Frome Valley Voice March 2023

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SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

New council budget delivers quality services and invests in future

South Gloucestershire Council’s new budget for 2023 to 2024 sets out investment plans of more than £838 million (gross) on services, over £132 million on capital and infrastructure projects, and allocates more than £267 million to schools, training and early learning in the district. These are tough financial times for the council, as they are for all residents and businesses. Global forces have driven an increase in costs, reduced income and growing demand for services but thanks to sound management of public money in recent years with a focus on delivering efficiencies and value for money, South Gloucestershire is better placed than most other councils to deal with these pressures. That’s why parking remains free in all council-owned car parks across the district and why an extra £1million is going into ensuring the road network is properly maintained.

Investing in priority areas

Investing in schools and educational attainment has been the council’s top priority over the past few years, and the measures contained in the budget will enable this to continue in 2023 and beyond. The budget also commits to taking decisive action to tackle the climate crisis, invest in South Glos high streets to support local businesses, and to deliver vital infrastructure projects.

Your council is investing in:

• an extra £1 million for highways maintenance to improve some local roads earlier than planned.

• continuing the new Street Enforcement Service for a further two years to tackle environmental crimes, such as littering and dog fouling, following a successful pilot

• £1.5 million to deliver further progress on the council’s response to the climate emergency

• supporting some rural bus services to continue while work is done across the region on transport options

• allocating a further £500,000 to help local people with the cost-ofliving crisis. It has also made money available to deliver a fast-tracked affordable housing delivery service.

View from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Toby Savage

WELCOME to this special edition of The Voice in which we bring you news of our new budget, the upcoming local elections, and details of cost-of-living support.

These are difficult financial times for the council and for our residents and businesses. I am very pleased that we have been able to produce a budget that continues to deliver the quality services that local people appreciate and rely upon. We will receive more than we anticipated from Government. This means that we can limit Council Tax rises and continue to deliver on our top priority, for all our young people to have the best possible start in life. It’s great to see our schools’ performances going from strength to strength. There will be local elections in South Gloucestershire this May for district along with parish and town councillors. If you are not already, you must be registered to vote. For the first time, you’ll also need to take an accepted form of photo identification to vote at a polling station. Find out more and how to get help on page 3.

I’d like to thank The Voice, a wonderful local business, for a great partnership over the past few years. If you would like to get our latest news by email, please sign up for our weekly newsletter. You’ll find details on how to do this on page 3.

Cllr Steve Reade with the Road Maintenance team

Street Enforcement team and street cleaner

Investment in major projects and in young people

As well as delivering day-to-day services and support, your council will continue to invest in major infrastructure programmes and providing the best start in life to our young people. This includes:

• More than £37 million towards new primary and secondary schools in Lyde Green

• Over £14 million to improve Castle and Marlwood school buildings

• £3 million to increase the number of new homes for children in care to help them stay close to their local communities

• Nearly £3 million for a new community centre at Ladden Garden Village in Yate

• £2.7 million for community facilities in the east of Emersons Green

• More than £6.7 million to continue the re -

Services maintained

Public consultation took place on draft budget proposals, which helped refine the plans to ensure they reflect community priorities.

Combined with work by council officers, the following services will continue:

• the proposed increase in the garden waste subscription, from £30 to £55 will no longer happen

• the council will support Christmas light

generation of Kingswood High Street and surrounding area, including the Whitfield Tabernacle restoration

The council’s direct funding to local schools will increase by £15.2 million (8.1 per cent), with funding for children with additional needs rising by £5.2 million (11.5 per cent). The minimum funding for each pupil will be at least £4,405 for each primary school pupil and £5,715 for each secondary school child.

The continued investment in South Glos’s young people’s education, both at primary and secondary, is getting results. In December 2017, 72 per cent of students attended a good or outstanding school. By December last year (2022) this figure had risen to 90 per cent of students.

displays next year for areas that will become parished this year

• StreetCare Operations & Support Team which carry out road and grounds maintenance will not be reduced

• Members’ Awarded Funding and Area Wide Grants, which provide support to many local community groups and activities, will not be cut

• the Carers’ Grant will be maintained next year while work continues on a cross-party basis to develop an improved package of support

for carers

• planned CCTV upgrades in Chipping Sodbury will be brought forward to next year

• funding for the Taxi Marshal service will be maintained in response to local concerns about community safety.

Balancing the budget

All local authorities in the country are facing financial challenges and the council will implement changes to services to reduce costs by more than £24 million. This will in part be met by increasing income through fees and charges for services that are eligible. The council is also preserving some bus services using council reserves, much of which can only be spent on certain activities. These services include the 84/85 and 622 routes on an interim basis while work across the region continues on transport options

Preserving some bus services

Cllrs Toby Savage, Erica Williams and Ben Burton with members of South Gloucestershire Council’s Community Learning & Skills team.

Seventy happy years

Little Ducklings

praised

THE education watchdog has praised the work of an Iron Acton day nursery in its first ever inspection.

PAGE 11

Parents' campaign

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to save a centre for children with special educational needs and disabilities that is set to close.

PAGE 7

Solar farm row

Matt's Paralympic dream

A WHEELCHAIR rugby player from Coalpit Heath is hoping a fundraising event will bring him closer to his dream of playing for the GB team.

Matt Badman, aged 28, has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair to get about.

But to play the sport he needs a made-tomeasure rugby wheelchair, which costs about

£3,500.

When players at Chipping Sodbury rugby club heard, they organised a 24-hour touch rugby marathon to raise money.

They hope the tournament will add to Matt's own fundraising, to enable him to buy the chair.

Turn to page 5

MORE than 100 objections have been made to plans for a solar farm that could power 10,00 homes, with villagers claiming their area already has too many.

PAGE 8

Tribute to Stuart

A CRICKETER who was a leading player for Frampton Cotterell for three decades has died.

PAGE 27

COALPIT Heath couple Doreen and Brian Lealan have reached a remarkable milestone by celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary. Full story: Page 9

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Your views

Date set for 'epic' carnival

WINTERBOURNE Down Village Carnival organisers are planning to make the event bigger and better than ever this year.

Although May has an extra bank holiday this year for the King's Coronation, the carnival will stick with its traditional May Day bank holiday slot on Monday May 1.

Committee member Kathryn Hopes said: "Winter seems to be never-ending at this time of year but before we know it Spring will be making an appearance and we’ll be celebrating May Day.

"The committee have been meeting regularly through the cold, dark months to plan for an epic 2023 Carnival.

Ken McCormick Editor contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

Letters for publication can be sent to us via email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

We reserve the right to edit your letter.

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

Complaints

Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk general enquiries: 101 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk

General enquiries: 0117 926 2061

NHS Health

"We listened to your feedback and we’ve sought out new food outlets and live music.

"This year’s carnival will see the largest number of attractions ever. If you’re interested in joining the packed programme, please get in touch, we’ll try our very best to squeeze you in!"

This year the carnival will be sponsored by two local businesses, the Cross Hands pub in Winterbourne Down and Ben’s Reclamation & Demolition.

Kate said: "Our carnival is not exempt from feeling the effects of the economic crisis.

We have recognised that community funded grants cannot be relied upon, so this year we’ve had to go out and look for other sources of income, specifically in the form of sponsorship.

"We’d like to take this opportunity to welcome our 2023 sponsors. These two local businesses have secured the go-ahead for 2023.

"Along with their support now they will also bring new attractions, which we're very excited about, to the carnival day itself. We’re thrilled to have them on board."

For more information on the carnival, or to contact the committee, visit www.winterbournedowncarnival.co.uk.

Call 111

Well Aware health & social care information

www.wellaware.org.uk

Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252

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A member of the

Club helps Matt chase rugby wheelchair dream

From page 3

The event will be held on May 19 at the club's home ground at The Ridings, Chipping Sodbury.

Matt said: “I am really grateful for it - I didn’t expect anyone to help.”

He started playing three years ago after his girlfriend persuaded him to give it a go.

Matt said: “My girlfriend told me to go along, because I am a sporty person.

