Frome Valley Voice November 2021

fromevalleyvoice www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

November, 2021 Issue 99

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

Have your say on new Council budget South Gloucestershire Council wants local people to have their say on its new draft budget for 2022 to 2023. The council provides hundreds of services from looking after vulnerable people, keeping the streets clean and collecting our waste to maintaining the road network and investing in our schools.

The total net budget is more than £360 million in 2022/23 and proposals include increases to children’s services funding worth more than £10 million over the next four years. There are also proposals for continuing financial support for those hit by the impact of Covid-19, and investing in facilities and infrastructure to improve communities and travel.

The moves are part of the council’s focus on supporting residents as the country emerges from the pandemic.

Social care

The budget includes a 1.99 percentage point rise in general Council Tax, and a two-percentage point Adult Social Care Levy. This will specifically help contribute towards the increasing demand for social care services. These services include helping older South Gloucestershire residents live safely and well in their own homes, or recover from a hospital stay.

Savings

The council is committed to making savings and ensuring it delivers value for money services to residents. It aims to make savings of £18 million over the next four years by: · Adapting to different ways of working, building on what the council has learned by working flexibly over the past two years.

· Adopting new technologies and automating systems where this can improve the way it works and improve its online offer, for example, so that more residents can access the support they need at any time. · Ensuring council charges reflect the cost of delivering services and are comparable with other local authorities’ charges, for example how it charges utilities companies to compensate for disruptive roadworks on commuter routes. · Implementing improved cost recovery, where the council can charge to cover the cost of providing some services, such as recovering its full overheads against pre-application planning fees on large developments.

View from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Toby Savage

Help to thrive South Gloucestershire Council Leader Cllr Toby Savage said: “These budget proposals outline in considerable detail how we will work to ensure that young people in South Gloucestershire get the best start in life; how we will work with communities, the voluntary sector and individuals to help them to help themselves to thrive; how we will promote sustainable, inclusive communities, supported by the infrastructure and growth they need; and how we will do this while continuing to demonstrate that we can deliver value for money.

“We aim to do all of this while tackling the biggest challenges of our time, namely responding to the climate and ecological emergencies and to playing our part in eliminating the inequality gaps that exist in our society.”

WELCOME - We’re proud to partner with The Voice, a great local publication, for an autumn special edition that brings you our latest news. You can read about our new draft budget and how you can have your say, the work of our fantastic StreetCare teams, our record school buildings investment programme, and other important council news.

We are looking forward positively to a post-pandemic future where we continue to support local residents, businesses and communities across the district. The draft budget is a significant part of planning how we will meet the needs of people in South Gloucestershire in the years ahead, so your feedback is important. Last year, residents’ comments made through our budget consultation also informed our new Council Plan priorities. We will continue to ensure that we fulfil our Council Plan commitments and work towards the priorities that you helped to shape, in ways that represent value for money. Please let us know what you think.

How to have your say on the draft budget: View the budget at www.southglos.gov.uk/ budget and then send your comments by 9 January 2022: • By email: consultation@southglos.gov.uk

• By completing an online survey or download from the council website: www.southglos. gov.uk/budget • By writing to: Freepost RTXL-YJXJ-BXEX, South

Gloucestershire Council, Corporate Research & Consultation Team, Council Offices, Badminton Road, Yate, Bristol, BS37 5AF • By telephoning 01454 868009.

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SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

Sprucing up our streets Progress on potholes South Glos Council’s StreetCare teams have filled in almost 12,000 potholes in the last year. Thanks to quieter roads, they were able to fill in more than ever during the pandemic.

Of the 11,868 potholes filled in 2020, nearly 3,000 of these were completed as a priority, in 24 hours, with around 6,000 filled within 14 days Local resident Pete meets and thanks the South and the less urgent Glos Council StreetCare team who fixed potholes in his area within 24 hours. within 12 weeks.

Speedy potholes work has impressed local people. Pete from Patchway said: “I was delighted after reporting two potholes very recently that they were both fixed within 24 hours. I had spotted them while walking around Patchway and was concerned particularly for cyclists.”

A pothole in the road needs to measure at least 300mm by 300mm and be 40mm deep to be considered in need of attention.

The council is investing a record £174m in highways over the next four years.

Council StreetCare services: value for money It’s official! An independent study has found that the council’s StreetCare services provide ‘value for money’. The report also highlighted the resilience of the services which adapt to residents’ needs.

The research, by the Future Highways Research Group, included analysis of StreetCare’s activities, compared Cabinet Member for Comwith other local authorities, along munities and Local Place with an independent peer review. The Cllr Rachael Hunt litter picking in Kingswood Park. group was especially impressed with the ‘one team’ approach and close collaboration with partners.

Cabinet Member for Communities and Local Place Cllr Rachael Hunt said: “I would like to send a big thank you to all of our StreetCare staff for their ongoing efforts across South Gloucestershire which have resulted in these positive findings.

We constantly strive to deliver high quality services at the very best value for money for our residents, so it’s fantastic to see that our StreetCare division’s hard work has been recognised as helping deliver such a well-respected, effective and proactive service.”

Keeping our communities clean and tidy From overgrown to gleaming, Tower Road South in Cadbury Heath gets a makeover! Cleaning up the little roads is a really positive step for local residents. The council has a Clean Team dedicated to keeping South Gloucestershire’s neighbourhoods and major routes neat and tidy.

A path on Tower Road, Cadbury Heath: Before and after.

First ‘through-about’ opens up South Gloucestershire’s first ‘through-about’, the conversion of the Wraxall Road roundabout on the A4174 Avon Ring Road, is opening up to traffic.

The through-about (a round-about with three lanes for traffic through the middle), will reduce congestion and increase traffic flow at the busy junction, helping to reduce delays at peak periods by managing the volumes of traffic.

It will also improve air quality near the roundabout and future proof the roads network for the additional housing and development schemes coming forward in the area.

Work started on the £5.9m project in summer 2020. Both approach roads have been widened. There are also additional traffic lights, a resurfaced junction with new road markings, safety barriers and acoustic fencing.

The council will pause to monitor the performance of the new junction layout before deciding whether to roll-out these improvements to more areas.

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Strategic Infrastructure, Cllr Steve Reade at the new ‘through-about’.

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November, 2021 Issue 99

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

Hambrook says Hello Yellow Bears have Toby on the run A WINTERBOURNE rugby fan is facing a tough challenge after pledging to run a kilometre for every point scored against Bristol Bears' unexpectedly leaky defence.

PAGE 5

Anti-vax protest Staff at Hambrook Primary School joined pupils in dressing up in support of charity Young Minds' Hello Yellow campaign on World Mental Health Day. Children at St Michael's Primary School in Winterbourne also joined in the fun. Full story, pages 14 and 15

Dentist drops NHS patients

A DENTAL practice serving Winterbourne and Frampton Cottrell has told its 14,000 patients that it will only treat them in future if they pay to be seen privately.

The practice has condemned the NHS dentistry system as "not fit for purpose" and given patients one of two private options if they want to stay on its books.

But existing patients calculate the cost of

visiting the Frampton and Flaxpits surgeries, in Park Lane, Frampton Cotterell and Flaxpits Lane, Winterbourne, for basic check-ups will rise by up to 70 per cent – and say fees are "sky-high" compared with NHS charges.

The practice, run by Dimitri Haddjeri, has told patients in a letter that there were two options if they wanted to stay at one or other of his surgeries.

Turn to page 4

THE head of the trust which runs Winterbourne Academy has spoken out against the actions of a small group of anti-covid vaccine protesters who picketed the school.

PAGE 6

Mast refused

Plans for a new 5G phone mast in Frampton Cotterell have been thrown out.

PAGE 10

Crowds at barn

WINTERBOURNE Medieval Barn welcomed nearly 900 people for its first Orchard Harvest Day for three years.

PAGE 7

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

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

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November, 2021

n NEWS

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December deadline Our December deadline is November 17.

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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

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Frampton Dental Practice in Park Lane

Dentist says patients must go private From page 3 First was a "pay-as-you-go option": and Mr Haddjeri said there was "not much difference" between the private and NHS fees.

The alternative, he said, was "a dental plan based on monthly payments of £16", which covers two check-ups and hygienist appointments plus a 10 per cent on other treatment.

But one patient who checked the prices on the practice website said they faced "massive increases in charges", with a routine exam costing £40, rather than the NHS charge of £23.80.

Another patient, Ges Rosenberg from Winterbourne, said: "I feel that many people in the area will be adversely affected by this loss of NHS dentistry. At a time of a cost-of-living crisis, I am really concerned about people, especially families with young children, not being able to access affordable dental care.”

A third patient, who asked not to be named, said: "During the pandemic NHS appointments for my family and me were continually cancelled at the last minute. The explanation was that emergency dental treatment was taking priority and they were therefore unable to maintain regular check-ups for NHS patients.

"What was interesting though, was that my daughter’s orthodontist treatment was also postponed by over a year – yet at one appointment we were told that should we wish to go privately we could see the same orthodontist within two weeks."

Mr Haddjeri did not respond to multiple offers to speak to the Voice, so we could not put these specific criticisms to him.

In his letter he blamed his decision on the NHS itself, saying: "The NHS dentistry system, which was introduced in 2006, is based on a not-preventive, only target-driven, high-volume dentistry.

"This system is not fit for purpose."

He told patients the new arrangements were "a fair compromise, adding: "We are looking after you in a way that NHS dentistry cannot."

He advised anyone who wanted to move to a dentist still offering NHS care to contact NHS 111.

A spokesperson for the NHS in the South West said: "We have been working hard with all our practices to provide support to them as they deliver care in this post-pandemic environment.

"We always advise any practice that is experiencing challenges to make early contact with NHS England.

"We are liaising with the practice referred to and extending additional support and working through a number of options for NHS services at the practice."

Patients, meanwhile, are assessing their options. Dr Rosenberg, a former chair of governors at Winterbourne Academy, said: “We have always been big supporters of state education and the NHS. "We are likely to look for another NHS dentist but if we have to go private I suppose we will – very, very reluctantly. However, not everyone has that choice."

