareness into action. We know that mental health services are woefully underfunded and those experiencing a mental health problem wait an extremely long time to be able to access the treatments and the services they need.

This all has an impact on our stretched emergency services, particularly policing. For example, in Avon and Somerset, on average, an incident involving someone in a mental health crisis will take four and a half hours of an officer’s time. The majority of contact when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis into the police is by the communications centre as 101 or 999 calls. The average time on these calls is 77.9% higher than the average call and mental health related calls take up 12% of all calls. We cannot offer the best support to those suffering a

With Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens

mental health crisis in the back of a police car; we need to work in partnership to create a longerterm solution that involves all public services to provide those experiencing a mental health problem with the support they deserve.

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fromevalleyvoice

26

June, 2019

n NEWS

400 mile challenge completed in memory of baby Beatrice A COALPIT Heath woman who vowed to raise money in memory of a friend’s stillborn baby has completed a 400-mile challenge.

Emma Steele and her friend Helen Jackson, a fellow member of the Fitquest cycle club, successfully cycled from Bristol to Edinburgh between May 17 and 19 to raise money for stillbirth and neonatal death charity SANDS. They were inspired by Emma’s friend Zoe Fyffe and her husband Rory, who had to cope with the news that their baby girl, Beatrice, had died only days before her due date.

It was an emotional finish in Edinburgh for both the women.

Helen said: “As we reached our destination Emma and I took a few moments to stop and reflect on what we had achieved and why we were doing this ride; remembrance of baby Beatrice, raising awareness of SANDs and to encourage people to talk about the loss of a baby, whilst recognising the widespread pain of loss.

“We’ve achieved this in our very small part of a bigger picture.”

The women’s training paid off and the ride went smoothly, with no punctures. Emma had been meticulous in planning the route so that it avoided some difficult hills, so the broken road surfaces, road closures and busy A roads proved more challenging.

The women’s partners were

Emma Steele (left) and Helen Jackson after reaching Edinburgh by bike

the support team – they even made coffee in a lay-by to keep stopping times to a minimum.

Emma’s husband, her friend Zoe, who was born in Coalpit Heath before moving to Scotland, and Zoe’s husband Rory leapfrogged from one stop to the next, so that they could cheer the two cyclists on.

Emma said: “Training five days a week since September last year certainly paid off, as I found most parts of Beatrice’s Bike

Ride less challenging than some training rides! What we couldn’t be prepared for was how we would feel with day after day of early rises and long days.

“The overwhelming support we had from family and friends was integral to keeping us going each day. Beatrice and her family were in our thoughts throughout our journey and reminded us of the resilience we had to get through.

“It was very emotive to have

our friends and family send us off on our journey and greet us at the end.”

So far Emma and Helen have raised more than £5,200 – over half of their target.

Emma said: “This money will support many families going through the tragedy of losing their baby and help fund research to reduce the number of babies being lost each day.”

You can donate to the cause at bit.ly/2AX0SyN.

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Family Funeral Directors 2 High Street, Winterbourne BS36 1JN Tel: 01454 773776 192 Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath BS36 2SX Tel: 01454 778838 118-120 Station Road, Yate BS37 4PQ Tel: 01454 320005 Email: info@funerals.uk.net Web: www.funerals.uk.net

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fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

27

n LOCAL MP

Tackling climate change

Luke Hall MP writes for Frome Valley Voice

OVER the past fifty years, the average temperature in the UK has risen significantly. Clear evidence demonstrates that this change in climate is occurring due to rising levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere; the higher the amounts of these gases in our atmosphere, the warmer our planet becomes.

The threat of global warming has never been more apparent: our sea levels are rising, polar ice is melting and extreme weather conditions are becoming more frequent. Studies suggest climate change is likely to be the greatest cause of species extinction this century, so it is clear that we must act now, rather than doing so later at a much greater environmental and financial cost.

On a national level, we should be incredibly proud that the United Kingdom continues to play a world-leading role in tackling climate change and the transition

to Clean Growth. We are the first country in the world to introduce legally binding long-term emissions targets and have the best performance on a per-person basis of any G7 nation. We have a new 25 Year Environment Plan, which outlines commitments to supporting and protecting the world's most biodiverse forests, supporting sustainable agriculture and enhancing sustainability, and supporting zero-deforestation supply chains.

We have already made huge progress. Last year, more than 50% of UK electricity came from low carbon sources, making it a record year for renewable energy such as wind and solar. Solar and hydroelectric plants now generate more energy than nuclear power stations.

Just last month, the National Grid announced that Britain's electricity system had been operating fully coal-free for an entire week, the first time this

had happened in Britain since the Industrial Revolution. This is a major step forward towards our target of phasing out coal by 2025.

There is a huge degree of commitment from our government to leave our environment in a better state than we found it, and I will continue to push to ensure this remains a priority.

I am also so hugely grateful to the fantastic work of local environmental campaigners and activists across South Gloucestershire who have been so important in raising these important issues and ensuring that clean energy is a priority for this government, and South Gloucestershire Council in their mission to create an effective local climate change strategy. As ever, I am hugely grateful for the thoughts of our community on this most important matter. Contact me at luke.hall.mp@parliament.uk.

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Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

28

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

n NEWS

New lease of life for village pub AN “out of control” village pub which closed after customers began fighting on the main street has been given a new lease of life as a micropub.

The Plough Inn, which has been a feature of Charfield life since 1897, has reopened as a tiny real ale house.

The pub on Wotton Road closed in February last year after months of worsening noise and anti-social behaviour, which kept neighbours awake until the early hours of the morning.

But the new owners are confident their micropub, which opened after extensive refurbishment, will not cause the same problems for residents of the nearby Kings Meadow estate.

At a hearing on its new licence last month, Liberal Democrat councillor for Charfield, John O’Neill, said: “We had people fighting on the main road in Charfield, it was that bad.

The Plough Inn has a new landlord and could become “an asset to Charfield” “It was out of control, to say the least.”

Mr O’Neill spoke on behalf of an elderly Kings Meadow

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

resident who objected to the licence application from Tankard Developments.

He said the widow was naturally apprehensive the previous problems with noise and anti-social behaviour at the pub would be repeated.

In the months leading up to the pub’s closure, her husband was dying of prostate cancer and she herself was being treated for breast cancer, he said.

“It was a particularly harrowing time and to be faced with all this anti-social behaviour and noise outside their window two or three times a week, we’re talking till half past two, three o’clock in the morning, it was totally unfair,” he said.

However, Mr O’Neill said he had every faith the problems would not continue under new landlord Darren Hawkins, who is an investor in Tankard Developments.

“I know Darren very well,” he told the hearing. “I completely trust in everything that he’s doing.

“I’m sure what the applicant is doing will actually be an asset to Charfield.”

The licensing subcommittee heard the first floor and half of the ground floor of the Plough Inn had been turned into a private dwelling for the pub management team.

The main bar area is now only only six metres wide and three metres long.

“It’s a tiny room,” Mr Hawkins said.

“We’ve invested considerably into a very small space in the pub to make it smaller and more cosy and also [to create] an environment in which the manager can see everyone who’s present so can be in full control.”

The management would ensure customers did not walk off with the glassware and leave it in residents’ gardens on the way to the Railway Tavern, as used to happen, he added.