"I didn’t look back and I love it now.

"Wheelchair rugby is quite a brutal game – it’s fun, though, and is great for relieving anxiety.”

Matt plays for Taunton Gladiators, because there are no wheelchair teams nearer home.

He said: “I am trying to fund raise for my own personal made-to-measure rugby wheelchair, so if I get into a higher level I don’t have to rely on a club chair any more, and can travel to play and not borrow one.

"My ambition is to play for Team GB in the Paralympics.

“Club chairs are not made to measure, so can be uncomfortable - literally a pain in the backside.”

The fundraising marathon has been

organised by Lucy Lawson, a former Chipping Sodbury player who is now manager of Chipping Sodbury Touch Rugby team and one of more than 30 regular players.

She said although Matt doesn’t play with them, the Chipping Sodbury team all wanted to help a fellow rugby enthusiast - and she hoped that one day the club could have a touch rugby team of its own.

Lucy said: “He was looking for sponsorship from the team and I thought maybe we could go much further than that, in the spirit of rugby.

"The touch rugby team is newly set-up and we are very inclusive, encouraging many different people to play.

"We set it up as an outlet for people who could not play any more – it started with some retired people who can’t play contact rugby any more, but we have seen new people who have never played rugby, aged from 14 to over 60.

“Wheelchair rugby is the next step – I would love to have a team based here.”

The Chipping Sodbury marathon has a Just Giving online fundraising page at bit. ly/3Sr8RL6.

Matt's own fundraising page is on gofundme at bit.ly/3YUs626.

Matt Badman using a borrowed chair at Taunton Gladiators, the wheelchair rugby club he plays for

Average council tax bills rise by up to £119

A TYPICAL council tax bill in the Frome Valley area will rise by between £98 and £119 in April. South Gloucestershire Council has agreed a 4.99% increasethe maximum allowed without calling a referendum - to take its charge to residents with homes in the average Band D tax bracket up by £87.47, to £1,752.11.

Council tax bills also include charges for the region's police and fire services.

The Avon & Somerset police precept for Band D taxpayers is rising by £15 (just under 6%), from £251.20 to £266.20, and the Avon Fire Authority charge will rise by £5 (6.4%) in Band D, from £77.95 to £82.95.

The remainder of the bill comes from the precepts charged by town and parish councils, and the 'special expenses' charges made for any maintenance of neighbourhood facilities such as parks, open spaces and bus shelters carried out by South Gloucestershire Council.

The parish precept and special expenses charge varies by area - the more services provided, the higher it is.

In the Frome Valley, Frampton Cotterell has the highest precept and special expenses charges, with the result that the overall Band D council tax bill in the parish - £2,260.77 - is higher than in surrounding parishes, as it includes £145.70 in precept charges and £13.81 in special expenses.

Overall, council tax bills for residents in Band D homes in Frampton Cotterell will be

£118.92 higher than last year. The precept has risen by £9.90 and special expenses by £1.55the other £107.47 is the increase in the other parts of the bill.

The other four parishes in the area - Winterbourne, Westerleigh & Coalpit Heath, Iron Acton and Rangeworthyhave decreased their precepts.

This usually happens when enough new homes are built in an area, adding extra tax payers, to negate an increase in the budget. Three of the four councils have increased their budgets but Rangeworthy has frozen its spending.

Overall Band D bills will rise by £103.64 in Winterbourne, £107.47 in Westerleigh & Coalpit Heath, £98.02 in Iron Acton and £106.39 in Rangeworthy.

South Gloucestershire Council's spending plans comprise £287 million for day-to-day services, £132m on major capital and infrastructure projects and £267m to schools, skills and early learning.

They include an extra £1m for road repairs, solar panels for all council buildings and funding for a new Street Enforcement Service to tackle environmental crimes.

Council leader Toby Savage said: "I am pleased that we are able to set a budget that builds on our hard work in previous years and which continues to deliver on our priorities for residents and businesses across South Gloucestershire."

The Conservative administration accepted

ideas from opposition groups at the budget-setting meeting on February 15, with Labour securing a dedicated enforcement officer to ensure private rented homes are brought up to minimum standards and the Liberal Democrats winning backing for action on climate change and the cost-of-living crisis, with initiatives to help residents and businesses cut emissions.

Plans to increase green bin charges from £30 to £55 and cut the streetcare team and Chipping Sodbury taxi marshals were withdrawn ahead of the meeting.

Funding for the Frampton End Farm nature reserve was also included in the budget.

But some council services are being reduced and charges increased, to plug a £24m shortfall and balance the books for the next three years.

Opposition councillors warned that many of the savings are “hidden” behind reviews that

need working through rather than finalised proposals.

Lib Dem spokesperson for corporate resources Jon Lean said: "In a time of rising prices for all and even the increasing use of food banks, this budget removes support for some of the people most in need in our area – cuts to the preparingfor-adulthood service, cuts to the opening hours of One Stop Shops, cuts to well-being services that promote healthy lifestyles."

Labour group leader Pat Rooney said the new enforcement officer would ensure that 5,700 houses and flats in South Gloucestershire which would fail new environmental regulations are brought up to standard.

Band D council tax bills

Meeting report by Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Parents bid to save education centre

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to save a centre for children with special educational needs and disabilities that is set to close.

The unit at Chipping Sodbury School serves families from areas including Frampton Cotterell, Westerleigh and Yate whose children have autism.

A 10-year contract with South Gloucestershire Council expires next year and the Athelstan Trust, which runs the school, says it cannot renew it because its funding has been slashed.

In a letter to parents, head teacher Katherine Turner said the £40,000 the school used to receive per pupil had not increased over the last decade and that it now faced being left with a base of just £15,000 per pupil, which is not enough to meet the children’s needs.

The council is blaming the academy trust for the closure, but opposition groups say the fault lies with the council's administration.

Parents campaigning to save the unit appealed directly to political leaders at a council meeting on February 15, speaking passionately about how vital it was for their youngsters.

They were joined by local child psychologist Sean Rhodes, who works with children with autism and communication difficulties, and said: "Where will these children go for their education? We already know that there is no space at other bases and centres, or in our special schools."

A petition aimed at keeping the centre open has received

Mobile footcare

more than 1,000 signatures.

It says the unit is set to be hit by new "Banding and Safety Valve agreements", aimed at increasing “value for money” in specialist provision.

Athelstan Trust chief executive Tim Gilson said it was a “horrible situation” caused by a lack of funding to the council from central government for pupils with special needs and disabilities.

The council's cabinet has blamed the trust for the closure.

Cabinet member for education Erica Williams said: “This decision by the trust came

totally out of the blue.

“We asked the trust to come to the table. The trust refused to come to the table.

“We don’t see why there is any reason for it to close –through the banding changes there will still be sufficient funds for that access centre to remain open.”

But opposition groups say the the fault clearly lies with the council administration.

Liberal Democrat group leader Claire Young told the meeting: “The parents will have almost certainly had a long battle to get their child into the centre, and now when they thought they had the answer they see it being snatched away.

“It’s a disgrace that this council is risking the education of some of its most vulnerable children and I urge a rethink.”

The petition can be found at change.org/p/save-chippingsodbury-access-centre.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

A campaign poster produced by parents of children at the centre in Chipping Sodbury

More than 100 objections to solar farm plan

VILLAGERS in Cromhall say the area is in danger of being overrun by solar farms.

British renewables developer RES is applying to put up 125 acres of solar panels at Varley Farm in Talbots End, potentially providing electricity for up to 10,000 homes.

It follows approval last year for another large solar farm near the village.

More than 100 objections have been lodged against the Varley Farm plan on South Gloucestershire’s planning website, with 14 people writing in support.

One resident said there were already eight large-scale solar farms with five miles of the proposed site.

Paul Sadley said in his online objection: "The closest is a site with approved planning permission for a 167 acre solar farm, 1km south of this proposed site.

“Material consideration needs to seriously be given to the

cumulative effect and impact that this scheme would have when combined with the approved scheme in Wickwar.”

Cromhall Parish Council has also opposed the plan, saying it takes a huge area of land out of farming production, and would affect wildlife.