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

November, 2021

28 fromevalleyvoice

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Toby Fletcher on one of his runs

Bears' defence has Toby on the run NO fan of Bristol Bears has been more concerned about the team's drop in form than 11-year-old Toby Fletcher, from Winterbourne.

So far this season the club's leaky defence has shipped more than 150 points in their first five games, leaving them one place off the foot of the Premiership Rugby table, with only Bath below them.

And for Toby this is personal, as each point conceded means another kilometre he has to run.

The Winterbourne Academy pupil and Frampton Cottrell under12s rugby player has pledged to run 1km for each point the Bears concede this season to raise funds for St Peter's Hospice.

The staff cared for his beloved grandmother, June, until her death in February last year.

He said: "Granny loved her sport, she went to all the Bears' matches – and she was a good cook."

It's Toby's second sponsored fundraiser for St Peter's.

The Voice reported on his previous challenge, to raise £150 by running a marathon distance spread across the 12 days leading up to last Christmas.

As word of his challenge spread, money poured in and he ended up raising £3,745. It was a welcome boost to the hospice, whose income fell by £2 million last year as the pandemic forced the closure of its shops and other fundraising activities.

This season Toby set out to raise £6,000 – and was close to £5,000 as the Voice went to press. Some £2,000 of that was pledged

by Harlequins supporters, perhaps feeling guilty after their team hammered Bristol 52-24 on October 8.

By then Toby, who plays at either scrum half or full back, had just run 85km in three weeks and, on the eve of the Quins game, had tweeted: "Any @BristolBears reading this, please defend well again.

Anything over 20k is hard work!"

Toby's challenge is made tougher by his commitment to run the required distance before the Bears' next game.

Running to rugby training and doing 5km runs only goes so far to meeting his targets so his "impact players" - mum Claire and aunts Emma and Louise – are "lending" him kilometres, running on condition that Toby completes them himself in due course, when Bristol aren't conceding so many points.

However, in his latest tweet, he said: "If Bristol continue their form I will be running past Dundee!"

His parting message to the Bears is: "You're making me run a long way, so run some kilometres with me or defend better!"

Toby's fundraising page can be found at justgiving.com/ fundraising/claire-fletcher22.

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LUKE HALL MP MP for Thornbury, Yate and the surrounding villages

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Write to Luke at: Luke Hall MP, 26 High Street, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6AH e: luke.hall.mp@parliament.uk w: lukehall.org.uk Promoted by Luke Hall MP, House of Commons, SW1A 0AA.

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November, 2021

n NEWS THE head of the trust which runs Winterbourne Academy has spoken out against the actions of a small group of anticovid vaccine protesters who picketed the school.

Dave Baker, chief executive of the Olympus Trust, said he was "appalled" by the protest in October, on a day when some of the pupils were due to be given jabs.

Mr Baker told the Voice: "It was just so low to think it is okay to attack schools.

"Some of the demonstrators were apparently known disruptors and some might claim a link to pupils at the school."

Mr Baker said the school was not administering vaccines to pupils but, rather, making its premises available to public health officials because it was vital that all 12 to 15 year olds were vaccinated against covid.

He said: "We are supporting a public health programme, and I'm really clear that it is really important for young people to get vaccinated.

"Mental health problems among young people are really high. The only way we can get back to normal is to have everyone vaccinated – including young people."

Mr Baker said around 100 pupils had been infected with coronavirus during the first half of the autumn term.

'Anti-vaxxers' target Winterbourne Academy But he said new arrangements put in place this term had been a "game-changer".

Mr Baker said: "Because Winterbourne is such a big school, we have segregated break times and staggered dining sessions, and we still have people wearing face coverings.

"There was joy at the beginning of term.

Pupils were just so enthusiastic about getting back to normal again."

Twice-weekly lateral flow tests have been made available via the Department for Education and the trust was even confident enough to organise a staff conference, involving 800 people, over half-term.

Extra measures were also put in place at the Castle School in Thornbury in October, after a number of cases of Covid-19 were reported, notably in Year 8. Safety measures, from wearing face masks to cleaning tables between lessons, had helped reduce the number of infections.

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The government's intention was to offer vaccinations to all 12 to 15-year-olds in England by half-term, as figures from the Office for National Statistics showed around one in 15 pupils in years 7-11 were estimated to have had Covid in the last week of September.

However there have been concerns over the slow rate of vaccinations, with official figures showing just 14.2% of pupils in the target age group had been vaccinated in England by mid October.

The falling number of school nurses, absences due to covid infection and the reliance on using schools rather than also allowing children to go to mass vaccination centres have been seen as factors.

COVID-19 case rates were rising again in the area, with weekly recorded cases in South Gloucestershire up by nearly 70%, from 621 to 1,047, over the seven days to October 13.

Covid test results thrown into doubt PEOPLE in South Gloucestershire are among thousands who may have been given false negative COVID-19 test results.

NHS Test and Trace has suspended testing at a private laboratory run by Immensa Health Clinic in the Midlands, as it investigates how an estimated 43,000 people received negative PCR results after previously testing positive in a lateral flow test, which can be carried out at home.

People who had PCR tests which are now under investigation have received text messages from NHS Test & Trace saying: "There may have been an issue with the result. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

South Gloucestershire Council issued a statement which said: "NHS Test and Trace estimates that around 43,000 people may have been given incorrect negative PCR test results between September 8 and October 12, mostly in the South West.

"They will be contacting people that could still be infectious to advise them to take

another PCR test. Close contacts who have symptoms of COVID-19 will also be advised to take a test, in line with national guidance.

"This is an isolated incident affecting one laboratory and all samples are now being redirected to other laboratories which are operating normally. Testing availability is unaffected around the country."

South Gloucestershire Director of Public Health Professor Sara Blackmore said: “We would like to assure our residents that there is no evidence of faults with any of the test kits themselves, and the public should definitely remain confident in using them and in our other laboratory services.

"With winter on its way, we are expecting an increase in respiratory illnesses such as cold and flu in addition to Covid-19.

Anyone who is unwell is advised to stay at home to reduce the risk of passing illness on to others."

For further advice on testing visit www.southglos.gov.uk/ testing or call 119.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

November, 2021

n NEWS WINTERBOURNE Medieval Barn welcomed nearly 900 people for its first Orchard Harvest Day for three years.

With the site closed for building work in 2019 and because of covid restrictions last year, people had a long wait to welcome back familiar favourites like the Winterbourne Down Border Morris, as well as new performers including the 5,6,7,8 Dance School.

The event, held on a "glorious warm sunny mid-October Sunday", was a first chance for many visitors to see the renovated barn site since it fully re-opened after lockdown.

Louise Harrison, of the Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust, said: "The medieval barn was filled with fabulous art and beautiful craft work from local artisans, ranging from incredibly intricate straw dollies to fabrics, colourful glass and smooth turned wood.

"Local producers sold high quality beeswax and herbal products, organic soap and oils, jams and pickles, cakes, pies, cookies, pizza, and hog roast. And the Three Engineers Brewery must have been drunk dry by the end of the afternoon!

"There was always something going on. In addition to the dance performances, all ages enjoyed the tension of the ferretracing and the more restful harmonies of the Frampton Shantymen. "Wandering around the site through the day, lovable chicken puppets amused the children, while the Bygonz minstrels provided excellent medieval live music.

"For many visitors it was

Ferret racing

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Glorious return for barn's orchard harvest day

The Orchard Harvest Day the first time they had seen the renovated Barn site since it fully re-opened, and they were very impressed that the building work has provided such good modern community space connecting with the medieval barn, without taking anything away from the ancient structure itself."

The event featured hands-on paper crafts and a potter's wheel for children to try, and many had

their faces painted.

A park and ride system set up with free car parks and shuttle buses from Winterbourne and Stoke Gifford.

Louise added: "Everybody seemed to have a great day out, watching the varied entertainments, looking at local arts and crafts and handmade products as well as seeing the medieval barn itself, enjoying

Chicken puppets entertained children

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tasty food from local producers, or just sitting in the sun with a beer or a cuppa."

More events are planned at the barn before the end of the year, including concerts on October 29 and November 6, craft workshops and December's Carols in the Barn event.

For more details visit the barn's website, winterbournebarn.org.uk.

Frampton Shantymen

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November, 2021

n AUCTION SALE REPORT

Artists' figures, paintingsandautographsareauctionhits A GROUP of five artist’s lay figures was just one of a number of private collections which saw outstanding results at the Stroud Auctions October sale.

The official definition of a lay figure is "a jointed mannequin of a human body, used by artists" but this simply does not do them justice.

The complete mobility of lay figures meant they could be positioned naturally, dressed and posed, adopting the persona of the sitter for a portrait or subject of a painting.

Dating to the Victorian era, the collection sold for a total of £10,769.

Raising a very pleasing total of £45,980 was a fascinating group of personal items, including sketchbooks, paintings and mountaineering items, belonging to the late Theodore Howard Somervell OBE, FRCS. Somervell was a surgeon, mountaineer and recipient of an honorary Olympic gold medal for Alpinism, whose sketchbooks and

These Victorian artist's lay figures sold for a total of more than £10,000 personal photographs chronicled his experiences in the First World War. A Somervell oil on canvas painting of Mount Everest from base camp sold for £7,500, despite some damage to the canvas.

A Pre-Raphaelite style watercolour of two young maidens

by Walford Graham Robertson (1867-1948) sold for £3,146.

Beatles-related items continue to be extremely sought after, as

the lot which achieved the highest price at the sale proved.

Consigned by a private vendor whose then boyfriend gave her the signed album for Christmas in 1963, the With The Beatles album cover was hotly-contested by several phone bidders but was won by one of the sale's 1,082 online buyers, this one from the USA, with a hammer price of £18,755, once again proving the value of bids from around the world.

The 1,499 lots in the October auction also featured books, stamps, ephemera, vinyl records and furniture, and excellent prices were achieved across the board.

