Frome Valley Voice March 2019

fromevalleyvoice www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

March, 2019 Issue 67

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

Help us bring John home Radio launched

A NEW radio station for Frampton Cotterell has been launched – and is looking for residents to get involved.

PAGE 3

Pub’s school run headache Emma Steele (right) and fellow cyclist Helen Jackson are riding 400 miles in memory of Emma’s friend’s baby daughter THE family of a former Frampton Cotterell pub landlord are urgently trying to raise more than £30,000 to fly him home to the UK after he suffered a serious injury abroad.

John Buckle, 75, ran the Star in Church Road before

emigrating 20 years ago.

He is currently in intensive care on the Mediterranean island of Crete, where he now lives, following a car accident.

John is unable to speak, move his arms and legs or breathe without a ventilator, and is

not able to receive the medical treatment he needs on the island.

So his brother Robert has launched an online campaign to raise the money needed to fly him back to the UK. FULL STORY: PAGE 4

SCHOOL run parents are filling a pub’s car park – stopping staff and customers from finding a space PAGE 8

Bypass hope

A BYPASS for Frampton Cotterell and Winterbourne is among the options in a new study into the future of transport in the area.

PAGE 12

Tax rises

Councils covering the Frome Valley area have set the rise in bills residents must pay this year.

PAGE 23

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

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

fromevalleyvoice

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fromevalleyvoice www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

March, 2019

FromeValley Voice contacts Richard Drew

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

April deadline

Your views

Our April edition will be going to print on March 19. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by March 13. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

3

n NEWS

This is Radio Frampton the Conservative MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke, whose constituency includes Winterbourne, as a guest.

The station can be found online at framptoncp.org/radio/ and can also be accessed using the LIVE365 app on either Apple or Android.

Frampton Community Projects is looking for more people to get involved as DJs, presenters, writers during the station’s trial run.

The charity said on its website: “As with all our aims, we look to provide new opportunities to everyone, while benefiting the local community.

“With the Radio Frampton project we seek to provide radio presenting or producing, writing or engineering, experiences in an environment which is safe, fun, while allowing you to explore, and experience.

“We also seek to find new

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“Th e

FRAMPTON Cotterell now has its own radio station.

Set up by the charity Frampton Community Projects, Radio Frampton is broadcasting online, three times a week.

The community initiative aims to give people the chance to try presenting, producing, engineering or writing in a safe and enjoyable environment.

Andrew Walker, from the charity, is presenting a show on the station with help from his daughter, Hollie.

He said: “It’s the same principle with all our projects, it’s to give folk the opportunity to try something new, and experience it for real.”

The station currently broadcasts between 6pm and 8pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Its team aims to be at the Brockeridge Centre for the live Wednesday show from 6pm to 8pm each week.

Programmes are mainly music-based but also features question and answer shows, and recently had Jack Lopresti,

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fromevalleyvoice

4

March, 2019

n NEWS

Family needs £30,000 to bring John home THE family of a former Frampton Cotterell landlord injured in Crete are trying to raise more than £30,000 to bring him home.

John Buckle, who was the landlord of the Star before emigrating 20 years ago, is in intensive care on the Mediterranean island following a car accident in December. Crete’s hospitals have limited medical facilities, so he isn’t able to have specialist treatment there.

His brother Robert said: “If you know Crete, on the southern side there’s a descent down to the seaside towns. A lot of them are unmade roads.

“He must have got too close to the edge and the car rolled over down the embankment and landed on its roof. The roof collapsed and caused compression of the spine. He’s lost the use of his arms and legs and can’t breathe without a ventilator.”

John is now in a stable condition, although he is unable to speak because of a tracheotomy. If he’s moved to a hospital on the mainland, specialist treatment could cost €2000 a week.

Robert said: “In Greece there’s no national health

service. It makes you realise how lucky we are.”

John has lived in Crete for 20 years and is supposed to have an S1 form which would enable him to have an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). But his S1 and his EHIC have expired.

Robert has now reapplied for the S1 and is waiting for it to arrive at John’s home. It will then have to be collected by a friend and taken to the authorities on Crete to be stamped.

In the meantime he is phoning around UK hospitals to

see if any can take John.

Robert said: “I just thought of the first hospital that comes to mind, as it’s for spinal injuries, and that’s Stoke Mandeville. The first thing they asked is has he got an S1 form. And I couldn’t have him transferred directly, there he’d have to go to another hospital first and then get him referred.”

The family have started a fundraising campaign on website GoFundMe to pay for an air ambulance to bring John home, which is expected to cost

John Buckle after the accident which left him paralysed.

£32,500.

The appeal has currently raised just over £3,000 and they are calling on more people who knew John to spread the word and donate.

Robert said: “The only way I can say that I’m going to make an effort to help him is to get him back to a UK hospital, where I know even if they can’t change things it will be the best he is going to get.”

The fundraising page can be found at bit.ly/2NbL7sL.

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fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

5

n NEWS

Giles cycling 300 miles for cancer charity FRAMPTON Cotterell rugby player Giles Fletcher is taking on a gruelling 300 mile cycle ride to raise money for a cancer charity.

Giles, a police officer who also coaches U10’s rugby, is taking on Le Tour de Balls Deux, a ride involving around 25 other cyclists from Bodmin in Cornwall to Bristol.

He will be joined by friends Stuart Sharman, who persuaded him to take on the challenge, Kevin Ashton and Mark Chaplin.

All four are regulars at the Globe pub in Frampton.

They will cycle for three days on the May bank holiday weekend between May 4 and 6, aiming towards a celebratory finishing party at the Globe.

Among the group taking on the tour will be cancer survivors, their families, and supporters of the charity It’s in the Bag, which raises awareness of testicular cancer.

They will be cycling on a roundabout route, travelling from Bodmin to Minehead

on day one, stopping at Week St Mary, Torrington and Barnstaple.

The second day will see the tour head from Minehead to Chippenham, stopping at Bawdrip, Cheddar and

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On the final day the riders will head from Chippenham to Frampton Cotterell and the celebration party.

Giles said: “I’m not getting any younger – I’m 40 this year –

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“I still try and play rugby but seem to spend most of my time injured. A good friend of mine lost her dad to cancer last year and he was a keen cyclist, so he has become an inspiration for me to complete this challenge.”

It’s in the Bag provides support for men with testicular cancer in the South-West, as well as raising awareness of the disease across the region and beyond.

The charity is run by a group of survivors with support from specialist NHS staff.

It aims to support men with testicular cancer through their treatment, to spread awareness by teaching men to check their testicles regularly and to help survivors deal with the emotional and practical impacts of the disease.

Giles has already raised nearly £450 out of his £600 target amount. You can support him online at bit.ly/2TR2fGF.

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fromevalleyvoice

6

March, 2019

n NEWS

Why builders’ cash can’t be used on playing field improvements MONEY from developers building new homes in Coalpit Heath won’t be funding new equipment at playing fields which are just around the corner.

Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes are building 215 houses at Park Lane, on a site known as Woodlands Farm.

Under a legal agreement linked to their planning permission, which South Gloucestershire Council negotiates with developers, they must pay an agreed sum of money towards local infrastructure or community facilities. The money is known as Section 106 funding.

Beesmoor Road Playing Fields are the closest facilities to the homes, although they are officially in Frampton Cotterell, but have not been included among the areas which could benefit from the money.

In 2017 South Gloucestershire Council led a consultation process to identify and prioritise sites to benefit from the “allocation of outdoor sports funding” for the inclusion in the agreement with the developers.

Frampton Cotterell, Westerleigh and Winterbourne parish councils were consulted as were ward councillors.

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesman said: “As part of the consultation the parish councils and ward members were asked to highlight their priorities for outdoor sports

Kate Colechin, who is working on the scheme to replace the play equipment at Beesmoor Road playing fields provision and/or enhancement, and they were sent a plan showing the eligible sites, which included the Beesmoor Lane Playing Fields.

“The sites identified as priorities via the consultation were School Road, Frampton Cotterell, and/or Coalpit Heath Cricket Club, and/or Westerleigh Playing Fields and/or Coalpit Heath Recreation Ground (also known as Manor School Playing Fields). These are the sites that were included in the S106 agreement.”

A committee working for

almost five years to raise funds for improvements to Beesmoor Road Playing Fields has banked a total of £100,000 to pay for the first three phases, but it needs another £50,000 to finish the job. The volunteers are aiming to completely replace the existing children’s play equipment.

Kate Colechin, who has led the fundraising efforts, said: “I’ve put in for a £20,000 grant, I should hear soon. It’s government funding for play area redevelopment. I’m also about to put another application in for lottery funding for the

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redevelopment of open spaces.

That’s for a further £20,000.”

That still leaves £10,000 to find. The first items of new equipment are due to be installed in April. If the final £50,000 is found, it’s possible that the entire project to upgrade the play equipment could be completed by the end of the summer.

In order to get grants, the committee must show that it is fundraising too. Its next event is a village picnic on Saturday June 15, which it is hoping will be well supported.

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fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

n NEWS ONE in seven young people in South Gloucestershire say they have felt the need to carry a weapon.

Members of the area’s youth board all said they felt safe where they lived – but they had concerns over how prevalent knife crime is, after seeing news reports or social media posts and get ideas about.

In a survey, the issue came second to mental health in schools, ahead of ending period poverty for local young people.

Although it was not clear how many children had actually carried a knife, three youth board members said that they were aware of at least one young person who had carried a weapon in their school. One person said there was a gang in their area.

Some 2,207 young people from South Gloucestershire were asked if they had ever felt the need to carry a weapon and 302 said yes – one in seven.

Another 147 said they would

7

Youngsters fear knife crime rather not say.

Among the comments recorded by members of the South Gloucestershire Youth Board were that people saw “what’s happening in London” and a claim that “working class people are more likely to stab people”.

South Gloucestershire Council officer Vanessa Parkhill said it was unclear how many young people had actually carried a knife.

The authority will be inviting them to a meeting later in the year to hear their concerns.

Ending knife crime was the top priority for young people in the national Make Your Mark survey, and they said the Government needs to do more to “end the epidemic”.

Avon and Somerset police

Man dies on ring road POLICE are appealing for dashcam footage of a crash which claimed the life of a man.

Two lorries and a van collided on the A4174 Avon Ring Road shortly before midday on February 14.

The stretch of the road where the man died, near the Wick Wick roundabout in Downend, by the Willy Wicket pub, is on the main route between Yate and Bristol.

The man who died is understood to be Sean Owens, 53, from Portishead.

No-one else is believed to have been injured in the incident.

The road was shut completely for more than two and a half hours after the collision and the eastbound carriageway was closed overnight, as specialist collision investigation officers examined the scene and the vehicles involved were removed.

Anyone who saw the collision or has dashcam footage which could help the investigation should contact the police online or call 101, quoting incident reference number 5219 033 167.

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has been keen to emphasise that while knife crime is a serious issue, 99 per cent of young people do not carry a knife.

A force spokesperson said: “One of the most important messages we can share with our young people is that carrying a knife is not the norm.

“However we also know that young people can be under tremendous pressure from friends and peers.

“That’s why it’s important that we start the conversation now to make sure they have the facts and support they need to make the right choices.”

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fromevalleyvoice

8

March, 2019

n NEWS

School run parents cause pub headache A PUB landlady says parents using her car park while they pick their children up from a nearby school are affecting trade.

The Ring O Bells in Coalpit Heath is a few minutes’ walk from Manor Church of England Primary school.

Landlady Pat Andrews says her pub never usually has problems with parking but on Friday afternoons some customers are unable to get in. She is appealing to parents picking up children from school on Fridays not to use her car park because of the impact it is having on her business.