Objector Julie Cragg said the solar panels would be “an ugly encroachment on our rural landscape” and result in the destruction of wildlife habitats.

Developers RES say that after a public exhibition last summer,

they made changes to the design to meet local concerns, including reducing the impact of construction traffic.

A spokesperson said: "A number of changes have been made to the design to ensure the solar farm fits sensitively into the existing landscape, whilst maximising the low-carbon, lowcost electricity generation.

"Changes made include siting infrastructure further away from residential properties, and increasing the hedgerow height in areas to reduce potential

visibility."

RES says Varley Solar Farm would produce green electricity for nearly 10,000 homes and contribute £80,000 in business rates every year.

The company says the plan includes planting native trees and over 1km of new species-rich hedgerows, plus the installation of bird and bat boxes, hedgehog houses, reptile hibernacula and invertebrate hotels.

Among the comments supporting the application, Isabel Flawn said: “Based on the location of the proposed solar farms, only a few houses will even be able to see the panels, compared to the many that can probably see, smell and hear the cows currently there.

"It's obvious that the benefits grossly outweigh any possible, small and temporary negatives.” The application can be viewed on the planning section of South Gloucestershire Council's website, by searching for reference number P22/07114/F.

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A solar array similar to those planned at Varley Farm. Picture: RES

A COUPLE from Coalpit Heath had an extra-special celebration on Valentine’s Day – marking 70 years of marriage.

Doreen and Brian Lealan were married on February 14 1953, and celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary surrounded by scores of family members spanning the generations.

They’ve even had an official congratulations card from King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, and appeared on the BBC's Points West news programme.

Doreen, aged 88 and Brian, 91, met at a works dance when they both worked for industrial company William Butlers in Bristol.

They married at Holy Trinity Church in Kingswood, but had to change their wedding plans twice - first when Brian was called up for National Service and then when Brian was ill on the rearranged date of February 7.

The big day was postponed a week, only for a huge blizzard on the morning of the 14th to put it at risk again.

Doreen feared the wedding would be cancelled for a third time.

She said: “I thought everywhere and everyone will be snowed in. But thankfully the snowstorm passed, it stopped snowing and by the time we set off they had cleared the roads of the snow and it was OK.”

The wedding went ahead, but afterwards Brian had to return to the Army and Doreen returned to live with her parents in Bristol.

She said: “I was working, and obviously Brian was paid for his National Service so we were able to save up and look for a house.

Platinum celebrations for Doreen and Brian

"There was still rationing then - we were all still coming out of the war, really - but it gave us the chance to save up and get our own home.”

The couple had three daughters, and now have seven grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren.

Doreen said: “It’s lovely because almost all of the family live close by, so we’re a close bunch.”

One of their daughters, Tracie Bennet, thanked people for their kind messages and all who attended the platinum wedding party at the Miners Social Club in Coalpit Heath.

Doreen says she and Brian have had 70 very happy years.

She said: "We’ve had our arguments the same as everyone,

and it’s hard bringing up children, but if you have a row you’ve got to make up - there’s no point holding grudges for too

long.

"I think as you get older you get more tolerant, and it’s lovely to get to 70 years."

Doreen and Brian Lealan with their daughters at their platinum wedding party

Brian and Doreen on their wedding day, 70 years ago

Mum threatens protest over new phone mast

A MOTHER-of-three from Wickwar is threatening to stage a sit in protest on the site of a proposed 5G phone mast in the village.

Lucy Pond says the 18m (59ft) mast, proposed by CK Hutchinson (UK) Ltd, on land beside the High Street, will be just yards from her garden.

She has written objections on South Gloucestershire Council’s online planning portal, and emailed council planners to say she is worried about the health impact of masts on her children, who are aged three, five and seven.

Lucy said: “This is abhorrent. I am still flabbergasted someone thought this should happen in the centre of a beautiful village.

“I am more than happy to sit on that piece of grass in a tent until the application is pulled.”

At the time of going to press, 103 comments had been posted on the planning portal – 101 of them objecting.

Wickwar Parish Council has also objected to the mast, which would be capable of hosting up to six antennas.

Many people commented that the mast would be an imposition in a conservation area.

Resident Helen Hall said in her

submission: “This mast is completely out of keeping with the historical high street.

"It will be an eyesore as you enter the village and will overshadow people's homes. Surely there are more appropriate sites, preferably not by the roadside here?”

Others suggested alternative sites.

Dan Trickey said : “Existing mast sites by Wickwar Quarry, Hall End or even

Hutchinson's existing site on Station Road would be far more suitable for this mast.”

Hutchison's proposal document says the mast would be near to other “large linear structures within the surrounding area of the site, including lighting columns, telegraph poles, a flagpole and mature trees".

The company, which runs the 3 mobile network, said: “Such structures will ensure, along with the existing cabinets on the grass verge, that the proposed installation will assimilate with the existing street scene without causing significant impact to visual amenity and local character.

"The design of the column resembles as closely as possible to other vertical structures within the immediate area such as lighting columns, telegraph poles and a flagpole."

The company has submitted documents from the Institution of Engineering and Technology and industry group Mobile UK which says 5G meets the same safety standards as existing 3G and 4G signals.

One supporter, Philippa Crocker, said: “Fantastic. Anything to improve reception in Wickwar.”

Details of the plans can be found on South Gloucestershire Council’s planning website by searching for application P23/00410/PN1.

An image submitted with the application shows how the mast would look next to trees and homes. Picture: Clarke Telecom

Praise for nursery after first inspection

AN inspector has praised the work of an Iron Acton day nursery to encourage the independence of its "happy and confident" children.

Little Ducklings, at One Pool Farm in Dyers Lane, had its first ever inspection from Ofsted in January, having registered with regulator Ofsted in 2021.

The regulator said the nursery, which caters for up to 52 children aged under four, was 'good' in all areas, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management.

Ofsted inspector Marie Swindells said children are eager to enter the nursery each day.

Her report, published in February, said: “They separate from their parents, and staff greet them warmly, which enables them to settle quickly. Older children follow routines independently and organise their belongings on arrival.

“Children are happy and confident. They spend a

prolonged period in self-chosen activities, indoors and outdoors. Staff skilfully support them."

The inspector said children learn Makaton signing, which enhances their interactions with each other, with children confidently using signs for 'more', 'please' and 'thank you'.

Children are encouraged to develop a love of books and reading, and to explore mathematics through play.

The inspector said staff know the children well and are good

role models for them.

She said: "Staff talk to the children with respect and are attentive to their care needs.

"For example, staff ask if the children would like help getting their shoes on, or if they would like help cutting their snack, and then they wait for a response.

"This encourages the children's independence and supports their emotional wellbeing.”

However the report recommended that noise levels

should be addressed to make it easier for children to ask for help, and group sizes could be reduced during some activities.

The inspector said a strength of the setting was the commitment to ensure all children are included and supported.

She said: "Children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) receive the early help and support that they need.

"Children with SEND willingly engage in the wider range of small-group sessions that staff provide. They are developing increasing confidence to engage with their peers and to seek comfort and support from staff across the nursery."

Manager Marie Sims said staff were "proud" to achieve a good rating.

She said: "We are now working towards our Curiosity Approach accreditation and looking forward to developing our setting even more."

Staff at Little Ducklings day nursery celebrate their 'good' rating from Ofsted

Wanted: councillors

THE Frome valley's councils need a key ingredient this year - the councillors who will make the decisions.

In this year's local elections on May 4, all 61 seats on South Gloucestershire Council and a total of 492 town and parish council seats across the district are up for grabs.

The elections come around every four years and are a chance for adult residents of an area - whether a member of a political party or independent - to win a place representing their community and helping decide how public money is spent.

Anyone who would like to be a parish or South Gloucestershire councillor can get nomination papers now - they can be submitted between March 27 and 4pm on April 4.

To be nominated as a candidate, you need the signatures of two residents on the current electoral register for the ward you want to stand in.

Unlike in parliamentary elections, you do not need to pay a deposit to stand as a candidate.