A collection of vintage Star Wars toys including a Millennium Falcon, was the surprise lot, selling for £726.

Next sale November 3rd & 4th – the November auction will feature guns and weapons, sporting items and taxidermy, ceramics and glass and of course classic cars and motorcycles. The catalogue will be available online from a week before the auction date.

Entries are still being invited for Stroud Auctions’ December sale – this pre-Christmas auction is always very popular and as usual will include jewellery, silver, watches, coins and fine wines and spirits.

If you have anything you may wish to consign please contact us, or send images to valuations@ stroudauctions.co.uk.

Valuations are completely free and without obligation.

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

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November, 2021

9

n NEWS

Container's new cargo is a music studio FINDING music studio space in the Bristol area expensive to rent, three friends have established their own recording studio in Winterbourne – in an old shipping container.

Shipment Studios opened in September and the three musical entrepreneurs are already taking bookings for the unlikely-looking facility, located on the edge of a field just off Swan Lane.

From the outside, the 45ftlong former Maersk container looks very much as it once did on the quayside at Avonmouth.

Inside, however, it's a Tardislike revelation. There is a chill-out space-cum-office, a DJ room offering the possibility of live-streaming and a music production area. It even has an audio booth for recording vocals.

Shipment is the brainchild of three friends, Liam Scapens and Alfie Richardson, former schoolmates at what is now Winterbourne Academy, and Jack Houston, from Clevedon, who first met Liam at a rave at Bristol's Lakota nightclub.

All three have full-time day jobs, Liam and Alfie as civil servants and Jack with Redcliffe Homes, so building the studios took up four months of evenings and weekends.

Alfie said: "The firm who sold the container delivered it and also welded all the holes in the roof which were letting the rain in."

They had professional help to install the internal studwork and hang the doors between each room but otherwise, it was all their own work.

The recording set-up

Liam Scapens, Alfie Richardson and Jack Houston outside their studio.

Alfie said: "Jack drew up the plans and Liam's the tech guy."

The three run the studio outside office hours, between them organising bookings, administration and maintenance.

They have their own website, www.shipmentstudios.com, and a clothing brand, while news of their launch has already featured in the dance music bible, Mixmag.

Explaining why they chose an old container for the project, Alfie said: "The environmental benefit to re-using a dying shipment container, rather than building a new facility, was a key thing for us. Being able to up-cycle and support the environment was a great benefit."

The trio are not resting on their laurels – they are already thinking of re-purposing a

second, shorter container as a rehearsal space.

Jack said that the cost would likely be half what they had spent on the existing studios but added: "We should probably earn some money first to pay

back what we've already spent!"

That said, if demand really takes off, they have discussed the idea of one of them quitting the day job and running the studio full-time.

Asked who their dream customers would be, Alfie nominated Brighton rap artists Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn.

Jack, however, is dreaming of attracting bigger fish from across the Atlantic – Chicago artist Hieroglyphic Being or, he added: "Maybe, Beyonce!"

John Harris

The container during conversion work

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

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n NEWS MOBILE phone company Three has been refused permission to put up an 18-metre tall communications mast in Frampton Cotterell to cover a 'black hole' for signals and provide 5G coverage.

The network operator wanted to put the mast in Beesmoor Road, by the bus stop next to the Park Farm Village Green.

But South Gloucestershire Council's planning department has rejected the application, which required prior approval before going ahead.

In a notice of the decision published on its website, the council said: "The proposal, by virtue of its siting, height, bulk and design, would be detrimental to the visual and residential amenity of the surrounding area and properties."

The council said the plan was therefore in contravention of its Core Strategy and Policy, Sites and Places Plan.

Three had settled on the location after discounting six other potential spots, including Woodend Road and Ridings Road.

November, 2021

5G mast plans for Frampton Cotterell refused The company says modern mobile phone base stations operate on a low power and need to be in close proximity to the areas they serve.

It claimed the 18m (59ft) height is the minimum to bring effective 5G coverage to the area.

In a submission to the council's planning department, the company said it was "committed to providing improved network coverage and capacity, most notably in relation to 5G services", describing highspeed mobile connectivity as "the lifeblood of a community" Five residents wrote in to oppose the plans, on grounds ranging from potential "ecological harm" and health concerns to being out of keeping with the area.

In a comment published on

the council's website, resident Leigh Rummings said the mast would be "an oppressive eye sore", adding: "It will be out of scale with its surroundings, being twice the height of houses in the area and taller than the trees behind and around it.

"It will also be completely out of context to its surroundings of the local park and trees behind, that have taken 25 years to develop since housing estate Park Farm was built."

Katie Cater raised concerns about the potential health effects of the mast, writing: "With a number of small children living and playing within a 400m radius of the mast, I fear this will have a detrimental impact on the health and well-being of children in particular, as research has shown that children

The proposed mast site in Beesmoor Road are not as well protected against harmful effects of radiation and EMFs (electromagnetic fields) as adults."

Frampton Cotterell Parish Council also raised concerns over the height of the proposed mast.

Its comment on the plans said: "The height of the mast is 3 times the size of a normal light column. would it be possible to have smaller masts but more of them in the parish?"

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fromevalleyvoice

November, 2021

11

n NEWS

Safe stolen in daylight break-in A SAFE containing gold jewellery was stolen from a house in Winterbourne in a daylight break-in.

Police are calling for witnesses to come forward and report any suspicious activity from the Down Road or Dragon Road area, as they say the burglars would have needed a vehicle to take the heavy safe away from the victims' home.

The incident happened between 11.35am and 12.50pm on September 20, while the occupants of the house were out for less than 90 minutes.

A police spokesperson said the safe "contained gold jewellery of great sentimental value to the family", adding: "Investigations so far suggest that at least two men were involved in the break-in, and they would have needed a vehicle to remove the heavy safe."

Detectives want to hear from anyone who was walking along Down Road or Dragon Road, near the railway bridge, around the time of the break-in, saw an

unfamiliar vehicle parked nearby or has dashcam or other video footage from the area that they think could be relevant.

They are also trying to trace the safe and want to hear from anyone who found one abandoned in the area to contact them.

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5221 218 996.

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

Police have circulated a Neighbourhood Watch message and are asking people to look out for each other and report any suspicious activity in their neighbourhood as it happens, by calling 101.

A meeting of the Frome Valley Community Engagement forum in October heard that there had been a number of thefts of catalytic converters and burglaries in the area over recent months.

Police Community Support Officer Ed

Eedle said the local neighbourhood team had brought some of the culprits to justice.

Since June the Winterbourne beat area had seen nine incidents of arson or criminal damage, eight burglaries, 21 public order offences, two robberies, three sexual offences, 15 thefts, six vehicle offences and 29 violent offences, which included incidents such as malicious communication over social media including physical assaults.

In Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath police had recorded five incidents of arson or criminal damage, five burglaries, six public order offences, three sexual offences, eight thefts, two vehicle offences and 27 violent offences, over half of which were "malicious communications".

Police at the meeting also urged anyone in the area with concerns over speeding to report them by calling 101, so that officers could target specific places.

If it's News - Email us at: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

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We still want to hear from all residents of Frampton Cotterell Please let us know your views, aspirations, and ideas for Frampton Cotterell The survey deadline has been extended, to enable the Council to obtain more resident’s views, it gives us the opportunity to set out a positive vision of how we would like our neighbourhood to evolve over the next few years, in ways that meet the needs and aspirations of the people of Frampton Cotterell. It should express the hopes of the whole community and improve the quality of all of our lives. This survey is important. It gives you the opportunity to tell us what you think. It will provide vital information and evidence on which the plan for our future will be based.

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Have your say on areas such as: • Climate & Nature • Open Spaces • Housing development • Footpaths • Sports & play facilities • Youth facilities • Crime & anti-social behaviour The survey is available online at www.framptoncotterell-pc.gov. uk For anyone without computer access a hard copy of the survey can be obtained from: The Brockeridge Centre – either in person, call 01454 864442, or email office@framptoncotterell-pc.gov.uk or from the Post Office. Deadline for response: 30th November 2021

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fromevalleyvoice

November, 2021

13

n NEWS

Yate Shopping Centre on sale for £53m

YATE Shopping Centre has been put up for sale, with a reported price tag of £53 million - just as South Gloucestershire Council is considering its much-awaited masterplan for the future development of the town.

Savills estate agents are handling the freehold sale on behalf of the centre's current owners, Crestbridge Corporate Trustees, based in the offshore tax haven of Jersey.

Savills would not comment on the sale but, according to a sales document issued by Mark Garmon-Jones, its head of shopping centre and retail investment, the 31-acre centre currently makes its owners £5.9 million a year, thanks to an annual footfall of 11.6 million visitors.

The centre and the adjacent Riverside retail park occupy more than half a million square feet, the jewels in its crown being a huge Tesco Extra store, occupying 165,470 square feet, and a Marks & Spencer foodhall, spread across 18,000 square feet.

Yate was named the UK’s most resilient small town during the COVID-19 crisis by retail consultancy CWM, whose research ranked thousands of retail locations across the UK, with Yate coming out top among small towns, thanks to the large number of

‘essential retail’ premises, which ensured people kept visiting during the various lockdowns.

Yate town councillor Chris Willmore said news of the sale had "not come totally out of the blue".

She said: "It has done pretty well over the past 18 months and, as it's been owned by a family company for the past decade or so, it is not entirely surprising they want to sell it.

"I gather that potential buyers are queuing up to look round.

"What we are concerned about is that we get a community-focussed buyer, who will see

it as the centre of our town, and not an assetstripper, who just sees it as an investment."

Cllr Willmore cited last December's drive-in carol service as an example of a community activity supported by the current management team, which she hoped would continue under new owners.

She said the impending sale was not expected to knock plans for the Yate masterplan off-course. Public consultation on the blueprint for the futuyre of the town concluded in September and a revised plan is currently being drawn up.

Cllr Willmore said: "If the new owners try to stick up a tower block, for instance, we will say, 'No you don't! Not in our town!'"