Mr Hawkins said he had also put up signs restricting customers’ vehicles to the pub car park and asking them to leave quietly and respect the neighbours.

He told the hearing the new micropub, which has been operating on temporary licenses since it opened on April 12, had had no problems so far.

The licensing subcommittee granted Tankard Developments a licence to operate from 11am to midnight every day of the week.

The license permits the Plough Inn to sell alcohol, late night refreshments, and host live and recorded music and performance dance.

Mr Hawkins said he intends to close at 11pm except on special occasions, and the entertainment tends to be acoustic musicians.

By Amanda Cameron, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

29

n NEWS COLD weather didn’t deter the crowds who turned out to celebrate May Day in the village of Iron Acton.

The community is one of only a few in the South West which still holds a traditional English festival and hundreds turned out for the event.

Tracey Byrne, who is on the organising team, said: “The weather was much colder than last year but it did not stop the crowds coming and enjoying the day.”

The celebrations opened with the crowning of the village’s May Day royal party: May Queen Rosie Wright, May King Dan Mora, page Evan Hampson and attendants Sophie Millar and Mia Rushent.

Tracey said: “The children looked fabulous in all their finery. Eileen Hughes, a long standing member of the village honoured the children.”

The event featured maypole dancing from the children of Iron Acton Primary School, followed by a modern dance display by local dance school ROKH and singing from Junior Fascinating Rhythm. Children from North Road Primary School in Yate then took their turn to dance around the maypole: the village is unusual in having a permanently-sited maypole for children to dance around.

There were also all kinds of events in the show ring, from hand bell ringing to a Tae-kwonDo display, marching by the Yate Air Cadets and line dancing.

Tracey said: "The turnout for the day was amazing. Stalls selling local wares and crafts were continuously busy and the

May Day celebrations pull in the crowds

The May royal party – Rosie Wright (Queen), Dan Mora (King), Evan Hampson (Page), Sophie Millar (attendant) and Mia Rushent (attendant) – in front of the Iron Acton maypole fairground rides entertained all.

Both the food stalls serving hot food and the ice cream sellers were kept busy all day. It closed with music from local band The Lazy Tourist. It was a fitting end to a wonderful day.”

Prior to the event it had looked as though there might be complications as a group of travellers had arrived on the village green. But fortunately, the group moved on after being given notice, and a clean-up took place to get the site ready for the May Day event.

Primary school children dance around the maypole

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fromevalleyvoice

30

June, 2019

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA We would love to publicise your event Send details of your events and activities in the following format:

WHAT IT IS WHERE IT IS WHEN IT IS in no more than 40 words: email us at: contact@ fromevalleyvoice.co.uk or call us on 01454 800 120

June 2 n National Garden Scheme opening. Acton Court, Latteridge Road, Iron Acton, Bristol BS37 9TL.

23rd June, 2019 10am – 4pm Miners – Coalpit Heath Village Hall, 214 Badminton Road, Bristol BS36 2QB Cloudsong and Spring-Aura Presents:

A one day workshop with a combination of Colour, Meditations, Handpans and much more, which will show you how they all work together to create Peace, Harmony, Relaxation and fun.

Please book in advance/find out more by tel:- Barbara- 0772 629 8427

June 2 n Open 11am-5pm, admission £5, children free. Walled 3-acre wildflower meadow and apple orchard with an abundance of old English and wild roses on the grounds of a grade I-listed Tudor manor house (restricted access).

Acton Court will be sponsoring several special events on the themes of The Tudors, wildlife and music in support of the NGS days.

Homemade teas. Also open on June 9 and 16.

June 8 n Charity family fun dog show, including gun dog and stunt dog displays, Avon and Somerset police dog handlers, have-a-go dog agility course, Galapagos tortoises, refreshments, stalls and a raffle at the Cloisters, Winterbourne. Tickets available from St Peter’s Hospice shop and AJ Homes estate agents, Winterbourne.

June 8 n St Peter's Frampton Cotterell Summer Fair, Bridge House, Rectory Road, 2-4.30pm. The famous Bridge House trains will be running. Stalls selling pre-owned toys, games and jewellery, bottle tombola and games to play with prizes to be won. Relax in the Bridge House garden with ice cream, tea, coffee and home made cakes.

June 8 n Barn Dance with Mad Hatters Band and caller, WADCA, 7.30pm.

All ages/experience. Tickets £7.50, children £2.50 (accompanied only), call 01454 776268, visit www.Ticketsource.co.uk or email ca.winterbourne@gmail.com.

June 10 n Bristol Budgerigar Society budgerigar colour competition at

Little Stoke Community Hall, Little Stoke Lane, from 7.30pm. Visitors welcome to come along without commitment to join. Further details from secretary Colin Parsons on 01454 775878 or chairman Alan Fretten on 0792 253 8894.

June 13 n Talk: Building a Martian House, Winterbourne Medieval Barn (Cart Shed), 7pm. Tickets cost £5 – book online on Ticketsource.

June 15 n Frampton Cotterell Village Picnic and fun dog show, Beesmoor Road playing fields, 11.30am4pm. Pony rides, stalls, food and entertainment as Winterbourne children’s author John Parsons opens the new play area.

June 8 n St Peter's Frampton Cotterell Summer Fair, Bridge House, Rectory Road, 2-4.30pm. The famous Bridge House trains will be running. Stalls selling pre-owned toys, games and jewellery, bottle tombola and games to play with prizes to be won. Relax in the Bridge House garden with ice cream, tea, coffee and home made cakes.

June 8 n Barn Dance with Mad Hatters Band and caller, WADCA, 7.30pm.

All ages/experience. Tickets £7.50, children £2.50 (accompanied only), call 01454 776268, visit www.Ticketsource.co.uk or email ca.winterbourne@gmail.com.

June 10 n Bristol Budgerigar Society budgerigar colour competition at Little Stoke Community Hall, Little Stoke Lane, from 7.30pm. Visitors welcome to come along without commitment to join. Further details from secretary Colin Parsons on

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June 13 n Talk: Building a Martian House, Winterbourne Medieval Barn (Cart Shed), 7pm. Tickets cost £5 – book online on Ticketsource.

Saturday June 15 n Blackhorse Primary Summer Fair 11am – 2.30pm – FREE ENTRY At Blackhorse Primary School, Emersons Green BS16 6TR Come along, all welcome!

Plenty of things to see and do including a free drumming workshop, fun games, tombola, raffle, school performances, animal encounters, stalls, live music, hot food, bar and a tea room with plenty of cake. Great raffle prizes, competitions and so much more. Visit facebook. com/blackhorsepta/ or you can find us on Twitter @ blackhorsePTA for more details Saturday July 6 n The Cleeve Singers of Downend with guests The Bristol Ukulele Jam are performing on Saturday, 6th July 2019 at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road, Downend at 7.30 p.m. Tickets are available from Melanie's Kitchen, Downend, the Barn and on the door at £3.50.

Come along and enjoy some entertaining songs and music. n Belly Dance classes Beginners 7.00pm, Improvers 8.00pm, Methodist Church Hall (upstairs) with Anna 07971234236 or bristolbellydance@yahoo.co.uk term time only.