There are 15 seats to fill on Frampton Cotterell Parish Council - five each in its Central, East and West wards.

The newly-renamed Westerleigh & Coalpit Heath Parish Council has nine councillors to elect, seven for its Coalpit Heath ward and two for Westerleigh.

Winterbourne Parish Council has 16 seats to fill - 12 for Winterbourne and four for Frenchay.

Iron Acton has nine councillors to elect in two wards - five for Iron Acton and four for East ward.

Other parish councils in the area do not have separate wards: Rangeworthy has five

councillors, Wickwar has nine and Cromhall has seven, as does Tytherington & Itchington.

There are fewer seats but more power and responsibility for members of South Gloucestershire Council, where three seats are up for grabs in Frampton Cotterell, which includes Coalpit Heath, Iron Acton, Rangeworthy and Tytherington, along with two in Winterbourne, which includes Hambrook and Moorend.

South Gloucestershire Council is encouraging anyone who wants to make a "real difference" to consider standing for election.

A spokesperson said: "People from all backgrounds and experiences who can reflect the communities they serve are needed.

"You do not have to be a member of a political party to stand for election - you can also be an independent councillor.

"Being a councillor is a varied and highly fulfilling role where you help make decisions on the issues that matter to local communities."

The council is holding briefing sessions for prospective candidates at Kingswood Council Chamber on March 6 and 9.

For more information about becoming a candidate, visit beta.southglos.gov.uk/ stand-for-election, call 01454 863030, email electoral.services@southglos.gov.uk or write to Electoral Registration, PO Box 1953, Badminton Road, Bristol, BS37 0DB.

Your name in the ballot box?

Picture: Local Democracy Reporting Service

Striking teachers picket Winterbourne Academy

MORE than a thousand teachers in South Gloucestershire left their classrooms for the picket line as part of a national strike over pay and education funding.

Members of the National Education Union walked out on February 1, with many schools closing to all but vulnerable pupils or those in care.

Picket lines were set up outside many primary, secondary and special schools, including Winterbourne Academy.

Many teachers then went to a regional rally in Bristol city centre, which was joined by other public sector workers and supporters. Organisers estimate it was attended by up to 6,000 people.

The strike left thousands of parents having to make arrangements to look after children given an unexpected day off school.

NEU South Gloucestershire representative Lee Everson, who is a teacher at Winterbourne Academy, said: "We understand parents are in a difficult position, because it's particularly inconvenient to provide childcare, but many can see this is not just about teacher pay, it's about providing enough resources for their children's education.

"People who went out on the picket lines were surprised by the level of public support."

He said many teachers were "at the end of their tether", with pay not keeping up with the cost of living and "scarily high" rents facing younger teachers in the area.

Lee said the latest pay offer of 5% was not funded by the government, which meant it would have to come from school budgets already under pressure due to rising costs.

He said: "Expectations have never been higher, with the pressure of Ofsted reports, exams and league tables, but there's no resourcing to justify the pressure. People are being asked to do more with less."

Lee said teachers hoped negotiations can be reopened.

The Department for Education said offers of 8.9% for new teachers and 5% for experienced staff were made on the recommendation of an independent pay review body and are "the highest pay awards in 30 years" for teachers.

The government says it has answered union calls for increased funding, claiming that "by 2024-2025 schools will be funded in real terms at their highest level in history".

A DFE spokesperson said Education Secretary Gillian Keegan and unions had recently discussed issues including workload reduction, recruitment and retention, adding: "The Education Secretary instructed officials to hold further detailed talks with unions and committed to more talks ahead of planned strike action."

Further teachers' strikes are planned on March 2, 15 and 16.

Staff at the University of the West of England, including administrators, cleaners, library, security and catering workers, walked out over three days in February over a 3% pay offer from the Universities and Colleges Employers Association.

The picket line at Winterbourne Academy. Picture: NEU South Gloucestershire

NHS dental services in 'death spiral', councillors warn

DESPERATE people are performing their own dental work because of a chronic shortage of NHS provision in the region.

Councillors said the system was in a “death spiral”, with an increasing number of practices going private and dentists leaving the area or the profession altogether.

A family of Ukrainian refugees had even travelled back to their war-torn homeland because they could be seen there quicker, a council meeting heard.

South Gloucestershire Council health scrutiny committee members said they were not reassured and that wholescale changes were needed.

In 2020 the Frampton and Flaxpits surgeries, in Park Lane, Frampton Cotterell and Flaxpits Lane, Winterbourne, stopped all NHS treatment, telling their 14,000 patients they would have

to go private or go elsewhere.

Another South Gloucestershire dentist, My Dentist in Staple Hill, told patients in January that three NHS dentists had left and were being replaced by a private practitioner.

New Cheltenham ward councillor Sandie Davis said: “There is a family who took in some Ukrainian refugees and they couldn’t find a dentist so they travelled at Christmas back to war-torn Ukraine to see a dentist. It’s just shocking.”

Frenchay & Downend ward councillor James Griffiths said: “We’ve had local dentists go private and send a letter to all the residents saying,‘you’ve no longer got an NHS dentist and if you’ve got a family of four, please can we have £600 a year’, depending on the package.

“It’s a death spiral because as more and more people go over to

the private sector, they can then pay them more, the NHS service gets worse each year and it will slowly degrade and more people will go over.”

Cllr Griffiths said dentists had told him they got paid between £30,000 and £60,000 a year more to treat the same patients privately than on the NHS.

NHS South England head of stakeholder engagement Lou Farbus told councillors there was a "workforce crisis" across all clinical and social care in the region.

NHS England South West director of dental, specialised and health and justice commissioning Steve Sylvester told the meeting in late January: “A lot of work has been done nationally in terms of the contract where you get paid one rate for NHS and another for private provision.

“Our ability to control and

influence practices is hampered. They are independent businesses in the main.

“This is a big tanker to turn around. It’s been sailing in the wrong direction for a number of years.

“The challenge we face is we don’t have a right to be registered with a dentist – it’s not a GP practice.

A report to members said the percentage of adults with NHS dentists in South Gloucestershire had fallen steadily in recent years and stood at 36.7% last June, a 5.9% drop in 12 months.

This was lower than the access rate for England as a whole, at 37.4%.

The number of children who saw a dentist rose by 12.3% to 42%, although this was still below the national average of 46.9%.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

STROUD AUCTION ROOMS

Hippodrome date for talented Marienella

AN actor and singer from Yate is returning to the area to perform on the region's biggest stage.

Marienella Phillips has landed a role in an internationally acclaimed touring production of The King and I.

She is currently travelling the UK and Ireland with the production cast of 50, visiting 18 regional theatres with nearly 150 performances.

Reviews have described the show as “firstrate, sumptuous” and "too beautiful to miss”.

And it comes to the Bristol Hippodrome from 28th March to April 1.

Marienella, a 28-year-old former pupil of Tockington Manor School, studied at Bristol University and the Royal Welsh College of Music in Cardiff.

She is playing the role of Tuptim, a teenage servant of King Mongkut, in the Bartlett Sher touring production.

She said: “I'm in a very beautiful show with a company full of astonishingly talented people.

“This is Rodgers & Hammerstein gold.

"I'm honoured to be a part of this company and to follow in the footsteps of many wonderful Tuptims, including my big-time role model Lea Salonga - you are a

queen and if you like this, I will faint.”

Marienella's mum Nell, from Yate, told the Voice her whole family were excited that her singing career is taking off.

She said: “We are extremely pleased for her.”

Marienella auditioned last year for a role in the multi award-winning Broadway production of the show, which has been running in the UK and US since 2015.

The story is set in 1862 and features British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens who arrives in Siam to instruct the royal children.

The production by New York based Lincoln Theater Center stars Helen George, best known as Trixie in the hit BBC One series Call The Midwife, as Anna, and features songs including Whistle a Happy Tune, Getting to Know You and Shall We Dance.

Last year Marienella was chosen to sing the National Anthem before 50,000 rugby fans at Twickenham for the England versus Japan match in the Autumn Internationals.