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: "The masterplan will be important in helping to shape the future of Yate by setting out how we want to work together to help the town change for the benefit of new and existing residents and businesses, as well as for the next generation."

The revised masterplan is expected to be published before Christmas, by which time the centre could have its new owner.

Co-opted Governor required

The Governing Body of Watermore Primary school plays an important part in ensuring high school standards through our three key roles of setting strategic direction, ensuring accountability and monitoring and evaluating school performance.

The Governing Body is seeking to appoint a Co-opted Governor, who lives or works in our community. We are searching for someone with:  A commitment to building on the high standards at Watermore and further improving education for all our pupils  A desire to help shape the future of our school at a time of growth and change  The ability to support the Headteacher, and staff, whilst holding her to account for the performance of the school  The ability to work in a professional manner as part of a team, and take collective responsibility for decisions  The time and capacity to commit to the role, which involves daytime and evening meetings Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. If you are interested in becoming a co-opted governor or would like more information on what it would involve, please contact Kate Goldring, Clerk to Governors, by email (kate.goldring@watermoreprimary.org.uk).

To apply to be a co-opted governor, you will need to fill in an application form from South Gloucestershire Council and provide proof of identity. For further information on the school and the current governing body, please visit our website (www.watermoreprimary.org.uk).

Depending on the number of applications and vacancies available, a panel of Governors will select successful applicants and invite them to join the Governing Body.

Governors are elected for a term of 4 years.

Closing date for applications is TBC

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

14

November, 2021

n NEWS

Schools' sunny way to mark SCHOOLS in the Frome Valley area marked World Mental Health Day and raised money for a charity helping young people.

Pupils and staff at Hambrook Primary School and St Michael's Primary School in Winterbourne dressed up in bright yellow outfits in return for a donation to charity Young Minds as part of its Hello Yellow fundraising campaign.

The day provided a focus for activities to support mental and physical health.

At Hambrook Primary, a weekly running club has been set up and joined by 27 out of the school's 30 Year 6 pupils, along with three staff members, to run, explore woods and other parts of the local area, while having the opportunity to talk to each other.

On World Mental Health Day, each class had a meditation session led by our Early Years and qualified meditation

Children at Hambrook Primary School on Hello Yellow day WB Generic AW.qxp_Layout 1 15/09/2020 21:14 Page 1

Teacher) Briony Bassett-Lowe.

They were given a whole day off-timetable to focus on wellbeing, including calming minds and bodies and staging personal, social, health and emotional education lessons, followed by a whole school celebration at the end of the day.

The school raised just over £113 for Young Minds.

Head teacher Jennifer Rubel said: "The pandemic has taught us all a lot about the importance of good mental health, what we can do to improve it and importantly how we can support each other.

"At Hambrook, we are passionate about promoting Mental Health of our whole school community and are engaging in an exciting project this year to further develop the opportunities we provide.”

At St Michael's, youngsters also wore yellow clothes in return

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fromevalleyvoice

November, 2021

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k World Mental Health Day for a donation to the charity.

Deputy head Jen Waller said: "Here at St Michael’s we strive for our children to be the best that they can possibly be, to live life in all its fullness today and tomorrow.

"With this in mind, we celebrated Hello Yellow Day, where collectively we raised funds to support Young Minds charity.

"The money the children have raised will provide support for the mental health and well-being of young people.

"Watching our school turn into a sea of yellow for the day brought about an exciting buzz!"

Life at the school has been returning to normal with a series of open days among the events hit term.

Mrs Waller said: "With our first term back to school almost coming to an end, we can honestly say it has been

wonderful welcoming all of our St Michael’s families back and watching our children play together and enjoy being in each other’s company once again."

Young Minds is described as the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health.

The charity says its vision is "to see a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health, and all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what".

The charity aims to provide help of all kinds as quickly as possible, including "a reassuring conversation, specialist mental health support, or simply the knowledge that they are not alone in how they are feeling".

To find out more about Young Minds visit the website at youngminds.org.uk

Children at St Michael's Primary School on Hello Yellow day

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fromevalleyvoice

16

November, 2021

n NEWS

Paralympian David inspires at Boccia club ONE of Britain's most successful Paralympians paid a visit to an accessible sports club to inspire members.

David Smith's Boccia gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics was his third in the sport, having first competed at Beijing in 2008.

The sport's national governing body Boccia England chose the GEM Boccia Club in Yate for David to visit as part of National Boccia Day in September.

The club was set up by Georgina Moore, who won a BBC Sports Personality Unsung Hero Award in 2019 for her work setting up an inclusive Boccia sports club in Yate.

Georgina, who has a severe physical disability, grew up in Frampton Cotterell but now lives independently in Chipping Sodbury, supported by carers. She sometimes trains at Crossbow House in Frampton Cotterell.

The event was attended by 14 members of the club and David took time to meet them all.

Georgina said: "Everyone was really excited to see David at our session.

"David spent the session watching our members do National Boccia Day activities, then he did a demonstration and answered questions from everyone.

"Finally he had his photograph taken with every single member. He told us all about his experience in Tokyo and winning the gold medal.

He even passed around the gold medal so we could all touch it!

Paralympian David Smith meets Georgina Moore at the GEM Boccia Club. Picture: Rich McD Photography

"Our members were so excited and inspired by David’s visit. It’s so important for them to see someone they can relate to who’s achieved their dreams – especially as David explained how, when he started playing he wasn’t very good at it for a long time. Now he's a Paralympic Champion.

"It gives members the passion and drive to believe they can achieve things, despite their disability. They loved being able to see the gold medal up close and having their photograph with David meant so much to them."

Georgina said a lot of the club's members had watched David, who has cerebral palsy, win gold in Tokyo.

She said: "It was fantastic to see Channel 4 stream his final match live on TV. Boccia got more media exposure than ever

David Smith with GEM Boccia Club members.

Picture: Rich McD Photography during this year's Paralympics but we still have a long way to go.

"Disabled people need to see sports that are fully inclusive because they are still massively disadvantaged when it comes to playing a sport.

"That’s why I set up GEM Boccia Club to bring a fully inclusive sport to my local

community that’s accessible to all. So to see David at our local club was hugely inspiring."

Anyone who would like to try Boccia can come for a free taster session to GEM Boccia Club, which meets every Tuesday from 4-6pm at Yate Active Centre Sports Hall.

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fromevalleyvoice

November, 2021

17

MOT & SERVICING COSTS TO MAKE YOU SMILE

n NEWS

Recycling collections won't be back to normal for months

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Council leader Toby Savage RECYCLING collections in South Gloucestershire will not return to normal for “a couple of months”, the leader of the council has said.

Driver shortages that are partly behind the recent fuel crisis have also affected the ability of South Gloucestershire Council to collect rubbish from people’s homes.

Garden waste collections resumed at the start of August, after disruption in some areas during the last two weeks of July.

But contractor Suez is still mixing up recyclables when it collects them from the kerbside, because the driver shortage means it cannot send out as many vehicles.

Council leader Toby Savage provided an update on the situation during an interview with the BBC, in which he assured residents that Suez was sorting out the items back at the depot at its own cost.

He said: “Instead of having a whole range of vehicles doing the collecting and properly sorting it out at the kerbside, we’ve having to put it all into one vehicle and then sort it back at the depot.

“We’re very keen to get back to normal. I think there’s still a couple of months to go before we’re able to get back to a normal waste collection system, and that’s because the drivers are currently being recruited. And in turn, their pay and their conditions have been significantly improved.

“We are now seeing those extra people coming forward wanting to be drivers but they do need to be trained, so it’s a solution that we’ll see in the next couple of months but it isn’t an immediate solution.”

Cllr Savage said he could not guarantee that the extra cost to Suez of sorting recyclables at the depot would not ultimately fall on council taxpayers.

Contractors such as Suez could try to recoup any extra costs caused by the driver shortages when they renegotiate their contracts with the council, which could ultimately mean residents pay more.

Cllr Savage said: “I can’t say for certain whether they will or whether they won’t, because what we don’t know is how long the current difficulties are going to last and ultimately how much is going to cost.

“But in terms of waste specifically, we have a contract with Suez that runs until 2025, so I would not be expecting any significant renegotiation of that contract in advance of that date.”

Cllr Savage said people with green bins will have their subscriptions extended to make up for the disruption, rather than getting a cash refund.

He said people "shouldn’t lose out".

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fromevalleyvoice

18

n NEWS THE owner of an alpaca which was killed by government vets after a legal battle says a postmortem has proved he did not have bovine tuberculosis.

Helen Macdonald fought a four-year campaign to prove that Geronimo did not have the disease and that tests carried out when the animal was imported from New Zealand were flawed.

But after a High Court judge ruled against her, government vets accompanied by police went to the farm in Wickwar where Geronimo was being held in quarantine and took him away in a horsebox on August 31.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs later said that the alpaca had been put down, in accordance with a court warrant.

However Helen and her supporters say a new detailed post-mortem report carried out

by Defra confirms that Geronimo did not have bTB. Helen said: "I fully expected the post mortem results to be negative for bTB but there is no joy in being proven right.

"I am outraged and

November, 2021

Owner says tests show Geronimo did not have TB devastated by the way Geronimo and I have been treated.

"As we have been saying for four years, DEFRA have never had any credible evidence to support a suspicion of disease in Geronimo. They knew this yet forced his death regardless.

"It is a well-documented fact that Geronimo was never exposed to bTB in New Zealand and that the only test relied upon by DEFRA was entirely unvalidated in alpacas, and known to cause false positive results following injections of tuberculin."

Helen's veterinary scientific advisor Dr Iain McGill said: "Simply put, there is not one shred of evidence from this report to suggest that Geronimo had bovine TB. "If Geronimo had died naturally, and this post mortem had been carried out and

yielded these same results, any veterinary surgeon or pathologist would state that there is no evidence of Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) at all."

Defra insisted that "failure to ‘confirm’ the disease by postmortem examination does not prove the animal was free of TB infection", adding that in the "early stages of bTB", lesions in the affected organs were often microscopic.