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Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHAT IT IS WHERE IT IS WHEN IT IS in no more than 40 words: email us at: contact@ fromevalleyvoice.co.uk or call us on 01454 800 120

n Iron Acton WI Iron Acton Parish Hall, 7.30, second Monday of month. n Crossbow Singers, Crossbow House, Frampton Cotterell. 7.30.

Term Time only, starting in September. We would love to welcome more tenors and basses.

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

New members welcome – no upper age limit. First session free, all equipment provided.

For more information email pickleballbristol@gmail.com or visit Bristol Pickleball Club on Facebook. n Slimming World Frampton Cottrell. Watermore Primary School (Infants), Woodend Road, (Opposite the Brockeridge Centre) 5.30 & 7.30pm Tel: Jude 07968 426809 n Macular-support group meets monthly - 3rd Monday 1:30-3:30pm at Watkins room, Old Grammar School, highstreet Chipping Sodbury. Contact Tony : 01454 314066 n Winterbourne Tennis Club. 4.30.

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

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

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

More details online at www.svdfas. co.uk. £6 charge for visitors – contact memb@svdfas.co.uk to ‘try

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

31

before you buy’. n Bristol Budgerigar Society meets at Little Stoke Community Hall, Little Stoke Lane at 7.30pm on the second Monday of each month. More details including membership details from secretary Colin Parsons by calling 01454 775878 or emailing colinpauline@ hotmail.com. Visitors always welcome without commitment or charge. n Butterflies Babies and Toddlers Group, 10am-11.30am, term-time only at St Saviours church hall, Coalpit Heath. Mums, dads and grandparents welcome at this friendly group with plenty of toys, a weekly craft table, dressing up and book corner a sit and ride zone, song time and changing facilities. £3 per family. For more details see www.butterfliestoddlersgroup@ gmail.com.

Tuesday n Rhymetime. Winterbourne Library. 10.30- 11am. Rhymes and songs for parents and babies/ toddlers to enjoy together. n Slimming World 9.30am & 11.30am, 5.30pm & 7.30pm, The Greenfield Centre, call Frankie 07519 347243 n Knit and Natter The Beacon@ Zion United Church. 10am 12noon. Contact Mary Thexton 01454 850704 n Yate Visually Impaired Group.

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

Winterbourne Comunity Centre (WADCA), 7.45pm. Tel. 260168 n Winterbourne Down & District Horticultural Society, All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down,

BS36 1BX, 7.30 pm. 2nd Tuesday of the month. Info: Richard on 01454 773218. n Gentle Hatha Flow & Well Woman Yoga Find more freedom, flexibility and strength in body, mind and spirit. Restore balance and energy.Fishponds Vassal Centre Tuesdays 5.30-6.30 (Gentle Flow) & 6.45-8pm (Well Woman Yoga) Frenchay Quaker House.

Thursdays 10-11am & 11.15 -12.15pm (Gentle Hatha Flow) St Elizabeth Hall, Hambrook Tuesdays 9.45-10.45am, (Gentle Hatha Flow) Block price £6/ Drop in £7/6.50 concession.

Beginners welcome. How to book/contact details: www.letgoyoga.co.uk/ or call 07904073535 n Yate Poetry Group. All welcome to join our small, informal and friendly group to share and enjoy poems and verse. We meet for an hour 1-2 pm every other Tuesday afternoon in the library, refreshments provided.

For the dates of meetings, please contact Tony on 07704 140682 or yatepoetrygroup@gmail.com n Pucklechurch Folk Dance Club.

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

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fromevalleyvoice

32

June, 2019

n WHAT'S ON CONTINUED Winterbourne Community Centre, Watleys End Road. Contact Pat Sleightholme, 01179 793473. New members welcome. n Frome Valley Mens Probus Club.

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

n Tudor Bridge Club meets at the hall behind St Lawrence Presbytery on Broad Street, every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. Contact Christine on 07876 3334921, christinemay001@gmail.com for more details n Community Coffee Mornings, 2nd Tuesday of month, WADCA Community Centre, 10.30am 12.30pm. Tel. 01454 776268 n Monthly social lunchtime meet up for disabled people at the Farmhouse Pub, Wellington Road, Yate, BS37 5UY. Open and friendly group, meets first Tuesday of month 12-2pm. Part of WECIL's peer support community - 0797 962 6569. n Friendship and Dance group for over-50s takes a summer break after May 28 class, returning on September 24 at Miners Social Club, Badminton Road, Coalpit Health. Fourth Tuesday in the month from 2-4pm. No partner needed. Gentle exercise with easy circle dances to live music. More details from Hilary on 07515 351 813. n St Saviours church Mothers union meets second Tuesday of the month at 2pm in the church

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hall. Members welcome visitors to Bristol Cathedral and Ashfield Prison, support a relief fund and overseas fund and send money to Friends of Bristol Children’s Hospital for tea and coffee for parents’ rooms. For more information contact Mary on 01454 887880.

Wednesday n Pre School Storytime.

Winterbourne Library10.30 - 11am, every week, term time only. n ‘Silver Chords Group, over 50’s social club. Every other Weds, Mason’s View Community Centre Winterbourne. 1.45pm.

Entertainment and coach trips.

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

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

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

First Wednesday of each month.

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

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

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

Cotterell C of E School. Call Lisa: 07815759118 n Stapleton Probus meet on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month at Begbrook CA, Frenchay Park Road 10am -12noon. Also have an active Bowls Section.

Visitors Welcome. Details available, contact Registrar, John Suddell 01454 250811 n The Frenchay Folk Dance Club meet fortnightly at Frenchay Village Hall from 7:45 until 10:15. Check frenchayfdc.co.uk or contact 0117 9409508 for more information n Social tennis ladies Doubles Winterbourne recreation field, BS36 1LU. 10am -12pm.

All ages and abilities , new members welcome Contact WTC: 07725954639 n Social tennis. Winterbourne recreation field, BS36 1LU. 7.30pm - 10.00pm. All ages and abilities ,new members welcome. Contact WTC: 07725954639 n Support your Self-Care with Monthly Maintenance Shiatsu Clinic in Iron Acton every Wednesday between 3-8 pm.

Naturally restore your energy levels and improve your overall health and lifestyle for just £35 per month. Contact Anna on 07487 511516 or email anna@ wholehearted-health.co.uk for more information and to book your 1-1 treatment session. n Frampton Singalong is taking a break until September 11. Second Wednesday in the month, 2pm3.30pm at Crossbow House, School Road. Favourite songs, live music and sitting exercises. Call Hilary on 07515 351 813 for more details. n Yate/ Chipping Sodbury Afternoon Choir meets on Wednesdays 2pm to 4pm at St Marys Church Yate. No auditions required. Contact Nikki on 01761472468 for more details or just turn up at the church and have a free sing on the first visit. n Frenchay Probus Club. We meet every first and third Wednesday of the month in the Frenchay village hall. Coffee at 10.00am and the meeting is from 10.30 to 12.00. More details on frenchayprobusclub.com n Community Lunches 12.00 2pm at WADCA Community Centre. £5 or takeaway £3.50. Booking advised tel. 776268 n Frampton Cotterell Local History Society, 3rd Wednesday of month Sept - May, Zion church 7.30pm.

Non-members welcome. £4 n Ladies Circle meets at The

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

33

n WHAT'S ON CONTINUED Beacon, Zion United Church, Frampton Cotterell, every second and fourth Wednesday of each month except June, July and August at 7.30 pm. £3 per visit.