Pat has had to put signs out asking parents not to use the car park while they collect their children from school.

She said: “I’ve never objected to them parking there Monday to Thursday, that’s fine, but on a Friday the workers finish work a bit earlier – I was finding they couldn’t get in because the parents were using those spaces.”

The sign Pat Andrews has put up at the Ring O Bells pub Most of the week local tradespeople don’t start to arrive until 5pm but on a Friday they come into the pub from lunchtime onwards, ahead of the

weekend. Pat said that recently a member of staff who was starting a shift at 3.30pm wasn’t able to get a space in the pub car park either.

She said: “Even though we put a sign there sometimes the mothers still drive in, but we have to say if you’re not stopping to come into the pub you can’t park here.”

Pat said parents with a bit of time to spare are welcome to arrive early and pop in to the pub for a soft drink and would then be welcome to park there.

Her plea comes after a study found children in South Gloucestershire are getting less exercise, with almost 30% doing less than half an hour of physical activity a day.

The Active Lives Children and Young People survey, published

by Sport England, found that an estimated 9,200 children aged between five and 16 in South Gloucestershire do less than 30 minutes of exercise a day on average.

A further 8,200 manage an average of at least half an hour a day, but less than an hour.

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fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

9

n NEWS

Drone noise is spooking horses A HORSE owner is appealing to drone owners not to fly them over the animals, as they can be spooked by the unfamiliar noise.

Alyce Griffiths has recently witnessed her horses frightened galloping in response to a drone being flown overhead.

Alyce keeps her horses at a livery yard in Watley’s End, Winterbourne, just off the bridlepath to Coalpit Heath. Her daughter Fern has her own pony, Taffy, based there.

The most recent incident happened on February 2, when snow was lying on the fields. But it wasn’t the first time: horses at the yard were affected by low flying drones several times last summer.

Alyce said: “A frightened, galloping horse is at significant risk of injury, particularly in slippy conditions. There are lots of horses and livery yards around the area and drone flying could impact any of them.

Fern Griffiths on her pony, Taffy.

“I understand the appeal of filming horses galloping in the snow or on a beautiful day but we want drone flyers to understand the dangers and plead with them not to put our horses at risk.”

Andrew Walker from

Frampton Community Projects, is setting up a drone club to encourage people to use them responsibly whilst also having fun.

He said: “A drone makes a pretty unique sound and the

sound gets louder the closer the drone gets. It scares animals because they cannot see it.”

“Anyone who flies a drone must be conscious of their surroundings before they take off, and if not then they should do a 360 degree view using the onboard camera. If you are flying over public or private land, you need to be visible.

“More importantly, you must always have line of sight to the drone. Drones can fly beyond a person’s line of sight, in which case you need a spotter who the controller is in contact with.

Basically the drone must always be seen by the pilot, even if that is by a third party.”

The first sessions for the Drone Club take place in the field next to Manor Hall in Coalpit Heath, on 16 and 30 March from 3-4.30pm.

You can find more information about the drone club online at framptoncp.org.

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fromevalleyvoice

10

March, 2019

n NEWS HOSPITAL admissions for conditions directly caused by alcohol abuse are soaring in South Gloucestershire, new Public Health England figures show.

The British Liver Trust says the figures are "alarming" and put them down to an increasing drinking culture amongst middle aged and older drinkers.

In South Gloucestershire, there were 1,698 admissions directly linked to excessive drinking in the 12 months to March last year – 59% more than five years earlier.

The data only includes patients suffering conditions which are entirely attributable to alcohol abuse, such as liver cirrhosis.

Admissions of underage drinkers have also risen. There were 66 in the three years to March 2018, compared with 38 over a similar period five years earlier. The figures for children are measured over a three year period due to low numbers.

Vanessa Hebditch, director of policy at the British Liver Trust, said the Government should

Middle-aged and older drinkers behind ‘alarming’ rise in alcohol abuse increase taxes on alcoholic drinks or set a minimum unit price.

She said: "These statistics are alarming. Over the last thirty years, there has been a big shift in the UK’s drinking culture, particularly amongst middle aged and older drinkers.

"Filling up your supermarket trolley with wine and drinking at home has become increasingly acceptable and affordable.

The Government should act to address this through taxation such as by creating a minimum unit price."

Scotland introduced a minimum unit price of 50p in 2017, while the Welsh Government is planning to implement the same measure next summer.

Dr John Larsen, director of evidence and impact for alcohol

education charity Drinkaware, warned that young people are more likely to binge drink.

He said: "The more alcohol people drink, the greater their risk of developing a serious condition, such as high blood pressure and heart disease, as well as seven types of cancer.

"Men and women should not drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis."

Across England, 304,073 people were taken to hospital for conditions caused by alcohol abuse. That's 3% higher than five years earlier.

Salford, in Greater Manchester, has the highest rate of admissions for alcohol-specific conditions. Redbridge, in east London, has the lowest.

The Government estimates alcohol misuse costs the NHS about £3.5 billion each year.

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fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

11

n NEWS

Lighting the last nights of winter FRAMPTON Cotterell residents have risen to the challenge of brightening up the dark February evenings with decorated windows.

Community group Village Action organised the Window Art Trail, urging householders

to create designs using card or bin liners stuck to their windows, which create silhouettes when lit from behind.

The window art, created using the theme ‘What makes me happy’, is on display until February 27.

It can be seen in the windows of homes in Meadow View, Upper Stone Close, Woodend Road, Lower Chapel Lane, Park Avenue, Park Lane, Rectory Road, Robel Avenue, Church Road and at St Peter’s Church.

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fromevalleyvoice

12

March, 2019

n NEWS

Bypass plan in transport study THE possibility of a bypass for Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell has moved a step closer to reality after it was included in a new study into the future of transport.

People are being encouraged to have their say on the scheme, which is one of a series of options in the Joint Local Transport Plan published by the West of England Combined Authority.

The transport map published with the consultation includes the options of building a road to the east of Coalpit Heath, between Nibley and the Avon Ring Road near Emersons Green, and west of Winterbourne ending near Iron Acton.

WECA has confirmed it will fund a study which will examine the possibility of a bypass, which has previously been considered but shelved, to relive congestion on Bristol Road, Church Road, and Badminton Road.

Tory councillors Marian Gilpin, Nic Labuschagne and Trevor Jones with West of England Mayor Tim Bowles and residents Tom Howell and Jenna Hale.

Frampton Cotterell Conservatives say that during campaigning for the bypass,

three out of ten local residents said it was their top priority for local transport improvement.

Activist Tom Howell said: “A Frampton Cotterell bypass is something which needs to be seriously considered and I am thrilled that WECA have dedicated funding to launch a study into this vital project.”

Ladden Brook ward councillor Marian Gilpin added, “It is great to see WECA and South Gloucestershire Conservatives taking neighbourhood concerns seriously. I am pleased that we are continuing to invest in important infrastructure projects such as this.”

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A WORLD OF

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A WORLD OF

A COALPIT Heath woman is taking on challenge to raise £10,000 in memory a gruelling friend’s baby daughter. of her Emma Steele aims to cycle over 400 three days as she travels from Bristol miles in just to Edinburgh.

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

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Emma Steele (right) and fellow cyclist Helen Jackson are riding 400 miles in memory of Emma’s friend’s baby daughter and her husband Rory were devastated that their baby girl had died three days to be told due date. Zoe gave birth to her stillbornbefore her couple named her and the Beatrice.

Emma said: “I didn’t know what to say because nothing or do could make this better.”

Turn to page 5

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

PAGE 4

Thieves strike

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

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

PAGE 15

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fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

13

n NEWS

Bus journeys down as public asked for views on future BUS passengers took 112,000 fewer journeys in South Gloucestershire last year, new figures reveal.

The Department for Transport data found that in the year to last March, there were 9.88 million passenger journeys in South Gloucestershire, 1.1% less than in the previous year.

This is despite South Gloucestershire Council financially supporting 30 services in areas where there would otherwise be no coverage.

More than half of the supported services operate in the Frome Valley and Yate areas.

A council spokesperson said: “We currently support a wide range of bus services. This includes services which are entirely funded by the council and others which are commercial services that receive top up funding for part of the service for instance evenings or bank holidays.

“We currently support 30 bus services in areas where there would otherwise be no service or a more limited route/timetable.”

The figures show that despite the recent dip, bus use has increased over the last eight years, with the number of passenger journeys in South Gloucestershire increasing by 36% since 2009-10, when figures were first recorded.

And the West of England Combined Authority has now launched a consultation to try and ensure that future plans for the region’s transport system reflect public needs.

Between now and March 20, residents are being asked to tell the authority, which has overall responsibility for the region’s transport provision, where they think it should be investing between now and 2036.

It has launched an online survey asking people to allocate ‘points’ to the areas they think

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

it should prioritise, including a mass transit network, expansion of Metrobus, new and improved railway stations, road and motorway improvements, new charges and more park and ride sites.

Tim Bowles, West of England Mayor, said: “This is an ambitious plan to keep people moving and tackle congestion, whilst supporting economic growth.

“It considers a wide range of options to support sustainable travel including rail, bus, cycling, walking, mass and rapid transit and electric vehicles.”

The survey can be accessed online at bit.ly/2tomtMi. Anyone without internet access can contact WECA on 0117 428 6210 for more information.

Across England, there were 85 million fewer bus journeys last year, a drop of 3.2% outside London and 0.7% in the capital.

Supported bus services in Frome Valley, Yate and Sodbury: They are: 202- Chipping Sodbury to Winterbourne 35 – Marshfield to Bristol 41 – Yate to Malmesbury Y4 – Bristol Centre to Yate Y5 – Bristol Centre to Yate 620 – Bath to Old Sodbury 622 – Chipping Sodbury to Cribbs Causeway 626 – Wotton under Edge to Bristol Centre 634 – Tormarton to Kingswood 680 – North Yate to Filton College Y6 – Yate to Southmead Hospital 84 – Yate to Wotton under Edge 85 – Yate to Wotton under Edge 86 – Yate to Kingswood Patchway to Winterbourne Academy 967 – South Yate to Chipping Sodbury School Y1 – Bristol to Chipping Sodbury Y2 – Bristol to Yate

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

14

fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

n NEWS

Mum calls on people to nominate star carers A MUM from Winterbourne whose daughter needs roundthe-clock care is encouraging people in a similar situation to nominate their carers for an award.

Nominations for the annual Care and Support West awards are open until the end of March.

Margaret Onyet’s daughter Deborah, 58, of Pucklechurch, has severe multiple sclerosis. She is peg fed and tube fed and has to be hoisted into her wheelchair.

In fact, everything physical has to be done for her.

Margaret nominated Deborah’s carer, Nicola Clement, for a Care and Support West Award because she feels she goes above and beyond her job description – and Nicola duly won the personal assistant of the year award.

Margaret said: “She’s exceptional. She’s been with my daughter for 10 years. What she does is adopt the family. A

year ago, my daughter was in hospital and had sepsis which she nearly died from, followed by other infections. The person who was in the hospital every day was Nicola. She got there in the morning before the family got there. I’ve never seen such devotion.”

Nicola was also nominated by the two other families she supports.

BBC Radio Bristol presenter Laura Rawlings, who was a special guest at the awards ceremony, said: “Nicola’s devotion to care for all three service users who nominated her is remarkable, alongside her always going even further than the extra mile.

“She is unfailingly cheerful and exceptionally supportive, ensuring those she supports, and their families, can always rely on her calm professionalism.”

Nicola, who lives in Yate, said: “I was over the moon. I was

Carer Nicola Clement with her award nominated the year before in the final list, but I didn’t come anywhere. But this time I did.