Geronimo’s long-standing vet Dr Bob Broadbent said that if Geronimo had had bTB for over six years there would have been clear evidence in his tissues - but nothing had been found which could be identified as characteristic of the disease.

Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss said: "A number of TB-like lesions were found and in line with standard practice these are now

Helen Mcdonald with Geronimo shortly before the alpaca was killed. undergoing further investigation.

"These tests include the developing of bacteriological cultures from tissue samples which usually takes several months – we would expect to complete the full post-mortem and culture process by the end of the year."

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DO YOU HAVE A CHILD DUE TO START SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER? If so, please let us show you around our wonderful school!

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Reception Open Events Is your child due to start school next September?

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If you would rather come when the school is in action, we would love to invite you to our open morning on Tuesday 19th October at 9:30am.

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The Early Years is a welcoming and interesting place for children to learn.

Staff care deeply about their pupils and are sensitive to their needs.

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November, 2021

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

Learning new skills for the future

WHEN I was growing up my grandfather and uncles were miners, my aunt was a factory worker, and my uncle worked on the railways – and that was that.

In those days many people spent their whole life working in the same job, for the same employer. It was how it was.

Over the years that’s changed. I had a range of roles before becoming metro mayor: a child protection officer, an environment minister and a scaffolder’s assistant.

For children growing up today it will be even more varied, so it is important they always have the opportunity to reskill and retrain. A child born today will have seven or eight different careers in their lifetime, and two-thirds of children entering primary school this year will ultimately work in completely new types of jobs that simply don’t exist yet!

Skills and training are an exciting part of my metro mayor role. Recently I opened two fantastic new facilities with funding from the West of England Combined Authority that I lead: the Brunel Centre on the SGS WISE Campus in Stoke Gifford and the City of Bristol College Advanced Construction Skills Centre.

The Brunel Centre is a particularly stunning £7 million building, with a great name. I know the next generation of world leading engineers, scientists, technicians and creatives are raring to

Dan Norris with Owen at the City of Bristol College Advanced Construction Skills Centre

go there – I could sense everyone’s enthusiasm as I cut the ribbon.

Meanwhile in Bristol I met Owen, who is doing a carpentry course, learning what’s needed to build a better future – literally! He is getting equipped with skills to build new homes and retrofit existing ones in our cities, towns and villages.

But it’s not just about young people. I met MakeUK, the manufacturers organisation, as they launched their plan for skills. They explained to me how the average age of people working in manufacturing is over 50 – but they also need to reskill as new manufacturing techniques and machinery emerge. Lifelong learning matters.

Here in the West of England we’re at the forefront of innovation, and we need to keep it that way. Our brilliant locally-based scientists, researchers and engineers hold so many of keys to meeting important challenges of tomorrow.

Metro Mayor

Dan Norris

writes for the Voice That includes those working in highly skilled unionised jobs at Airbus in Filton who I met earlier this month and whom Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer gave a shout-out to in his recent conference speech.

We have just passed a significant landmark on skills funding. We have a special scheme here in the West of England to stop money raised by local companies via the “apprenticeship levy” disappearing up the M4 and being banked by the government. Instead we are keeping it local, with bigger firms passing their unspent levy money to smaller local ones. We’ve just passed £1 million – a great collective effort. So thanks a million to all involved!

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fromevalleyvoice

November, 2021

n NEWS CHILDREN at a Frampton Cotterell school showed Metro Mayor Dan Norris how to help the environment, as the school hosted a meeting on tackling the climate emergency.

Watermore Primary School was the venue for a meeting of the West of England Combined Authority and Joint Committee, led by Mr Norris, where members voted to formally oppose the expansion of Bristol Airport and support efforts by the region's aerospace industry to "decarbonise" aviation.

Before the meeting Mr Norris met pupils who were working on a project to learn more about the environment.

Watermore Deputy head Chris Hotchin said: "Mr Norris met with school house captains, who talked him through their plans and their thoughts as to what needs to happen to help the environment. He also met with Olivia in Year 6, who handed him a letter personally discussing her concerns for the environment."

Year 6 had a visit from Dr Laura Fogg-Rogers and the team from UWE Bristol's Science

23

School has lessons on the environment for Metro Mayor

Children at Watermore Primary School planting flowers with Metro Mayor Dan Norris.

Communication Unit, who introduced a virtual Frampton Cotterell, specially designed and built in Minecraft.

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

Mr Hotchin said: "They were given the chance to redesign the village in response to the changing needs of our world,

with recycling stations, solar panels and bike lanes popping up everywhere!"

Year 3 worked with a team from the Avon Wildlife Trust to plant wild flowers at the front of the school building, which are due to bloom next year.

A gift of a Christmas tree was donated by Karen Mitchell, a long-standing teaching assistant who has recently retired.

Mr Norris said: "I am grateful to Watermore Primary for kindly hosting this meeting. I think it’s important for politicians to take decision-making out into local communities, and the children were clear thinking, straighttalking and passionate about their future."

Referring to the airport vote he said the expansion plans were "badly-judged, badly-timed, and bad for our planet".

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

24

November, 2021

n NEWS

Phil completes heart transplant comeback A FORMER soldier from Yate who had life-saving heart transplant surgery just 18 months ago has completed a remarkable comeback to run in this year's Bristol HalfMarathon.

Now, cheered by having completed the 13-mile course in 30 minutes under his target time, Phillip Hardwell, 34, is already planning another charity fund-raiser to help the doctors who saved his life.

The last time Phil ran the Bristol half-marathon, in 2015, it took him an hour and 45 minutes. Back then, however, he was a fit and healthy soldier.

This time, he said his goal was simply to cross the finish line.

He managed it in just over two and a half hours but, he says, he needed all his "commando spirit."

Phil ran with Brendan Hickinson, a friend and former comrade, with whom he served

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in 29 Commando regiment, Royal Artillery, until 2018, when he was medically discharged.

The former bombardier, who had spent 12 years in the Army, including two tours of Afghanistan, was forced to leave the only job he'd known after developing a heart disease,

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about a month before, which raised £1,000, and I didn't want to impose on my family and friends again so soon."

After the game, in which he was joined on the pitch by elder son Reggie, aged nine, Phil said: "I feel so grateful that I am here Phil Hardwell today to be with my family. They (centre) mean the world to me and I am running in glad that I am now able to spend the Bristol Half-Marathon more time with them."

Phil's wife, Roxy, has just in September joined the police. with friend Her dream job, she had to and former put it on hold while Phil was in comrade hospital.

Brendan He said: "I was in hospital Hickinson (left) during the first lockdown and arrhythmogenic right ventricular she was staying in a B&B down cardiomyopathy, or ARVC. the road. I didn't see her until I Phil's decision to run walked out with my new heart. was cleared by his doctors Now it's her turn." at Papworth Hospital in While remaining very Cambridge, where he received a vulnerable to Covid, Phil is new heart in April 2020. just starting a new job, as a He said: "I was back there health and safety officer with only last week for a check-up – it MBDA, the European missile was clear." manufacturer, at its site in For the next few years he'll Filton. require six-monthly checks, and However, his friends and he takes medication twice a day family can expect to be asked to prevent his body rejecting the once again to dig deep for new heart.

Phil's next fund-raising event Phil said: "The initial plan in – a skydive planned next year running the half-marathon was to raise further funds for the to raise money for Papworth transplant centre at Papworth. but I had done a football match

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Phil with sons Luca, 3, and Reggie, 9, at a football match to raise money for Papworth Hospital, where his heart was replaced.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

November, 2021

25

n NEWS

New recruits try out forest school NEW Reception children at the Manor C of E Primary School have been trying out outdoor learning.

Head teacher Amanda Flanagan said some of the children who started in September had declared the Forest School area to be “the most awesome part of our school".

Mrs Flanagan said: "Our new Reception pupils have settled into school very well and we are really impressed with how they have adapted to this big change in their lives.

"They have all made lots of friends both within their class and across the wider school.

"This term we have been exploring our similarities and differences: what makes us who we are? We have made some amazing portraits and are looking forward to a local artist visiting us towards the end of the term to show us how she creates portraits."

The new children have also been learning about the three school rules: "Be Ready, Respectful and Safe" They have also been studying one of its values – thankfulness.

Mrs Flanagan added: "All of these things help create kind and caring pupils, something we pride ourselves on at The Manor.

"We are very thankful for our amazing Year 5 buddies who have been supporting our youngest learners during lunchtime and who have taken this role in their stride demonstrating care and kindness on all levels."

Manor Primary's new reception children in its Forest School

Creative ways to learn about numbers.

Shopmobility marks anniversary A GROUP which helps people with disabilities access shops is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

Shopmobility South Gloucestershire first started operations in 2006.

The scheme is based in Yate Library, in Yate Shopping Centre, and provides mobility scooter and wheelchair hire, free with the South Gloucestershire Concessionary bus pass, to help people use the facilities of the centre and to access other services.

The organisation has updated its opening hours in the run up to Christmas and is now opening three days a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9.30am to 4.00pm and on Thursdays from 9.30am to 2pm.

Anyone who wants to pre-book a scooter or wheelchair can call 01454 868718 or 07999 574474, email shopmobilitysouthglos@yahoo. com or call in to the office at Yate Library.

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fromevalleyvoice

26

November, 2021

n LOCAL MP

We must play a leading role in tackling climate change AS we begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government needs to start shifting its focus to the present challenges which we face.

Globally, the major challenge which every country will have to contend with is tackling climate change, and here in the UK the Prime Minister has made it clear that our priority as a nation is to 'Build Back Greener'.

In November, Glasgow is set to host the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, better known to many as the COP26 Summit, taking place under the presidency of the UK. The conference offers Britain the opportunity to highlight the work we have done to reach our Net-Zero target by 2050, while at the same time showing global leadership to encourage other nations to follow our efforts and

rise to the challenge.

Climate change cannot be resolved by one country alone – it will require collective action working together.