She has also performed in Shakespeare’s Henry V in London's Covent Garden, alongside Kit Harrington, who is best known for his role as Jon Snow in the TV series Game of Thrones.

Ear Wax Removal

•

Foot Clinic

•

• Carried out by experienced and qualified foot health practitioners

clinic

Marienella Phillips in costume

CCTV catches fly-tipper

A MAN who was caught on CCTV dumping rubbish in a pub car park has been ordered to pay more than £1,500 in fines and costs.

South Gloucestershire Council said that the landlord of the White Horse pub on Hambrook Lane noticed six black bin bags had been left in the pub car park in August last year.

The pub's CCTV showed a car had driven into the car park that morning, before the driver got out and unloaded the bags of household waste before driving off.

Council environmental enforcement officers were called in and found a letter among the rubbish addressed to 38-year-old David Spiring, of Stoke Gifford.

The car's registration number captured on CCTV showed he was the car's registered keeper and number plate recognition cameras recorded it travelling to and from the pub.

The CCTV also showed three single mattresses attached to the Nissan Micra's roof, which are believed to have been dumped elsewhere.

Council officers visited Spiring’s home in Cow Barton two weeks later and he made “no comment”.

A spokesperson said: "When questioned about the mattresses and if those had also been fly-tipped, Spiring responded by saying he always fly-tips his rubbish, as well as claiming he doesn’t pay any taxes, rates, insurance, or fines."

He was summoned to court but failed to turn up twice and so was arrested and held in custody ahead of a hearing at Bristol Magistrates Court in February, when he pleaded guilty to fly-tipping.

He was ordered to pay a fine of £480, along with £813 in costs, £56 in clear up costs, and a £192 victim surcharge: a total of £1,541.

Major roadworks for M4 and M5

A SIX-mile section of the M4 and M5 around the Almondsbury Interchange will be subject to roadworks for the rest of the year.

National Highways is replacing four miles of steel crash barriers around the Almondsbury Interchange with concrete and is also building three new emergency areas, upgrading traffic signs, adding CCTV cameras, renewing lighting and carrying out drainage work as part of the improvement plan.

The work is due to start at the end of February and finish towards the end of the year.

A reduced speed limit of 50mph, temporary 24/7 roadworks CCTV monitoring and a free recovery service will be in place while work is being carried out.

The government agency says the work will be "closely coordinated" with forthcoming work to refurbish two bridges on the M5 between the M4 and A38 junctions.

Paul Unwin, who is overseeing the upgrades for National Highways, said: “Safety is our number one priority. Upgrading these barriers will improve journeys and significantly reduce the risk of vehicles crossing over from one carriageway to another, improving safety and reducing the duration of incident-related congestion.

“During the work we will do all we can to keep disruption to a minimum, but we expect that delays could be severe at peak times, so we are encouraging drivers to plan their journeys to avoid peak times if possible. Getting it done at this time of year means the concrete can set just right and the contractors have a longer working window with more light.”

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

Make time for your Mum

WHEN I was a student, I worked in a florist's.

Getting ready for the rush of Valentine’s Day, I remarked to the florist that this must be her busiest day.

“Oh no," she said, "it’s Mother’s Day - because everyone has a mother.”

And of course, it’s always good to spoil all the lovely mums.

Much has been said about the commercialisation of Mothering Sunday.

So why not do something different and make your mum a gift, instead of wafting your credit card about?

Nothing says “I love you” like a home-made gift.

I’ve come up with something novel: how about home-made granola? Maybe served in bed, on a tray with a single rose?

It’s delicious, and so easy to make that anyone can do it.

All you need is an attractive jar (try the pound shop or the supermarkets), store cupboard ingredients, and half an hour of your precious time.

To all the mothers out there –

well done! I hope you enjoy your day.

Marvellous Mothering

Sunday granola

Makes 2 large (1.5 Litre) Kilner jars of granola

Ingredients:

Jumbo Porridge Oats – 6 Cups

Seeds – e.g. sunflower, pumpkin – ¼ Cup

Nuts – coarsely chopped –almonds, pistachios, walnuts, Brazils – 1 ¼ Cups

Wheatgerm – ¼ Cup - optional

Flaxseeds – ¼ Cup- optional

Favourite spice e.g. cinnamon, mixed spice - ¾ tsp

Sweetener – e.g. honey, agave nectar – ¾ Cup

Extra virgin olive oil – 1/3 Cup

Vanilla - 1 tsp

Egg whites-3 free range, large Dried fruit e.g. sour cherries, cranberries, raisons, apricots, pears, dates – coarsely chopped - 1 cup

Here’s what you do:

Preheat the oven to 190 C, fan180C, Gas Mark 5

Spray 1 or 2 rimmed large baking sheets with oil of your choice, and spread out the granola

mixture evenly between the 2 sheets.

Put all dry ingredients, apart from the dried fruits, into the tray/s.

Whisk in the sweetener, vanilla and the olive oil.

With a fork, whisk the egg whites until slightly frothy.

Add this to all the other dry ingredients in the tray/s.

Stir until the oats are evenly coated.

Bake for 20 minutes and stir 2

or 3 times, moving the outer edges to the centre of the baking sheet so everything cooks evenly. Oven temperatures vary, so don’t go out!

Keep an eye on it and if it browns too much at the edges, gently stir those parts into the middle.

Remove from the oven and add the dried fruits of your choice. Stir until well combined.

Cool completely in the trays. Then store in airtight containers.

Loft Boarding & Insulation

n FRAMPTON COTTERELL NATURE

NATURE is under threat, so here are some easy ways to increase biodiversity and to help nature thrive in our own outdoor spaces.

Remove hazards

*Stop using garden pesticides and herbicides. Slug pellets, weedkillers and bug sprays are all harmful to nature.

Gardeners who use pesticides are contributing to the decline of British songbirds a recent study has shown. Pesticide Action Network UK (www.pan-uk.org) has comprehensive advice on gardening without chemicals. Dispose of unwanted chemicals safely at a local Sort-It centre.

*Tidy up storage of recycling and dispose of unwanted garden toys. Plastic netting from football goals is particularly hazardous to hedgehogs. Tins, plastic containers and crisp packets are all hazards for creatures sniffing out a meal.

Gardening for nature

Create a naturefriendly space

*Clean water is as important as food, whether it’s a larger pond or a small dish. Frogs will soon find a container of water lowered into the garden (provide a ramp on one side) and birds will drink and wash in even a shallow dish of water. Creating a garden pond, whatever the size, is one of the best ways to increase biodiversity.

* Planting native trees and shrubs, and climbing plants against fences, provides shelter and nesting for birds and insects. Trees and shrubs producing berries provide a natural food source for birds in the autumn.

* Provide homes for wildlife, like bug hotels, bird houses and hedgehog homes. Dead wood piles, garden trimmings and old foliage are valuable hiding places for hedgehogs and creepy crawlies,

and encourage fungi and moss.

*Flowering plants provide pollen and nectar, attracting bees, butterflies and other insects. Sow wildflower seeds in a container, a new border or amongst other plants.

Keep some 'weeds': they provide breeding areas for insects which are attracted to their scent and taste.

*No-mow May is a great way to see the range of plants growing in your lawn. Wildflowers, along with flowering grasses, provide food

Flowering plants provide food for many insects

and shelter for insects and other small creatures, in turn providing food for birds, mammals and amphibians. Keep a small area of your lawn wild.

*Make a small hole in your boundary fence so that hedgehogs can move from one garden to another. Providing a pile of logs and other garden trimmings in a quiet corner, along with a regular supply of clean water and small amounts of supplementary feeding, should keep hedgehogs visiting your garden.

Frome Valley Growing Project

ARE you interested in learning more about permaculture growing and having access to locally-grown food?

Are you passionate about increasing biodiversity and reducing your carbon footprint?

Would you like to be part of a project that connects you to multigenerational members of your community?

Have you been thinking about taking on an allotment but been put off by lack of time or confidence?

We are looking for new members at the Frome Valley Growing Project, and if your answer is yes to any of the questions above, perhaps our project would interest you.