“It was a surprise! It was lovely. My family all went to the awards. There were 12 of us and it was a really emotional night because of what people wrote about me and said about me. It’s important to have recognition.

“I won a glass trophy. If I’ve had a bad day, I just look at it and think 'oh well never mind'.”

To nominate a carer for this year’s awards or find out more, visuit bit.ly/2Gzeogx online.

Entries close on March 31, with the awards made later in the year.

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fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

15

n NEWS

Final curtain for St Peter’s’ Players A THEATRE group which entertained audiences in the Frome Valley for 20 years has closed.

Almost a year after what turned out to be their final theatrical production, members of St Peter’s Players have decided to call it a day.

The group staged Alice in Pantoland last March and, although a couple of performances had to be cancelled due to heavy snow during the socalled Beast from the East, they

St Peter's Players perform Alice in Pantoland

Pantomime dame Nick Pearce

finished the run on a high.

Carolie Green is a member of the group who also wrote some of its plays.

She said: “As it turned out, Alice in Pantoland was our swan song. With a significant number of the production team and players feeling unable to carry on, sadly, it was decided to fold the company.”

The theatre group started 20 years ago when small group from

St Peter’s Church in Frampton Cotterell decided to fundraise by putting on a pantomime.

The first one was performed at Crossbow House. It turned out to be such a success that a production was staged every year at the Winterbourne Community Association.

Scripts for the pantomimes were written by Godfrey Laundy for many years. Then Carolie decided to “have a go”, and wrote

five in total herself, including Alice in Pantoland.

She said: “I would like to thank everybody who has ever helped in any way for all the hard work that has allowed us to have the greatest fun over the last twenty years.

“My thanks go, too, to all the audiences who have shown such great support.”

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March, 2019

n STROUD AUCTION ROOMS

Heavy demand for weights and scales FOR some people they are the most functional of objects.

But collectors are prepared to pay serious money for antique weights and scales, and a 19th century set was the star performer at a busy February sale at Stroud Auction Rooms, where there were so many buyers in the room that the hard-pressed office ran out of bidder numbers.

Specialist sections including militaria, weapons, cameras and toys all saw lively bidding but it was weights and scales, and the ever-popular guns and air rifles, that provoked the most interest.

An 1825 Georgian standard bushel measure set from Monmouthshire Trading Standards, with weights from one bushel to one gill, sold for £6,000 to head the auction's top 25 list. Other lots in this category that sold well included a Georgian set of ball weights (£2,300) and a boxed set of Chekpump petrol measures (£1,600).

Gun and air rifle collectors accounted for much of the action on day two. Among the most sought-after items was an Edwinson Green of Cheltenham and Gloucester 12 bore sidelock ejector over and under shotgun, with named locks (£4,300). Air rifles also performed well, with a Daystate Air Ranger .177 air rifle

realising £600.

Three lots of cartridge reloading equipment, including rollover and crimping tools, pictured, made over £1,400: a really pleasing result for a group of accessories which arrived at the saleroom in a box of mixed items, which had been heading for the skip.

In the militaria section, two Irish regimental bass drums each sold for £900, a Victorian British Army medal trio made £800 and a WWI Canadian Medical Corps tunic from 1916, with buttons and chevrons, made £700.

There was a lot of interest in an early 20th century hand-cranked 35mm cinema film projector on a stand from the Gaumont Paris, which sold for a respectable £650.

The next auction is a three-day event on March 6, 7 and 8 from 10am, featuring jewellery, silver, bijouterie, watches, clocks, coins and textiles. Viewing will be on March 5 from 10am-7pm and from 9am on sale days.

Stroud Auction Rooms is also now taking in items for future sales including ceramics, glass, stamps, pictures, musical instruments and vinyl records in April.

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fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

n NEWS

Warning after bogus smart meter visit A COALPIT Heath resident is warning others to be aware after an apparent attempt by a bogus caller to get into his home.

Albert Griffin’s wife opened the door to a man on February 1, after it had snowed overnight. He said: “I could see this man out there – he was on about us having had a new smart meter fitted.

He said they broke something when they were doing it and he had come to see about it.

“I think when he saw me, he seemed to get a bit agitated. I said we hadn’t got a smart meter. He was going on and on about safety.”

Albert refused to let the man, who had claimed to be from an electricity company, into his home and the caller went away. Albert called the police on 101 to report the incident and also tried to phone his electricity company, Npower, but was unable to get through.

He said: “They would usually write to you and say they are coming, they would arrange a date and a time.”

A spokeswoman for Npower confirmed the caller did not work for the company.

She said: “This is very concerning. These people were not from Npower and they didn’t claim to be. Thankfully Mr Griffin obviously realised this, as they mentioned a smart meter, which he doesn’t have.”

“If we were to go out to a property to work on a meter we would write and let customers know; engineers also always have their ID showing. If it was just a standard meter reading, we wouldn’t write to customers but again, ID would always be showing.”

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fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

19

n NEWS

Good report for Tiddlypeeps A PRE-SCHOOL in Wickwar has been rated ‘Good’ in all areas

by Ofsted at its most recent inspection.

Staff at Tiddlypeeps were praised by the education watchdog for working together with parents and carers in order to identify areas for improvement.

They were also acknowledged for effectively supporting children who need additional help, giving all staff sign language training to aid communication skills.

Ofsted rates pre-schools in four areas: leadership and management; teaching and learning quality; children’s development, behaviour and welfare; outcomes for children.

Tiddlypeeps, which has 16 children on its roll, is rated good in all four areas.

The pre-school is based at the village community centre and opens during term-time from 9.15am to 3.15pm on weekdays.

Outcomes were found to be good by the Ofsted inspector Anita McKelvey.

She said: “Children enjoy their time in the setting. Younger children come in singing rhymes they have learnt and greet staff enthusiastically.

“Older and younger children show good self-care skills. For example, younger children attempt to put on their waterproofs and boots for outdoor play, and older ones competently use knives and forks to eat cooked lunches. Children

are well prepared for moving onto school.”

The inspector praised the pre-school’s three staff for how they help children to learn and develop.

She said: “The manager and owner are keen to enhance the experiences and learning for the children.

“Staff help children to respect others.

“Staff provide opportunities for children to learn about the wider world, including through planning different activities and inviting visitors into the setting.

Children have the chance to learn words and songs in other languages, join in traditional celebrations and see photographs showing scenes and life in other countries.”

The inspector said that in order to improve further, the preschool needs to help children manage risk, and to recognise when children want to join in with group activities.

Tiddlypeeps owner Ellie Palmer said: “We’re very pleased that Ofsted recognise our hard work in creating varied, fun and engaging environments for our children to explore and discover. We support children’s independence, allowing them time and space to develop their ideas” “We are proud of our strong relationships with our families and believe that creating consistency for our children is paramount to their development.”

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Frampton Cotterell Parish Council POWER TO THE PEOPLE! DEMOCRACY IN FRAMPTON Naomi Bibi, Clerk to Frampton Cotterell Parish Council, explains how the democratic process in Frampton works, what exactly the Council does, and how YOU can get involved!

There are so many questions surrounding Town and Parish Councils: What are they? What do they do? Who are the councillors?

How are they appointed and what do they do? What about the Clerk?

How is he or she appointed?

What is their role…? This article will cover all of these questions and (hopefully!) provide useful and informative answers so that you understand better how your local Parish Council operates, and more importantly, how you can get involved to influence its key decisions.

What is a Parish or Town Council?

A Parish or Town Council is a statutory body (an organisation that has been created by parliament), to promote the parish or town (in this case Frampton Cotterell). It is the tier of government closest to the people, and its fundamental role is to represent the interests of the different groups within that community.

Within a Parish or Town Council there are a number of councillors.

Frampton Cotterell has fifteen in total spread out over three wards: five in Central Ward, 5 in East Ward, and 5 in West Ward. These are people just like you who stand for election to represent their community. They are voted for, by the residents, and together form a corporate body to make decisions together. No one councillor can make individual decisions for the community. Standing to be elected is voluntary, however, once voted on, councillors are obligated to attend meetings.

The Clerk takes instruction from full council and has the responsibility to implement full council decisions. Independent and objective, the Clerk will carry out research on behalf of council and advise on matters raised.

The Chair of Council makes sure that there are enough councillors present to vote on topics at meetings, declares meetings are open and closed, ensures all individual councillors are involved in discussions, and that discussions are kept to the point. Not always an easy task! An equal member of

Council, the Chair is elected by councillors annually at the Annual Meeting. The only additional power the Chair has is that of a casting vote when decisions are tied. The Chair is also often the “public face” of the Council, attending functions and events on behalf of Full Council.

What do we do?

Here at Frampton Cotterell, we are responsible (have formal power) for many different things across the community. We have two allotments sites, (Jubilee and Mill Lane). We maintain street furniture, footpaths and verges. We observe and comment on planning applications and Local Authority consultations for the Frampton area. We provide grants to local organisations. We are responsible for open spaces and recreation areas (for example, The Park, Centenary Field, Ridings Road, the area surrounding the Brockeridge Centre, the skate ramp and other outdoor play equipment, as well as cricket, rugby and football pitches, and tennis and netball courts).

We also rent out our facilities and buildings to community groups and private hirers.

Frampton Cotterell Parish Council also sets a percentage of the amount of Council Tax you as residents pay each year. This sum is calculated based on what was

needed in the previous year, and what is estimated to be needed in the coming year.

How you can get involved If you are on the electoral register in Frampton Cotterell, you can either identify potential councillors and nominate them for election, or, you could even stand for election as a councillor yourself. Elections are held every four years, or called before that if a councillor steps down, moves away, or passes away mid-term. Sometimes where a vacancy arises and no election is called, a new councillor may be coopted onto council. This is when nominees are voted onto council by current councillors rather than the electors.

Candidates must meet the required criteria to be a councillor, and that is: be a qualifying commonwealth citizen (not restricted by leave to enter or remain), an EU citizen, or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, and be 18 years or older. They must also be on the electoral role in Frampton Cotterell, or in the 12 months prior to being elected have lived or worked in the Parish, or within 3 miles of it. (Full details on eligibility are available from the

Parish Council Office).

Whether you decide to stand to be elected yourself or not, we would encourage you to vote to elect councillors who represent your interests. It is also important to know who your councillors are as you can then contact them with issues that directly affect you or your neighbours, and they can then raise these issues with full council to hopefully find a solution.

How to reach us Frampton Cotterell Parish Council holds two evening meetings every month. The meeting dates and times are published on our website, and in our noticeboards.

We welcome visitors and you can come to the Parish Council

Offices Monday-Friday 09:00-14:00.

Address as follows: Frampton Cotterell Parish Council, The Brockeridge Centre, Woodend Road, Frampton Cotterell, BS36 2LQ. You can also contact us by telephone or email: 01454 868370 / 01454 864442 clerkframptoncotterellpc@ southglos.gov.uk Please also contact the office for a full list of your councillors and their contact details so you can speak to them directly about issues or concerns you may have in your area.

Frampton Cotterell Parish Council runs by democratic process and it is important that as residents you are aware of this and participate as much as possible: you are the ones with the power to raise and influence local community ideas and decisions!

The next elections will be held on Thursday 2nd May 2019. Please contact the Clerk for more information on how to stand.

22

fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

n NEWS

Extra £24 a year to pay for 100 cops AN extra £24 per year will be added to the average council tax bill next month to pay for 100 more police officers.

The increase represents a 12.4% rise in the Avon & Somerset Constabulary precept, which will go up from £193.81 to £217.81 for people living in a Band D home this year.

It is the maximum increase the Avon & Somerset Police and Crime Panel could impose and will generate an extra £15 million, which is being specifically used to recruit 100 additional officers and support a burglary, drugs and knife crime crackdown called Operation Remedy, which will run for three months from April to June.