This is something I’m passionate about. In my time as an MP, I’ve previously sat on the Environmental Audit Select Committee in Parliament, and raised these matters directly with ministers. I’ve made the argument for taking action now, rather than at an increased financial and environmental cost later.

In 2015 I attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference, where the Paris Agreement about the global reduction of CO2 was signed.

Here at home, I’ve worked to raise awareness of the climate change strategy in South Gloucestershire, and my positive plan for the environment

and green spaces has been fundamental to my local efforts.

It is more important than ever that we take action. In the run-up to COP26, the Government has published its 10-point plan to achieve a new green industrial revolution: a blueprint to building back better, supporting green jobs, and accelerating our path to net zero.

More than £12 billion of government investment will create and support 250,000 highly-skilled green jobs, alongside cementing Britain as the global centre of green finance.

The UK will produce enough offshore wind to power every home, and we will put in place the infrastructure needed to generate 5GW of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030 for industry, transport, power and homes.

Luke Hall MP writes for Frome Valley Voice

We will become a world leader in carbon capture technology to store harmful emissions away from the atmosphere, and £1bn will be given to make our schools, hospitals and homes more energy efficient. We will plant 30,000 hectares of trees every year.

COP26 offers the UK the opportunity to play a fundamental role in setting the world’s agenda for tackling climate change in the years ahead. We have made strong progress so far, but we will need to rise to this challenge if we are truly to achieve long-term success.

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fromevalleyvoice

November, 2021

27

n NEWS

Parents respond to harvest appeal FAMILIES came together to celebrate a harvest festival as Iron Acton Primary School held its first service since before the pandemic.

And parents responded to an appeal for donations to a local foodbank with hundreds of boxes, cans and packets.

The event tool place on the school field on the afternoon of October 8.

Executive head teacher Mike Riches said: "It was a huge relief to be able to hold a Harvest service once again and we were thrilled with the number of families that attend to support the children and the school.

"We shared songs, poems and prayers, and a large number of families joined us for this first service since before the pandemic.

"Families were incredibly generous and donated hundreds of non-perishable items for the Yate and Chipping Sodbury Foodbank.

"The positive impact upon the school and the children was good to see, as the children had a live audience in front of which they could perform, and they were clearly very

proud to be able to share their learning in this way."

The school in Wotton Road has welcomed a full cohort of 15 new children to its Barn Owls Reception class again this year, and Mr Riches said all were settling well into school.

Study projects this term include Black History Month, where pupils have looked at the lives of civil rights campaigner Rosa Parks from the USA and Princess Campbell and Paul Stephenson from Bristol, and the difference they made to those around them.

The first school trips and visits since before the lockdown are also taking place, with one class visiting Bristol's M-Shed museum and another having visits from the police, fire brigade and the local hedgehog rescue centre.

Swimming, Bikeability training and cello lessons have also started.

The school is currently hosting visits for children starting school next year - call the school on 01454 228 322 or email enquiries@ironactonprimaryschool.co.uk for more information.

Some of the food donated by families

If it's News - Email us at: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk ice!

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28

fromevalleyvoice

n NEWS

Pub boosts air ambulance A COALPIT Heath pub has raised £1,200 to help keep the region's air ambulance flying.

The Ring O Bells held a charity day on the August bank holiday which raised £1,000 for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, which funds the helicopter, response cars and staff without regular government support.

On October 17 the pub held a presentation event to hand over the money to the charity's mascot, Charlie – and raised a further £200 for The handover at the Ring O Bells the cause from sales at a stall selling GWAAC teddies, Christmas cards and other gifts.

The pub chose the charity after landlady Pat Andrews' granddaughter Melody and a friend were involved in an accident during the school summer holidays which resulted in the air ambulance being called in.

Melody and her friend were to officially hand over the donation at the presentation, which had an impromptu flypast from the air ambulance, as the helicopter flew over on its way to a call.

The pub's charity in August included three bands performing outside and a barbecue.

Pub manager Becky Morgan said: "The generosity was fantastic."

November, 2021

Driver shortage hits buses A SEVERE bus driver shortage is forcing operators to cancel services.

First Bus and Stagecoach are having to take drastic action, while campaigners say rural communities are being “cut off” across South Gloucestershire.

Cancellations and reduced services were reported in October, with COVID-19, Brexit, strike action at the DVLA, sickness rates three times higher than normal, stored-up staff holidays, social distancing restrictions preventing learners from completing training and even HGV companies “poaching” bus drivers with higher wages all cited as causes.

The bus companies are redeploying drivers or hiring agency staff as short-term cover to keep less frequent services and the day’s last buses running, as well as “working round the clock” to recruit and train employees.

But both admit they cannot deliver full timetables for now, more cancellations are inevitable and the end is not yet in sight.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris, who is in charge of the West of England Combined Authority, the region's strategic transport authority, said: “A lack of strategic planning over the last decade means we are now in crisis."

Public transport campaigner Dave Redgewell told a recent South Gloucestershire Council meeting that the driver shortage was affecting Stagecoach services in particular, with “a lot of buses being cancelled”, including services to Yate and Chipping Sodbury.

He said: “Stagecoach is a good operator but we need to get a grip on this because it’s cutting off the rural areas."

Stagecoach West managing director Rachel Geliamassi said: “We are continuing to run over 95 per cent of our timetabled services and have firm plans in place to return to full services as quickly as possible."

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Challenge male violence against women and girls AS I mentioned in my last column, I am pleased to announce that I have taken on the role as national lead PCC for the Economic and Cybercrime portfolio. As the new lead, I will spearhead the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ (APCC) work to ensure the police are tackling online crime, fraud, harassment, hacking, economic crime and identify theft.

One in ten people fall victim to fraud and one in three become a repeat victim. It is because of such figures that I was inspired to take on this role as I feel it is an area of work where I can make the most difference to the lives of local people in Avon and Somerset and beyond.

Cybercrime and fraud are two of the most fast-growing crime types in the country, almost doubling every year. In fact, both crimes are growing so quickly that according to the Office for National Statistics, people are more likely to be a victim of fraud

or cybercrime than any other crime. Ultimately, we need to get a grip of it and protect vulnerable people from harm.

Over the coming months, I will be working closely with regional and national partners to improve the police response to this everevolving and complex area of crime.

I also wanted to discuss a matter that I know has been of great concern to many local people, more so in recent weeks: male violence against women and girls.

The threat of abuse, misogyny, intimidation and violence that women face every day has become wrongly accepted in communities as the ‘norm.’

Following the appalling murder of Sarah Everard, I have read with absolute horror on social media and in the news, the precautions and preventative steps that women and girls take every day of their lives to protect themselves and, still, such actions

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do not always keep them safe.

A change is needed. Now is the time to put the onus back on the offender and actively challenge their behaviour.

Collaboration of statutory agencies and partners is essential to tackle the attitudes, behaviour and, ultimately, criminal activity of perpetrators who are violent towards women and girls.

Change is also needed within the police and criminal justice system and that is why I am supportive of the Home Office’s inquiry into issues raised

by Wayne Couzens’ conviction.

Sarah’s murder has rightly already raised some difficult questions and discussions for all police forces and the Home Office’s inquiry will continue to do so.

Sustained change is desperately needed and I firmly encourage Avon and Somerset Police to face these questions head-on, reflect and set actions to ensure officers and staff are upholding the highest standards

With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford

of policing for our communities.

I understand that this is a complex, societal issue but this is not an excuse. We need to start somewhere and the police and criminal justice system need to be leading the way to deliver real change.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

November, 2021

29

n NEWS

Huge haul of rubbish in river clean-up A VOLUNTEER clean-up team removed a hug amount of rubbish from the river Frome in Yate.

The day of action to mark World Rivers Day, on a stretch of the river near the Stover Industrial Estate in late September, was organised by charity the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust, weeks after it published a study that found high levels of pollutants in the river.

The 20 volunteers found six large car tyres, several road cones and car parts, hose pipes and 15 bags full of rubbish from the river.

A second clean-up of the river in Eastville, Bristol, the following day saw 12 volunteers remove 17 tyres, three shopping trolleys, road cones and ten bags full of litter.

BART spokesperson Rozy Gray said: "We found so much more rubbish in the river than expected and were really impressed with the community

Volunteers at the clean-up in Yate efforts to make these river cleans a success.

"The removal of this litter will make a real difference to the river, for both local biodiversity and the local community.

"BART would like to say thank you to our wonderful volunteers for their hard work, the Environment Agency for funding the river cleans, and our partners South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol Council and Bristol Frome Reconnected."

Last month the Voice reported that BART had recruited 193 volunteers to take part in water quality testing in

local streams and rivers across the Bristol Avon Catchment in its WaterBlitz event, held during one week in July.

Their results showed levels of pollution on the rise, with more than half of the 47 samples from the river Frome – which flows through Frampton Cotterell and Winterbourne Down on its way from its source at Dodington to Bristol's Floating Harbour – and with its tributaries showing a high level of nutrient pollution, while 34% showed a medium level.

High levels of polluting

nitrates and phosphates were recorded at locations including the Frome Valley Walkway near Rockwell Wood at Kendleshire, Huckford Quarry, and Damson Bridge and Bury Hill Bridge, Winterbourne Down.

Medium levels of nutrients were recorded at several other locations, including the Rectory Road bridge and Black Rocks, Frampton Cotterell, where high levels of visible algae were also recorded.

To get involved BART email rozy@bristolavonriverstrust. org.

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fromevalleyvoice

30

November, 2021

n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

Remembrance for peace NOVEMBER traditionally provides us with a special opportunity for both remembrance and the consideration of peace, within our own lives and throughout our world.

Many of us will gather at our local war memorials on Remembrance Sunday, which this year is the 14th.

An important aspect of our remembrance is to acknowledge the debt of gratitude we all feel towards the millions who have given their lives in military struggle for the peace and freedom of others.

At the same time, we also remember the many civilians working and living on the home front through those terrible times of strife and, as a consequence, an essential element of remembrance should be an impetus for each of us to strive for peace.