Our aims at the project are: to grow vegetables and fruits grown

using organic techniques; develop wildlife habitats to support organic gardening and conservation; conserve local fruit tree varieties planted in the Food Forest; grow heritage and other fruit & vegetable varieties and save seed for future use.

We also aim to: show participants how to grow food in a sustainable way; give access to fresh food to the local community;

provide an opportunity for local residents to learn gardening and farming techniques, for fruit and vegetable growing and also animal care; encourage children to engage in gardening and conservation through school activities and family-focused events; be community led.

To become a member we ask that you come along to some of our volunteer sessions to find out

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR FREE SKILLS SUPPORT?

more about how we work and meet some of our other members.

If you like what we are doing, feel like it is a good fit for you and agree with our aims, you would be very welcome to join.

To join for a whole year there is a suggested donation of £100. However, if this is not accessible to you then we accept membership donations of as little as £1.

As a member you would receive a share of the fruit and vegetables that we produce, and have a say in how we take the plans for the project forward.

We have bi-monthly committee meetings, which are optional, and regular and seasonal gatherings where we share food, company and ideas.

As a member you and your family will have plenty of opportunities to play, learn and do, depending on your skills and interests - we welcome individuals from all walks of life.

To find out more please like and follow us on Facebook or email us on thegrowingproject123@gmail. com.

We would love to hear from you.

Kate Macdonald

Workforce for the Future provides free tailored, in-depth support to help you ensure your employees have access to the skills, training and support that your business needs to thrive.

Our expert partners, who span a range of industries, will work with you to help identify these ongoing skills needs and deliver the necessary training to help you invest in your current and future workforce.

Produce from the growing project

n LOCAL MP

Some good news for commuters

TRAINS from Yate to Bristol and to Gloucester will soon be running half-hourly rather than every hour.

Our railway services have never quite given us what we need, and haven’t kept up with the pace of change in South Gloucestershire.

One service from Yate an hour in each direction, often with too few carriages, means it just hasn’t been practical enough to be an option for many residents.

Since being elected in 2015, I have campaigned relentlessly for half-hourly services from Yate to Bristol and Gloucester.

I have taken the issue to Parliament, South Gloucestershire Council, the West of England Combined Authority and Rail ministers more times than I can remember.

And together, we demonstrated through my surveys and increased passenger numbers, that there is significant local demand to now increase

train services from Yate to Bristol and Gloucester.

Progress often felt too slow, but we did move the campaign forward a couple of years ago when the government funded the track changes at the ‘Bristol East’ railway junction at Temple Meads that were needed to make half hourly trains possible.

In January, I held a debate in Parliament to put pressure on GWR and ministers to finally deliver this vital service for our community.

The Rail Minister confirmed that services between Yate and Bristol and Gloucester will be doubled to two trains per hour from the May timetable change. It was brilliant to hear.

Half-hourly services will make rail a more viable option for many people locally, reducing journey times, taking cars off the road and reducing emissions.

It is excellent news, and I want to thank everyone who has

supported this campaign over several years.

It’s taken some time, however it’s a key part of our positive plan for transport in South Gloucestershire and I am delighted we are almost there.

Of course, the frequency of train services is not the only transport priority we face in South Gloucestershire.

Fighting for our local bus services and improving our roads remains a key part of our local plan, however we must make progress with other forms of transport which provide invaluable links to health services, schools, and employment at the same time.

We are making progress. We have built the park and ride offering direct services to the city centre and Southmead Hospital, have invested in off-road cycling routes such as the Yate Spur, and explored options for a Frampton Cotterell bypass.

I am now pushing to deliver Junction 18A onto the M4, re-open Charfield Station, fight to improve the frequency and reliability of local bus services, and fix the potholes throughout our rural villages.

We will work together to make South Gloucestershire an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

Luke Hall MP writes for Frome Valley Voice

Winterbourne

Medieval Barn

livestream on Zoom.

Before that, on March 5, we have an afternoon of light-hearted entertainment from two favourite local 'big boy bands', the Bristol Male Voice Choir and the Frampton Shantymen. The concert promises a mix of spirituals, folk songs, musicals and sea-shanties in the relaxed setting of the magnificent barn.

At the start of the school holidays there will be a Easter-themed activity day for young children, making seasonal crafts and exploring our Easter trail.

Looking further ahead, the UWE Big Band returns fresh from the finals of the National Concert Band Festival for a jazz night on April 21.

COULD you survive a day in medieval England? That's the question living history re-enactment group the Company of Chivalry will be answering in an entertaining talk about the routines and rigours of life in the Middle Ages. Conditions were tough in the 14th century, but people had the same basic needs and desires as us. They lacked our modern technology, scientific knowledge, materials and foods, but they still wanted to look good and be comfortable, play and be entertained, and stay well.

The talk, by a group normally seen at our annual Medieval Fayre, is on March 21 at the barn, starting at 7pm, but is also available as a

This will be their first public performance of the year in the Bristol area, and will particularly feature music from Count Basie’s epic album The Atomic Basie, along with other well-known charts in the mix.

There will be a nature walk, more talks and craft workshops in April and May.

For more details and bookings visit the website www.winterbournebarn.org.uk or visit in person on March 2 from 1.30-2.30pm.

Louise Harrison

Floral Friends of Frampton

DESPITE the recent cold weather, bulbs are

beginning to come up around the village.

Hopefully they will soon be flowering and will brighten every day.

In the meantime one of our volunteers has been out and about (albeit a little further afield) and found some snowdrops to enjoy!

A date for your diary - our Spring Fayre and Plant Sale will take place on Saturday May 27 from 10am to noon.

Come along and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with a cake, browse the stalls and buy some plants for your garden. An event not to be missed!

Floral Friends are entirely funded by donations and we would like to thank all who have supported us recently by making donations and perhaps commemorating someone special by doing so. It is very much appreciated.

Donations can be made either in person or online. Our bank details are: Floral Friends of Frampton, Lloyds 30-98-97, account 70582363.

If you would like to help in any way, from regular or occasional volunteering to donations or sponsorship, we’d love to hear from you: please email us at floralfriendsofframpton@gmail. com.

‘I enjoy it so much.

The girls are lovely and I feel I’m doing something worthwhile. It’s amazing!’

Tayba, leader

Medieval reenactors bring old ways back to life

n WHAT'S ON

March 16

n ARTS APPRECIATION GROUP, meets every third Thursday at Bradley Stoke Community School from 7pm for illustrated talks on all aspects of the arts. This month, talk by Ann Anderson on Gustav Klimt. For details call Sally 01454 774401. April 15

n GENTLE TAI CHI FOR ALL

- WADCA Fundraising Event, 10.30am-12.30pm. £5 per person. Sessions start at 10.45am and 11.30am. Wear loose clothes and flat shoes. Refreshments available throughout the morning. Contact Jenny on 0785 556 0257 or jksmith@blueyonder.co.uk for more information.