The number of police officers in Avon & Somerset Constabulary will increase to 2,751 – the first time in a decade that the force’s front-line manpower will have increased –

but that is still far below 2010, when it was 3,300.

Police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens, who requested the rise, said: “What this is going to mean is a radical change to what we’ve done before.

“We have reduced our officers year after year, and therefore we’ve lost proactivity.

“The Government has now realised that you can’t keep pushing the police to tackle increased crime with a reduction of resources.”

The panel heard that without the hike in the precept, more cuts would have had to be made.

Ms Mountstevens said: “Burglary, drugs and knife crime are areas that people are most concerned about. They are all connected.

“Because of cuts, police have been less proactive. Residents are very aware of that and the

police are equally frustrated.”

Mendip Councillor John Parham, who was the only panel member to vote against the precept rise, said the system was “inherently unfair” because most people in Bristol paid less yet received more police resources.

“When you compare that to spending on policing, Bristol swallows up hugely more resources than gets spent in rural areas,” he said.

Ms Mountstevens said the money would not “disappear into a black hole” and that residents would notice that the force was making a difference.

Panel vice-chairman and Bristol Councillor Mark Weston said the PCC must demonstrate to members in the coming months how the money was making improvements to reducing crime.

Row over 4p-a-week rise in fire charge A ROW broke out over a 4p-a-week rise in Avon Fire Authority’s portion of the council tax after a councillor claimed the service could cut back-room staff to save money.

North Somerset Conservative councillor Nick Wilton was the only member of the authority to vote against the 2.99% rise in the precept, suggesting the roles of non front-line personnel could be merged with their police counterparts at the services’ joint HQ in Portishead.

Fire authority chairman, independent councillor Don Davies, said the suggestion was “farcical” and “very, very unfair” to employees in support services.

Avon Fire Authority members were given two options when they set their 2019/20 budget on February 13 — the 2.99% increase, equal to an extra £2.13 a year for average band D properties from £71.35 to £73.48, or a 2% rise.

Temporary interim treasurer Kevin Woodward warned the 2% rise would leave the service having to find £264,000 in cuts.

But Mr Wilton said: “An awful lot of the 125 back office staff that we currently have could be shared with another organisation.

“I think there are things we could do with technology to slim this organisation down, particularly when it comes to back office services, because I don’t accept the premise that we must spend more than we did last year.”

Mr Davies retorted: “The idea the police can suddenly take over our back office function is a farcical thing to say and it is quite rude to our staff.”

Councillor Sarah Pomfret said: “Support staff are easier to attack but I don’t see how the police can take over the roles of those staff without them taking on extra people to cover it.”

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

23

n NEWS TAX payers will see their bill for basic South Gloucestershire Council services rise by an average of £43 this year.

The council has agreed a 2.99% increase in council tax, as it deals with an 11.2% drop in government funding.

That means an increase of £43.08 in the cost of council services to Band D tax payers, from £1,441.07 last year to £1,484.15 this year.

Frome Valley residents also pay for the services of parish councils. Each council sets a precept and in addition there is a charge for “special expenses” added to bills for services South Gloucestershire provides which are specific to an area but not carried out by the parish council.

There will also be a rise in combined police and fire precepts, which will see these elements of Band D bills rise by £26.13, to £291.29.

A £26.13 rise in combined police and fire precepts will see these elements of Band D bills cost £291.29.

It means the total bill for a Band D council tax payer in Frampton Cotterell will top £1,900 this year.

In Winterbourne, where precepts are lower, bills will be above £1,830 for Band D tax payers.

South Gloucestershire Council will spend £221 million on services plus £86.7million on school buildings, roads and other infrastructure in the coming

PARISH

TAX REVENUE

Council adds £43 to tax bills

Council in session during budget debate year.

A further £208m of ringfenced education funding from the government will be passed on to schools.

The Conservative administration, whose budget was passed on February 13, says it is investing “into the next generation”.

It has pledged more than £100m for school buildings, roads and highways during the next four years, promising a new primary school, two new special schools and a new M49 junction

BAND D PRECEPT

SPECIAL EXPENSES CHARGE

Frampton Cotterell £334,274

£130.32

£11.42

Iron Acton

£79.76

£1.30

£47,000

in Severn Beach.

The council will also receive some funding from other sources, including the West of England Combined Authority,

and will spend £3m from its own reserves.

Some £6.3million is expected to be saved through an ongoing programme of spending cuts, the exact details of which remain unclear.

Council leader Toby Savage said: “We have put forward the largest funding commitments this council has ever made to our schools and to our roads, this administration’s two highest priorities.”

Liberal Democrat group leader Claire Young called the budget “a classic pre-election extend and pretend budget” which ignored the central issue of government underfunding.

Labour group leader Pat Rooney said the government reduction in the council’s funding of 11.2% was more than the national average decrease of 7.5% and added: “The primary cause of our financial problems is the Tories in Whitehall.”

Rangeworthy £14,000 £47.00 £4.01 Westerleigh £78,654 £56.89 £4.67 Winterbourne £174,750 £48.73 £7.78

If it's News - Email us at: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

John Harris

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

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fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

n NEWS

Claire and Louise are Lib Dem contenders LIBERAL Democrats have re-selected South Gloucestershire Council group leader Claire Young to stand for the Thornbury and Yate parliamentary seat at the next general election.

The party has also picked Louise Harris, the Councillor for Dodington Ward, to contest the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency, which includes Winterbourne.

Claire, who lives with her family in Coalpit Heath, contested Thornbury and Yate at the last election in 2017 and came second behind the Conservatives’ Luke Hall.

The Lib Dems held the seat until 2015, when Mr Hall ousted Steve Webb by a slim margin of 1,495 votes. But at the last election the Tory MP increased his majority to more than 12,000, gaining more than half of the votes cast and leaving the Lib Dems with a huge task at the next election.

Claire said: “It’s a great honour to be able to continue to speak up for local people in Thornbury, Yate, Chipping Sodbury and our villages.

“I look forward to speaking out louder than ever about Lib Dem priorities for the country and South Gloucestershire: improving the performance of the NHS both locally and across the country, demanding better

Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidates Louise Harris (left), Claire Young (centre) and Dine Romero (right) funding in our schools, and of course giving you the final say on Brexit with an option to remain.”

South Gloucestershire Lib Dem chair Jayne Stansfield said: “The fact that Claire was reselected by a huge margin is testament to the hard work and dedication she has shown locally over so many years.”

Louise also faces a tough task: in 2017 the Lib Dems came in third with a little over 3,000

votes, behind sitting MP Jack Lopresti, who had more than 25,000 votes, and Labour’s Naomi Rylatt, who was second with just over 21,000 votes.

Louise said: “It’s a great honour to become the candidate for Filton and Bradley Stoke. I’m looking forward to speaking about Lib Dem priorities and values in the area. We know that South Gloucestershire and the country have been let down by

the Conservatives on education, the NHS, local services and Brexit, and I’m eager to listen to residents about their concerns.”

Elsewhere, Dine Robero, Lib Dem Group leader on Bath and North East Somerset Council, completes an all-female lineup for the Lib Dems in South Gloucestershire. The party came third in Kingswood in 2017, behind Tory MP Chris Skidmore and Labour.

Tories choose Mark to contest police election AN ARMY veteran and serving councillor has been selected as the Conservative candidate to be the next Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner.

Mark Shelford joined the Army in 1981 and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2013, when he returned to Bath to set up a company specialising in training and simulation.

A Bath & North East Somerset councillor, he is also a member of the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel, serving as chairman of the complaints committee, and the Avon Fire Authority.

Mark will contest the next PCC election in May of next year, aiming to take the role,

which involves setting the strategic direction and budget for policing, from Independent Sue Mountstevens.

He said his focus would include combatting drugs and rural crime, supporting vulnerable people and building closer links with hard-to-reach groups.

Mark said: “The Conservatives are the party of law and order and I’ll be doing everything I can to work with the police, government and other partners to tackle crime and keep people safe.

“Local people are asking for more visible policing and it’s time for a change.

“As a retired Army officer, I

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Mark Shelford (front) with party members after being selected as the Conservative police and crime commissioner candidate for Avon and Somerset.

have a good understanding of the challenges in protecting the public and property and am

looking forward to supporting and championing the police in their work.”

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

n NEWS A CHEF who was taken seriously ill before Christmas is walking again after his lung transplant was successful.

Dave Lawrence’s partner Shamsi Kabbara says he’s set himself a deadline of just one week to recover and get back home.

She describes him as “my smiling superstar, Dave the brave.”

Dave worked at Chipping Sodbury Mexican restaurant Amigos, and his life changed dramatically when he was told he needed a lung transplant and then shortly afterwards lost his job. His wife Shamsi Kabbara, who has health issues of her own, has had to be with him almost all the time at Southmead Hospital and then at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Her mum has looked after their 12 year old daughter Yasmin.

Dave was fortunate that after his assessment at the QEH, he was on the transplant waiting list for just 5 days.

Shamsi said: “Dave is doing remarkably well. He’s had a few set backs but it’s still very early days and everyone has told us they are to be expected.

“We wouldn’t be here right now without the wonderful staff working within the NHS, the critical care team, the transplant team but most importantly, the amazing donor and their family.

“We are eternally grateful for them giving us a second chance and we are truly humbled by their generosity. Please all sign the organ donation register and make your wishes known to your loved ones. One donor can help 9 recipients and what a difference you could make to not only the recipient but their family too.”

Dave has managed to walk around the ward, which is approximately 40 metres. Not long ago he struggled to walk 48 metres and took about 45 minutes to recover. He no longer needs oxygen.

27

Dave is walking again after lung transplant

Dave and partner Shamsi.

Shamsi has had support from the Chipping Sodbury community ever since Dave fell ill, and to keep people up to date she has started a Facebook blog called ‘What a difference a Dave makes’.

On the page she writes in a personal heartfelt way about their experience, saying: “It’s just the beginning of his recovery, but already, he’s amazing the transplant team and critical care team. That’s my Dave! This is still only day five post-transplant and I’m astounded by how quickly they’ve got him up and doing things.”

The online gofundme page which the community set up to help the couple pay their rent has raised just over £7,000 out of its £8,000 total. It can be found at bit.ly/2Ej0CMv.

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fromevalleyvoice

28

March, 2019

n NEWS

Please don’t feed Molly the Tesco cat SHE’S something of a celebrity with shoppers and even has a following on Facebook.

But the owner of a cat which has stolen shoppers’ hearts at the huge Tesco store in Yate says there is a downside to her fame.

So many people are feeding Molly that her owner fears she will decide not to come back home.

Grey and white cat Molly adopted Yate shopping centre as her second home about four years ago, then two years ago she moved location, spending most of her time in the car park under Tesco.

Her owner, who has asked not to be named, set up the Facebook page to track Molly’s adventures after she started staying away from home for longer periods of time, and more than 1,400 people follow it.

Her owner said: “She probably just likes the attention!

She gets everybody coming to her, she likes hunting pigeons.

She waits for people to press the button so she can cross the

road safely from Tesco to the Riverside.”

But some people who come across Molly think she is lost or a stray. She has been taken to the vets four times by people worried about her safety.

But the biggest concern is that because she is being fed, she will never come back home for good.

Molly’s owner said: “People are feeding her everything from cat food and treats to cooked meat – over Christmas I was told staff had stopped four people in 20 minutes feeding her.”

Molly likes nothing better than to curl up in a trolley in the foyer, looking cute, and shoppers stop to take selfies with her.