From a Christian perspective, an important part of our

communion services is our sharing of ‘The Peace’, a few moments within our lives when we can actively exchange simple words or tokens of peace with our neighbours.

For those who may not know, ‘The Peace’ is a part of our service when we share the Peace of God with everyone present, usually with a handshake to immediate neighbours, or mentally with those more distant.

It is a time to lay down antipathies, differences of opinion, or whatever else, and be reconciled with the whole of humanity and creation.

The notion of the sharing of peace is not unique to Christianity and members of many other faiths both focus on and exchange words and tokens of peace on a regular basis.

Some years ago I had the privilege of attending a service in the Cathedral Church of Santiago de Compostela

in Northern Spain, when I experienced one of the most awe-inspiring moments of my life, in which the whole congregation, led by the bishop, shared the Peace.

The joy was palpable, and we were all grinning with the wonder of it.

This heightened awareness and joy at the universality of God’s love for us formed a stark contrast with some of the emotions engendered by a visit to the Flanders Field Museum, the Menin Gate and Tynecot Cemetery. There, the waste of hate is amplified almost beyond belief, yet the individual love of comrade for comrade, in support of what is believed to be right and proper, feels beyond reproach.

This special month of November, this season of Remembrance, this time of acknowledging the many millions who have laid down and are sadly still laying down

Bob Conway

Associate Minister their ‘todays for our tomorrows’ should take on an even more poignant and more urgent perspective, in our desire to see peace break out throughout the world.

Therefore, please let us remember the fallen with respect and with dignity, but let us also turn our hearts towards loving our neighbours as we love ourselves, and, above all, let the peace of the Lord be always with you!

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fromevalleyvoice

November, 2021

31

n COMMUNITY NEWS AS we invite autumn in, the season has not disappointed us in the abundance it has offered us down at the Frome Valley Growing Project.

We are so enjoying collecting and foraging for food, both to enjoy now and to store for the coming colder months.

We have been saving seeds, drying beans and chillies, pickling and fermenting vegetables, and making jams and juices out of fruit.

With our first season using the poly tunnel, we are delighted with the new possibilities it has opened up to us to be able to grow food that needs a warmer climate to thrive.

Thanks to Councillor Trevor Jones for his support and sense of humour to get this wonderful addition to our project up and running.

Some innovative members of our project have designed and implemented a new irrigation system for the poly tunnel, which is solar-powered pump-fed through porous pipe made from old bicycle tyres!

We can highly recommend this porous pipe, and anyone interested in using it can find out more about it here www. porouspipe.co.uk.

The trees we planted during the winter and spring are settling in to their new homes.

Thanks again to Winterbourne Parish Council and One Planet Matters for their donations of local, heritage trees for our food forest.

And also to Winterbourne Environmental Group, who called Thatchers Cider to account after one of their epic litter picks.

Thatchers donated numerous cider apple trees, and they were also planted earlier this year on

Autumn at Frome Valley Growing Project

our site.

Our hope is that when these trees are fruiting we will be able to hold apple days for the whole community to come and be involved in.

We are developing a design for a medicinal herb garden and we are looking for donations of plants to grow there and also in our food forest to support the health of our young trees.

We are particularly interested

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

in perennial herbs for these spaces.

Examples of flowers and herbs we would love include comfrey, bergamot, oregano, chamomile and borage.

We have started to run volunteer sessions most Tuesdays and Saturdays, so if you are interested in coming down and getting stuck in, please do get in contact via our Facebook page.

We have also started offering workshops to local groups who

want to come and understand more about permaculture growing principles and have a go at some of the many practical learning opportunities we can offer.

We are particularly enjoying running sessions for children and young people.

If you are interested in knowing more about these visits, again please do get in contact via Facebook or call 0770 875 8370.

Kate Macdonald

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

32

November, 2021

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

Looking forward to the Happy Holidays?

THIS month, instead of a recipe I’m sharing some tips for Christmas, especially the cake.

If you like to make your own cake, you’ll have your own favourite recipe – mine is Delia’s.

Here are a few thoughts and

suggestions which I hope will be useful.

The Americans often talk about December as the time of Happy Holidays, not just Christmas.

That’s because it’s very much a multi-faith culture, and so you’re

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wishing people a happy time of celebration, whatever their religion.

Then I started thinking how stressful many people find Christmas. Not a Happy Holiday at all! It should be a time to spend with family and friends, to relax and be happy.

So, if you’re the one cooking and organising Christmas for your family, why not go easy on yourself?

Plan carefully, get ahead and, above all, keep it simple!

My grown-up children, with kids of their own, keep telling me not everything has to be homemade by me.

Some things I do like to make, like my Christmas cake.

It’s best to make it ahead for good flavour. I find that about six weeks ahead works well.

Then, if you like, you can “feed” it with alcohol (brandy, sherry, rum) or my special mix of a third of a pint of concentrated orange squash, two thirds of a pint of cold black tea and 3 tablespoons of sherry.

Using a metal skewer, pierce the cake all over. Spoon teaspoons of your chosen alcohol or mix into the holes once a week for the six weeks. This will give you a wonderfully moist cake.

And as for the cake itself, here’s a time-saving suggestion: why not visit Nature’s Choice, the revamped health shop in Horse Street, Chipping Sodbury?

Karen and her team have preweighed the main ingredients for a delicious Christmas cake, with recipe included.

Whilst you’re there, have look at all the eco-friendly interesting products available. You might even find some novel Christmas presents!

Tips for a foolproof Christmas cake

Making a Christmas cake is a timeconsuming process, so make it easy on yourself and do it in stages:

Plan ahead and make the cake a month or two in advance. Rich fruitcakes improve in flavour with time.

Weigh out the dried fruit and peel and leave it to soak overnight to plump it up. You can use brandy, sherry, or rum, but if you prefer not to use alcohol, then use orange juice or even cold tea gives a lovely flavour. (No milk.)

Take time to line the tin properly: it will ensure you get a beautiful, well-cooked cake. It's worth buying some non-stick silicone paper so that you don’t have to grease it.

Try to use a cake tin with a loose bottom, to make removing the cake easier.

Lining cake tins For rich cakes, which will be cooked for a long time, you should use double thickness of paper and line both the base and the sides of the tin.

You should also tie 2 or 3 thicknesses of brown paper or newspaper round the outside of the tin, to stop the outside of the cake becoming too well done.

Cut one or two strips of double non-stick silicone paper, long enough to reach around the outside of the tin with enough to overlap, and wide enough to come 2.5cm (1 inch) above the rim of the tin. Fold the bottom edge up about 2cm (¾ inch) and crease it firmly. Open out and make slanting cuts into the folded strip at 2cm (¾ inch) intervals.

Place the tin on a double thickness of non-stick silicone paper and draw around the base.

Grease the inside of the tin.

Place one paper circle inside the base.

Place the long strips in the tin, pressing them against the side with the cut edges spread over the base.

Finally, place the second circle in the base.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

November, 2021

33

n VILLAGE ACTION

A walk around Coalpit Heath A WALK around Coalpit Heath gave me some surprises that maybe others might appreciate.

It all began when I volunteered to walk some of the routes in the Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath Heritage Walks guide, to check what might have changed since the booklet was published, with a view to reprinting it.

Having walked across the playing field of Coalpit Heath old Manor School and exited by the squeezer stile, I experienced (for the first time) the community garden, which was once the garden of the headmaster's house.

It is immaculate and very pretty, with a shelter, coloured curly streamers, shells, knitted lanterns and a delightful circular bench under the central apple tree, as well as lovely flowers.

Apparently, a couple from Rose Oak Lane maintain the garden, and they are to be congratulated for the result. It is so colourful, wellstocked and peaceful.

Serridge Barn Towards the end of the walk, coming up Henfield Road, Serridge House and Barn is on the left-hand side.

There is pretty bunting and flowers at the entrance, plus a stone wall to sit on and watch the busy traffic and cyclists go by while - wait for it - enjoying the contents of a treats box!

Someone had filled the painted wooden box with fudge marshmallows and some rocky

Bitterwell Lake road cookies - each one in a plastic bag.

There was no big sign asking for money, but a small dish inside, where donations could be left.

Having no cash with me, I left a little note saying I would put money in next time - and did next day: my note was still there but no goodies, yet, at 10.30am. But wasn't it kind of the householders to offer such a surprise?

Bitterwell Lake has also had a

makeover and looks really smart, with new landing stages for the fishermen and very neatlymanicured grounds, with new fencing.

A lovely place to picnic or just sit and watch tree and cloud reflections on the water.

Maybe an angler will show you what he has caught: it's a very popular sport for those who like to relax!

Jean Frary

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fromevalleyvoice

34

November, 2021

n COMMUNITY NEWS Winterbourne Down Village Carnival IT'S been a busy start to the Autumn term: we’ve held our AGM and a committee meeting.

The AGM saw the election of committee members, with many staying in post, some swapping roles and the introduction of new members.

If you’re keen on joining the committee, don’t feel the need to wait until next year’s AGM we’re always ready to welcome new members!

Whilst there’s been a noticeable absence of the carnival for the past two years, that’s not stopped us fundraising.

COVID-19 has encouraged us to explore other fundraising activities and community events.

Within the past year, we’ve held the hugely successful history trail and the incredibly popular virtual fair; a special mention must be made to Steve Daniels and Sarah Edwards in bringing about the success of these events.

As a result of this year’s fundraising efforts, the carnival was able to make donations totalling a whopping £1,600 to our nominated charities: Brace, the Trussell Trust, SSAFA and Mind.

A huge thank you to everyone who has continued to support us through these rather unique and unusual times.

Looking forward, we have new projects and events lined up for the year ahead, not forgetting the massively-anticipated return of the carnival itself, with a jam-packed line up across the weekend culminating on May Day Monday, which next year is on the 2nd.

Kathryn Hopes

The suffragette planter Floral Friends of Frampton LOOK out for the new suffragette planter at the Brockeridge Centre, planted by Floral Friends' volunteers with purple, white and green colours to commemorate over 100 years of women's suffrage. A plaque will soon be added to complete the display.