Variety of speakers at this friendly and welcoming group to any newcomers.

Thursday n Praise and Play. All Saints’ Church Hall Winterbourne Down 10-12 during term times. For preschool children and their parents/ carers. n Stay & Play, 1-3pm (termtime) Winterbourne Early Years Centre, Greenfield Centre, Park Ave, Winterbourne. Call Helen 01454 n Tiny Tots. 2.00-3.00pm,St Peter’s Church, n Bristol and South Gloucestershire Stationary Engine Club. First Thursday of the month, 7.45pm at the Miners Social Club, Coalpit Heath. More information at www.bsgsec.co.uk. n Winterbourne Musical Theatre.

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

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

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

Contact Mike Challenger 07833316081 n Frampton Cotterell British Legion Club Ryecroft Road, Doors open @7.15pm. Bingo at 8pm-10pm . No entry fee. All Welcome. n South Gloucestershire Decorative and The Art Appreciation Society meet at Bradley Stoke Community School Fiddlers Lane Bradley Stoke. 3rd Thursday evening of the month.

Starting October 7-00 for 7-30 start refreshments. Sallykitching@ googlemail.com Tel no 01454 774401 n Sugarcraft demonstrations and workshops. Third Thursday of the month, 7.30pm-9.30pm at St Andrews Hall, Elm Park, Filton. Call Jean Kington on 0117 956 8737 for more information. n Winterbourne Short Mat Bowling Club Thursday 1.30 - 4.30 at Winterbourne Community Centre, Watleys End Road. Contact Pat Sleightholme, 01179 793473.

New members welcome. n Stationary Engine Club, Meets at Miner’s Club Coalpit Heath 7:30 pm first Thursday of every month. n Severn Counties Foreign & British Bird Society, for keepers of canaries, finches and other birds.

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

More information from Molly Durbin on 01275 373743 or email severncounties@gmail.com. n Tudor Bridge Club meets at the hall behind St Lawrence Presbytery on Broad Street, every Thursday and Tuesday at 7 p.m. Contact Christine on 078763334921, christinemay001@gmail.com for more details n Thursday Travel Club. Meets first Thursday of the month. St Saviour’s

Church Hall, Beesmoor Road, Coalpit Heath n Winterbourne Winds, beginners/ intermediate/returners wind band, rehearse on Thursdays 7.30pm9.30pm at the Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue, Winterbourne BS36 1NJ. Brass and woodwind players wanted to join sociable group.

Instruments available for loan.

Contact Dan on 0117 239 5210 or email winterbournewinds@yahoo. com. n Winterbourne Down WI meet in All Saints Church Hall, BS36 1BX on the first Thursday of each month (except August) - 7.30pm. For more information contact Margaret on 01454 850241. New members are most welcome. n Avon Harmony are a Ladies A Cappella / barbershop chorus. We welcome visitors for a no obligation taster session. We rehearse at the dance studio, Fairfield High School, Allfoxton Road, Bristol BS7 9NL. Every Thursday evening 7.30pm 9.45pm. Tel: Mary 07954170532. n Hambrook Sports Club Crib team are looking for new members to join our winter league, playing Thursday evenings at 8.30.

Beginners welcome. Pre season meeting 20th September at Hambrook Sports Club at 8:30. For further information contact Dave Manley on 07531299786 n Friendship and Dance for over 50s, no partner needed – note new venue and day. The Miner’s Welfare, Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath. Beautiful new wooden dance floor. Every 4th Tuesday in the month, 2pm-4pm. Gentle exercise with easy circle dances to live music. Suitable for beginners and improvers. Social break with refreshments £4. All welcome.

Further information contact Hilary Jay 07515 351 813

n CRASH (Children Really Are Special Here), 5.30pm-7pm term times, Zion United Church. Funfilled evening for primary school children with games, crafts, songs and stories. Costs £1 per week.

Contact Heidi on 01454 776618 or email childrenyouthz@gmail.com for more details. n Free baby and toddler group, Winterbourne Early Years Centre, Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue.

9.30am-11.30am, term time only. n Vale of Frome Probus for retired men meets monthly at the Miners Club, Coalpit Heath, on 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month at 10.00am. Ladies invited four times a year. Speakers on various subjects and social events. More details at www.valeoffromeprobus. co.uk or contact Terry on 0117 956 4259.

Friday n Frome Valley Art Group Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne.

1pm to 4pm and 6.30pm to 9pm n Frampton Cotterell Male Voice Choir, Zion Church, Frampton Cotterell. 7.30pm – 9.00pm. New members welcomed, no audition, search www.fcmvc.co.uk or email contact@fcmvc.co.uk.. n Frampton Cotterell Community Association. Fridays at Crossbow House School Road Ist Friday of every month Quiz- 3rd Friday of every month Bingo, start at 8 pm. n St Saviours Church Coalpit Heath. The Church opening every Friday meeting every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month but in the church hall. With a bring and buy lunch just bring something to go on the table to share, but tea and coffee will be provided from 11-15am till 1pm, Visitors are most welcome. n Frome Valley Art Group Winterbourne. Looking to find

What’s on at Winterbourne Library Staffed opening: Tuesdays: 10am-5pm Wednesdays: 10am-5pm Fridays: 10am-5pm Saturdays: 9.30am-12.30pm Open access (unstaffed) 8am-7.30pm daily WANTED Do you have any old or unwanted Duplo Lego? We would be grateful for any donations for a new Duplo club.

Rhymetime: Rhymes and songs for parents and babies/toddlers to enjoy together. Every Tuesday morning, 10.30-11am.

Pre-School Storytime: Join us for stories

and simple crafts. Every Wednesday morning, 10.30-11am.

Pyjamarama: Come and join us for a special storytime on Wednesday June 5 at 10.30am.

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

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

Next meeting Saturday June 8, 10.30-11.30am.

Have you Read…? A new open reading group for all: No set text – Share your love of books, extend your reading horizons. First of every month, 11am-noon. Refreshments served.

The Craft Group: Next meetings on Saturday June 1, 15 & 29, 10am-noon. New members will always be made welcome by this friendly group. Share tips and ideas for your knitting,

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

sewing or crochet projects.

Winterbourne Library 50 year anniversary: Come and join us on Friday June 21 for a celebration. Look out for an event programme ‘The Bridge Tournament at Bletchley Park’.

A Red Herrings Production. A Murder Mystery set during the war at Bletchley Park Friday June 21 at 7pm. Booking required. Contact the library: tickets £3.20 each.

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

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

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n WHAT'S ON that inner talent or start a new interest? Drop in for a free taster session, Fridays at 2pm or 7pm.

We have a busy programme of demonstrations and Saturday workshops by professional artists to help your development.

Our Annual exhibition in May displays members’ work .

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

Saturday n Brockeridge Quilters, Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne.

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

Everyone Welcome. n Winterbourne Tennis Club Junior tennis coaching. 9.30

June, 2019

n NEWS -1pm, Winterbourne recreation field, BS36 1LU. All ages 3-16 yrs.