But although her owner brings her home a couple of times a week, Molly never stops long. She now has a collar which says “do not feed me” and her owner says she wants to word to be spread that Molly has a loving home to return to.

You can follow Molly on Facebook at Molly the Yate Tesco Cat (one of them!).

Almost 4,000 on housing waiting list NEARLY 4,000 households are on the waiting list for social housing in South Gloucestershire, with more than a quarter of those in unhygienic or overcrowded conditions.

Housing charity Shelter said the figures are "chilling" and called for the Government to increase the funding for new social homes.

The latest Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government data shows 3,909 households on the housing waiting list in South Gloucestershire.

That is 30% fewer than in 2016 – but of those, 1,324 were households living in unhygienic or overcrowded housing, while a further 270 had to move due to a medical condition.

There were just two vacant homes owned by South Gloucestershire Council at the end of March last year, when the official figures were compiled.

Across England, more than 1.1 million

families were on council waiting lists – 6% fewer than in 2016 – but only 23,000 council homes were available in 2017-18.

Shelter chief executive Polly Neate said: "When you compare the number of households waiting with the tiny number of available homes, and the trickle of new social homes being built, you understand how chilling today’s housing crisis is.

"It’s not just those in greatest need crying out for the chance of a stable home either, hundreds of thousands of older people and young families are also desperate to escape the private renting trap."

Local Government Association housing spokesman Martin Tett said: "A genuine renaissance in council housebuilding is the only way to boost housing supply and tackle the housing waiting lists many councils have.”

Over recent last years, South Gloucestershire's social housing stock has

risen.

By the end of March 2017, there were 12,250 social and council homes, up from 11,300 in 2012. The council announced it was handing land to social housing provider Merlin in January with the intention of creating sites for another 54 homes.

A government spokesman said: "For the last 30 years, governments of all stripes and types have failed to build enough homes. We still need to deliver more, better, faster so we have given councils the freedom to build a new generation of council houses and are investing £9 billion in affordable housing, up until March 2022.

"The accuracy of the list also depends on the extent to which housing authorities keep the register up-to-date, as some people might already have found housing, yet remain on the list."

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fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

29

n RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Pancakes - but not as we know them!

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.

AS I write this article, Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday, to give it its proper title, is looming. This year it falls on March 5. Historically Shrove Tuesday was the day when eggs, butter and stocks of fat would be used up before the fasting time of Lent began.

Every year, as I tuck into my pancakes, I think ‘why don’t I make these more often’? They’re delicious, versatile, cheap and can be vegetarian, vegan, fishy or meaty. What’s not to like?

So this year, I’ve done

something a little bit different from your average pancakes with lemon and sugar (which I love too). These savoury pancakes with a Chinese twist are very versatile. They can make a hearty weekend brunch, a quick snack or even a midweek meal served with steamed veg and egg-fried rice. The batter can be prepped in advance and kept in the fridge for up to 3 days, so it’s super speedy when you need it.

I first came across the idea when visiting my daughter-in-law’s family in Taiwan, where they are frequently found in Taiwanese breakfast shops or on a dim sum menu. They are crispy on the outside, soft and moreish inside.

Totally delicious: give them a flip!

Chinese Prawn Pancakes Makes 8 medium sized pancakes.

Ingredients: 1 cup of plain flour (150g) A large pinch of sea salt 1 cup of water (240ml) - chilled 1 large egg, preferably free-range or organic, lightly beaten 5 or 6 spring onions- trimmed and cut into ½ inch lengths 1 medium carrot- cut into fine dice 1 red chilli- finely chopped(optional) ½ teaspoon of Chinese 5 spice powder 3oz cooked large prawns- cut into small pieces 2-3 t bsps vegetable oil for frying For serving: sweet chilli sauce

Here’s what you do: Put the flour, salt, egg and water into a large mixing bowl. Gently stir until you have a smooth, thick consistency. Don’t over mix.

If you have time, chill in the fridge. The mixture can also be made and chilled in the fridge overnight.

When you are ready to cook your pancakes preheat a large non-stick frying pan.

Whist the pan is heating, mix in all the other ingredients, except the oil.

Add the oil to the pre-heated pan and allow to become hot.

Pour a ladle of the batter (just less than 2 tbsps) into the pan for

each pancake.

Don’t overcrowd the pan, cook the pancakes in 2 batches.

Cook each pancake for 3 mins, then flip and cook for 1½ mins or until golden brown.

Remove from the pan and drain on kitchen paper.

Serve immediately with sweet chilli dipping sauce.

Variations -You can make a gluten free version using1 cup(130g) rice flour or tapioca flour. Use ¾ cup(180ml) chilled water, instead of 1 cup.

Cook’s Tips I use an ice cream scoop or a ¼ cup measure to ladle the pancakes; it’s easier.

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fromevalleyvoice

30

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA February 28 n Thursday, 28th February: Avon Organic Group invites local gardeners and growers to join in our Seed Swap with Short Talk - “Fermenting your Veggies: a traditional preserving method” (AGM follows). 7pm, The Station, Silver St, BS1 2AG. £5, incl.refreshments. www. groworganicbristol.org nFrampton Friendship & Dance, 2-4 pm, Zion Church Hall. Learn easy, gentle dances. No partner needed. £4 including tea. Call 07515 351813 or email hilary. coach@icloud.com.

March 3 & 4 n Get into Golf!

Sunday 3rd March 2.30-4.30pm Monday 4th March 10-12pm FREE Ladies Golf Taster Sessions at Chipping Sodbury Golf Club.

All ages and abilities welcome.

All equipment provided. For more information or to book one of these sessions please contact Ruth Flowers on 07512270248 or email info@ chippingsodburygolfclub.co.uk March 9 n March 9th at 7pm, St Mary's Church Olveston BS35 4BZ. Tickets £7:50 and £5.00 for under 16's.Available from members of Thornbury Inner Wheel or thornburyiw@gmail.com Charity concert featuring Fascinating Rhythm and JFR their junior chorus, organised by Thornbury Inner Wheel in aid of Crohn's and Colitis UK. March 20 n The SGMRG talk on 20 March will now start at 8pm not later after the group’s AGM (the AGM that was to be on Wednesday 20 March has

been postponed to Wednesday 3 April). Hamish Orr-Ewing is a really good speaker; I have seen his talk about Underground Bristol before and thoroughly recommend it.

Attached is a poster with the new timing for the talk. Please pass on to anyone who you think may be interested.

The Darker Side of Bristol by Hamish Orr-Ewing on Wednesday 20 March 2019 at Non members welcome - £2 each (Membership is £17.50 per year) March 22 n Winterbourne District Flower Arrangement club are hosting an Emerald Anniversary Celebration event. Emily GordonBroomhead demonstrates flower arrangements.Title 'HipHip Hooray' at Winterbourne Community Centre. 6.30pm for 7.30 start. Tickets £10.00 from Jackie Ferris 01454 778390 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.

Regular events Monday n Toddler Group 9.30-11.30am (termtime) Winterbourne Early Years Centre, Greenfield Centre, Park Ave, Winterbourne. For more information call Helen 01454 773781. n Open Door bereavement suport group. 10.30-12.00 every first Monday., St Peter’s Church Baby Group 1-3pm (termtime) Winterbourne Early Years Centre, Greenfield Centre, Park Ave, Winterbourne. For more information call Helen 01454 773781.

n Memory Cafe, run by the Alzheimer’s Society. The Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne, 2pm - 4pm 1st Monday of month except Bank Hols. Open to anyone with dementia, and Carers, and anyone with concerns about someone with memory problems. Just turn up.

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

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

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

Term Time only, starting in 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,

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March, 2019

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

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

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

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

www.northavoncarpentry.co.uk

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

31

n WHAT'S ON CONTINUED Imed (club coach) 07459636436 or imedhamroumi@msn.com n F&Fs. Club. Banjo, Mandolin, Guitarists etc. playing a wide range of styles. Meet Mondays. 8 to 10pm. at St Barnabas Church Hall, Warmley. Visitors and new members welcome, support and encouragement given.

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

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

More details online at www.svdfas. co.uk. £6 charge for visitors – contact memb@svdfas.co.uk to ‘try before you buy’. n Bristol Budgerigar Society meets at Little Stoke Community Hall, Little Stoke Lane at 7.30pm on the second Monday of each month. More details including membership details from secretary Colin Parsons by calling 01454 775878 or emailing colinpauline@ hotmail.com. Visitors always welcome without commitment or charge. n Butterflies Babies and Toddlers Group, 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 Folk Dancing. Crossbow House, Frampton Cotterell. 8.30 -10.30pm, 1st & 3rd Tuesday of month. n South Gloucestershire Waterpolo club. Junior & Senior players Male Female. Winterbourne Int Academy pool. 7:00 - 8:30 pm. For more info: kazrose@blueyonder.co.uk or nash17@virginmedia.com n Winterbourne Short Mat Bowling Club Tuesday 1.30 - 3.30 at Winterbourne Community Centre, Watleys End Road. Contact Pat Sleightholme, 01179 793473. New members welcome. 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 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

Retired Teacher

SPANISH LESSONS

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 Winterbourne Tennis Club Winterbourne recreation field, BS36 1LU 7.30pm-10.00pm. All ages and abilities and new members welcome. Contact WTC : 07725 954639 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 for the over-50s. No partner needed. The Miners’ Welfare, Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath. Fourth Tuesday of the month, 2pm-4pm. Gentle exercise – suitable for beginners and improvers. All welcome – more information from Hilary Jay on 07515 351813. n St Saviours church Mothers union meets second Tuesday of the month at 2pm in the church hall. Members welcome visitors to Bristol Cathedral and Ashfield Prison, support a relief fund and overseas fund and send money to Friends of Bristol Children’s Hospital for tea and coffee for parents’ rooms. For more information contact Mary on 01454 887880.

Wednesday n Pre School Storytime.

Winterbourne Library10.30 - 11am, every week, term time only.

South Glos Art Appreciation Society Passionate about

Art and Culture

All levels

Enjoy meeting like minded people

Tel. 01454 773579

We have a programme of dynamic lectures and visits.

Bring a friend, make a friend. 3rd Thursday of the month at 7pm at Bradley Stoke Community School, Fiddlers Wood Lane, Bradley Stoke.

E-mail loisbm@outlook.com

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

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March, 2019

n WHAT'S ON CONTINUED 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,

Will Writing & Estate Planning

n Ladies Shiatsu Massage Sports Rehabilitation Clinic in Iron Acton every Wednesday between 3-8 pm. Naturally restore your energy levels and improve your overall health and lifestyle. Contact Anna on 07487 511516 or email anna@ wholehearted-health.co.uk for more information and to book your treatment session.

A Will lets you protect your family’s inheritance and decide how your assets are shared out –

if you don’t make a Will, the law says who gets what.

We have a Bristol-based team of trained will writing consultants who provide a home visiting service and can take your instructions in the comfort of your own home.

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 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 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

Please feel free to call us during office hours on 0800 019 4557 or email us at info@elm-online. co.uk

Standard single or pair of mirrored Wills £99 To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

n Frampton Singalong now 2nd Wednesday in the month, 2 pm - 3.30 pm at Crossbow House, School Road, BS36 2DB. Favourite songs, live music & sitting exercises. Tea, cakes & fresh fruit £3.00. All welcome, no voice needed! Hilary Tel. 07515 351 813 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 Thursday n Probus. The Miners Club, Coalpit Heath. 10am, 2nd & 4th Thursdays of month 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 8pm10pm . 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

Promote your events and classes with our special feature space STARTING FROM JUST

£5

+ VAT

n Fishponds Friendship and Exercise Club Fishponds Baptist Church (scout hall) 10-11.30am each Tuesday. Chair based gentle exercise for older people.Tea, coffee, friendly chat. Instructor: Spencer Davies.