REGULAR EVENTS

n MONDAY: WINTERBOURNE

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

n MONDAY: GENTLE SHIBASHI

TAI CHI AND RELAXATION, accessible to all, 6-7pm, St Michael's Rooms, High Street, Winterbourne. Contact Jenny on 07855 560257or jksmith@ blueyonder.co.uk for more

information.

n MONDAY: FRAMPTON

SINGALONG meets on the first Monday in the month at Crossbow House, School Road, Frampton Cotterell, 2-3.30pm. Live music from The Jays & The Rosettes. £5, refreshments included. Carers free. All profits to UNICEF supporting children affected by Ukraine war. More details 07515 351 813.

n TUESDAY: WINTERBOURNE DOWN METHODIST

CHURCHDrop in for free cup of tea and chat or play board games, every Tuesday from 2-4pm.

n TUESDAY: SUNRIDGE GOLF

CROQUET CLUB meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in Coalpit Heath and has players at all levels. Learn how to play, club equipment is available to use. Contact croquet@wilko.eclipse.co.uk or call 07977 201440.

n TUESDAY - CRAFTING: Come and join our group of crafters on the first Tuesday of every month in the Red Brick Annexe, Manor Hall, Coalpit Heath, BS36 2TG from 2-4pm. Bring your own project. £4 per session: Kay 07792189276.

n WEDNESDAY: BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm

until 10pm at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS. New members welcome- first visit free so come along and give us a try. For further information contact Sheila on 01179570792 or 07435316458 or email shinett@ blueyonder.co.uk

n WEDNESDAY: GENTLE

SHIBASHI TAI CHI AND RELAXATION, accessible to all, 10.30-11.30am and 11.45am12.45pm, Winterbourne Medieval Barn, Church Lane, Winterbourne. Contact Jenny on 07855 560257or jksmith@blueyonder.co.uk for more information.

n WEDNESDAY DOWNEND

FLOWER ARRANGING CLUB meets at 7.30pm on 1st & 3rd Wednesday each month from September to June at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road. Call Genise

on 0777 245 1217 for more information.

n THURSDAY: WINTERBOURNE WINDS, a friendly amateur wind band who play a wide range of music including pop, musicals and classical, rehearse at Frenchay Village Hall from 7.40-9.30pm. New members, especially flute, oboe, trumpet, horn and percussion players, are welcome. For more information email winterbournewinds@yahoo.com.

n FRIDAY: FROME VALLEY ART GROUP meets at the Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne each Friday 2-4pm or 7-9pm. Thriving club with demonstrations and workshops from visiting professional artists. More details online at winterbourneart.uk or email fromevalleyartwinterbourne@ gmail.com.

Winterbourne Library news

WINTERBOURNE Library's Lego club next meets on March 11, from 10am to 11am – for children aged four and up.

Storytime sessions, on Fridays from 9.30-10am in term time only, are suitable for children aged 18 months to four years.

Regular Rhymetimes take place on Wednesdays, 9.30am-10am. Suitable for babies aged up to 18 months.

An adult craft group meets on March 18 and 25, from 10am-noon: join a friendly group of crafters to do your own work and chat – refreshments available.

Computer classes are held on Thursdays (term time only). Enrolment required with SGS College - for more information call Cindy on 0117 909 2296 or email cindy.corbett@sgscol.ac.uk.

For more details of events or bookings, visit the library, email Winterbourne.library@southglos.gov.uk or phone 01454 868006.

The library is looking for a 121 Digital Champion volunteer, with spare time and an interest in helping others learn how to use a computer, laptop, tablet or other device. Contact libraryvolunteers@southglos.gov.uk for more details or collect an application form in the library.

The library is open and staffed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-5pm, and on Saturday from 9.30am-12.30pm.

Open Access enables you to use the library when staff are not there, including free Wi-Fi, PCs and printing, issuing and returning books, seven days a week between 8am and 7.30pm. Library members need to complete a one-off induction session first to register.

More information is available online at www.southglos.gov.uk/ openaccess or from library staff.

Greenway Gardens

Address: 90 Chedworth, Yate

Coalpit Heath WI

IN February we were pleased to welcome back Susan Symons.

Susan had previously spoken to us in 2021 about the early life of Queen Victoria.

Her talk on Victoria and Albert this time continued that fascinating history.

Susan is incredibly knowledgeable about her subject and used snippets from Queen Victoria’s journals and diaries, as well as sharing paintings and illustrations. We very much enjoyed this talk.

The January book club meeting was a discussion of The Tent, the Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy, a memoir of family camping holidays in the 1970s.

It was obvious fairly quickly that people had strong reactions to this book, some struggling to finish it, while others enjoyed the short chapters and found the calamities that the family attracted amusing.

We did all agree that it brought back memories of our own family holidays and there were several funny stories shared. We eventually settled on The Light Between Oceans by M L Stedman as our book for March.

Our first skittles match was against the lovely ladies of Doynton and Wick WI. It was a very enjoyable evening, a first match for one of our team. We are delighted to be progressing to the

next round of this knockout competition, as we had a lot of members keen to play.

If you fancy coming along and seeing what we have to offer you would be most welcome.

We meet on the first Wednesday of each month in St Saviour’s church hall at 7.45pm.

On March 1 Ann Fisher will give an iced flower demonstration and on April 5 Briony May Williams will talk about life after Bake Off.

For more information search @ WICoalpitHeath on Facebook or @ coalpitheathwi on Instagram.

Caroline Johnston

Frampton Cotterell WI

THIS year has got off to a great and varied start, with fabulous talks by member Liz Curtis on life at Bristol Zoo and Strictly dance moves in Zumba with Karen Davis.

In February we had our annual meal outthis year at the White Horse at Hambrook, where we enjoyed an evening of good company, tasty food and a lovely cosy atmosphere. We all agreed that it was a great night out.

Our March talk, on the 28th, is by local historian John Winston-Smith, on Norman

Hunting Lodges.

Other confirmed events for the coming months include Tai Chi with Jenny Smith on April 25 and a rapeseed oil talk and cookery demo on June 27.

We have many other events lined up for the coming year, including visits to the theatre and local gardens. Watch this space and our Facebook page for more details.

Visitors and new members are welcome to our meetings at St Peter’s Hall on School Road at 7.45pm on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

There is a charge of £3.50 for the evening and any new members can also join by paying a membership fee.

Special interest groups include a book club, craft group, gardening group and our skittles and darts teams.

Frampton Cotterell WI at the White Horse

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Winterbourne Down WI

FOUR guests joined us for our February meeting, three of whom had heard other talks by our speaker Paul Barnett and had found him informative and interesting with a good sense of humour. Paul is a maritime historian and his talk, titled ‘Port to Port’, included 20th century black and white photographs of the 16-mile canal running from Sharpness to Gloucester.

He had then taken current colour pictures of the same area and by comparing these, pointed out how the waterways and surrounding docklands have changed. Warehouses have been demolished and in their place new flats and houses have been erected, giving a completely different look and feel to the canal. We look forward to future talks by Paul.

Our coffee morning at the Vintage Birdcage in Yate was very successful, with a number of members enjoying good coffee and delicious home-made cakes. We are looking forward to another visit in the summer when we will be able to enjoy the pretty outside patio area.

Only a few of our members met up at Hambrook Social Club on a cold February evening in order to have a fun skittles match. We will arrange another evening when the weather improves.

We are through to the next round of the WI

skittles tournament, where we will be playing Rodway Rubies.

Our programme for the year is now complete and we are looking forward to a wide variety of speakers plus our usual monthly coffee mornings.

We meet on the first Thursday of the month at All Saints church hall at 7.30pm, and everyone is welcome.

In our meeting on March 2, Tash will give us an introduction to armchair yoga.

Victoria Goodman

Winterbourne Evening WI

AT our February meeting we had the pleasure of having Jenny Smith speak to us about Shibashi Tai Chi.

Shibashi ("18" in Mandarin, and pronounced "sher baa sher") is a series of 18 energyenhancing exercises, emphasising movement with breathing and concentration.

It is a gentle, beautiful and flowing Tai Chi routine that is deeply relaxing for people of any age. Shibashi was created in 1979 by Professor Lin Hou Sheng, who today is revered as one of China's 'Living Treasures'.

Across China, people of all ages practice Tai Chi daily for good health. This type of Tai Chi is

known to be good for reducing blood pressure, improving circulation, boosting stamina and relieving pain and stiffness.

After an interesting introduction about the martial art and Jenny's journey to becoming an instructor, who teaches locally, we got a taste of the 18 moves in this gentle style of flowing movement. Some of our members completed the exercises seated, others used chairs for support and the remaining members did the class standing, so it was great for people of all levels of fitness.

Our next meeting will be on March 9 at 7.30pm at St Michael's School in Linden Close. Visitors and new members are most welcome.

Emilie Smith

WI member Kath Rawlings with her daughter-in-law Jenny Smith, who introduced the WI to Shibashi Tai Chi.

n SPORT

Tribute to Frampton Cotterell cricket stalwart

FRAMPTON Cotterell cricketer

Stuart Moseley passed away at the age of 77 on February 2. Stuart was a prominent member of Frampton Cotterell Cricket Club for over 30 years, while resident in the village.