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

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

Contact: Jo Tripp 01454 850147. n Nature Reserves, Winterbourne work party meets 1030am, Church Lane, Winterbourne, 2nd & 4th Sundays in the month. Newleaze reserve (Bristol Road) 10.30am Ist Sunday of month. Huckford Quarry 2.30pm 3rd Sunday of month. Contact Frank Smith 01454 778975. n Indoor short mat bowls at Pucklechurch Community Centre.

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

Beaver leaders are needed A BEAVER group needs volunteers with a sense of fun to swell the ranks of its leaders.

The 1st Winterbourne Beaver Scouts need several adult, volunteer leaders who would be ready to start in September.

Beaver Scouts are boys and girls between 6 and 8 years old.

They enjoy all that Scouting has to offer: being introduced to outdoor activities, having the opportunity to be creative, exploring their local community and experiencing the excitement of a Beaver Scout sleepover with their friends. Leaders are needed to help organise the activities.

The 1st Winterbourne group meets on Mondays between 5.15pm and 6.15pm in St Michael’s Room.

Group Scout leader Yvonne Andow said: “Our motto is ‘Fun and Friends’.

“No experience is necessary – training is available and you will have loads of support from the rest of the team.”

Anyone who is interested should contact Yvonne on 01454 775024 or email dandow@computer.org.

New class for very young creatives A NEW class has been launched to foster performing arts skills in preschool children.

Razz Tots has been specially created for children aged two and three and their parents or carers, who can enjoy meeting other adults living locally over tea and coffee at the end of the class while their children play.

It is part of Razzamataz, a national network of theatre schools that is passionate about the positive effects that the performing arts can have on all children, from the youngest at just two to the oldest student at 18.

Georgia Davies, principal of Razzamataz Bristol North, said: “These active classes will encourage physical development, explore imaginations and allow your little ones to become confident, capable and self-assured individuals, whilst having fun.”

Razz Tots is held every Saturday from 9am-10am at Yate Academy High School, Sundridge Park, Yate.

For more information contact Georgia on 0780 970 9003 or email bristolnorth@razzamataz.co.uk.

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fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

35

n RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Ann Murray is from the Cooking4 Cookery School based in Chipping Sodbury.

She’s teamed up with Frome Valley Voice to pass on her wealth of experience in the kitchen.

Summertime, and the living is easy

THESE famous words from the opera Porgy and Bess seem to sum up what summertime recipes should be – nice and easy.

So, to this end, my recipe for June is supremely easy and delicious.

You can put it together in five minutes, you don’t need a specialist ice cream maker: just pop it in the freezer overnight and you’ll have a luscious ice cream to impress your friends and family.

Eat within a month for the very best flavour.

If you’ve been really switched, on you’ll have saved last month’s recipe for making your own lemon curd. Failing that, use Duchy Originals or Waitrose Number 1 Lemon Curd.

Serve with the first of the English strawberries and a crunchy biscuit. A Summer dessert doesn’t get much easier or delicious than that!

Lemon Curd Ice Cream Makes 1 litre Ingredients Best quality lemon curd (homemade or Duchy Original) – 1 x 312g jar.

Natural or Greek yoghurt – 500ml.

Whipping cream – 284ml.

Here’s what you do: 1. Put the curd into a bowl, then gradually beat in the yoghurt, then the cream, to make a smooth creamy mixture.

2. Pour mixture into plastic container and freeze until firm. (This takes several hours.)

NB: The ice cream freezes very hard, so remember to remove it from the freezer and leave for 30-45 mins at room temperature or one hour in the fridge before you want to serve it.

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Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

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June, 2019

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Floral Friends of Frampton

Toddlers have fun

LOCAL toddlers, who meet weekly at the Brockeridge Centre, have been busy planting vegetable seeds in the sensory garden taste area, including peas, lettuce and radishes. Lots of fun was enjoyed by everyone and we are all really looking forward to watching their crops grow and tasting them later in the summer.

Sensory Garden Spring Clean

FLORAL Friends volunteers recently had a busy spring cleaning session at the sensory garden. New plants have been planted to fill gaps so we can now look forward to a colourful fragrant area to relax in this summer.

Spring Fayre Success DESPITE the bad weather, our Spring Fayre on Saturday April 27 attracted lots of visitors and we raised over £500 from our sale of plants, crafts and refreshments. The homemade cakes were very popular, and everyone enjoyed seeing the hedgehog from Hedgehog Rescue as well as the Floral Friends village quilt, which is now hanging on the wall.

A huge thank-you to everyone who helped to make our fundraising event such a big success! All the funds raised will be used to support our planting projects around the village.

Celia wins South Gloucestershire Community Award CELIA Zlobec was recently presented with a South Gloucestershire Community Award for her work in founding and leading the Floral Friends of Frampton, a group which aims to “enhance the visual look and environment for the community and wildlife”. She was also commended for organising the group in establishing and maintaining the Sensory Garden in the village. Congratulations!

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

We Need Help We will be replacing the winter bedding in the planters around the village with summer flowering plants towards the end of May and beginning of June. If you could help with planting or maintaining a planter, we would love to hear from you.

You don't have to be a gardening expert, just happy to lend a hand and help us to make our village beautiful. Please email us at floralfriendsofframpton@gmail.com if you can help.

Remember – all our latest news is available online at bit.ly/2FGmLq7

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

37

n COMMUNITY NEWS Coalpit Heath WI THE Resolutions meeting is a chance for all WIs to support national campaigns proposed by fellow members. This year those up for discussion were Don’t Fear the Smear and a call against the decline in local bus services.

We heard that cervical

screening saves around 5,000 lives a year and yet attendance is currently at its lowest for decades.

So members are urged to attend routine screenings, to take action to raise awareness of the importance of cervical screening and address barriers to attendance to help eradicate cervical cancer.

Local bus services are

important to help alleviate loneliness, improve health and well-being, as well as promoting sustainable development so this campaign would look to ensure an adequate provision and aim to increase subsidies.

After voting in favour of the resolutions, we turned our attention to making new name badges. Large buttons with members’ names on were attached to petals made from fabric circles.

There was a lovely choice of fabric provided by the crafty ladies and a simple demonstration provided.

Help was on hand to anyone who found it more difficult, particularly with needle threading! The results were fabulous and once the magnets have been attached they will be ready to wear.

Our meeting also gave us a chance to vote for a new logo, have

a discussion about the speakers we might like to hear from during next year, agree to bring our own mugs, save plastic bottles for our fence project and discuss other local events to take part in. A busy meeting indeed!

We were delighted to welcome some new faces and look forward to seeing them again.

If this feels like something that you would like to be a part of, then why not come along? We meet on the first Wednesday of every month at 7.45pm in St Saviours Church Hall. New members are always welcome.

Pam Pontin from Pam’s Baskets is the visiting speaker for June.

To find out a bit more about us why not search @WICoalpitHeath on Facebook?

Caroline Johnston

Let us know your community news Email us at: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

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fromevalleyvoice

38

June, 2019

n LETTERS Luke’s figures mean little IN response to the optimistic article regarding record employment levels by Luke Hall in last month’s Voice, the employment figures need to be taken in context. Firstly there has been a massive increase in child poverty. There are now 4.1 million children living in poverty. Despite the reported high employment figures, 70% of these children have at least one parent in work. So trumpeting about high employment figures is of little value when child poverty for working families has increased.