It will soon be time to replace the summer bedding in the planters around the village with a colourful mix of winter bedding plants.

Normally this is completed by the end of October, so do look out for the volunteers replanting and the completed planters – we hope they will cheer up the coming winter months.

It takes time, effort and funds to maintain the planting around the village benefiting the local community, the environment, and the wildlife.

If you would like to help there are various ways in which you can do so, from regularly maintaining the planters, to helping when we need to replenish the plants in the planters to making donations or sponsorship of a planter or gateway for an annual fee.

If you can help in any way, we’d love to hear from you: email us at floralfriendsofframpton@gmail.com.

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fromevalleyvoice

November, 2021

35

n COMMUNITY NEWS Coalpit Heath WI WE were delighted to welcome Paula Morris as our speaker this month. Paula has recently retired as an RAF Wing Commander and talked us through her career in the RAF, from joining the Air Cadets at 13, then learning to fly at 17 and signing on for Initial Officer training at Cranwell at 18.

Paula’s role within the RAF was in logistics, managing the movement of people, transport and equipment necessary to keep aircraft flying.

She outlined some of the key events in her career, including a commendation from her deployment at Kabul airport soon after 9/11, when she was woken to offload a Hercules, landing under fire from the Taliban, and only had time to put her flak jacket and helmet on over her pyjamas.

Paula also talked us through the challenges of continuing to work once she was a mother.

Her message was very much about the importance of resilience and being who you are.

A small team have been preparing our entry for the Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath Scarecrow trail, the theme of which is Save the Planet. Our entry will be on the bench outside St Saviour’s church from October 25-29.

An American supper is being planned for our December meeting, and members are being asked to sign up and bring along a contribution.

Our delayed Xmas meal took place at The Bell, and was very much enjoyed by those who

went. Preparation for this year’s is now under way.

Xmas hampers are also being planned for the December raffle.

Our meetings are on the first Wednesday of each month, at 7.45pm for an 8pm start. Flasks of hot water will be available but please bring your own mugs or flasks.

If you would like to join us you would be most welcome - updates and further information can be found on our Facebook page, @WICoalpitHeath.

Caroline Johnston Winterbourne Evening WI AT our October meeting we celebrated our 65th birthday with cake and wine.

So many changes have taken place since the day of our first meeting, when almost 100 ladies attended, all dressed in their best clothes and hats.

However, we still share the same values and comradeship, and desire to help others. Along the way we also managed to have a lot of fun and happy times together.

We still have a membership of 51 ladies, who are really enjoying meeting up again after the last 18 months.

We have many events, speakers and outings planned for the coming year, so why not come along and join us at St Michael’s School, Winterbourne at 7.30pm on the second

Thursday of the month? You will receive a very warm welcome.

Our speaker this month was the amazing Steve Slade who, despite receiving devastating injuries in an accident in his late teens, has enjoyed an exciting career in the air.

Steve became a pilot and aeronautical engineer with Rolls-Royce but his real love became designing and flying microlight aircraft.

He has travelled all over the world competing in competitions and winning many of them.

He also takes many beautiful photographs from the air and showed us some of Winterbourne, in which we were all trying to identify our houses!

Thank you Steve for a most enjoyable evening.

Margaret Beacham

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fromevalleyvoice

36

November, 2021

n SPORT

Frampton youngsters at rugby festival

FRAMPTON Cotterell were among the clubs taking part in this year's Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup. After months of frustration caused by the covid pandemic, juniors took centre stage in early October, with the Bristol Grammar School Sports Grounds hosting an Under-11 and Under-12 grassroots developmental festival for teams across the West Country.

For Frampton player Austin Mortimer, 10, who has experienced a frustrating time away from the pitch, it was a memorable experience as his side finally got back to playing.

Austin, whose favourite player is Owen Farrell, said: “I’m quite excited about today as we just get to play loads of rugby."

While Frampton missed out on the Land Rover Premiership

Frampton Cotterell Under-11s at the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup festival.

Rugby Cup Trophy and a trip to Twickenham for the Premiership Rugby Final, the competition was a fantastic spectacle for those in attendance, with highly

competitive fixtures providing a meaningful platform for youngsters to develop their rugby skills.

Bristol Bears star Luke

Great start to season for hockey clubs BRISTOL & West Hockey Club's men's first team has started the season with three wins out of three.

Top of the league from the very first game, the results so far are a 6-0 win at home over West Wilts, 1-7 away at Swansea A and 2-8 vs Cheltenham A – a goal difference of +18, more than double the next highest.

Promotion to the West Premiership is the aim, but that will prove to be a difficult task with only the champions gaining promotion this season after a reshuffle of league structures by England Hockey.

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Also pushing for promotion are the Men’s 3s, who top their league after a 4-1 win vs

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Cardiff Uni 4s, 1-8 win vs Gwent 2s and a 9-3 thumping of South Glos 1s to give them a goal difference of +16. Bristol & West Jaspers 1s have had a slightly more testing start and are currently 5th place in their league. The women's results include a 4-1 win vs Westberries 2s, an agonising 2-3 loss vs Leominster 1s and a well fought 2-2 draw vs Cirencester 1s.

The U16 Boys are second in their league after two games, with a humbling 0-6 defeat to Wotton-under-Edge followed up by a great response with a 2-5 victory over Somerset Gryphons.

Lots of exciting prospects are coming through the ranks on both sides, with some of the U16 girls already making great strides in the Ladies 1st team.

For more information about the club visit www.bandwhc.org.uk.

Harry Bryant

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Morahan, who attended the event, said: “It’s always great to come down and see grassroots rugby. Looking here today there’s 32 teams, over 500 kids playing and enjoying themselves.

“It’s good to come down here and still see that there’s that enjoyment of the game after probably 12-18 months of kids not being able to run around with their teammates and play this sort of stuff. It’s good to get back out here and see their enjoyment."

Land Rover has been supporting grassroots rugby in the UK for nearly two decades, through the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup. Follow the latest Land Rover rugby activity on Twitter @ LandRoverRugby.

Oli Dickson-Jefford, Sportsbeat

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November, 2021

37

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SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

Celebrating almost £3 million of school building improvements

Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Employment Cllr Erica Williams visits Blackhorse Primary School.

Children at the new entrance of Frampton Cotterell Primary School.

The council is carrying out more maintenance improvements to school buildings than ever this year, with an investment of just under £3 million. Work has been completed at a number of primary and junior schools across South Gloucestershire over the summer holidays. This is part of our record £78 million investment into

schools over a four-year period.

Projects already completed include: Blackhorse Primary School in Emersons Green: Replacement of existing lighting to LED and the installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system as part of the Public Sector Decarbonisation

Integra Kitchen Unit Manager at Manorbrook Primary School with new dishwasher Scheme.

Frampton Cotterell Primary School: Refurbishment of the main entrance canopy and replacement of various windows.

Manorbrook Primary School in Thornbury: Brand new electric catering appliances which have replaced older gas models.

A stronger voice for your community

Housing completions

New parish and town councils: Have your say

South Gloucestershire saw a record 1,650 new homes built during 2020/21, despite the impact of the pandemic on the construction industry. This success means that more individuals and families in the district will now have homes to rent and buy.

Of these new homes, 403 are classed as ‘affordable’, including 305 for social renting, eight for affordable rent and 90 for shared ownership schemes. This represents over 40 per cent of the total number of affordable new homes completed in the last year across the entire West of England region. The new homes are on both large and small-scale developments.

Both the overall number of new homes and those which are affordable completed in the past year are above the council’s targets. Construction in the district has remained resilient. Not only does this keep people employed locally, but offers the prospect of housing being available for the next generation of South Gloucestershire residents close to where they grew up.

The growth in available housing supports local businesses to attract and retain staff who contribute to the local economy and strengthens the community.

The council works closely with housebuilding companies, large and small, to help ensure their schemes fit with its aspirations for high-quality, sustainable new homes, which provide a good choice to meet the needs of everyone in our communities and create good, safe and inspiring places for people to live and work.

Did you know that being part of a parish gives you a stronger voice regarding what happens in your community? South Gloucestershire residents now have the chance to comment on proposals on changes to town and parish councils, including the creation of four new parish councils, through a Community Governance Review consultation. The deadline for responses is 31 December.

The review will look at how things currently work locally and examine how they can improve to meet communities’ rising expectations.

Among the consultation proposals, this includes: • A new Town Council for Kingswood • Staple Hill & Mangotsfield, Charlton Hayes, and Stoke Park & Cheswick to be Parish Councils • Oldbury-on-Severn Parish Council to have additional councillors • Tytherington Parish Council to have additional councillors and name change to Tytherington and Itchington Parish Council • A name change for Westerleigh Parish Council to Westerleigh and Coalpit Heath Parish Council.

You can have your say through the council’s website: www.southglos.gov.uk/consultations

3

Record new homes: providing ownership and affordable housing choice

4

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

Calling community heroes

Do you want to celebrate an unsung community hero? Why not nominate them for the South Gloucestershire Council Chair’s Community Awards?

The annual awards recognise and celebrate the valuable contribution that local, unpaid volunteers and community groups make to life in South Gloucestershire. You can nominate anyone in South Gloucestershire who gives up their time for a good cause, such as those who help keep our parks clean and tidy, the befriending volunteers who brighten people’s days, or the helpful neighbours who have supported those self-isolating.

The next celebration of community work and volunteering takes place in January. The Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Mr Edward Gillespie, will attend the awards ceremony and select one of the winners to receive a special Lord Lieutenant’s Award.

You can nominate your community hero up until 19 November on the website: www.southglos.gov.uk/communityawards or email communityawards@southglos.gov.uk

Keep in touch Sign up for our weekly enewsletter at  www.southglos.gov.uk/newsletter If you are not online and would like a printed copy, please call us on  01454 868009 Follow our social media channels at  southglos.gov.uk/twitter  southglos.gov.uk/facebook Or contact us at  southglos.gov.uk/contactus or call  01454 868009 www.southglos.gov.uk

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14/10/2021 15:59