Telephone 07825 155954.

PLE

EXAM

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

33

n WHAT'S ON CONTINUED 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 Thursdays 7.30-9.30pm at the Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue, Winterbourne BS36 1NJ. Brass & Woodwind players, percussionist, bassist wanted to join sociable group. Instruments available for loan. Contact Dan 01172 395210.

Contact Roger: 07925 296930 or 01454 77701 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 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 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 8pm8.30pm Then dancing until until 11.30pm. Entry on door £4.50p.

Everyone Welcome. n Winterbourne Tennis Club Junior tennis coaching. 9.30 -1pm, Winterbourne recreation field, BS36 1LU. All ages 3-16 yrs. Contact Imed (club coach) 07459636436 or imedhamroumi@msn.com 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

What’s on at Winterbourne Library STAFFED TIMES Tuesday: 10am–5pm Wednesday: 10am–5pm Friday: 10am–5pm Saturday: 9.30am–12.30pm OPEN ACCESS (Unstaffed) 8am–7.30pm every day If you register your card for our new Open Access system, and attend an induction, you’ll be able to access library facilities throughout the week. You can borrow and return books and use the computers. Speak to a member of staff for more details.

Rhymetime: Rhymes and songs for parents and babies/toddlers to enjoy together. Every Tuesday morning 10.30am–11.00am.

Pre School Storytime: Join us for stories and a simple craft. Every Wednesday morning

10.30am–11am.

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

Suitable for the primary age range, children must be accompanied by an adult. We’ll be meeting on March 9 from 10.30am–11.30am.

Come and meet Hugless Douglas at a special storytime, with stories, activity sheets and a photo opportunity. Suitable for all children who love Hugless. Wednesday March 6, 10.30am, 2.15pm and 3.45pm.

British Science Week for Preschoolers.

Travel with the Ladybird and munch with the Caterpillar. Friday 15 March 10.30am–11.30am.

Loving My Books – New Book Club for Teens Y7+, March 20, 3pm–4pm (3rd Wednesday every Month) ‘Have you Read?...’ A new open reading group for all, no set text. Share your love

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

of books, extend your reading horizons.

First Friday every Month 11am until noon.

Refreshments served.

The Craft Group is meeting on March 2, 16 and 30 from 10am–noon. New members will always be made welcome by this friendly group. Share tips and ideas for your knitting, sewing or crochet projects.

For more information on any of the above please contact us: Telephone: 01454 868006 Email: winterbourne.library@southglos.gov.uk Visit our website to find out more: www. southglos.gov.uk/libraries Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com@ southgloslibs ‘Like’ us on Facebook for all the latest at South Gloucestershire Libraries

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

34

March, 2019

n NEWS

Natalie is in business – aged 22 A YOUNG entrepreneur has started her own business aged just 22 – after deciding life is too short to put it off.

Natalie Knight, from Yate, is the owner of the Sunflour Cakery on North Road in the town. She says she was inspired to take the leap and go it alone after losing her father.

Natalie said: “Dad passed away 2 years ago. He always supported me and told me to do what makes me happy. He passed away suddenly and it makes you realise how short life is. It’s given me something to focus on.”

With the average age for someone to start a business believed to be at least 40, Natalie is ahead of the game.

She said: “I was a bit worried about that what people would think but actually I’ve had so many positive comments.”

Natalie studied catering and hospitality at Bath College, and afterwards worked at Woods Restaurant and Lucknam Park Hotel. She progressed up the ranks quickly from the role of waitress to supervisor. At Lucknam Park she trained in the pastry section under executive chef Hywel Jones, whose restaurant has one Michelin star.

fromevalleyvoice

Natalie Knight in the Sunflour Cakery she has set up in Yate. Photo: Kez Hawkins He gave her positive feedback and said she should start out on her own.

Natalie said: “I’ve had help from friends and family but it’s all been my ideas, the logo, the layout of the kitchen. I had to knock a wall down and extend it – it’s all been what I’ve wanted to do.”

The premises feature a kitchen, a shop with a cupcake counter, and a classroom.

Natalie also makes celebration cakes and hopes to eventually run baking classes and parties. At the moment her Crème Egg cupcakes are flying out of the shop.

She said: “It’s been crazy I’ve

400

IN WINTERBOURNE,

www.fromeval leyvoice.co.uk

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

Sites for homes be built

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

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

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

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

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

PAGE 4

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

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

View us online at www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

FRAMPTON COTTERELL,

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

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

Beatrice

Drone Club is taking flight

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

Sites for homes

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

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

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

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

Turn to page

4 Flaxpits Lane,

4 Flaxpits Lane,

IN WINTERBOURNE,

400 miles for

FRAMPTON

trice miles for Bea

fromevalleyvoice

FREE EVERY MONTH

Issue 66 February, 2019

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

FREE EVERY MONTH

been selling so much, I’ve sold out each day. I did a competition on Facebook that’s helped, and once people have been coming in they’ve done reviews and it’s just word of mouth.

“I’ve had people coming from as far as Thornbury and Pucklechurch: it’s been overwhelming.”

5

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

PAGE 4

Thieves strike

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

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

PAGE 15

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

One to one grooming service, Engine Common, Yate using all natural grooming products Refill centre for Wildwash products Also offering a dog walking service Fully insured and trained CALL US FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS ON:

01454 227377 or 07717883563 thewaggywash@gmail.com

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

35

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Village Action – Friendly Walks In Frome Valley Volunteers needed

DESPITE housing developments in our area, Frampton, Winterbourne and Coalpit Heath lie in a beautiful rural landscape with interesting historical features; there is lovely countryside to explore on our doorstep.

Groups of people do this regularly, as a social activity, easy way to keep fit and to enjoy our environment. Look at what is offered below.

Suitable shoes and clothing help keep walkers comfortable, and shorter, easier walks are available for those unsure of their fitness. Volunteer walkleaders have been trained to ensure safety and deal with any problems and their hi-viz jackets identify them in a crowd.

There is no club to join or fee to pay, but many walkers enjoy refreshments at a local cafe or pub at the end of a walk.

Anyone interested, of any age, can turn up at the dates/venue given below; they will be given a warm welcome and quickly find someone to talk to as the walk progresses. Dogs on leads may also enjoy the walk.

More details of walks are available on Frampton Cotterell Village Action website www. villageaction.org.uk/village-

Wed 13 March

A recent rural walk from St Peter's Church, Frampton Cotterell, to Algars Manor, Iron Acton walks.

Further afield, the South Gloucestershire Council website has details of Walking to Health (half-hour - 1½ hour) and Stepping Forward (3 - 4 mile) walks. You can find more details online here bit.ly/2S8fMYM. Even those walkers with arthritic joints feel benefit from gentle exercise and the fresh air has helped those with colds and the like feel better on a bright, sunny day.

But whatever the reason for walking, at any pace, it is

10.30 opposite GingerBread Cafe, Short Rural Church Rd Frampton Cotterell 1-2 miles 4 miles am

Stroll along country lane

Tues 10.30 St Peter's Church, Church Rd 26 March am Frampton Cotterell

Rural Riverside Short 1-2 miles 3.5 miles stroll

Wed 10 April

10.30 Live & Let Live, Park Lane Frampton Cotterell am

Rural Short 1-2 miles 4 miles

Tues 23 April

10.30 Badminton Arms Badminton Rd Coalpit Heath am

Rural Bluebell stroll Short 1-2 miles 3.5 miles with views

Weds 8 May

Rural 10.30 opposite GingerBread Cafe, Short Church Rd Frampton Cotterell 1-2 miles 3 miles am

Tues 21 May

10.30 The Swan, Winterbourne am

Tues 4 June

Rural Stroll Flower 10.30 New Inn, Badminton Rd, near Short Coalpit Heath am 1-2 miles 3.7 miles Meadow

Wed 19 June

Rural Stroll on 10.30 opposite GingerBread Cafe, Short Church Rd Frampton Cotterell 1-2 miles 3.5 miles country track am

HAVE YOUR SAY

possible to discover areas of the Frome Valley not normally encountered. And friendships made last a lifetime.

Jean Frary

A PROJECT aiming to help more people walk more often for their health is looking for volunteers.

Walking for Health is a project run by South Gloucestershire Council to set up organised health walks across the area every week.

All walks are led by volunteers and the council needs more help, not only to lead walks but also as middle/back markers and to support our walkers in other ways.

Anyone who can spare a couple of hours most weeks to help, we’d love to hear from you.

A volunteer walk leader training session is being held on Tuesday, March 5 and anyone who is interested in taking part should call 01454 864005 for a friendly chat.

More details are also available online at bit.ly/2sHSvCM.

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36

March, 2019

n COMMUNITY NEWS Coalpit Heath WI

OUR thanks go to our speaker this month, Lisa Beasley from My Body Positive. She shared with us her personal experiences of dieting and never feeling happy in her own skin. Many of her anecdotes resonated with anyone who had tried and failed at dieting or knew someone who had. She promoted a shift away from this and towards being able to recognise what you need to eat and when. Her thought

Coalpit Heath WI craft group members have made hearts to place in cots at hospital NICU units. provoking talk around eating habits and learning to eat with attention and intention promoted a lively discussion.

Our Craft Group have started making hearts to place in cots in the NICU units of the local hospitals. They aim to have made at least 40 by our next meeting, ready to be handed out on Mother’s Day. Hearts can be knitted, crocheted or made of felt.

Our group also agreed to start a regular collection of items needed by our local food bank. A shopping list of items that would be most helpful to them will be put on our Facebook page. One of our members is happy to co-ordinate this.

In March we look forward to a visit from Philip Taubenheim from Wotton Auction Rooms. While our April speaker is from MS Therapy.

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.

Caroline Johnston

Winterbourne Evening WI We had a wonderful Christmas meeting attended by most of our members, eight visitors and

Frampton Cotterell WI members Winterbourne Evening WI members put on an excellent buffet also Jean Sims, Chair of the Avon Federation. As usual, the buffet provided by our members was excellent and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Our speaker, Dr Frances Burroughs, was very entertaining with his memories and slides of show business entertainers from his earlier life.

At our January meeting Emma Britton, from Radio Bristol, gave us a hilarious talk about her life and journey through journalism to her current position as host of the BBC Radio Bristol morning show. What an amazing and very amusing lady.

Thank you, Emma, for taking time out of your very busy schedule to come and talk to us in aid of the Radio Bristol Live Appeal.

Also in January we played Downton and Wick WI in the Avon Federation Skittles knockout competition and won by a handsome margin. We enjoyed a friendly and happy evening, and are looking forward to meeting our next opponents soon.

Our Speaker in February will be Nicola Eaton from Handmade Chocolates, who will be demonstrating chocolate making and hopefully providing tasters for us!

We meet at the St Michaels Rooms, High Street, Winterbourne on the second Thursday of every month, except August, at 7.30pm.

You can be sure of a very warm welcome if you would like to come along as a visitor.

– and thanks to our driver, the chance to enjoy a glass of wine or two on the night!

Our new programme for 2019 has just been announced.

The February talk on the 26th is on the subject of osteoporosis – something that can affect a high percentage of women of all ages.

Other talks this year include one on the history Shepton Mallet Prison, by former guard Graham Miller, on March 26. Later in the year we have talks covering subjects as wide-ranging as gardening and plant care, our own version of the Antiques Roadshow, learning Spanish for beginners and a Zumba workshop. Also a number of social evenings are planned, including the summer meal out, a beetle drive and bingo night.

Visitors and new members are welcome to our monthly meetings at St Peter’s Hall on School Road at 7.45pm, on the fourth Tuesday of the month. There is a charge of £2.50 for the evening and any new members can also join by paying a membership fee.