The average household income has actually fallen, in real terms, since the world-wide financial crisis of 2008 and the average wage is lower than it was 10 years ago.

Also, for 25 to 34-year-olds earning

between £22,200 and £30,600, home ownership has collapsed to 27%, compared to 65% 10 years ago. Unfortunately the OECD has also found that England has one of the largest proportions of lowskilled workers among advanced economies – with young workers being no more skilled than older employees, meaning that our poor productivity is likely to continue.

The Conservatives may believe, without evidence, that “work will set you free” but if work doesn’t provide a decent income, we need a different solution.

Simon Luxton Chipping Sodbury

Squirrel cull is murder

stops this disgusting murder spree.

What a vile human being.

Sarah By email

Learn about epilepsy

I WAS disgusted to read about the man murdering grey squirrels in our area. What a disgraceful human being, to want to spend his spare time murdering animals. It’s like squirrel ethnic cleansing. What makes him think it’s okay to decide which animals live or die? I hope he gets a grip, gets counselling and

WOULD you know what to do if you saw someone having a seizure? Would you know what was happening and how to help?

One in 100 people in the UK have epilepsy. Recent statistics reveal that 36% of the public would be unsure or unwilling to help somebody having a seizure. A

further 57% admit they have little to no knowledge about epilepsy.

Helping someone who is having a seizure is simpler than people think. Staying with someone, protecting them from further harm and calling for help if it’s needed are three vital steps. If in doubt, always call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Epilepsy Action has created first aid cards that people can order. They fit neatly into a purse or wallet so people can always have information handy. Posters are also readily available to be displayed in public places, such as schools, workplaces or waiting rooms. People can order these free of charge and find out more at epilepsy.org.uk/epilepsyweek Phillip Lee Chief Executive Epilepsy Action

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fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

39

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Frampton Cotterell Village Action HIMALAYAN balsam was introduced to the UK by our Victorian ancestors, who appreciated its exotic beauty and ability to form large clumps in the woodland of the landed gentry.

Unfortunately they did not account for the fact that it has no natural checks to its growth in this country, nor its ability to spread rapidly into the wild via explosive seed heads and by river-borne seed dispersal. It has since spread countrywide, where it outcompetes native plants along our river banks, resulting in a loss of biodiversity and an increased risk of bank erosion during winter floods.

For the past few years, Frampton Cotterell Village Action has been managing balsam along the River Frome. By clearing the plants before they can produce mature seeds, the amount of balsam has been substantially reduced locally. Clearing balsam is relatively easy, as it is very shallow rooted and even the largest plant can be uprooted and crushed to prevent it from forming new roots.

We will be going out again this summer to ensure that regrowth doesn’t start from seeds still in the environment.

Work is normally carried out on the river banks, though some of our more intrepid volunteers enjoy wading in the river to reach less accessible areas.

Working along the river is a very pleasant way to get some gentle exercise for young and old alike, and new volunteers are welcome to join us.

We can be contacted by email at framcottva@hotmail. co.uk or via the Village Action Facebook page, where we will also advertise our sessions.

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40

n MOTORING

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

A guide to pre-owned cars with Richard Cooke

Second hand Style Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost, Mk4: Less is more THE Ford Focus is so much a part of our automotive furniture that it’s hard to remember what a giant leap forward it was from the appalling ‘that’ll do’ Escort. I drove a 1.8 petrol Mk1 Focus in 2001, and it was a revelation. Almost as well built and certainly far better to drive than the contemporary VW Golf, it was positively fun on the roads between Edinburgh and St Andrews. Twenty years after the Focus was first launched, Ford released the Mk4 tested here.

Used models are therefore only a year old at most, so if you’re in the market for a Focus should you pay the extra over the previous Mk3?

First impressions are that yes, you should. The new Focus is lower and wider than its predecessor, and visually at least that’s a good thing. Not many manufactures are doing this at the moment – top

heavy SUVs are the order of the day. So well done Ford for going down this route, as the Focus looks planted and purposeful.

Inside it gets even better. The dash is well built, functional and feels almost premium in quality.

The satnav is simply the best I’ve seen in a car at any price point, Tesla and Volvo included. The resolution is superb, it is intuitive and quick to programme. Full marks here and evidence of Ford’s enormous investment capability versus smaller firms. The seats are comfortable, there is plenty of room front and rear (although the boot is far too small) and the cabin generally feels light and airy.

The only mark against the interior is the stereo, which comes with standard issue Ford speaker covers that they’ve persuaded Bang & Olufsen to glue their badge onto.

The sound is far too boomy, and the cheapness of the materials used is brand stretch gone too far: like scrawling ‘Petrus’ onto a can of Carling.

That aside, it is a case of so far, so good. On the move Ford pull out their ace card: the engine.

This Focus comes with a 1.0 litre 3 cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, producing 125hp. It is linked to a 6 speed manual gearbox and it is a tiny, thrummy, zingy marvel. At no stage do you imagine you are driving anything smaller than a 2.0 litre, until you either pop the bonnet and wonder where the engine actually is or when you fill up with petrol and realise you’ve been using no more than a gallon of fuel every 45 miles.

There is no turbo lag at all and, whilst I’d be pushing it to say the Focus is fast, it certainly never feels

short on power. Under load there’s that delightful slightly off-beat 3 cylinder thrum that boring old 4 cylinder engines just don’t offer. I loved it, and that’s good because the 3 cylinder is here to stay, as manufacturers develop smaller more fuel-efficient engines. The last time I tried one was years ago in a Daewoo Matiz, which also had a charm of its own, but Ford have moved the game on tremendously.

Don’t bother with the lower powered 1.0 alternatives though, or you’ll be wondering why you didn’t pay extra for the 125hp every time you climb a hill.

It’s still a bit early to say what might go wrong with the Mk4 Focus longer term, but the previous Mk3 had several issues with this 1.0 engine that you would hope have been properly resolved. This included turbo problems causing the car to go into the dreaded ‘limp home’ mode.

There were also problems with the automatic gearbox option, which I would avoid on this sort of car anyway. Going from the older model to this one, it is clear that the real leap forwards is in the design of the cabin – once you’ve experienced that excellent satnav you won’t want to trade down. As ever, depreciation is your friend, as buying a year-old Focus will save you about £9k over new and that is my recommendation. Great car.

Ford Focus Ecoboost 1.0 125hp: From £18k for a 2018 ‘STLine’ model with 15k miles

Advertise your business in Frome Valley Voice email contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

41

n INTERCHANGE BLOG

The difference a volunteer can make Volunteers' Week is a chance to celebrate and say thank you for the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. We look at the difference volunteers make in North Bristol…

VOLUNTEERS provide an estimated £22.6 billion every year in the value they provide in the UK but beyond the financial benefits, people, organisations, animals and more thrive thanks to the support offered by the donation of time.

Every year, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations organises Volunteers’ Week to recognise this contribution.

From June 1 -7, hundreds of events and celebrations take place across the country, saying thank you to volunteers.

The West of England MS Therapy Centre in Bradley Stoke utilises the support of dozens of volunteers every year.

Community support development officer Claire Wingate told us: “The West of England MS Therapy Centre could not provide the range of therapies and support to our members without the invaluable support of our volunteers.

“Last year volunteers provided the centre with 10,000 hours in a variety of roles, from admin to supporting our oxygen unit, gardening events and driving members to our centre.