He started playing cricket for Frampton at the age of 11, when the club was much smaller and youngsters were called up at short notice to make up the team: there was no club youth cricket in those days.

Stuart went on to become Frampton's premier batsman during the 1960s, 70s and 80’s.

He would generally open the batting and he was the club's leading run scorer for many years.

He spent the majority of his career playing first XI cricket, and was club captain for several years in the early days of league cricket.

Stuart was one of the main instigators of the dream in the late 60s to build a new cricket

pavilion, and was heavily involved in the initial planning, fund-raising and the eventual building of the pavilion.

It's no exaggeration to say that much of the progress made by the club during the early 70s was down to Stuart's enthusiasm and hard work: he was the man

who got things done.

He spent countless hours at the park, working on the wicket to bring it up to the standard required for league cricket, and continued to maintain it until moving from the village in the early 90s.

As a player, Stuart was well known and respected throughout local cricket, and will be remembered by his fellow club members as as not only a very good cricketer but a great clubman, passionate about Frampton cricket club.

Stuart's funeral will take place at 11.30am on March 1 at Weston-super-Mare crematorium.

Victor Cater

Club starts winter nets training

FRAMPTON Cotterell Cricket

Club winter nets have now begun in preparation for the upcoming

season, for both senior and junior members.

Senior sessions are now taking place on Sundays from 1-2pm at Hanham Woods Academy.

New and existing members of all abilities are very welcome.

Keen-eyed folk will have spotted that preparations have already started on our squares and activities are planned for spring cleaning of the clubhouse, ready to host many of you throughout our 99th year!

We are requesting members of the community who wish to be involved, or have the capacity to provide any input to our 2024 centenary celebrations to please come forward and contact us via Framptoncotterellcc@gmail. com.

Sponsorship and collaboration opportunities at several levels are available. Up The Fram.

George Foulger

Stuart Moseley

n SPORT

Frampton

Cotterell rugby round-up

Mike's a Frampton success story

FORMER Frampton junior player Mike Holden has returned to the club to present a shirt after helping England Universities rugby league side win the Student Tri-Nations cup.

Mike was coached in the early years by Mike Stiles, then in later years of juniors and colts by Mike Weaver and Mark Smith.

Mike's second passion was for rugby league and he played semi-professionally for West Wales Raiders in the summer months.

He then joined Cinderford, who play in National League 1, the third tier of English rugby union.

Mike was spotted whilst playing for the West Wales Raiders and was selected to represent England Universities v Scotland and Ireland for the Student Tri-Nations cup in Galway, Ireland, last summer.

Former Frampton junior Michael Holden presents his England Universities

rugby shirt to coaches Mike Weaver, Mark Smith and club chairman Dave Ashwin.

His shirt was gratefully accepted by club chairman Dave Ashwin.

Mumby, Adam Nolan and Dillon Hill.

The win was especially enjoyable as it followed a narrow loss to Broad Plain at their Bedminster home before Christmas.

Captain Alfie Wall led the celebrations at the end, expressing huge pride in the team's performance, which included a dogged defence of the try line in the last ten minutes, stopping any ambitions that Broad Plain may have harboured to threaten the result.

Guest coach

FRAMPTON Cotterell Under-12s had a special guest coach in the form of Bristol Bears and USA international rugby player AJ MacGinty.

MacGinty, who lives in the area after joining the Bears from Sale Sharks last summer, was keen to help out at grassroots level rugby, and the club can only benefit from sessions like this.

Thanks

A WORD of thanks to the Simarco Worldwide Logistics based in Iron Acton.

Colts' fourth win

FRAMPTON'S Colts notched up a fourth win of their everimproving season with a well earned 17-7 victory at home against Broad Plain.

Tries came from Max

Simarco continue to be a supporter of Frampton Cotterell Juniors, and kindly made a donation to the club, which has funded 12 jackets.

The jackets will keep children warm and dry when they are substitutes during matches.

A big thanks to the Simarco team and Carl Pickett, who kindly organised this donation.

Mike Weaver & Matt Marsh

Alfie Wall in action for Frampton Colts

Local elections in South Glos

Make sure you vote

Local elections will be held in South Gloucestershire on Thursday 4 May this year, for all 61 district councillors for 28 district wards, that make up South Gloucestershire Council, as well as 492 councillors for 50 town and parish councils. This includes deciding on the representatives for the newly created parish councils for Charlton Hayes, Stoke Park and Cheswick, and Staple Hill and Mangotsfield, along with the new town council for Kingswood.

Make sure you vote to have your say in how your local area is run.

Registering to vote

To vote in the May local elections, you will need to make sure you have registered to vote by the 17 April deadline.

You can register to vote on the GOV.UK website or contact the council by emailing electoral.services@southglos.gov.uk, calling 01454 863030 or visiting one of the council’s One Stop Shops where you can get a copy of the form to register or help from the customer service team.  Find out more on the council’s website southglos.gov.uk/vote

Did you know you now need photo ID to vote?

You will need to show photo identification (ID) when voting at a polling station. This is a new government requirement which will affect the South Glos local elections in May. Lots of photo IDs are acceptable, including some passports, driving licences, blue badges, and some bus passes. Check the full list of acceptable photo ID on our website. If you haven’t got one of these, or you no longer look like the photo on your ID, or the name on your photo ID is different to your name on the electoral register, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. You will need to do this by the 25 April deadline. You can apply for the certificate using the government portal.

Alternatively, the council can help you apply in person at its Badminton Road offices where someone can take your photograph and submit your application online for you. Call 01454

863030 to make an appointment which will be during normal office hours. Find out more about Voter ID on the council’s elections and voting webpages southglos.gov.uk/vote.

Postal votes

If you cannot get to the polling station on 4 May or if it is more convenient, you can apply to vote by post. Anyone can apply for a postal vote, but you need to apply before 18 April. You won’t have to provide voter ID unless you have lost your postal vote and need to be issued with a new one. You will need to complete an application form on the Electoral Commission page. Postal votes can be sent to your home address or to any other address where you’ll be staying on the day of the election, including abroad.   We can’t guarantee timings of post sent abroad so you may wish to register to vote by proxy so someone else can vote on your behalf. Find out more about postal and proxy votes at southglos. gov.uk/vote.

Could you be a councillor?

Why not stand as a councillor in South Gloucestershire? It’s varied, highly fulfilling and a great way to make a real difference, whether by supporting individual residents with issues or helping your local community by driving new ideas. You could represent local people’s views on a whole range of things from planning applications through to local services. People from all backgrounds and experiences who can reflect their communities are needed.

You do not have to be a member of a political party to stand for election - you can also be an independent councillor. Councillors receive training so you will receive plenty of support. You will be paid an allowance and you can work flexibly. There are a number of eligibility criteria that need to be met by anyone wishing to stand as a candidate for South Gloucestershire Council or one of the area’s parish and town

councils. Anyone wishing to stand for election must submit a nomination by 4pm on 4 April. Details and guidance on standing for election and nomination papers can be found on the Electoral Commission website.

For more information on standing for election call 01454 863030, email electoral.services@ southglos.gov.uk or write to Electoral Registration, PO Box 1953, Badminton Road, Bristol, BS37 0DB.

Difficulties paying bills? Your council can help

Many people are worried about the rising cost of living and prices, in particular energy bills. If you are struggling to pay your bills, you may be able to get help from your council. It is allocating a further £500,000 to help people with the cost-of-living crisis.

The council’s support includes grants to help with energy, other household bills and home insulation. It can help if you are having difficulties paying council tax. And your child may be able to get free school meals if you are on certain benefits.

If you would like to talk to the council and check what financial support may be available for you, call its freephone helpline 0800 953 7778 (open 8.45am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8.45am to 4.30pm Friday). Alternatively, you can book an appointment at one of the One Stop Shops by emailing OSSAppointments@southglos.gov.uk.

There is also lots of information on the council’s help with the cost-of-living webpage southglos.gov.uk/CostofLiving.