Special interest groups that meet separately including a book club, craft group, choir and our skittles and darts teams. Please search for FramptonCottWI to find out more, and to like our Facebook page.

Debbie Taylor

Floral Friends of Frampton

Very First Signs of Spring?

After our recent somewhat interesting winter weather (mild and wet, cold and snow, mild, wet and windy!) you may see that the bulbs (crocuses and daffodils) planted both in the planters and in various areas (eg Beesmoor/ Woodend, Glebeland, Church Road, the Park) around the village are beginning to come through.

Hopefully it won’t be too long before they’re all in flower. Tulips have also been planted and will flower a bit later and then Spring really will be here!

Spring Coffee Morning and Plant Sale – April 27, 2019 Our annual Spring Coffee Morning and Plant Sale will be at the Brockeridge Centre on the morning of Saturday April 27, opening at 10 am. Come along and enjoy a cup of coffee (or tea) and a slice of cake in the sensory garden if the weather’s good or inside if it’s raining, and browse the plants we will be offering for sale.

We Need Help 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.

Remember – all our latest news in available online at ffframpton. wixsite.com/frampton-cotterell.

Margaret Beacham.

Frampton Cotterell WI FRAMPTON Cotterell WI members recently enjoyed their annual New Year’s meal out at the Rose & Crown in Pucklechurch, which was on February 5. We hired a mini bus from Four Towns to get us to and from the pub, which provided us with good food and a lovely venue

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Floral Friends of Frampton's plant sale will be held next month.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

37

n COMMUNITY NEWS THORNBURY and Yate MP Luke Hall has opened a new site to train people in building site safety.

He visited the new facilities, which span 5,000 square feet, at the Building Safety Group’s training centre in Rudgeway below right.

The new area provides health and safety, as well as environmental, courses for construction workers. The group says a special emphasis will be on mental health and general

MP opens safety training centre well-being programmes to support people working in the building trade.

The move follows research which revealed that the construction industry has more reported suicides than any other profession.

The company expects to train 10,000 people a year.

Mr Hall has also dropped in on local rotary Rotary members who are campaigning to end polio across the world.

Rotary members set up an old iron lung in Chipping Sodbury to

highlight the devastating effect the disease had on patients in the UK in the past, and why they are campaigning to help eradicate it from other parts of the world below left.

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38

March, 2019

n NEWS FEES and allowances for foster carers in South Gloucestershire are being increased – as a report finds that the number of carers in the area is falling.

The council’s cabinet has agreed to put £300,000 extra into its budget for foster fees, with particular attention to supporting children with more complex needs.

Cabinet member for children and young people Jon Hunt said the changes would bring the council into line with neighbouring areas, where carers have previously been paid more.

Charity the Fostering Network says the majority of carers complain that their allowance does not cover the cost of fostering.

The most recent Ofsted data shows that, at the end of March last year, 105 children were in foster care in South Gloucestershire, five fewer than a year previously.

The number of carers approved to foster them also decreased, to 155 – 10 down on the same time in 2017.

In total, there were 170 places available for foster children in South Gloucestershire last year.

Across the country, the number of approved foster carers has dropped each of the last two years – there were around 73,500 last March.

But demand on the service has continued to increase, with more children in placements each year. There were more than 53,000 children in care last March, 5% more than in 201213, for when numbers are first provided.

The council says it wants to maximise its ability to recruit

Fostering allowances to rise amid shortage of carers

and retain foster carers within a highly competitive regional market and with the broader context of a regional and national shortage of carers.

A spokesperson said: “This additional funding will enable South Gloucestershire to match the fees and allowances of competing local authorities (other than Gloucester) and private providers in the area. It will help ensure our fostering service remains competitive, attractive to new foster carers and supports the retention of our current foster carers.”

The funding will also support

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a ‘fostering plus’ scheme for a small number of specialist carers, who are able to care for children and young people with highly complex needs. This will help achieve savings in the long run, as many young people with complex needs have previously proved difficult to place in-house and have necessitated high cost placements within independent provision.

Mr Hunt said: “We recognise South Gloucestershire’s foster carers for the important but difficult task they do and we are pleased to be able to provide this additional support.

“Bringing our fees and allowances in to line with our neighbouring local authorities will enable us to strengthen our current position and effectiveness in recruiting and retaining foster cares regionally.

These up lifts to fees and allowances compare favourably to those of our neighbours and independent provision, and help to reduce our spend on independent high cost provision.”

For more information about fostering in South Gloucestershire visit www. southglos.gov.uk/fostering

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fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

39

n INTERCHANGE BLOG

The benefits of cannabis oil ALWAYS looking for ways to relax and de-stress, The Interchange’s editor Suzie looks into the benefits of CBD oil – which is derived from the cannabis plant.

She talks to the store manager of Holland and Barrett, Babs Humphries, at the WillowBrook Centre, for a quick Q&A about its medicinal properties.

Is it like marijuana and will I get high?

In short – no. This is because it contains minimal amounts of THC – which is the compound within cannabis that gets you high. As such, it’s not habit forming, so you can’t get addicted to CBD.

So, what is it?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the many components within the cannabis plant that goes by the name cannabinoids.

It is usually sold in an oil form, but you can also buy sprays. CBD oil has quite an earthy flavour, which some people struggle to get used to. There are alternatives such as a peppermint flavoured spray.

Why do people take it?

We’ve been selling CBD oil at Holland and Barratt for about two-and-a-half years now, but it’s beginning to grow in popularity as more people find out about it. I personally take it to relieve

anxiety, but others find it’s helpful for a range of conditions including depression, insomnia and chronic pain.

The CBD line of products that we sell has really expanded. CBD is suspended in hemp oil – hemp is great for skin, especially those suffering from dry or sensitive skin. You can also buy muscle rubs that help with pain, cramping and twitchy legs.

Is it safe to use?

It’s perfectly safe to use. There’s guidance on how many drops to take each day, depending on the strength of the oil you’ve purchased. A great deal of research has been done into CBD and it’s benefits and there is ongoing research now.

Is it legal, do I need a prescription?

It is legal and is currently sold as a food supplement. It’s currently

being trialled to see if it should be considered a medical substance – it would then need to be sold by a pharmacist or under a licence.

Doctors could then prescribe it for particular conditions, but you don’t currently need a prescription.

However, the testing process is long and it can still be bought in store.

Why is CBD being investigated in this way?

To see if it has any counter indications – looking at whether it could impact other drugs. For example, St John’s Wort does have counter implications and is not advised for people who take the contraceptive pill or certain type of antidepressants.

blood stream and working quickly.

The amount of drops you take will depend on the strength, which varies from 2.5% to 6%.

Is it expensive?

The smaller bottles are £20, going up to a large bottle for the strongest strength at £80. Most people come back for it once they’ve tried it.

For more information on CBD oil and its uses pop in and speak to Babs at Holland and Barratt at the WillowBrook Centre, in Bradley Stoke.

There is also more information on the NHS website at bit. ly/2RKjecd.

How do you take it?

You pop a couple of drops under the tongue. The tongue has four different types of blood vessels and is a very absorbent place in the body, so it gets straight into the

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Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

40

March, 2019

n MOTORING

A guide to pre-owned cars with Richard Cooke

Second hand Style BMW 330e: I’d much rather have six of the best

I

N twenty three years of driving, I’ve never owned a BMW – and that’s starting to feel like an oversight. But oversight would become travesty if my first BMW wasn’t powered by their famous all-conquering straightsix engine. The modern BMW ‘six’ has won countless awards since it was first revealed in the 5 series back in 1972. Since then, the Bavarian firm have made their name by resolutely sticking to a simple formula: place the most mechanically balanced of engine configurations into perfectlyweighted rear wheel drive cars.

Today a ‘340i’ badge on the back of your 3 series means you’ve picked a straight six winner. So what about this month’s car, the 330e?

Infuriatingly, BMW (and other manufacturers) have started playing fast and loose with their nomenclature. ‘330e’ doesn’t mean

a 3 series with a 3 litre engine, as the name would suggest, but instead a 2.0 litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol lifted from the 330i (confused yet?) linked to batteries under the boot floor. The 330e is a plug-in hybrid version of the standard 330i, launched in 2016, where the ‘e’ stands for ‘Electric’.

So should you buy a used hybrid over the standard model?

330e’s registered in 2016 avoid road tax but 2017-on models don’t. Fuel consumption is 40mpg when aided by electricity, 30mpg the rest of the time – not very impressive. BMW have a reputation for being tight with their standard specification, and because my 2018 test car is the top-of-the-range M Sport Shadow Edition, er, edition, it costs a staggering £43k new.

One year and 10k miles later and it is worth not much more than

£25k, 10% less than an identicallyspecified 330i. That differential doesn’t make sense until you have to live with the 330e. Although performance is aided by the batteries most of the time, it isn’t nearly enough to compensate for all the extra weight (200kg). That’s a lot of junk in the trunk, and it takes the edge off fuel economy as well. BMW have had to shrink the petrol tank to a scarcely believable 40 litres to make room for the batteries, which means the range is hopeless in fast driving, at about 250 miles.

The batteries are also a bit feeble – they provide a deeply underwhelming range of 7 miles on pure electric power. The rest of the time, the 330e drives like a slightly porky 3 series, although that means it is still great fun. You sit low, which I really like. The seats hug you, the steering wheel is

small and thickly padded. This car feels sporty and cocooning, like a BMW should. Performance keeps you awake, helped by the 8-speed gearbox urging you to push on, by offering just the right gear at just the right revs. The engine sounds dull below 3k rpm but above that, and up to the redline, it has a metallic edge that isn’t half bad.

The handling is tight, balanced and just the right side of firm, although tyre roar on 19 inch wheels was intrusive. None of the good stuff should surprise you – BMW have been making the best car in this class for many years. They just don’t make the best hybrid, and the 330e doesn’t provide enough of a benefit over the 330i to be worth considering. It is an unnecessary compromise.

The penny really dropped when I saw three identical povertyspec 330e saloons out the back of a Downend estate agency.

A-ha – this is the company car tax special! The 330e’s incredibly low emissions of 45g/km of CO2 mean correspondingly low payments to the tax man. Such esoteric and tedious notions have no place in a used car column, and if you are in the market for a BMW 3 series you are probably a keen driver. So avoid the girth, complication and skinflint stain of the 330e and head straight for the jewel in the range: the fabulous 6 cylinder 340i.

BMW 330e, what to pay: From £15k for a 2016 model up to £26k for a one year old example Next month: Aston Martin Vantage

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

March, 2019

41

n LOCAL MP

Concern over local health services

Luke Hall MP writes for Frome Valley Voice

FOR many, our local health services are one of the foremost concerns that our community has. That’s why I have consistently campaigned for improved local services, starting with the West Gate Centre’s Injuries unit.

As a local resident, living with a young family, I am very aware of the concerns of many that the centre did not open long enough in the evening and at the weekends, and particularly the limited access to the important x-ray services that it meant.

I am delighted that local health chiefs have taken the decision to implement improved opening hours from 8am till 8pm, seven days a week from April this year, meaning that local families have wider options of care, and importantly close to our community when they or their family have a minor injury This success has come from local people’s huge support and help in placing improved health services as one of their top

priorities in my recent community survey last year.

This survey saw you detailing the improvements you wanted to see and, due to the high numbers of returns, this has allowed me to take the case to the South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (SGCC) and express the specific improvements we wanted for our minor injury’s unit. In meeting with local health chiefs and understanding their requirements, I then met with Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, where I continued to press the minister to consider the MIU for development as part of the huge national investment in services such as these.