“We are so appreciative of their support and value all their time, experience and expertise that they give us.”

Wanting to do good is considered the most important reason to volunteer and, with more than 166,000 voluntary

organisations in the UK, their contribution is invaluable.

There are literally dozens of organisations in North Bristol that require help from volunteers, including the North Bristol Advice Centre. Individuals help in a variety of roles including admin, IT, publicity, debt and more.

Bristol City Council has details of you can help in your community on its website, whilst North Bristol Food Bank describes volunteers as ‘the lifeblood of foodbanks’ and ‘the driving force behind foodbanks’.

In Thornbury the volunteer centre has many opportunities on its website at volunteer-thornbury. co.uk.

Andy Wynn, manager of the WillowBrook Centre is a governor

at Meadowbrook Primary in Bradley Stoke.

He said: “There are so many people who offer support to the school by way of volunteering their time and expertise. They’re a vital resource and I’m proud to say I’m one of those individuals.”

Volunteer Centre Patchway, Filton and the Stokes helps match people looking for volunteering in the local community with volunteer roles with groups and charities.

It runs drop in sessions for people to talk about volunteering to help understand their options in Patchway, Filton, Bradley Stoke and Stoke Gifford.

Alan Wilcox of North Bristol Running Club set up the group with his wife Sheila. There are now more than 1,000 members,

supported by many volunteers.

Alan explained why they’ve never tried to make a profit from what is clearly a hugely successful group.

“We like to give something back,” he said. “We enjoy supporting the community. If someone gets a personal best in a race or a marathon, we like to think we helped in their development.

“I’m a mental health ambassador and some people come along to talk things out, or even not to talk, just to clear their minds.”

If you want to get involved with Volunteers’ Week, visit the website at volunteersweek.org, where you can download resources, information and details and of events that are taking place.

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@_TheInterchange

Read more great stories on www.theinterchange.blog Family, community, lifestyle and entertainment in North Bristol

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@TheInterchange.SouthGlos @interchangesg

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

42

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

n NEWS

Theatre company brings the Bard to the castle AS their name implies, Thornbury’s Downpour Theatre Company are ready to perform in all weathers.

So when they bring one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies to Thornbury Castle, the audience can be assured that whatever the weather, the show will go on. The Thornbury performance of The Comedy of Errors is one of six al fresco dates on a tour of outdoor venues the actors will visit in June and July.

The company’s distinctive name pays tribute to members’ love of open-air theatre – and to a rather damp previous performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

It is a small independent company, founded three years ago by Sarah and Andrew Cullyer, who met through a university theatre society.

They originally called it Merry Mechanicals but changed the name after it was found to be too similar to that of other theatre groups.

Set up as an amateur group, specifically to perform a Shakespeare play at a time

when no other am-dram groups in the town were keen to do so, A Midsummer Night’s Dream was a success. So, just a year after starting out, Sarah and Andrew took the major step of registering as a professional theatre company and changed the group’s name to Downpour.

Sarah said: “Andrew and I have always had theatre bucket list – lists of plays we desperately wanted to be part of or experiences like performing open-air Shakespeare – and we didn’t want to look back in 20 years and say ‘what if?’ and wish we had been braver.”

The company will also perform The Comedy of Errors at Stroud, Thornbury, Dursley, Miserden, Cirencester and Ashton Court as part of the Bristol Shakespeare Festival.

Sarah said: “South Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas have some absolutely stunning open-air venues, and we fell in love with the idea of taking our shows to some of those wonderful places. I mean, really, is there anything better than watching some hilarious open-air theatre

Downpour Theatre Company will entertain, whatever the weather. in beautiful surroundings in the sunshine?”

The play is Shakespeare’s shortest and, some argue, his wittiest. The cast will transport their audience to the Byzantine Empire, where two sets of identical twins, separated by tragedy, find themselves unknowingly in the same city.

Mistaken identities lead to all kinds of mishaps as the story develops.

The play is less than two hours long including the interval.

The performance in the grounds of Thornbury Castle Hotel will be on Sunday June 9 at 2.30pm, is the first of the season.

For information on the summer tour and how to book tickets go to the group’s website www. downpourtheatrecompany. co.uk.

Canterbury Tales come to town THE Bristol Old Vic Theatre School comes to Thornbury in June to present the Canterbury Tales at the Armstrong Hall.

Written by Chaucer, the famous stories feature a colourful cast of characters who set off on a pilgrimage to Canterbury, competing to tell their tales of love, lust, adventure and chivalry.

They represent the social demographic of medieval life, with the Miller, the Steward and the Wife of Bath brought alive by student actors.

The Old Vic Theatre School has trained actors including Daniel Day-Lewis, Patrick Stewart, Olivia Colman, Helen Baxendale and Jeremy Irons, so the cast of the latest production could include some stars of the

future.

The adaptation is by John Hartoch, is directed by Kirstie Davis and designed by Alex Berry.

The performance takes place on Friday June 28 at 7.30pm and is a fundraising event for the Armstrong Hall redevelopment.

Tickets are available from Thornbury Town Hall at £15 (concessions £10 for students aged 14 – 18) or by calling 01454 412272.

The performance is suitable for everyone aged 14 and over.

Right: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School students prepare for their performance of the Canterbury Tales. Picture: Rachel Holman

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

43

n NEWS

Party at the Globe after 300-mile challenge

THREE Frampton Cotterell men have finished a 300-mile cycling challenge to raise money and awareness of testicular cancer.

Giles Fletcher, Mark Chaplin and Stuart Sharman took part in Le Tour de Balls Deux to support It’s in the Bag, a charity which raises awareness of testicular cancer.

The disease is the most common cancer in men aged between 15 and 45.

They were among 23 other experienced cyclists, some of whom were cancer survivors, doing the ride from Bodmin in Cornwall to Bristol.

The three day route took the group from Bodmin to Minehead on day one, to Chippenham on day two, and to Frampton on day three and a celebratory ‘end

of tour’ party at the Globe pub, where all three Frampton men are regulars.

Giles and Stu coach U10’s rugby for Frampton Cotterell RFC and kicked off their fundraising earlier this year with a sponsored leg waxing on a club tour, where parents of youngsters at the club bid for the chance to rip a waxed strip from their legs.

They raised £300 each and Giles, a police officer, has raised more than £2,000 since.

Giles was inspired by a friend who lost her father, who was a keen cyclist, to cancer.

He said: “It was an absolutely fantastic experience.

“The first day was the one that sticks in the mind – there was a brutal headwind and it was a

real test.

“I haven’t suffered with testicular cancer myself but there were quite a few people on the ride who had, and they are inspiring characters.

“It’s an emotional experience when you ride with these people

and realise what they have gone through.”

Giles is still collecting donations online at bit. ly/2TR2fGF. You can find out more about It’s in the Bag online at itsinthebag.org.uk/

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fromevalleyvoice

44

June, 2019

n SPORT

Frampton Cotterell Netball Club update FRAMPTON Cotterell netball club continue to go from strength to strength, with our first team securing another promotion this season into Division 4.

At the start of the season we introduced several new players who have fitted straight into our winning ways. Amy Warren and Leah Hemmings who have not only brought experience to the team but played vital roles in securing our promotion.