I would like to commend local health chiefs and our community for working alongside me and for being hugely supportive in this campaign through holding productive and effective discussions as to the future of the minor injury’s unit.

Rest assured, I will continue to press both the council, health chiefs and Government to build upon the progress we have made, to ensure that the MIU can continue to receive the upgrades in services I know that our community deserves. This includes pushing forward the campaign for Frenchay care hub, which I know many in Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath area desperately want to see realised, after many years and promises.

I would like reassure readers that, whilst we can celebrate this win together on opening hours, there is still much more to do on this issue and I remain committed to working alongside everyone who wants to make a difference on improved health services locally.

As ever, if there is anything on this issue or another that you feel I can do to help then please to get in touch at Luke.Hall.mp@parliaments. uk.

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42

March, 2019

n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

n NEWS

Treatment extended TREATMENT for deep vein thrombosis which is offered in the community via GP referral to a local clinic will now be provided in other areas after its success in South Gloucestershire.

Since 2006, the company GP Care has held the contract for the area and some parts of Bristol. Its service has successfully moved patients away from hospitalisation. All they need to do is see their GP, who will refer them to a local surgery which is equipped to treat the condition. From May 1 this option will now be available across the whole region.

Annie Kelly, Clinical Director at GP Care, said: “Recent advances in anticoagulation have revolutionised the care of patients with DVT and supported the shift of care from hospital to community.”

BY the time you read this, we should be nearer to knowing the outcome of Brexit. Are we leaving with a deal, no deal, is it going to be delayed or are the views of the people being sought for a second time? Not having been bestowed with the gift of prophecy, as I write we have no idea of the outcome, so we could be flying high or still stuck in the quagmire of no consensus and decision or even staring into the abyss – we might even have fallen into it.

Regardless of the outcome at a time of ‘national crisis’, what has disappointed me above all else has been, firstly, the way our politicians have behaved and the games they have been happy to play with people’s lives.

For example, for those of us who prayed and continue to pray for peace in Northern Ireland, we are left being appalled and dismayed that anyone in parliament was prepared to gamble away and risk all that has been achieved by the Good Friday Agreement, with some leading politicians intimating that the future of the Irish border was “not a major issue” at all!

Secondly, when will politicians

Brexit drawing nearer realise that true and lasting consensus is never achieved through a binary vote? Now, I would be the first to say that democracy in the Church of England can be at times interesting; however, the fact that a two-thirds majority is needed for a major doctrinal change in its three houses has helped the church steer through, all be it slowly, major changes such as the ordination of women, with all the wonderful benefits this now brings to the ministry of the Church.

Finally, and most significantly, I worry about what has been unleashed, like the levels of abuse dished out by some people to those who disagree with them.

The unpreparedness to listen to the advice of leading practitioners in our medical, educational, socio and economic fields, to name a few, the apparent ring-fenced and uncompromising attitude on all sides of the debate, the clearly renewed confidence and

belief by some that the far right is a credible pathway. But, worst of all, the spectre of increased racism and abuse for many of our citizens, almost glibly accepted as appropriate behaviour by some as the referendum let the ‘genie’ inadvertently out of the bottle.

It was Winston Churchill who supposedly commented, that the sayings of Jesus in the Beatitudes are some of the greatest ethical teachings in human history. There is no doubt that many of the world’s iconic leaders, politicians and activists, like King, Walesa, Romero and Mandela, had been greatly influenced by these words of wisdom. Perhaps in this Lenten season it would do us all, as well as our politicians and leaders, good to reflect prayerfully once more on their eternal challenge to human behaviour, manifest through the power of God’s sacrificial love.

Malcolm Strange Rector of The Fromeside Benefice

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fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

43

n BEAUTY BLOG

BY THE TEAM AT SALON 98

Enjoy some Spring skin and hair SPRING time is approaching and it’s most definitely time to wave goodbye to the winter. Soon, dark evenings, cold days and the many layers of clothing will be a memory.

We might even get to switch off the heating.

The heating has been on through the winter and the heat it produces zaps the moisture from our skin. To help re-vitalise your skin, try using a body brush and brushing from the feet upwards before jumping into a warm shower. In the shower, use an exfoliating body scrub all over, then finishing with a lovely rich moisturise cream. If you don’t have that, coconut oils from the kitchen cupboard will do the job. Your skin will look and feel great with that instant glow that we are all searching for.

The heating has the same effect with your hair; the dry air can cause the cuticles of your hair to raise

up, leaving it feeling brittle and dry, with the dreaded spilt ends.

Your scalp also can become flaky and itchy. Adding a moisturising shampoo and a moisturising hair mask, like the Moroccan oil hydrate mask, will work wonders. Some almond, olive or coconut oil will also work wonders.

Gently massage the scalp using your finger tips, to create circular motions, and that will help lift flaky skin: this will then help stimulate and encourage hair growth. Pull the product or oil down through the rest of the hair and leave for 5-7 minutes. This will help by putting natural nutrients back into the hair instantly. Your scalp produces lots of natural oils, so avoid overwashing at this time of year, as it will dry your hair our further.

Chapped lips is one of my biggest beauty struggles during the winter. Using chapsticks and lip creams, such as Nivea and

Carmex, are great but there is another tip I recommend to clients.

With a clean toothbrush and with a generous amount of petroleum jelly (Vaseline), brush gently over

your lips in a circulated motion for a couple of minutes. It will remove all the dead skin; repeat again if needed and your lips will never feel or look so smooth.

n NEWS

Low paid council staff get pay boost LOW-paid workers at South Gloucestershire Council are set to get a pay rise of nearly eight per cent.

Some 4,200 of the 7,000 people employed by the authority will have their income boosted by two per cent as it implements a new national pay spine.

The 500 lowest paid workers including catering assistants and cleaners, largely based in schools, will get a 5.9 per cent raise from April 1.

The biggest increase, of 7.9 per cent, will go to lunchtime supervisors in schools and community meal helpers.

South Gloucestershire Council is implementing the National Joint Council for Local Government Services pay agreement for 2018-20, which includes the introduction of a new pay spine on April 1, 2019.

The cost of the pay rises will be £400,000 in 2019/20, when the authority is increasing what it charges residents in council tax by 2.99 per cent – taking it up to £1,484.15 for the average band D property. Another £600,000 has been set aside over the next three years to “modernise the council’s pay framework”.

Specific proposals will be brought before councillors for their consideration.

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fromevalleyvoice

44

n SPORT YATE Men’s 1st team’s run of good results was likely to be tested by the visitors Whitchurch 2nds, as both teams were on similar points after the same number of games.

Despite a lacklustre warm-up, Yate started brightly and scored first when a long pass found Matt Bethell who scored with a strong reverse stick shot. However, some sloppy play gifted Whitchurch a goal. Yate bounced back with some great attacks but much of the good work was squandered in front of goal, with shots going wide or fluffed shots not testing the Whitchurch goalie. But a penalty flick after Dan Pearce was brought down by the keeper put them back in front. Yate then went 3-1 ahead when Dom Chambers fired in a strong penalty corner shot and it looked as if they could comfortably control the game.

But they gave Whitchurch a way back into the game, allowing their opponents to score two goals that ought to have been defended easily.

The half ended with Yate ahead 4-3 but having had most

March, 2019

Yate hockey round-up

Laura Hewlett of Yate Ladies 3rds in action of the play. In the second half they were much more organised and a penalty corner strike by Dom Chambers, for his hat trick, increased the lead before the result was secured when Matt Bethell rounded the Whitchurch goalie and scored a superb

individual goal to make it 6-3.

With all the top sides getting good results Yate remain fifth, but with a gap opening below them in the league.

The Ladies 3rd team recorded an emphatic 7-0 win over Badminton & Pucklechurch after

never looking back from a strong start.

Badminton&Pucklechurch did have scoring opportunities but Yate managed to clear each one.

Goals from Jessie Edge (3), Alexandra Bessex (2) Seana Dando and Millie Burton gave Yate the win which was used as valuable match practice for the next league game. Player of the match was Sarah Wells who had a very good game in the mid-field.

Yate U14 boys qualified for the Avon Junior League semi-finals with a 5-1 win over Cirencester, while the U10s’ determination paid off with a 1-0 win against Cheltenham.

Yate Ladies O35s also scored seven in seeing off Minehead in the second round of the England Hockey cup. The 7-1 win also gave the team some valuable lessons ahead of a tough game vs Andover in the next round.

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fromevalleyvoice

March, 2019

45

n SPORT

Thirds match is what rugby is all about FRAMPTON Cotterell 3rds travelled over to North Bristol 2nds in a match that can be described as “what rugby is all about”.

Many clubs are struggling to field three sides and North Bristol are in that area. However, their 2nds are able to cobble a team together and were made up from players from a mix of 2nd and 3rd team players from North Bristol RFC, BAC RFC and Aretians RFC. This combination proved a step too far for Frampton’s 3rds and with a number of replacements saw North Bristol run out 21-8 winners.

The game was physical and fast, due to being played on the new 4G synthetic pitch.

At full-time, all players came together to demonstrate that there is a very weird bond between rugby players from opposing sides. During the game they will hit hard in the tackles, ruck hard and do every thing in their power to dominate you, but

Frampton Cotterell 3rds got on well with this scratch North Bristol 2nds team -- before and after the match once the final whistle is blown, no-one or anything will change the result.

So, it’s back to the bar and talk over the “what-if” plays and share memories from the past.

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This epic picture was enough to win from Wadsworth Brewery beer for both clubs in their picture of the week.

Frampton Cotterell would like to thank North for their

hospitality and wish them the best for the rest of the season – but when you come to Frampton we aim to turn you over!

Peter Zaffiro

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March, 2019

n SPORT

Frampton overcome Old Boys Frampton Cotterell 20 – Widden Old Boys 15 FRAMPTON were looking to complete a double over the Old Boys and to maintain their unbeaten home record. After a bright start to the season, Widden’s form had fallen away, with their last win being at the beginning of December.

Nonetheless, as is the case with any Gloucester side, Frampton were expecting a tough physical confrontation.

Playing away from Crossbow and into a slight breeze, Frampton were soon put under pressure by Widden, who took the lead with a good unconverted try. Frampton had centre Joel Brasher-Jones sent to the sin bin for what was deemed to be a deliberate knock on.

Widden also had a man yellow-carded following a high tackle in their own twenty two.

Frampton continued to press and were awarded a number of penalties. They chose to scrum each time but the Widden defence held firm.

On the stroke of half time, Widden broke upfield and were awarded a penalty in the centre of the pitch, just inside the Frampton half. Widden chose to go for goal, and were successful with an excellent kick to leave them leading 8-0 – and they were good value for their lead.

Frampton looked a much better side in the second half.

Without ever actually cutting loose, they had the lion’s share

Frampton Cotterell scoring one of their four tries against Widden Old Boys of both territory and possession.

Three good tries were scored through Callum Bleakman, Lewis Oakley and Morgan Stiles.

Unfortunately Lewis Oakley had an off day and had clearly left his goal kicking boots at home, being unable to convert any of the tries. Widden had also scored a converted try of their own which left the scores all square at 15 each.

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Frampton were given a big scare late on when Widden were awarded a penalty in a relatively easy kicking position near the posts. Fortunately for Frampton the ball clattered into an upright.

The Widden defence looked to be holding firm, but finally gave out when Lewis Oakley picked and went from a ruck close to the line to score a good opportunistic try with several defenders

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hanging on to him. Lewis missed the conversion, but crucially Frampton were now in front and had picked up a try scoring bonus point.

The match finished in a very hard fought 20-15 victory.

Widden probably deserved more from the game but Frampton dug deep to dog out a win having not performed at their best for large parts of the match.

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