Our attack this year remained solid with Emily Dible, Sasha Lacey, Jazz Bartlett and Jess leak continuing to secure win after win! This task couldn’t have been achieved without the help of our defensive unit of Teresa Chadwick, Kelli Cately, Saskia Dracup, Anna Keir and Helen Long.

With a new season just around the corner, Frampton first team are ready for the challenge ahead and cannot wait

to enter division 4!

The second team kept strong throughout the season securing their place in Division 8. During the season they faced injuries but the squad pulled together, Lucy Buckley was captain and led the team through those challenging games along with our vice Trina Dickason, our scores didn’t always reflect on the outstanding team work as we had to play in some torrential conditions and decisions on the day was made to support the game and the squad pulled together with or without a win.

With the defence holding strong throughout we couldn’t have asked for more from Harriet Jones, Joanne Clark, Melanie Eke, Carol Rawson, Nicole Cater and Mia Porter who joined later in the season.

The Attacking unit Camilla Smith, Trina Dickason, Sarah Lu Thomas, Sally Harding ,

Frampton Cotterell Netball Club First Team

D OO ST L F RU CA N T LO U CA YO

Lucy Buckley, Jo Slee and our Centre Hollie Barnes who held us together with her amazing positive attitude with the squad on court and will be setting our sites on promotion next season.

We are a friendly and sociable club and are looking for enthusiastic players to join our squad in the Avon League. Our trial dates are Tuesday July 9 and Tuesday July 16.

We will also play in the summer league, so if you are interested in joining the club then please contact our chair, Jess, at

framptoncotterellnetballclub@ gmail.com We train on Tuesdays at 19.00-20.30 for training, every training session is different ranging from fitness, friendlies, set plays to fun games, this is held at Mangotsfield school. You can always follow us on Instagram (Frampton_netball_club) or look us up on our web page, framptoncotterellnetballclub. weebly.com. Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

n SPORT

A nice day for training

45

Fairytale victory for French AN extraordinary finish to the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials saw Britain’s Piggy French secure victory aboard Vanir Kamira in a dramatic final showjumping phase.

The popular rider won the most prestigious title in eventing after rising from fourth place after the dressage to second position on her “gutsy little mare” with a bold cross-country round at the Badminton estate, near Chipping Sodbury.

She then put the pressure on Oliver Townend – the leader with Ballaghmor Class after completion of the tough cross-country test - by jumping clear and within the time allowed in the deciding showjumping stage.

Townend could afford to knock one showjump down and incur minimum time penalties if he was to hang on to his lead and win not only his second Badminton title but also the middle part of the Rolex Grand Slam of eventing challenge.

But he looked shell-shocked when, having rolled one pole, he then found himself four seconds over the time allowed.

An emotional French was equally stunned at her win. She said: “I can’t believe it and I won’t believe it for quite a while. It’s a complete fairytale.

Parents take it easy as kids get stuck into an All Stars training session. More than 40 children have signed up for action at Frampton Cotterell Cricket Club.

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fromevalleyvoice

46

June, 2019

n SPORT

U13s play at home of Bristol Bears FRAMPTON Cotterell Rugby Football Club Under 13s ended their season on a high, playing in front of nearly 15,000 fans at the home of Premiership Bristol Bears.

The team participated in a tournament of eight teams, winning four, drawing one and losing two games.

Head Coach Simon Haynes said: “This was an amazing achievement, with a small squad of only 15 players, up against some very strong opposition.

“More importantly, Frampton U13s team were nominated by their opposing players and coaches as the team that best demonstrated the core values of rugby: teamwork, respect, sportsmanship, discipline and enjoyment.”

The team were rewarded with a fixture against Clevedon RFC at Ashton Gate Stadium, during half time of the Gallagher Premiership fixture between Bristol Bears and Saracens.

The Frampton players stepped onto a pitch graced by England internationals Maro Itoje, Billy Vunipola and Jamie George.

Frampton got off to a great start, with some superb phases of play from the team. Full back Dylan Gimber and inside centre Ethan Ashton both grounded the ball to score two quick tries.

The players were rotated, giving every player equal time and the chance to experience the magical occasion.

The team kept pushing forward but couldn’t quite score the decisive third try.

Frampton Cotterell RFC U-13s on the pitch at Ashton Gate.

Clevedon then scored two tries in quick succession. In a tense last minute, both teams had opportunities to go ahead.

With the referee about to blow the final whistle, Clevedon went over for third try with the last play of the game to edge it 15-10.

Simon said: “In what was a great fixture played in good spirit, the Frampton players continued to demonstrate the core values, congratulating their counter parts.”

Frampton captain Dylan Gimber said: “It was a great experience to play on the same pitch as the Bristol Bears players.

I will never forget it.”

Simon added: “The team performances throughout the season have been fantastic.

They’re a resilient bunch of

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lads, who work hard and well Simon Haynes by email at together. I was delighted for simonhaynes76@btinternet.com the players to have experienced or call 0789 657 9882. such a great occasion, playing at Ashton Gate Stadium.

“The players’ conduct this season has been superb.

They’re a great credit to Frampton Cotterell Rugby Club.”

Frampton U13s will be moving up to U14s next season and are looking for more players to strengthen squad numbers. All players get equal amount of game time, with the emphasis on development and the enjoyment of players.

For further information contact Ethan Ashton goes over for a try

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fromevalleyvoice

June, 2019

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07592 003 Tel: 07592 506 003003 Tel: 07592 506 Tel:Tel: 07592 506506 003 1/4 Load 1/4 £89 1/4 Load Load £89 £89 Half Half £139 Half Load Load Load £139£139 3/4 Load 3/4 £179 3/4 Load Load £179£179 Full Load Full £199 Full Load Load £199£199

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

PAINTING & DECORATING

Taps, Washers Toilets, Cisterns Leaks, Blockages Tanks, Overflows Lead Pipes, Stopcocks….etc…

OAP DISCOUNTS and NO VAT

0117

957 5092

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

SJM DECORATING Professional Decorating Local Qualified tradesmen Internal & External Decorating Fast, reliable & friendly service Fully insured

Free Quotations

Call Scott 07515 523 623 0117 3824411

www.sjmdecorating.freeindex.co.uk

ELECTRICIANS

RUBBISH CLEARANCE

PLUMBING

JJ PLUMBING atom electrical BOILERS • BATHROOMS • KITCHENS specialist domestic installers

RUBBISH CLEARED

Registered upper tier waste carrier licence no CBDU225074

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

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

call Oliver on 07747866436 or 01179602974

FREE Quotations

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

MOBILE: 07989 072976 TEL: 01454 859474 www.plumber-in-bristol.co.uk

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

GARDENING SERVICES

GARDEN CARE Lawns cut from £10.00 Hedge cutting, pruning, strimming, planting, power washing patios

Ring MALCOLM on 07958 673 882 for a free quotation

Contact Stuart or Sue

Freephone 0800 0234 995 Mobile 07770944727 anytime inc. weekends

ADVERTISE HERE

WI-FI

LOCAL SERVICES ss

sine Advertise your bu here from just

.25 6 1 £

Give Richard a call 01454 800 120

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

Poor WiFi Signals Solved Fixed Price Solutions Full Home Coverage OAP Discounts

01454 660 046 www.thewifiman.co.uk

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk